[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #214: Potential and Performance

How much is your potential worth?

Nothing. Unless…

…you combine it with exceptional performance.

You might get praised for your potential, but you only get paid for your performance.

You might get noticed because of your potential, but you are remembered for your performance. Whether it is pitiful or exceptional.

Million-Dollar Question:
How much is your performance worth?

Blind Teen Running Races Thanks to Guide Dog

Wow! Determination. Inspiration. No Excuses. Period. Check out this story:

Blind teen keeps on running, thanks to guide dog – TODAY Health – TODAY.com

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #155: The Mis-Use Of Courage

I was talking to a student who lost the school mascot in a prank-gone-bad:

“Look man, just go in there and apologize. Man up.”

“Naw. Can’t do that. In front of the whole class?! Naw… everybody’s gonna be laughin’ at me.”

A lot of people are fearless when it comes to things they shouldn’t do, but scared to death when it comes to things they should do.

Think about that.

People do crazy things in the name of fun, machismo, the male ego, or when it’s time to “tell somebody off”, but some of those same people have no heart in other matters.

How about having enough courage to step out of your comfort zone?

How about having enough heart to apologize and the fortitude to to accept full responsibility for your life?

Uh-oh…I think I just saw courage run out the door.

Million-Dollar Question:[break]Are you using your courage for the right reasons?

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #32: Slippery Things

Imagine if you had a million dollars, but you forgot where you put it and no matter how hard you tried to remember where you left it, you couldn’t find it.

I know…you would never do that, right? But what if you did? How mad would you be?

Most people lose or forget at least one priceless thought or million-dollar idea every week. Sometimes, they don’t even remember that they can’t remember. Think about that. It could be something someone said to you or an idea that came to you while you in the middle of something else . Either way…

Thoughts and ideas can be extremely slippery.

Always keep a note pad or digital recorder with you—or use your smartphone—to capture priceless thoughts and million-dollar ideas before they slip away.

And then…do something with them!

Million-Dollar Question:
Aren’t you tired of watching other people get paid off of a million-dollar idea that you let slip away?

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #113: Cause or Effect?

Many individuals only operate in response mode. They are in constant violation of the supreme law of the universe: Cause and Effect. They continuously sit and wait for something to happen. Then they respond. Maybe.

Not cool.

Remember the Otis Redding song, Sitting On The Doc Of The Bay?

Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun.

I’ll be sittin when the evenin’ comes.

Watchin the ships roll in. Then I watch’em roll away again…

It made a great song, but it would make a jacked up life.

Successful people are the stimulus. They are the cause. They make things happen. Other people and the environment respond to them. Think about that.

Million-Dollar Question:
Are you an effect or a cause; is it happening to you or are you making it happen?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

[ACTIVITY] Introduce Yourself The Easy Way: Your Personal Brand Statement

“So, tell me a little bit about yourself. What do you do?”

Have you ever had to respond to a statement or question like that? I’ve asked thousands of young people that question and the typical response I get starts off like this:

“Uhhhh…well…I uhhh…”

Not cool.

In interviews and networking situations, you will be expected to respond to questions about who you are and what you do. A personal brand statement—a brief summary about you—is a professional way to introduce yourself. If you create one and practice it, you can avoid being caught off guard.

Here are three simple steps for creating your personal brand statement:

How to Find a Mentor

One of the most talked about components of success is: finding a great mentor. Well…while you’re looking for one be careful because all mentors are not created equal. Some are garbage. Believe me. I’ve had a few who were absolutely clueless. Thankfully, I realized that early, before any catastrophes occurred.

Million-Dollar Question:
Is having a mentor a necessity?

Yes, IF you can find a great one. Gaining the experience, wisdom, and expertise of other successful people is a must and having a credible, knowledgeable mentor is one of the best ways to do that.

If you don’t have one and if you don’t know anyone personally who would be a great mentor for you, you are about to learn a 5 step process that will help you out. Before we get into the five steps, know this: