Reference Levels: Invisible Rules that Govern Your Behavior
Aware of it or not, we all have “Reference Levels” for all areas of our lives. Our Reference Levels powerfully impact our behavior, our actions…
The Difference that Makes The Difference
A very smart investor (Howard Marks of Oaktree) once wrote a book titled “The Most Important Thing” which contained 17 chapters, each chapter titled… “The…
What is Your Belief System About Yourself?
What do you believe about yourself? Of what do you think you are capable? Who do you see yourself as? How do you see yourself…
Big Windshield, Small Rearview Mirror
There is a reason your car has a BIG windshield and a small rearview mirror: You are going forward, not backward! Where you are headed…
Buttons
“Most of us respond like machines when life or people push our buttons. Freedom, wisdom, growth, maturity: they all lie in that space between…
You Don’t Want to Hear This
You can do more, accomplish more. No matter how busy you are, there is always a way. A way to become better at doing what…
It’s a Daily Challenge for Me
“Daily challenge for me….much needed : ) Thanks!” was the response of a reader to the “I Can’t Have That” v. “I Don’t Want That”…
The Demon Within
Simona Halep, #1 ranked in women’s tennis, flamed out in the 1st round of the 2018 US Open in Flushing Meadows, losing in straight sets.…
“I Can’t Have That” v. “I Don’t Want That”
How we choose to see the world powerfully impacts our responses. The way we interpret events, the worldviews we select as our own, all come…
4 Ways You Hold Yourself Back
1. Self-doubt. We tend to judge ourselves by our rough-hewn insides and others by their polished exteriors. You are greater than you know; you have…
Three Things That Stand Between You and Greatness
1. Unfocused Desire The #1 reason people do not become their best self/do not live their greatest life is a Lack of Desire or more…
Doing it Scared
Doing it scared means doing it before you are fully ready because we are rarely, if ever, fully ready. Doing it scared means pushing your…
Seven Ways to Sabotage Yourself
Sometimes looking at opposites brings things into greater clarity… Be Reactive: Give away your personal power; hold others responsible for your emotions and reactions. See…
The Phrase That De-Powers: “I’ll Try”
Trying isn’t doing. As Yoda said, “No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.” Saying “I’ll try” is a weak response that does not create confidence; “I’ll try” is almost a pre-excuse for…
Most Ideas About Leadership are Wrong
Leadership is NOT a position; rather leadership is a frame of mind, an attitude. Most think that leadership flows from positional power yet in an…
The Joys of Seeking Desirable Difficulty
Why would difficulty ever be desirable? Because in overcoming difficulty we grow stronger. Just as the athletic trains by lifting ever greater weights, so too…
Are you Running on Default Mode?
Default mode is taking the easy way out, the path of least resistance, accepting the status quo without question or meaningful demur. People tend to…
This is What I Do
How do you motivate yourself? How do you keep yourself going when you are tired, fatigued, falling behind? How do you tap into your best…
Q&A on the Path to Happiness and Success (Part 2)
Early Career According to your blog, you purchased your first income-producing property in the early 1970s. What year in college were you in when you…
Making Your Own Luck
Luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity. Relentlessly increasing your skill sets (Preparation!) certainly increases the scope of the opportunities you can jump on;…
Tell Me I’m Not Good Enough. Tell Me I Can’t. Tell Me You Don’t Think I’ve Got What It Takes. Please.
What motivates you? What puts fire in your belly? Fuels you? Stirs your blood? Failure defeats the mediocre but inspires winners to greater effort. The…
Law School and General Time Management
Q: Mr. Collier, I have questions regarding general time management advice during law school. My goal is to continue on to law school at the…
Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen (Part 1) Difficult conversations are anything that someone does not…
Is Owning and Managing Residential Real Estate Still a Good Investment for Individuals?
Q: Sir, you started off by renting residential. Given the state of the modern residential real estate economy, do you think buying and renting residential is…
Questions for the Chair, The Sequel
1. What made you decide to go into business? I grew up poor; no a/c in Miami or car poor, utilities, water and electric turned…
Q & A
Q: Your early educational background began with finance followed by an MBA; it’s clear you had business on your mind from the start. I was…