How To Be A Hero - Why Do We Love Heroes So Much?

Why do we love Heroes so much? Why do we watch movies and read books and listen to stories of people who overcome difficult situations? Who step into the battlefield and fight valiantly? Who face their fears and display courage, even when the odds are against them?

Why?

Because that's who we all aspire to be.

Joseph Campbell outlined a common story that is followed by heroes from ancient mythological stories through modern day movies. He called it "The Hero's Journey." He believed that, not only are humans drawn to this story, but that we all have the capacity to live it.

Have you heard of Joseph Campbell?

Allow me to introduce you.

Joseph Campbell was a 20th Century mythologist, teacher, and philosopher. He was an influential thought leader and author who wrote many books. As a college student, I had a part-time job working for the Joseph Campbell Foundation, where I was introduced to his ideas.

There is a movie, Finding Joe, that explores Campbell's ideas about the Hero's Journey. I highly recommend it! It features modern day philosophers, spiritual leaders and authors like Deepak Chopra and Ken Robinson as well as musicians, professional athletes, and even my old boss from the Foundation.

The Hero's Journey

In the movie, author Alen Cohen says "We're not separate from the characters we see in our stories and in our novels. They are us. It's one journey."

The hero's journey is defined by a few key elements. First, there is a separation and a call to adventure. The hero embarks on a journey to an unknown or unfamiliar place (physically or emotionally/spiritually). Along the way, he encounters challenges and temptations, and eventually he must face death (either physically or metaphorically). It is by overcoming that experience that they are reborn and transformed. Then they have earned the title of "Hero."

There are whole books written about this, so I am summarizing here. But the point is that the story line is the same, even though the details can be dramatically different.

The Creative And Entrepreneurial Call

There are many different "calls to adventure" that can jump start a hero's journey. And we can experience it repeatedly in a lifetime. In the movie, some of the instigators were physical challenges like a crazy skateboarding trick. Sometimes they are thrust upon you, like a serious medical condition or tragic experience. There can be geographical separation, like moving to a new location, country or culture. Or a different kind of separation, like losing a job or a relationship.

As a Content Creation Coach, I believe that both entrepreneurship and creativity are heroic calls to adventure. They involve taking a risk, entering the unknown.

"The forest represents the darkness, the unknown, the edge of your world. And it takes the courage of a hero to go into that forest. The people in your community don't understand why you want to go into that forest. In fact they're pulling you back, they're asking you 'Why can't you be happy with what you have here?' But there is this urge within the hero to go and explore."

That is how philosopher Brian Johnson describes it in the movie. Sound familiar? I think it sounds a lot like the entrepreneurial calling, or the creative calling. You have a drive within you that you can't ignore. That is what Joseph Campbell would call "Your Bliss."

One of his most famous quotes is "Follow your bliss." I used to mail t-shirts with that quote on it from the Foundation offices.

But following your bliss doesn't mean trying to be happy all the time. Following your bliss means doing the thing that you can't not do. That's where your own journey starts.

The Discouragement Of Heroes

"If this path of the hero's journey is fairly simple in design, why then is it that everybody isn't living it? The answer is that most people on the planet live under a kind of mass hypnosis." - Alen Cohen, Finding Joe

Everywhere we turn, we are seeing messages that actually discourage us from following the hero's journey. In our consumer society, we are led to believe that we should seek comfort, make money so we can enjoy the easy life.

But that's not who we are. In fact, that doesn't really exist. We are called to be more.

Deepak Chopra described it so beautifully in the film by saying, "It's very difficult for someone who's brought up in this environment of instant gratification, with the media, with advertising, with all the promises of instant gratification... You lose contact with this mythical domain that is actually part of your soul. It's part of everyone. It's their passion, their bliss, their unique skills, unique ways of expressing themselves, it's their song, which if they sing, they could do anything."

What is your bliss? What is the next step on your own journey? Have you seen the movie? What did you think? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

And I'll leave you with one final quote from Joseph Campbell himself...

"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive."

https://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Be-A-Hero---Why-Do-We-Love-Heroes-So-Much?&id=9207833

How To Become Filled With The Freedom Of Entreprenership

If you are considering the world of entrepreneurship you should first take a good look at how you think for change.

Are you afraid of change? Because many are afraid of failure, many people don't make changes.

To me, it's the one thing everybody needs more of. People are afraid of it.

