Make sure you play this video before reading this post. Not only will it leave you with chills, but it's vital to the lesson you're about to learn. Why did I start this training with a super nerdy reference to a Captain Picard speech? Well... Because I derive a lot of my awesomeness from Captain Picard himselfBecause this is one of my favorite Picard speeches everAnd most importantly because there is a powerful lesson in this clip - that "living is making choices" I've been … [Read more...]
A Challenge to Make Your Dreams Become a Reality
Today, I have a challenge for you. What's one thing you've always wanted to do, that you've never done? This can be anything. Travel somewhere?Jump out of a plane?Learn a skill?Start a website? Picture yourself doing it. What does it feel like? Are you smiling? Are you happy? Are you absolutely thrilled? Of course you are. Your dream is now a reality. Whatever it is, there is no reason you can't do it. You have this desire for a reason, so why not make it happen? Not enough … [Read more...]
What Leonardo da Vinci Would Teach You About Achievement
"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." Leonardo da Vinci is widely considered to be one of the most diversely talented individuals that has ever lived. He held over 10 professions to his name at any given time, and is credited with creations and discoveries that still influence the world to this day, nearly 500 years later. While I would love to nerd out on how … [Read more...]
Less Turkey. More Gratitude. How Practicing Daily Gratitude Can Dramatically Change Your Thinking
As I write this, it's Thanksgiving week in the U.S. This is a day when Americans are supposed to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the positive things in our lives. Brief history lesson - This holiday evolved from the "thanks giving" prayers of the explorers who originally discovered and colonized early America. The difference between then and now is that our ancestors gave thanks for literally DAYS during this period (yes, I did pay attention during a small minority of history … [Read more...]
What It Means to Behave Successfully
You may have noticed a few recent changes to Academy Success. A cleaner look with easier sharing options, a sharper font that is easier on the eyes, and last but not least, a very subtle yet very powerful new tagline - just underneath the main logo. "Behave Successfully" A couple of years ago when I started Academy Success, I set out to make a difference in the lives of as many people as I could. It's been fun and rewarding so far and I'm grateful to have as many readers as I do, … [Read more...]
How to Eliminate All of Your Excuses… Forever
Whatever you think is holding you back, there is someone who has done what you want to do with less resources and more obstacles. - Tim Ferriss What if you could eliminate all of your excuses that are holding you back from accomplishing your goals - for good? This doesn't require a ton of work. In fact, it requires very little work at all. As I channel my inner Derek Halpern, so check it... What eliminating your excuses really comes down to is morphing your mindset towards what you … [Read more...]
Three Easy Steps to Overcome Your Lack of Motivation
So, I have a confession to make. I haven't always been the productive person I am today. Truthfully, I've never been a person with an overabundance of natural energy. Some people are naturally energetic, like my wife. She's up and moving with a smile on her face within 3 minutes of waking up... but not me. Catch me before 10 am and its likely you won't talk to me for the rest of the day. I'm just a pretty relaxed kind of dude. Because of this I often used to struggle with staying … [Read more...]
Increase Your Income With These Four Easily In Reach Tactics
For the sake of this post, let's assume you've already optimized your spending habits, and found any leaks in your income stream. That'll allow us to focus solely on ways to increase your income. A lot of people, when faced with the need to make extra money, take the advice of so-called financial experts, and go the safe and conventional way of just getting another job. They put in a few hours, and get paid a wage for it. End of story. Sure, it's honest work, and it's pretty easy to … [Read more...]
Time Is a Created Thing
“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”- Lao Tzu This is one of the best quotes I've ever read about time. What it basically means is, we all have the same 24 hours each day. What we choose to do with those hours is what makes us the person we are. Time is the ultimate equalizer. What we do with it and how effectively we use it it what separates us from the rest of the crowd. For a person to say "I don't have enough time" is the same … [Read more...]
Spring Cleaning is Stupid and the Story of the $212 Yard Sale
As I write this post, it's spring time. People are busy with 'spring cleaning' or as I call it, getting rid of all of the junk they have accumulated over the years. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm not a big supporter of excess things. In fact, I've often written about the massive opportunity cost of your stuff. Stuff doesn't just cost the money you spend to buy it. It also costs you all of the space it takes up, all of the cost to maintain it, and ends up justifying needs to start … [Read more...]