A few years ago, I was having lunch with a prospective coaching client. We were discussing his aspirations—where he was at the time, and where he wanted to be.

At the end of our lengthy conversation, Bruce asked me what the “key ingredient” was. He wanted to know the one thing successful people do in order to create results. What was he not doing, he asked, that was preventing him from pursuing this dream that he was so clearly passionate about?

What does Michael Jordan have to do with working less and making more? Lots. Michael Jordan is a good example of what happens when you focus on and maximize your talents and strengths. He’s also a good example of what happens when you don’t maximize your strengths and talents.

We all have things we’re really good at doing. And most of us aren’t just limited to one thing. Chances are, you’re probably brilliant at many different things. But there’s a difference between being brilliant at something, and loving something. When you focus on something you’re brilliant at, you’re using your strengths and talents in the best possible way. When you focus on something you love doing, you have a lot of fun but aren’t really using your strengths and talents in the best way possible.

If you’re already a Success Circle Member, I want to give you a sneak preview of the information that you will be receiving shortly in your mailbox.

http://www.successcirclemonthly.com

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INSIDE YOUR SEPTEMBER 2008 SUCCESS CIRCLE INTERVIEW:

The Psychology of Wealth Accumulation, with Kevin Hogan

Yesterday, I interviewed Kevin Hogan. If you don’t know Kevin, you should. He’s an author, motivational speaker, and the nation’s leading expert in the areas of body language and unconscious influence. Kevin is the author of 15 books (including The Psychology of Persuasion, a MUST read), and he teaches persuasion and influence skills to business and government leaders around the world.

At some point in the Work Less, Make More journey, you’ll realize that you really do have it all. You have love. You have money. You have time. And you have opportunities. That’s because the more successful you are, the more opportunities are attracted to you.

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who make things happen, and those who make excuses. And you can’t be both. Which means that—no matter how focused you are on making your goals a reality, no matter how much time and money you invest, no matter how many books you read and seminars you attend—you’re never going to be successful unless you stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for the situation you’re in.

I don’t mean to be harsh. I know some obstacles seem insurmountable, and over the years I’ve heard just about every excuse imaginable. Some of the excuses I hear over and over are: