Learning to become a great storyteller translates into business success.
Great stories share common elements: challenge, struggle, and resolution. And the story’s hero is the one who accepts the challenge, fights through the struggles, and achieves the resolution.
So far this week, we’ve looked at the storyteller as hero It’s Magic, the listener as hero How to Change the World, and the customer as hero The Superman Story … continue reading
As a walk-on fullback at the University of Maryland, Kevin Plank was annoyed. Every time he worked up a sweat, his cotton workout clothes weighed him down. So, he created an undershirt made out of women’s lingerie fabric that wicked the sweat away.
It worked. During workouts, his new undershirt was lighter. It kept his skin cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, Peter Guber shares in his … continue reading
Bill Haber was one of the most powerful talent agents in the world. Then, one day he quit the powerhouse Creative Artist Agency which he had co-founded to become a leader of the nonprofit organization Save the Children.
Bill’s entire career had been about telling stories through movies and television. He would need a brand new story in his new role as an agent of global change.
“Save the … continue reading
It’s 1985. The Los Angeles Lakers have just won game five of the NBA Finals to take a 3-2 series lead against the uber-talented Philadelphia 76ers. They are one win away from being World Champions.
But their best player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, has sprained his ankle. He’s out for the rest of the series.
“So even though we’re ahead three to two,” Lakers … continue reading
Becoming a great storyteller is a key skill to succeed in business.
And in life.
Storytelling is a skill we can get better at. This week we are continuing our exploration of the central ideas of Hollywood mogul Peter Guber’s wonderful book Tell to Win about the power of storytelling.
Our area of focus?
The role of the hero in telling a great story.
Business stories, Peter tells us, … continue reading
Our goal?
To create “masterpiece days.”
This week we’ve looked at the importance of our morning and evening routines, what philosopher Brian Johnson calls our AM and PM bookends. I’m currently enrolled in Brian’s year-long Optimize Mastery program which has been an incredible learning opportunity.
One of the key elements of Brian’s AM bookend is meditation. We aim to practice “paying attention to our attention.” We begin by focusing on … continue reading
This week we are looking at how to create what philosopher Brian Johnson calls “masterpiece days.”
So far we’ve looked at the connection between our evening habits and how we feel when we wake up to start our day.
We extend that idea today by making the connection between the quality of our day and our how we start our morning.
What Brian Johnson calls our “AM Bookend.”… continue reading
If our goal is to create a masterpiece day, where do we start?
According to philosopher Brian Johnson, we begin with our nighttime practices and habits. What he calls our “PM Bookend.”
Step one, Brian tells us, is to create a “bright line” between the end of our work day and our family or personal time.
“Shutdown complete,” Brian calls it. He suggests we decide when and how we will … continue reading
This week we are exploring philosopher Brian Johnson’s idea of creating masterpiece days. Brian suggests we focus on the beginning and end of our day because this is where we have maximum control.
Today we begin looking at our evening habits and practices, what Brian calls our “PM Bookend.”
Which starts with this insight: how we end yesterday will directly impact today. Brian encourages us to make the connection … continue reading
What makes for a great life?
According to philosopher Brian Johnson, a great life is simply a procession of great days.
Masterpiece days, he calls them.
And what are the elements of a masterpiece day?
That’s what we are going to explore this week.
I’m currently enrolled in Brian’s yearlong Optimize Mastery program. It’s been a fantastic learning experience. Living a good life is at the core of … continue reading
