Things don't get easier.

We get better.

THREAD: 10 principles to narrow your focus, conquer your fear, and overcome life's obstacles.

1/ Narrow your focus

Time is finite.

It is both our most valuable resource & the one we are most likely to waste.

Ask yourself:

Of the things I say are important to me, which am I willing to take immediate action toward?

Focus on these. Start today.

2/ Fear (Part 1)

A few years ago, after trying to convince the owner for months, I was given the opportunity to run a business.

One day she walked in and said:

"OK, you told me you could do it, it's yours. You start tomorrow."

I was scared to death.

I wanted out.

👇🏻

3/ Fear (Part 2)

I had exactly what I asked for, but fear was taking over.

What if I fail? People will laugh.

What if I succeed? Can I continue to meet these new expectations?

2 years later, we were the most profitable we'd ever been.

Don't let fear be a limiting force.

4/ No straight lines

Don't expect your journey to be linear.

We all map out in our minds the ideal path from where we are to where we want to be.

The secret lies in being able to roll with the punches.

Those who do great things adapt, overcome, and color outside the lines.

Don't lose today planning for tomorrow.

Don't join the pack –– Lead it.

10 Stoic principles that will immediately change your life: 🧵

On Wealth:

We all want more.

More things, more money, more prestige...

Whatever 'it' is, we never seem to have enough.

But what if we measured wealth differently?

Not by what we don't have, but by what we don't need?

True wealth is found in wanting less, not having more.

On Truth:

Too often we become set in our ways.

We believe our opinion is right, and are unwilling to consider alternate perspectives.

Have an open mind.

Be willing to change.

He who thinks he knows everything knows nothing.

On Control:

Some things we can change, some we cannot.

The secret to happiness lies in the ability to differentiate between the two.

Ask yourself:

Do I have the power to change this?

If so, get to it.

If not, move on.

On Looking Back:

Quit living in the past.

I've been guilty of this, as I'm sure you have as well.

Stop worrying about what could have been or what you should have done.

Start new. Start fresh. Start today.

What's done is done, but the future has yet to be written.

What do the world's greatest leaders know about the power of persuasion that you don't?

THREAD: How you can unlock the ability to change anyone's mind.

Let's get smarter... 👇🏻

1/ As far back as the mid 300's BC, humans were fascinated by the power of persuasion.

In light of this, Aristotle developed what is known as the "Rhetorical Triangle."

A framework for persuading any audience using 3 simple appeals:

•Ethos
•Pathos
•Logos

Let's dig in...

2/ Ethos (Ethics / Character)

The first of the 3 appeals, Ethos speaks to the perceived character of the speaker.

In order to persuade anyone to do anything, they must first believe you are a credible and trustworthy source.

How do you accomplish this?

3/ Establishing Ethos: (1)

•Language: Choose verbiage that is fitting to the subject matter and audience you are trying to persuade.

•Pedigree: Do you have specific credentials or education relating to the topic being covered? If so, make it known.

👇🏻

4/ Establishing Ethos: (2)

•Rapport: Your audience must feel as though you are "in sync."

You understand and can relate to their feelings or ideas.

TL;DR

•Choose the right language
•Communicate pedigree
•Build Rapport

Trust becomes a byproduct.

Let's see an example 👇🏻

15 of the smartest things ever said: 🧵

“We are what we repeatedly do, Excellence is therefore not an act but a habit." –Aristotle

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.

It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's a day you've had everything to do and you've done it."

–Margaret Thatcher

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power."

–Abraham Lincoln

"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows."
–Epictetus

Everyone wants to tell you what to do.

Not me.

I'm going to tell you what NOT to do.

10 career mistakes I've made––so you don't have to:

Quit focusing solely on compensation.

Money and benefits are nice, but they're not everything.

Environment, advancement opportunities, and overall quality of life are far more important in the long run.

Instead of asking "how much can I make," ask "how much can I grow."

Don't get too comfortable.

You've been at your job for years.

You can do it with your eyes closed and both hands tied behind your back.

That doesn't mean you should.

Don't let 5-10 years slip away due to complacency.

Take control, challenge yourself, level up.

Don't be afraid to fail.

I'll take an employee who is willing to try over one who is not, every single time.

Good managers expect some level of failure within each project, in fact, they plan for it.

Put yourself out there, take a chance, it's the only way you'll advance.

Quit trying to do it alone.

People want to help.

Toiling endlessly on a project when you're unsure what to do next only makes you look inefficient.

Asking for help doesn't mean you're incapable, it means you're invested and shows you care.