Yesterday I was having some trouble focusing in my business. After coming off the high from accomplishing my first speaking engagement on Tuesday, I have had a tough time regaining momentum. I have been exposing myself to the world through social media and you really learn a lot about yourself in doing so...the good and the bad! So began my pity party. I was having a tough time separating my true self versus my false self, or my "ego". I was getting into deep thinking about what people are thinking about me and who I am truly being and it was consuming me. I could not think about anything else and put all work aside. "What is my purpose?" I was asking myself.

How does one become authentic?

While I was throwing this question around in my mind, I heard a ding on my Macbook which means I had a new message in my inbox. A new message was awaiting for me in Facebook. Now I promised myself earlier not to check my Facebook because I was taking a break from it so I could work on "me". This message was not from the ordinary spammer. It captured my attention because it was from Bob Burg, the author of the "Go-Giver." I remember I had sent him a message earlier about recommendations about authenticity. What he sent back completely changed my day. He wrote,

"The neat thing about authenticity is that - since it is your very essence - it is not something you need to learn...only embrace."

WOW! So instead of worrying how to be authentic, I just have to embrace what I already have? My focus immediately changed. A thought then popped in my head from one of my idols Gary Vanerchuck. "Stop crying and start HUSTLING!" A smile came to my face and I got back to work. It is crazy how we can be our own worst enemy.

It has been one anxious week. I have been invited back to my alumn (Western Illinois University) to speak. This will be my first large speaking engagement, yet that is not why I am anxious. Actually, I am quite comfortable on stage. After graduating in 2006, I declared I would never go back to Macomb. Don't get me wrong, the 4 years spent there were the funnest, wildest, most careless time of my life! I made amazing friends and had memories that I will not forget until the day I die. I actually think it was too much fun (is that possible?). Our reckless behavior led us into all kinds of mischief. So I put those years behind me and decided to spend to rest of my years here on earth becoming a better person and leaving a legacy.

So when I was asked to speak, I wanted to say NO, because I promised myself I would NEVER be back. But, never would I have thought that I would have the chance to impact so many lives. The realization set in that I am living proof that ANYTHING is possible. This event has become more than a message. It is me setting that part of my past free. Once again if a broke, rebellious, alcoholic can have an impact...YOU CAN TOO!!!

http://wiu.edu/newsrelease.sphp?release_id=7039

I felt inspired to write a quick post after watching the film Slumdog Millionaire with my friend and business partner Kyle Griffith. We were talking the previous day about not operating at our full capacity. Letting time slip by interrupted by our fear and ego's. This brilliant movie made me question how much HUSTLE I put forth every day in my life.

These young kids, coming from the slums of India, with no parents, must do what ever is necessary to survive. Picking through landfills, stealing, running from militants. I was in awe because this picture depicted something that is going on every day and many of us are blind to the fact. I thought I had some hard times with some of the battles I fought but, man I got it easy. I am 24 years old and have so much to accomplish. I vow to put my best foot forward every day with no more waste. It's time to HUSTLE. It's time to make a change...

Oh yeah and the movie....Simply put *****'s. Go See It!

The Digital Gangster (Eric Green) Reviews my video "8 Simple Tips in Social Media **SUICIDE** Prevention". This video had a VIRAL EXPLOSION to say the least. Within 48 hours it received 80+ comments on Facebook, dozens of re-posts and comments, led to over 100 new friend requests, and was favorited 7 times on YouTube. Many people have reached out to me asking in they can feature it in their trainings...way cool :) Many thanks to all of you!

Very simple tips to build a great reputation in Social Media. Watch out....IT GET'S A LITTLE INTENSE! (Viewer Discretion Advised)

***BONUS TIP***

VALUE INNOVATION: instead of focusing on beating competition, you focus on making competition irrelevant by creating a leap in value for buyers.


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