"What's your best advice to live a better life and build a better business?" That was the question asked of several top thought leaders, including Chris Brogan, Marcus Buckingham, Ram Charan, Mimi Donaldson, Allan Karl, Harry Paul and many more. Find their collective wisdom inside this free ebook.

1. GOOD ADVICE 2013
EDITION
from 27 speakers, authors & thought leaders
TO HELP YOU LIVE A BETTER LIFE
& BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS
compiled & edited by Shawn Ellis, Founder of The Speakers Group
Shawn Achor • Ed Brodow • Chris Brogan • Brené Brown • Marcus Buckingham • Jack Canfield • Carol Grace
Anderson • Ram Charan • Mimi Donaldson • Chip Eichelberger • Shawn Ellis • Keith Ferrazzi • Joseph Grenny
• Vicki Hitzges • Allan Karl • Patrick Lencioni • Doug Lipp • Harry Paul • Neil Rackham • Jeff Salz • Dr. Neil
Shulman • Diane Sieg • Dr. Kevin Soden • Robert Thompson • Erik Wahl • Benjamin Zander • Joel Zeff

2. “What’s your best advice to live a better life
and build a better business?”
Wouldn’t it be great if you could gather several “chapter” at a time, I hope you’ll find this
of today’s top speakers, best-selling authors and collection of wisdom to be enlightening and
Let’s Connect...
thought leaders in one place to ask that helpful on your journey to create a better life
TheSpeakersGroup.com
question? I thought so, too! and better business in the year ahead.
BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
In pursuit of our mission to help people live a Thanks for reading!
better life and build a better business, I asked Get “Better Life, Better Business”
some of the speakers I’ve had the privilege of To your success, Updates in Your Inbox
working with over the past decade for their best
advice to help you create a better 2013, and enclosed
is what they shared with me. While reviewing their Find The Speakers Group
responses, a “recipe” seemed to emerge: on Facebook
Shawn Ellis
It starts with you, but you can’t do it alone. Founder of The Speakers Group Follow The Speakers Group
Make it fun, pursue exce!ence, be wi!ing to Creator of BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com on Twitter
adapt... And take it one moment at a time.
P.S. Along with the articles, I’ve also included
Whether you choose to read this entire book in links to a few of my favorite TED Talks from Watch Speaker Videos on YouTube
one sitting, or whether you consume one our speakers!
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

3. NOTE: A! articles in this document are provided by their creators and are protected by the authors’
TABLE OF CONTENTS respective copyrights. You may $eely redistribute this document, but you may not modify or se! it.
Part One: It Starts with You Part Four: Pursue Excellence
Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life by Jack Canfield A Better Life Is What You Make of It by Ram Charan
Make Your Own Path by Chris Brogan Stop Doing What You Hate by Marcus Buckingham
10 Ways to Mind Your Business & Mind Your Life by Diane Sieg Who Kidnapped Excellence? by Harry Paul
Who Are You Becoming? by Robert H. Thompson Make the 3% Choice by Chip Eichelberger
The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown (Recommended TED Talk)
Part Two: You Can’t Do It Alone Part Five: Be Willing to Adapt
Find a Way to Help, Find a Way to Care by Keith Ferrazzi 3 Tips to "Make It" in 2013 by Mimi Donaldson
The Ultimate Competitive Advantage by Patrick Lencioni Change How You React to Change by Joel Zeff
Three Ways Effective Leaders Influence Change by Joseph Grenny Non-Attachment - The Key to a Successful Life by Dr. Jeff Salz
The Need for Mentoring by Dr. Kevin Soden Three Keys to Better Leadership & Increased Innovation by Allan Karl
A Legacy of Encouragement (Remembering Zig Ziglar) by Vicki Hitzges Focus. Commit. Adapt. by Erik Wahl
Train Like Disney by Doug Lipp The Transformative Power of Classical Music by Benjamin Zander
Ten Tips for Negotiating Successfully in 2013 by Ed Brodow (Recommended TED Talk)
The Most Important Word in Selling by Neil Rackham
Part Three: Make It Fun! Conclusion: Take It One Moment at a Time
Fun Works! by Carol Grace Anderson This Moment Matters by Shawn Ellis
An Rx for a Better Life by Dr. Neil Shulman (aka The “Real” Doc Ho!ywood)
The Happy Secret to Better Work by Shawn Achor (Recommended TED Talk)
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

4. Download the original PDF and get the free audiobook at
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com/blog/good-advice-for-2013-ebook/

5. PART ONE:
It starts with you...
Take responsibility.
Be yourself.
Be mindful.
Make a commitment.
Be vulnerable.

6. Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life
If you want to be successful, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything you experience
in your life. This includes the level of your achievements, the results you produce, the quality of by Jack Canfield
your relationships, the state of your health and physical fitness, your income, your debts, your
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach,"
feelings—everything! This is not easy. Jack Canfield has studied and reported on what makes
successful people different. He knows what motivates
them, what drives them, and what inspires them. He
In fact, most of us have been conditioned to blame something outside of ourselves for the parts of brings this critical insight to countless audiences
internationally---sharing his success strategies in the
our life we don’t like. We blame our parents, our bosses, our friends, our co-workers, our clients, media, with companies, universities and professional
our spouse, the weather, the economy, our astrological chart, our lack of money—anyone or associations.
anything we can pin the blame on. We never want to look at where the real problem is—ourselves.
Message Jack
If you want to create the life of your dreams, then you are going to have to take 100%
responsibility for your life as well. That means giving up all your excuses, all your victim stories, all
the reasons why you can’t and why you haven’t up until now, and all your blaming of outside Visit his website
circumstances. You have to give them all up forever.
You have to take the position that you have always had the power to make it different, to get it Buy books
right, to produce the desired result. For whatever reason—ignorance, lack of awareness, fear,
needing to be right, the need to feel safe—you chose not to exercise that power. Who knows why?
It doesn’t matter. The past is the past. All that matters now is that from this point forward you Book to Speak
choose—that’s right, it’s a choice—you choose to act as if (that’s all that’s required—to act as if)
you are 100% responsible for everything that does or doesn’t happen to you.
4
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

7. Make Your Own Path
by Chris Brogan
To live a better life and build a better business, I Chris Brogan is CEO & President of Human Business
recommend learning how to untangle from both Works, an education publishing and media company
dedicated to helping professionals work better, do the
work they want, and to be brave. He is the New York
praise and criticism. Neither are your opinions Times bestselling co-author of The Impact Equation,
and a sought-after professional keynote speaker.
and both cause you to react. It's great to receive
Message Chris
feedback, but you must make your own path.
Learn how to thank people for both praise Visit his website
and criticism, and then learn how to discard
Buy books
both and work on untangling. You must play
your own role in this story. Book to Speak
5
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

8. 10 Ways to Mind Your Business & Mind Your Life
Neuroscientists have proven the practice of Want to bring more mindfulness into your life
mindfulness -- paying attention to the present and work? Here are my top 10 mindfulness
moment -- creates new neural pathways and practices:
rewires the brain, leading to heightened brain
by Diane Sieg
function. This is why it is so effective in 1. Gratitude From the chaos of the emergency room to the calm of
treating addiction, mental illness, and chronic 2. Meditation her yoga mat, Diane Sieg, RN, CYT, CSP, former
emergency room nurse turned speaker, author, life
pain. Mindfulness is also highly effective in 3. Slowing down (speech, eating, driving, etc.) coach and yoga teacher, shows organizations and
business and life. 4. Doing one thing at a time individuals how to practice mindfulness and energize
the performance in every area of their lives.
5. Deep Breathing Exercises
Mindfulness is the key to optimum health, 6. Beginner’s mind
wealth, and freedom in every area of your life 7. Journaling
Message Diane
because it has been found to be closely linked 8. Setting an intention
to Emotional Intelligence, the ability to 9. Detachment
identify, assess and manage your emotions. 10.Non-judgment (of yourself and others) Visit her website
This leads to more confident and efficient
decision making, improved relationships, and Mind your business and your life with even one
higher productivity. of these simple but not always easy practices Buy books
for five minutes every day for the next 30 days
Because our fast paced and multi-tasking and you will experience a transformation in
culture keeps us out of the present your business and in your life. Book to Speak
moment, with multiple distractions and
diversions, we have to make intentional
choices to practice mindfulness.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
6

9. Who Are You Becoming?
In my book, The Offsite: A Leadership Cha!enge Today, in all of our hustle and bustle, I sense a
Fable, one of the characters describes a boyhood longing for simple, practical results. Yet, often,
experience of watching a butterfly emerge from many get lost in the maze of complexity --
its cocoon. His less than helpful efforts quickly thinking, of course, more complexity equals by Robert H. Thompson
teach him that in order for the caterpillar to more value or more equals better.
“become” the beautiful butterfly there is a period Robert H. Thompson, author of The Offsite: A
Leadership Challenge Fable, is a sought-after speaker,
of silent soft change before the necessary So, do you want a better life at work and at executive coach, journalist and thought leader in his field.
struggle to emerge. Interrupting this organic home? Here are four simple practices I Robert’s clients have included AT&T, Amgen, Hewlett-
process may destroy it. encourage you to try every day for at least a Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Nike,
Qwest, Sony, Sun Microsystems, SVB Financial, The
week: Gap, and Visa to name a few. Robert also is a senior
Do you create a consciousness cocoon allowing consultant with the Tom Peters Company/UK.
yourself space for some silent soft change before • Show Up: I am present in a way that ensures
emerging in a new form? others feel important.
• Step Up: I encourage curiosity in myself as Message Robert
Most people set and give up on resolutions well as others.
quickly as December’s fog fades into January’s • Serve Up: I encourage a ‘we,’ not an ‘us vs.
back-to-the-slog. The commitment just doesn’t them’ mentality. Visit his website
last long. Complaints of too much struggle and • Speak Up: I communicate with a clear,
not enough short-term gain force commitment consistent voice.
to the curb.
And one more thing: Practice simply being still. Buy books
Building its chrysalis, the caterpillar certainly A few times a week, give yourself the gift of
makes a commitment. And, without silent soft change. Perhaps, you too, will grow
commitment, nothing changes. Not you. Not beautifully colored wings and soar. Book to Speak
me. Nothing.
But what should we commit to? My one word
answer is: Simplicity.
7
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

10. RECOMMENDED
TED The Power of Vulnerability
TALK
by Brené Brown
Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the
University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She
has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage,
worthiness, and shame. Brené is a nationally renowned
speaker and has won numerous teaching awards, including
the College’s Outstanding Faculty Award. Brené is the
author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller Daring Greatly:
How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We
click to watch!
Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.
Message Brené
Visit her website
“Because when we work from a place, I believe, that says, Buy books
‘I’m enough,’ then we stop screaming and start listening,
we're kinder and gentler to the people around us, and Book to Speak
we're kinder and gentler to ourselves.”
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
8

11. PART TWO:
...but you can’t do it alone.
Be generous.
Create a healthy culture.
Be an influencer.
Mentor others.
Be an encourager.
Train effectively.
Negotiate so everyone wins.
Sell the way they want.

