You do not have to ask for permission (to do what you want)

You do not have to ask for permission to do what you want.

When was the last time you asked for permission to do something? Let me clarify this question. When was the last time you asked for permission to do something you want to do?

Who says you must ask for permission?

You want to sell something on the Internet? Get on EBay and sell it.

You want to create a website? Learn html and build it.

You want to write a book? Put pen to paper and write that book.

Think about this: If you were to ask for permission to write a book who would say yes?

I guarantee the following: There will be people that will give you one of two answers. The first would flat out say “NO” followed by “are you kidding me?” or “you can’t write a book?” or “who do you think you are?”

The second answer would be complete silence. You know the kind of silence that speaks volumes. That kind of silence usually comes from individuals that are the passive-aggressive types. Thus, the “silent treatment” is expected and does not come as a big surprise to you. 

If you really want an answer from the person that gave you nothing but silence, I guarantee you will be waiting a long time.

However, what do those two answers have to do with you writing a book, creating a website, or selling on EBay? 

Nothing!

You still have the want and the desire to do it. Just because someone says “NO” in no way minimizes or eliminates what you want to do.

Instead awaiting around for when they are ready to give you an answer, you could be finishing the first draft of the next Great American Novel. 

Be yourself not matter what they say or don’t say and DO IT!

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

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5 Simple Leadership Fundamentals

5 Simple Leadership Fundamentals

The leader does not have to be the boss, the leader is not automatically the person who signs your paycheck. Remember, leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Leaders come from ALL levels of the organization.

Always remember and don't ever forget; Any one can be a manager but not just any one can be a leader. It takes someone with a special kind of something to be a leader. Please do not get those two confused.

All leaders, no matter who they are or where in the organization they are ranked, share the same 5 Simple Leadership Fundamentals. Of course, there are plenty of other fundamentals but these are the Top 5.

1. The mission is bigger than the man

The mission of the organization is why the organization exists. If it were not for the company's mission and vision there would be no sense of direction and purpose. The company would just be a place where people came to "hang out" for 8 hours every day and ultimately, the organization would not last very long.

Leaders must ensure that everyone knows why the company is in business and that each stakeholder is critical to the life-cycle of the organization. The leader cannot do it all by herself, that is why she motivates others to achieve the common goal: Creating and Maintaining a Successful Organization which in turn, makes all Stakeholders Successful.

2. Do as I do is the only way to lead

A leader knows and understands that the only way to keep the people you lead motivated is to ALWAYS do as you do.

The "Do as I say" mindset is strictly reserved for those minor league managers that have not been properly taught to do, teach, and believe otherwise.

3. Create more leaders

The mission of any leader is to create more leaders. I firmly believe the truest measure of a leader and her leadership abilities is by the number of leaders she has created and is creating.

If a leader is not doing anything to foster the growth of those he serves, he's just a manager with a touch of jealousy and insecurity. That is the bottom line.

4. Treat others they way they want to be treated (with respect)

Every leader wants to be respected. Here's a little secret I want to share with you: every leader gets respect because she respects others. A real leader will respect everyone that follows him as well as those that do not follow him. Everyone gets respected by a true leader and in turn, as if by magic, everyone returns that respect. It is the classic give and take. Give respect and others will respect you.

Do as your Grandma used to tell you, "Be respectful."

5. Before you can lead, you must first learn to follow.

All leaders had to begin somewhere. All real leaders begin as followers. World War II hero and US General George S. Patton was a young plebe at West Point at one time, as was US Army General and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Former General Electric Chief Executive Officer and Author Jack Welch started with GE, in 1960, as a Junior Chemical Engineer and over the course of a twenty year career he moved to the top of the company.

Everyone must start at the bottom. Everyone must pay their dues. Everyone. Do not think about cutting corners because there is no short cut to being a leader. This applies to the children and immediate relatives of the CEO, President, or Owner of any organization, as well. Do not for one minute think you have it made. Your family elder worked, scratched, and clawed to the position they are and nothing should be just handed to you. Whether you think you deserve it or not. To truly deserve followers you must not hesitate to get into the trenches and get your hands dirty.  The only way to get into the trenches and get your hands dirty is to do so by following a leader who will show you the way.