Just decide to change, and you'll find how easy it can be.

That fear is still there.

The F word?

In wonderful book I recently read on self-healing the author tells us, "If you really want to know how stubborn you are, just approach the idea of being willing to change."

It's true! I decided to love the F word, rather than fear it.

They almost shudder at the thought. Deep down they know they want it.

FREEDOM

You want it?

You lust for it, the thought of having more, and crave it like a smoker longs for their next glorious drag.

You don't have it! You'll need to change thoughts of failure into thoughts and visions of FREEDOM.

Here's what freedom is:

Enjoy all the work you do, and pick and choose your clients.

Have enough income, so you never worry about where your next paycheck is coming from.

When YOU want to, you only work.

You travel the world and earn money at the same time.

Make more money than you ever would working for "the man."

In my writing style I like to share how this freedom can become a reality.

One day you might be answering emails from your favorite local coffee shop, the next you're messaging a client from the beach, or perhaps you're just sitting in your kitchen, drafting product ideas while playing with your kids.

Freedom is whatever you want it to be, but ultimately it means you.

Have a scalable business, that can be multiplied to whatever extent you wish.

Sound too good to be true?

Want to find out how?

Don't be afraid to find everything you need to leverage a skillset that you already have to make a very comfortable living (I don't want to guarantee making millions, but it is possible to have all the freedom you've really always wanted) all from the comfort of your own home.

Here's what you will have to do if you are thinking about starting an online business:

While you research many opportunities available look for the ones that are exciting and where you see a rewarding self breaking through the clouds of fear and doubt.

I mean, something that is going to make you be kind to yourself. You want a business that will extend the love you have in you--and this is where the freedom and excitement stems from.

Once you begin planting some serious seeds of success you will inevitably have an abundant harvest.

You gotta understand that Golden Opportunities are everywhere for you, as long as you truly believe you are a magnet for Divine Prosperity. You must establish a new awareness of success, by understanding there is plenty for everyone, including you.

To your inner freedom and success!


http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Become-Filled-With-The-Freedom-Of-Entreprenership&id=9747588

Message From the Universe: It Will Never Be Easy

"Almost no one ever says it will be easy.

Actually, most say it will be hard. Really, really hard.

What do you tell yourself, day after day?

Hubba, hubba - 

The Universe"

If it was easy, everybody would do it. If entrepreneurship didn't have its moment of frustration, disappointment, failure, desperation, etc... , we would have 7.1 billion people starting businesses without finding ANY employees because everyone would be entrepreneurs. That would definitely be very interesting to see and experience. But thanks to people who are reluctant to taking any risk in life, they become employees to those who live to risk it all. That is why we have just a very tiny minority of the population who are willing to sacrifice everything without knowing if they would ever succeed, and will probably end up losing everything. However, they thrive on living without having any clue of what may happen in a year from now. These type of people are the one employing the other 97% of the population who are afraid. Life is NOT easy, and it may never be easy even for those who are employed with a steady job and steady life. The reality is that many are stuck in a job and are very unhappy, but are not willing to take a step out of their comfort zone to try living a life that may be risky but will render better results than sticking with the stable life they think they live in.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, and as the famous Jim Carrey says: "If there is a risk in living a life you don't love, might as well take a risk with the things you love doing." Means that if you decide to work for someone providing you a steady job and salary but you hate it with passion, that job is not guaranteed either way. He can fire you anytime or close shop as well and you find yourself on the streets with nothing. So might as well take the risk on the things you love doing and have full control over. Even if you fail, they wouldn't be any regret on your part for trying to do the things you were meant to do. So what will you tell yourself everyday? Is life easy or hard, or really really hard? Depending on your answer, you need to decide what you will do to make changes and start living the life you always wanted to live. The rest is really up to you. Keep faith that everything will work out, take actions when you want to do something and believe that it will happen. The Universe will take care of the rest.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-It-Will-Never-Be-Easy&id=9744498

Hate Your Job: Here's What to Do to Find Joy Again

What should you do if you hate your job? Should you just quit? Find new work? Before you do so, you might be able to salvage the situation.

A caveat: The word work in this context means activities that energize you and give you reasons to get up every morning. The thought of getting to work excites you. In fact, you want to share your work with the rest of the world. The hours seem to fly by effortlessly when you are deeply involved and lovingly engaged in your work.

Does Your Work Excite You?

Once upon a time, my work (job) failed to excite me. Mired deep in a vicious cycle of lack of fulfillment and satisfaction, I felt stuck for years before I was able to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and start my own journey.

Years later, I would finally rise up and turn to the self-help industry for answers. The first step was a hard, honest look at myself: Am I truly enjoying what I am doing? Or am I just collecting a paycheck to pay for bills?

The answer would be the latter.

Learn More About Yourself

I realized that I didn't know myself well enough to answer the question on what I want to do. So, the first step was in learning more about myself. You can learn more about yourself, too.

One thing to consider is taking an aptitudes test with the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation. For a fee of around $675 to $750 in major cities across the United States, the Foundation will run a whole gamut of tests on you in the next day and a half to determine those aptitudes that come naturally to you and those that do not.

The idea is we tend to enjoy jobs which take advantage of our aptitudes. So if we know what they are, we can find jobs better suited. The Foundation will even make a list of suggestions on the vocations that are best for you.

The next thing is to determine your Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (INTJ, ENTP, ENTJ, etc). Knowing your Myers-Brigg type indicator (MBTI) will better help you in zeroing in on your career field. One book I have found particularly useful is Tieger's Do What You Are. In this book, Tieger walks you through discovering your MBTI, then goes into an in-depth discussion across all types on the characteristics of jobs that would be a good match. Of course, you also get a jobs listing.

Armed with this knowledge, you can also start using your aptitudes more in your current job. In short, you will know that if you do the work, then you will find the energy to do the work.

Look at Your Hobbies

Another place to examine what brings you joy is to look at your hobbies. What characteristics about your hobbies excite you?

If you like flying, is it exploration that brings you joy? Or, the technical aspect of flying?

If you like motorcycling, is it living in the moment that excites you? If so, find a job that lets you truly live in the moment, even if it means going into business for yourself so that you can frequently live in the moment.

If you find yourself writing in your spare time, then do more of it. Incorporate more writing into your current job or turn it into an entrepreneurship (as I did).

Entrepreneurship

If, after much introspection, you find it difficult to incorporate what you love into your current job, then it may be time to find a new job. If that job does not exist, then you may have the beginnings of an entrepreneurship. With the Internet and ready availability of information, starting a business takes very little capital. You have to start with what you have.

Start Today

When you learn more about yourself, you will know what makes you happy. Then, you can start doing more of those things that bring you joy.

In my own quest, I have come to realize that a business should help its employees evolve and become better people. Most business owners get this wrong and think that the role of the employees is to help the business grow. Remember this: People rarely leave jobs. They leave managers.

After much soul-searching and introspection I decided that it was time to move on. If you find yourself in a similar place, then the only choice sometimes is to move on.

So, make a decision to start your own journey of self-discovery. Along the way, you will find what brings you joy to your job so that you can make things better.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Hate-Your-Job:-Heres-What-to-Do-to-Find-Joy-Again&id=9395123

Want To Raise Determined Kids? A Former Teacher Says To Do This

Your kids have potential to be great. But are you letting them shine?

People say that determination and entrepreneurship can't be taught, but recently I met an entrepreneur who not only disagrees with that, she built an entire company focused on getting high school teens on the entrepreneur track.

Sarah Hernholm, Founder of WIT- Whatever It Takes, believes that kids can be determined and successful if they start at a young age. She believes it so much that she left her classroom teaching job to launch an organization that helps high school teens become determined social entrepreneurs. And it isn't make believe. These teens actually design, launch, manage and measure social enterprises!

Sarah believes all parents should be getting teens into entrepreneurship now, not later, to build up their determination for the long haul.

Here's 5 reasons why:

1. Teens need to learn how to fail and get back up

Sarah regularly encounters the "helicopter" parent. This parent is determined to do everything possible to get their child into the best college, even if it means hovering over them and doing the work for them.

If the child messes up, this parent is right there to fix it or get it excused.

Why?

Because the goal is a top college, not self-accountability.

Even schools don't allow opportunities for students to learn from failure. Too many academic failures could equate to poor school reviews.

So what ends up happening?

Teens head off to college and experience a variety of failures. Yet, when there is no parent around to fix the problem, the impact is more severe and detrimental.

Why?

Because they take failure personally instead of viewing it as feedback.

