There is a time to blow up myths, barriers, stereotypes, sacred cows, PC blinders, and that demotivating same-old-same-old thinking. There are moments we need to…

The innovators I know are looking for status-quo disrupters. The creative executives I value are eager for explosive results! The entrepreneurs I run with are pining for men and women with gravitas, force, and oomph! Activators ready to make stuff happen!

Consider detonating the old and bringing something new! We all know there is certainly a time to be safe and secure, to be contemplative and cautious, to tip toe, to be patient, and to go slow. When it comes to people (especially family and friends) I never like to be thoughtless, careless, or mindless. I trust you agree.

Want to change the world? I do. According to Cameron Mark Lewis, a San Francisco based producer and director (specializing in commercial and film production)community and collaboration are the key to world-change. This is why Cameron (also gifted actor, model and musician) founded “Coffee & Catchup,” a networking and collaboration group in the Bay Area for actors and industry professionals working in the commercial, film, theatrical, and print markets. For Cameron, energy, impact, and transformation flow from a cup of creative collaboration.

I love that Cameron is not an isolated solo-preneur. He knows that to make a real difference in the world, none of us can do it alone. His emphasis on working with others cooperatively and interdependently to co-create, is practical, relational, and inspiring. I appreciate the value he places on visioneering together as a team.

Want to change the world? I do! Thanks Cameron for sharing your exceptional talents, your love for people, and your wisdom in reminding us that we don’t have to do it alone. Yes, community, collaboration, and co-creating are key to making a difference! (Want to encourage Cameron or partner with him? He can be reached at cameronmarklewis.com)

Steve Jobs has some great business advice for those of us eager to succeed at work. According to this I.T. entrepreneur and inventor, (known for being the co-founder and CEO of Apple), being ourselves is foundational to being successful.

To Steve Jobs, everything is secondary to his primary concern that we be ourselves. I summarize his sentiment this way:

Great advice. Hard to do. To make this process easier for people, one of my favorite things to do as a Life Coach with my clients is to give them various assessments that allow them to see their unique personality, their core values, and their innate strengths more objectively. Being ourselves first involves being aware of who we were created to be (not who others tell us to be).

The world is filled with way too many copycats. Think fingerprint, think snowflake, and bring your own interesting self to the table. Offer your uniqueness as a gift to the world. And if you want a little help in the process, consider investing in a Life Coach who will partner with you in discovering your signature strengths and in setting your compass on its own personalized path–so you’ll have a lifetime of being yourself and enjoying it!

Business is tough. Here’s some workplace wisdom from Thomas Edison: Don’t give up!  At least, don’t give up too soon! There’s a time to cut our losses, but don’t be blind to the success that could be just around your corner.

Of course, all of us fail in life. Failure is a part of accomplishing anything. But how heart-breaking to fail when we don’t have to. Some of you are closer to success than you know. Before you give up, give yourself every opportunity for a light bulb to go on, for an aha moment to arise, and for a breakthrough to happen. I wish you success!

Ever been rejected, castoff, or fired? It’s no fun. I know firsthand. But be inspired! With tenacity and talent your story is not done. Night may fall, but morning is coming. Darkness may loom, but light will shine. God has something “SUPER” for you.

I tip my helmet to these persevering pig-skinners!

(1) Evan Mathis, the two-time Pro Bowl guard, was unexpectedly released by the Eagles. Heartbreak was averted when Denver picked him up. He’ll block for quarterback Peyton Manning this Sunday.

(2) Kurt Coleman got dumped by Chip Kelly as well a year ago. Carolina assuaged the blow when they picked him up. Coleman led the Panthers with nine interceptions this year. He’ll play Sunday!

(3) Ted Ginn, Jr has had a series of disappointments—being released from Miami, San Francisco, and Arizona over the years. But Carolina gave him another chance and he responded with 10 touchdown receptions this year. He’ll play Sunday!

(4) Robert McClain was cut by the Patriots. Carolina nabbed him and he’ll play Sunday!

(5) Shiloh Keo was unemployed and despairing when he tweeted Bronco Coach Phillips and begged for a chance. He got it and will play on Sunday!

(6) Michael Oher was cut by Tennessee (one year into his $20 million, four-year contract). Ouch! Carolina snatched him up. He’ll play Sunday.

(7) Jared Allen, the four-time All-Pro defensive end was traded by the Bears to Carolina in October. He’ll play Sunday!

(8) Cortland Finnegan was on the retired list in late November but Carolina resurrected his dead career and signed him. He’ll play Sunday!

Stay the Course. Endure. Fight On!

But first, let me remind you that this is Super Bowl Week. The Carolina Panthers will compete on Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium (in Santa Clara, California). The NFL championship and the coveted silver Vince Lombardi Trophy are on the line. 70,000 folks will watch in the stadium and an additional 114 million will watch on TV. If you need it, kickoff time is 6:30pm ET (3:30pm PT).

A big part of this year’s 50th Super Bowl is Cam Newton. What a personality. This Auburn Heisman Trophy winner, and now Carolina Quarterback, has given us some poignant non-verbal advice on preparing for victory. His advice came when he arrived this week in the Bay Area sporting $900 zebra-print jeans from Versace.

With all the cameras on him and all the journalists in view, what did this fashion choice say? I’m told it’s the gaudiest pair of pants Cam has ever worn. Perhaps there is a message there for us. His attention-grabbing wardrobe seems to shout it out. It makes a statement. It gives advice. Here it is:

BE BOLD! Be yourself. Be different. Be true.

Boldness is key in business. Boldness is key in relationships. Boldness is key in life. I’m asking myself, “how can I be more bold?” Not bold in fashion, but bold in faith. Not bold in dress, but bold in desire. Not bold in attire, but bold in service, value, and love.

I welcome your thoughts.

Lifting Big? Dreaming Big? Planning Big? Then get a spotter. The right form and the right workout can’t replace the huge hefty gains that only come with that final rep—made possible with a spotter present. The right diet and the right supplements can’t replace the massive mammoth gains that only come with that last contracted pump—made possible with a spotter by your side.

The key to radical, ridiculous gains (with your build and with your business) is a spotter. That’s why all serious power-lifters and power-brokers have a spotter. People pushing themselves to the limit on the playing field and in the business field need spotters. Athletes and entrepreneurs eager to get every last ounce of gain need spotters. For those everyday gym members and come-as-you-are board members satisfied with a little sweat and some modest gains, a spotter is not really necessary.

A spotter is needed only when a fitness-fanatic (and a corporate crazy-man) is lifting daunting weights that take him to his breaking point. A spotter is necessary only when a workout warrior and workplace winner wants to see real gains, real growth, and real rewards. For these results-oriented souls, a good spotter is essential. Growth-demanding bodybuilders and business-builders value a partner who will push them beyond the point where they would normally have to give up and rack the weight.

In work and life, it follows that only power-players really need a spotter Another name for a spotter is a coach—a life coach, a business coach, a success coach. Those pushing themselves to the limit, personally and professionally, need coaches. Those eager to get every last ounce of gain in their projects and enterprises need coaches. For those satisfied with a good enough job and a status quo life, a coach is not necessary. A coach is a must when a marketplace hero comes along and wants to confront the impractical, the impassable, the inconceivable.

Coaches help the daring who insist on dreaming the impossible dream. A coach is necessary when a corporate cadet wants to see unthinkable gains, unimaginable growth, and unattainable rewards. A good coach knows how to push and prod his client beyond the point in which they would normally give up and rack their passions, their hopes, and their dreams.

Lifting Big? Dreaming Big? Planning Big? Then let’s talk. The key to massive gains (with your build and with your business) is a killer coach to spot you, to push you, to inspire you, and to get it done!

Everybody needs a coach—at least according to Eric Schmidt who is currently the Executive Chairman of Alphabet, Inc. If you don’t recognize his name, let me remind you that Eric was on the board at Apple from 2006-2009. He became incredibly noteworthy when he served as the CEO of Google for a decade from 2001-2011. He’s a smart guy (with a bachelors from Princeton University and a masters and Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley). What does the man with a net worth of $11 billion have to teach us? Lots, of course! But his thoughts on every leader having a personal coach are compelling.

This brilliant man noted, “Every famous athlete, every famous performer has somebody who is a coach… to give them perspective.” He continues, “One thing others are never good at is seeing themselves as others see them. A coach really really helps!” I was so impressed by his candor and humility. Such a liberating perspective! How gracious to remind us all that we do our best work with the help, assistance, and partnership of others.

Let’s face it, we all want to think that we’re brilliant, or at least smart enough to do what we’re called to do on our own. But we’re not. We are not enough by ourselves, that is, if we’re looking to be the best at our craft, to do something amazing in our field, or to make a significant mark in the world. If Erich Schmidt has a coach, then I trust everybody needs a coach. I have a few coaches myself. I even have a coach to help me better coach. I value the perspective. I’ve seen the rich return on this investment. How about you? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Donald Trump is a current phenomenon. This American billionaire business magnate is dominating headlines. This bombastic investor, socialite, author, and television personality is the talk of the town. This 2016 candidate for President of the United States is leading in the polls. What can we learn from this man’s popularity and appeal?

Whether you like Donald Trump or not, here are three things you can glean from his success that people really like.