The Sage and the Outlaw

Take a look in the mirror and be honest with yourself:Are you happy right now? Seriously. Do you feel like, maybe, you could be more? do more? have more? Let’s face it: whether it’s mindlessly hacking away at our jobs or binge-watching Netflix every night, so many of us get complacent with our lives.As for the rest of society? I mean, take a look around. You see it, right?Your friends finishing college. Your family members pursuing their dreams. And everywhere else, strangers walking around with a purpose. Suddenly, it could look as if everyone is on the path to success. Well…everyone...except you. We’ve struggled with that before, and if you’re in the same situation, then it’s easy to feel as if the world is against you. Y’know: envious to think “that should have been me.”But come on. Sooner or later, we all have to take responsibility 'cause, unfortunately, with or without you, the rest of the world continues on.That's why envy always turns into guilt: “that should have been me” becomes “I should have done that too…” It becomes “what if I didn’t waste my time all these years?” It becomes “what could have I done differently?”Ultimately, it becomes questioning ourselves. Every. Single. Freaking. Day. But let’s get real for a second. That CAN still be you. You can change “if” into “is” and “what could’ve been” into what you’re becoming. It’s not about what you could’ve done differently anymore. It’s about what you’re going to DO differently. Right here, right now.You see, the truth is, no matter what happened in the past, you can control what happens in the next chapter of your life. But to do that, you gotta let go of the small, daily habits. Instead, you gotta search for something that’ll redirect the story of your life drastically. And that something? A catalyst. A catalyst for change.In today’s episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, we talk about how to create exponential growth in your life by changing your circumstances. What it means to step foot into a point of no return. How to construct challenges in your everyday life. Creating opportunities that are so large, so urgent, and so lifechanging, that you have no choice but to grow – to push the boundaries of what you think is possible.But look, no matter what we tell you, here's a harsher truth: it doesn’t really matter.Why?Because at the end of the day, once again, we all have to take responsibility.So, will you accept the challenge?Or will you continue to look in the mirror, knowing nothing will change (except the guilt of never living up to your own standards)?You decide.

People talk about “being yourself” all the time, but let’s be honest: how do you “be yourself” when you haven’t even figured out who you are? We could be ending a relationship, changing careers, saying no to someone we look up to (or even saying yes). It doesn’t really matter what the situation is. Somehow, it always comes back to sitting ourselves down & asking the same question: “did I do the right thing?”And when you really think about it, it's no wonder that we often don’t know what’s right or wrong. Why? Because, well, most of us haven't even taken the time to ask ourselves a more important question: "what do I stand for?"You see, without defining who you are, you can’t really “be yourself.” And if you never look inward? you'll never be able to overcome the external problems - the problems that cause so many people emotional pain and discomfort. In today’s episode, we talk about overcoming those problems through a methodical approach, so you can take control of your life. We talk about creating values to help you find your purpose, make decisions, and react to tough situations. On the flip side, we talk about identifying things you will NOT stand for, so you can increase your value and protect those who matter. Let's stop talking about “being” yourself. Let's talk about “defining” yourself. Go ahead. Open the podcast and sit down. Perhaps you'll discover where you stand.

How many difficult decisions do you CHOOSE to make on a daily basis? Three? Four? Or…(if we’re being totally honest here) maybe “absolutely zero”?Actually, let’s take it a step back. What level of difficulty are you CHOOSING to play at life - in general?Easy? Medium? Hard? You see, life’s like a video game. And just like any video game, the tougher the monsters, the higher the rewards. Pretty straightforward, right? Well, unfortunately, UNLIKE video games, most of us choose to play small, hoping for the rewards that are earned by those who play big. But come on. You can’t expect greatness without a little (or a lot) of risk.That’s why, in today’s episode, we talk about having “skin in the game”- putting a personal stake in the decisions you make. It’s a concept that puts your ego to the test and proves if you are what you say you are. Having skin in the game means that if you screw up? You lose money. You make mistakes? You suffer the consequences. You make decisions people aren’t happy about? You lose relationships.In the end, there’s a lot of potential embarrassment, risks, and consequences if things don’t go right.Sounds “Hard”, doesn’t it?Well, it should be. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't choose the path of most resistance. Why? Because what you get out of it depends on what you do with what’s left. You screw up AND find ways to improve over time? You earn more and more money. You make mistakes AND learn from them? You grow faster than ever. You make decisions people aren’t happy about AND discover the type of person you truly are? You keep the relationships that matter the most.Truth is, this is always easier said than done. But even if you feel like you don’t have the level of talent to take big risks today, you can learn to gain more confidence in your choices. Day by day. Little by little. To eventually fight the most challenging monsters out there.Time’s running out. Do you just want to live (like most supporting characters)?Or do you want to feel ALIVE (Like a true hero)? 

