A Humanity That Can Sustain A Deep Understanding Of Love

August 18, 2014 by [email protected] 2 Comments

Here’s what I believe we’re doing in the world, what my generation is responsible for:

Building A Humanity That Can Sustain A Deep Understanding Of Love

I can go on in essays about how Love Is The Answer, but there’s already plenty written on that, and you either agree or you don’t (some would say, you either Remember, or you don’t).

But just knowing the answer isn’t enough to create a world that Lives the answer.

And I believe that’s just what we’re doing now, creating a world that can live that answer sustainably.

What do I mean by sustainably?

The 70’s got really close to this (referring to America), in that so much of the population had a deep understanding of Love. The culture, the music, the people, the spirit… but it wasn’t sustainable, so it didn’t last. I could even argue that we spent the next two decades take huge steps back from it, largely because it wasn’t sustainable.

It wasn’t sustainable because while much of the culture understood this, we just didn’t build the economic, political, and technological structures and environments to sustain it. So what you had was Woodstock… Love and Beauty and Rebellion and Drugs and Music, until you ran out of food, shelter, and money… and structure.

So what’s different now?

If you look around, the culture has been waking up to Love. More and more people are awakening and remembering the Power of Love.

But it’s not just in a rebellious, hippy way (nothing against hippies – again, they were pretty damn close to getting it right).

It’s all coming together synergistically… the entrepreneurial revolution, the technological evolution, and the mass cultural awakening.

In the 70’s, Love and Business/Capitalism were on opposite sides of the spectrum. Now, Entrepreneurial Creation is actually one of the Greatest Expressions of Love.

In the 70’s, Love and Technology were on opposite sides of the spectrum (well, except for in the minds of great entrepreneurs and thinkers like Steve Jobs, who recognized the convergence of the two way before the rest of the world). Now, most technological progress improves not only the quality of human life, but also the environment (think Tesla, or more broadly almost anything with a microchip), and people actually strive to create technology that improves the planet, not to mention human freedom and global equal opportunity.

The political landscape, well… I don’t follow enough politics to claim any expertise here, but I do believe we’re seeing the evolution of conscious capitalism, and a political environment supporting that evolution.

As the political, economic, and technological atmospheres converge with the cultural, artistic, and spiritual awakening to Love, we’ll live in a world where people’s lives and careers will experience, express, and embody Love… sustainably.

And a society is just a collection of people and the relationships (political, economic, familial, spiritual, cultural, sexual, emotional, intellectual relationships) between them, so we’ll have a world that will experience, express, and embody Love.

More than any generation before us, this can really last.

So what does this all mean, and what do you do with it?

I believe it will progress exponentially and happen with or without you. With or without me. But I invite you to participate… better yet, to lead this revolution. To accelerate it. To be on the right side of history. To create meaning in your life, by helping to build a humanity that can sustain a deep understanding of Love.

Having this goal, this commitment, and this belief alone will start to transform your thinking, your decisions, and your actions to those of a solutionary.

Thoughts? Comment below. I would love a discussion about this.

RANT On The Entrepreneurial Lifestyle

September 14, 2013 by [email protected] 8 Comments

This is a rant on the ‘entrepreneurial lifestyle’ – it’s been on my mind for some time now, and I finally decided it’s worth publicly ranting about. If you agree or disagree, I’d love your comments below.

Disclaimer #1: You might be directly offended by this post. Sorry I’m not sorry. Real Talk.

Disclaimer #2: I realize I’ve been guilty of this myself in the past. It was immature.

Posting pictures of yourself sipping a tropical drink on the beach is NOT the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Bragging about how little you work isn’t impressing (or attracting) anyone except a bunch of lazy people who have little if any desire to create something significant in the world. The same goes for pictures and memes of people ‘making money in their sleep.’ Let’s get real…

Every single entrepreneur worth remembering, from Richard Branson to Steve Jobs to Henry Ford, and those who built their successes more quietly have WORKED THEIR ASSES OFF. Every successful entrepreneur I know works extremely hard, or has for a significant portion of their lives and careers, to create something of massive value in the world (but, that depends on how you define entrepreneur).