2. Teens need to see the value in taking risks

Evaluating whether or not to take a risk is an important trait. Both scenarios give us life lessons that we wouldn't be able to get if we were sitting on the sidelines.

Sarah has talked to many entrepreneurs that say they wish they had something like WIT when they were younger because it would have given them a chance to gain the confidence when it came to navigating risks. Teens today aren't given the chance to negotiate risk, because, ironically, there's too much at stake. Kind of like with scholarships.

3. Teens need a place to get their ideas and voice heard

During a typical teenager's day, most interactions involve adults telling the teen what to do and what not to do. From the teacher's homework and class lectures - to the parent assigning curfew and lecturing about the importance of attending a good college. There is little room for the teenager's voice.

However, teens have A LOT to say.

Sarah loves to ask teens, "Well, since adults can't seem to figure out how to solve education inequalities, end homelessness or even get the country out of debt... I'm wondering if you have any ideas?"

Not surprising, teenagers have some amazing ideas.

It's up to adults to listen to them and support the execution of those ideas.

4. Teens have a good amount of rebellious and anti-authority energy

The exact thing that makes adults wary of teens is the exact ingredient Sarah believes makes teens the perfect candidate for entrepreneurship. Some teens are chomping at the bit to rebel and go against the norm.

For them, entrepreneurship is the perfect outlet!

It's the field where they are actually encouraged to second guess rules and regulations.

That in itself is a teen paradise!

5. Teens have less baggage (unlike adult entrepreneurs)

Adult entrepreneurs come into the game with baggage. That baggage prevents us from taking risks, makes us fearful of failure and at times, it cramps our creativity.

But here's the thing about teens. They have been on the planet for less time and that can mean less baggage and more fearlessness. Teens aren't burdened with whether or not the risk might result in losing a home, or if that failure could impact their children's college fund.

With less on the line, they have more room to invent and create without limits.

5. We need our teens bought in and contributing to society

Sarah whole-heartedly believes that if adults were willing to listen, engage, and include teens in conversations about how to improve our society, our world would be a better place. She knows how cliche that sounds, but she stands by it.

Sarah believes engaged teens equates to a better society. She says she has never seen teens hustle more than when it has to do with their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Given Sarah's reasoning, she may be onto something!

When asked if she is excited about the interest in WIT and its growth around the country, her response is, "Of course! We love seeing teens from all over becoming determined entrepreneurs... but I'll be even more excited when every adult starts listening and valuing the ideas of these entrepreneurs."

What do you think? Would your experience and determination level as an adult entrepreneur be different if you had a chance to get into the game as a teen?

http://www.inc.com/leonard-kim/want-to-raise-determined-kids-a-former-teacher-says-to-do-this.html

5 Fears You'll Need to Overcome to Be an Effective Leader

Entrepreneurship demands effective leadership. You need to be able to make solid decisions, organize plans, hire teammates and provide direction -- all under the steady pressure of being accountable for all those decisions and actions. To add even more heat, as an entrepreneur, your personal success is often tied directly to the success of your business, meaning every little decision you make could have significant consequences.

Under such pressure, it’s natural to have worries and fears. But fears can intimidate you and obscure your judgment, rendering your decisions less logical and your approach less systematic. If you want to be an effective leader, there are five fears in particular that you’ll need to overcome.

1. Making the wrong decision

As a leader, you’ll be facing decisions on a nearly constant basis. You’ll make major decisions, like choosing your initial partners, and small ones, like whether to continue a proven promotional campaign. Being faced with so many decisions can lead to decision fatigue, a well-known psychological phenomenon that can interfere with your mental health and your ability to make good decisions.

Adding to this is a potentially growing fear that the next decision you make will be the wrong one -- your new hire won’t work out, your marketing campaign won’t be effective, or possibly even bigger, more significant fallout will occur. This fear can make you postpone or delegate your decisions, but don’t let it -- remember that even the best leaders make bad decisions sometimes. Avoiding a decision is always a worse move.

2. Being criticized for your approach

As a leader, you’re going to have your own signature style. You’re going to value some things more than others. For example, you might appreciate a rigid, formal dress code, or you could completely disregard what the people around you are wearing. You could prefer a hands-on style of management or a much more relaxed approach.

There’s no one right or wrong way to lead. If you’re afraid of being criticized for your approach, it could lead you to become the leader you think people might want rather than the leader you naturally are. You’re going to be criticized no matter what by some, and accepted no matter what by others, so pick the style that suits you best, and don’t let the haters interfere with your vision.

