The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes

What does it mean to be a leader? How do you define winning? At its root, leadership is a responsibility to the people around us. Anyone on your team can become a leader. It’s the kind of team trust that transforms your co-workers into a family. Just like leadership, winning is an on-going process. Winning requires an infinite mindset. Every day we study and train so that we can become better than the day before. You must embrace the process. If you do, great leadership awaits you. In today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the qualities of leadership and how to create a better office environment with a master of organizational leadership: Simon Sinek. Simon is a business consultant, author, and motivational speaker. He teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. As an author, he has released multiple best-selling books, Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better and Find Your Why. His latest book is The Infinite Game. Simon talks about his journey and why creating a gr

MAKE YOUR OWN RULES. If you want to become a social media star, you have to find your voice and carve out your niche. It’s important to be flexible and open to change- as long as you stay authentic. Staying flexible with your vision could keep you from being pigeon-holed in your industry. Staying YOU will keep your followers interested. If you stay consistent, keep creating, and have fun, you will find your core audience. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisit a conversation I had with Justine Ezarik, where she shared her creative process and the philosophy behind her social media empire. Justine is a social media powerhouse. When she isn’t busy being a YouTube personality, she’s busy being a producer, writer, and author. Justine made her mark in the industry creating videos about tech, travel, and gaming. Her loyal following includes over 6 million subscribers on YouTube and almost two million followers on Instagram and Twitter. Justine says that you need to be creative and unlimited when it comes to life

We all want to maintain our youth. Our goal is to be attractive, healthy, and energetic as we age. What if there were ways beyond basic diet and exercise regimens that could literally reverse aging? But what if we could defy our own biology? There are many ways to stay young and live a healthy, productive life. But maybe those methods aren’t enough. Maybe if we lived at the intersection of technology and health we could actually live forever. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the things you can do to maintain your health with a master biohacker: Dave Aspery. Dave Asprey is the creator of the widely popular Bulletproof Coffee, host of the podcast Bulletproof Radio, and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Bulletproof Diet. Dave was described by Men’s Health as a "lifestyle guru” and his body-hacking gym, Upgrade Labs, has more than 15 different technologies in two signature locations dedicated to improving mental and physical performance and recovery. His new book

SEPARATE FROM THE PACK . We all want to be successful. Some of us even want to be wealthy. Some think that to achieve success they need to become someone different. What if you could achieve your goal just by being yourself? Perhaps the change isn't who you are but what you are doing. Maybe it's your habits or a lack of hunger. The important thing is to separate yourself from the pack. But where does the mentality of a winner truly come from? On today's episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about being a bull in your profession and being a boss that everyone wants to work with, with one of the world’s leading businessmen in hospitality and sports: Tilman Fertitta. Tilman Joseph Fertitta is an accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, author, and television personality. He is the chairman, CEO, and sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment, one of the largest restaurant corporations in the U.S. He also owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Tilman teaches us that the things we want are within our grasp. We have to be

BE AUTHENTIC- NO MATTER WHAT. We admire great performers. Whether in sports, business, or any other field, we can all appreciate true greatness. But do you have to be born with unique talents to achieve it? Is there a magical gene lottery? If you take the mystery out of the equation, you are left with a simple truth. That path to greatness requires hard work, dedication, and preparation. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisit a conversation I had with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, where he shares how to achieve your “Personal Greatness.” Valentin Chmerkovskiy is a Ukrainian-American professional dancer, best known for his appearances on the U.S. version of ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ where he won twice. He is a two-time World Latin Dance Champion (Junior and Youth) and a 14-time U.S. National Latin Dance champion. Learn what is needed to be a top performer in Episode 858. In This Episode You Will Learn: Why authenticity is more important than perfection (2:00) The importance of being

PURSUE CREATIVE FULFILLMENT. You might think that successful people have magic powers. A unique formula to be rich and famous. A formula you didn’t receive, and that’s what’s holding you back. But, is that the reality? Once you realize the unique formula is hard work, dedication and perseverance you realize that you’ve had the recipe all along. Stop waiting for someone or something to bring you happiness in life. Instead, focus on the daily process that will turn your dreams into a reality. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about taking the long road and dedicating yourself to a dream with comedian and actor: Jim Gaffigan. Jeff Gaffigan is a successful stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. Jeff has been able to carve out a successful career in comedy while being a “clean comic” who rarely uses profanity in his routines. He persevered through a road of challenges and failures, and now he’s at the top of his game. He conquered his fears and is living his dream. So, get ready to lea

CREATE YOUR OWN AUDIENCE. It’s human to make multiple stops on the way to your destination. Often, these stops are crucial moments that inform the person you are becoming. Some are forgettable. Others stay with you long after you have moved on. All of them help us grow and evolve. It’s important to own them. You shouldn’t feel ashamed or regretful. Sometimes you just have to change the narrative. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about letting go of the past and finding your true self on the path to success with social media sensation: Amanda Cerny. Amanda Cerny is an actor, writer, model, and social media influencer. With more than 35 million followers across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, Amanda has become a celebrity and top female influencer. So get ready to learn all about building an audience and the power of social media on Episode 856. Some Questions I Ask: (need new questions) How did you get started on social media (9:30) What caused you to move to LA? (19:30) How did you get

