Years ago, while writing my book What’s Holding You Back?, I had just a week left to submit it to my editor—except the Intro wasn’t even finished.
It wasn’t for lack of effort. The more I tried, the more the right words eluded me.
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Only Connect – The Better Newsletter #71
Earlier in my career, I spoke at UCLA for a career-making presentation. There were decision-makers from the LA Times, Macy’s and Mastercard.
I remember thinking at the time, “If I do a great job of this, I’m set for life.”
Turn Your NOW Into Your NEXT – The Better Newsletter #70
Years ago, my son Andrew and I were at dinner and I asked, “Going to VA Tech for Homecoming?” He shrugged, “Nah, I’m exhausted.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Mom, I want to quit. I’m making good money, but wearing a suit, working in a high-rise, and making cold calls all day isn’t what I want to do with my life.”
“What do you want to do?”…
An Act of AGENCY – The Better Newsletter #69
Did you hear that Barnes & Noble’s top book for 2024 is James? In an interview, author Percival Everett said, “What Jim’s seeking in this world is a recognition of his agency – that’s what writing becomes for him.” He’s right! Writing is an act of AGENCY.
AGENCY is “Viktor Frankl’ing” Our Life
Doing a deep dive into your AGENCY history is a great way to come up with your own definition of AGENCY so it’s personally relevant and meaningful for you. You can do that by taking this 10-question quiz.
ConZENtrate on What Counts – The Better Newsletter #66
Do you know the single most powerful shift you can make to go from sabotaging your success to supporting it? Try switching your focus.
NOW is the New Later – The Better Newsletter #65
Years ago, a woman came up to me at a conference and asked, “How did you come up with the title of your book ‘Someday is Not a Day in the Week?’”
I told her, “I’ve met so many people over the past few years who talked about what they were going to do… Someday.
Have ‘Em At Hello – The Better Newsletter #64
Years ago, I was the Pitch Coach for Springboard Enterprises (which has helped entrepreneurs generate $37 billion in funding/valuation.)
One of their members, Kathleen Callendar of Pharma Jet, told me, “I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news.”
Tell Stories That Stick – The Better Newsletter #63
Pete, the sound engineer for my recent Audible book, pulled me aside after recording and said, “I wish I could tell stories like you, but nothing interesting happens to me.”
I told him, “Everyone has interesting things happen to – or around them – that can be turned into stories.”
He smiled and said, “Like what?”
Wealthy In What Matters – The Better Newsletter #62
When I submitted my book proposal for SOMEDAY Is Not a Day in the Week to my agent, she told me, “Sam, you’ll get a better deal if you have a bigger platform.”
In other words, my book deal depended less on my track record or the topic’s relevance and more on my social media following.
So, I did something I have never done…