"The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read."

- Mark Twain

Most people don't read. Others might read for fun or pleasure. But most people do not read to grow.

And maybe you have noticed a trend that beckons every person to read more and more. Which is great.

Until you realize that following that advice does not always lead to growth. Reading more does not necessarily solve problems.

You need something else.

"There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision."

 - William James

There is a moment when most people fail.

This moment passes by so quickly, that hardly anyone notices.

And this moment can happen over and over again - to the same person and in the same place.

And the only way to avoid this moment is to recognize it - the first time - and do something about it.

What is this moment? Why is it so short? Why do so many people silently miss amazing opportunities?

Because they know what to do, and they don't do it.

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

- George Bernard Shaw

Most people never intended to end up where they are. They drift and dream, and then work and work. And work.

Most people, in a few spare seconds or moments, might think about changing or pivoting. Or reinventing.

But then the moment passes. And the dream is gone.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

 - Helen Keller

Most people look at the world with a glass-half-empty mindset.

They can't see the power and benefits of what is already right in front of them.

Most people have amazing gifts. But for some reason, they cannot recognize them.

Many people see greatness in others, but find it hard to see anything close to that in themselves.

The truth is that we all have something that is irreplaceable.

"Everyone sits in the prison of his own ideas; he must burst it open."

‒Albert Einstein

Most people accept whatever advice they are given.

If someone tells them about a great tip, they jump on it.

If they hear about an idea that they like, they think it is good advice.

Most people have no system to help them determine the difference between good information and bad information. They rely on their gut, or their heart, or something else.

"We feel noble intentions should be checked periodically against results."

- Warren Buffett

Have you ever had someone pick you up after you go through a painful experience?

So many of the best life lessons occur after we go through pain.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

- Sherlock Holmes, A Scandal in Bohemia

I was a new attorney at a big law firm.

A few years ago, I was sitting in a meeting talking about how to market some of our services.

I suggested that we start doing videos and putting them online for free.

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; great men make them."

- Orison Swett Marden

Does anyone watch the credits to movies anymore? (other than Marvel movies)

One of my old film professors used to force his students to watch the credits to all of the movies that he showed in class.

There was always a certain awkwardness when the movie "ended" and then you would sit there and just watch words scroll up the screen.

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

 - Mahatma Gandhi

Most people would love to be successful. They would love to be a master of some craft and enjoy the fruits of that success.

And most people do not understand what it takes to be a student. A hungry student. A student who voraciously seeks answers and truth. With purpose.

Most of us think that our schooling and education end with graduation.

Most people want the results of the masters but the freedom of a student.

And most people do not realize that masters have a responsibility and burden that students do not have.

The truth is that there are challenges of being a master, and there is joy and fun in being a student.

"I believe in the Golden Rule as the basis of all human conduct; therefore, I will never do to another person that which I would not be willing for that person to do to me if our positions were reversed."

‒ Napoleon Hill

Most people want to do big things. But they don't know where to start.

Most people look at successful people and have a desire to be in a similar position. But they don't think about the process that it took to get there.

There certainly is a process. But rather than trying to figure out the entire process, all you really need to know is the first step ‒ or the next step.

"Your work is your own private megaphone to tell the world what you believe."

- Simon Sinek

There is a debate going on in our society: nature vs. nurture, genes vs. environment, past vs. future.

Most people never really think about what this means. They go about life with wants and desires but never think about how they can change or move forward.

But there is a reality to this argument that we all have to confront, whether we choose to or not.

Can we create our future?

You will answer that question every single day that you are alive.

"You will only be happy if you serve other people."

‒ John Mashni Sr. (my dad)

There is only one way to be happy, according to my dad.

For years I have tried to think my way around this singular path, but so far, all attempts have failed.

Serving other people is the only way to be happy.

I was reviewing my goals for this upcoming year a few weeks ago. I realized that if my dad's advice is true, then I need to be more intentional about it.

"Give more to get more."

Plus, I have been listening and following to Benjamin P. Hardy and Richie Norton in the last few months. Both of them have recently focused on giving as the way to move forward. I am so grateful for their input.

"You only make a first impression once."

‒ Steve Jobs

Many years ago, I learned a technique that has helped me more times than I can count.

Most people never use this technique. They have never heard of it.

The technique is not a secret, though, and it is hardly challenging or difficult to implement.

And it is not manipulative or evil. You will not compromise any of your values (at least if you do it right) to use it.

"Unlived truth is our greatest problem."

‒ D.L. Moody

In this world of opinions and facts, everyone seems to believe that they speak the truth.

It can be tough to discern fact from fiction ‒ fraud from reality.

But deep down we know some things are true. We don't need anyone to explain it. We just know.

We can also judge truth by the fruits that it yields.

"In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists."

‒ Eric Hoffer

Most people work a job without obtaining the greatest benefits from that job. They go to work every day, waiting for the paycheck that will keep them afloat.

Most people do not focus on the other things that they can get from a job. They focus on the short-term results from their daily work. They attempt to think long term, but they cannot get past the mental block of how to make it to next week or next month or next year.

As people, we all have been given the greatest gift: the gift of choice.

When something happens to us, we can immediately react.

However, we are not required to immediately react.

There is a magical moment between every stimulus and a response: choice.

Between stimulus and response, we can choose how we will act.

And those choices define us.

We all make choices in every moment.

But not all choices are the same.

You have seen the commercials.

There is a man who can do everything better than you.

He can jump, swim, think, crack jokes, tell stories, all while drinking his favorite beverage and playing chess and who knows what else.

Fictional, obviously. But there are some real people who are even more interesting.

For some reason, we cannot stop thinking about these people. We cannot stop talking about them. They are so fascinating that we wonder if we can ever be like them.

I have known a handful of these people. Every time I talk to them, I just think, "This person is so… cool!" Or "this person is so... fascinating!"

I have looked at their lives and determined that there is a formula to become the most interesting man (or woman) alive.

Here is the formula.

"For it is in giving that we receive."

―St. Francis of Assisi

Selfishly, we all love to receive gifts. There is something magical and fun about receiving a gift.

Have you ever struggled with selecting a gift for someone you love?

I definitely have.

Some people have a knack for choosing the best gifts (not me) - gifts that remain with us long after the giver gives and the receiver receives.

In an effort to help myself (and others) give and receive better gifts, I felt compelled to share three of the best gifts I have ever given or received.

I am an artist.

I am in business.

Wait.

Is this even possible?

Yes, of course…

But why does this concept seem odd to many people?