12. Find a Way to Help, Find a Way to Care
You can sum up my philosophy for building business relationships with this mantra:
“Find a Way to Help, Find a Way to Care.”
by Keith Ferrazzi
People always ask me, “but how?” So I’ve broken relationship currency – forms of generosity that you
can use in building business relationships – into three categories. If you want to transform your life, you need the help of
others – powerful relationships with people who give you
support and access, and push you to exceed your
Universal currency refers to our innate human ability to connect to others. We can all embrace potential. Keith Ferrazzi can help: He is the world’s
foremost expert in professional relationship development,
intimacy with another human being by listening, empathizing and caring. We can all become the bringing 20 years of research and experience to the art
colleague who blocks off that extra time to fetch a cup of coffee or who connects more deeply with a and science of business relationship development.
client, customer, employee or peer. Universal currency also includes encouragement.
Professional Currency: The biggest and most powerful aspect of professional currency is Message Keith
providing useful assistance to help a person’s career. To really break through to people, do research
to understand the big bet their company has made — shifting from being almost exclusively brick
and mortar to eCommerce, for example. Then help make them smart about that big bet in order to Visit his website
help them within their organization — perhaps by sending them the best book on the subject or by
making an introduction to an expert or connector within your network.
Buy books
Personal Currency: To discover your personal currency, don’t look inside — that’s too hard for
many people. Instead, look outward. Personal currency requires discovering what others need to be
happy, then figuring out what you can do to get them there. It could be your professional expertise, Book to Speak
your problem-solving ability, your network of relationships, your black belt in judo or simply your
unfaltering optimism. The secret is to share enough of yourself with someone so that they’re willing
to share their dreams and aspirations with you, along with the issues that are holding them back.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
10

13. The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
click to watch!
click to watch! by Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni is a bestselling author, speaker and
consultant with over two decades of experience working with
CEOs and their executive teams. He is founder and president
of The Table Group, a consulting firm dedicated to building
healthy organizations. He is the author of many bestselling
books including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, which
continues to be a weekly fixture on national bestseller lists; his
books have sold over three million copies.
Message Pat
Visit his website
“In this era of nanosecond technology change and ubiquitous
information... it’s almost impossible to maintain an advantage in
Buy books
the areas of marketing and strategy and technology and finance.
The one area where we can still maintain an advantage is creating
Book to Speak
a culture that is so healthy and so whole that it becomes almost
impossible for other organizations to compete with us.”
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
11

14. Three Ways Effective Leaders Influence Change
The most important capacity we possess is our ability to exert influence. Not a day passes that we
don’t try to change either our own or others’ behavior. And yet, most of us struggle to influence by Joseph Grenny
ourselves or others to behave differently.
Over the past 25 years, my co-authors and I sought out and studied powerful influencers—those who Joseph Grenny is the four-time New York Times best-
selling co-author of Influencer. He is also a dynamic,
had remarkable abilities to influence change—rapidly, profoundly and sustainably. Here are three things sought-after speaker and co-founder of VitalSmarts, an
these influencers do that accounts, in part, for their remarkable and repeated success: innovator in corporate training and organizational
performance.
1. Change the Way You Change Minds. In order for others to adopt new, healthier behaviors they
must first believe that they can do it, and second, that it’ll be worth it. To motivate others to believe
they can and should change, take field trips to watch the target behaviors in action or create vicarious Message Joseph
experiences by telling vibrant and believable stories.
2. Find Vital Behaviors. Key results stem from changing a handful of vital behaviors. Instead of Visit his website
chasing a dozen solutions, powerful influencers go to great pains to locate the few behaviors that
matter.
Buy books
3. Harness the Sources of Influence. Deeply entrenched behavior doesn’t have one cause but a
conspiracy of causes. Often, we assume that if we just train people, behavior will change. However, we
must be adept at employing the personal, social and structural sources that influence behavior.
Book to Speak
By using experience to change people’s minds, identifying vital behaviors, and targeting the sources of
influence that drive behavior we can make change virtually inevitable.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
12

15. The Need for Mentoring
(FROM THE NEW BOOK, FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO THE BOARD ROOM)
There is an old Chinese proverb that states, • Offer the program to as many people as
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. possible. It should not just be for newbies but
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a for any employee wanting to learn more. by Dr. Kevin Soden
lifetime.” This is the basic concept behind the Dr. Kevin Soden, an Emmy, Telly, and International
“See one, Do one, Teach one” principle in • Make the program attractive to mentors Freddie Award-winning medical journalist for more than
by rewarding them. By rewarding mentors 20 years, can now be seen each day as the host of
medicine. An experienced mentor transmits their with praise, promotions or money, you Healthline, a daily half-hour medical show on the
skills or knowledge to a less experienced reinforce their behaviors and the importance Retirement Living Network. He was a National Medical
Reporter for NBC News Channel and has also appeared
apprentice who, once skilled, transmits this on of the program. regularly on NBC's Today Show.
to others who come behind him or her.
• Clearly outline the program’s objectives
Mentors (the term “Preceptor” is used in some and rules. A general framework defining
expectations for both mentors and protégés is Message Kevin
medical training programs) are generally
essential. There needs to be some formality,
considered to be role models for their protégés
but allowing some flexibility is best.
and serve as guides for ethical conduct and Visit his website
communication styles. Because young • Be careful to pair the right people. Ideally,
professionals tend to copy their teachers’ you want to pair people who get along and will
behavior both consciously and unconsciously, it’s be able to learn from one another.
Buy books
imperative that mentors are chosen carefully
because their influence can set a course for a • Evaluate the total program regularly. Test
lifetime of behavior. the effectiveness of the mentoring program,
provide a mechanism for feedback and make Book to Speak
changes as needed.
Some characteristics of good mentoring
programs are:
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
13

