What if the negative person is my wife?
Two weeks ago my podcast theme was Stay Away From Negative Friends. I talked about my 3-hour rule where I’ll spend 3 hours a year with negative friends but certainly not 3 days or 3 weeks on a vacation. Well,…
I love books …… but
Growing up in a home without radio or TV drove me to books as a way to expand my little world. And that little world has expanded from doing simple farm chores like baling hay and milking cows to writing,…
Is your good life making you stupid?
This concept comes from a story I read in the classic little book I Dare You. A professor once hit upon a great discovery while buttoning up his vest. Or rather, he hit upon the discovery because his vest wouldn’t…
What good is having talent if you’re not using it?
A miser, to make sure of his property, sold all that he had and converted it into a great lump of gold, which he hid in a hole in the ground, and went continually to visit and inspect it. This…
You’re smart enough and good enough but your business is sucking wind
Remember the old Saturday Night Live skit where the character would stand in front of the mirror and say, “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.” Well, I wish that were enough to be successful…
Are you ready to be your own boss?
Many of you have read The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. In that book Gerber describes what he calls the “Fatal Assumption.” The Fatal Assumption is this: that knowing how to do the technical work means you know how to build…
I’m afraid charging for my art will hurt my reputation
This is such a common question I wanted to share it here. Isn’t it cheapening the real process of creating art (music, sculptures, writing, visual art, coaching) if I expect money in return? Andy asks: “Dan, I’m an illustrator and…
Will my mistakes keep my children from succeeding?
While having dinner Friday night our waitress lamented to us that her 23-yr-old daughter was leaving yet another relationship. She told us how this daughter seemed to be pulled into relationships that looked great at the beginning only to deteriorate…
How to nail the dreaded phone interview
Studies have shown that 90% of communication is nonverbal. So how do you shine in the increasingly popular phone interview? You can’t take advantage of your good looks, great wardrobe, firm handshake, eye contact, and JLo perfume. But there are…
Hey I got on the wrong boat!
The phrases people use to describe where they are in life never cease to amaze and amuse me. In the new 10th Anniversary Edition of 48 Days to the Work You Love I share just a few of the revealing…