In 1961, Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell is born.

In 1966, The Mamas and the Papas started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with “Monday Monday”.

In 1968, Reginald Dwight officially changed his name to Elton Hercules John.

In 1972, The Rolling Stones released Exile on Main Street, the second album on their own label.

In 1977, The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with “Hotel California”, the groups fourth US No.1 hit.

In 1998, singer Steve Perry, who was suffering from degenerative hip problems, left Journey when the band decided to tour without him.

“Human nature is attracted to life’s dirty laundry. Watching the train wreck is often more interesting than witnessing the rescue efforts.” ~ @tomleu

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a speaker, photographer, musician, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. The RockStarWay™ explores the success psychology within music, marketing, & motivation.

©Tom Leu

Not necessarily.

Hedge your bet by inverting this assertion. It should read one to a million…

In radio, DJ’s are trained to speak as if they’re broadcasting to an audience of just one person. The idea is to keep the feel of the “conversation” intimate and personal. To establish and keep a connection…

This philosophy is sage advice for any circumstance that involves interacting and influencing others.

The target audience needs to begin with just one.

Maybe it will get to one million, maybe it won’t.

Either way, it doesn’t really matter if what you’re doing really matters.

Matters to who?

To you.

Because if what you’re putting out there is important (to you), and if your content is impactful (to others), then the size of the audience, especially in the beginning, is less important than all of the aforementioned factors. If those elements are there, you will eventually attract interest. Many get this whole thing backwards. They’re planning for, and marketing to the big audience before they’re even sure who their small audience is.

Connecting with just one person… Making a difference to just one person… Impacting just one person… Getting through to just one person… Helping just one person…

… is the one thing worth millions.

The world tells us that the numbers matter; the heart tells us that they don’t.

The truth of the matter; your truth within the matter; is what really matters.

So work toward being one in million, instead of worrying about a million to one odds.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a speaker, photographer, musician, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. The RockStarWay™ explores the success psychology within music, marketing, & motivation.

©2013 Tom Leu

In 1948, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward is born.

In 1956, Elvis Presley scored his first US No.1 single and album when “Heartbreak Hotel” went to the top of the charts.

In 1959, Echo And The Bunnymen lead singer Ian McCulloch is born.

In 1966, the John Lennon song “I’m Only Sleeping” was recorded for the Beatles Revolver album.

In 1968, Buffalo Springfield broke up. Richie Fury formed Poco and Stephen Stills teamed up with David Crosby and Graham Nash to form Crosby Stills & Nash.

In 1969, The Beatles single “Get Back” was released in the US.

In 1973, Elvis Presley went to No.1 on the US album chart with Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite.

In 1984, Duran Duran’s “The Reflex” went to No.1 on the UK singles.

Success results largely from positioning and ability. First, you have to get into position for exposure to opportunities. Second, you must then possess the necessary skills and abilities (in the moment) to maximize those opportunities. Discipline yields dividends. ~ @tomleu

©Tom Leu

In 1962, The Beatles began a month long performance schedule at The Star Club, Hamburg, Germany.

In 1966, original Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt is born.

In 1967, 32-year-old Elvis Presley married 21-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu seven years after they first met.

In 1967, country superstar Tim McGraw is born.

In 1968, Smashing Pumpkins bassist D’arcy Wretsky-Brown is born.

In 1971, The Rolling Stones released the single - ”Brown Sugar,” the group’s first release on its own Rolling Stones Records label.

In 1976, Led Zeppelin’s fifth No. 1 album, Presence, started a two-week run on top of the US album chart.

In 1980, the South African government banned Pink Floyd’s single “Another Brick In The Wall” after black children adopted the song as their anthem in protest against inferior education.

In 1984, Fleetwood Mac drummer and founder member Mick Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy.

In 2005, Coldplay became the first British band to have a new entry in the US Top 10 singles chart for “Speed of Sound” since The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” in 1968.

People basically want three things: 1) We want things (ideas, products, & services) that solve problems and bring us pleasure to make our lives better somehow. 2) We want these things to be easy. 3) We want them fast. **Figure out what just one of these “things” is, make it available to others, and your life will never be the same. ~ @tomleu

©Tom Leu

Some call it “getting lucky.” Others call it hard work.

Sometimes it’s a little of both as indicated by the equation:

Luck = Preparation + Opportunity.

I agree with this formula, BUT… we also need to understand that opportunites that you’re unprepared for aren’t really opportunities. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. We need to be honest about how prepared we really are before pursuing any available opportunities. Otherwise, we may end up never getting what we want.

However… sometimes what we wish for (and end up getting), isn’t really what we wanted after all.

Vocal virtuoso Don Dokken got lucky in 1981 when a fortuitous trip to Germany to sing background vocals for the Scorpions resulted in a record deal. Fast foward 9 years through the hey-day of the hair metal movement, the multi-platinum band imploded due to Dokken’s and lead guitarist George Lynch’s volatile relationship. The acrimony still exists to this day.

Once on the inside looking out, the reality sometimes pales in comparison to the fantasy.

At this point it might be tempting to believe that it was all for nothing.

Hardly. Even if the end-result isn’t what you thought it was going to be, you’re usually better off for the experience.

*Recognizing that the earned experience of now knowing is more valuable than not knowing IS the “luck” that lasts.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a speaker, photographer, musician, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. The RockStarWay™ explores the success psychology within music, marketing, & motivation.

©2013 Tom Leu

Somebody drops the ball and you’re now the one who has to deliver the bad news…

The “what” you have to do next is important.

The ”how” you choose to do it is even more important…

Some leaders and managers confront with a snarky, passive-aggressive tone that only serves to alienate and piss people off. Other leaders and managers communicate with a tact and couth that still makes the point, but without any unnecessary collateral damage.

I’ve worked with and for these nit-picky types in the past. They needle, prick, and prod a person until the initial issue at hand is so far faded into the background, that nobody even remembers what the f*ck the actual problem was in the first place. These types pride themselves on uncovering aberrations. They get their self-esteem and sense of self-worth by finding the faults of others, and bringing them to the forefront.

So are you largely encouraging and positive, focusing on what’s good? Or are you largely a nay-saying and negative, focusing only on what’s not-so-good?

As a leader of anyone, HOW you choose to deliver the bad news is one of the most important skill-sets you can acquire. I don’t care if you have ten PhD’s, if you fail at this… you fail. Period. That dissertation is useless if you’re ineffective in real time, with real people, in real situations.

If you come off as hard-nosed and hard-to-please, you’re going to alienate people into despising you. One could argue that this approach does produce results however. I’ll agree to a point, but will further argue that these results are usually short-lived, and this approach only works for the short-term.

If you present as someone who requires high standards and quality, AND emboldens and encourages others along the way, you’re going to attract people to you. This approach typically produces results that are long-lasting and long-term.

The choice is clear.

Don’t be dick. Deliver the bad news and hold people accountable, but do so in a manner that garners allegiance, not defiance. It’s a critically important art form that few truly master.

Be one of the few.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” and RockStarWay™ communications strategies and skills.

©2013 Tom Leu

Admit it… you like to watch… and to read… and to hear about…

… the bad news.

Most slow down to get a closer look at the car wreck.

We watch the addicts and delinquents on TV.

We listen to the blowhards and ranters on the radio.

We’re attracted to those behaving badly.

Those on the fringes… the freaks, the felons, and the misfits.

We’re drawn to the break-ups, debacles, and scandals.

We prefer to skip over the good news and reviews and get right to the bad ones.

We want to know what the “haters” are thinking and saying… though we outwardly despise them, we secretly admire them for chucking their politically correct persona.

We may pretend not to notice, but we see it.

We may feel bad about it sometimes, but… if we’re being honest…

We want – the dirty laundry.

Why?

Because it’s often more interesting and exciting than the humdrum drone of daily life.

Because it makes us feel better about ourselves in some ways, on some days.

Because we like to quietly cringe within the safety of our own voyeuristic caves.

Because we’re thinking “better them than me,” while possibly feeling a bit guilty for thinking that way.

Because misery love company.

That’s why.

And if you disagree, you’re in denial. Time to come down from your lofty perch.

You’re not the exception. No one is.

Advertisers and businesses bank on the bad news.

They say: “Feeling bad? We’ve got what you need to feel better!”

They also say: “Feeling good? We’ve got what you need to keep feeling good and avoid feeling bad!”

Some studies have shown that human beings will go to greater lengths to avoid pain than to seek pleasure.

To some, avoiding pain IS their “pleasure.”

The point of this preamble?

We’re all much more alike than different at the core. None of us are terribly unique… not really.

We humans can be a twisted bunch. We’re frighteningly similar at the core.

Accept it for what it is. Own your inner insidious self.

Just be aware of this condition… this human nature to be attracted to the negative; the down-and-out; the dark side at times.

But don’t be a dick about it. Keep your peeping private, and leave others out of it.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a speaker, photographer, musician, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. The RockStarWay™ explores the success psychology within music, marketing, & motivation.

©2013 Tom Leu

Here is the third, and final installment of my in-depth interview with Michael Corin of Anavox. Be sure to check out both Part 1 and Part 2 as well. Here in Part 3,  we get into deep conversation about famous authors, the human condition involving risk-taking, being open-minded, awareness, handling change and learning, being misunderstood, people-pleasing, and lots of other “heavy” and “deep” concepts that some of you will love. And others, well, perhaps you should read it anyway…

PART 3

Tom:                I want to mention a name of an author that I know you’re familiar with. Somebody that I’m a very big fan of and read a lot of his books. Throughout all of his books, he talks about the kind of stuff we’ve been discussing here, and a whole bunch more. I’ve also had a chance to listen to some of his audios books as well. His name is Robert Greene. Are you familiar with the man?

Michael:          Absolutely. I have his books with me right now.

Tom:                In fact, I can vividly remember being in Nashville, or Rockford with you at one point, and seeing your bag, and you had a couple of Robert Greene books with you. Of course, he’s the author of “The 48 Laws of Power”, “The Art of Seduction”, “The 33 Strategies of War”, and ”The 50th Law” among others. “The 50th Law” is a very, very interesting book that he co-authored with the superstar rap artist, 50 Cent. I know I was raving about that book to you previously. All of his books are great. He gets at the heart of these kinds of things about communication skills and persuasion, and what I call, social strategy. It’s a very big part of what Lifestyle Initiative Training™ is all about. What are some things that you’ve learned from reading Robert Greene’s books, and how influential has that been on you, and who you are and what you do today?

Michael:          He’s been very influential. I love some of the things that he has to say in terms of just what makes people tick. Because honestly, especially in what I do, that’s the business that I’m in. Being able to read people and communicate with people at the core of what their feelings are and where they’re at. I love some of the stuff that he has to say. I do take it with a grain of salt a little bit because I believe that some of the things that he talks about can be looked at as being a bit of a manipulation.

Tom:                Can you explain what you mean?

Michael:          I’m talking about when you can take the good, you know; you eat the meat and leave the bone. I think when you take the good of what it is that he’s saying about what makes people tick, what makes them work, and communicating with different personalities types and that kind of a thing, it powerful stuff. When you take what he’s saying and you’re able to communicate that, and you’re able to use that with a heart of sincerity… I tell you what, that can get you far in life.

Tom:                It’s powerful stuff.

Michael:          It is. I think what we’re all trying to do, truly what sets you apart, I think as an artist or in any area, is winning hearts. I can have the greatest song in the world and that’s great, but ultimately isn’t it about people? Isn’t it about winning hearts?

Tom:                When you say “winning hearts,” what exactly do you mean by that phrase?

Michael:          I think that, whether it be what we were talking about earlier, establishing a relationship and being able to, in a moment, communicate with someone on a one-on-one level, I think that mutual respect that takes place, in those moments, is when you’re winning hearts. You’re creating relationships. And I think that as a writer or as an artist, when you can use your gifting to be able to tug on heart strings and connect with someone right where they’re at, that doesn’t happen by accident.

Tom:                Interesting.

Michael:          You have to be aware of the human condition and what it is that moves people. And I think that what really makes people a success, the guys that have been doing it 25, 30 years successfully, are people that can consistently connect with other people to a point of where they feel involved and emotionally invested in what it is that your art is or what it is that you’re doing. And I think it’s something that can be learned over time, but again, you have to be aware of it and have to desire to be better than what you are now.

Tom:                It’s a very interesting observation. And wow, it’s kind of deep. Good stuff. I love it! “An awareness of the human condition,” Michael, what are you talking about? I thought you were in a rock band, bro. Dude, you’re sounding all psychological and such. I’m with you. I’m just kidding of course, but this is fantastic stuff. Absolutely. That’s what it comes down to. Again, this is not easy stuff to do.

You just said you think it can be learned? I would agree with you. I think just like some of us are born taller than others, and some of us are born with different kinds of body styles and personality types and different things like that. I also think we’re born with different acumen, if you will, with regards to communication skills and things along those lines, but I DO think these skills can be learned and enhanced. Reading books by Robert Greene and so many others worth mentioning, can be so useful to sharpen those skills. You said taking some of it with a grain of salt. Absolutely, but not too much salt.

What’s the motive behind becoming a great communicator? Is it to manipulate and hurt, or is it to help and persuade in a positive way? You called it “winning hearts.” I think that’s great. You can come up with a lot of different creative phrases that way, but what you’re talking about is the awareness of the human condition in knowing what’s going on inside of your surroundings with other people. It’s critical. I call it “seeing things.” I have a whole brand of resources in and around that concept. It’s about seeing things in quotes, from a figurative sense. It takes a lot of effort. It’s hard work, but worth it. It’s one of the goals that I have for doing interviews like this. It’s about first helping to raise awareness. The motive behind talking to people like you, about these kinds of things is is to inspire and encourage other people to strive for greater levels of these kinds of things. Because we’re all on a journey together. I’m learning from listening to you today.

Michael:          Does that journey, does that desire to become a better communicator, to be aware of it, do you think that ever ends? Do you ever arrive?

Tom:                Personally, no. I don’t think so. And I would argue that anyone says ”I have arrived, I’ve mastered communication, I’m there, I’m at the top,” I feel strongly that the act of saying that is demonstration of the contrary. Because I think that we’ve all been in situations, and will be again, where we blow it. Where we’re not listening. We say the wrong thing. The foot-in-mouth syndrome. The insensitivity. The lack of awareness in the moment, because we’re caught up with ourselves because we’re having one of those days, or whatever else is going on. I personally don’t think we arrive, and I think if anyone says that they have… I’d be very wary of that person.

Michael:          Hmmm, yeah.

Tom:                Switching gears to the concept of risk-taking as it pertains to personal or professional or endeavors, how do you determine which risks are worth taking and which ones aren’t? Is there a thought process that goes into that for you? What does that look like?

Michael:          Absolutely. I think that in any area of life that you want to be successful in, there comes a point in time where you have to take risks. They’re calculated risks, but nonetheless, you have to take them in order to step forward. I wish I could tell you that I’ve taken risks and it works every time and things are wonderful. But the reality is that when you have a vision, and you have a dream, and you pursue that with all your heart, it involves risk. And you know what? I’ve lost friends, very dear relationships that I thought would always be there, but life took people in different directions.

Honestly, I’ve experienced a lot of heartache because of the way life goes and the way things go. But truthfully, what you find when you step into those kinds of risks and you take them, is that your true friends, your true relationships, and your true self ultimately rises to the top. I think it’s then that you find what really matters.

Tom:                Do you feel closer today to understanding what it means to be a happy person? And again, I know that might sound trite on the surface, but like we talked about earlier, it’s not. If you ask 20 people what they want in life, you’re pretty much going to get the same answer from pretty much everybody. ”I just want to be happy.” People say that all the time: I just want to be happy, I want to be happy, well what does that mean? What does that mean for you, number one and number two, do you feel like you’re any closer to understanding what that really means for Michael Corin?

Michael:          That’s a great question. I actually feel way closer today. I am happy and I think I had to come to the realization that… and I read it somewhere… but the idea that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that the pursuit of happiness isn’t true. Happiness in within us. Happiness is a decision that we make every day. You allow yourself to be happy or not. When someone says something or encourages you, is it what they’re saying that makes you happy, or is it that you’re allowing yourself to feel the feelings of being happy.

Tom:                So, we don’t arrive at happiness?

Michael:          I don’t think so, any more that I think that love is a choice. I think that happiness is not circumstantial. It’s not about outside sources and things that happen to you. Sure. I think some of those things can encourage happiness, but ultimately happiness is within you and it’s a decision. That’s my personal view on it, that’s what I’ve experienced, and I think that so much about what happens in life isn’t what happens to you, but it’s how you handle it, and you respond and how you react to what happens to you. Your perception is everything and for me, I’m in a position now where I’m happier than I’ve ever been because I think again, I’m aware of that. I can choose to let moments slip by or I can live in a moment and suck the juice out of it. You know what I mean?

Tom:                Yes, I do, absolutely. You just said something there… and being a good interviewer, I’m listening to what you’re saying, not just hearing you. You said the word perception a second ago and actually it’s something else I wanted to ask you about. I write and speak a lot about the difference between perception and perspective. They’re different, of course. But you mentioned perception and how we see things, and I referenced that before too. Here’s a question for you: How do you know that your perception of things, the world, is right? How do you really know? How does anybody know for that matter?

Michael:          Wow, that’s a loaded question! I think there comes a point where, well, you’ve got your references, and you’ve got the things that you’ve experienced in your life. And you’ve got the things that you’ve been through that cause you to feel, to believe, and to think certain ways about things. But I think there also comes a point in time where you have to have faith. And I think faith plays a big part of that, at least for me. I have to have faith and choose to believe in the decisions that I make are the best possible decisions I could make for myself with the information that I have. And I think that everybody has different references.

People have grown up in broken homes; people have grown up in homes where whose parents are still together. People have had experiences with terrible break-up’s or deaths in the family or things like that, or some people have had wonderful experiences. I think life has its ups and downs, and I think that the way you choose to see the world.. I think you’re shaped by those things. For me, I personally try to live a lifestyle from a standpoint of faith where I’m saying “OK, what would God think about this, what would God think about that, what do the scriptures say about certain things?” I’m not perfect, I make tons of mistakes and my perceptions are off sometimes, but you just do the best you can.

Tom:                Absolutely, who is perfect? Nobody listening. But, if you think you are please give me a call, and let me know because I want to have you on and interview you to find out how you achieved that perfection. Here’s another question: And I know these are kind of deep and psychological, but how important is being open-minded for a person, any person? Open-minded, whatever that specifically means, in our society today, in a civilized society… do you think that people need to be open-minded, can we go too far with that, is there a limit, is there a line?

We certainly can talk about this from a sociological and a psychological standpoint, society today versus society 50 years ago, is obviously very, very different. But in some circles, if you talk about being open-minded, that’s a negative thing. You’re not encouraged to have an open mind about anything. In other circles being open-minded is a positive attribute. What do you think about that? How important is this concept of being open-minded in a civilized society today, in today’s day and age?

Michael:          I think it’s like anything, I think it’s in moderation. I think being open-minded is very important, but I think it also depends on what you’re talking about. If you’re talking about being open-minded in an area where it could potentially cause you or people that you care about harm, I don’t obviously think that’s a good thing. I think it’s really important to be able to see where other people are coming from in all walks of life.

Back to the communication thing, I think being open-minded about how people feel, what their references are, and again, being very aware of that is so important. I keep going back to that, but there really is strength and power there. I believe that when you know where someone is coming from, you can sympathize and you can act accordingly and understandingly. I think being open-minded is very important. I think it’s important especially in the kind of business I’m in because life changes. And I think when you are stuck in your ways and you’re not willing to adapt and change, I think you can get left behind.

Tom:                You CAN get left behind, and many do. That’s another great point you make; the ability and the willingness to adapt to change. Change, something that I think all people, on some level or another, are adverse to. We don’t like things to change. Some say they do, and I think some people are more tolerable of it than others, but I believe there’s a core need that we all have for things to stay the same. We like stability and certainty, right? And an inability or unwillingness to change is going to lead to unhappiness, sooner or later.

Michael:          In everything that you do, the writings and the teaching and all that kind of stuff… have you found that you have to adapt or be open-minded even in how you teach? Does it depend on the different people or different crowds you’re interacting with?

Tom:                A 100% Yes is my answer to that! You stand in front of a classroom or a conference room full of people, and depending on the situation and your role in that moment, you have to be ultra-aware of the environment and what the expectations are in that particular scenario. And then, yeah, I definitely have to be adaptable and open-minded to deliver the best that the moment calls for. I’m in rooms of 30 or more in the audience, for example… men, women, younger, older, and different racial groups are represented. All of us are coming in with all kinds of different life experiences, perceptions, perspectives, biases, and prejudices. We’re coming into the room with all our collective stuff that we’ve accumulated from a lifetime of experiences up until that moment. And we’re there, and then we say go… we’re on.

So just like today, when we came together to talk for this interview, we arrived here today and we’re bringing everything with us that we’ve been through up until this point. It’s influencing  and shaping how we feel, what we say, what we don’t say, what we believe, what we don’t believe, and all of those dynamics.. And so, I’ve had to be very open-minded and very adaptable, and I’ve found that the more I’m willing to be, the better my outcomes. But I agree with you, there’s a line with this as well.

The more I’m willing to be really open, and I’m making a decision to be a good listener, there’s so much I can learn from other people that at first glance I might miss. For example, in my college classrooms, I would always say at the beginning of every single term that I’m here because selfishly I’m looking forward to learning from all of you over the next several weeks in this class. Even though I’m the “teacher.”

Michael:          Really, even being the teacher?

Tom:                Yes, I’m the teacher saying that and I mean it. I get all these looks like “What? Really?” Some people just flat out don’t believe me in the beginning. They think it’s just a platitude. They just think I’m just saying it, but it’s the honest truth. Thinking back on several years of teaching, every single course I’ve ever taught online or off, regardless of the subject matter, I’ve learned a tremendous amount from different students. It doesn’t really matter who technically has the teacher or the student role. The goal is always to learn, and I’ve learned a ton.

We’ve all probably had teachers and other “educators,” trainers, mentors, whatever you call them, who’ve not been open-minded, not willing to learn, not willing to listen to anything anyone else has to say. And we can probably agree that some of these situations were a big waste of time. So, that’s why I say what I say to my classes, and why I feel good about it.

Michael:          There’s something about being in that mind set you’re talking about in every area of life that’s very fulfilling. In your relationships, in the classroom like you talked about, how fulfilling is it to have that mind set in every area that you walk in life? It’s energizing, isn’t it?

Tom:                Absolutely it is! I have to go into every situation that way. Even if, admitting full-disclosure here, I don’t always feel like it every single moment of every single day. I’m a person, I get tired, I get cranky, things happen, and things come up. But more often than not, this willingness to be open and to learn from others is there. It’s why I’m talking to you today. I want to learn from you. Hopefully we’re learning from each other. I’m also hoping that anyone else reading or listening to this interview is also benefitting, and learning some things as well. That’s the whole point.

I reference music, and talk a lot about being a “rock star” within my work. Again, to be a rock star in the real world doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with being a musician. You happen to be a musician, but I argue that we can all be “rock stars” in whatever it is that we do. And I think some of the core foundational stuff that allows us to be these rock stars, if you will, is this stuff that we’ve been talking about here. The ability to change, and be adaptable, and to communicate and listen well, and to have a heightened awareness, and to see things figuratively speaking. This stuff is the ball-game in my opinion. It’s not always easy but so, so necessary, and it makes me happy at the end of the day. It makes me happy to do this, to talk about this stuff, and to affect change in myself and others.

Michael:          Sure. It’s very fulfilling. I completely agree with you and I love the concept of what you’re doing with Lifestyle Initiative Training™. It’s not as much about what people do, as who you are. And that’s what this whole thing is about. That’s what life is about.. it’s being able at the end of the day, to put your head on the pillow and go, “OK, I’m happy with who I am.”

Tom:                Absolutely! So let me ask you this question: What is something that people misunderstand about Michael Corin?

Michael:          Oh, wow. Let’s see.

Tom:                First of all, do you ever feel misunderstood?

Michael:          I do.

Tom:                OK.

Michael:          I do. In fact, I’ve experienced that at one time or another, and it was a big deal in my life for me. People that I really cared about, I think, misunderstood me. I think probably my intensity, for example, when I get in a recording studio or I get in an atmosphere where I’m really locking into what it is that I do, I’m very, very intense. So, I think I’ve been misunderstood before where people think I’m upset or even potentially can come across as arrogant, which is just not in my heart at all.

I think having a vision and having a focus contributes to this. You’ve got a song in your head, or you’ve got this idea, and I’m so passionate about just wanting to get it out and being able to hear what it sounds like when it’s all put together and comes across. Sometimes, in a working environment, I’m incredibly intense, and I’ve had a hard time with people misreading that about me at times.

Tom:                Sure. Understood. And that’s a good example of work and play, and trying to find that line. So, I can agree with that. If you had to select, off the top of your head, three adjectives that best describe you, right now, what would they be?

Michael:          Passionate. Let’s see, fun. I like to have fun. And I love to laugh.

Tom:                I can attest to that…

Michael:          Let’s see, maybe aware is another one.

Tom:                Aware, well, we talked about that earlier, right?

Michael:          Yeah, I think that’s something that I really strive to be. I really want to be that open. To be very much like what you said, being able to learn and to pull the good out of everything, so that I can turn it into something that I can use for inspiration.

Tom:                Do you ever find that to be tiring or exhaustive to be aware all the time? To be super aware, or hyper-vigilant, as I call it? Does that ever wear you out? Do you ever not feel like being that way?

Michael:          Oh, sure. I think that there are times that it’s that way. But I remember when I first started playing music, and I sat down and I had all these ideas and things that I wanted to do and communicate. I remember one of my friend’s Dad sat down with me and said, “You need to slow down because you’re going to burn out everybody around you because you’re so intense with it.” And so, for me, I think maybe it’s always come a little bit more naturally. It’s not as exhausting for me as it is inspiring. I’m constantly looking for something that’s going to be the next song or the next something that gets me through, you know what I mean?

Tom:                Yes, oh yes, I do.

Michael:         I mean, it can be tiring, but for me, I find it like fuel.

Tom:                What keeps you up at night?

Michael:         I don’t want in any way to not be honest with myself, honest with my fans, or honest with my friends about where I’m really at. I think I tried for a long time, for years in fact, to try to be what I thought everybody else wanted me to be. And the truth is, at the end of the day, I would lay my head down and feel like I wasn’t being honest about myself; about where I was. I was trying to please people. It’s that old adage, I’m not sure about the equation for success, but I know the equation for failure is trying to please everybody (else). I think that I lived through that time in my life where I’ve been trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be, and then ultimately didn’t feel good at night. So, I’m just not going to do that anymore.

Tom:                Is that another one of those things that’s hard to do, but easy to say, type of things? Aren’t we all, to a certain extent, conformists and people-pleasers? What do you think?

