How many great ideas have you had in your life? And how many of them were carried through all the way?

Remember a time you worked so hard at something? And did it ever take you to the very top?

What’s going on here?

The formula for world domination is so simple. The reason why we don’t dominate is the execution is tricky. It takes exactly the right combination of dreaming and doing. Here is the key.

Dream big, do small.

You need the right amount of inspiration (Dream big) and the right amount of perspiration (do small). What happens most of the time is we have a big dream, but then we try to go too big as we tackle it, get frustrated, and give up. Or on the other hand, we work ourselves to the bone, but the idea was not an inspired one so no amount of hard work will get us anywhere. It’s like spinning your wheels in sand.

The real magic is when you have an inspired idea, and then take the tiny, daily actions you need to take you to the top of the mountain. Easier said than done, but the formula is right there for the taking. God speed and good luck. See you at the top!

Inspiration + Perspiration = World Domination

If we ever end up on a Zoom call together, just for the record, this is not my house! It is my taller, better-looking, more affluent doppleganger who resides in Copenhagen or some such. I use this to hide the clutter and if I’m truthful, kind of meh background in my study.

Here’s the thing. In this post COVID-19, always on, Zoom fatigued era, one of the nice things has been to be able to see people’s homes and how it subtly humanizes everybody. When you use a fake, let’s say aspirational background like the one above, it doesn’t really scream “this is me.”

The challenge is with a full house, more meetings than ever, and overall fatigue, who has time to constantly keep an immaculate background for their coworkers/clients/audience? I know I don’t.

But there is a super EZPZ solution that give you the best of both worlds - real you and tidy you.

Step 1. Clean up the area in your background

Step 2. Take a photo, matching what your video camera would show

Step 3. Use this photo of your own, immaculately clean and tidy house as your new, permanent virtual background

Step 4. Never worry about having to clean that area before a call again!

Let your close friends know the secret of your success. No one else has to know!

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a huge fan of office holiday parties. I won’t be the one on the dance floor, singing Karoake (okay, you twisted my arm…maybe one song!), or trying to increase my bonus via copious alcohol consumption.

The thing that kills it for me the most, is really mundane, perfunctory conversations with no soul. I’m not expecting a late night with your closest friends/family level of conversation, but something better than talking about mortgage rates and the project you are working on.

What I noticed over the years is I’m a big part of the problem. By asking boring and mundane questions, I’m inviting boring and mundane conversations. Shame on me.

What I’ve noticed more recently is when you ask better questions, it sparks better conversations. It’s still a work function so we’re not asking about your most intimate secrets. We’re asking questions which lead the person to use their imagination and which leave the door open to deeper discussion.

When you ask better questions, it sparks better conversations.

Below for your review and possible use are some examples. Use wisely and spice up your next holiday party. The people talking to you will thank you and wonder where you got so much #charisma!

• What is your greatest fear?

• What is your guilty pleasure?

• When and where are you happiest?

• Which talent do you wish you had?

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

• What do you consider your greatest achievement?

• What is your most prized possession?

• What do you value most in a friend?