If you’re an entrepreneur, you are driven by building your vision. You can’t NOT work hard. It’s not in your DNA.

You take risks. You dare to think different. You do things that haven’t been done before. You create, you innovate, you inspire, you lead, you manage, you put it all on the line because you believe in a bigger and better world. YOU WORK HARD to create it. Often times in the face of uncertainty, rapidly shifting market conditions, self-doubt, limited resources… you work hard because you believe in what you’re building.

80+ hour work week, intense focus, SACRIFICE… that’s the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Not sitting on a beach sipping a damn margarita.

I think this crazy misconception might come from how loosely we define ‘entrepreneur’ these days… MLM, affiliate marketing, etc are all great, but there’s a fine line (ok, maybe not so fine) between building a company and promoting a product/opportunity based on how you get to sit on the beach and ‘get money’ on the Internet. The latter is fine, but please stop calling it entrepreneurship.

The Four Hour Work Week? No. You didn’t get it.

Me with Tim Ferriss

Another crazy misconception comes from Tim Ferriss’s “The Four Hour Work Week.” I LOVE that book – in fact reading it over a dozen times in college played an instrumental role in creating the life that I have now (I also think Tim is a genius; I’m a huge fan and was fortunate enough to meet him and hang out for a bit). But Tim does NOT preach laziness. In fact, the opposite. It’s all about focusing less on money, and more on who you are becoming and what you are creating in the world. Tim himself works extremely hard, stays super focused, and is overwhelmingly driven to create something significant in the world during his life. The misleading title only refers to ‘work’ as ‘necessary things that you don’t really want to do, but HAVE to do for income generation or other logistical reasons’ (my definition) … reread the book, especially the Filling The Void chapter, and you’ll agree.

Real entrepreneurs don’t brag about how little they work.

Yes, they delegate, they create leverage, they often travel, and yes they can often afford a better ‘lifestyle’ than a typical employee. But the entrepreneurial lifestyle includes a ton of hard work, risk, and sacrifice. It’s rewarding, and can be exhausting, but they also have a massive amount of extra energy from their vision… so the long hours don’t feel like work, they feel like creation. Like art.

In fact, most successful entrepreneurs I know can’t even take long vacations. They get antsy because they are aware from what they are creating, from growth, progress, invention…

This doesn’t mean you don’t take time to rejuvenate.

Rejuvenating in the Philippines with my awesome web team… before and after months of hard work.

Now, I’m not saying Rejuvenation isn’t important. I’m not saying FUN and EXPERIENCE isn’t important either. It is. Sometimes you need to chill out, take time away from your business, have fun, experience something new, go on an adventure, or do absolutely nothing. Whether to relax and rejuvenate, or to get mental clarity to come up with better solutions and innovations. You want to avoid burn out (been there, done that) and a resulting depression (yes, many of us face this) from overworking.

But this doesn’t mean that the entrepreneurial lifestyle is defined by relaxation, chilling out, and doing whatever you want whenever you want. It simply means you need to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit, so you can go back at the real entrepreneurial lifestyle (of hard work and creation) with ever more energy, creativity, and focus.

So next time you see someone on Facebook post a neat lifestyle picture promoting the entrepreneurial lifestyle, remind yourself: building a great business takes discipline, hard work, focus, and creativity. Maybe even drop a link to this post as a comment on their picture. If you want to live the ‘entrepreneurial lifestyle’ then be prepared to make sacrifices, work your ass off, and take less breaks than your employees… because you get to build something great. And that’s worth bragging about.

If you agree, disagree, or have a different perspective on this, I’d love your comments below.

Maverick Family Freedom (and more adventures)

July 7, 2013 by [email protected] Leave a Comment

I just got back from the Maverick Family Freedom event. It’s my second year in a row attending and working with the kids there, and I have to say it’s been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done all year.