Nothing good comes easy, and yet people still talk.“Why does HE, of all people, get that?”“Why is SHE in that position?” “Why can’t I be there instead?”Look, it’s easy to criticize someone else’s work. Easy to plan how you’ll do the job better. Easy to imagine why you deserve more. But can we be honest?If all you do is dream, plan, or criticize, then you will NEVER get to where you want to get to. In fact, those same people you complain about all day? They'll ALWAYS be the ones with the results. Not you. Why? Because actions speak louder than words, and at some point, you gotta ask yourself: Do your actions match your words? Or are you simply just talking crap?That’s the brutal question we ask in today’s episode, where we sit down with Chris Martin. Years ago, Chris was just someone who dropped out of college, didn’t have a job, didn’t have a car, and “pretty much had NOTHING.” And when you have nothing, well, what’s there to lose? That’s why Chris became a man of commitment and action. By following a simple philosophy, “Ain’t NOTHING but to do it”, Chris moved from Arizona to Hawaii in 90 days to pursue goals bigger than he had ever imagined. And today? Chris is a creative hustler, IT professional, rapper, and RELENTLESS entrepreneur. That’s why he wants to talk to you. Talk about why it’s so important to stop all this talking and start doing already, so YOU can pursue goals bigger than YOU ever imagined. This is the day you:Discover how to defeat the inner voice that’s hindering youIdentify the right time for research and the right time to executeTransform past mistakes into future successesClarify what success looks like to you, and what you need to do to get itAnd ultimately? Amplify the message with your actions – NOT your words.

Focus. If you look up that word, you’ll find about 3.92 billion results. Three. Point. Ninety .Two. Billion. Just let that number sink in for a moment.Do you feel it yet? The 3.92 billion pieces of information floating around you? Let’s face it. The world is cluttered, but NOT just with information. It’s cluttered with a billion different distractions and interruptions. And here’s the tricky thing. It’s cluttered with billions of things we feel we need to every day. And if we don’t know how to focus on the right things, then we’ll be fighting for every single second of our lives. Trust me, I’ve been there. Went from one idea of “being an entrepreneur” to filing the business. Then, making the website. Then, networking to meet “clients.” Posting pictures on Instagram to be relevant. Reading books on “how to not look like an idiot when selling.” Checking one item after the next on a never-ending checklistAnd you know what? No matter how much I did, it never felt like enough. Why? Because I realized being busy is NOT the same as being productive. And if I kept it up, being “my own boss” will just be a pipedream. Look, whatever you want to accomplish in life, you’ll be tested time and time again – against the 3.92 billion things getting in your way. That’s why, in today’s episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, Mala and I talk about defeating one of the biggest villains that prevent us from having control of our own lives: distractions.It’s time to remove the noise and discover how to:Use a step-by-step plan to organize, categorize, prioritize, and execute the right ideasCreate frameworks to keep you accountable for being productive, not busyClarify big projects into smaller, measurable tasks, so you’re rewarded for your effortsPrioritize your wants into short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals using a methodical approach Determine the most effective value-generating activities (and let go of time-wasters)And best of all? It’s time to discover the ONE tool you need that’ll increase your productivity by tenfold. (And surprisingly, it’s not some app on your phone or computer). So, shut your door, find a piece of paper, throw some headphones on, and get ready for one of the most productive podcasts yet, where you’ll transform 3.92 billion ideas into a day-to-day strategy.Where you’ll sleep happier, knowing you get to complete meaningful work once you’re done (even if it’s just ONE thing crossed off each day on your checklist) Resources:Eisenhower Matrix - https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxxt3fG_kc8/XRTWFR5RhwI/AAAAAAAAJ2o/UygPlb3fVA4UlvCa4M6fFvuheO9p2ZWYACLcBGAs/s1600/Eisenhower%2BMatrix.pngsageandtheoutlaw@gmail.com

