In this episode I discuss a scene from the movie Dead Poets Society comparing life to a play, highlighting that the beauty of life is the ability to contribute a verse. What will your verse say?

In this episode I talk about the 80/20 rule that states: 80 percent of our results come from 20% of our effort. Looking into my own processes and routines, I examine which areas I am being truly effective and which may need to be eliminated or refined. Life is a game of repeated self-examination and adjustment, and understanding your "effective 20%" is a huge step in being the best you can be.

In this episode I unpack one of my Your World Within videos called "Ticking Clocks" and discuss our ever changing relationship with time.

"Everyone is genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing it is stupid." - Mark Twain Everyone is a genius in something.  The question is, are you exerting your time and energy into the right things?  In today's episode we take a look at this question.  

What does it mean to be American?  In this episode I delve into some of the current issues at hand and examine whether we are, in fact, asking the right questions.

"There is only one way to avoid criticism; do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." - Aristotle To share your voice is to open yourself up for criticism. To make anything worthwhile of your life is to put yourself in the crosshairs of doubters and cynics. Success is and always will be polarizing. This episode is about changing the way we think about that growth in our lives, as I advocate for embracing love or hate, but refusing to take the route of indifference.

In today's episode I mention a comment made in Tim Ferriss' "Four Hour Workweek" about all human beings being insecure at some level. Why does this matter? Well, people tend to have an authority bias towards those who have accomplished things of significance, placing them on pedestals and acting as though they have all the answers. As though they don't share the same questions and concerns as everyone else. In reality, no one has all the answers or has everything figured out.  The differentiator is that some people push forward anyway.  Like Ryan Holiday states, confidence is earned.  So yes, we are all insecure.  We all have our doubts and problems.  But greatness is about moving forward anyway, knowing the losses will make you stronger and the little victories will ultimately stack up. 

In this episode I discuss Warren Buffett's belief that the greatest threat to a business is complacency, and offer some suggestions on how to weaponize your strengths to continue growing, evolving and learning.

"I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me" In this episode I talk about the process of leaving behind all that doesn't serve you and re-building life in your own terms.

Contrary to what we may tell ourselves, doing nothing is a choice.  Indecision is, in fact, a decision. That leads to the obvious question: "Well, what do we do about it then?" In this episode I discuss a mental shift that will change how you view decision making and motivate you to begin moving towards your ideal self.

"Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well." In this episode I discuss the important of understanding that life is broken down into two categories: Things we can't control, and things we can.  When we accept the things we can't control and take responsibility for the things we can, we put ourselves in position to overcome obstacles and live life to the fullest. 

In this episode I discuss a concept from Daniel Kahneman's book "thinking fast and slow," where he states that people are far more interested in protecting themselves from losses than they are in pursuing opportunity.   Without realizing it, we spend our entire lives in protection mode.  This manifests itself in the form of optimistic denial, as Tim Ferris puts it.  Since we are so concerned with preserving and maintaining the status quo we invent reasons to avoid the discomfort of change...we live to stay the same. But what if we didn't? What if we could teach ourselves to become aware of this phenomenon and cut through the excuses and procrastination we're so accustomed to?  In this episode, I dive into exactly that question.    

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" In this episode, I make the argument that unwarranted detail and granularity are the greatest enemies to growth. We don't begin the journey because we don't have all the answers.  We don't begin the youtube channel because we don't have all the right equipment.  We stay in bad relationships because we can't fathom the logistics of what could come next. These are all examples of details becoming larger than the objective.  The truth is, is you want something, simplify and move toward that thing.  The detail will ultimately work itself out.  This process is all part of mastery. Details are accumulated and mastered over a lifetime, not before you take your first step.

How many best selling books were "almost" written?  How many award winning movies were "almost" made?  How many life changing relationships were "almost" started? We will never know.  But what we do know is that a single decision often separates our greatest accomplishments from their inverse: regret In this episode I discuss the power of being on the right side of "almost," looking back years from now and laughing with family and friends about how you almost didn't go, you almost gave up, or you almost walked away...but thankfully you continued forward, and life was never the same because of it.

"The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you've come." In this episode I discuss the value and necessity of looking back for the sake of acknowledging your progress and personal growth. We spend so much time focused on tomorrow that we forget to look back and appreciate what we've already overcome.  We forget to look at our hard work in totality.  We fail to see the courageous decisions that created our current reality. The road ahead will present its adversity.  But don't forget, you've overcome more than you give yourself credit for.  Your track record has proof of resilience.  Once you see that, you'll know you are well equipped for whatever may come next.  

In this episode I talk about a promise I made to myself 6 years ago, with my back against the wall, no money coming in and the future very much uncertain. It was a time that, contrary to what it seemed in the moment, would end up changing the trajectory of my life and the way I looked at the world.  Years later, with all that in the rear view, it seems apparent that both my personal and professional growth were not remarkable or spectacular, but rather, quite ordinary. My reality today is a consequence of one thing: putting all my chips on the table and promising not to stop. When times are most difficult and uncertain, we should remember that simple premise. The world does not require of you to have it all figured out or ask that a masterpiece be created overnight.  Sometimes success is simply hanging on when others would let go.  It's trusting yourself to see a finish line that others cannot.  

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain If success is a product of seizing life's opportunity, that might prompt one to wonder:  Well, where exactly is this opportunity to be found? In today's episode I make the case that opportunity exists in life's fringes, outside the bell curve.  It is in the places most people won't go and the actions most people won't take.  For Kobe it was early morning practice while people slept in, that over time accumulated to become a lifetime of advantage.  For Buffett it's moving in when most people are running out.  You name an accomplished individual, and I'll point to their willingness to move away from the herd and seek out hidden opportunity.  There is a golden rule that states, if you want what the 5% have, you need to be willing to do what only the 5% are willing to do.  That starts with seeing "different"  not as an obstacle, but as the path.  

In this episode I discuss a commonly misunderstood truth about mastery: Mastery isn't achieved by setting one's target on perfection, it's achieved by allowing yourself to suck. Counterintuitive? You bet.  But the science has my back. Studies show that those who have both the courage and willingness to increase output knowing their product isn't perfect maintain a significant advantage.  Each rep allows a learning experience and, while sometimes not identifiable in the moment, ultimately propels the creator to a new level of excellence. Perfection is a crutch.  It inhibits the growth that execution encourages.  So, whatever your goal, start "shooting on net." There is no perfect shot...but the more you shoot, the better, more skilled you'll become...not to mention, the better the odds you'll have of putting points on the board.

In this episode I premier a brand new speech called Life in Color and talk about the prospect of clawing your way back from misfortune. Life can be tough.  It can challenge you, test you, and even lead you to question the road ahead. But there is a simple truth to life as well; it will always be what you make it. The greatest masterpieces known to man weren't made instantaneously.  They took time and consistency, an accumulation of little brush strokes that materialized and found meaning over time.  You don't need the answers, you simple need momentum, to step forward and paint the portrait of your life...one day at a time.      

What motivates you?  In the book Drive, by Daniel Pink, he mentions a new type of motivation, backed by ample scientific research, yet frequently overlooked on both the business and personal levels. It is our greatest source of opportunity and still, we unknowingly walk right by it. This new type of motivation is what he refers to as intrinsic motivation. It is action, not guided but external rewards, but driven by flow, curiosity and interest.  In other words, the activity is the reward. It's what pushed the Wright brothers to pursue flight, Edison to create the lightbulb and Picasso to share his gifts with the world; it was the journey, not the destination. In this episode, I take a look at how we might incorporate intrinsic motivation into our own lives in a world driven by externalities. The answer is an important one, as it just may be the gateway to extraordinary.  