As I mentioned, there are plenty of other fundamentals to great leadership but these 5 Simple Leadership Fundamentals I feel are the most important. All other Leadership Fundamentals, Skills, Traits, and Abilities are based on these five. 

Now, get to work.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

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MIDDAY NUGGET: Are You Doing it the Old Fashion Way and NOT USING SOCIAL MEDIA?

Are You Doing it the Old Fashion Way and NOT USING SOCIAL MEDIA?

The other day, there was a small business owner walking around passing out flyers. Very admirable. When he entered my office building, I asked him to sit down and talk a while about the . I asked him to show me his flyer. It was postcard size, front and back. It was loaded with images and information. It has a phone number on it but that’s all.

That’s all? What do you mean that's all?

Yes. It had no web address, no Facebook page address, and no twitter handle. Seriously!
I asked him where these three things were on his flyer. He said that he had a Facebook page but no webpage or twitter.

I pointed to the front door and showed him our company info. I told him this is 2014 and you have to have that information ready for anyone and everyone. Whether they become a customer/client or not they might know someone who needs or wants your service.

He just gave me this look of what is this guy talking about?

He then said something that just floored me, “I am doing this the old fashion way and I want to get my customers by word of mouth and by going out there to meet them.”

Excellent. That’s the right idea. A righteous idea. However, what happens after you leave?

Huh.

What happens when you leave the office and the person that you talked to does not want your service but has a cousin who is looking for it. Do you really think that flyer will stick around? NO! It offers that first point of contact nothing so it goes into the trash.

With no Facebook page, twitter address, or website to visit that piece of paper (flyer) becomes as valuable as a used Kleenex. COUNT ON IT!

He just refused to get it.

That’s alright. Sometimes, it takes people a couple of bats over the head before they get it. However, I feel that for this guy it may be too late before he gets it.

As with any business, there is plenty of competition out there. His business is not unique, his closest competitor is less than a quarter of a mile away, and it is located on major thoroughfare. It is actually on one of the most popular streets within a 100-mile radius. He has location, location, location going against him and I am more than certain there are plenty of other business owners that have that going against them, as well.

However, that’s when going ONLY old fashioned will not work. You, me, and everyone that wants to do business in 2014 has got to fully understand that it is the shotgun effect of using social media consistently and effectively that will get that much needed attention and that attention will turn into sales of your product or service.

If you absolutely have to go Old Fashioned, how about trying this: Go Old Fashion using the New Fashion Devices, Media & Apps.

Thank you,
David Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you think about this blog post.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

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THE MIDDAY NUGGET: Pay Attention To The Details

Pay Attention To The Details

You have heard people say it. It is nothing new but why do people have to keep reminding us of it?

We are reminded of it because the truth is excellence, professionalism, dedication and commitment find their roots in paying attention to the details. 
Ask yourself the following question: Is someone a true professional he does not pay attention to the details?
Now, replace the word "professional" with excellent, dedicated, or committed.  Does the answer to the question change?  Nope.  It does not!

None of it changes, those words represent going above and beyond the expectations of another and along the way to surpassing the expectations you are paying attention to the details.

Why is paying attention to the details important?

Everyone wants to be perceived as an excellent and dedicated professional.  Lacking the attention to the details, one would be hard pressed to be identified as a real professional.

How can you pay attention to the details?

You have heard of crossing the T's and dotting the I's.  That's it! 
That is what paying attention to the details is all about.  You cross the T's and dot the I's, every time no matter the situation.  For instance, a customer comes into your place of business and has to fill out a form before anything can be done.  Everyone in your organization must ensure that that form is properly filled the job out (crossing the T's and dotting the I's).  By doing that, you ensure that the customer has provided you with all the information you need in order to properly and professionally address the customer's issue or request and you do it right the first time.  The customer is happy, you are happy, and that's a very good thing.

What can you do to make paying attention to the details an everyday occurrence?

Training! You train yourself, you train your staff. You can even train your customers. You must train all your stakeholders. It is that simple and it is that difficult.

Train and Train until it becomes a habit. Then once it's a habit keep training. I have found out, the hard way, that while it may be a habit, paying attention to the details is so very easy to neglect. Once neglected you must start all over to re-create and sustain that habit. Hopefully, you can do it before any real damage is done.

Remember, You can do it!

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

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A Story About 2 Tree Trimmers Who Got 3 Job Offers in 2 hours

Greetings,
I want to share the following video with you. In it I talk about two tree trimmers that the building owner hired to trim a 20-30 year old tree that is just outside the front door. Over the course of the two hours they were out there the Tree Trimmer received three job offers. Not bad for a couple of hours work. When was the last time you received 3 job offers in two hours?

What do you think? Are you doing what it takes to get noticed? Are you hustling so fast and so good that people will come to you while you are doing a job for someone else only to offer you more work? Are you?

I will step up my "A" game. Will you?

Thanks for watching,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

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ABCs of 2014: Day 12: Always Be LEADING

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE LEADING. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Leading (the C is silent).

Are you LEADING? Are you taking the LEAD in what you do? Are you stepping up to the plate each and every time someone calls for a leader to do so?

-or-

Are you just going through the motions? Just faking it? All of us would like to think we are stepping up and taking the leadership bull by the horns. That is a good thing to think and believe.

However, LEADING is an action. You have to be doing it and not just thinking it or believing it. YOU HAVE TO BE LEADING, ALWAYS!

There is no half in or half out with this one. Sure, there are plenty of people that will scam others to believe that they are leaders. If you need a hint as to who those scammers are, think POLITICIANS! OK, maybe 99.999% of all POLITICIANS.

Unless, they have proven themselves as True Leaders in their chosen profession first (Think President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President Theodore Roosevelt, President George Washington) otherwise they are nothing bags of hot air that spew forth nothing but bunkum!

If all the others do is nothing but going around making insincere speeches intended to please local constituents they are NOT leaders. You know, they PROMISE A LOT but deliver VERY LITTLE. Those my friends are NOT LEADERS! They are the opposite of leaders and I do not mean followers.

You are only a True Leader when you step up and PROMISE VERY LITTLE and DELIVER A LOT!!!

Now, get out there and start LEADING! Everyone that matters (and everyone matters) is eagerly awaiting for you to arrive.


Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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ABCs of 2014: Day 11: Always Be KIND

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE KIND. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Kind (the C is silent).

Like many of us, when we were growing up our grandmother or mother would tell us to be kind to one another. More often than not, we would pay attention to what they said. However, as we get older and older, we got cynical, more cynical, and still even more cynical. Which in turn, led to picking and choosing who to be kind to and when to be kind.

Believe me when I tell you that as I was growing up I found it easier and easier to choose when to be kind and when not to be kind.

However, parenthood and marriage and seeing how far not been kind actually gets you. You start to change your mind set I know I had to.
Now I find it easier to be kind most of the time (oh I still have my moments). However, there are still those knuckleheads and nitwits that seem to go out of their way to do whatever they can to put themselves in a position that gives them nothing more than a slammed the door in their face. You cannot change them, their attitude or their behavior but you can change yours.

Take for instance, the door-to-door salesman that refuses to take "no" for an answer. You try to be nice and say "No, Thank you" and yet they persist. You give them a second "No!" and this time with a little frustration creeping into your voice, yet they persist. You are now your third "NO!" They do not seem to care and they remain persistent all because they want to make the sale. What do you do? You tried being kind not once, not twice, but three times. Enough is enough!

Kindness goes out the window and in sets frustration, anger, and threats to call the police if they do not leave your property immediately.

Now in your world, it might not be a door-to-door salesman but it may be a co-worker, a client, a boss, a neighbor or whomever what can you do?

