No is the worst result, the one where you end up in the same place you started. The best result, of course, being yes. Or at least a partial yes. And even a partial yes leaves you in a better place than you started.

Why don’t you ask more often?

So, short and sweet, what’s the answer to more often getting what you want? Here’s a crazy idea: let’s ask for it.

What do you say?

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Do you remember Why you’re doing this? Whatever your “this” might be? (This business, this project, this job, this venture, whatever.)

Think about your Why – is it grounded in a goal for yourself or for others?

I’ve noticed that those who not only have a rock-solid, passionate Why of any kind move forward so much faster, but those who have a Why that has to do with others? They’re on a whole other level.

What’s your Why? Does it have to do with a goal for your family? For your spouse? Your Mom? Your kids? Your community? Use that passion, remember WHO you are doing what you’re doing for. When you’re caught up this afternoon or this weekend or next week in the hubbub of life, of this and that, sit back and remember not just the WHY but the WHO. Allow it to simplify things. Remember Why, remember Who, then just do it already.

In the video I explained my why, so now I’d love to hear yours. Share?

So, to narrow things down a bit and considering that the holiday season is upon us, here are my:

5 Book Recommendations for Curious, Open-Minded, Personal Development Newbies

1. The Slight Edge
It’s simple and profound – which, isn’t that what we want with ANY book? – and easily applies to any area of business or life. A great book for beginners.

2. The Go-Giver
Before, being a Go-Getter was a celebrated personality trait. Not anymore. An eye-opening and educational read.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People
A classic read. Sales is everything and everything is sales, and the key to selling? Whether it’s a specific product or just yourself? People that know, like, and trust you. Have a grasp on how to develop those three things and success is yours.

4. Outliers
Complete honesty – this one’s still on my To Read shelf. However, I’ve learned enough about it to know that anyone with a curiosity about the psychology of success would enjoy it. A necessary and fascinating read into what affects – and what does NOT affect – your chances of success.

5. Trust Agents
Yes, we live in a digitally connected world, but the concepts in this book can truly apply to being an agent of trust online or off. Not only is it one of the few books I’ve read this year that keeps me thinking months after turning the final page, but the more I think about it the more I’m fascinated by it’s application to newbie entrepreneurs and experienced veterans alike.

Disclosure: All links are Amazon affiliates.

So, what do you think? What books would you recommend to a budding entrepreneur? What would you recommend to an experienced business expert? Is the list the same? Do you plan to give any books as gifts this year?

In life, in business, there’s no other way to do it, which means that everyone – everyone – is going to make mistakes. It’s the only way you grow and it’s the only way that the best successes are developed. The point of all of this is to say that yes, you are going to make mistakes.

What? You missed that? Let me say it again: YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES.

And that’s ok! Mistakes are a necessary, expected part of growing. You know how they say in sales that the top salespeople have heard the word ‘No’ way more often than those that aren’t at the top? The same concept applies to growing as a person. To growing in business. The best and biggest successes are those that have made way more mistakes than everyone else. Additionally, the biggest successes are those that have not only made the mistakes, but have admitted them, apologized for them, and analyzed and learned from them. And that learning piece? That part is especially important, because if the lesson isn’t learned then the whole point of making the mistake is lost.

It seems simple, but it’s so fundamental. Want to be a success? Be the very best you know how to be. Make mistakes. Learn.

Then keep moving forward.

What do you think? How important do you think past mistakes have been to your success?

“Positive anything is better than negative nothing.” ~Elbert Hubbard

I’ve written about positive thinking before and how it can literally make or break a situation. Today, however, I’ve been thinking about acting positively. In other words, outwardly behaving around others, especially when speaking about others, as positively as you’re thinking about yourself and your goals. So, being as supportive and positive and encouraging towards others as you are to yourself. You could be the biggest student of personal development and goal-setting and positive thinking and personal responsibility in the world, but what good is ANY of that if you don’t treat other people with the same set of philosophies?

Food for thought. What say you?

However, even with all of the personal evolution behind every major success, they have a hard-coded, unique DNA. The rules, so to speak, that foundationally drive who they are as a person, their interests and their passions. You can’t ignore your DNA, and it’s this that I think is so important NOT to forget.

I think so many people get energized and excited about business idea after business idea, starting this one, switching to that one, trying this fad, that hot topic. And you know what? No matter how much they learn, no matter how many books they read or keynotes they watch or successful entrepreneurs they interview, they will never find their elusive success if they ignore who they truly are when chosing their niche. NO MATTER WHAT. Because there could be the biggest business opportunity around right-handed jibjabs, but if you don’t care about those jibjabs, if they wouldn’t be what you’d say when you answer the age old “if money and time were no object, what would you do with your time?” question, if your passion isn’t there, it won’t work. It’s not worth your effort, and it’s definitely not worth your valuable time.

If you love crochet, if you spend ten hours a day thinking about The Simpsons, if you just can’t get enough peanut brittle (woo!), be true to that! Step up, tell the world of your love, and be honest with yourself. Be honest with your DNA. Build your business around THAT passion. Not only will it lead you, when coupled with continual learning, closer to your picture of success, but you will be a thousand times happier while on the journey.

What’re your thoughts about DNA and it’s impact on entrepreneurs? Are you currently building a business around your passion? Do you think it’s more difficult to be successful when you don’t love what you’re doing? Or do you think it’s all the same?

P.S. The blog post I reference in the video can be found here.
P.P.S Don’t forget that we’re going through a site re-design! Thanks for being patient with us, even though we look a little wonky.

The point of all of this? Go check out JB. His site is awesome, his podcasts are awesome, and he is one amazing guy. His passion for personal development, for personal evolution, and inspiring others is massive and it’s beyond motivating to see and meet someone who’s generated so much success within the personal development realm online.

Go. Be inspired.

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. The point is, today was eye-opening, and not just because of everything I learned but because I am really launching myself out of my comfort zone by being here. I’m a relative newcomer to the blogging industry, I mean, come on, my Twitter account hasn’t even hit its 1st birthday. I don’t know every famous name in blogging or every influential person in social media. Those nichely famous names that, when a panelist drops them into their presentation, everyone laughs but me. I don’t own a Mac, I don’t make any money from blogging (unless you count $.12 per day as money), and I can’t tell you what it was like to blog back when no one knew the definition of the word. Also, I traveled here and am attending the conference all by myself. I registered and booked the trip on a whim, simply because I just knew I should. So today was eye-opening because I grew. For entrepreneurs and those that strive to always be the best person they can be, stepping outside of your comfort area isn’t anything new. But there are always those times when you realize that you’re not just stepping, you’re launching outside of that zone. And today I did it.

I DID it! And tomorrow I’ll do it again.

Ahem.

Attention! People of the World! Why oh why, may I ask, do you keep throwing excuses out into the universe for why you can not and will not find success? For why you can’t achieve your goals? Why do you do this? Why do you feel inclined to inform me, or anyone else, of these excuses?

I. DO. NOT. CARE. I DON’T CARE!

I mean, I do care. Of course. I care in some way, shape, or form for everyone I get to know. But in a I’m-just-fine-to-spend-my-precious-time-with-someone-else-who-actually-believes-in-themselves way, I don’t care to hear or be around anyone who constantly feels the need to share excuses with others as to why they aren’t the huge success they wished they were. Because you know what? I’m smart enough to realize that you aren’t using those excuses to convince others. You’re just using them to convince yourself. And I don’t need to be around to help you do that.

So the next time I hear someone reason away their dreams, their goals, their biggest aspirations in life, I will politely turn and walk away, wishing them the best, and wondering with fascination and concern if they will ever realize that, the key to their elusive success? It’s as simple as switching their focus from the reasons why they can’t find it to the reasons why they can.

YOU CAN.

If you decide to.