If I were to ask you to write down a list of all your wants and desires, I’d wager it would be pretty easy to fill.

You want a six pack. You want more meaningful relationships. You want your coworkers to respect you.

You want good grades, a new car, a bigger house.

You want a book deal. You want to travel the world. You want to make a difference.

But if I were ask you for a list of what you’d be willing to sacrifice to obtain those wants and desires my guess is it wouldn’t be nearly as easy to supply.

And there is a reason for that.

First be clear on what you’re willing to sacrifice. And then stick to your word.

A mark of true success. 

Post from: A Boundless World

What Will You Sacrifice?

Related posts:

1. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...
2. Playing A Bigger Game Most people get stuck playing the small games, the games...
3. Why Reading This Blog Is Overrated Why are you here reading this? Seriously.. why? Is it...
4. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...

1. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...
2. Playing A Bigger Game Most people get stuck playing the small games, the games...
3. Why Reading This Blog Is Overrated Why are you here reading this? Seriously.. why? Is it...
4. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...

I write because I was born to.
I write because it guides me. 
I write because I’m an artist that paints with words.
I write because I’m scared.
I write because I’m searching.
I write to get lost.
I write to be lost.
I write because I’m selfish.
I write for my family.
I write for those who ache.
I write for those who dream.
I write for legacy.
I write for you.

Why do you write?

Post from: A Boundless World

Why I Write

Related posts:

1. The Language You Use The language we use has a tremendous amount of influence...
2. The Big Picture As an artist your work will ultimately define the impact...

1. The Language You Use The language we use has a tremendous amount of influence...
2. The Big Picture As an artist your work will ultimately define the impact...

I came across this clip a while back, but I still can’t get over how powerful this 45 second video is.  I think this will be the best 45 seconds of your day. 

Last Day Dream from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

My three takeaways. 

1. Moments matter. Possessions do not. 

2. There is magic in brevity

3. Stories are everything. 

What did this clip mean to you?

Post from: A Boundless World

3 Lessons From A Life in 45 Seconds

Related posts:

1. Magic And The Story You Tell Growing up I was always fascinated with magic. I still...
2. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...
3. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...

1. Magic And The Story You Tell Growing up I was always fascinated with magic. I still...
2. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...
3. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...

As we say goodbye to the year 2011 I’ve been thinking a great deal about my hopes and aspirations for the year 2012.

My aim for this year, put simply, is to be committed in everything I do. The past few years I’ve been pretty scattered, jumping from one project or idea to the next. But truth be told I feel I haven’t left everything on the table.

While exploring my various interests was certainly rewarding, I feel it’s time to put my head down and really get to work.

Bottom line is I want 2012 to be the year of results.

Fitness

My fitness level has been in steep decline since I stopped running cross country in high school. And for the past few years I’ve tolerated the slippage, but enough is enough. It’s time I give my body the respect it deserves.

Relationships

I haven’t been the greatest with staying in touch with those closest to me, which is something I intend to put a lot of effort into in the up coming year.

I believe strongly that your family and friends are everything.

Writing

I haven’t been the most consistent writer in the world. However I know the solution is as simple as: to ship.

I fully intend to deepen my writing by consistently showing up.

In my commitment to sharpen my writing I will be writing at least 1000 words every day in the year 2012 apocalypse pending of course.

Reading

Several years ago, I used to read a book a week. Lately it’s been about a book a month. I’m committed to making the time to do one of the activities I love most.

Have Fun

I am fully committed to making 2012 one of most enjoyable and rewarding years of my life. I hope you join me.

What’s going to change for you in 2012? I would love to hear.

Happy New Years.

Post from: A Boundless World

A Year of Commitment

Related posts:

1. A Boundless World Update It’s been relatively quiet here at A Boundless World over...
2. Buds Book Box And Other Ramblings I’d like to take a few moments to tie up...
3. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...

1. A Boundless World Update It’s been relatively quiet here at A Boundless World over...
2. Buds Book Box And Other Ramblings I’d like to take a few moments to tie up...
3. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...

Blame other people for your own shortcomings.
Make promises then break them.
Sacrifice integrity for convenience.
Treat your body poorly.
Wait for tomorrow.
Let fear win.
Play victim.
Chase comfort.

If you find yourself selling out on a regular basis don’t be surprised if life chooses to do the same.

Post from: A Boundless World

How To Sell Out

Related posts:

1. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
2. Playing A Bigger Game Most people get stuck playing the small games, the games...
3. Are You Overconfident? It’s common knowledge in the world of psychology that the...
4. A Bump In The Table Back at my parents house we have a pool table...

1. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
2. Playing A Bigger Game Most people get stuck playing the small games, the games...
3. Are You Overconfident? It’s common knowledge in the world of psychology that the...
4. A Bump In The Table Back at my parents house we have a pool table...

Whenever I’m walking to class I’ll occasionally bump into someone I only slightly know.

With indifference in my voice I’ll ask, “How are you?” Secretly hoping for no response. After all, I have things going on.

Most of the time I’ll get a “I’m good..” and the conversation ends. We then go our separate ways. Periodically, I’m on the receiving end of the fake how do you do. 

It’s funny how I’ve spent so much of my life unaware I was acting out this superficial communication pattern. And I suspect I’m not the only one.

Just yet another habit we succumb to… 

Some important questions to consider:

Why do we ask people how they are when we don’t even want to listen? Why do we pretend we care? Does our society lack depth?

Perhaps next time you ask someone how they are… actually intend to listen. Oh how great the world would be. 

Post from: A Boundless World

How Are You?

Related posts:

1. Quality Control: Are You Asking The Right Questions? What questions did you ask yourself today? More importantly, how...
2. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...

1. Quality Control: Are You Asking The Right Questions? What questions did you ask yourself today? More importantly, how...
2. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...

Growing up I was always fascinated with magic. I still remember when my dad showed me my first card trick. I perform it to this day.

These days, it’s quite easy to learn a few tricks to impress your friends. There’s thousands of tutorials online.

But to become a great magician takes work. Because there’s a catch.

Good magicians aren’t remembered because of the cool tricks they do.

They are remembered for the story they tell. They are remembered because of how they make you feel.

Who isn’t inspired by a dove appearing out of thin air? Who isn’t impressed by the mind reader who chose your random card.

We often forget how passionate we are about stories that involve the impossible. The stories that let us dream.

Sure, magic doesn’t actually exist. Except in the story you tell.

Post from: A Boundless World

Magic And The Story You Tell

Related posts:

1. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
2. Why Reading This Blog Is Overrated Why are you here reading this? Seriously.. why? Is it...
3. Reframing Rejection You didn’t get the job. You didn’t pass your test....
4. Gandhi and The Sugar Story One day a mother and her son went to visit...

1. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
2. Why Reading This Blog Is Overrated Why are you here reading this? Seriously.. why? Is it...
3. Reframing Rejection You didn’t get the job. You didn’t pass your test....
4. Gandhi and The Sugar Story One day a mother and her son went to visit...

Most of us claim that we want to be leaders and change the world. 

Yet our everyday actions rarely reflect this sentiment. 

Consider the last time you were with friends and someone asks where you want to eat.

Whether or not you’re  a leader can be found in how you answer. 

A.  I don’t mind.. you choose.

B. Let’s go to In and Out Burger. 

Are you a leader?  Or are you pretending to be? 

Post from: A Boundless World

Are You A Leader?

Related posts:

1. How To Give Honest Feedback The other day I was toying with the idea of...
2. Gandhi and The Sugar Story One day a mother and her son went to visit...
3. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
4. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...

1. How To Give Honest Feedback The other day I was toying with the idea of...
2. Gandhi and The Sugar Story One day a mother and her son went to visit...
3. Attitude and Excuses Last semester I took calculus and had a teacher who...
4. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...

The other day I was toying with the idea of starting a flower business by creating a website where you could buy flowers for a random person in need.

I’d work with the flower companies to make it affordable. People could buy flowers for individuals in need of love. And I’d be helping bring smiles to hundreds of individuals. Greatest idea ever.

While doing my research I sent an email over to my boy Sean Platt who worked in the flower industry for many years. I just knew he would love my idea and all would be merry. Eh.. not so fast.

Long story short, Sean gave me some honest feedback.

The jury had decided: My idea sucked.

Whether or not I could have made the business model work is beside the point. What struck me was at how honest Sean was. Instead of lying to me and saying that it would all work out, he was frank and up front. 

His reaction to my idea most certainly bruised my ego, but in the end he saved me hundreds of hours of hard work. [For the record I love Sean, and he wasn't overly harsh.]

In today’s society honest feedback is frowned upon. Criticism is almost always countered with the “haters gonna hate” mantra. And while I too admit there are plenty of negative nancy’s of the world, I sincerely believe criticism has it’s place.

Criticism helps us grow. Coddling does not.

So how can you give more honest feedback in your every day life?

Be errr.. honest.

If someone asks you for advice or your opinion be straight forward with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s your mom, spouse, or best friend.

Be up front.

