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I was at a bar the night before my keynote. A well-known industry member started asking questions—angling at whether I had the credibility to deliver. I joked about him doubting me. He laughed: "I never said that. That's the story you're telling yourself." He was right. Most limiting beliefs work this way - we don't even know we're telling them.

Complacency doesn't announce itself, it creeps in through small, unnoticed behaviors until you realize your best people are looking elsewhere. Success breeds complacency faster than failure. Learn the 5 warning signs of cultural drift and the 3 actions you can take Monday morning to stop the decline before it becomes a crisis.

I flew to Houston convinced I was ready for my first corporate keynote. I wasn't. I nervously rambled, paced the stage, and choked under pressure. Years later, a coach asked me a simple question that changed everything: "Would you step into a game without practicing?" The difference between choking and clutch isn't talent—it's your choice to prepare like pressure is coming.

Drew Maddux inherited a losing basketball program full of kids who didn't believe they could win. He spoke to them as champions before they'd won anything. Day after day, week after week. Eventually, they believed him. That losing program became one of Tennessee's best ever—because their leader chose to speak life into them.

Your leaders have read all the books and attended all the training. They can quote leadership principles in meetings. So why doesn't their behavior match their knowledge? The knowing-doing gap is costing your organization more than you realize. Here's how to close it with the T.O.D.A.Y. system.

Texas heat in May. Spring ball. Games months away. I showed up to practice, went through the drills, logged the reps. But my intensity was gone. I wasn't trying to get better—I was trying to get through it. Practice-to-practice instead of practice-to-perform. I was there, but I wasn't competing. Your relationships work the same way.

I lost 5 speaking gigs because I waited 5 years for permission to write. John Krasinski almost stayed 'Jim from The Office' forever. We're all waiting for someone to tell us we're ready. Here's the truth: no one is coming. Permission starts with action, not approval. What are you waiting for?

Discover why waiting for perfect circumstances keeps you stuck and how to take action with what you have right now. Learn the "excuse vs. exercise" framework that helps high-performers make progress in imperfect conditions. Includes 3 immediate action steps to stop drifting and start competing today.

My wife came home frustrated. Her team member was struggling, and when I asked how she handled it, she said: "I did nothing." She'd learned this employee just needed to vent—not solutions. But a different person on her team? They'd spiral with that approach. Same respect. Different coaching. That's real leadership. Fair doesn't mean identical.

In October 2022, I sat in my SUV, drowning in “good” opportunities—podcasts, coffee meetings, client calls—while my most important goals stalled. I’d been saying yes to everything good... and missing what was great. This post is your reminder (and roadmap) to stop scattering your energy. Because the real enemy of greatness? It’s not failure. It’s distraction disguised as “good.”

Most leadership conflict isn't about effort or ability - it's about expectations you never communicated. A Gallup study found only 41% of employees know what's expected of them. That means 60% of your team is guessing what you want every day. Here's the 3-step system to fix it before unclear expectations destroy your culture.

What if you stopped waiting for help - and just proved you could win without it?

I was 35,000 feet above Denver when I realized I was being an idiot. I'd spent an hour beating myself up for not having something I didn't even want. Most leaders burn out not because they work too hard, but because they're working toward someone else's definition of success. Competition begins with clarity: What game are you actually playing? Here's how to stop competing in arenas you never chose and start winning games that actually matter to you.

What if your biggest sales competitor isn't the company across town stealing your deals? 73% of sales teams discover the hard way: your biggest competition isn't external. It's the invisible enemy that shows up the moment you start winning. The real competitor hiding in plain sight isn't your rival - it's complacency. The subtle voice that whispers "you've arrived" when your numbers look good.

Most people wait for the perfect opportunity to show up. Competitors? They make the opportunity great right where they stand.

THE MOMENT Every morning at 6:30 AM, I pass the same kid at our neighborhood playground. He's not playing. He's working out. Pullups on...

Learn what keeps most teams in an average performance mode and how you as a leader can breakthrough this trap and help your team improve.

Most aspiring speakers think success comes from inspiring stories or natural charisma. After earning $1.5M+ from speaking and my CSP designation, I've learned the truth: professional speaking isn't about motivation - it's about systematically solving problems organizations pay to solve. This guide covers the real fundamentals: clarifying your market, testing demand, investing in coaching, and building relationships that open doors you can't force.

You hired them because they were the best. Six months later, they're gone. Sound familiar? The uncomfortable truth: we've become experts at pointing out what's wrong, but terrible at praising what's right. Learn the Seesaw Method - a simple feedback framework that keeps your top performers engaged and stops the revolving door of talent walking out.

Want to make your competitive mindset a career advantage?  Then stop doing what everyone else does. Former UNC coach Roy Williams once...