16. A Legacy of Encouragement (Remembering Zig Ziglar)
Recently my mentor, Zig Ziglar, came to the end of life. On the news after the service, a local
Dallas reporter said, “Even in death, Zig Ziglar can pack a house!” And he could. by Vicki Hitzges
Several thousand people attended his service. Hundreds more watched his service online. Why? It Vicki Hitzges helps companies create cultures of
encouragement. Having worked in communications all
wasn’t because of Zig’s deep business acumen. It wasn’t merely due to his home-spun wisdom. her life, Vicki knows the value of telling stories, using
humor, sharing useful content and involving her audience.
Her clients appreciate her clear, fun messages that teach
Zig had universal appeal because he was a motivator. He encouraged people. He truly believed them to conquer change, speak in public, think creatively
and connect with others.
that anyone who listened to him was “endowed with the seeds of greatness.”
People who heard Zig speak accepted his verdict of them as true. And hearing Zig’s belief in them Message Vicki
changed them! They picked up the phone and made sales calls. They set goals and kept at them.
They “planned to work and worked the plan.” Folks around the globe who heard Zig speak or read
his books testify that their lives improved due to Zig’s encouragement. Visit her website
I’m grateful that about six years ago, I called Zig to thank him for the huge impact he had on my
life. It’s because of Zig that I became a speaker. He mentored me. Believed in me. Gave me a Buy books
start.
Let me encourage you to call people who have taught and believed in you. Or, better still, Book to Speak
drop them a note. You’ll be appreciated and loved for your kindness. And Zig’s legacy of
encouragement will live on.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
14

17. Train Like Disney
“How do they do it? How do they create the nicest and most customer-focused employees in the world?”
Disney University: The very name carries clout. The very name conjures up images of excellence. by Doug Lipp
Mention this highly-regarded institution to any business leader and the inevitable questions begin: By age 29, Doug Lipp was the head of the training team
at the world-famous Disney University at Disney’s
“how do they do it?” and “how can they create some of the nicest, most motivated and incredibly corporate headquarters. With more than 30 years
customer-focused employees in the world, year after year?” combined experience at Disney and in his private
practice, Doug teaches organizations and individuals real-
life skills to redefine service and leadership excellence,
In large part, due to the success of the Disney University, the word “University” is invariably found in embrace change, and compete in the global
marketplace.
the title of training departments in corporations and organizations around the world. Yet, arguably
very few of these training departments and universities have attained the same level of success for so
many years. The reason? Most don’t enjoy the following secret ingredients that the Disney University Message Doug
has enjoyed for decades:
Visit his website
1. Leadership support; the organization values employee development and funds it. Rain or shine.
2. Clarity of purpose; the desired outcomes of every training event are crystal clear.
3. Consistency between what happens on the front lines and what is taught in the classroom.
Buy books
These sound simple, but too few organizations get the message. Without these secret ingredients,
training and development initiatives are bound to fail. This is why so many corporate “Universities” Book to Speak
are doomed to become universities-in-name-only.
That doesn’t have to be true for your company, though. Now you know Disney’s secret ingredients!
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
15

18. Ten Tips for Negotiating Successfully in 2013
Your ability to negotiate successfu!y in 2013 can make the difference
between success and failure. Here are 10 tips:
by Ed Brodow
1. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. 6. Aim high and expect the best outcome. If
Ed Brodow is the world's top spokesman on the art of
Successful negotiators are assertive and challenge you expect more, you'll get more. Sellers should ask negotiation. SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt dubbed Ed "The
everything – they know that everything is for more than they expect to receive, and buyers King of Negotiators" and Forbes Magazine ranks Ed as one
of the nation's leading dealmakers. Ed's practical, no-
negotiable. I call this negotiation consciousness. should offer less than they are prepared to pay. nonsense approach to an often-misunderstood subject has
helped audiences and readers all over the world to
overcome their fears and get what they want in business
2. Shut up and listen. Negotiators ask probing 7. Focus on the other side's pressure, not and in their personal lives. He is the bestselling author of
questions and then shut up. The other negotiator yours. Successful negotiators ask, "What is the Negotiation Boot Camp (Doubleday).
will tell you everything you need to know. pressure on the other side in this negotiation?"
3. Do your homework. Gather as much 8. Show the other person how their needs will Message Ed
pertinent information prior to your negotiation. be met. Instead of trying to win the negotiation,
What are their needs? Pressures? Options? seek to understand the other negotiator’s
perception of the deal and help them to feel Visit his website
4. Always be willing to walk away. In other satisfied.
words, never negotiate without options. When you
say to yourself, "I will walk away if I can't conclude 9. Don't give anything away without getting
a deal that is satisfactory," your inner resolve will something in return. Whenever you make a Buy books
encourage them to make concessions. concession, get a concession in return. Always tie a
string: "I'll do this if you do that."
5. Don't be in a hurry. Whoever is more flexible Book to Speak
about time has the advantage. Your patience can 10. Don't take the issues or the other person's
be devastating to the other negotiator if they are behavior personally. If someone is rude or
in a hurry. difficult to deal with, try to understand their
behavior and don't take it personally.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
16