3. Speaking as an authority

Speaking publicly is one of the biggest, most commonly reported fears in the U.S. population. That’s because it puts you on the spot, making you vulnerable to anywhere between two and several thousand people all at once. Any stumble could make you appear foolish, and a slip in words could compromise your image as an authority.

It’s natural to feel a little fear before speaking to a group as an authority in your field, whether it’s to your team or to a potential client. But don’t let this fear trip you up! Relax before you go on stage by preparing as much as possible and reminding yourself that you’re human, and the people in your audience will see you as a human as well. Even if you make a mistake, it will probably turn out fine.

4. Taking responsibility

Whenever you make decisions, take actions or lead the company in a given direction, you’re making yourself responsible for the potential outcomes of those actions. If your new marketing campaign succeeds, you’ll get a lot of the credit. If it fails, you’ll get a lot of the blame. Proverbially speaking, the buck stops with you.

This can be a crippling fear for new entrepreneurs, but one that disproportionately emphasizes the results of your actions. All leaders will experience successes and failures, so try to focus on measuring your worth in terms of the motivations behind your actions rather than the consequences of them.

5. Failing entirely

As the leader of your business, the fear of failure is personally, financially and logically motivated. If your business goes under, you’ll be out of a job, a team and possibly a lot of money. But remember -- failure is never the end of the line, and it shouldn’t exist as the bad word it’s often seen to be. For most entrepreneurs, failure is an important first step of a longer journey, so even if this business goes under, you’ll always have another chance for a different kind of success.

Leadership is at the root of any entrepreneurial position. You’re the director, decision maker and figurehead for the group. The moment you let a specific fear -- even a rational one -- enter your head and get in the way of your responsibilities, your effectiveness is going to plummet. Overcoming those fears isn’t easy, but it’s certainly possible, and it’s necessary if you want to become or remain a great leader.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254107

10 Things I Learned by Studying Every 'Shark Tank' Pitch Ever Made

During its first five seasons, nearly 400 entrepreneurs have appeared on Shark Tank to pitch their ideas. In honor of the sixth season premier, I analyzed every single one of them and found key lessons for anyone who wants to be successful.

I've spent years studying entrepreneurship and am now involved in a new startup of my own. It might not be surprising, therefore, to learn that I'm addicted to the TV series Shark Tank.

Nearly 400 entrepreneurs have pitched the Sharks since the show debuted in 2009. Recently, I set out to study almost every single one of them. I took an afternoon and poured every pitch from the show's first five seasons into a spreadsheet, tagged and analyzed them, and tried to draw some conclusions.

(This column might make more sense if you take a quick look at my chart on Cafe.com, which highlights some of the preliminary results of my analysis of 377 pitches that have been made on Shark Tank over the past five years.)

Here's what I learned.

1. Your odds are as good as anyone's.

Let's start by establishing a baseline. Of the 377 pitches that I reviewed, 185 were successful--meaning that the entrepreneurs on the show reached a handshake deal with at least one Shark to invest in their company. That works out to a pretty amazing 49 percent success rate.

Of course, only a small percentage of entrepreneurs who apply for the show get picked to appear to begin with--0.4 percent, according to the show's producers. Even after a deal appears to be struck, there is usually an intense due diligence process that kills many--maybe even a majority--of deals.

2. Bigger markets are better.

I used seven categories to characterize each of the entrepreneur's pitches, and the most consistent predictor of success was "mass market." An amazing 78 percent of the pitches we tagged in this category were successful.

Granted, there were a number of pitches that the Sharks rejected because they were wary of getting into a big industry dominated by big players. However, when all else is equal, the Sharks wanted to see massive potential for growth. If you don't have a big potential market, that's hard to demonstrate.

3. Don't get too far ahead of the customer.

Wannabe entrepreneurs often make a common mistake: They try to come up with a product idea that is actually too far ahead of the competition. The problem is that by doing so, you can get too far ahead of your customer as well.

Another way to look at this is that contrary to stubborn perception, real entrepreneurs and investors don't like risk. These kinds of risky pitches were often tagged as "niche" in my analysis, and they were successful only 23 percent of the time.

4. Customer needs beat customer wants.

We've already seen that mass-market categories do best on Shark Tank, but it turns out that some specific mass-market categories do better than others. What do they have in common? The customer need they help solve has more to do with an actual "need" than a mere "want."

Case in point: clothing, which is one of the most consistently successful categories on Shark Tank, with entrepreneurs getting a handshake deal 73 percent of the time. There have also been a heck of a lot of pitches for food, alcohol, and other related products--65 by my count. Those do better than average as well, with about a 55 percent success rate.

5. Don't be ridiculous.

There have been a fair number of pitches over the first five years that at first seem designed more for comic relief than as a serious attempt to get a Shark to invest. Unsurprisingly, they are rarely successful. Pitches whose primary tag was "just plain weird" were successful only 11 percent of the time.

You can imagine that some of these pitches--things like the guy who wanted to surgically implant Bluetooth devices in people's heads, or the entrepreneur who said he could generate energy by harnessing the earth's rotation (while mining gold and producing fresh drinking water as byproducts)--seem like they got on the show because they're fun television stunts. However, if you don't think there are many entrepreneurs out there trying to pitch similarly crazy ideas, let me give you a tour of my email inbox sometime.

6. Focus on the customer, not on yourself.

It's hard to overstate this. Sometimes, some of the Sharks can appear on the show to have soft hearts, especially when they see entrepreneurs who are incredibly passionate about their products and have already overcome long odds to keep their dreams afloat. When it comes time to make a deal, however, an entrepreneur's personal story is really only compelling if it demonstrates that he or she has a compelling insight into customer needs.

The show's recent season premiere had a perfect example of this. An entrepreneur, named Michael Elliott, who had an incredibly compelling personal story--he'd been a ward of the state as a child, lived on the streets for a while, and ultimately became a successful magazine writer and screenwriter--clearly earned the Sharks' respect. However, when it came time to make a deal on his Hammer Nails "nail shop for guys," there were no offers to be found.

7. It's hard to be trendy.

There's a lot of fool's gold in trends. Things move so quickly in business that by the time a new entrepreneur can identify a trend and think of a way to capitalize on it, often the trend is over. That said, while the sample size is small--only five pitches were tagged primarily as "trendy"--four of these entrepreneurs managed to leave the show with a handshake deal.

Despite that 80 percent success rate, I worry about people taking the wrong lesson. For every Buggy Beds (capitalizing on fear of bed bugs) with a $250,000 investment and a $1 million valuation, there's a pitch like Broccoli Wad (a money clip capitalizing on the popularity of The Sopranos) with a much smaller $50,000 investment and a $250,000 valuation.

8. Women are better customers than men.

At least when the Sharks are involved, entrepreneurs who are seeking to sell primarily to women do better. Pitches that I tagged primarily as targeting women had a 56 percent success rate. Beyond that, products aimed at children did 59 percent, and pitches that were tagged as "educational" had a phenomenal 73 percent success rate.

Combining the high success rates of products for women and children with the high success rate for clothing however, might lead some entrepreneurs to an unfortunate conclusion. I found several instances in which entrepreneurs on Shark Tank wanted to sell maternity clothes. Not a single one was successful.

9. Know your numbers…

I've often found that you can predict whether a business is doomed to fail within about 60 seconds by asking two simple questions: What customer problem are you solving? and Why are you the person to solve it?

That second question explains why there is no easier way to get eaten alive on Shark Tank than to walk into the studio looking for an investment of thousands or even millions of dollars, and not be able to articulate basic metrics about your business very quickly. This was a little bit harder to track, but anecdotally it came through time and again.

10. …but don't nickel and dime.

Finally, this last lesson also goes back to being able to do simple math--especially under pressure. Believe me, I understand working to get the best deal possible, and there are some times when an entrepreneur is better off leaving a lopsided deal on the table. (Case in point: Copa di Vino, which even ABC's website describes as the most successful pitch that didn't result in an investment.)

That said, there are many instances in which negotiations on Shark Tank get caught up in a tense back-and-forth over what is really phantom equity--sometimes to the point of killing the deal on air. Moreover, you have to suspect that many of the deals that get killed after the show is over are the same ones in which the negotiations are toughest on air. Both on Shark Tank and in real life, a contentious tone during the deal can make working together later more difficult, too.

http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/10-things-i-learned-by-studying-every-shark-tank-pitch-ever-made.html

To Thrive You Need to Wake Up to These 5 Hard Truths

Entrepreneurship isn’t an easy journey, and we’re in uncertain times for sure. With overwhelming complexity, insurmountable change and big competition, it’s became more important than ever to be strategic and intentional.

I want to share a couple insights that I feel can make a difference in the results you achieve in your life and business, but more importantly help you thrive regardless of the economy. Some might make you mad at first, that’s fine. Sometimes the things you don’t want to hear are the things you need to hear the most. Most blogs you’ll read will try to make you feel good, and tell you exactly what you want to hear. That creates no real change, just a good feeling in the moment. They don’t spark your mind or make you think, they don’t challenge you, and they don’t go against traditional thinking.

This one will. 

1. Do the opposite.

Strange tip for those not familiar, but a real GAME CHANGER. This is a killer strategy for those serious about improving their life. The more people do something, the less valuable it is. 

• Most people over eat and eat based off pleasure vs. health.
• Most people sleep in and have no morning routine.
• Most people make excuses instead of progress.
• Most people focus on the negative vs. the positive.
• Most people spend more money than they make.
• Most people talk about success vs. take action.
• Most people go to college, get in debt and get an unrelated job after college.
• Most people pray for weekends, and hate Mondays.

Don't be like most people! No one wants to be typical. We all want to be special and different, yet most of us do the same things. The majority of us live like one another and then wonder why we continually don’t achieve any real results or success in our lives. We follow each others' lead and rarely break the mold. Life becomes so much more convenient when you really take this seriously.

All the greats in our society live life to their own choosing, not other peoples. One way to be outstanding and valuable is to do what others aren't doing, or what most can't. 

2. The 90-day focus.

What is your #1 goal that you want to accomplish in the next 90 days? What's the #1 skill that you need master that will have the biggest impact on your #1 goal?

There are specific skills you have to master to reach that goal at a fast rate. Skills are weapons in your industry, so figure out the top skill you need right now and master it. Sadly, most people operate on information overload instead of mastery and have too much noise. Or, even worse, they learn just enough to get by and stop learning. Apple said it bluntly....

"We shouldn't be criticized for using Chinese workers, the U.S. has stopped producing people with the skills we need.” 

Ouch!

3. Destroy your momentum killers.

Write down your top three potential distractions and momentum killers that have held you back in the past. Now create a prevention plan for each. If you don’t have a plan to interrupt your interruptions, your plans will always be interrupted.

Distractions kill productivity, creative expression and income. Either you control your days or your days control you. Learn to concentrate and focus on the most important tasks with no interference or distraction. Prioritize your activities based on importance and then get to work with no distractions! Remember, activities without purpose are the drain to all life, wealth and peace of mind.

4. Analysis vs. emotions.

Base your decisions and actions off intelligence, not emotion. Ask yourself before every choice you make “is this the most intelligent action to take right now, and does this action or decision get me closer or farther away from my 90-day goal?”

When you pass the stage of making decisions based on what others think or current emotion, you will start seeing real success. The best can silence their ego, push away anxieties, and analyze the situation. Don’t judge, don’t overreact, just analyze.

5. Stop the ideas, start the execution. 

“Innovation is  rewarded, execution is worshipped.”          --  Eric Thomas

Hard work trumps IQ seven days of the week. Great accomplishments don't happen overnight or even in a few months. They will take years of consistent action linked by failure, sacrifice and discipline. If you want real changes in your life, expect that your actions need to be substantial. If you truly have the desire to create something you’re proud of, your addiction to ideas and other mindless distractions must be retired and replaced with meaningful action.

I know people who would rather poke their own eye balls out than take action, and I always find them struggling with another challenge followed by another validation or excuse. Execution is the foundational key to success. Once that happens, doors will consistently start opening for you.

Get serious about who you are and where you want to go. Realize the only way to get there is to differentiate yourself, invest in real education and start doing more than your talking.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248839

8 Mindset Shifts Needed to Go From Older Employee to 'Silverpreneur'

Whatever your age, to stay on top of things in a fast-changing world, you have to learn new skills. For an increasing number of individuals, figuring out how to become an entrepreneur later in life is one of them.

More and more mature employees are realizing that to move on from where they are, they need to cast off the burden of employment and reinvent themselves as "silver entrepreneurs" with businesses of their own.