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” We know. A bit of an overused and cliché question, right?  But let’s stop and think about it for a second. Seriously.  We get asked something similar every day, and we don’t even realize it:“Don’t know what you want to eat? Fine. We’re going to this restaurant you might hate.”“Don’t know how much you want to get paid? Then here’s the salary we believe is fair.”“Don’t know why you’re doing what you’re doing? Then here’s another distraction that’s gonna prevent you from getting what you want.” You see, choices are made for us every single day when we choose to say, “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know.”  And what are we left with? Frustration with the amount of money we make. Disappointment from the failure of goals we committed to.Anger from the lack of time we get to spend on doing what we want.Anxiety from the uncertainty of what’s gonna happen next. “But these are things out of our control." Come on. That’s just a B.S. excuse.If you want something different, then you have to DO something different. You have to choose exactly what you want in your future. How? By creating a vision. We know, we know. A bit of an overused and cliché term, right?But seriously. We need to stop and think about it for more than a second here. Because the truth is, most of us were never taught in school that visualization is a SKILL. And like any skill, it requires an understanding of the process. It requires practice, discipline, and focus. And that’s what we wanna focus on today. In this episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, we talk about using a tool to bring clarity to your life. Something called, “Vivid Visions” – personal blueprints of what you’ll see, feel, hear, and do in YOUR future. An amazing tool that sets direction and purpose. Something that opens a world of possibilities. Since creating our own personal Vivid Visions in our lives, we’ve been able to literally witness it come to life every day.Picture being featured in a national magazine read by millions. Imagine having the opportunity to speak publicly in front of people beyond your expertise. Picture finally leaving toxic environments and LIVING a more fulfilling life.That’s just some of what we’ve been able to do since we’ve brought clarity to our futures. And it’s what YOU can do if you can bring clarity to where you want to be.Come on. It’s time to design your future. And all that’s needed? Your presence.Resources:Vivid Vision by Cameron HeroldMindValley Podcast hosted by Vishen Lakhiani

It seems as though we all have it:Friends we enjoy hanging out with, but sometimes can get frustrated withPeople we enjoy working with, but sometimes we can't count onRelationships we love, but sometimes feel one-sidedFor many of us, we bear with it. We try not to take it too personally. Accept people's flaws for what it is. But come on. There's always a threshold. And when that threshold hits? Bridges are burnt. Sure, some relationships are worth burning. But what happens if you end up burning every bridge? Or if every bridge you build just adds more weight and stress to your life?Here's an idea worth considering. Bridges are made to provide passage OVER obstacles. NOT to be the obstacle. But to maintain a bridge, you need to monitor it. This means using data from multiple angles. Many of us don’t do this when we look at relationships. We typically only view it from one angle – our angle.The truth is, however, there are certain things only you know about yourself, and there are certain things EVERYONE else knows about you that you're unaware of. The same could be said for the relationships you have. That's why, to construct a stable and healthy bridge, you need to give and accept construct-ive criticism. And there's really only one way to do that: feedback from multiple angles. This means giving and taking it.Feedback isn’t always pretty, but it's exactly what we need to get us all to the top. You see, this past week, Mala and I had the opportunity to present a talk to Pearl Harbor's Rotary Club. We decided to do our presentation on how everyone can get to the root of their own problems. But here's the funny thing. Mala and I had our own problem. Preparing for the speech together did not go as we each envisioned. This meant frustrations on both our ends.We always talk about how it's important to be honest with yourself and face the brutal facts of reality. But in today's episode, Mala and I get honest with each other, give a few brutal facts to how we felt, and of course, do a lil' monitoring of the bridge we've built together. By monitoring and assessing our relationships, you too can finally:Discover why we get frustrated with our own relationshipsLearn how to better communicate the way you work to othersChoose the right kind of friends worth havingIdentify where you can improve yourself through honest feedbackAdopt an entirely new perspective to getting what you wantAnd ultimately? Construct the kinds of bridges that hold the most weight: TRUST bridges. But hey, don't let our words fool you. Cross the bridge yourself by listening to the episode. See if it takes you where it took us. (spoiler alert: it took us places)ResourcesSelf-Analysis by Karen HorneyGetting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got by Jay AbrahamJohari Window ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window)Kolbe Test to identify the best method for you to be most productive ( https://m.kolbe.com/aindex)Pacific Rim movie (The one where kick-ass giant robots beat up monsters)Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future by Cameron Herold

