Many, many years ago, one of my favorite magazines was 'Success.' I mean, seriously, why wouldn't someone--or anyone for that matter--not read a magazine with that title? Aside from the content, the thing I loved about it was the included CD (Do you remember those?). It seems like no matter where I've lived (I have moved 49 times in my life), I have always had a long commute to work, the gym, etc. And unlike most people, I didn't listen to the radio or, more recently, podcasts. But I loved listening to those Success CDs. In fact, I have listened to them so much that I have worn out every single one! I've asked many times if they are available digitally, but the magazine never responded. There are several stories I will never forget, and eventually I will discuss all of them. But here's one of my favorites. It was about a life coach's approach to helping people (I love that). He would sit down with people — singles or couples — and, after breaking the ice, ask them a series of questions about their finances, relationships, health, careers, etc. Each question began the same: On a scale of one to ten, how is/are your...? Anything less than a nine received a follow-up question: What would it take to get you to a ten? First of all, I loved his Socratic inquiry—asking questions. Next, I loved how he would let clients develop their own game plans. The dialogue would go back and forth until a plan was hatched to get them to a ten. The next step, which was paramount, was to hold them accountable. So, look at your own life and ask yourself some of these questions: On a scale of one to ten... - ...how are my relationships (significant other, family, friends, colleagues, clients, etc.)? - ...how are my finances? - ...how is my health? - ...how happy am I in my career? - ...how is my business doing? And then, anything less than a nine, ask yourself, 'What do I have to do to get to a ten?' Go ahead, try it! Let us know in the comments what you found out.

Aside from public education, how much do you estimate you have invested in your own self-development? Formal education, self-education, books, courses, seminars, workshops, coaching, etc. With that in mind, what has been your return on the investment? I always heard, 'it takes money to make money,' and that's fairly accurate. So, are you satisfied with how much you've invested in yourself and your returns? What will you do differently in the future?

I was just visiting another Skool and found this "Nice Takeaway": Focus less on finding opportunities and more on becoming the kind of person opportunities find. That's the kind of vibe that reminds me of this Skool, Socratic Warrior. Good work @Michael Martin

Well, it's time for the annual hunting trip. I'll be gone (potentially off-grid) for the next couple of weeks. I'll try to post when I can, but I can't promise anything. During this time, I challenge you to look back at 2025 and thoroughly assess how it's gone so far. If you had any goals, did you achieve them? If not, why not (yet)? As you probably have noticed, I'm a firm believer in not just setting goals, but in developing a plan to attain them. When I return, I'll address this issue more in depth as we finish up 2025 and get ready for 2026. Thank you all for your engagement and don't be afraid to post in the community! Let me leave you with a quote to ponder... One day you will wake up and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted to do. Do it now! -- Paulo Coelho

Several best-selling books on performance improvement/self-help discuss making small/tiny improvements every day to achieve marked improvement in the future. The British Cycling Federation hired Sir David Brailsford to take over as head coach. He developed the concept of 'the aggregation of marginal gains.' James Clear discusses this philosophy in Atomic Habits. Brailsford looked at every component of world-class cycling and then tried to figure out how to improve each area by the slightest amount, resulting in marginal gains. However, the aggregation of all these tiny changes yielded huge gains over time. How can you apply this principle? Over the past 50 years I have seen people who try to make big changes all at once and then giving up because it/they were overwhelmed. Let's look at three common areas for most people — diet, exercise, and finances. Instead of trying a new diet and throwing out everything in your pantry that doesn't align with it, then restocking it with 100s of dollars' worth of new items, focus on small changes and be consistent. For example, start by replacing one 'bad' food with a 'good' one. Do this every week and see what happens. Instead of jumping into a new exercise program (e.g., buying new gear, getting fitness tech gadgets, hiring a fitness coach), start off with the simple act of walking for 5 minutes. And then gradually increase it each week. There are plenty of free programs out there that can take you from 'being sedentary to being fit' without a lot of overpriced gear and gadgets. Instead of setting lofty saving/spending goals you can't sustain, start small and build momentum with small wins. Start by looking at your income and expenses. Try to exchange one expenditure for an increase in savings. For example, if you buy a couple of lattes or energy drinks every day, cut back to one a day, then every other day... and then put that money into savings or toward paying down your highest-interest accounts. What's one thing you can apply the marginal gains principle to? How will it change your life?