The Greatness Guide, Book 2: 101 More Insights to Get You to World Class (11 page)

So I’ve been looking for an opportunity to show my appreciation. It starts today, by giving him my business. And then I’ll be
sending my friends over. And they’ll tell others and so on. Because Tony deserves to win. And I want to reciprocate.

Ever notice that it’s the people we love most that we take most for granted? Odd, isn’t it. It’s easy to spend less time with your family because they will always be there for you (or so you assume). It’s easy to put off expressing your love to your loved ones because there seems to be no urgency to do so. It’s easy to let home relationships slip because you assume there are more pressing things to deal with. But what could possibly be more important than your family? What’s the point of being über-successful, but alone? A full family photo album is far more impressive to me than an overflowing bank account. Honestly.

So pick up the phone and tell your parents that you love them. Before you leave for work, give your spouse a kiss—like you really mean it. And please, hug your kids and tell them that you adore them. Your kids will only be young once. And when that window of opportunity closes, it will close forever.

Just finished an issue of
Fortune.
One article described a tech conference held on Necker Island, the Caribbean hideaway Richard Branson bought 25 years ago. Of the young Net geniuses in attendance and their visionary insights. Of the fun had by all as they sailed and drank great wine and engaged in powerful conversations (each of us need to inject “powerful conversations” into our weeks to energize, elevate and sustain us). And then it came down to Branson, founder of the Virgin conglomerate. The writer, David Kirkpatrick, noted that Branson can speak to anyone about almost anything, from food to sports. But what struck him most about the man was his infectious good cheer. Branson seemed to be in good spirits all the time. A News Corp executive agreed and added, “That’s something I’ve noticed about these moguls. They’re almost always the most optimistic people in the room.” Interesting.

So our takeaway is that optimism isn’t superficial or soft or boring. Nope. It’s a mission-critical tool for anyone devoted to
getting to authentic excellence—and a life fully lived. Every day brings challenges to those who dare and risk and dream. That’s just part of the game when you are devoted to being great. Being the most optimistic person in the room will help you transcend the rest. And get to where you’ve always wanted to be.

Back to a theme I shared with you in
The Greatness Guide:
the power of words. Words shape the way you feel. They influence the way you process reality. And they can either take you closer to your mountaintop or draw you nearer to the valley. Use world-class words and you’ll get to your world-class life.

I was in a Starbucks in Manhattan yesterday. The guy in front of me ordered a chai latte. The barista said she was out of chai. He looked wounded. Seriously. I wish you could have seen his face. Like he just got an arrow through the heart. His reply? Classic victimspeak: “How could you do this to me?” I waited for his smile. It never came.

No matter what life sends us, we are responsible for the way we respond. We truly are. We can own our reaction. We can choose what we do with the situation. We can be bitter, or show up better. Tons of choices—at
all
times. Starting with our words. Choose them well. Leaders do.

I know I encourage you to push the envelope. To innovate. To elevate. To step up to the next level with the work you do and within the life you have the privilege to lead. And I know I talk a lot about running to your fears (remember that most of the stuff we are afraid of never even comes close to happening) and hugging your discomfort. Well, I do my best to do the same. Here’s an example.

I just spent two days last week in a recording studio. For a long time I’ve had the dream of making music with a powerful message. I used to play guitar in a rock band in law school (poorly yet passionately) and I needed to get back to that love. And you know this: There will never be the ideal time to do the dreams in your heart. So I took a risk. (Al Pacino recently told Larry King, “You will only be as good as the chances you take.”) I reached out to the two amazing partners at the Orange Record Label and shared my vision. Guess what, “no ask, no get.” They signed me to a deal. Immediately.

These past two days found me in a studio with some of the most creative people I’ve ever met. Writers and musicians. Visionaries and dreamers. All banded together to help me create brilliant
music that will inspire people to make their lives extraordinary. Genuine works of art. I had to sing (stop laughing). I had to play guitar. I had to let go of my safe harbor and be a beginner again. “How was it?” you ask. Breathtakingly great. (If you want to see me playing, watch the CNN clip at robinsharma.com.) I was scared, excited, joy-filled and delighted. I trembled. And I laughed. It was an experience I’ll never forget—one that is part of the personal story I call life. So get out there. Risk. Ask. Dream. Dare. Fall. Fail. And never let anyone tell you that your dreams can’t come true. Eventually someone’s going to do what you dream of doing. Why not you?