Ever felt powerless from the problems you were facing? Ever felt tired and stressed from the motions of life? Ever felt...nothing? Literally. Nothing?That's what happens when you suppress your emotions. You end up losing touch with you who you really are.You end up feeling anxious and stressed at just about everything that life throws at you. But what if the problem isn't what life throws at you but instead what you're not allowing yourself to throw at life?Look, we live in a world where we are being judged constantly. Where we're constantly told "you gotta be realistic", or "you're wasting your time pursuing that" or "maybe you should choose something more stable". This makes expressing ourselves difficult. And as we grow older, we become compliant with the views of others. Over time, expression becomes repression. Repression becomes suppression.  And when we suppress our own curiosity, we let go of our individuality. And when that happens, the only thing left is nothing right. Literally.The RIGHT side of our brain - the creative side - gets defeated by our LEFT side - the rational side. And what happens when the rational side becomes too powerful? We live our lives by "logic". "Here are the facts. 90% of startups fail; On average, people with only a high school diploma make 66 percent less than those with a bachelor's degree; If you do this or that, you'll fail"But what if we flipped the switch? Abandoned regular thinking? Looked at things from the RIGHT side?"Ten percent of businesses succeed; Many of the top leaders of the world are college dropouts; Failing can be the biggest stepping stone to getting exactly what you want" Looking at things from the right side is what allows us to be artists. And that's the picture we want to paint for you today. In this episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, we work with Rob Rideb, a.k.a. Rob QUEST - a longtime competitive dancer, a musician, a photographer, and the founder of a nonprofit organization called The Good Humans. With Rob's expertise in expressing himself through his creative life, we embark on the greatest quest of our podcast yet, where we guide you to:Recognize that great ideas won't just "come" to youAbandon regular thinking for the "right" kind of thinkingDevelop the discipline and passion into the work you doFind your creative outlet, by suspending disbeliefLove the form of art that connects with you the most, despite prejudice from othersGive back to the rest of the world Rule your life by unifying your rational side with your creative sideDiscover yourself with the right support systemSeek the truth behind your feelings and the origin of repressionTransform your inner asshole into a "Good Human"And ultimately? DANCE your way through self-actualization, letting setbacks become step backs. With some footwork, we convert decades of discovering who you are into just an hour and thirteen minutes. And with a little rapping, alotta ambulance sirens, and some verses here and there in today's podcast, all that's LEFT is to press play, so we can dance our way into what's RIGHT. Resources: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty EdwardsAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearAwakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World by Carol S. PearsonLinchpin: Are You Indispensable by Seth GodinDecisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip & Dan HeathAha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan

Credit card declined. Wallet empty. Bank account in the red - we've been there.  Let's face it: over 80% of millennials are in debt.  And if you're one of 'em, you're probably on the edge of your seat every day - waiting for that next paycheck.And when that paycheck comes? Back to zero we go.You've probably tried to take control already. Maybe you tried budgeting. Paid one of your loans off earlier. Invested in a couple of stocks. Saved 10% of your income every paycheck.  But let's face another fact: things always get outta control. Another expense to the budget. A surprise cost you couldn't plan for. Interest rates going UP on those loans and returns going DOWN on those stocks.No matter what you do, you end up draining that "savings" account to "save" yourself from yet another fire.And as a result, we can never have the freedom to do what we want. We can't make choices to get out of situations we don't want (*cough* crappy jobs). And we can't invest money into ourselves to fulfilling our true potential.You should have a great job, great income, and a great lifestyle, but the reality is…you probably don't.Fortunately, you don't always need money to change that.You do, however, need the right mindset, and that's what we're asking you to pay today. By investing just an hour into listening to the newest episode of the Sage and the Outlaw, featuring Mr. Jay Jerome, you can perhaps get the greatest return on your investment this week (Money-back guaranteed. Well, the episode is free, but you catch our drift)Look, we all know the formula to wealth is simple (Spoiler alert: it's "spend less + make more"). But here's the thing. Common knowledge isn't common practice. Why? Because sometimes, the PROCESS of common knowledge isn't ever talked about. How do you "spend less"? Where should you allocate your income? How do you MAKE more? (Please, no multi-level marketing schemes).We're not here to talk about some high-class lifestyle of partyin' everyday riding Lamborghinis. That’s not always wealth. (Ever met someone who makes 200k/yr but still lives paycheck to paycheck? Yeah, those people exist). Jay is here to talk about the reality of those who've accumulated and kept wealth and what we can learn from ‘em. We're here to talk about playing the long game while havin' fun - the PROCESS of building YOUR wealth, including:Tracking your time and money, so you can face your facts to the right pathViewing how you spend differently, so you can enjoy spending on the things you truly valueHolding yourself accountable for the life you want with your financial habits (Talk is cheap. Actions are worth more).Increasing your value, so you can increase your income (Again, please no multi-level marketing schemes) And moreTrust us, even if you're drowning in debt, you can take strides to swim into wealth.So, forget about sliding your credit card for this one. Just slide your finger down the screen and tap that play button. Let the passive income (*ahem* "knowledge") fast forward your way out of debt and into the journey of wealth.  (FULL DISCLOSURE: THIS EPISODE IS NOT FREE. IT HAS A HIDDEN FEE OF 1 HOUR, 4 MINUTES, AND 2 SECONDS. NO REFUNDS. FOR COMPLAINTS OF THIS EPISODE, PLEASE SEE THE RATING SYSTEM)ResourcesI Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit SethiGetting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got by Jay AbrahamAtomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James ClearThe Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Thomas J. StanleyCreditkarma.comMint.com

“You + College = Success” That's the formula taught to many students and, unfortunately, a belief still rooted among many adults. Truth is, however, getting a degree in a classroom is NOT critical to your success. Now, don’t get the wrong idea.Education IS important, but who is to say you need “formal” education?Building your knowledge doesn’t have to happen solely within a classroom, and to prove it, we’ve got a professional FROM the classroom to teach you just that.In today’s episode of The Sage and The Outlaw, we’ve got Hayle Jerome – an elementary teacher with five years of experience and a pHD student in educational leadership. With Hayle, you’ll learn things not commonly taught in textbooks – from the origin of education to where it stands today. From the impact passionate professors can make to their students, to the problems and dangers apathetic teachers create. From the benefits of formal education to the disadvantages. And most importantly, from the teacher’s responsibility to cultivate your learning to YOUR responsibility. Yeah, we’ve said it – you gotta teach yourself to teach yourself.Don’t worry though.Learning doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be exhilarating.  Seriously. Mother-fuckin' exhilarating.Like, picture having conversations with imaginative authors inside of books, arguing against each other.Picture understanding learning styles and applying what you learn in minutes.Picture being able to read three times as fast, consuming power like eating your favorite ice cream.Picture dragons and wizards showing you how science connects with magic.  We know that sounds crazy, but that’s the point.You + Learning + Imagination + Application = Success. That’s our promise.So, if you wanna be a maverick – an indispensable problem-solver, then it’s time you learn to stretch your mind outside of the classroom. To evaluate the lessons being taught to you and determine if they’re worth learning. To look inside of you for the traits you had as a kid: having imagination, giving creativity, and not giving a crap ‘bout limitations. To accept a career that’ll pay you more than anything else in life: a career in life-long learning. Ready?Then take a seat in the faculties of your own mind – where the standards of education no longer apply.Where you set the standards yourself.  The only prerequisite to today’s lesson? Tapping that play button.Resources:How to Read a Book by Mortimer J Adler and Charles Van DorenThe First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything ... Fast by Josh KaufmanClassroom Instruction that Works: Research-based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement by Robert J. MarzanoYou Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen SinceroThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