19. The Most Important Word in Selling
The most important word in selling — whether you engage in simple, transactional sales, or
complex, consultative sales — is TRUST. All selling depends on trust.
by Neil Rackham
The question, then, is what do buyers look for in a seller they can trust?
Neil Rackham is known throughout the world as a
speaker, writer and seminal thinker on sales and
marketing issues. Three of his books - including the
In our research — looking specifically at consultative buyers — we found that three qualities rise classic, SPIN Selling - have been on the New York Times
to the top: best seller list and his works have been translated into
over 50 languages. His work in sales training won him the
Instructional Systems Association lifetime award for
• Concern. Does the salesperson care about what I feel and think? Does s/he listen to me? Does Innovation in Training and Instruction.
s/he ask questions?
• Candor. Is the salesperson straightforward? Does s/he forgo exaggeration? Is s/he honest Message Neil
about ignorance (or does s/he claim to know everything)?
• Competence. Is the salesperson’s advice professionally sound? Is s/he technically proficient in
knowledge of the product or service? Is s/he experienced? Visit his website
Of the three, do you know which is rated highest by buyers? Concern... yet only 35% of
Buy books
consultative salespeople are rated “adequate” or better for Concern.
Remember, it’s not enough to be concerned; you must show your concern. Book to Speak
While we can always refine our sales skills, sales strategies, and sales psychology, remembering the
“3 C’s of Consultative Selling” is a good foundation from which to build.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
17

20. Enjoying this e-book? Share and help others
“live a better life & build a better business!”
(You’! be able to edit and approve your tweet/message before sending.)
CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE POST ONLINE, OR FEEL FREE TO EMAIL THIS FILE TO
PEOPLE DIRECTLY OR EVEN POST IT ON YOUR BLOG

21. PART THREE:
Make it fun!
Have fun.
Live like a winner.
Laugh... a lot.
Be happy.

22. Fun Works!
As a kid, wasn’t the circus a big, magical experience? Life and business could and should be
more like that. Here’s why I say that:
by Carol Grace Anderson
Carol Grace Anderson is a motivational expert and author
For years I lived in a tiny 18’ trailer with my parents and sister in a trailer park. The best part of the popular book, Get Fired Up Without Burning Out! She
was that most of our neighbors were circus performers! I was in awe every day after school also has an inspiring story in the million-selling Chicken
Soup for the College Soul ®. Just like you, Carol has
watching them practice their daring tricks and routines. Wow! overcome some big life challenges. From growing up in a
tiny trailer, going blind in one eye, and losing her younger
sister to breast cancer, she learned how to turn struggle
into strength. She can show you how, too!
Looking back, I realize that the circus was a great metaphor for life — a mix of fun and hard
work. The tightrope walkers, jugglers, and acrobats all had to have skill and laser-sharp focus.
The flip-side is that they could see the wonder and enchantment in the eyes of the audience Message Carol
both young and old. They were making a difference in their unique way.
To create a better life and better business, we need to be daring and focused, and we Visit her website
must have fun along the way.
Buy books
I recently went to Aruba with some family members. It was breathtaking and, thankfully,
had very limited internet access. We had to unplug and just focus on fun for a week.
Book to Speak
The result? We were all more energized, refreshed, productive and fired up when we
returned. Fun works!
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
20

23. An Rx for a Better Life (Doctor’s Orders!)
1. Live like a winner! seven billion books out there. They are simply
brain transplants on paper!
I do feel that we all won the lottery. It takes 50 by Dr. Neil Shulman
million sperms to fertilize one of five eggs. We I love connecting with strangers and finding out Dr. Neil Shulman is an Associate Professor in the School
are a winning sperm/egg combination. If one their “table of contents” -- and then selecting a of Medicine at Emory University, and he is also the author
of many books promoting medical literacy for both adults
other egg or sperm made it, then we would not chapter and hearing them talk about it. I have and children, as well as humor and children's books. He is
be here. Soooo.... we should all enjoy the “dash” found strangers who are just as interesting and the associate producer of the 1991 film Doc Hollywood,
based on one of his books. He is a past president of the
of our life. caring as Michael J. Fox, billionaires or big-time Patch Adams nonprofit organization (the Gesundheit
politicians. Institute), and is also a highly sought-after speaker for
2. Laugh... a lot! Fortune 500 companies.
I suggest that we all connect, whether while
Laughter is great medicine -- no matter what the waiting in line at a grocery store or asking if it is Message Neil
circumstances. The best way to build a business okay to sit down and chat with folks in a
and have a good life is to be creative, laugh a lot, restaurant.
and humanize. Honesty and caring pay off a lot Visit his website
more than hyping. Making fun of yourself when (By the way, even if you are not a writer, you can
you goof up is appreciated more than one can connect with a talented writer and make your
imagine. book happen! Even a student recommended by a Buy books
high school teacher or college professor might be
3. Make connections. a better collaborator than a professional writer.
Go for it!!) Book to Speak
I believe that everyone has a book in them.
There are seven billion humans and therefore
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
21

24. RECOMMENDED
TED The Happy Secret to Better Work
TALK
by Shawn Achor
Shawn Achor is the author of the international bestseller,
The Happiness Advantage. Shawn is regarded as one of
the world’s leading experts on the connection between
happiness and success. In 2012, Shawn’s research on
happiness made the cover of Harvard Business Review,
and his TED talk has became one of the most popular of
click to watch! all time with over 3 million views.
Message Shawn
Visit his website
“...only 25 percent of job successes are predicted by I.Q. 75 Buy books
percent of job successes are predicted by your optimism
levels, your social support and your ability to see stress as a Book to Speak
challenge instead of as a threat.”
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
22

