Being an entrepreneur has a lot of pros and cons. Traditionally, there’s the financial risk, long hours, and relative lack of security. (Although the way things are these days, the last two apply to most non-entrepreneurial jobs as well.) But one of my favorite benefits of all is the freedom. …
Live Passionately
An Important Life Lesson from Gordon Ramsay
Kim and I have been watching MasterChef on Fox, starring one of our favorite TV personalities, fiery chef Gordon Ramsay. MasterChef conducted a nationwide search for the best home cooks in America, and through a series of exciting elimination rounds, will turn one of them into a culinary master. In the initial audition episodes, the contestants had to prepare their signature dish for the panel of judges in an effort to win one of 30 aprons in order to advance to the next round. As she prepared her dish, a young Hispanic woman named Adeliz spoke passionately about her family's food history. …
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All You Can Do
I saw someone get really bad news today. It was upsetting to witness. We were walking along the always interesting State Street, Madison's hot spot for fun and folly. This woman in her mid-20s was on her cell phone and it was obvious that she had just received news that would change her life. She stood there devastated, crying and hiding her face from the crowded street, shuddering into her boyfriend's arms. I couldn't help but wonder. What happened? …
How to Turn Fantasy Into Reality
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Wonderland? Or work at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory? Or have an apartment on Sesame Street? Would your life be better? More fun? More exciting? A while back I asked the following question on our Facebook page: Which imaginary place would you most like to visit? The responses were quite varied (my favorite might actually be "my clean house"), but here are a few classics that popped up: …
Your Daring Adventure Is Waiting
Most people I run into seemed bored with their life. The status quo for a "happy life" these days is pretty watered down, pretty blah. Once you get your demanding (and often life-sucking) career, the 2.5 kids, the dog, the house with the white picket fence, two nice cars, yadda yadda... you should officially find happiness (as if it arrives in a FedEx box upon completion of such requirements.) But does this magic formula for happiness really work? If so, why are so many people so darn bored, seeking fleeting moments of happiness in trivial things? …
Key West Wisdom #4: Embrace Your Anonymity
We recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Key West, Florida. With the little one in excellent hands back home, we had a chance for some good old-fashioned doin' nothing. While soaking up some rays and enjoying the surf, we were hit with some bits of wisdom regarding stressing less and having more fun. So we decided to create a six-part video series sharing some of the thoughts we had while we were in a Key West state of mind. In this tip, I explain a little known superpower called anonymity, and why life gets better once you embrace it. Sign up to receive our free …
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Key West Wisdom #3: Splurge Irresponsibly
We recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Key West, Florida. With the little one in excellent hands back home, we had a chance for some good old-fashioned doin' nothing. While soaking up some rays and enjoying the surf, we were hit with some bits of wisdom regarding stressing less and having more fun. So we decided to create a six-part video series sharing some of the thoughts we had while we were in a Key West state of mind. In this tip, I offer the viewpoint that sometimes, it's ok to be irresponsible. Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders …
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Your Life Isn’t Bland and Boring…Is It?
I spoke at a national conference in Milwaukee the other day. After the gig, Kim and I took a nice walk along Lake Michigan. Perched on the shore, like a regal, otherworldly vessel prepared to set sail on a grand adventure, is the Milwaukee Art Museum. I have always been awed by the grand majesty of this architectural gem. It’s breathtaking. Remarkable. Inspiring. I couldn’t help but think: if something like this is possible, why do boring, bland buildings even exist? And of course they don’t just merely exist -- they are the norm. Obviously, this is an extreme example of pretty …
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The Adulthood Worth Escaping From
Escape Adulthood! That’s our rallying cry. Maybe it’s obvious, but we’re not actually calling for everyone to ditch their responsibilities. We’re not advocating strict diets of chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. And we’re not suggesting that we all quit our jobs to muck around with Play-Doh all day long. There are actually some sweet benefits that come from being an adult. (Ordering strawberry margaritas at a Mexican restaurant is just one of them.) The “Adulthood” we encourage people to escape from is the one they create for themselves when they assume childhood is nothing …
The Boring Road to Nowhere
Would you consider yourself to be a happy person? I know, I know, happiness is subjective, but if your BFF's were asked to use three words to describe you, would "happy" (or joyful, lighthearted, carefree) be one of them? I don't ask the question to make you feel guilty for not smiling more or because I think you need to be in a constant state of bliss to have a life of meaning. I ask the question because I feel like a lot of people are settling for a less-than-happy existence. Are you settling? …