My Seven Favorite Motivational Videos.

Every year, I try to think of something to give away to all of my clients, colleagues, and friends. This year, I would like to offer up my Top 7 motivational videos I watch regularly to help add a little bit of energy and enthusiasm to my life.

I know you'll enjoy them — so without further ado (and in no special order) . . .

1. 5'7'' White Kid Dunks After 6 Months Of Training.

2. Meet the Gutsy Dad That Started a Car Wash to Help His Son Find Purpose.

3. We Stopped Dreaming - Neil deGrasse Tyson.

4. TED Talk: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.

5. Jack LaLanne truly was ahead of his time. Here he is speaking on "The Secret of Happiness."

6. What will your last 10 years look like?

7. This is Water - Commencement Speech by David Foster Wallace

Extra Credit: Rise & Shine! The Ultimate Motivational Clip.

Get More Energy & Enthusiasm During The Day!

I've been noticing many of my clients, colleagues and friends inquire how I have so much energy and enthusiasm during the day. Here's my secret:

I wake up at 4:30 AM every morning. It's that easy.

Now you might be saying . . . "Rich, are you CRAZY? 4:30 AM? You are INSANE!!!!!" Maybe. Maybe not.

When I worked in corporate, I woke up at 4:30, showered, got dressed, and commuted one hour and hit my office by 6 AM. I started working and got in 3 hours of work before other people officially started at 9 AM. So when I left at 5 PM, I didn't feel bad at all - I actually was working (in office timing) until 8 PM every night. My superior knew (and most of my peers and clients in the UK and AsiaPac).

For the past 10+ years, I've run my coaching business and this model works SO WELL for me. I get SO MUCH done every morning and have more than enough time to coach my clients from 7 AM to 5 PM.

I also go to bed around 9:30-10 PM. What else would I do? Sit around and watch TV? What a waste of time.

I leave work at 5 PM, get home by 6 PM, and spend 3-4 quality hours with my family making dinner, cleaning up, helping with homework, and doing small chores around the house with my wife (we do things together).

So next time you say to yourself . . . "I don't have any time!" You actually do — it's how you use it.

Who Else Wants To Add Power & Purpose To Their Life?

Ever see the last scene from The Bourne Supremacy? Here it is (start the clip at 1:25 in). In addition to the great soundtrack cut from Moby, you see Bourne walking off into the crowds of Manhattan.

Do you notice HOW he walks? With PURPOSE.

He has a fast stride, is focused, and is determined to move forward, quickly.

I want you to do the same thing. I want you to walk 20% faster than you do now. Why?

1. You get where you're going faster.
2. You use different muscles when you walk faster.
3. You catch people's attention when you move faster.
4. You breathe differently and your heart pumps a bit faster.
5. It adds focus, energy, and action to every step you take.

Let me say that again — IT ADDS FOCUS, ENERGY, AND ACTION TO EVERY STEP YOU TAKE.

Focus - Since you're moving faster, you have to anticipate and react faster. So you have to hone in on what you're doing and focus.

Energy - Since you are moving your body differently and with purpose, you get the lungs, blood, and muscles all flowing.

Action - Combine both of these together and you are adding activity to a mundane process.

How many times do you catch yourself strolling or walking slowly? Ever think about how that makes you feel? That's right — it relaxes you, it slows down the energy, and allows you to focus (i.e., worry) about a lot of things.

Walking 20% faster will get you out of the doldrums, get your juices flowing, and honestly . . . ideas will pop out of your head. You WILL add power and purpose with every step.

Try it.

Make 2012 The Best Year EVER.

This is my daily 'mantra'. It's comprised of many quotes taken from famous people and around the web (it's not original, but it's powerful). Wake up in the morning and say this to yourself:

Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I will accomplish what others can't.

Successful people get ahead during the time that other people waste.

I don't waste time, for time is what life is comprised of.

To live is the rarest thing in the world, and I'm gonna live fully until I die.

At Noon, say this to yourself when things get hard and you get discouraged:

Don't quit.

Put up with adversity now to set the stage of my future life as a champion.

I have to increase my will, my fortitude, my enthusiasm, and my energy to move forward.

Welcome the fight, for the struggle itself will not only teach me new things, it will push me to do better.

Right before you go to bed, say this to yourself to fuel your body and mind for the day ahead:

I moved my life, my career and my relationships forward today.

I did this, and this, and this, and this . . .

I am one step closer to my goals (even though we sometimes have to do the '2 steps forward, 1 step back' dance).

I have a roof over my head, I am not hungry, I am healthy. And I have myself and the wonderful people around me to thank for this.

Feel free to use my 'mantra' or come up with your own for 2012. Trust me — you will MOVE MOUNTAINS.

Get Ahead & Have Fun At The Same Time.

I coached a client this morning and got them focused and targeted. I thought I'd share it with you: I call it ENERGETIC ENTHUSIASM.

Let's say you have a strict deadline to deliver — 30 days to complete your task. So you have to get off your butt and get it done.

FACT: Dig deep into your well and pull out the energy to get things done quickly. But you also have to couple it with a deep sense of true enthusiasm to ensure you don't run out of steam halfway through.

The bad news: It's hard to start.

It's like a lawn mower in the back of your shed — you need to use it, but you haven't pulled the cord for years. It might take 5-10 minutes of pulling, sweating, and swearing — but when it's complete — it's running and you are off cutting grass.

The good news: It's easy to maintain. Once you start the enthusiasm engine, the energy just flows from all of your pores. Ideas flow, people are caught up in the maelstrom, and you just keep going, going, going.

The only caveat: Stay away from energy vampires. They are (in no real order):

• Gossipy colleagues and friends
• The piles of paper, to-do's, and mess in your office (you need this guy)
• Family members who complain
• The news, media or any resource that thrives on bad news
• Surfing - set a specific time to surf and then get off the web

Energy vampires will sap your energy in no time flat. Keep the enthusiasm cycle moving & keep your energy up. Here are some energy service stations:

• Exercise - do anything, go for a walk, workout, anything - get a personal trainer.
• Music - get your favorite jazzy tunes and listen - iTunes
• Motivational speakers - Zig Ziglar, Anthony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk
• Dance/Sing - move your body and your voice, do Zumba!
• Meet energizing people - say hello to everyone and wish them a great day, go here.
• Spiritual - Go to church/temple/mosque/meetinghouse - commune with God
• Meditate - If you don't know how - check John Mercede out
• Brainstorm with your team or boss - go offsite and think outside of the box

Don't just get a little energy — couple it with enthusiasm. Don't just get a little enthusiasm — bind it with energy.

You won't know what hit you, your career and your life.

What do you do to develop your Energetic Enthusiasm?

POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BELOW

P.S. How did you like this article? Let me know. Are you interested in what I can do for you? Let’s talk. I work with people from all over the world who need to fill up their energy service stations — call me to schedule a complimentary session.

How To Energize Everyone You Meet.

I was speaking with one of my incredible clients last week and we began to touch upon how one delivers a powerful and memorable business encounter. What do I mean?

You know when you meet someone and they instantly energize you? Every interaction is not only a positive experience, but also a life-changing one? Where you walk away and say quietly to yourself, "Who is that guy/gal?" You find yourself shaking hands and realizing that you're getting more than you gave?

We've all met people like this. And many people have related that I make them feel that way. So I sat down over the weekend and tried to dissect exactly what I do when I meet people (for the first time and even subsequent meetings).

The best part is they become instant acolytes and customers of YOU. That's a good thing.

It can be broken into four distinct areas:

1. Energy

Summon up the forces within you and exude copious amount of energy when you meet someone. Enthusiasm, vibe, electricity . . . whatever you want to call it . . . you need to grow it within you and then focus it on the person.

A smile, a hearty handshake, a quickness to your step — much of it initially is body language. Focus intently on the person and look them in the eye while you smile.

Talk a bit faster when you first meet and really pound your language with active tones, "REALLY glad to meet you Tom . . . I can't think of a more BEAUTIFUL day outside!"

2. Authenticity

This one is key — many people feel it's what you know or who you know that makes you stand out and successful in today's marketplace. Although they are important, I feel to truly succeed, you need to exude authenticity.

Simply — speak and act truly about your own feelings, thoughts, and desires. Don't hide behind a facade or mask — people can smell it a mile away.

Be yourself — show others who you really are and what you can do. You'll find you will be instantly accepted for being authentic — a rarity in today's business world.

3. Connectivity

Take a concerted interest in the other person — ask questions, listen to their answers, and then interject with follow up questions/builds.

An example: "So where did you go to school? Ripon College? In Wisconsin? I went to Ripon College too! What year did you graduate? Did you know Joe Bestul? Who were your favorite professors? Isn't this AMAZING?"

Try to CONNECT with them — ask loads of questions and find areas of shared interests which will bind you together. Once you make the connection — trust follows.

4. Destiny

Don't leave any interaction, meeting, lunch . . . anything . . . without next steps. If it's a brief encounter — set up a lunch or coffee. If it's a meeting — what will you do for them?

Ensure any interaction has consequence — and hopefully where you provide something for THEM. In doing so, your relationship will broaden, expand, and get stronger.

Try to offer up an emailed article, an introduction, a strong referral — something to make sure you walk away giving more than you received. That's important.

What other areas might I've missed that you find critical to a powerful interaction?

Extreme Mojo (or Driving On The Corporate Autobahn).

The other night, I played Call of Duty—Black Ops with my son on his new Xbox 360 (with Kinect!). It's an amazing system — and it's quite entertaining. Unfortunately, I played it all wrong — or at least that's what my son told me (vociferously). I either camped out in one spot and picked everyone off like a sniper, or I ran blindly into the fray as fast as I could shooting everyone in sight. As I was reprimanded by my son, the 'right' way to play is to move slowly and shoot strategically at your enemies. I disagree ;)

What if we migrate this idea into business? There is a theory of moving slowly and acting strategically to hit your deadlines and vanquish your obstacles.

Have you ever started to pick up significant momentum during a project, moving faster and faster, leaving everyone behind? Where your team all aligned behind you like a Lionel train set all chugging faster and faster, and no one dared to get in your way? It's call MOJO.

I see this happen often with executives and businesspeople who have a clear vision of purpose. No one, and I mean no one, will get in their way. They drive forward and make things happen when they want them to happen. Even if the 'human obstacles' complain to upper management, no one wants to get in the way of this speeding train.

You need a few things for Mojo to occur:

• A crystal-clear vision - all mapped out with alternate directions.
• Quick thinking - you must think 3-4 steps ahead of everyone else.
• A good lay of the land - anticipate all the obstacles that might come from other departments or people.
• Firm foundation of support - a few superiors, peers, and subordinates who believe you can do it.
• Energy - the ability to quickly pick oneself off the ground, dust yourself off, and start running.
• Enthusiasm - it's infectious - you need to convert lots of friends, admirers, and help from high places along the way.

I've seen (and had) this Mojo many times in my career. It's beautiful to watch everyone scurry out of the way (but take notice) of a fellow colleague driving on the corporate Autobahn at 180 mph.

Have you ever accelerated past the speed of light at work? What happened? What surprised you?

Gasoline, Hybrid, & Electric Cars Are Not The Answer.

Am I not getting this? I follow this news track often because I am very interested in this country's future energy needs. What I keep seeing is a concerted (and in my opinion, a highly misguided and uninformed) focus on alternative energy vehicles that still require energy from dirty energy sources. Let me explain:

Gasoline - This is a no brainer. Don't even add what's happening in the Gulf right now. Our attention to gasoline puts this country at risk by forcing us to do business with unstable countries. This should stop.

Hybrids - Great idea, but it still uses gasoline. And if you ever drove one, the pickup is not quite what you'd expect. And at the end of the day, the mileage is still equal (or surpassed) to a VW Polo Diesel (check it out). Also - just wait when you need to replace your batteries - there will be a lot of angry people out there.

Electric Cars - All I read today focuses on the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. Where will the electricity come from? The air? No - it will come from Oil, Coal, and Nuclear - all three are very dirty. And you have to plug them in everywhere since they only get 100 miles per charge.

So where do we go from here? I have three words: Honda FCX Clarity - the most important car since the car was invented.

Check out this video:

No Oil. No Gasoline. No Electricity. It runs on Hydrogen - the most abundant element in the universe and it spits out water vapor. How do we do it?

This should be Our Five Year Plan:

Step 1: Government subsidies (Manhattan Project) to help automakers retool to produce hydrogen cars. Begin to incrementally tax gasoline to painfully move the public to hydrogen. Trucks can still use diesel (or natural gas) - we can focus on them in the second round. Step 2: All gas stations are refitted not to dispense gasoline, but to dispense liquid hydrogen. Step 3: State rebates to help owners purchase and own new hydrogen cars (you can probably throw in federal too). Step 4: Convert all refining stations that turn petroleum into gasoline into refining stations that turn water/seawater into hydrogen. Same energy expended - different results. Step 5: Leverage the existing distribution system for gasoline to now carry hydrogen. Step 6: Slowly wean the American public off gasoline - still have it around - just for antique cars - and keep it really expensive.

It's that easy - or am I missing something in my logic?

I know it will be a hard 5 years - but no harder than the trillions we have spent on wars to keep the oil flowing.