VISUALIZE YOUR BEST LIFE Do you find it challenging to achieve goals? Often, we get lost when we have a destination with no map. It’s time to visualize your future and lay out the steps. Keep your eye on your objectives. Think like a Navy Seal. Map out each step and stick to the plan. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Kimberly Guilfoyle, where she shared her strategy for achieving goals and going after your dreams. Kimberly Guilfoyle is a powerhouse woman, and among many accolades, she is the former co-host of The Five on Fox News, a bestselling author, a former public defender, and a mother. Learn how to make the perfect case for your future on Episode 855. In This Episode You Will Learn: The Building Blocks for creating a perfect case (3:00) The steps to visualizing your future (3:30) Why it’s important to be clear about the scenario you want to create (4:00) How to map out the steps to achieve your goal (4:30) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes, a

DRESS FOR HAPPINESS. People live their lives trying to find their purpose. They are looking for ways to express their true selves. But many are worried about judgment and the opinions of others. Do you deny your destiny? How can you get on the road to happiness and self-fulfillment? You have to ignore the noise. Be yourself no matter what people say. Take the time to discover what makes you happy. And once you find your happiness, work hard to keep it. Keep moving forward, step by step. When you look back, you’ll be amazed at what you accomplished. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about finding yourself and living life to the fullest with Dennis Rodman. Dennis Rodman is a five-time NBA Champion, seven-time NBA Rebounding champion, two-time NBA All-star, and trailblazer for the LBGTQ community. He recently released a remarkable ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary about his life and career. Dennis is open about his highs and lows, including his rise from poverty and his struggles with alcoholism. Th

Often, we doubt ourselves and our creative ideas. We think that creative people were born with special abilities. And often, we doubt our creative talents. But, is that what we truly believe? If so, why are those creative ideas still in our heads? Ready to come out. Here’s the truth- they were given to you because you were born to create it. Creativity isn’t a birthright or destination, it’s a process. If you follow the I.D.E.A strategy and keep working, good things will happen. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about how everyone has a creative force inside of them and what it takes to develop that creativity with an author, entrepreneur and photographer: Chase Jarvis. Chase Jarvis is an American artist, director, entrepreneur and author who co-founded the on-line educational platform Creative Live. Chase consistently uses his voice to educate and inspire people to achieve their creative potential. As a child, Chase Jarvis loved being creative and started making his own films, but after o

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. It’s not about having a stress-free life- it’s about learning how to deal with it gracefully. Think of the last stressful moment you had. How did you react? Did you get angry and tense up? Or were you able to breathe and move through it? The more we work on our reaction when things go differently than we’d hoped, the happier we will be. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Dan Millman where he shared his definition of stress and the practice that helps him with it. Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor. After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way. He has now written seventeen books. Learn how to move through life without tension in Episode 852. In This Episode You Will Learn: Dan’s definition of stress (2:30) Stress with tension vs. stress without tension (3:50) How martial arts can help with stress (4:3

YOU TEACH OTHERS HOW TO TREAT YOU. Often, we don’t like how people talk to us. Whether it’s at home, at work, or with our friends, there are many times where we don’t get the respect we desire. It feels terrible. But how much ownership do we take of those situations? Here’s the truth- you get what you put up with. Unless you’re willing to set boundaries and tell people what’s not ok, you’ll end up being walked over. If you keep showing up, people will assume that it isn’t that bad. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about what it takes to stand up for the things you believe with an actor-turned-activist: Sophia Bush. Sophia Bush starred as Brooke Davis in The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill and as Det. Erin Lindsay in the NBC police procedural drama series Chicago P.D. Sophia consistently uses her platform for activism and fundraising and has a new podcast called Work in Progress. Sophia stood up for herself before the Me Too Movement began by quitting a television show where she was being

THE CRITICS ARE COMING. People understand that there will be challenges and fear when they chase their dreams. But they’re not willing to be embarrassed. Are you willing to look like a fool? To go all-in and fail? It’s a guarantee when you go after the thing you want. You have to keep putting your head out there knowing that it could get chopped off. The more you face your fears, the more self-confidence you’ll have. You will fall. You need to have the grit to use it as fuel to get back up. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about relentlessly pursuing your passion with one of the most successful football players in history: Tony Gonzalez. Tony Gonzalez is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, retired All-Pro NFL Tight end, and father of four. He is currently an analyst on Fox NFL’s pregame show. During his career, he only missed two games and lost only two fumbles on 1,327 touches. Tony is open about his struggles with depression and self-doubt that he might not be good enough. But by working thro

DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY SHINY THINGS. It can be exciting to receive connections to the rich and powerful. Fancy dinners, galas, and White House dinners can be tempting. But if these things are keeping you from accomplishing what you set out to do, you’re better off without them. Money comes with strings. If the people pulling those strings don’t align with your message, that money has too great a cost. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Jacob Lief where he shared what has made his non-profit Ubuntu so successful. Jacob Lief is the Founder and CEO of Ubuntu Education Fund, a non-profit organization that takes vulnerable children living in the townships of Port Elizabeth, South Africa from cradle to career. Ubuntu's programs form an integrated system of medical, health, educational and social services, ensuring that a child who is either orphaned or vulnerable can, after several years, succeed. Jacob has been able to stay focused on one area and one community of people by being c

NEVER BE CLOSING. A lot of books about selling encourage you to act like someone you’re not. They tell you to say the other person’s name. Copy their body language. Become a salesman. But what if the key to selling is accepting who you are? What if everything weird about you is what will make you successful? Stop thinking of business as transactional. Instead, be generous. Play the long game. And be kind. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the soulful art of persuasion with an expert in marketing: Jason Harris. Jason Harris is the CEO of the award-winning creative agency Mekanism and the co-founder of the Creative Alliance. Harris works closely with brands through a blend of soul and science to create provocative campaigns that engage audiences. Iconic brands include Peloton, Ben & Jerry’s, MillerCoors, HBO, and the United Nations. Under his leadership, Mekanism was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-list, twice to their Best Places to Work, and to the Creativity 50. Harris has been named

DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. We all face a lot of pressure from the world. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to others on social media and getting critiques from friends and family. Whether it’s when to have kids, our relationship choices, or a nontraditional career, it’s hard to step outside the box. We might feel judged. We might feel alone. And it might be scary to wander into new territory. So how can we stay true to what WE want? On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk to an inspirational woman changing the world on her terms: Marie Forleo. Marie Forleo is a life coach, motivational speaker, author and host of Marie TV. She is the owner of Marie Forleo International, B-School and MarieTV, and Oprah named Marie a thought leader for the next generation. Marie is passionate about spreading her message that you can figure out the problems in your life. She shares three simple steps to avoid getting overwhelmed and feeling helpless. So get ready to learn how life is “figureoutable” on Episode 847.

WRITE FOR OTHERS, NOT FOR YOU. There are a lot of smart, accomplished people in our audience. You know things that are valuable to others. You’ve got great businesses. You’re ready to share that knowledge with the world. But figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Tucker Max where he shared his three steps to starting your book. Tucker Max is a NYTimes Best-selling Author who was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential in 2009. He invented the genre “fratire,” and his number one bestseller, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, was made into a major motion picture. Tucker is the co-founder of Scribe, a company that turns ideas into books. He says that before you sit down and start typing, you should first hone in on who you’re writing for and what you’re writing. Learn how to find the goal, audience, and subject of your book in Episode 846. In This Episode You Will Learn: How to understand what kind of book you’re writing (02:00)

BELIEVE IN SOMETHING GREATER. There are two types of winners I’ve observed. Both of them have confidence. But one winner, when asked how they did it, answers, “I am the greatest.” The other winner, when asked how they did it, answers, “God is the greatest.” Are you putting pressure on yourself to succeed or fail? Or are you putting your strength in something greater? Whether or not you consider yourself a religious person, know that you are not going through life in a vacuum. You’re never on your journey alone. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about spirituality, loss, and dreaming big with one of the most inspirational performers on the planet: Lindsey Stirling. Lindsey Stirling is a modern-day "Dancing Violinist" who got her start on American’s Got Talent in 2010. Since then, she has over 11 million subscribers on YouTube. She has been called "The Hip Hop Violinist" due to her twist on songs from today's hits, as well as creating an electronic / dubstep album of ori

FAMILY ISN’T EVERYTHING. How often have you heard phrases about putting family first? Most of us had a plaque on the wall growing up that said something similar. But if you’re letting family walk all over you, you’re doing a disservice to yourself. We get what we tolerate. If you don’t like something, but you tolerate it, you can’t expect people to change. So how do we have better relationships with our families? We have to create a request. And we have to keep our word. Telling people what you need doesn’t always feel good, but it’s necessary to take care of yourself. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about boundaries and reparenting yourself with an inspirational holistic psychologist: Dr. Nicole Lepera. Dr. Nicole LePera is a Holistic Psychologist who believes that mental wellness is for everyone. She evolved her more traditional training from Cornell University and The New School to one that acknowledges the connection between the mind and body. Dr. LePera founded the Mindful Healing C

TURN ADVERSITY INTO ADVANTAGE. Do you spend a lot of time wishing things were different? Do you feel sorry for yourself for the struggles you face? Maybe it’s time to reframe those obstacles as gifts. After all, the things that hurt us the most can help us show others more love. Pain can lead us to pleasure. And your negative experiences will lead you to greatness. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Prince Ea where he shared his message that everything is perfect. Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince EA, is an American rapper, spoken word artist, music video director and rights activist from St Louis, Missouri. He has over four million subscribers on YouTube and inspires people daily with his viral videos. Learn how to accept your present while changing your future on Episode 843. In This Episode You Will Learn: How the artist Immortal Technique influenced Prince Ea (2:00) The importance of accepting what is (3:00) About the philosophy that everything is perf