So there I was, wide-eyed and full of anticipation, bedroom door shut so it was just me and the screen. Little did I know, the double feature of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Wild One" was about to kickstart a transformation that would shape my entire existence.

Hey! Bet that got your attention didn’t it? But wait….”Travis, aren’t you in the motivational space?” I am but that got it’s name before I got here. So don’t blame me!

This week I want to focus on the concept of talent versus skill. The QB example is just one of many but one we have all encountered. Think about it, when you read that title you immediately thought of someone you know. That person in your life who’s crowning achievement was from 10-20 years ago. Even though a decade or more has passed, they act as though that old accomplishment should still qualify them as an expert.

Guess what! Not everyone likes you, and that’s OK! Cheery title right? I know, I know, please save your applause until the end of the blog! But this is serious and something that, if I am being honest, drives me absolutely crazy! People’s necessity to be “liked” is so strange and can have serious negative effects on their mental well being and productivity, if they let it. Check it out, there are 7.8 BILLION people on the planet right now. There’s even more than that by the time you read this. By 2050 the projection is 9.9 billion people. You’ll never guess what. Not all of them are going to like you!

This seems to have come up over and over again in my world recently. Everyone from clients, to colleagues, even long time friends. People are stressing out over if someone likes them or not. Let me be clear here, I am not talking about their friends, co-workers, family, boss, literally no one directly connected to their lives. These fine folks are all keyed up over STRANGERS not liking them! Huh? Wait…seriously?

You know what, typically I try and target a particular audience with these blogs. I key into an issue that I’ve heard throughout the week with a chunk of my clients and other business interactions, then try and address it based off that demographics needs. Guess what! Not this time! This one is for legit EVERYONE! Since you dear reader happen to fall into that

The first step to making this successful for the candidate was that acknowledgment. That first, real pragmatic acceptance. Knowing and owning the simple truth that they are going to get hit, it is going to hurt, and there is no other way. That pragmatic acceptance is massive in taking that next step.

It’s time to talk about my old friend actionable intelligence. This is one of my favorite things on the planet and in my experience is often what makes it all worth it. What am I talking about? Well, let me give it a little context.

Ok, I’ll be up front about something. This one may come off a little more “tough love” that most. So, you’ve been at least somewhat warned.

Here’s the deal the universe is not out to get you! It’s really not! Think about it. How many times have you said, or heard someone say “why is this happening to me?” Probably more than you can remember. But, guess what. Nothing is happening TO you! Things are just happening.

I hear this all the time. Seriously, far more often than I would like. People telling m e that they agree with a lot of what I say but don’t see how some of the principles apply to them because “I’m not a leader. I’m just a (fill in the blank)”.

This one can be tough. As a leader, we’ve all been there. You had the best of intentions and were certain that the plan you had in place was going to be successful. Then, as things begin to take shape, there’s that sudden and sinking realization that, you were WRONG!