This year, in addition to the younger kids setting up their mini-businesses and selling goods throughout the July 4th Celebration, we worked with the older kids (14+) to setup an information product. Within just a few days, they were able to put the product together (including audio and video recording and editing), write the copy, put up a sales letter, a delivery page, designed a logo, setup their social media platforms, and even make their first few sales!

You can check out the product and more of their story here, and support them by buying, liking, or sharing if you feel so inclined 😉

Giving kids entrepreneurial education at this age is priceless, but giving them an actual experience where they setup a business on the fly with some guidance and virtually zero budget, and see them make money with it right away, is a life changing experience for them. They are forever tainted with the entrepreneurial spirit (if they weren’t already from their crazy entrepreneur parents!) and now have the confidence, the skills, and more importantly the belief that they can actually setup a virtual business quickly.

Here’s 3 of the team of 4 working hard on the launch:

And here’s all the Maverick Parents with their kids:

For me, this experience strongly re-affirmed my deep passion for young entrepreneurship, for opening young minds to the possibilities of their own potential and guiding them through the initial hurdles. Every time I hang out with Mavericks is an incredible experience for me, but this has been by far the most fulfilling week of my year.

All of my own anxieties and challenges even seemed to melt away as I worked with this young team. Beyond that, it made me realize (something I’ve known for some time, but easy to forget) that often times the best way to work through your own stress is to make a significant impact for others.

After this week, I know I’ll be putting even more energy and focus than ever before into building support systems and networks for young entrepreneurs at all levels, and eventually a unique incubator. Helping others grow to new heights and open new possibilities can always be profitable and highly leveraged, but the best part is making a difference with every single hour of work and energy that I put into it. This is what I’m doing with my life, and I’m damn excited about it.

Also, we went kayaking, some of the families did water sports (wake boarding, water skiing, etc), and we watched an epic fireworks show from a big military ship in the Port of Charleston.

As I write this, I’m sitting on my friend Adam Summers’ deck in Baltimore. Even just being around Adam’s family and his beautiful home has further re-inspired my entrepreneurial energy. Aside from being one of the country’s best plastic surgeons, Adam is one of those genius entrepreneurs who perfectly balances the creative right brain with the technical left brain, and seems to have mastered both. I have a lot to learn from him.

I’ll be here for another week or so, hanging out with Yanik a bit and then attending a Russell Brunson Mastermind with my business partner Paul Hoffman and some other friends from the Internet marketing world.

By the way, shameless plug: I’ve been working with Paul to market Sculptations. It’s another huge passion of mine, as it marries inspiring music with meditation with personal development; all things that have changed my life in one way or another. I recommend downloading and checking out the free tracks on the site.

Other Adventures:

I know I really have to post more often! Since my last post about my experiences in Asia, I’ve been on a few trips with some really great experiences and transformations. So here’s a quick summary:

Canada

I went to Canada for the first time to celebrate my good friends’ Larry and Perry’s Birthdays. Nothing overly special on this trip, but it was a really fun time with good friends and my first time to the country.

Chicago

Maverick Multiplier Retreat in Chicago: this was epic! Both in terms of the content, the fun, and the transformational experiences. Even more so: the incredible people. I mean it, I think Mavericks are some of the best people on Earth.

Activities included powerful business sessions, Maverick Roller Derby, A Zombie Bar Crawl (really), boating, hotseat and mastermind sessions with startups and non-profits, and seeing the future of 3D technology. Here’s a quick recap video:

My biggest takeaway from the content at Chicago was this:

Austin

After that, I went to Austin with Ally. Ally helped out with event coordination at the Amazing Selling Machine event there (which Sophia managed – Sophia runs an awesome unique company called Maverick Events), while I hung out with all my Austin friends, and was again reminded of how excited I am to move there.

And with that, the big news: I am moving to Austin! Finally. We actually signed the lease and are officially moving in on September 4th. We found a really cool spot where the background goes directly into the greenbelt (the biggest nature reserve in Austin).

Upcoming…

More big news! I am going to attend Eben Pagan’s Accelerate Program in Chicago at the end of this month. I’m super stoked for it. It’s one of the best high level entrepreneur training events in the nation, and I was fortunate enough to win one of the young entrepreneur scholarship tickets (worth $7500 or so), and I know this event will be transformational for my life and business.

After that, I’ll likely drop by RSD World Summit in Vegas. And no, I’m not trying to ‘learn pick up’ but my friend Nick Kho (Papa) runs the company and I actually think their content can be pretty awesome for overall personal development.

What’s NEXT?

And finally, I’m working closely with my mentor Yanik Silver on a new project, where we’ll be creating a tight network of successful young entrepreneurs and helping them accelerate their businesses and live more fulfilling lives through deep peer-to-peer connections, high level ‘Maverick Mentorship,’ and priceless content, events, and experiences.

We’re looking for the NEXT Generation of Maverick Entrepreneurs. If you’re a young entrepreneur 25 and under and you already have your own business running, looking to get to the NEXT Level in business, happiness, and impact, then this might be for you. Stay tuned, or Facebook message me to stay in touch.

This is the most exciting thing I’ve worked on in my life to date, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading, and as always I really appreciate your comments and questions!

Creation

February 9, 2013 by [email protected] Leave a Comment

[Note: I initially wrote this as a journal entry. Really quickly. It just came through me. Then I decided to share it – it was never intended as a public post. I normally don’t share this stuff.]

I feel like I’ve almost been caged by my business. Like I haven’t let myself fully discover my true self. Or even feel a lot of the emotions that I want to feel. I’ve been so run down with the day to day, the management, the money, the operations, the people, the projects, the clients, the growth, the stress, the payroll, the technology… everything… that I often forget what it’s all about. About the Freedom. The Passion. The Purpose. It’s about Creation. But creation doesn’t come from a boggled might and a heavy heart.

Creation comes from a free mind and a light heart. From an open internal world, not one that’s constantly so filled with ‘busy-ness’ that it doesn’t have any space for real creativity. If I’m going to create something incredible, I need the mental and spiritual ‘space’ to do so.

That means I have to remove myself from operations… from the day to day. I have to trust good people to create good results. My job isn’t to be ‘productive’ so much as it is to be creative – not to produce, but to create. There’s a difference. A huge difference.

Every once in awhile I remember this. It might even last a day, or two, or three at the most. Especially when I travel. But mostly, I go back to work and get myself caught in the same cycle. A cycle of work and productivity, a cycle of reactivity, of dealing with issues, of trying to growing, of keeping people happy… all of this is good. But I don’t want ‘good’ – I want transformational. Not just transformational for me, but transformational for the world.

Not just for those around me. Not just for my clients. But for the fucking world.

I have something inside of me to bring to the world. Something that will change the way we live.

The good news is: I know it’s there. I know it’s powerful.

The problem: I have no clue what it is… yet.

And if I keep doing what I’m doing now – in the hustle – I’m afraid I won’t discover it. Or at least I won’t discover it soon enough. Not as soon as I want to. Not as soon as I could. And the sooner I discover it, the sooner I can create it – and bring it to the world. And build the team that helps me do it. And the longer I wait… well maybe I’m preparing. But maybe I’m scared. Maybe by the time I’m ready… it will be too late.

And what if I just go on a delusional soul search – what if what I’m looking for isn’t even there?

That’s where the incubator comes in. Maybe it’s not in me. Maybe I won’t be the one to create it per say – but rather co-create it. Maybe it’s in someone else’s mind and heart… and maybe it’s my job to discover it, help to co-create it, and bring it to the world. If that’s the case, I’ll find it through the incubator. And co-create a lot of other awesome ventures in the process, some of which may impact the world in ways I cannot possibly predict today.

But it’s that one discovery… I’ll just know it. And I’ll probably leave the incubator then. To pursue it with my co-creator. To give it my all. To give it my life.

So what am I waiting for? Time to make the leap…

Almost.

My 2012 In Review

December 31, 2012 by [email protected] Leave a Comment

The past year has been my best so far. It was crazy, productive, and unpredictable to say the least. Filled with travels, business struggles and successes, new relationships, life changing lessons, and unique adventures – it’s been unforgettable. But it’s also just the foundation for the rest of my life of freedom, passion, and purpose.

How it started:

I started 2012 with my best month to that point, doing about $6,000 in revenue that month. I set a goal to do $10,000 in February, and fell short of that goal by just a couple hundred dollars – but it was good enough for me. I felt like I had my first 5 figure month, and used that as momentum to do it every month since, building a 6 figure business in 2012. Given my goals at the time, this was exactly what I striving for. But now, it seems so minuscule in light of my new purpose-driven goals and vision for the coming years.

The best thing I did to start my year was fill out the scholarship for Underground … just a few hours before the deadline. I was accepted. I was excited. But I didn’t realize just how much that event would change my life.

At Underground, after meeting a ton of cool people and entrepreneurs I’ve been learning from for years online, I got to meet Yanik Silver. We found we both had a strong affinity for young entrepreneurs and for changing the world through entrepreneurship. It wasn’t long after that Yanik became my mentor – and I’d have to say getting involved with Maverick was the catalyst for so many of my unique life experiences this past year, and has created the foundation for the coming decades of impact.

I’ll have to dedicate another post to my unfolding ‘Maverick story’ and my love affair with the brand, the people, and the creation of the Maverick EcoVerse.

The Year In Review…

Trips and Travels:

Austin – Leverage Summit
DC – Underground Online Seminar 8
Daytona – vacation
Dallas – GKIC Superconference
Austin – Equity Investors Network
NYC – Maverick Dangerous Dinner + Multiplier day
Washington DC for Co-Creation Event
Park City for Maverick Family Freedom event, then Salt Lake City
NYC – Maverick Mayhem event at a haunted hotel
San Diego, OC, LA – vacation with friends
Las Vegas – vacation with friends + RSD World Summit
Austin – Maverick Multiplier Day + Dinner at John Paul Dejoria’s ranch + checking out apartments
Nashville – GKIC InfoSummit + jail (another post coming later on the ‘jail’ lol)
Maui – Nick and Amber’s wedding
Mexico – Maverick M3 Summit

My 3 Biggest Discoveries of 2012:

Putting the right people in the right seats (still working on it) including myself: Focus on leveraging personal strengths and passions vs. generic success principles
I’m here to co-create something game changing through entrepreneurship
Rejuvenation through unique experiences drives me forward

3 Most Memorable Experiences of 2012:

Mayan rituals in Mayan village
Intense mountain biking in Park City, Utah
Spending the night in Nashville County Jail

So many more to name, from hot air ballooning in Park City to watching the meteor shower in Maui and many more. It’s hard to choose a top 3.

My 3 Biggest Mistakes of 2012:

Taking on too many project and clients with too few resources. I was looking for my kryptonite and found it.
Undervaluing my own time and over-estimating others
Asking the Nashville bartender for water, then trusting the police there lol (another post, coming soon!)

However, I don’t really mind the mistakes, as they led me to today, and each has held an important lesson or experience for me.

With Tim Ferriss

I also met some really amazing people this past year. In addition to all the inspiring entrepreneurs in Maverick1000, I’ve had the opportunity to meet Tim Ferriss right here in Boston (I’ve been a long time fan, as Tim’s 4 Hour Work Week was a major source of education and inspiration for my current life), and John Paul Dejoria (found of Paul Mitchell Hair System, Patron Tequila, and more) at his ranch near Austin, TX.

Single best decision of 2012: filling out the scholarship application for Underground Online Seminar 8.

I’ll write another post in the next few days on my goals, upcoming plans, and what I’m most excited about for 2013.

To everyone who’s been there with me through this journey over the past year, thank you. I have such a big list of people to thank for making this past year possible.

To everyone who’s sticking with me or joining me for an even crazier ride for 2013, I look forward to an incredible journey with incredible people!