Yasser Arafat was secretly my investor. Fortunately that business (Vaultus) failed and Yasser lost $2 million.
HIdden blessings are everywhere.
I thought my passion was to write a bestselling novel in 1990.
I never did it and ended up starting a business, then another, then another, then another.
I failed so many times I finally got good. I got good at business as a side effect of trying to write a bestselling novel every day.
I thought my passion was to make a lot of money and start a hedge fund. I failed. I couldn’t raise enough money. But I learned a lot about persuasion skills.
I thought my passion was to write articles that would get lots of “Likes”. I try hard now not to care. But I still care too much.
This past week I’ve done NINE podcasts with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I’m so tired! But…
After each podcast I write down what I learned. Can I take away Just ONE THING that can change my life? Then after hundreds of podcasts, I can now say, the results are incredible.
TAKEAWAY #1
Two days ago, I learned this from my guest, a billionaire: “The most popular word in the English language is ‘I’. Let other people talk and you listen.”
TAKEAWAY #2
Four days ago, I learned this from my guest, a mega-power athlete:
“When your mind tells you you HAVE to stop, whether in a race, or a business, or writing, or whatever: you can always go 60% more!”
TAKEAWAY #3:
I learned from another guest this week, “Be a generalist. Learn about a lot of things. It’s the intersection where all predictions and opportunities are.”
I love stories of people who have chosen themselves. Sometimes I feel such a need for approval it prevents me from choosing myself.
I’m like a kid who gets happy when he’s complimented.
Nothing wrong with that, but you can’t let the positive people affect you… the same way you can’t let the haters affect you.
So I’m going to try and answer a few questions for myself today.
CHOOSE YOURSELF QUIZ OF THE DAY:
I ask these questions of myself:
– PASSION QUESTION? If you could structure your day completely without any financial or emotional worries, what would you do?
– WHERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR EXCUSES?
The other day there was a planned event at the comedy club I usually perform at. Which meant I couldn’t perform that night.
I wanted to perform. I could’ve said, “But I can’t. They are booked!” But that’s an excuse.
I made calls all around the city and used every contact I had to perform at a new club.
Opportunity #1: I found a new stage I could maybe be a regular at. Actually, I found several new places.
I saw areas where I could improve simply because I was on a different stage.
Opportunity #2: Learn how different stages need different ways to perform.
What are your excuses today for not doing what you want? What are the opportunities hidden inside those excuses?
– THE ULTIMATE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?
A year from now, what do you want to look back on and say, “I am most proud I did this.”
Make it realistic. I can’t say, “I’m most proud I made a billion dollars.” I don’t even want a billion.
I can say, “I”m most proud I wrote a book that helped people.” Or, “I’m most proud I made videos that people were entertained and motivated by.”
Or, “I’m most proud I spent quality time with my daughters even as they move into adulthood.”
– YOUR TOP FIVE?
We’re the average of the five people you spend your time with. Warren Buffett has said it. Tony Robbins says it.
Relationships are key to success and well-being. Who are your five people? 100% of EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR I have ever made is owed to my relationships.
I always wonder, “How many great friends should one have?”
David Goggins told me recently he keeps it to a minimum. “Two or three.”
And then after that is his fiancee and one or two others he mentioned.
I have to think about this one. I don’t always know the answer.
– WHERE CAN YOU BE HUMBLE?
I spoke to David Rubenstein the other day. Forbes says he’s worth $3 billion. I did my own calculations and figure he’s worth $20 billion. Forbes misses a lot of things.
He is a philanthropist and, among many other things, is Chairman of the Smithsonian.
He’s a massive reader of history and is writing a book on what he’s learned from the great historians.
He told me, “Every successful person I know has humility at their core. When you become more secure in yourself and who you are, you become more humble.”
In what area of your life can you (just a little) care less TODAY about what people think of you?
Often the GOAL is to have people like what I do.
But I can’t control that. I have to focus on getting better. On process.
If I’m not the best, I need to get “beginner’s mind” and learn from mentors.
Today I need to learn to be better at responding to people.
– WHAT CAN YOU SURRENDER TODAY?
Every day I feel the need to control things out of my control.
What is the weather? What will stocks do today? Who will call me back today to give me the MAGIC OPPORTUNITIES I think I am ENTITLED TO?
A key to success is to reclaim mental real estate. To surrender to the things you can’t control so you can focus on the things you can.
I can surrender my goal to be the #1 podcast in the world. Again, if I focus on the process, I’ll get to the goal without trying to control the goal.
I can’t force ten million people to download the podcast every day. It doesn’t matter how entitled I feel (So I can surrender that entitlement feeling as well).
—-
Process:
Today I read the books of my guest.
I watched his videos. I listened to other podcasts he’s been on. I wrote down my questions. Rewrote them. Then let the conversation happen naturally.
I always have to remind myself to focus on process more than outcomes. And from that, art is created, experiences are heightened, and goals are achieved.
It doesn’t matter whether outcomes are great or suck. I do what I love TODAY.
Three generations from now nobody will even remember me. If I choose myself today, that’s all that matters.
A lot of people live complicated lives all for nothing. Yasser Arafat lost $2 million on my company.
Yasser Arafat is dead. I am still alive.