Michael:          Yeah, you know, for me it’s been a hard thing, but I’ve found the times that I was honest about where I was really coming from, where I was really writing from a true place, where I was really communicating from that place, that I slept better at night and my friends and fans responded better to what I was doing on a much higher level. The most successful things that I’ve ever experienced are things where I wasn’t trying to be what I thought someone else wanted me to be. I was just being myself.

Tom:                So who are you? Who is Michael Corin really? Who is yourself? We try to put words around us. I know that’s a tough question, but when you say “not trying to please others,” and by the way, I agree with you 100%, I also agree that it’s a tough thing to do. But I also think that it’s possible. How do you know when you’re being your true self and who is that? What does that look like?

Michael:          Hmm, I’m a whole bunch of people (laugh). No, honestly, I think it’s taking it moment by moment is what I’ve experienced. It’s not straying too far from my core beliefs of who I am as a person, of what the foundation of my life is, and of my faith. It’s my desire to inspire people and love on people, and to write things that are going to lift other people up. I’m not a downer. That’s not my heart. My heart is to inspire people and get people energized and excited about life. But I think, I’m not a pro at it by any means, but I think every decision, it’s one step at a time, man. You eat that elephant one bite at a time as you’ve said…

Tom:                Ah yes, one bite at a time.

Michael:          And every decision then you just choose to go with your gut, you know?

Tom:                Yes, for sure. If you have to name one impact person in your life, who would be that person?

Michael:          One person?

Tom:                An impact person… A person that’s had a profound impact on you, shaped you, and influenced you in a positive way more than any other, who would that be and why?

Michael:          Wow. Boy, you know I think it would probably be a toss-up between my Mom and Dad. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wonderful family and a support system there from the time that I started. They’re both my heroes, and they both have seen the good and the bad. I’m fortunate enough to have them as my best friends in life. And I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today, or who am I today without my Dad’s love and advice and my Mom’s love and prayers.

Tom:                Your parents are amazing! I’ve known them both personally for many years, and I love them. I hope they see or hear this, and not only heard what you had to say but myself as well. So cool. Great, great stuff! I’m going to wrap this up here with one last piece. I’m going to make this a bit of a signature thing that I do with my interviews. It’s your turn to ask me one question of your choosing since I just bombarded you with about 100. So go for it…

Michael:          Let’s see. What is it that really drives Tom Leu?

Tom:                Drives me?

Michael:          Yeah, what drives you? What is it that you’re passionate about? What gets you up every morning that you’re passionate about?

Tom:                Well, that’s a super question. That’s a great question actually. My answer to what drives me is I have a very strong need to contribute to the conversation. What I mean by that is the so-called conversation of life; contribute something positive, something inspirational, something good and motivational. I’m not afraid of the word “motivational”. I do motivational speaking and things along those lines. I don’t think it’s hokey or cheesy if it’s done from your heart, and true to who you are. So, what drives me is to contribute. There are so many people, you’re one of them, we talked about Robert Greene, and we could go on and on to include other musicians, writers, authors, speakers, everyday moms and dads, brothers and sisters all over the world that do so much good, and put so much good into the world by how they serve other people. I just want to be one of those people that can contribute to that conversation in my own unique way. Hopefully, it touches and impacts others positively. So that’s what truly drives me.

That’s why I’m talking to you today, we’re doing this interview along with all the other things that I do. That’s what gets me up in the morning and honestly, like I asked you earlier, sometimes it keeps me up at night as well. I’m constantly thinking about: “How can I make it better? What can be done differently to improve the end-result?” And things along those lines. That’s the kind of stuff that drives me.

I’m a lucky guy because I get to do what I love to do, in many different ways. And so, I started this interview with you by talking about “success” and what it mean to you. My answer to this question is that success is getting to do what you love to do, and the freedom of time that it produces. To be able to spend the precious little time we have here doing something worthwhile and lasting. That’s the truth for me. I hope that’s what you were looking for.

Michael:          Oh, absolutely and I’ll tell you what, I love what you’re doing here… and I promote it wholeheartedly!

Tom:                Thank you.

Michael:          To everyone reading or listening: We’ve been friends for a long time, and Tom Leu is the real deal. I love you, man. Thanks for having me on the show.

→ Check out both PART 1 and PART 2 of Tom Leu’s interview with Michael Corin of Anavox…

→ Links to: Anavox on Facebook | Anavox on CDBaby | Anavox on iTunes

→ Links to: Tom Leu on Facebook | Tom Leu on Twitter

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” communications★recovery strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

The number of days of sobriety today, 12/17/12.

The number of times I questioned my ability to really do this.

The number of times addiction encumbered me.

The number of times recovery from addiction empowered me.

The number of days I’m focusing on in sobriety right now…

3650

minus 3649 =

1

3650 days of one day at a time.

The number of times I should be thankful for the gift of life… times ten… times one hundred.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” communications★recovery strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

Fact: Exemplary communication skills (verbal, nonverbal, emotional, & written) yield personal and professional excellence and opportunity. Period.

Scary simple, but not easy.  And nothing to hide from…

Watch out: You might not like what’s next…

What’s even scarier is the assertion that most people suck at their communication.

That’s right, they suck. They stink at it.

Just look around… communication breakdowns are evident everywhere, everyday, in all ways.

What’s scarier yet is that most people falsely believe that they’re good at this stuff, or at least good enough.

They’re not.

They’re nowhere nearly as good as they think they are, or they NEED to be…

Most think they don’t need any additional training or enhanced skills in this area.

They do. We ALL do on occasion…

These people pay a high price for their arrogance and resulting ineptness in the long-run.

You know the world is furiously dynamic and fast-changing. As such, your communication skills must be spot-on in the moment; most moments. Your communication needs to be able to adapt and evolve within any myriad of circumstances that pop up as necessary.

That’s a mouthful. Read it again… Very few can do this effectively and consistently.

Therefore, mastering skills in the art and science of Communichology™ is not only nice, but necessary.

Being a great communicator is about embracing a lifestyle that requires taking initiative and being proactive around your own personal achievement.

It’s THE big idea and THE big difference.

It starts with recovering from the self-delusion that you don’t need any help in this area. We all do at times. That’s honest. And honesty is required to “recover” from anything.

What I train on and teach about is the desperately needed strategies and skills to meet these life demands head-on. I prepare people to not only survive, but to thrive in these challenging times. “Success” hinges on one’s communication… first with yourself (intrapersonally), and then with others (interpersonally).

I help you raise your awareness, your skills around your communication skills, your emotional and social intelligences, your recovery processes, and your social strategy techniques.

It’s called Lifestyle Initiative Training™ and it’s kick-ass!

How much is that worth?

So much, it’s scary…

Welcome!

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” communications★recovery strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

Disclaimer:

The Tool Time series embraces the RPM model of Communichology™ strategies. In the two previous Tool Time articles, I recommended embracing the 3R’s (Part 1) and the 3P’s (Part 2) to avoid being a “tool” much of the time. In this final installment, here now are the 3M’s:

1. MANAGE your emotions. Pleeeeaaaasssseeee keep your emotions in-check and under control. I know you get upset and frustrated and irritated sometimes… we all do. But there’s simply no excuse for spewing your stuff onto everyone else just because “you’re having a bad day.” Huff and puff in private please. Take the necessary steps to first monitor, and then manage the expression of these emotions. There IS a time and a place. Figure out when and where those are to spare the rest of us your drama.

2. MODEL others who’s communication skills you admire. You see them… at work, at home, when you’re having fun, even when you’re not necessarily paying attention. These are the non-tool-types who seem to intuitively know how to handle almost any situation with grace and ease. Be purposeful about seeking out, and learning from these people. Notice the subtlties that separate them from the Tools who are really reactive, from the Cools who are primarily proactive.

3. Finally, MULTIPLY and MAGNIFY your awareness. Pay attention to your attention. This is arguably the most important component. Tools are often oblivious to much of what’s going on around them, and it shows. On a daily basis, there are many situations and circumstances where strategic communication skills can literally change lives when applied appropriately, in the moment. Sound like an overstatement? It’s not. If you cannot “see” what’s really happening, how can you expect to respond appropriately? You can’t. Tools overestimate their communication skills and underestimate the destruction this causes.

Those who refuse to be Tools Recognize, Prepare, and Manuever through the many mazes of effective communication, day in and day out.

Don’t be a Tool. Be a Cool.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” Communications★Recovery strategies & skills.

©2012 Tom Leu

Often, the opposite occurs. When the pressure of life gets turned up, many people’s knee-jerk communication skills become rigid and inflexible… this creates the perfect storm for poor outcomes resulting from bad decisions.

Communication skills are best caressed. Yes, there are objective mechanics that must be adhered to, but there is also much that is subjective and requires caressing and finessing for maximum positive impact.

Masters of influence understand that great communication necessitates an ongoing “caress of steel.”

Caress = soft, gentle, conditional; an art form.

Steel = hard, rigid, unconditional; a science.

Rush’s 1975 album Caress of Steel is comprised of long tracks broken up into multiple sections or passages. Such is the communication process. It’s not a sprint, but an epic marathon with specific stages and sections that require attention and analysis at various times during the journey.

Discussion and dissection of the communications process is not always popular with people at first glance, but critically important in the big picture. Are you gently caressing your communication skills for the benefit of the circumstances? Are you consciously treating them with favor and kindness to your advantage in the situation?

