Stories around the holiday season run rampant.

From family and generational tales to Biblical passages, stories bring us together as human beings. 

It is the words within the stories that wield true power. 

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Words move us deeply.

We listen, watch and read with wonderment, curiosity and emotion. Well-written and well-told stories have the power to move us to laughter...and to tears.

One thing I’ve noticed in business as “Life’s Little Observer” (being a people-watcher and listening with a keen ear as a news reporter) is this...

The highest paid people in the room are exceptional storytellers.

Believe me, I have interviewed everyone from homeless people to presidents. During my 35-year career, I have seen it all! 

My point for everyday business pros like you is this: 

• Nail...

Leaders are not supposed to know everything.

Plain and simple.

People everywhere—whether they are entrepreneurs, stay-at-home parents or retired—most often succeed when they are willing to ask for help.

They are smart about their strengths and weaknesses. 

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Like many entrepreneurs, I used to think that asking for help or admitting you don’t know something was a sign of weakness. But a few years into my entrepreneurial journey, I began thinking about delegation as a sign of humility; of being a human being. 

You just can't know everything.

No one does. And no one ever will.

Leaders appreciate and respect what they know—and don’t know.

They don’t see themselves as incompetent. They take a different approach by knowing they don't have to know everything.

Instead, successful folks look for people...

I was FaceTiming with my nephew Eric, a college senior preparing to take on the world and make his mark.

Eric loves writing and has a strong sense of himself. He's bold, fun and funny.  But he scared me beyond words. 

Eric told me about his papers and professors. I'm sure he saw me twitch as he described his writing style and expression within the confines of a college classroom.  

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I told Eric point-blank: For the most part, everything you've had to write in college—style, formats and opinions.—will all go out the window.

The writing most of us have learned in school and have been using in business all these years is rarely effective these days.

Why? 

Long, dry and stuffy writing is equivalent to a sleeping pill. People want personality and pizzazz.   

Please don't ...

I keep hearing people talking about their coaches—business, marketing, Mastermind groups, sales…on and on. “I’m working on my online presence and SEO…” and “I’ve got accountability partners in my sales coaching…” and “I’m in a high-level group with ---"  

If you’ve been working with coaches either privately or in groups, I wanna let you in on a little secret.  

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Actually, it's not a little secret- it's a HUGE secret that will make ALL the difference when it comes to your ability to get amazing, like-minded ideal clients excited to invest with you.

The secret is: You don’t need more Instagram posts or lead gen to grow your business and live your dream life. YOU are the message and you're likely repelling prospects and it has nothing to do with your posts OR the quality...

I was driving in a new area a few days ago and got lost...despite the GPS.

So I approached another human being who was walking his dog and he gave me on-point directions. "Go 2 miles; you'll pass the library and a gas station. At the light, turn left onto Broadway. There's a Walgreens on the corner. Take Broadway about half-a-mile and you'll see signs for the highway on the right. Bear right and then stay left towards Highway 10."

The various places and signs he told me to look for were super helpful in me finding my way. Being specific in our communication is critical, especially when we "talk to ourselves"...you know the internal soundtrack that's constantly looping in our heads. Our brains are wired to be specific. When we write down clear goals, our brains become laser-focused and move us towards what we want.

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A key take-away from students in one of my recent online coaching programs was...

Hundreds of people over the years have asked me why reporters and podcasters are so dang hard to reach.

Why are they grumpy, uninterested and non-responsive?

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Here’s the secret:

Ninety-five percent of the pitches and “great story ideas” that are sent are irrelevant. They aren't newsworthy. They aren't valuable and “worthy” of an audience’s attention and interest.

It's that simple.

I was a radio news reporter and on-air anchor. I received thousands of pitches during my 10-year career in newsrooms in New Jersey and New York.

I decided what was newsworthy. I was the gatekeeper.

My audience depended on my sound judgement to share important, compelling and interesting stories that affected them.  The same is true today with reporters—and podcasters. They want subject matter experts—people like YOU!  

Craving more respect so you can be seen as a trusted authority in your field?  

You can land interviews on podcasts and in the media, and get hired to speak so you can share your knowledge and stories.

The result? You'll get in front of more prospects and close more sales. 

What''s stopping you? I share the biggest obstacle and how to overcome it in this short video. (2:30 ) 

You can already order a pumpkin spice latte at your favorite coffee shop and go apple picking at your local orchard. Labor Day weekend in the U.S. simply seals the deal—the unofficial start of fall is here.

Almost right on cue, National Read a Book Day is Sunday, September 6. What better way to relax and de-stress this time of year than by curling up with a good book?

Whether you’re soaking up the last days of summer or jumping right into fall, you’ll want to add one of these books to your reading list.

Here are a few...and click here to see the entire list: 

• “Doesn't Hurt to Ask: Using the Power of Questions to Communicate, Connect, and Persuade” by Trey Gowdy. Learn how to seize opportunities and make a case for yourself.
• “The Middle Finger Project” by Ash Ambirge. My favorite entrepreneurial journey book. The title says it all!
• "Radical Self Love: A Guide to Loving Yourself and Living Your Dreams" by Gala Darling. Discover how...

As we wrap up the summer, take time to catch up on some of the goofy business things that may be nagging at you day-to-day. #Energydrains

If you're ready to recharge your battery and kick-start your success, this list will help.

These small tasks can make your life less stressful and easier to manage day-to-day. You may even develop a new habit.

1. Clean up your contact lists and database.

2. Sort through your Favorites and Bookmarks. Categorize them and delete the ones that are no longer relevant.

[RELATED: FREE DOWNLOAD: CREATE 30 TOPICS IN 30 MINUTES FOR ANY NICHE! CLICK HERE TO GET THE #30/30 GUIDE.]  

3. Go paperless when possible. Shred or toss old papers you don’t need.

4. Read the magazines you’ve been saving for the past three months.

5. Get rid of the magazines you’ve been saving for the past three months.

6. Contact someone you admire and ask to interview them for a post or video....