You start by being kind, you start being nice, you start being generous but where does that get you? It does not matter where that gets you, it certainly does not matter where he takes you. What does matter is that you decide to be nice, kind, and understanding right from the start. Then you have the upper hand you are on the higher group because you are starting something on a positive note. You are trying to go into any situation with a WIN-WIN attitude. An attitude that says you are going to listen but you are not going to be walked all over.

Now, if the salesman (or whomever) had accepted the first “No” then the entire situation would have ended on a positive note. Who knows maybe next time it will be a “Yes”? Maybe the next time your neighbor would respect the noise levels and turn it down at midnight instead of cranking it up until 1:00 AM and someone has to call the police.

So start with a smile and a little kindness and see where it takes you. Where kindness takes you is all that truly matters.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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ABCs of 2014: Day 7: Always Be Giving

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE GIVING. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Giving (the C is silent).

With the holiday season freshly behind us, reminder what was all around during that wonderful time of the year: "it's better to give than to receive."

GIVING does not only apply from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve then tossed aside a little after the Tournament of Roses Parade comes to an end.

Try doing this "Giving is Better Than Receiving" -thing all year long. Seriously, why not turn the Twitter based "30 days of Giving" into a LIFE based 365 DAYS OF GIVING?

GIVE EVERYDAY! It is that simple




If you are short on ideas of what to give, how about just giving some LOVE! After all, Love is All You Need, at least that's what the song says. When it comes to songs, I give John, Paul, George, and Ringo top priority.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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ABCs of 2014: Day 6: Always Be Foraging

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE FORAGING. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Foraging (the C is silent).

Never stop having the hunger. Never stop the hunger, the longing, the yearning. No matter what that hunger or yearning is, you cannot stop. Keep searching for the next meal, keep your stockpile of provisions or supplies overflowing. Keep your well full at all times.

I am not just talking about food. I am talking about everything you are working for and doing. By this I mean, if you are in school then keep learning because you can never learn enough. The moment, you stop is the moment you show not only everyone that you know nothing but you show yourself.

Seriously, you can have a Ph.D. and still be the dumbest guy in the room. However, I am hard pressed to find anyone with a Ph.D. who has stopped learning. Why is this? The Ph.D.s that I do know know that to stay at the top of their game they have to keep learning. So why not you? You should always be learning so you can be at the top of your game.

So what, if you don't have a Ph.D.? Just keep learning. Keep having the hunger.

So long as you have the hunger never settle for just getting by and NEVER for one second think you made it. There are so many examples out there of people that thought they made it only to find themselves foraging for food in real life. Do not become one of those people.

Keep Foraging!!!

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra or visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

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ABCs of 2014: Day 5: Always Be Expecting

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE EXPECTING. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Expecting (the C is silent).

Just like demanding, expecting is something that you should be doing everyday. I am NOT talking about that you should be expecting a handout nor expecting something done for you. That is the wrong side of expecting (and demanding).

What I am talking about is for your to always expect to step up. Expect to be a leader. Expect to Take Control. By the same token, expect to be let down. Expect to struggle as a leader. Worst of all or the best of all: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

There is NOTHING that is expected to be given to you unless you expect to give it first. Remember, 'tis better to give than to receive? That applies right here, right now and always.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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ABCs of 2014: Day 2: Always Be Believing

Today's ABCs of 2014 is: ALWAYS BE BELIEVING. A for Always, B for Be, and C for Believing

(the C is silent).

You can go through life not believing in yourself. Not believing you can make a difference. Not believing will only get you so far. Actually, not believing will get your NO WHERE! Trust me on this one I have known so many people that don't believe in themselves. What they do believe in is a lot of blame. Blaming others for not getting a fair shot at something. Let me tell you it is a sad situation they find themselves in. However, it is a needless situation to be in in the first place.

