Duncan Nugget® #81: The Root of Fear

Many times, what you think you’re afraid of is just a cover-up for a deeper fear.

Let me show you what I mean.

People say they are afraid of public speaking, but a lot of times, what they are really afraid of is embarrassment, ridicule, and failure.

People say they’re afraid of commitment, but what they are really afraid of is being hurt or feeling boxed in.

People say they’re afraid of all kinds of things, but when you dig a little deeper the true source of their fear becomes apparent. The good thing about getting down to the root of your fear is that you can finally figure out how to conquer it.

Million-Dollar Question: 
What are you going to find the REAL source of your fear and then conquer it?

Duncan Nugget® #98: Mental Game. Money Game.

If your mental game isn’t right, your money game will never be right.

Think about that.

Money tends to help you become more of what you are and do more of what you are already doing.

The idiot becomes an idiot with money. Partying becomes more partying. Greedy becomes greedier.

The giver gives more. The smart investor invests more. The helpful person becomes more helpful.  Even when it seems like money has changed a person, most of the time it hasn’t. It has simply revealed who he or she really is.

So, while you’re working on improving your bank account, be sure to keep working on YOURSELF.

Million-Dollar Question: 
Are you working on your mental game 
as much as your money game?

The Hunt for Respect

Be it consciously or unconsciously, most people are on the hunt for respect. Respect is at the core of power and influence. That’s easy to see. Respect is also at the core of communication and motivation. That’s harder to see.

If you are communicating with somebody, especially a teenager, and he doesn’t believe that you respect him, he doesn’t hear you. If you’re trying get somebody motivated and she doesn’t believe you respect her, she won’t be motivated. (Well, maybe she’s motivated to get away from you!)

GIVE IT AND YOU’LL GET IT?

All-Expenses Paid Journalism Program at Princeton

A good friend of mine just sent me an email about an outstanding opportunity for students.

“We welcome about 20 high school students from low-income backgrounds every summer to Princeton’s campus for an intensive, 10-day seminar on journalism. The program’s goal is to diversify college and professional newsrooms by encouraging outstanding students from low-income backgrounds to pursue careers in journalism. All expenses, including students’ travel costs to and from Princeton, are paid for by the program.”

Summer Journalism Program: The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program

Duncan Nugget® #34: Your Undivided Attention

If there is one thing that’s hard to give and even harder to get, it’s undivided attention.

It seems like there is barely enough time in the day to pay attention to your stuff, let alone somebody else’s, right? Well, guess what? Everybody feels the same way you do.

What is in Your Head and Heart?

“Mr. Duncan, this is crazy! My biochemistry book costs $120!”

“Didn’t you just spend $125 getting your hair done?”

“Yeah.”

“So, it’s cool to spend that kind of cash on the outside of your head, but not on the inside?”

“I never looked at it like that, but real talk, Mr. Duncan, I gotta get my hair done.”

What’s in your head (and heart) determines what’s in your life.

Nice hats, expensive sunglasses, earrings, haircuts, and hairdos cost you thousands of dollars. A book on personal or professional development might cost you $25 and could help you make thousands, maybe millions, of dollars.

There’s nothing wrong with taking care of the outside of your head, but take care of the inside too.

Million-Dollar Question:
Do you spend more time, money, and 
energy on the outside or inside of your head?

People, Especially Gen Y, Hate Their Jobs

According to a report by Conference Board, Americans, young and old, hate their jobs. This is a sad state of affairs.

I guess employers need to do better, huh? Maybe. But one of the main tenets of self-help and personal development is “Thou shalt pursue your passion and love what you do.” If you hate your job, remember…