What do you think is one of the most important predictors to your success? Your degree? Items listed on a resume? The ability to calculate the slope to some imaginative line? OR how about none of the above? How about a topic that’s rarely, if at all, found in the classroom?That topic? Emotional intelligence. In today’s episode of The Sage and the Outlaw, we’re here with special guest, Laura Essenberg, who, at just 26 years old, has been involved in just about every stage a company goes through. Startups, scaling and mature companies, private organizations, and nonprofits – you name it. From the corporate world here in Hawaii and now in the pursuit of law, Laura is here to talk about the judge and jury in a courtroom that not many people realize exists. The laws, regulations, and debate that's constantly taking place inside of YOUR head. The invisible courtroom called...your brain. So, go ahead. Have a seat.Gather the evidence covering Emotional Intelligence 101, including: Understanding the various stages of self-awarenessDetermining the difference between EQ and IQLearning how to self-analyzeTracing back to where your emotions come fromEmpathizing with others to achieve your goals AND their goalsSeeing the “bigger picture” of EQ through “The EQ Model”And most of all? Discovering the verdict of a lifetime, so you can pass judgement to the number one suspect that’s truly hindering your current success.Ready? Good. Press play and let the trial begin. 

Lemme ask you a simple question.How many times have you tried a new routine, just to miss one day, then two days, then eventually give up?Maybe you told yourself you’re gonna start exercising every day. Or that you’re gonna read before you fall asleep. Or gain superhuman strength like Saitama from One Punch Man by doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-k run every day?  Whatever it is, people tend to make commitments to themselves they can never keep. And when they break these commitments? They feel like crap.And when we feel like crap? We start the pattern all over again.These patterns we give ourselves are our habits, and our habits become who we are.  So, how do you keep the great habits and let go of the bad ones?  You’ve probably heard it before. You need to have “willpower” or “motivation.”  But what you’ve probably never been told is this:There is a PROCESS to keeping commitments. To making AND breaking habits. That “willpower” will only get you so far. That you’ve got to learn to identify the things that reduce your willpower and to design your environment to maximize it. And without knowing this process, you’ll never truly be in control of your life. After all, process creates freedom and creativity. That’s why, in today’s episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, we want to provide you with that freedom. Learn the ins and outs of habits, such as:The four factors that make up a habitA legitimate step-by-step process to building and breaking habitsHow companies use habit-forming techniques for their products (and on you)How you can become more conscious of your surroundings and identify triggers that cause you to respondHow you can design your environment to allow you to live your best youIt’s time to match your actions with your ambition.It’s time to transform your unproductive habits into meaningful action. It’s time to stop reading a description of a podcast episode when you should be listening instead. It’s time to press play.  Resources:Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James ClearHooked: How to Build Habit-forming Products by Nir EyalTools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy FerrisLife After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy by George GilderThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill  IMPORTANT: There are a few skips in the beginning of the episode due to technical issues. 