It’s not always easy giving it straight, but in the long run your friends and family will respect you more for being honest.

Before giving advice ask yourself  ”Is this what I really think?” Don’t settle for anything less.

Realize You’re Helping Someone Grow

If you’re honest, feelings will get hurt. You’re not always going to agree with your friends and family. You have your opinion and they have theirs.

That said, it’s not easy hurting someone you love, but in the long run you’re helping the person grow.

If a person trusts you enough to value your opinion they want the real thing not advice from someone who is holding back.

By being honest, Sean helped me see plenty of holes in my business plan and made me consider my idea from an entirely different perspective.

By giving honest feedback you challenge your friends and family to be at their best. Being overly nice does no one any good.

Support But Don’t Baby

There’s a fine line between being honest and just being a jerk. Offer suggestions and critiques but don’t ram the person into the ground.

Be firm in what you say but don’t be afraid to offer support. If your friend asks how their blog is and it’s boring suggest five ways they can make it better. If you think they shouldn’t date the crazy girl next door suggest in looking elsewhere.

Don’t just criticize because you can. You want the person to be better off after they hear you out not worse.

It’s Only Advice

By giving your feedback you’re only giving your point of view. That may or may not help the person in need.

In my case I could have easily ignored what Sean had to say. But in the end after I realized many of his points were valid and so I acted accordingly.

Ultimately your opinion shouldn’t have too much sway either way. If your friends business idea rests on what you have to say they won’t succeed anyways.

As I said earlier, it’s often difficult to give honest feedback but in the end it’s best for everyone involved.

The world needs more honest feedback. Do what you can to help.

Note: If you would like me to give some honest feedback on a project or something you’re working on feel you know where to reach me.  You have been warned.

Post from: A Boundless World

How To Give Honest Feedback

Related posts:

1. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...
2. Are You Overconfident? It’s common knowledge in the world of psychology that the...
3. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...
4. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...

1. A Bloggers Guide To Changing The World One Idea At A Time Unless you’ve been heavily sedated by potent sleeping concoctions, chances...
2. Are You Overconfident? It’s common knowledge in the world of psychology that the...
3. Creating Your Perfect Day Today I’m going to share a rather personal exercise I...
4. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...

It’s common knowledge in the world of psychology that the majority of us are overconfident in our abilities and our perception on how reality actually works.

Even when we are aware of our tendency to be over confident, we still often believe that the rules of life don’t apply to us.

Overconfidence is why:

• Teens continue to have unprotected sex.
• People play the lotto.
• People ride bikes without helmets.
• Every business idea is the greatest idea in the world.
• We greatly underestimate the time it takes to get a task done.

As with everyone, I have my times of doubt, but I openly admit at times I can be one cocky son of a gun.

In high school, I remember going into a psychology exam “knowing” I was going to ace the test. I went as far to draw a slot machine on the back of the test saying “Jack Pot A + Please..”

Apparently, I missed the chapter on over confidence. At least my teacher had a nice laugh.

While being confident in yourself is important, don’t let it prevent you from viewing an accurate picture of reality.

Taming Your Confidence:

The secret to taming your confidence is to become aware of how accurate your predictions are.

You may think it may take an hour to get that paper done, but how long did it really take? You may think you can finish that business proposal in a week but is that really the case?

Take note of your predictions and then compare them to how things actually turn out. You’ll be surprised at how overconfident you can be.  I say this not to discourage you but to make you realize lying to yourself about how productive or effective you are does no one any good.

Taming your confidence isn’t about doubting yourself. It isn’t about selling yourself short. It’s about realistic expectations based on past results. You can talk all you want, but talking gets you nowhere.

There’s nothing wrong with believing in yourself.  But there comes a point when you have to walk the walk. There comes a point when you have put up or shut up.

Think your business idea rocks?
Think you can reach that lofty goal?
Think you’re the best at your craft?

Prove it. Life doesn’t argue with results.

As Henry Ford once said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

Bonus: In the comments share 3 areas you may be overconfident and what that means to you.

Post from: A Boundless World

Are You Overconfident?

Related posts:

1. Reframing Rejection You didn’t get the job. You didn’t pass your test....
2. Dropping Expectations We live much of our life expecting today or tomorrow...
3. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...
4. So You Want To So you want to start your own business. So you...

1. Reframing Rejection You didn’t get the job. You didn’t pass your test....
2. Dropping Expectations We live much of our life expecting today or tomorrow...
3. Lessons Learned: Burned By Gluten Chef Editors note: This post is a bit lengthy compared to...
4. So You Want To So you want to start your own business. So you...