The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes

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 mistreated. She shares her struggle to admit that something was wrong and the tricks her mind played on her in the process. So get ready to learn how to have the courage to demand change on Episode 851. Some Questions I Ask: What’s missing in your toolkit? (31:00) What needs to change for actual change to happen? (53:00) How do we know what to take on first? (58:00) What are the three accounts we should follow to be educated on what’s going on? (1:12:00) Who was the most influential person in your life? (1:18:30) In This Episode You Will Learn: The scary side of acting (27:00) About Lewis’ “Yes and No List” (34:00) The importance of opening up about what you’re ashamed of (40:00) The struggle Sophia had with quitting her toxic work environment (45:00) How to separate yourself from the system that you’re in (1:00:00) Sophia’s plan for the future (1:24:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes, and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/851 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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 through these emotions, he has come out a more authentic and heart-centered person. So get ready to learn how to get into the flow of life on Episode 850. Some Questions I Ask: How do you get connected to the heart when there is so much ego? (8:00) When did you experience the most self-doubt? (16:00) How do people stop caring what people think about them? (31:30) Who was the most influential for you growing up? (43:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to get into the flow (6:00) How to use criticism as fuel (20:00) About Tony’s struggle to transition from football to commentary (22:00) An exercise for opening your heart (32:00) About the letters Tony wrote himself before games (35:00) How to parent with your heart (52:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/850 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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 consistent about what Ubuntu says yes to. It’s not the most glamorous route, but it’s the most impactful. Learn how to stay disciplined and focused on your goal in Episode 849. In This Episode You Will Learn: The thing that has worked the best for Ubuntu (2:00) Why you sometimes have to say “no” to things (2:30) About the struggle to keep people interested in your cause (3:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes, and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/849 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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 in the Top 10 Most Influential Social Impact Leaders, as well as the 4A’s list of “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.” His methods are studied in cases at Harvard Business School. Jason has put together four principles of persuasion that can help transform you into a master influencer. The bullet points are easy to understand and might even surprise you. So get ready to learn the soulful art of persuasion on Episode 848. Some Questions I Ask: What’s the most fun you’ve had working on a brand? (10:00) How can you be empathetic when people are attacking you? (31:00) What’s something people can do today to make them more influential (43:00) What are you three truths? (46:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: About Jason’s company Mekanism (5:00) Why you should never be closing (12:30) How vulnerability is key to power (16:00) The Four Core Principles of persuasion (19:00) Why it’s important to master different skills (38:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/848 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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. Some Questions I Ask: What’s been the greatest lesson in the last 10 years? (6:00) What are the things you think you’re not doing well in business? (24:00) Are you open to the idea of marriage? (35:00) Where would you be if you were single for the last 10 years? (38:00) Where do you have the least amount of confidence? (48:30) What are the 3-5 things you do every day or most days? (1:00:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How work ethic can be a bad thing (13:00) How Marie sets non-negotiable “adventure time” with her husband (16:00) The importance of downtime at home and in your job (20:00) About Marie’s decision to not have kids (27:00) Why you should trust your timing (42:00) The three rules for understanding “everything is figureoutable” (1:18:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/847 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes