Men are interesting. I don’t know what it is about us, but we have to experience pain for ourselves. Too often it seems like it’s not enough to heed the warnings of others. We want to experience all the pain and suffering and torment ourselves. While it isn’t necessary (or advisable), the sting of defeat can serve us well—if we allow it to.

I don’t believe so, because it promotes mediocrity. Mediocrity, though, is the antithesis to what is required if you hope to establish influence, credibility, and authority with others along your path. Instead, you ought to fully embrace who you have the potential to become. You ought to be empowering that in others as well.

It’s been said that “a rising tide lifts all ships.” Truer words have never been spoken, especially as it relates to developing the influence, authority, and credibility you desire and the fulfillment that comes with it.

When we fear what others might think about us or what actions they might take as a result of that perception, we hinder our ability to perform at our highest level—aggressively. Know this: some people’s opinions matter (my wife’s and my kids’, for example), but not everyone’s. You need to learn to let go of what other people think of you. It can be

I want you to start each day with your visualization process—your manifesto. And I want you to cap each day with the same. Did you show up for yourself and others the way you wanted to? Did you gain ground or lose ground with others? When you screwed up, how did you correct it (or how should you have)? What are you going to commit to doing better t

But there is a problem. There’s another, often unrecognizable force at play: the natural man. The natural man is the weaker, lesser, more pathetic version of yourself. The natural man wants the results without the effort. He’ll lie, cheat, and steal if he can get away with it. He’s lazy, cowardly, selfish, and seeks immediate gratification.

So execute your decision to the best of your ability. Know that it isn’t going to be perfect. You’re going to mess up from time to time. Never let that be a deterrent for making choices and doing everything within your power to lead others well.

You take all the information at hand and you decide what you’re going to do. Men who have learned to garner influence, credibility, and authority with others have learned to become decisive. Don’t get trapped in paralysis by analysis. Have faith that you’re capable of obtaining the information you need, evaluating it, and making good choices for yo

Frankly, what assholes most of us are. What many of us believe to be problems aren’t really problems at all. But that’s what the ease of modernity does to us. It messes with our perception of discomfort. Because it messes with that perception, it drives us to make mountains out of molehills. And that keeps us and those we wish to lead from dreaming