Redefining Success Archives

I Used to Believe That Unless It Was Painful to Achieve, I Didn’t Deserve the Money.

We go to all sorts of lengths to prove ourselves, don’t we? I have jumped through countless hoops, over the years, trying to prove that I am a good friend, despite moving to a foreign country. I also used to kill myself working, subconsciously believing that unless it was painful to achieve, I didn’t deserve the money. Ditto with weight loss—unless I was parading up and down the highest of mountains, breaking my back for hours, I wasn’t trying hard

Dec 8, 2017

There’s a Little Something I Like to Call: THE SUCK THRESHOLD

A few fun little facts you probably didn’t know about me: I was Captain of the volleyball team. Server of the Year. Certified as a referee. Played year round on a travel team to compete in regional tournaments. And helped lead our team to the state final championships. Another couple of fun facts: I am only five foot three. I also couldn’t even get the ball over the net to save my LIFE the entire first year. …Nor the second.

Sep 7, 2017

Success Isn’t More Deserved When It’s Hard . . . BRAH

Can we talk about the fact that today is February 2nd? How is it February the 2nd already? Am I eighty hundred years old yet? Because time seems not to be going my way. (Though a friend did recently compliment me on my skin, however that was only because she didn’t see my neck. Is this the decade in which we slowly descend upon a dysfunctional, passive-aggressive relationship with turtlenecks?) Speaking of time, you ever notice that when you’re away

Feb 2, 2017

When the Internet Becomes a Raging Psycho Serial Killer—And Everybody’s All, “Whatever, LOL.”

Oh 2017. It’s an odd-numbered year, which always makes me feel uneasy about things. I mean, what good could come of a year that ends in the number seventeen? The last time seventeen and I met, I was sneaking out of my bedroom at one o’clock in the morning, discovering that beer came in forty-ounce bottles (GENIUS), and playing rap music on volume ten—while (get this) ***still being able to multitask.*** Ah, the luxury of youth. These days, anyone

Jan 5, 2017

There are two options: Make your own rules, or make your own grave.

Google can’t save you. Here is a short but compelling list of things Google is good for: Figuring out how the hell to poach a wet, floppy fish Ordering purple pimp costumes to wear to dinner at your in-law’s Frantically searching the correct pronunciation of the word “GIF”—before saying it out loud at your client meeting in 5 minutes And here are things Google cannot help you with, ever: Originality Creativity Discipline Practice Experience Trial Error Finding your own fucking

Jul 22, 2016

There’s So Much Drama Around EVERYTHING.

There is so much drama. Around. Everything. I hear it everywhere. In emails. In tweets. In friend’s secrets. In whispers across the internet. Should I launch this? But what about that? What if I fail? What if nobody buys? What if I wasted my time? What if my heart breaks in the process? Should I name my business something traditional or creative? But what if I hate it later? What if I decide to go in a different direction? Should

Apr 4, 2016

When New Opportunities Show Up, Waving Their Ta Ta’s

There’s a lot of…pressure these days. Post to Twitter! And Facebook! And Instagram! And Vine! And Pinterest! And AREN’T YOU PERISCOPING YET, YOU CURMUDGEON? Speaking of self-important broadcasts, have you started your podcast yet? Are you #1 on iTunes? DON’T YOU HAVE PLANS TO START A PODCAST?! I’m continually fascinated by the flock’s constant need to do shiny. Everyone’s so goddamn afraid they’re going to get left behind; that they’re going to miss the next best thing. It’s like you

Oct 30, 2015

Eventually You’re Going to Have to Choose Between Wonderful and Phenomenal

“Can I be of service to you and your team as an informal advisor?” It was an email I didn’t want to have to send. I had been working off and on with Dan for years now. Dan was the ideal client. The CEO and founder of several big-time, multi-trazillion dollar companies you’ve heard of, he was whip smart, had his shit together, employed a brilliant team, and was somebody I respected and admired very much. Phone conversations with Dan

Oct 16, 2015

Plan on Being Successful

I’m the first to promote the bootstrapper spirit, but I’m also first to promote intelligent decisions. And sometimes “crossing that bridge when we come to it,” isn’t as free-spirited as it is stupid. What happens when there’s no bridge? Sure, you can build one. But it may end up costing you significantly more money, energy, time, heartache and headaches than if you had just taken the fucking flight. Plan on being successful from day one. Hear me talk about this

Jul 25, 2014

The Moments In Between – PAY ATTENTION.

Success is shit. (Hang on – the punchline is not what you think it is.) We’re always working toward it. (Are you rolling your eyes?) Listing out goals. (Inevitably on some overpriced moleskine.) Sweating. (A lot.) Hustling. (As much as we can before insanity sets in.) And pushing people out of our way to achieve it. (Violently. With tattered red heels.) Success. As if it were this tangible thing you can reach up, grab with your hands and cradle like

Jul 1, 2013

Category: Redefining Success