25. PART FOUR:
Pursue excellence.
Hone your talent.
Focus on your strengths.
Beware of average.
Live well.

26. A Better Life Is What You Make of It
Successful people who are also happy are those who are able to work where
by Ram Charan
their desire and natural talent fit. Energy comes from success. Success Ram Charan is a highly sought after business advisor
comes from continually honing that talent through disciplined practice and speaker famous among senior executives for his
uncanny ability to solve their toughest business
with constant rhythm. problems. For more than thirty-five years, Dr. Charan has
worked behind the scenes with top executives at some of
the world's most successful companies, including GE,
Verizon, Novartis, Dupont, Thomson Corporation,
Honeywell, KLM, Bank of America, and MeadWestvaco.
A career ladder of today is obsolete tomorrow. New jobs will come. Think
about what you can be good at and find a work slot where you can apply
Message Ram
your particular talent. Master it, and the world will chase you. There is
a shortage of real talent in many fields of human endeavor. Find these
Visit his website
fields and compete for your space.
Lastly, remember that talk is cheap. Doing it and getting it done is what Buy books
differentiates successful people.
Book to Speak
Good luck. Luck favors the prepared.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
24

27. Stop Doing What You Hate
Around this time of year, a lot of us are doggedly trying to keep up with a resolution to do more
— exercise more, eat more healthy foods, read more. All worthy goals. But my advice is to do less: by Marcus Buckingham
Marcus Buckingham first conquered the bestseller lists
give yourself permission to stop doing what you hate to do. in 1999 with First, Break All the Rules. Following up on
his highly successful debut book, Marcus continued to
drive the message that people's unique personal
Does that strike you as a fantasy, or a cop-out? Who on earth gets to live a life filled only with strengths are the key to unlocking their potential. His
latest project, StandOut, is a book and strengths
exactly the things he wants to do? Okay, I’ll admit it: nobody does. But you can get a lot closer to assessment combination that uses a new research
that life by admitting what you hate and figuring out strategies to stop doing it, or at least methodology to reveal your top two "strength Roles" —
your areas of comparative advantage.
minimize the impact it has on your life.
Message Marcus
Some people will tell you that you need difficulty in your life, a little grit, as an oyster takes an
irritant and builds a polished pearl around it. Be skeptical about this advice. When it comes to
your career and business, grit will grind you down. Every minute you invest in an activity that Visit his website
grates on you is a poorly invested minute. In those minutes, those hours, those days, you will
learn little and feel weaker and less resilient.
Buy books
Instead, if you can find a way to cut out or minimize the things you hate — by teaming up with
someone, or delegating, or focusing for an hour a week instead of procrastinating — you’ll have
Book to Speak
more time and energy to spend on those areas in which you excel. And the areas in which you
already excel are precisely those in which more time and effort will yield the greatest results.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
25

28. Who Kidnapped Excellence? (FROM THE FORTHCOMING BOOK BY THE SAME TITLE)
We all strive for excellence. I believe no one wakes up in the morning and looks into the mirror and
says to themselves, “I’m going to be average today.” We all strive to be our best. by Harry Paul
Then why are we so willing to accept average? We accept it everyday! Where we work, when we go to As the author of six world-renowned books, and Co-
the store, eat at a restaurant or call a company on the telephone. author of the global phenomenon and best selling
business book Fish! A Proven Way to Boost Results and
Improve Morale, Harry Paul travels the globe infusing
You have to bring Passion, Flexibility, Communication, Competency and Ownership into any fun-and performance-into the workplace. His next book is
titled Who Kidnapped Excellence?
organization or individual to get back, attain, and sustain excellence. You do this by paying attention to:
Passion: Inspires everyone with energy, enthusiasm, and caring.
Message Harry
Competency: Ensures everyone has all the skills needed to do their best.
Flexibility: Helps us respond to unique situations whenever they occur. Visit his website
Communication: Clearly communicates roles and expectations.
Buy books
Ownership: Ensures everyone takes 100% responsibility.
Pay attention to the above and good things start to happen and you prevent your own Excellence from Book to Speak
being kidnapped. Take on the important challenge of excellence in an unprecedented way to help any
organization or person achieve and maintain excellence in every aspect of their lives.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
26

29. Make the 3% Choice!
The leading cause of death in America is not heart disease, cancer, stroke or diabetes. It is the unhealthy
lifestyle that most Americans are addicted to which is the true cause. A study by Mathew Reeves, a
Michigan State University epidemiologist, finds that only 3% of Americans maintain a healthy by Chip Eichelberger
lifestyle. It is a situation that is causing dire consequences for millions of Americans. You cannot perform
A peak performance strategist and motivational dynamo,
at your best if you are stressed and lacking in energy. It impacts EVERY area of your life. Chip Eichelberger is positively great at making your
next convention unforgettable. Former Tony Robbins
international point man, Chip has been speaking about
“I was really quite surprised at how low that number was,” said Reeves. The research published in the health, vitality and success for 19 years. Clients include
journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, found that only 3 percent undertook four basic steps that define Ernst & Young, Tommy Hilfiger, ADP and Bank of
a healthy lifestyle: America.
not smoking
Message Chip
healthy weight
eating right including a minimum of 5 fruits/vegetables a day Visit his website
exercising at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes.
Buy books
Those are not exactly Olympic-caliber qualifications. That is the good news. These four criteria are
something you can easily choose to do. All you need to do is put on the hat of responsibility and own
this choice. Book to Speak
You have likely made some bad choices in the past -- take responsibility now. You need to step up and
make some new choices, maybe extremely different choices right now!
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
27

30. Bring a “Better Life, Better Business” speaker to your next meeting!
WATCH NOW: 3 EASY WAYS TO BOOK A GREAT SPEAKER FOR YOUR EVENT

31. PART FIVE:
Be willing to adapt.
Be grateful for what you have.
Control what you can control.
Be open to possibilities.
Stay curious.
Embrace innovation.

32. Three Tips to ‘Make It’ in 2013
click to watch!
by Mimi Donaldson
click to watch! For over twenty years, Mimi Donaldson has captivated
audiences from the Fortune 100 to the just plain
fortunate. She’s won acclaim for her rousing keynote
speeches, compelling workshops, and in-house training
programs. She has shared the keynote platform with
Colin Powell, Katie Couric and Maya Angelou.
Message Mimi
Visit her website
“Take time to consider what is positive in your life. Every Buy books
morning I do my grateful list before my feet it the floor. In
fact, I define that as the only way I know to ‘hit the ground Book to Speak
running!’”
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
30

33. Change How You React to Change
My client conference calls always start the same. accept constant change. We have to change how
Everyone awkwardly says hello and then we wait we react to change. Specifically, be able to
in silence for the last person to jump on the call. control your reaction to change. by Joel Zeff
The same conversation starts minutes later. “We Joel Zeff is a national workplace expert, speaker and
are dealing with a lot of change,” someone says. Most change is out of our control. We cannot humorist. His spontaneous humor and vital messages
“Change is very difficult for everyone right now,” control the economy, stock market, customer have thrilled audiences for years. Corporations and
organizations nationwide seek him out to motivate and
another very important manager adds. mood swings or anything else. Something will energize their employees on such topics as work/life
break. Something will happen that you were not balance, passion at work, creativity, communication,
teamwork, and leadership. His first book, “Make the Right
I really don’t have to take notes. “There is expecting. I promise. You do have one very Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive
constant change.” “Change is difficult.” “Our important power. You control how you react to Work Life” was published by John Wiley & Sons.
employees don’t like change.” Yep, I got it. Let change. You control your attitude.
me write all of that down. Message Joel
Too many times, we allow change to decide our
Was there ever a time when the CEO brought attitude. Change will always choose frustration,
everyone into a room and said, “Good news. We impatience and stress. If you get to decide, Visit his website
are all done changing. We finished everything up choose a more patient, positive, energized
on Friday.” attitude.
Buy books
Even when the economy improves, there will be This doesn’t mean you won’t have stress,
change. There will always be change. In the challenges and difficult situations. It means you
future, when we all wear the same are dealing with change on your terms. If you are Book to Speak
monochromatic clothes and live in peace and energized and passionate, you will have the right
harmony and have our food provided by attitude to deal with any situation.
replicators, there will be change. It is time to
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
31

34. Non-Attachment: The Key to a Successful Life
(One Adventurer's Opinion)
Non-attachment is the key to Her worry was evident in her conceived destination... but
all happiness in life and work. taut visage and tight posture. never, ever detached.
Her attachment to her specific by Dr. Jeff Salz
Not detachment. vision of 'success' was ruining Why? Dr. Jeff Salz is a leading Keynote Speaker,
the very vitality, humor and Anthropologist, Thought Leader, Explorer and Guide. For
Let me explain the crucial optimism upon which she had Detachment is the very more than 20 years, he has been delighting audiences
with his uplifting and mesmerizing accounts of global
distinction. built a career. Her attachment opposite of non-attachment. trips, travels and treks. His keynote addresses on the
to a specific outcome was giving Detachment is dispassion, subject of adventure receive standing ovations and
audience members say that "I will never forget what I
Detachment is giving up. Non- her blinders when what she disinterest. Detachment leads learned from Dr. Jeff!"
attachment is giving up... the needed was the floodlit, to cynicism, heartlessness,
struggle. Panavision perspective of diminution of life force. Non-
limitless possibility. attachment asks us to stop Message Jeff
Recently a friend and colleague clinging, to let go of our fears
expressed her fear about the My suggestion? To let go of her and trust our interests and
current economic realities. expectations… and see what passions. Non-attachment is Visit his website
Hers, in particular. In a matter might be the unexpected gift playful. Relaxed. Non-
of two years she had been in uninvited circumstances. attachment says: Hey, let's see
reduced from speaking to what happens next. Buy books
different audiences every week Maybe she needed to reinvent
in large auditoriums to herself or even stop speaking A spirit of adventure will get us
addressing the same audience completely. She would only find up the mountain every time. An Book to Speak
every day... around her small success once she opened and attitude of non-attachment is
family dining table. embraced whatever was next, the joyful heart of the
unattached from her pre- adventurous spirit.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
32

35. Three Keys to Better Leadership & Increased Innovation
When it comes to leading a successful life -- personally and professionally -- there is nothing that
creates more value and brings more possibilities than a strong leader and innovative ideas. Too often,
however, leaders fall into the rut of the day-to-day or their comfort zone, often unwilling to change or by Allan Karl
try anything new. Entrepreneur, photographer, adventurer and marketing
pro, Allan Karl founded a top-50 digital marketing
agency. Then he traveled the world—alone on his
The better path to successful leadership is through increased innovation. Here are three keys to that motorcycle. “Stay curious,” he says, inspiring audiences
success: to embrace change, face fear and step outside the
comfort zone. Through captivating stories and inspiring
photography, Allan motivates and moves audiences into
Foster a culture of curiosity — Stay curious. Don’t stymie idea generation or create a culture of action.
fear. Encourage teams to ask why, try new things and challenge the status quo.
Embrace & encourage change — Make change the norm and be less impacted when it catches
you by surprise. Move furniture around, take a different way to work and ask your teams what they Message Allan
want changed.
Take chances and accept risk — Failure is an option and is often the best teacher. Approach every Visit his website
challenge with fresh eyes and be willing to try something new. When you take chances you will realize
more possibilities. Innovate rather than stagnate.
Book to Speak
We live in an era where the only way to compete for jobs and customers is to differentiate and stand
out from the competition. The key to this lies in our ability to lead and innovate. When we include
curiosity, change and risk-taking in strategic initiatives, we are positioned well above the
competition and therefore are able to master the art of differentiation and succeed as an
innovative leader.
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
33