If not, you need to be. Your professional career and personal recovery depend on it.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” Communications★Recovery strategies & skills.

©2012 Tom Leu

“If you are willing to satisfy people with good enough, you can make just about everybody happy. If you delight people and create change that lasts, you’re going to offend those that hate change in all its forms. Your choice.” - Seth Godin

I”m shooting for the latter. Change in any form is never easy, but required to be achieve greatness in any capacity.

So, what’s it gonna take…?

What’s it really gonna take to get to the next level personally and/or professionally?

The first answer is knowing how to effectively communicate with people in all areas of your life while knowing how to SELL YOURSELF.

World-class is the phrase that comes to mind.  Depending on your specific aspirations and goals, your business and your marketing have to be world-class.  Sounds big and intimidating doesn’t it?  It should.  Because to really have a legitimate shot at “making it” or becoming ”successful” in whatever you do, your total package better be world-class. Your equation better be complete. Otherwise, unfortunately, you’re fooling yourself and potentially wasting a lot of time.

You see, being good isn’t good enough. You’ve got to be GREAT. You must have both talent and tenacity.

You’ve got to be a PRO:

Professional – Have compelling and fascinating presentations of your product or services that separate you, and make you stand out from your competition.

Responsible – Consistently do what you say you will do. Follow through, over-deliver, and be accountable for your actions no matter what.

Organized – Know where you’re going and be committed to figuring out how you’re going to get there, and then advance from there.

Always look to spend your time engaged in “high-payoff” activities; those efforts that will produce the biggest return on your investment.

Put down any vices, devices, or distractions that hold you back. Think world-class, become a PROfessional, and stop trying to please everyone. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Become great at what YOU do.

Great sells itself. Always has, always will. It’s your choice.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” communications strategies & skills.

©2012 Tom Leu

Time humbles, heals, steals, and reveals…

with time,

with exposure,

with experience,

with reflection,

with distinction,

with direction,

with perspective,

… comes awareness

we notice how things move faster

we notice how we move slower

we notice the cracks,

we notice the gaps,

we notice the bigger spaces,

we notice the light begin to shine in,

… to better “see things”

To see. To conceive. To understand. To act upon…

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a photographer, author, speaker, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” images & RockStarWay™ communications strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

We are continuing with Part 2 of our very in-depth interview with Michael Corin from Anavox. In Part 1, we were introduced to Anavox’s history, got some insights about lessons learned from the music business, and talked about the ‘thick-skin’ required when pursuing your passions. I mentioned that Michael and I go back many, many years. We’ve spent a lot of time together on the road, in hotel rooms, and at gigs and things over the years in various states. When approaching Michael to do this interview, I knew we’d be able to really connect and get at the heart of what the concept of RockStarWay actually is. I’m talking about it as a philosophy. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of looking at things. We can talk about music in this context. We can talk about business. We can also talk about life in general, lifestyles, and ideas like that within this framework. That’s what these interviews are designed to address, and there’s nobody that I would consider to be more of a “rock star” in a literal sense and in a figurative sense, than Michael Corin. Here in Part 2, Michael and I get into discussions about songwriting, music genres, the lost art of effective communication, and listening skills among other things. Read on…

PART 2

Tom Leu:                Michael, in Part 1 we were talking about Anavox and the history of Anavox up until this point. Anavox has been a Christian/Pop/Rock band since its inception. And this is interesting as it pertains to putting music into genres and categories. People need to label things. It’s human psychology. We have to put things into categories, but those do not always serve us best. So, Anavox is a Christian band, but recently, you’ve also ventured off into the country music market. Talk about that a little bit. What prompted this? How did that come about? And what’s appealing to you about country music?

Michael:                I lived in Nashville for quite a few years, and I couldn’t help it. I got the bug. I think that country music is a songwriter’s music. There are so many tremendous songwriters in Nashville and so many writers get together and work and collaborate and that kind of a thing. There’s a real sense of family. There’s a real sense of unity in that respect. You can’t be around it for very long without getting addicted to that kind of concept. And being able to go to writers rounds and hear other people expressing themselves, and then sharing their music and be inspired by that. For me, as a writer you’re always looking for that next piece of inspiration that’s going to put it over the top. There were so many times that I would go hear artists or songwriters, and then I couldn’t wait to get home and pick up my guitar.

Tom:                Would you say that living in Nashville has been a big influence on you from the country music perspective? And that’s a cliche by-the-way… that Nashville is just country music. Of course, anyone who knows anything about music knows Nashville has a wide variety of musical styles present in that town. Is that right?

Michael:           Absolutely, because as a songwriter, regardless of the genre that you’re in, a good song is a good song. There are people that are there trying to get deals just to be able to write songs for other artists from all different kinds of genres. I loved it. I loved the idea of it. I’ve been writing songs since I was 15 years old and working on trying to be better at that in every way possible. Being in that atmosphere really challenges you to step it up a notch because some of the best writers in the world are there.

Tom:                Do you have to have a different mindset as a songwriter? When you’re sitting down to write a song, do you think, “Okay, I’m going to write an Anavox song, or maybe a song for the Christian market,” or, “Today I’m going to write a country song for that market.” Is there a separation there or doesn’t it matter to you and you just write whatever comes out? How does that process work for Michael Corin?

Michael:           It’s interesting because from the standpoint of faith, there are elements of faith that are laced throughout all country music. That’s very much a part of it. So for me it wasn’t that far of a stretch. There are obviously different things that you do musically, different kinds of instruments and things that you use, but ultimately, it’s about telling good stories. Everyone wants to hear a good story. When you can do something like that inside of the country world, that’s a great thing. For me, stepping from the Christian side into the country side is a fine line. I guess maybe it’s blurred a little bit. It’s not as different as you might think.

Tom:                Is there a Country-Christian version of Anavox in the future perhaps?

Michael:           That’s interesting. I’m not sure. At this point, I would say no. Anavox is a rock band. What we do inside of the Anavox concerts is more straight-ahead rock. But I definitely like to dabble on the country side.

Tom:                I had a friend who exposed me to country music many years ago. I used to give him a hard time about it. I’ll admit that back then I was, like, “No, no, no. I’m not into this country thing. Come on… rock and roll, man, rock and roll!” That was my whole gig back then, and it still is to an extent, but I can appreciate country music today. Some critics of the newer country music say, “Well, it’s not really country. It’s country-pop. It’s country-rock.” That’s another whole conversation. I can appreciate country music and the cleverness of the lyrical content. Some country artists and writers come up with some amazing stuff. They really hit people where they live. It puts me in a place and a mindset that some other genres of music just don’t do, or at least not in the same way.

Michael:           It’s funny, but sometimes I feel like pop music and rock music isn’t exactly sure who she is right now. You go in and out of different times where different bands will be popular because of their sound, or how they create it in the studio, but I think ultimately a good song is a good song. I find that in the country world, you’ve got to have those strong hooks. You’ve got to have those good melodies. Melody is king there. It’s not about just turning on the mixer and that kind of thing where so much can happen and be created inside of a sound. Though there’s a little bit of that in country music, you’ve got to have a strong song. I think that’s where it was so appealing to me. I love that. I love being able to sit down and communicate through songs.

Tom:                I loved how you put that ”pop and rock music doesn’t know who she is, necessarily.” Going back 10, 12 years ago, around the time you started Anavox, the ”music business” was quite a bit different. What’s your take on the landscape of the music business today, the state of the industry? How are you as an artist going to be adapting, and how have these changes affected how you move forward in your career?

Michael:           I had signed to a record label and was pursuing making an album and that kind of a thing. One of the things that I found when I did that was that the label was afraid to take a risk. I think that with everything being so different now, with people buying online and digital downloads and that kind of thing, it’s changed the business pretty drastically because people aren’t going out and buying CDs like they were. This has been a common thing for years. Labels have been trying to figure out how to get their sales up and do things differently than what they had before, and so they are tending now to get their fingers in every area of the pie for an artist.

Tom:                Yes, the so-called ”360 deals,” right?

Michael:           That’s right. A 360 deal is where they’re going to be involved in every area, from the merchandise to what you do in music sales. It takes away from the artists a little bit. As a result of this, the industry has struggled because they’re just not making the money that they were so they are having to get involved in other areas. What that does for an artist is it kind of takes away from the desire for the record label to take a risk. They want to have an artist that’s going to hit it overnight. It’s going to happen with one song and it’s going to sell millions and millions of albums. Whereas my heroes, the U2′s, the Bruce Springsteen’s and guys like that, those artists were developed over time. It wasn’t until two and three records were released that they were really beginning to build that fan base and becoming known. Now, if you’re not the flavor of the moment that’s going to sell millions and millions of albums right out of the box…

Tom:                Then you’re all done…! You’ve got a single or so to prove it.

Michael:           You got it! I’ve been fortunate enough to play with artists who have had one, two, or even three singles that have been released and have done pretty well. But, you’re just not going to hear from those artists again. It’s an interesting world, and for a guy who got into it because he wanted to be one of those artists who was going to sell 100 million albums, it just doesn’t happen that much anymore. You have to be more innovative, that’s all.

Tom:                Absolutely. Good word… innovative. So what’s on the horizon? What’s next for Michael Corin, Anavox and your music career?

Michael:           As far as Anavox is concerned, I’m going to be continuing to pursue playing out and connecting with people and doing what we’ve always done. It’s very much a part of my heart, to be able to travel and play and release music and that kind of thing. I’m going to be starting a new project within the next couple of months or so. I’m probably going to release a five-song EP and put it out there of just some new songs that I’ve written, more from the Anavox-Rock sound side of things. As a writer, I’m going back to Nashville and network with some friends of mine and see if we can further a writing deal in that world where I might be able to get involved more in the country side of things, too. I’ve had the writing deal with the Christian side of things, but I want to get involved more from the country side. I think it’s important to know what you want and just put that out there. There’s going to be a whole mess of new songs and stuff as far as Anavox is concerned that I’m excited to do. So basically, a little bit of both.

Tom:                 You mentioned networking and really knowing what it is that you want. Knowing what you want…? It sounds so simple, right? But I think it’s something that’s really complicated for a lot of people, maybe even more so for creative people. If you have a hard time telling somebody else what it is that you want or what you do, how much harder is it for them to understand how they can help you? Talk about how important it is to have clarity around your vision, your goals, your pursuits.

Michael:           It’s extremely important, and honestly, I’ve learned that the hard way. Years ago I had a relationship with a very successful businessman who wanted to invest in what I was doing. At the time, as an artist I was just expressing myself. I was young and just writing whatever I could write and doing what I could do. I was excited and we had a good relationship. He looked me in the eye at one point and said, “Michael, who are you? What do you want to do?” I was so busy just doing everything that when he asked that question, it took me by surprise. And I couldn’t answer. As a result, I lost the opportunity to work with this guy who probably would have invested a lot of money to help me do what I wanted to.

Tom:                So he walked away because you really couldn’t answer that question?

Michael:           Yes. I’ve found over time that people want to follow something that is clear-cut. You know, the Scriptures say you can’t serve two masters. I think it’s good to be diverse in what you do, but I also think and I’ve learned that it’s very important to have a laser-like focus on what it is that you want. When you have that and you’re bold in that, I think people will follow that.

Tom:                Good stuff. I would agree. And again, as I’ve said before, this stuff is easy to say, but hard to do, especially earlier in a career or when we’re younger. I don’t necessarily mean earlier or younger as in chronological age. I’ve talked to people who are in their 40′s, 50′s, or 60′s even, who are finally just figuring out who they want to be, and what they want to do. I’ve use ask the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in my writings and talks frequently. We’re all asked that as kids. It’s a little question with big implications.

Michael:           For sure.

Tom:                Now, you’ve had the good fortune to have met some really key people over the years, not only in Nashville, but in other places. These are some music industry high-rollers; people who are in a position to help you, and have helped you. You said you’re planning to “reconnect.” Talk to me about communication skills. I know that might sound rather academic, but it’s a big theme of the RockStarWay and what I talk about and write about frequently. I argue that one of the most important, if not the most important skill-set that any of us can possess is to be a great communicator. To maximize that chance meeting at the coffee shop, or at the grocery store, or at the party with the person who is in a position to help you… How important has it been to you to have a grasp of, and a level of communication that transcends the average? How truly important is communication to get to where you want to get in your life and your career?

Michael:           That’s a great question. Personally, I think it’s the single most important thing. I’ve found that you obviously want to be good at what you do, and you want to perfect that craft to the best of your ability. But there comes a point in time, that moment of truth (to use your phrase), where you’re face-to-face with an opportunity. You’re face-to-face with a person that could really help to take you to the next level. Your ability to connect with that person and to communicate who you are and what you want with passion is vital. I think that’s what separates the men from the boys. It’s those moments where you take advantage of an opportunity and can really come through with what it is that you want to do and then of course deliver from there. I think for me, those moments have been vital in all that I’ve done.

Tom:                Knowing you for so long and seeing you in action, so to speak, I would attest to that. You have one of those “gifts-of-gab” as they say. I’m not necessarily just talking about the kinds of communication skills that allow you to be able to speak in front of a group of people or sing on a stage. I’m talking about the subjective types of skills where you’re having a conversation with a person one-on-one, and you’re able to notice and use what’s going on in that moment, in that environment, in that situation. You’re picking-up on the nonverbal cues and the body language that others might miss and you know when to go in, and when to pull it back. You know when to press, and when to pause, if you will. It’s those kinds of communication skills that are most important. Being a college instructor, I’ve had the good fortune of being able to frequently study this stuff in real-time within my classes and with my students. This has personally helped me improve in this area over the years. I think it’s a journey that hopefully we’re all progressing on together. But to be honest, what I’ve found frustrating is that a lot of people think they’re really good communicators, when in reality, most are not. If you ask ten people if they’re good communicators, and I’ve done this repeatedly in my classes, most will say “Yes, I am.” But I always press them for what it really means to be a good communicator. Michael, do you think most people are good communicators?

Michael:           No. In fact, I was going to say exactly what you just said. I think that most people think that they’re great at it, but they’re not. The reality is that there is a need to be able to read where people are at, an ability to sit down and communicate, and like you said, notice the nonverbal communication as well. And really, I’ll tell you what, so many people are so busy in life thinking of the next thing that they’re going to say, that they don’t stop to listen.

Tom:                That’s an interesting point. But often, those are the exact people who think they’re great at this communication thing and don’t require any additional training. Yet, in my opinion, these are the folks who need it most.

Michael:           I’ve found that so much of it is really being able to sit down and listen to where someone is really coming from, and be sincere in your communication with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s music. It doesn’t matter what it is. You’re going to do so much better in life and succeed in life to such a greater extent than you ever would, if you can learn to listen and learn to really be aware of where the other person is at.

Tom:                Great words that you mentioned there: ”aware” and “awareness.” Again, a lot of the stuff that I write and speak on is about raising awareness to these kinds of things. These critical communication skills and the psychology behind the ways that all of us interact. We’re on a planet of about 7 billion people or so, and we’re bumping into each other physically and in cyberspace these days. And like never before, we are seeing the importance of having great communication skills and being more aware. I like how you talked about listening. Everybody thinks they’re good listeners too. It’s another one of those things that I challenge people on. I ask: “Do you understand the difference between hearing and listening?” Hearing is an auditory thing. But listening has more to do with comprehension, empathy, and understanding. There’s a big difference. Listening takes a lot more work. For most, it’s a lot harder to really listen than to hear.

Michael:           Yeah, and you know what? In the world that we live in, like you said, with all the media and everybody having their iPhones and texting constantly, people have such a short attention span. It is a conscious decision to be present in a moment with someone. I think that when you do that, it does a couple of things. Not only does it allow you to have the edge in terms of how you communicate, but I think it also communicates the respect from you to that other person, that you really genuinely care about who they are and what they’re saying. And when you do that, it speaks volumes, especially in the world we live in today. I was in a restaurant recently with a friend of mine that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was so excited to spend time with this friend. This person spent the majority of the conversation on their cell phone texting someone else. They didn’t mean to be rude, but it was incredibly rude. I think it’s just the awareness of going: “Okay. I’m going to just be present in this situation.” When you do that, it’s so rare anymore. I mean, people really, really appreciate that you know?

Tom:                I do know… So to really listen to people and be present is a skill that can really make or break somebody. I’m glad you shared that example. Being very aware of these types of situations, and monitoring how you are coming off to other people is hard work. But worthwhile work IF we put the effort into it…

→ Check out PART 1 and PART 3 of the Tom Leu’s interview with Michael Corin of Anavox…

→ Links to: Anavox on Facebook | Anavox on CDBaby | Anavox on iTunes

→ Links to: Tom Leu on Facebook | Tom Leu on Twitter

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is an author, speaker, photographer, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at www.tomleu.com & www.16imaging.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” communications★recovery strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

“I don’t doubt he is correct about the time it takes to achieve greatness. To me this isn’t a big breakthrough. The hard part for most people is finding that special thing to put their energy into. Why aren’t more authors and thinkers pointing out this aspect of success?, identifying one’s calling… because it’s only natural to devote energy to something when you believe it is really worthwhile. This is what I believe separates the top 5% from the rest (finding their niche) which isn’t easy!”  - coreydmont, comment taken from YouTube

As a writer, observer and participant, here is my take:

Finding your niche… discovering your destiny… uncovering your calling… this is the hardest part of being “successful.”

Knowing the what you should be pursuing has to precede the how you’re going to get there. Many people get this backwards.

A lot of well-intentioned and ambitious people exert tremendous amounts of time and effort pursuing undertakings that are wrong for them. They get so wrapped up in the doing that they don’t stop to consider if what they’re doing is what they should be doing.

The what you should be doing is that which exists at the intersection of your passion AND your talent. A calling must marry one’s interest as well as their skills. It’s that thing you do that few others can do as well or as uniquely as you do.

It’s not enough to just enjoy something; it’s not enough to be good at something… one’s true calling or destiny or life’s work HAS to contain both elements. A passion for – and a knack for – must co-exist. Passion PLUS talent produces the necessary perseverance required to turn your calling into a career.

Next, this calling has to be specific and focused. No one can be good at everything… nor should you try. One must specialize and then organize. Countless hours, days, months, and even years can be saved if you really stop and consider the “what” before the “how.”

Once you know that… then do that… for as long as it takes. Maybe even for 10,000 hours over the next ten years…

Real “success” is enjoying the journey doing what you’re supposed to be doing… to “Go Your Own Way” – regardless of the outcome. This is the RockStarWay.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a photographer, author, speaker, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” images & RockStarWay™ communications strategies. 

©2012 Tom Leu

Step 9 in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book reads: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” Essentially, this is about taking responsibility for our actions that have intentionally or unitentionally hurt others.

It hurts to face our shortcomings, but it’s the only way through them. You can’t go around them if you really want to get better. Honestly facing and owning your own crap produces a humility which produces growth.

Avoidance is a death-dance. It’s another slow form of inner suicide.

Anything anyone habitually avoids is THE most important thing they need to face. Right here, right NOW!

HOWEVER… sometimes it IS best to just let things be. Revisiting some things can be more harmful than helpful.

If it ‘ain’t broke…

The hard part is recognizing when to go in, and when to stay away. It’s personal and it’s subjective, but no less important.

There is no easy answer… it’s highly dependent upon the people, places, situations, and circumstances involved. Pay attention and critically think about all factors before making any moves. It’s not an exact science.

“A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

The point of owning our own stuff is for healing to happen. It’s not to re-open wounds that are better left scarred-over.

“Speaking words of wisdom…”

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a photographer, author, speaker, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” images & RockStarWay™ communications strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

Life can get better. People can change. People can recover. People can achieve happiness and contentment in life. People can improve their circumstances and outcomes.

More than idealism, I speak from the realism produced from direct personal experience.

New careers get launched, new relationships are born, new lifestyles afford a new freedom, and a new serenity becomes reality. This for the 5% who have the courage to stay the course and to stop complaining.

Most limits are illusions. They are self-made, self-imposed excuses to stagnate and never challenge the status quo.

Good things do happen for those who persevere and engage in responsible risk-taking vs. only risk-talking. It has to start with helping yourself first.

At every seminar of his I’ve ever attended, Tony Robbins always talks about striving to get the “juice” out of life. He encourages people to pursue those passions that move them and really mean something to them. He claims that this “juice” is what everyone longs to drink-in, but are held back from its pursuit for any number of different reasons.

I believe that to really get the “juice” out of something requires enduring the pressure that comes along with change and risk. Change isn’t easy, but possible provided people endure the challenges and reap the rewards that pressure produces.

To get the juice out of an orange requires it to be squeezed… sometimes very hard, for some time, for any results to become evident. I’ve heard it said that pain is the greatest teacher.

People need to be pressed and pressured sometimes as well to get at this proverbial “juice.” Getting real uncomfortable is often THE prerequisite for change. Adding pressure and squeezing for improved performance is often necessary to truly be moved and motivated toward the changes required to get the most out of our life situations.

This “juice” resides not on the easy-to-see exterior, but on the harder-to-reach interior.

It requires getting honest and telling ourselves the truth.

This is often the hardest thing anyone ever has to do because it sounds too simple and too easy. But, it’s anything but…

Once able to look ourselves in the mirror with a respect that’s free of regret, the pressure begins to become more manageable. Options become more prevalent and happiness begins to become more abundant.

It ‘ain’t always easy, and it ‘aint always fun, but it can be done.

It starts with a little hope mixed with a lot of determination, and then the courage to make the first move in a different direction.

Drink it in… Cheers!

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a photographer, author, speaker, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” images & RockStarWay™ communications strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

You know who they are…

Those who make an exception not to be an asshole.

Those who derive pleasure by causing other people pain.

Those who stir shit up just for kicks.

Those who COMPLAIN about everyone and everything, but do nothing to CHANGE anything.

Those who delusionally believe that they are always right, and the rest of us dumbasses are f*cking clueless.

Those whose interpersonal communication skills are so shitty, it’s literally stunning to others who witness it.

Those whose intrapersonal communication skills are A) non-existent, or B) exist within a permanent state of denial producing a fantasy land that even they’ve come to misinterpret as “reality.”

You know the type, and their destructive ways.

This is ad-DICK-tion at the core. It’s pervasive, but can be treated.

You see…

Like any other addiction, many will deny they have a problem.

Like any other addiciton, many will justify and rationalize why it’s necessary to engage in this type of problem-behavior, and will argue in defense of the defenseless.

Like any other addiction, being a dick is a progressive illness. It gets worse over time as it becomes the person’s attention-getting tactic and ultimately their adopted identity. The behavior then repeats and builds momentum.

Like any other addiction, the outward symptom (the “dickness”), is usually very overt and very hard to handle.

Like any other addiction, the inward root cause of the behavior, not necessarily the behavior itself, is the real problem and what ultimately needs attention and treatment.

Like any other addiction, the solution starts with honest awareness and identification of the core problem(s) underneath.

Like any other addiction, the solution continues with a willingness to do the work to ultimately change the thinking that ultimately leads to behavior change.

Just like any other addiction, being a dick is a choice.

And, like any other addiction, a person can choose to change themselves, change their way of living, and change their outcomes.

The concept is simple, but it’s not easy.

Change is only possible provided you’re willing to put in the effort and endure the uncertainty and discomfort along the way toward an improved end-result.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering…

Yes, I can be a dick. Sometimes I feel like being a dick. But most of the time I choose not to be a dick. Life is too short for that crap. There’s too much good to see, and too much good to do to waste time being a dick.

So, don’t be a dick. Choose otherwise.

At the end of day, nice wins.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a photographer, author, speaker, Lifestyle Initiative Training™ coach, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com. Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association sharing his “Seeing Things” images and success psychology strategies.

©2012 Tom Leu

Those ambitious people whose actions make it seem like everyone else is standing still. Those who are always going and doing and accomplishing things. Those who consistently make things happen. Those over-achievers who sometimes, if you’re being honest, piss you off.

You know the type, right?

These are the movers and shakers. The action-takers.

“The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch.” ~ Jim Rohn

Why do you think these types bug you at times?

Is it what they’re doing that’s bothering you?

Or…

Is it what you’re not doing that’s the real issue?

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, movers and shakers make you think.

They present you with two choices:

Either

1) ALIGN with them…

or

2) ALIENATE from them…

Choosing to align with movers and shakers speaks volumes about you. It demonstrates confidence, security, and big-picture thinking.

Choosing to alienate from movers and shakers also speaks volumes. It communicates fear, insecurity, and short-sightedness.

The majority of people mistakenly and predictably choose the latter.

Their ego won’t allow the former.

True movers and shakers recognize other movers and shakers and jump at opportunities to align with them. They don’t operate in isolation. Part of the reason they are movers and shakers in the first place, is because they intuitively recognize the benefits and advantages of aligning themselves with other ambitious people. They understand that surrounding themselves with other similar, yet different types of talent, will push them to even greater heights. This is smart. And, this is rare.

But, make no mistake: moving and shaking isn’t for everyone. Players pay a price. You gotta feel the shake. It’s a double-edged sword sometimes.

“I envy people who can just look at a sunset. I wonder how you can shoot it. There is nothing more grotesque to me than a vacation.” ~ Dustin Hoffman

It’s hard to turn it off. And it’s hard to strike a balance at times. But it’s worth it, because the alternative is not.

So, don’t alienate the movers and shakers. Embrace them and align with them. Set yourself up to achieve even more by making the smarter moves and shakes.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a sober rock-n-roller and the creator of Lifestyle Initiative Training™. Tom is a communications & recovery coach, speaker, writer, & ‘head-rocker’ at http://tomleu.com

©2012 Tom Leu

1) Get in the game and play, (or)

2) Give into the game and pretend.

It’s really that black and white…

The “game” = your one and only life that includes your endeavors, your careers, your pursuits, your passions.

Playing the game requires pushing through the inevitable fear and uncertainty that comes with taking roads less-travelled. It comes with a high price tag and can often seem unrewarding and futile.

Pretending is about going through the motions for short-term comfort at the expense of long-term accomplishment. The irony is that pretending appears rewarding at first glance, but is far more costly for most in the long run.

Few folks endure in the face of ongoing opposition, extreme competition, and criticism. Most people eventually give up and give-in when sh*t gets too hard.

Jackson Browne: “…’the Pretender’ is anybody that’s sort of lost sight of some of their dreams… and is going through the emotions of trying to make a stab at a certain way of life that he or she sees other people succeeding at…”

Comparing one’s “success” to someone else’s may just be the most crippling act of all. Unhealthy comparison often turns players into pretenders. Avoid this black hole by taking even more action toward your goals.

“Say a prayer for the Pretender | Who started out so young and strong | Only to surrender” ~ Jackson Browne

To keep anything up ongoing requires a strong enough “why” to get you through the down times. Your reasons for doing anything must be your own and must be owned ongoing or it’s all going nowhere.

Real-world “rock stars” know WHY they’re doing what they’re doing, and have committed to a WAY of life that supports accomplishing their pursuits.

Players don’t pretend; they intend, act, and then ascend.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, & musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

GN’R produced a gutteral and gritty sound, and a street-rock cred that contrasted their Hollywood hair band contemporaries of the late 1980′s. A closer look uncovers the nuances of GN’R's success saga by highlighting 6 deft distinctions applicable to any business, brand, or band:

1. Talent. GN’R consisted of an eclectic mix of diverse individual talents that came together and produced a musical landscape that transcended the parts. These guys incorporated a melting pot of influences and flavors into their music set them apart from the first notes of their first album. Their collective musical talent far exceeded any one individual’s contributions. They knew this and ran with this. People noticed.

2. Drive. GN’R demonstrated an desperate hunger for success combined with a tremendous and committed work ethic. As much as they played hard, they also worked hard. To them, their “work” was their play. The lifestyle that inspired and infused their music was the sum of the work and play simultaneously. They lived and breathed their music literally and figuratively. No one and no thing was going to stand in their way… wherever that way led. People noticed.

3. Risk. GN’R always represented a clear and present level of risk within their music and lifestyle. They lived with a nothing-to-lose attitude because they had nothing to lose. An edge was evident from the start that existed from a literal a lack of comfort. Their “f@ck it” outlook and approach was the survial instinct born from having no cushion to fall back on. There were no degrees or pedigrees… the only way out was up. People noticed.

4. Rebellion. GN’R had an unorthodox approach to the status qu0s. From their deliberate departure soncially and stylistically from their contemporaries, to their unique songwriting approach, this group deliberately went against the grain at every opportunity. GN’R created something new and different that was impossible not to notice whether you were a fan or not. But this rebellion was also as authentic as it was deliberate. They wanted to be different; they intended to be different; they were different. People noticed.

5. Branding. The GN’R brand is unmistakable. Dangerous and unpredictable. Colorful and clever. Remarkable and rememberable as the names Axl, Slash, Duff, and Izzy… Their brand mirrored their lives and their lifestyles. Arguably, little of this was contrived. It all coexisted and coalesced into a marketing juggernaut that crossed over from the Hollywood streets into Main Street. Fans can sniff out fakes and phonies. Lasting brands are as purposeful as they are profitable. Lasting brands encite real emotional responses. Guns were real. People noticed.

6. Fascination. GN’R combined immense talent, drive, risk, rebellion, and branding to produce an unparalled fascination with not only their music, but with their mystique. They had what today’s celebrity journalists call the “it factor.” It’s that unquantifiable something that separates the fledgling from the phenomenons. Their contributions transcended the music they made. Regardless of the relative success of current incarnations of “Guns N’ Roses,” super-groups, or solo projects, the original Appetite For Destruction era Guns N’ Roses remains a fixture of fascination for legions rock fans the world over. People are still noticing.

For Axl, Slash, Steven, Duff, and Izzy, 2012′s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, like so much else in their collective careers, came with mixed-emotions, controversy, and discord. Say what you will about Axl’s antics, Slash’s celebrity, Steven’s sobriety, Duff’s degrees, or Izzy’s invisibility… these five guys created a legendary rock and roll legacy that will outlive us all.

And that is this author’s definition of “success…”

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a sober rock-n-roller writing, speaking, and coaching on communications and recovery strategies. The RockStarWay™ delivers Lifestyle Initiative Training™ resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

I’ve long been fascinated by the factors that separate the famously successful from everyone else. I’ve been reading biographies, watching documentaries, and studying successful muscians, actors, entreprenuers, and artists for years to learn about their journey’s and uncover what sets them apart. A main staple of my content here at RockStarWay is to share what I learn…

Rob Lowe, one of the original 1980′s “brat-packers,” has had a long, and storied career in both film and television spanning over three decades. To me, he continues to epitomize the tenets of the RockStarWay as an enduring acting icon. His autobiography, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, includes the riviting details about his career-launching, yet arduous audition process for the Francis Ford Coppola flim, the Outsiders in 1982.

“There were days when I would’ve liked to have faced lower expectations and less pressure than learning at this particular level demanded.” ~ Rob Lowe

This story made clear to me that two things must happen for people to achieve any type of “success” personally or professionally. First, you have to consistently take action and do what most others will not do. And second, you must be able to deliver results in the midst of the inevitable stress, angst, and anxiety that follows.

I’ve heard it said: “Nothing hurts a failure but a try.”

You must be deliberate about putting yourself into uncomfortable and uncertain situations at times. These are the types of situations that have you shaking in your boots, figuratively and literally. Extraordinary outcomes only come from first making choices that most others will not make. These are the difficult decisions, and ensuing actions that have the great potential to expose you to ridicule; and to place you in very vulnerable positions that make you a target for scrutiny and criticism. You’re thinking: “Am I out of my freaking mind?” The answer is… YES, you are out of your mind, and waaay out of your comfort zone. But, this is the place where most worthwhile happenings, happen…

But, it’s at this point that the majority of people will opt out because it’s easier. Very often, our natural instincts are to go small; to get invisible when faced with challenges or change. Instead, the best go big. They run into, instead of run away. They then deliver the goods.

At some point, we all find ourselves alone on the “stage.” So how do you NOT get so shaken that you cannot perform?

1. Feel the shake. Let it be. Don’t run from it, lean into it. You not only have to be willing to face it, but you must also embrace it. Let it help you by allowing it to push you to higher levels of performance. Turn it into positive energy, not just negative anxiety. It’s a friend, not your foe.

2. Focus on what the shake really is. It’s fear. But fear of what? When you boil it down, it’s simply the fear of looking bad or of being “wrong” in the eyes of others. That’s it. Once you understand how base and universal these fears really are, they are much easier to manage and overcome. Everybody has them… EVERYBODY. Take comfort in knowing that fact, and let it empower and embolden you.

3. Let #1 and #2 fuel your performance. Channel that energy into executing what your hard work and preparation has positioned you to do. You’ve earned the right to deserve it, and to reap the rewards.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

Based on a butt-load of personal experience and a bit of psychology, my bet is that 95% of people are.

I used to be… but not anymore.

Therefore, this writing, and my entire RSW gig here will likely only resonate with about 5% of people. I know this and embrace this. And it’s OK because the 5% is the minority that truly matters.

Why?

Because the 5% aren’t afraid of truth… the truth and their truth. These are the difference-makers who consistently choose action over apprehension.

The courage and capacity for a deep level of personal honesty and transparency is what separates the 5% from everyone else who are pretending, yet need it most. I speak to those who’ve detached from their denial; those few who are empowered by their potential to help themselves and serve others simultaneously.

Most are deathly afraid to look at the world and themselves with an unbiased, and unapologetic honesty.

It’s hard, very hard. But no less necessary.

By doing this you risk regrets, repercussions, of being found-out, and of being judged. This fear therefore keeps many frozen and fake.

Everyone has regrets. Everyone has done things that they wish they could undo. But, you don’t have live in that regret forever… unless you choose to continue to deny it.

True freedom is found by embracing truth and not being afraid of it.

This is the basic foundation of all recovery principles: getting honest with yourself about yourself, so you can break free from your self-inflicted prisons, to finally start living as the best version of yourself. Nothing else matters.

So simple to say; yet so difficult to do.

Writing this stuff will make me unpopular with many. But I can’t care. It’s how I’ve learned to live and break free from my own crap. I choose to share it with others today. This is the RockStarWay™.

So, this is for the 5% who consistently…

→ Have the courage to look in the mirror and get honest with themselves about themselves.

→ Refuse to settle.

→ Are willing to sacrifice enough, long enough, to do what they need to get what they want and need.

→ Take responsible risks.

→ Aren’t afraid to change or of change.

→ Have the balls to admit when they’re wrong.

→ Resolve to improve by choosing to seek solutions.

→ Embrace that which is positive, motivational, and inspirational.

→ Notice and interact with the 95% majority, but can still play nice with the other kids.

→ Are willing to serve.

This is for the minority; the movers & shakers in the 5%.

Are you in…?

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

You get down. You feel out sometimes. You get stuck in ruts… don’t we all.

But this doesn’t have to mean you’re down and out all the time.

RockStars aren’t victims; always blaming. RockStars are victors; always beginning again. RockStars exchange excuses with extra effort.

With this post, this site, this life’s work… I’m daring you to move.

I’m daring you to apply all the common sense you claim.

I’m daring you to reach higher levels of performance and acheive whatever it is you aspire to achieve.

Moving requires taking initiative and being proactive.

It requires being honest with yourself first and foremost. Without this honesty, nothing else matters.

It’s about embracing effective intrapersonal communication skills and understanding your unique psychology.

It’s then about executing effective interpersonal communication skills with everyone you interact with.

This is hard to do. This is often uncomfortable.

RockStars willingly choose to live outside of their comfort zones much of the time.

“Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.” ~ Robert Allan

RockStars recognize that this is the place where true growth occurs.

We don’t grow when we’re comfortable. We grow when our pain is sufficient enough to WANT to make changes.

“The tension is here | Between who you are and who you could be | Between how it is and how it should be” ~ Switchfoot

So, I dare you to move… outside of your comfort zone…

And, I dare you to move… inside the vantage point where “seeing things” clearly begins…

It’s the tag line. It’s also the call to action.

Your move…

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu