The School of Greatness

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You Have to Be Willing to Look Like a Fool | Tony Gonzalez Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

THE CRITICS ARE COMING. People understand that there will be challenges and fear when they chase their dreams. But they’re not willing to be embarrassed. Are you willing to look like a fool? To go all-in and fail? It’s a guarantee when you go after the thing you want. You have to keep putting your head out there knowing that it could get chopped off. The more you face your fears, the more self-confidence you’ll have. You will fall. You need to have the grit to use it as fuel to get back up. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about relentlessly pursuing your passion with one of the most successful football players in history: Tony Gonzalez. Tony Gonzalez is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, retired All-Pro NFL Tight end, and father of four. He is currently an analyst on Fox NFL’s pregame show. During his career, he only missed two games and lost only two fumbles on 1,327 touches. Tony is open about his struggles with depression and self-doubt that he might not be good enough. But by working through these emotions, he has come out a more authentic and heart-centered person. So get ready to learn how to get into the flow of life on Episode 850.
Some Questions I Ask:
How do you get connected to the heart when there is so much ego? (8:00)
When did you experience the most self-doubt? (16:00)
How do people stop caring what people think about them? (31:30)
Who was the most influential for you growing up? (43:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How to get into the flow (6:00)
How to use criticism as fuel (20:00)
About Tony’s struggle to transition from football to commentary (22:00)
An exercise for opening your heart (32:00)
About the letters Tony wrote himself before games (35:00)
How to parent with your heart (52:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/850 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Money With Strings Attached Costs Too Much | Jacob Lief Sep 13, 2019

Show notes

DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY SHINY THINGS. It can be exciting to receive connections to the rich and powerful. Fancy dinners, galas, and White House dinners can be tempting. But if these things are keeping you from accomplishing what you set out to do, you’re better off without them. Money comes with strings. If the people pulling those strings don’t align with your message, that money has too great a cost. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Jacob Lief where he shared what has made his non-profit Ubuntu so successful. Jacob Lief is the Founder and CEO of Ubuntu Education Fund, a non-profit organization that takes vulnerable children living in the townships of Port Elizabeth, South Africa from cradle to career. Ubuntu's programs form an integrated system of medical, health, educational and social services, ensuring that a child who is either orphaned or vulnerable can, after several years, succeed. Jacob has been able to stay focused on one area and one community of people by being consistent about what Ubuntu says yes to. It’s not the most glamorous route, but it’s the most impactful. Learn how to stay disciplined and focused on your goal in Episode 849.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
The thing that has worked the best for Ubuntu (2:00)
Why you sometimes have to say “no” to things (2:30)
About the struggle to keep people interested in your cause (3:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes, and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/849 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Never Be Closing. Play the Long Game | Jason Harris Sep 11, 2019

Show notes

NEVER BE CLOSING. A lot of books about selling encourage you to act like someone you’re not. They tell you to say the other person’s name. Copy their body language. Become a salesman. But what if the key to selling is accepting who you are? What if everything weird about you is what will make you successful? Stop thinking of business as transactional. Instead, be generous. Play the long game. And be kind. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the soulful art of persuasion with an expert in marketing: Jason Harris. Jason Harris is the CEO of the award-winning creative agency Mekanism and the co-founder of the Creative Alliance. Harris works closely with brands through a blend of soul and science to create provocative campaigns that engage audiences. Iconic brands include Peloton, Ben & Jerry’s, MillerCoors, HBO, and the United Nations. Under his leadership, Mekanism was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-list, twice to their Best Places to Work, and to the Creativity 50. Harris has been named in the Top 10 Most Influential Social Impact Leaders, as well as the 4A’s list of “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.” His methods are studied in cases at Harvard Business School. Jason has put together four principles of persuasion that can help transform you into a master influencer. The bullet points are easy to understand and might even surprise you. So get ready to learn the soulful art of persuasion on Episode 848.
Some Questions I Ask:
What’s the most fun you’ve had working on a brand? (10:00)
How can you be empathetic when people are attacking you? (31:00)
What’s something people can do today to make them more influential (43:00)
What are you three truths? (46:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
About Jason’s company Mekanism (5:00)
Why you should never be closing (12:30)
How vulnerability is key to power (16:00)
The Four Core Principles of persuasion (19:00)
Why it’s important to master different skills (38:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/848 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Everything Is Figureoutable | Marie Forleo Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. We all face a lot of pressure from the world. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to others on social media and getting critiques from friends and family. Whether it’s when to have kids, our relationship choices, or a nontraditional career, it’s hard to step outside the box. We might feel judged. We might feel alone. And it might be scary to wander into new territory. So how can we stay true to what WE want? On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk to an inspirational woman changing the world on her terms: Marie Forleo. Marie Forleo is a life coach, motivational speaker, author and host of Marie TV. She is the owner of Marie Forleo International, B-School and MarieTV, and Oprah named Marie a thought leader for the next generation. Marie is passionate about spreading her message that you can figure out the problems in your life. She shares three simple steps to avoid getting overwhelmed and feeling helpless. So get ready to learn how life is “figureoutable” on Episode 847.
Some Questions I Ask:
What’s been the greatest lesson in the last 10 years? (6:00)
What are the things you think you’re not doing well in business? (24:00)
Are you open to the idea of marriage? (35:00)
Where would you be if you were single for the last 10 years? (38:00)
Where do you have the least amount of confidence? (48:30)
What are the 3-5 things you do every day or most days? (1:00:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How work ethic can be a bad thing (13:00)
How Marie sets non-negotiable “adventure time” with her husband (16:00)
The importance of downtime at home and in your job (20:00)
About Marie’s decision to not have kids (27:00)
Why you should trust your timing (42:00)
The three rules for understanding “everything is figureoutable” (1:18:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/847 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Know Your Reader Before You Write a Word | Tucker Max Sep 06, 2019

Show notes

WRITE FOR OTHERS, NOT FOR YOU. There are a lot of smart, accomplished people in our audience. You know things that are valuable to others. You’ve got great businesses. You’re ready to share that knowledge with the world. But figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Tucker Max where he shared his three steps to starting your book. Tucker Max is a NYTimes Best-selling Author who was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential in 2009. He invented the genre “fratire,” and his number one bestseller, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, was made into a major motion picture. Tucker is the co-founder of Scribe, a company that turns ideas into books. He says that before you sit down and start typing, you should first hone in on who you’re writing for and what you’re writing. Learn how to find the goal, audience, and subject of your book in Episode 846.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How to understand what kind of book you’re writing (02:00)
How to find the audience for your book (03:00)
The way to figure out what to write about (04:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the show notes and more at http:/www.lewishowes.com/846

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Self-Hate Feels Real, but It Isn't True | Lindsey Stirling Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

BELIEVE IN SOMETHING GREATER. There are two types of winners I’ve observed. Both of them have confidence. But one winner, when asked how they did it, answers, “I am the greatest.” The other winner, when asked how they did it, answers, “God is the greatest.” Are you putting pressure on yourself to succeed or fail? Or are you putting your strength in something greater? Whether or not you consider yourself a religious person, know that you are not going through life in a vacuum. You’re never on your journey alone. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about spirituality, loss, and dreaming big with one of the most inspirational performers on the planet: Lindsey Stirling. Lindsey Stirling is a modern-day "Dancing Violinist" who got her start on American’s Got Talent in 2010. Since then, she has over 11 million subscribers on YouTube. She has been called "The Hip Hop Violinist" due to her twist on songs from today's hits, as well as creating an electronic / dubstep album of original compositions. Lindsey has learned to use her spirituality to inspire her to do things she never thought possible. She shares the daily practices that ground her and retrain her brain. So get ready to learn how to live intentionally and with gratitude on Episode 845.
Some Questions I Ask:
Why do we lose the ability to dream? (23:30)
How do we “re-dream” when things are going well? (26:00)
What should someone do who is experiencing periods of darkness? (31:00)
How does someone build a belief in themselves? (37:00)
How did you handle two close people passing away? (42:00)
What’s missing in your life right now? (54:00)
What would your dad be most proud of today? (1:00:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
The inspiration behind Lindsey’s new album (7:00)
About Lindsey’s experience getting booed off the stage on America’s Got Talent (12:00)
Why you need to live life without limits (19:00)
How to live intentionally (34:00)
How gratitude affects happiness (37:00)
Why Dancing With The Stars was spiritual for Lindsey (47:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the show notes, video and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/845 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Putting Family First Can Be a Disservice to You | Dr. Nicole LePera Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

FAMILY ISN’T EVERYTHING. How often have you heard phrases about putting family first? Most of us had a plaque on the wall growing up that said something similar. But if you’re letting family walk all over you, you’re doing a disservice to yourself. We get what we tolerate. If you don’t like something, but you tolerate it, you can’t expect people to change. So how do we have better relationships with our families? We have to create a request. And we have to keep our word. Telling people what you need doesn’t always feel good, but it’s necessary to take care of yourself. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about boundaries and reparenting yourself with an inspirational holistic psychologist: Dr. Nicole Lepera. Dr. Nicole LePera is a Holistic Psychologist who believes that mental wellness is for everyone. She evolved her more traditional training from Cornell University and The New School to one that acknowledges the connection between the mind and body. Dr. LePera founded the Mindful Healing Center in Center City Philadelphia where she works with individuals, couples, and families taking gut health, sleep, movement, cellular health, belief, and mindfulness into treatment. Dr. Nicole Lepera shares her three steps to creating healthy boundaries and how to break cycles in ourselves. So get ready to learn how to be a self healer on Episode 844.
Some Questions I Ask:
What were your biggest limiting beliefs? (9:30)
How do we become unstuck? (17:00)
How do we manage the guilt of our family? (23:00)
How do we regulate our nervous system? (46:00)
What does it mean to “reparent” yourself? (1:0200)
How do we become a self healer every day? (1:16:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How emotion is tied to memory (12:00)
What “interdependence” means (20:00)
The three steps to create a boundary (29:00)
How to “depersonalize” (39:00)
Dr. Nicole’s definition of manifestation (57:00)
About the “Small, Daily Promise” (1:13:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/844 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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Everything That Hurts You Can Also Teach You | Prince Ea Aug 30, 2019

Show notes

TURN ADVERSITY INTO ADVANTAGE. Do you spend a lot of time wishing things were different? Do you feel sorry for yourself for the struggles you face? Maybe it’s time to reframe those obstacles as gifts. After all, the things that hurt us the most can help us show others more love. Pain can lead us to pleasure. And your negative experiences will lead you to greatness. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Prince Ea where he shared his message that everything is perfect. Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince EA, is an American rapper, spoken word artist, music video director and rights activist from St Louis, Missouri. He has over four million subscribers on YouTube and inspires people daily with his viral videos. Learn how to accept your present while changing your future on Episode 843.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How the artist Immortal Technique influenced Prince Ea (2:00)
The importance of accepting what is (3:00)
About the philosophy that everything is perfect (3:30)
How pain can be ultimately good (4:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/843 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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The Goals You Chase Won't Fill the Emptiness | Eugene Remm Aug 28, 2019

Show notes

PLAY MORE CHESS AND LESS CHECKERS. We always make fun of dogs chasing their tails. It’s funny to watch- they spin and spin and spin trying to catch the impossible. They eventually flop onto the ground exhausted. What’s the “tail” you are chasing? You probably think something will change when you finally catch that thing that is just out of reach, but the reality is that it probably won’t. I’ve accomplished so many goals that ultimately left me feeling empty. Stop spinning around reaching for things that won’t ultimately bring you happiness. Instead, focus on the process and the impact you have on others. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about figuring out what really matters with a King of New York hospitality: Eugene Remm. Eugene Remm is an entrepreneur and wellness expert whose companies include Catch Hospitality Group (Catch Restaurants, Lexington Brass) and the boxing-inspired group fitness concept Rumble. Forbes Magazine dubbed him one of the “New Kings of New York Hospitality.” Eugene has been able to leverage social media in truly innovative ways by staying ahead of trends and being authentic. He had to learn through failure to be a team player. He now teaches that looking out for the benefit of all benefits you as well. So get ready to learn how to play big and stay humble on Episode 842.
Some Questions I Ask:
What happened to your nightclubs? (27:00)
How do you handle relationships when their investments are lost? (28:00)
What was the moment you had the biggest ego slap? (34:30)
Why does a nightclub guy think he can start a fitness company? (47:00)
How do you attract such high profile investors? (52:00)
How do you manage 1000 people? (1:04:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
Why you should focus on the process and not the goal (7:00)
Why it’s important to know your limit (21:00)
The power of taking accountability for your failures (25:00)
Why you need a balance of gut instincts and data (38:00)
The three things you need to be successful (40:00)
When to lean into a trend and when to go against it (42:00)
Why paying people isn’t the number one thing (1:06:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/842 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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A Shark Took Her Arm at 13. She Kept Surfing | Bethany Hamilton Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

GRIT CANNOT BE TAUGHT. What does it mean to be unstoppable? No matter what knocks you down, you stay the course for your goal. It’s not enough to just withstand the struggle. You have to embrace the struggle. That’s what I did when I played football, and it’s what I do in my career today. Fall in love with the pain associated with your passion. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the power of grit with a champion surfer with an inspiring story: Bethany Hamilton. Bethany is a professional surfer, author and motivational speaker. At the age of 13, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her dream career as a surfer. However, one month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength. At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally, and she is still an active surf competitor to this day. Bethany talks about her journey to become a mother and what it’s taught her. She also reveals the lessons her parents taught her that allowed her to get back on the board after losing her arm. So get ready to learn all about how to be unstoppable on Episode 841.
If you enjoyed this episode check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/841 and follow at www.instagram.com/lewishowes.

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