36. Focus. Commit. Adapt.
A friend of mine does the psychological profiling for the elite armed forces. In this case his
work focuses on the US Navy Seals. He tests and scores them in both physiological and
psychological challenges to determine how they continually achieve levels of superior by Erik Wahl
performance: As an internationally recognized graffiti artist, author and
entrepreneur, Erik Wahl redefines the term “keynote
speaker.” Pulling from his history as both a businessman
and an artist, he has grown to become one of the most
• How do they remain unflinchingly calm in the face of the most harrowing situations? sought-after corporate speakers available today. Erik’s
on-stage painting seamlessly becomes a visual metaphor
to the core of his message, encouraging organizations
• How do they sustain levels of peak performance amidst a rapidly changing and often toward profitability through innovations and superior
levels of performance.
chaotic environment?
After tremendous research, what he has boiler plated it down to are three core elements. Message Erik
That is the ability to focus. The ability to commit. And ultimately the ability to adapt.
Visit his website
What he has found is that most professionals have been heavily trained to focus and to
commit. However, what differentiates the average from the elite is our ability to
adapt. Buy books
Those who are able to embrace innovation and improvisation as a core competency are
better equipped to succeed in the future. Book to Speak
What steps can you take to expand your skills to proactively adjust your landscape
and adapt to remain one step ahead of the competition?
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
34

37. RECOMMENDED
TED The Transformative Power of Classical Music
TALK
by Benjamin Zander
Benjamin Zander is the conductor of The Boston
Philharmonic Orchestra and a guest conductor around
the world. Mr. Zander is also one of the most sought after
speakers in the world. His partner Rosamund Zander and
he have collaborated on a best-selling book, “The Art of
Possibility” which has been translated into fifteen
languages.
click to watch!
Message Ben
Visit his website
“It’s one of the characteristics of a leader that he not doubt for Buy books
one moment the capacity of the people he’s leading to realize
whatever he’s dreaming. Imagine if Martin Luther King had Book to Speak
said, ‘I have a dream. Of course, I’m not sure they’ll be up to it.’”
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
35

38. Want more ‘good advice’ to help you
live a better life & build a better business?
1. SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES TO BE
NOTIFIED OF NEW EDITIONS OF THIS EBOOK,
EXPERT INTERVIEWS, EVENTS & MORE.
2. VISIT THE “BETTER LIFE, BETTER BUSINESS”
BOOKSTORE TO BROWSE AND PURCHASE
BOOKS FROM THE E-BOOK CONTRIBUTORS.

39. IN CONCLUSION:
Take it one moment at a time.

40. This Moment Matters
I hope you’ve enjoyed the contributions from me to my contribution to this compilation of
the great speakers, authors and thought leaders ‘good advice:’
within this compilation. More importantly, I
hope you’ll put some of this ‘good advice’ into This Moment Matters. by Shawn Ellis
action in your life and business.
This moment matters because everything Shawn Ellis has been studying, writing and speaking
about the topics of motivation, productivity and
After all, the best advice in the world is happens in this moment. This moment performance for over 15 years. As founder and president
meaningless if not acted upon. matters because we’re always in this moment... of The Speakers Group, he has partnered with many of
yet how many moments do we miss, either today’s leading authorities to bring empowering messages
So in conclusion, let’s address that: How do we because we’re moving so fast, or because we’re to individuals and organizations through live events. With
his “This Moment Matters” message, he’s on a mission to
take action on what we’ve learned within the replaying events of the past, or because we’re help today’s busy professionals be more present for more
pages of this e-book? worrying about what’s coming the future? of the moments in their lives and businesses.
I think we all want to do the right thing. We So try this: Be here now, and you can be
want to follow best practices... But it’s not so somewhere else later.
easy when facing all the curveballs life throws Message Shawn
our way—layoffs, a great recession, chronic You may have a grand vision you’re working
illness, government regulations, and on and on. toward. You may have a to-do list a mile long.
You may see lots of opportunities for Visit his website
It’s not so easy when you’re burned out and improvement after reading this book...
overwhelmed from being always in and always
on, forced to do more with less, with But you can’t do everything at once.
distractions coming at you from every direction. Book to Speak
What is the right thing to do right now?
We live in a world that constantly tells us to “do
more, faster!” Yet doing more, faster, doesn’t As often as possible, do that.
allow us to be our best. It’s actually the
opposite. Slowing down is the way to be our When you do, pat yourself on the back. When
best—the way to be your best. And that brings you don’t, well, a new moment starts right... now!
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com
38

41. Thank you for reading and sharing.
Thanks to the speakers and authors for contributing.
We wish you great success on your journey to...
LIVE A BETTER LIFE &
BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS.
www.TheSpeakersGroup.com
www.BetterLifeBetterBusiness.com

42. Want to get your “good advice” while on the go?
CLICK HERE for the audio edition! (It’s free!!)
Read by Shawn Ellis, you can listen to all
the great wisdom and expertise shared by
the thought leaders in this PDF ebook, in
MP3 format! Get your copy now!