Seriously, all it takes is to look in the mirror and say to yourself at least once day that you believe in yourself. Before you know it you will always be believing in yourself. Then you will always believe that what you are doing will make all the difference. Then somewhere along the way you will start to always believe that Others believe in you. All it takes is to believe in yourself! You can do it.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to
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There Is No Longer Such A Thing As "Too Early"

In today's 24/7/365, always on, I want it now, instant world there is no longer such a thing as "too early"

Really, you can NEVER be too early for anything. Teenage girls line up for a week to get a glimpse of their favorite boy band du'jour. Heck, even the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the new Black Friday.  Being too early is no longer an exception. Being Early is EXPECTED!

As for not being early, well now all you can be is LATE, TOO LATE, or WAY TOO LATE!


No longer can anyone get away with being late for anything. Whether it be for work, school, a date, a dinner, or a party.

Think about this: Would you approve of anyone arriving late? Short of a car accident or their clothes completely catching on fires, is there really any valid excuse any more?

NO! There is absolutely no valid excuse. A line from the 1994 song "Come Out and Play (Keep'm Separated)" by the Offspring gives the most appropriate warning: "...By the time you hear the siren, It's already too late..."


Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra

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Ambition and Success!

Ambition and Success go hand in hand. They do so, so well that I made this really cool chart illustrating the correlating and exponential relationship of the two.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The more ambition you have and the more you apply the more success you will have throughout your life.

If you don’t believe me, try one of the following:

Do nothing for a month and see how much success you have.
-or-
Do a lot for a month and see how much success you have.



Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

Here are some Technorati Tags: • 100 Ways • Be Ambitious • Have Success • Self-Discipline • Execute • Make it happen • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

Today is a Brand New Day!

Whatever happened yesterday, and the day before that and the day before that day and so on in no way mean that is what should happen today or tomorrow. Today is NOT yesterday nor is it tomorrow. Today is NOW and right now is yours to make better, that is unless you choose to make it bad or worse than yesterday.

Sure you can sit and dwell on how someone screwed you over or how someone broke your heart or whatever but guess what? You cannot change what happened. You can only move forward from yesterday and make it better today!

Leave yesterday and the past where it belongs; in the past! They make monuments to commemorate the past which people visit all the time. Take the Washington Memorial for instance. There stands a tall spire to remember a great man that led a fledgling nation to become the greatest on the planet. However, no one stops to dwell on Washington's internal struggles, his personal setbacks, who broke his heart, or who spilled wassail on him during that Christmas at Valley Forge. Some two hundred plus years later all we see is the positive. That gives us a chance to make a better future.

So you can sit there and dwell on how someone did something wrong to you or you can decide that you will do what it takes to ensure that you are never in that situation again, even if means you are the one that did something wrong.

Now get out there and demand from yourself a better future!

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

You can follow me on twitter at @daveguerra

Here are some Technorati Tags: • 100 Ways • Have A Better Day • Yesterday's gone • The Past is the Past • Move Forward • Today is a Brand New Day • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

120. About Being Proactive

Here's a little something about being Proactive.

When I wrote my mini-series about Planning, in a nutshell, what I was saying is that Planning is ALL about being Proactive!

Being Proactive is plain and simple all about thinking ahead! Thinking ahead at what needs to be done, what has to get done, how it will get done, and covering as many of the outcomes as possible. Knowing fully well you cannot cover them all but as part of being proactive you have to try to cover as many as you can.

When you are developing a plan (for business, for a special event or for personal reasons) you are in essence taking the initiative and declaring your intentions loud and clear. The more detail your plan contains the more deliberate and audacious you can be. Being Audacious and Being Deliberate are what I consider two foundation pieces to being Proactive.

Now take this one step further: Take this beyond the planning phase of life. Take being Proactive and make it part of your EVERY DAY life. Look at things and think (and plan) two to three moves ahead. Consider the possibilities and then execute. Thus effectively taking the initiative.

Take the initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with your life's principles) are the primary determining factor for how effective you are in your life.

Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences (both good and bad) that follow. No matter what they consequences are you are prepared because you were Proactive.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you are thinking.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

Here are some Technorati Tags: • 100 Ways • Be Proactive • Be Responsible • Plan Ahead • Be Prepared • Consequences • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero