Summum Bonum
Summum bonum is a Latin phrase meaning “the highest good” and represents a concept introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero. While some philosophies associate the…
Beware Brittle Learning
“Brittle Learning” is superficial knowing; where you’ve memorized a few “lessons” but do not truly understand the underlying principles. The minute the environment changes (and…
Overlearning: Practice Beyond Perfect
Overlearning means learning more about a subject than the minimum necessary; also practicing a skill above and beyond achieving threshold mastery. The theory being that…
What Gift Are You Withholding?
“I’ve always wanted to….” We can all fill in the blank with some skill we have never developed, some dream we’ve never followed, some ability…
Deep Work: Superpower of Success
“Deep Work” is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task; in contrast to “Shallow Work”: the routine work, everyday tasks that…
Failure: Stepping Stone to Success?
Can failure be a GOOD thing? Yes, certainly, but with caveats! Demanding perfection is a prescription for paralysis and the only way to never fail…
Good Failure; Bad Failure
How can failure be good? The answer lies in the distinction between Good Failure and Bad Failure: – Good Failure comes from a “Good Heart/Awake…
Six Decision Traps that have Killed
The following are six decision mistakes (traps) that smart people have made that lead to avalanche deaths: Social Facilitation: Once a behavior is established as…
THE TYRANNY OF LOW EXPECTATIONS
Low expectations are one of the most subtle yet devastatingly effective forms of sabotage we can do to others and ourselves. Low expectations often masquerade…
Forget New Year’s Resolutions
Better a small promise kept than a larger one broken. Most New Year’s Resolutions fail because they are lofty goals with insufficient foundation. If it…
The Easiest Way is often the Hardest Way
Why? Because the easiest way out of most difficult situations is the quickest way back in! Quick fix “solutions” (painting over rust) don’t last. When…
Silly Mental Mistake Smart, Sophisticated Folk Fall For
The smarter you are, the more likely you are to turn your nose up at success techniques that seem too simple or too straightforward. The…
Questions for the Chair – Part 5
Periodically NSC holds lunches with Collier Company Team Members who send in questions. The following are drawn from those events. 1. Sir, I see all…
70:20:10
70:20:10 is a straightforward formula created in the 1980’s to describe the sources of successful learning experiences. 70:20:10 represents the ratio of knowledge obtained from…
Mentor’s Reply to Young Entrepreneur’s Questions (#22)
Hello Mr. Collier, I hope everything is going well for you. When you get some time can you please answer the below questions? Thank you!…
Questions for the Chair – Part 3
Periodically NSC holds lunches with Collier Company Team Members who send in questions. The following are drawn from those events. What are the most important…
Live Intentionally
Intentionally means by choice, by design, deliberately, on purpose, in contrast to accidentally or without thought. We all have the ability to exercise power over ourselves,…
But Then I Won’t Have Time to Finish My Emails
A Senior Team Member at The Collier Companies was encouraging someone to get out on site more often (we rent Apartment Homes). The response? “But…
Stick Your Finger in the Dirt
I was recently touring a community where we had spent major dollars on landscaping improvements. Unfortunately almost half the bushes were distressed, brown leaves, dropped…
Live Ready
Opportunity: op·por·tu·ni·ty | \ ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē , -ˈtyü-\ : A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. When opportunity knocks, will you be ready?…
Be Wary of Accumulating Random Content
Just as our bodies are what we eat, so our minds are what we allow in, what we pay attention to, what we focus on.…
The Thief in Your Mind
There is a thief that lies waiting in all too many folks’ minds; a thief that will steal their peace of mind and rob them…
If Your Life is Your Message, What Are You Saying?
What legacy are you creating? Are you kind? Patient? Grateful? Considerate? Our close relationships speak volumes about our true selves; what does your conduct say…
Putting the Safety on Your Triggers
Doing as well as we know is an ongoing challenge for us humans. We over-eat, sit when we should move, lose our cool, give in…
Making a Pact with Ulysses
Ulysses, the hero of the Greek legend “The Odyssey”, famously tied himself to his ship’s mast so as not to fall prey to the tempting…
The Secret Key You Seek Is Hidden In Plain View
“Goal achievement is more about depth and strength and power of one’s desire than aught else. Laser intensity and long hours combined with openness to…