For most of my childhood, I was quietly terrified that my dad was going to die. When I was younger than ten, my siblings and I stumbled upon his secret: he was a smoker. He had probably hidden his miniature cigars from us so we wouldn’t pick up the habit ourselves, but once the cat was out of the bag, he started smoking in front of us.
There’s a powerful concept that shapes your entire life, yet most of us never think about it: your self-story. It’s the internal narrative you write about who you are, and it quietly determines your success. The good news is, you hold the pen. You can write a better story for yourself—one that helps you achieve your biggest ambitions.
There’s a simple but powerful psychological tool you can use to motivate yourself or someone else to build a habit or stick to a goal. It’s a technique that has been used in everything from presidential politics to personal fitness, and it all comes down to one simple shift: asking instead of telling.
There’s a fundamental rule of communication that, once you grasp it, can completely transform your ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and genuinely change people’s minds. It also shines a light on why so many of our arguments go nowhere. This principle is a game-changer for anyone running a or trying to get a off the ground.
I was fourteen, standing on a stage, and I was pretty sure my entire life was about to end. The auditorium lights felt blinding, and the silence from the crowd—a mix of students, parents, and teachers—was deafening. My job was simple: give a few closing remarks at the school awards night. But as I stood there, script shaking in my sweaty hands, my mind went completely blank.
Maybe creating your own digital product from scratch doesn’t sound like your cup of tea. That’s perfectly fine. There’s another path you can take—one that requires some initial effort and investment but can generate income for years if you set it up correctly. This is a great way to that has long-term potential.
Of all the different types of side hustles out there, one of my favorites has always been writing an eBook. It’s a classic example of a project that can generate passive income for years. In the past, becoming a published author was a monumental task. You had to write a manuscript or a detailed proposal, then send out countless query letters to agents and publishers, just hoping someone would notice you in a sea of submissions. It took a mix of serious talent and sheer luck.
When you’re thinking about buying a business, knowing what you’re looking for is everything. Making the wrong choice can be a disaster for your finances and your reputation. If you’re just getting started, it’s a good idea to explore different business models and industries to see what clicks with you.
One of the most straightforward ways to get a business off the ground is to find something people are already doing and simply do it better. Not everyone is sitting on a world-changing idea, but many of us have looked at a product or service and thought, “Why doesn’t it work way?” That single question can be the seed for a profitable venture. Plenty of huge companies, from Amazon Echo to Instagram Stories, have earned millions by offering a fresh take on an existing concept. But this strategy comes with a catch.