“If you find yourself having to remind everyone all of the time that you're the sergeant major and you're in charge, you're probably not”. Sound familiar? That’s the Sergeant Major of the Army for you – Daniel A. Dailey.Let’s make one thing clear though. Dailey’s statement applies to everyone “in charge”.   Having the titles, “manager, executive, or boss” doesn’t automatically define you as a leader. And unfortunately, most people don’t realize this.  Think about it. Even if you aren’t in an “authoritative” role, who do you look up to in your life? Who has great influence over what you do in both your work and personal decisions? More importantly, why?  Have you thought that perhaps these people could be manipulating you for their own self-interests? Not to say that’s entirely wrong, but are YOU winning too? Being involved in something actually meaningful? These are just some of the tough questions not enough people ask themselves on a consistent basis.  Why? Because it’s not just about whether you’re a good leader. It’s about whether the people YOU follow are great leaders too.  It’s time you open your eyes to BOTH sides – not just one. That’s why, in today’s episode of The Sage & The Outlaw, we talk about defining leadership – how it’s so important to constantly evaluate the people you commit to, BUT also how difficult it is to lead in the first place. To lead our conversation, we’ve got someone with experience and results –  Jordan Limos (veteran, former Non-Commissioned Officer, and military contractor with 8 years of experience in intel, sharing some insight with his time in warzones like Afghanistan). Jordan's someone who isn’t afraid to cut the bullcrap and dig in deep.  To confront the non-qualified “leaders” and grow into becoming a real leader.You’ll learn that leadership is not just about ambition or charisma, but about what you do. Every. Single. Day. That providing direction requires way more skill than people think. That you gotta be strong-willed and choose to serve those you can trust. Stand by what you believe. Above all, you’ll learn that leadership is NOT natural, and anyone can grow into it.  But don’t get the wrong idea.“Can” does NOT mean “will”We’ve all heard it before – “My manager is terrible. I can do that job better.”Then they realize that it’s not that easy. That you gotta learn to lead yourself, make decisions quickly, be willing to get into the trenches, and more. Anyone CAN do that, but WILL you?Then go ahead and hook up those earphones and press play. It’s time to unleash the leader within you.  Resources:48 Laws of Power by Robert GreeneLeaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon SinekGood to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim CollinsHow to Get Rich: One of the World's Greatest Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets by Felix Dennis

“I did so much for her, and this is what she does to me?”“I can’t believe he’s been stringing me along!”“What did I do wrong?”“It’s not you... it’s me.” Sound familiar? That’s reality knockin’ on your door. Here’s how you typically see it in movies. First, the man or woman meets a hot love interest. Second, the character does a few grand gestures – y’know – some singin’, dancin’, flowers, etc. Third? A few conflicts here and there that put you on the edge of your seat. But in the end, you always end up with the “happily ever after." You convince yourself this could be YOUR future. That “true love” is gonna come to you one day, just like in the movie. That you can chase after that person and get that ending too. That you deserve this.Well, we’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news? Hollywood has shoved some lies and false hopes into your throat.The good news? You do deserve that “happily ever after." But you’re not gonna get it doin’ grand gestures chasing after your love interest. You’re going to get what you deserve by having the most attractive trait you can have. That attractive trait isn’t about being smart. Or clever. Or using those stupid “pick-up lines." It’s not about being “the nice guy” nor is it about being “the badass” either. It’s a lil’ something called VALUE. And this doesn’t involve just dating. It involves who you attract in your life – from partners to career opportunities – let’s be real. People need more of this. Perhaps you need more of this.  After all, isn’t it time YOU know how much you’re worth? To choose to NEVER settle? In today’s podcast of The Sage & The Outlaw, we’re catching up with special guest, Arwin DeJesus, where we talk about becoming a part of the 3% population – the small percentage of people who know how to value themselves, be direct with their intentions, and attract what they want.  Look, dating doesn’t have to be complex – relationships don’t have to be complex.Don’t believe us? Go ahead and press play. Clicking a button sure as hell isn’t complex either. Want more resources? Check out: "How to be a 3% Man, Winning the Heart of the Woman of Your Dreams" by Corey Wayne

What's causing you stress right now? More importantly, whose fault is it? Your past? Your boss's? Your dog's? Let's be honest here - most of the problems you're facing right now, whether it's how much you make, how unhappy you are, or what life is throwing at you, is no one else's responsibility but yours.And no. This has nothing to do with telling you that you're to blame for what you have right now. It does, however, have everything to do with what you're responsible for today and tomorrow. How you can take change your future by taking charge right now and right here.How do you do that? By taking extreme ownership of your life