From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. Put It in Writing One of the best ways to become more efficient in every area of your life is to set goals for yourself. I’m not talking about pipe dreams or bucket lists or wish lists. I’m talking about what are known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. And they must be written goals. As well-known speaker, consultant, and author Tom Hopkins advises: “An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a … [Read more...]
Never Give Up and Never Give In
From Chapter 12 “Indefatigable” in Ingredients of Outliers. Up High at Show Low Not long ago, I participated in my first triathlon in eighteen years, held in a town named for a card game. Show Low sits at 6,412 feet at the base of the White Mountains in northern Arizona. Remember the opening scene in the Academy Award-winning film Chariots of Fire, where a group of men are running barefoot, effortlessly, through the crashing waves on a beautiful beach, with the orchestra playing an inspiring melody in the background? (If you never saw the movie, or you’ve forgotten that scene, it’s … [Read more...]
Persistence: Press on!
From Chapter 3, "Persistence: Press on!" in Ingredients of Outliers The above words, spoken nearly a century ago by the 30th President of the United States, have long been favorites of mine. They epitomize a core principle on which our nation was founded, and on which it has been shaped. Call it what you will— persistence, determination, tenacity, perseverance—it’s the quality of pressing on toward a goal, no matter what obstacles or difficulties may stand in the way. This was brought home to me in a special way a few years ago when I attended the annual conference of the American … [Read more...]
A Look Through the Eyes of a Female in the Fitness World
You are in a warm weight room, loud weights are clanking in the background accompanied by the smell of iron and intensity. Sweat beads are accumulating on your brow line, 10 more reps and this set is over, muscles are hard at work tingling with energy; endorphins are at an all time high. In a room filled with men, you are the only woman. You are 19-year-old, Tempe raised fitness model, trainer and body builder Christina Rico, and you are one of few young and upcoming female fitness competitors. When you tell people about your career goals, in come the stereotypes about what type of work … [Read more...]
Women Game Changers Final Reveal: Meet Two More Impressive Women
As we get closer to releasing Ingredients of Outliers: Women Game Changers, our anticipation and excitement has been steadily building to give you the final names of the women featured at outliers. As you may recall we have already announced some outstanding women who we’ve referenced for you here: See press releases: Iowa state Supreme Court Justice Marsha Ternus & Oprah’s Book Club author Jane Hamilton Arizona Gubernatorial candidate, Christine Jones & Founder of Midwest Glaucoma Center, P.C., Dr. Mildred M.G. Olivier. And for the remaining women featured in Author John … [Read more...]