Secrets of World-Class Athletes and Entrepreneurs

In 1998, an article on the front page of the Sunday business section of the largest daily paper in Denver began, “TC North was standing in the shower Monday when a potent idea began to germinate.” Reading it, I felt humiliated — a rookie mistake letting a reporter know I originally had the thoughts in the shower.

But now over a decade later, I am not really embarrassed by such things. So here’s what happened in the shower today. But first, some background … [Read more →]

What’s Your Juice? I’m not referring to guava, pineapple or orange. I want to know what “juices” your energy, your motivation, your excitement. What turns your crank? What excites you in your work your life?

I once asked a sales coach, “What really excites you about your work?” He thought for a moment and replied, “I’ve been working with an entrepreneur who was ready to shut down his business, and I helped him turn his sales around. He now has positive cash flow and several months of retained earnings after only four months of coaching,” he said with a big smile. “That excites me.” As an executive coach, that’s what my clients need for sustainable motivation.

Do you know what one of the big differences is between elite performers and average performers?

Generally, elite performers focus 80% to 100% of their thoughts and actions on what they do want, and average performers focus about 20% on what they want and 80% on moving away from pain (what they don’t want).

In the story above, the sales coach knew where his juice was and what he wanted to do, and the entrepreneur focused on what he wanted — how to increase sales — and he got what he wanted. If he’d focused on what he didn’t want (more debt), he probably wouldn’t have hired the sales coach. This entrepreneur had the courage to move toward what he wanted instead of moving away from pain.

Be courageous. Focus on what you want,
and leave your pain behind.

I look forward to your thoughts – leave a comment below.

Dr. TC North

I first read this profound insight of Khalil Gibran over three decades ago, and it changed my view of emotions. Emotions are a continuum; sorrow is the same emotion as joy, just on the opposite end of the continuum.

Not long ago, there was great sorrow in my family. [Read more →]

This is an e-mail exchange I recently had with a business colleague who had a time-consuming request for me:

• TC: “I’m happy to do it. Still working until 11 p.m. most nights, though. Give me a few days, please.”
• Colleague: “What do you do when you’re coaching people who work until 11 p.m. most evenings? Would you tell them they need a little more balance in their lives? LOL.”
• TC: “I tell them one of two things: (1) Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (just kidding) or (2)
• This is a great topic that I’ll write about in a future EnCOURAGEment.”

So here it is: Balance is different for high performers, people who are elite in their fields, than it is for average people. People who are great at what they do love what they do (it’s often both their work and a hobby), are more focused and generally work harder and longer.

Someone once asked a high-performance colleague of mine, who has mentally trained many of the best professional golfers in the world, “How do the best PGA golfers practice? Do they focus on quantity or quality of practice?” He answered, “Both.” To be great, people must put in more time. So how can they have a balanced life? [Read more →]

The last post concluded with, “Every business and personal relationship you’re in can benefit from you giving more, but you must also be open to receiving … .” Have you ever hugged or kissed someone who didn’t hug or kiss you back? Have you ever given a present to someone who obviously didn’t like it? I have, and it made me feel empty and icky. Receiving a gift with gratitude returns a gift to the giver; not receiving a gift with gratitude makes the giver feel rejected.

If someone repeatedly rejects your gifts, will you keep giving? I think not. If the universe gives to you and you don’t graciously receive, will it keep giving?

Most people who don’t have enough love and/or money actually block receiving them, just like they block compliments. The underlying cause of this block is often a deep belief of unworthiness and lack of confidence. So what can you do? …

For an abundance of love and/or wealth,
you must be open to receiving!
When someone gives you a compliment,
gift, opportunity or present,
joyously and gratefully receive it.
You’ll be amazed at how happy it makes
you, and the giver, feel!