1: “I’m getting close to retiring and, frankly, it is scaring the bejesus out of me,” says Dennis, who is sixty-six and lives in rural Kansas.

“For the past forty years, Dennis has worked in higher education, overseeing grant programs for low-income students and serving as their academic adviser,” Jane McGonigal writes in her book  SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully.

“I’ve worked hard to help underprepared students find … continue reading

1: Getting better at getting better is what RiseWithDrew is all about.

Monday through Thursday, we explore ideas from authors, thought leaders, and exemplary organizations. On Friday, I share something about myself or what we’re working on at PCI.

Last month, I shared my proven annual goal-setting process.   For the past seven years, I have selected ten annual goals. Which I call “The 10.”

I select my goals from … continue reading

1: For the first twenty-plus years of my adult life, my morning routine revolved around this question:

What is the absolute last possible minute I can set my alarm where I have time to shower, shave, and still make it to the office on time?

When I say the “absolute last possible minute,” I mean Absolute.  Last.  Possible.  Minute.

There’s a better way.  And a better life.  It starts with … continue reading

The stats tell a sobering story.

Obesity is a national epidemic. Rates of depression are at an all-time high. More than 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Personal debt continues to skyrocket.

In his book, The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod shares statistics from the Social Security Administration: If we take 100 people at the start of their career and follow them for the next 40 years until they … continue reading

1: Getting better at getting better is what RiseWithDrew is all about.

Last week [here and here and here and here], we learned how to set and achieve goals to make 2026 the best year of our lives.

Goals that inspire and motivate us, driving us toward the person we want to become.

But we’re not done yet.

Articulating our goals is the critical first step.

But it’s … continue reading

Question:  How do we “develop a real plan for a better life?”

Answer: We create personally meaningful, powerful goals for the upcoming year.

This week, I’m outlining a straightforward approach to set motivating goals for the coming year, based on a methodology first outlined by Trent Hamm.  

So far this week, we’ve selected the areas of our lives on which we want to focus (Step One), outlined … continue reading

This week, we are exploring a goal-setting methodology from Trent Hamm called “Developing a Real Plan for a Better Life.”

Yesterday, we looked at STEP ONE: Selecting the areas of our lives we want to focus on.

Today, we turn to steps two, three, and four. 

STEP TWO begins with blocking off some quiet time to do the necessary work.  

“While it’s great to give this process some off-the-cuff … continue reading

1: That’s the opportunity.  

How?  

First, set powerful 2026 goals.

Next, achieve those goals through a simple process designed to optimize follow-through.

Over the past seven years, I’ve utilized a goal-setting methodology from Trent Hamm titled: “Developing a Real Plan for a Better Life.” Implementing Trent’s framework has resulted in the following:

o The decision to get married!

o Transforming our business at PCI through the launch of the Oral … continue reading

“If you don’t know where you are going, you might not like where you end up.” – David Bach

2026 is now officially around the corner.

A chance to start again.

I’m a big, BIG believer in goal-setting.  Why?

Setting thoughtful objectives for the coming year can transform our lives.

Reason #1: When we set a clear goal, our subconscious minds go to work, closing the gap between our current … continue reading

1: “‘Fail fast’ might work when it comes to software,” Panera Bread founder Ron Shaich writes in his powerful book Know What Matters.

“‘Done is better than perfect’ might be an appropriate mantra for Facebook,” Ron observes.  

“When speed-to-market is your priority, minimally viable may be sufficient.

“But if we’re trying to build a lasting brand, to create a relationship with our customers for the long term,” he notes, … continue reading