In the face of adversity we are presented with two options: quit because of the situation, or win in spite of the situation. My coaches used to say that suffering for the sake of suffering has no value. Rather, it's what you do in such moments of suffering and how you handle yourself that matters.  When discomfort is at your doorstep, what do you make of the situation?   These decisions ultimately determine our fate. Life is not so different.  It is the culmination of little acts of courage, choosing to rise when times are tough and one's instinct is to fall back. When it's easiest to lay down and give up is when you most need to press on, to dig deep.  It's when you look in the mirror and decide who you truly are.  

In this episode, I discuss a quote from "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll: “Well, in our country,” said Alice, still panting a little, “you’d generally get to somewhere else — if you run very fast for a long time, as we’ve been doing.” “A slow sort of country!” said the Queen. “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” What an amazing way of portraying one of life's most important questions: Are you growing, or maintaining? Working hard, or working smart? Existing, or thriving? Our basic tendency is to maintain. It is why we succumb to routine and lose sight of the ultimate prize: a life of purpose. Like the Red Queen in Carroll's quote, let's ask the tough questions and position ourselves to detach from the easy and the mundane. Today, let's take the first step into that great unknown.

As human beings, our world is guided by story.  We are the only creatures that use concepts like money, religion and culture to shape our lives and dictate our reality. A chimp, for example, could never see a 20 dollar bill as anything other than the paper in front of him.  Yet to us, that same little piece of paper is freedom, success, etc. These stories, being as prevalent as they are, often emerge without our awareness. They are ingrained in not only our actions, but our thoughts and decision making. They insert themselves at the forefront of every situation.  Brene Brown in her book, Dare to Lead, calls this the "Shitty First Draft." What she's alluding to is the idea that our first emotive, instinctual reaction is nothing more than a story in our head, based on past experiences and beliefs.  "Oh he doesn't like me." "She only cares about herself." "They want me to fail." These initial reactions are often void of reason and prevent us from getting to the heart of a situation and making progress. When we understand that stories make the world go round and people act based on their self-interested narratives, it helps us depersonalize situations and propels us to the endpoints and solutions we want and need.

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how" - Nietzsche In this episode I dive into the idea that everything we see in life has two components: 1. It's physical characteristics 2. What it means to us Here's the interesting thing...we don't see things as they "are" or by their physical characteristics. We merely see the meaning that we place upon them. A car isn't a heap of metal and parts for example.  It is freedom, efficiency and even a status symbol. Using an example by Viktor Frankl of a patient who quit smoking by taping a picture of his daughter to his pack of cigarettes, I explain how success is often found when we find ways to inject our purpose and meaning into the triviality of the world around us.  

In this episode I delve into a question I received about creativity that took me down a metaphorical rabbit hole. "What is the best book to read for creativity?" Simple question, difficult answer. In today's world we have the luxury of access to unlimited information and resources.  Everything is a google search away. This is amazing because it equips us with the ability to learn and grow like no generation previously could. However, the downside is that we often become so process oriented and focused on "replicating success" that we forget what is arguably the most important aspect of life: Living authentically. The more I thought about it, the more I realized creativity can't be a process. I would go as far as to suggest the very idea of creativity is antithetical to other people's formula's and programs. Creativity is what you get when you reach into your giant well of life experience.  It is a journey...the culmination of each minute that manifests into who you are. Are there books on creativity?  There sure are.  Are some of them good?  Probably. But in my mind, the best advice I can give to a creator is to take the lid off.  Lose the expectations.  Dance in the unknown, and as Steve jobs said, "follow your intuition." That, to me, is the essence of creativity.  

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." - Viktor Frankl In this episode, Eddie delves into one of the central themes in Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning:" The idea that no matter how dyer or challenging your external situation becomes, your perspective will always remain your power. Sure life is unpredictable. It will present its peaks, valleys, ups and downs. But your hope, self belief and ability to find the positive (or light in darkness, as Viktor states) will supersede any situation, and leave you a different person coming out than you were when you went in.

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" In this episode Eddie talks about the deceitfulness of perfection and its ability to hinder our progress. There is no perfect launchpad, just like there is no perfect path.  The differentiator in life, rather, is our ability to adapt to what life throws our way. Where we once hoped for a flawless pursuit, we should instead instill the self-belief to conquer and rise above a life that is unpredictable and often beyond our control.  That, at the end of the day, makes all the difference.

When you take your test, look up from the starting line or sit down for the interview, you have already either won or lost. Your assessment is not a role of the dice, but a product of every second that lead to the present moment. The work, the dedication and the mindset have become the foundation you now stand on. In fact, making the most of your opportunity is a transfer of thousands of hours behind closed doors for 30 seconds of applause...as  your victory in and of itself wasn't the accomplishment, but the recognition.  

In this episode I discuss the difference between "quitting" and simply recognizing that it is time to move on. While they appear to be similar concepts, the ability to differentiate between the two is essential. Quitting is reflective of one's impatience. It is folding in the face of discomfort and, along the way, failing to maintain self-belief. Moving on, or recognizing a sunk cost, on the other hand, is critical.  It is determining that your actions no longer support your goal, or in some cases, that your goal has shifted entirely. It is not quitting because of the discomfort, but stopping because the action no longer ties into who you are or where you're going. Just like the wake of the boat has no control over where it is headed next, yesterday's decisions do not dictate today's path. After listening to this episode, you will be better equipped to cut away what doesn't serve you and pursue that which means the most.    

In today's episode of Your World Within Daily I discuss the subjectivity of brilliance. Have you ever thought about Michael Phelps before he was given the medal? Or the world renowned baker before she got an endorsement from Opera? Or the grammy nominated singer before he got the opportunity that catapulted his career? These career altering experiences didn't make them great...the experiences simply brought awareness to their greatness. In fact, their excellence existed long before this recognition. And this is important to understand because the same applies to YOU. Remember that what you are building, creating or doing has value.  Believe that.  Trust it.  See it before anyone else does. And most importantly, don't wait for external validation to understand the significance of what you bring to the world. Brilliance isn't awarded.  It is made...day by day.    

There's a parable about an elephant in a circus, being held in place by a rope tied around its leg. A man walking by takes notice and begins to wonder how these enormous, powerful creatures are so easily constrained.  After all, couldn't they break free of the rope by simply pulling on it?  He asks an employee of the circus and is told that the elephants have been tied the very same way since they were babies. When they were young, they didn't have the strength to break free.  As they got older, they accepted this reality and never realized they had become strong enough to snap the rope and change their situation. This episode is about examining the metaphorical ropes in our lives and how to re-draw those lines in the sand.

In this episode I discuss the challenges we face living in a world of contrast and some thoughts about how to best approach the paradoxical nature of life. Every day brings with it the task of juggling conformity and individuality, fear and courage....that which we can control and that which we can't. To not only survive but thrive, we must understand the constant push/pull in our lives, finding beauty in dark times, order in chaos and an acceptance of the things beyond our capability to change.

It's not what you look at, it's what you see. In this episode, I discuss some commonly held misconceptions about life and what we can do about them. #1. Life is Fair: We are essentially presented a choice, remain immobilized by cosmic injustices OR make the most with the hands we have been dealt. As the stoics say, accept what you cannot control, change what you can. #2. Knowledge is King: Knowledge alone is a car without wheels.  Knowledge plus execution, on the other hand, can take you anywhere. #3. There is a Right Way: No one has all the answers.  There is not a right or wrong way.  There are simply 8 billion souls on the planet trying to figure life out as it comes. #4. Discomfort is a Negative: As counterintuitive as it seems, life's greatest opportunities are a product of its most challenging moments. #5. People Think About You Often: Humans tend to be self-interested and are most likely thinking about themselves, not you.  Remember that next time you are inclined to alter you decision-making based on the "opinions" of others. #6 Happiness is Acquired: Happiness can't be found.  It starts internally and is projected out. #7. There is Always Tomorrow: Tomorrow is not certain.  Our trips around the sun are finite.  Let's treat every day like the precious commodity it truly is.

In this episode I delve into the famous Emerson quote: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." We live in a world perpetually trying to dictate who we are, what we should strive for and what happiness means, as though life is an instruction manual to be applied and followed. In reality though, these standards are crafted internally. They are merely projected out. In other words, the world doesn't get to dictate who you are...that's a job for you, and you alone. When we let go of our weaknesses, celebrate our strengths and pick up the pen to author our own stories, it's amazing how quickly the narrative changes.

In todays episode, I take a look at the power of the present moment and its impact on our life trajectories.  Being that both the past and the future are mere fabrications, "right now" is our most powerful weapon.  In fact, greatness is not achieved when most think it is.  As Brian Moran states in his book The 12 Week Year, "It is not when Phelps wins the medal that he achieves greatness, it is all the moments leading up to that point. Winning the medal was simply recognition." If the present moment is truly the essence of life, perhaps there's benefit to looking at it from a different angle. Join me on today's episode in doing just that!

In this episode I discuss: The power of discipline, utilizing concepts from Essentialism, The Power of Habit, and Atomic Habits The idea that discipline is not innate, but rather acquired by implementing systems and processes that help you succeed Habit building hacks: Intention, habit stacking, adjusting your environment, habit coupling The idea that progress is the culmination of little actions that add up to shape your days, weeks, and ultimately your reality  

In this episode I discuss a mental shift that will transform your obstacles into your greatest opportunities 

In this episode I discuss: The power of converting our "have to's" into "get to's" The reality that our day to day becomes normalized, so we ultimately lose sight of how lucky we are That we are in control, therefore, we should change the things we aren't happy with or change the way we think about them  

In this episode I discuss: The importance of managing results Earning confidence in yourself by setting achievable goals and accomplishing them Brian Moran's Emotional Cycle of Change Believing in your voice and message The physiology of fear The value of having your "Why" and working for the right reasons

In this episode I discuss: A listener's question about being better than you were yesterday The importance of a clear vision and goals The notion that we are not defined by yesterday; learn and let go How social media positions our work in progress against everyone else's highlight reel How incredible things happen one small step at a time

In this episode I discuss: The power of doing one thing a day that scares you The connection between running and life The benefit of manufacturing adversity in order to evolve How chaos becomes order My latest YouTube Release: When the Sun Comes Up - Running Motivation

In this episode I discuss: The illusion of social media The man in the mirror Whether or not there is a time to compare and/or emulate others The power of staying consistent and using yesterday as your benchmark

In this episode I talk about: Why our biology makes change so challenging The right mindset when embarking upon a new journey or transformation How those who truly love you won't want you to stay where you are, but will help push you to greater heights    

In this episode I discuss: Why "tomorrow" is the most dangerous word in your vocabulary A story about a boat called "The Execution"  The power of the present moment  The 2015 Your World Within video entitled: Tomorrow

In this episode I discuss: What it means to fear success The difference between focusing on the downside (the negative) and the upside (the positive) A quote pertaining to criticism Motivation to take on life's most challenging moments

In this episode I discuss: What separates the 1% A different way to look at our problems The reality that success isn't about an easier path, but rather internalizing obstacles as necessary and even advantageous The Hero's Cry, an inspirational poem about pushing through our most challenging times  

In this episode I discuss: The question: How do you find your purpose in tough times? Understanding the complexity of purpose (passion vs purpose) Discovering your purpose and living a meaningful life Analysis of your current situation The process of getting from where you are to where you want to be  

In this episode I discuss: Three tips to get you through quarantine: Wellness: A simple approach to mental and physical wellness that will both help you cope with the present and build a staircase to the future Creativity: How diving into a state of flow positions you for success Social connection: The power of communication and reaching out to others is not only helpful, but imperative  Starting this week, I'll be answering your questions on the podcast!  Feel free to reach out to @iameddiepinero on either IG or Twitter