Much of the recent rise in self-employment in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2013 (some 84 percent) can be attributed to those 50 and older, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation reported in 2009 that in the decade prior, entrepreneurial activity in the United States "the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity belongs to the 55-64 age group."   

Entrepreneurship is not just a young person’s game. And far from being a sign of midlife crisis, leaving behind the apparent safety of employment when you’re 50 makes perfect sense.

The following eight points are worth considering and might change your outlook as you ponder a possible move from older employee to "silverpreneur."

1. Having a job no longer offers security.

Being in a job doesn’t make you secure. That’s the hard truth that many have had to confront in the years since the recent financial crisis. And just because the economy is recovering well, doesn’t mean the same crisis could not happen happen.

Recent world events show how quickly things can change, often with unknown consequences. Which is why more and more companies are looking to build flexibility into their business by taking on fewer permanent staff and looking to ensure they can shed jobs easily should the worst happen.  

2. Your current job is disappearing.

Even if you are not being pushed out of your job right now, you won’t find it as easy to find a similar post, at a similar level, as you once might have. That’s because the role you currently perform is increasingly being replaced by new and different roles, or will be given to younger newcomers willing to work hard for less.

3. Technology innovations are arriving faster.

There was a time when robots were thought of as science fiction. Today, robots (or at least sophisticated software programs) are performing tasks that used to be done by highly trained and skilled professionals.

4. Knowledge and experience are an advantage.

Soon, as many as four generations will be working together, meaning that your career ladder could be cut off prematurely by younger techno-savvy employees who might even become your boss.

But your wealth of experience need not go to waste if you choose to start up your own business. Other Kauffman Foundation research found that many founders of successful companies didn’t set them up until they 40 or older. So see your age and the experience you have accumulated -- from wherever it comes -- as an advantage.

5. Setting up a business is easier.

It’s easier than ever these days to set up a business, given the low cost of technology. You no longer have to set up a bricks-and-mortar business with expensive premises or lots of stock to pay for. You can now succeed with an online business with just a good idea and a small budget to spend on IT equipment and software.

Lower startup costs mean less risk, so it should be easier to convince others that becoming a silverpreneur isn’t madness. And the best time to get going is while you still have a job.

6. Raising capital is possible.

If you need funding, you may well have some financial reserves to draw on or be in a strong position to borrow, as you have a financial track record.

And with several crowd-funding platforms to chose from, you can raise money even more quickly and easily. You just need a compelling pitch for others to believe in your idea and help you succeed.

7. A comfortable retirement is often just a dream.

Retirement is now an outdated concept that you need to revise. It’s not just a case that the retirement age is continuing to creep up or that many are need to keep working to maintain a lifestyle. The fact is, you should be looking to make a contribution in some form throughout your life so as to make you feel younger for longer.

It just doesn’t make sense to throw away all your knowledge and experience just because of a particular date on the calendar. With life spans increasing, you could easily change your career when you're 50 or 60 or embark on an exciting entrepreneurial venture for the next 20 to 30 years.

So why be stuck in a dull retirement when you could take control of your life and do something interesting, rewarding and fulfilling while contributing to society at the same time?

8. Life is about continuous learning.

One way to improve quality of life as people live longer by keeping thier brains active through continuous learning. The day you stop learning is the day you start becoming old, independently of your biological age.

There will be those who tell you that entrepreneurs are born and not made. When it comes to serial superstars like Richard Branson, that may be true, but there are more than enough examples of mature professionals who successfully set out on their own in later years. Look at Ray Kroc who set up McDonald's at age 52.

So, if you want to be a silverpreneur, what should you do?

Simply change your mindset. You’re probably thinking you’re too set in your ways and that you can’t possibly do something so radical. I’m here to tell you that you can -- if you want. Life is shaped by the decisions you make.

So stop labeling yourself according to your age or what you’ve done for a career to date. By seeing yourself as a manager, accountant or marketer, you’re subconsciously telling yourself that’s what you are and this stops your reinvention.

If you need business training or guidance (and you almost certainly will if you’ve only ever been an employee), find the right courses and programs that will give you the needed skills. Better still, find a mentor, someone with business experience to provide feedback about what you’re doing or intending to do. You’ll learn faster and avoid costly mistakes.

And with economies around the world still so uncertain becoming a "silverpreneur" is the best retirement plan because only then will you be in control of your life and your future.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238982