Today's episode is going to be incredible because we have a very special guest: Jonah Berger, author of "Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way" Are you looking for ways to improve your persuasion skills, whether in business or your personal life? Then you won't want to miss this one!During this episode, James and Jonah will be revealing the seven magic words that are proven to be highly persuasive. Imagine being able to use words like "you," "because," "free," "imagine," "if," "how," and "instantly" to influence and engage the people around you. And what's even more exciting is that Jonah will be sharing how he uses these same words to motivate and engage his children as a parent.But that's not all - James and Jonah will also dive into the psychology behind language and why certain words are more contagious than others. They'll discuss the role that emotions, social identity, and culture play in shaping our linguistic preferences and habits and share practical tips on how to become better communicators and storytellers.So, if you want to learn how to master the art of influence and become a better persuader in both your professional and personal life, tune in to this episode now. You won't regret it, because you'll discover how to use magic words to motivate and inspire those around you.Visit Jonah's WebsiteBuy Magic WordsJonah On Twitter------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

“You have the ideal life,” I said. “You think about things. And people pay attention. And you get paid for it.” I was talking to Jordan B. Peterson. His YouTube channel has tens of millions of views. He’s a clinical psychologist, professor, and author of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, and now a guest on this podcast.People stop him on the street. They say “Thank you.” They say, “You’ve changed my life.”“What did you say that helped their life?” I asked.But I already knew the answer…Because it’s true for me too.He told them what they were ready to hear. That’s it. And they acted. Sometimes people thank me. And I tell them “You did it.” Then we take a picture and I feel happy.I asked Jordan about his “12 rules for life.”“I tried to lay out the phenomenal logical landscape of humanity in this book,” Jordan said.I interrupted.“What’s phenomenal logical?”“It’s life as experienced. Ya know, you think, ‘What’s reality?’ Well, there’s material reality, but that isn’t the reality you live. You live a reality that’s full of emotions and motivations and personal experiences. That’s your reality.”I stayed silent. I was collecting.“But what’s the structure of that reality? What’s the fundamental structure of the human-lived reality?” he said. “Part of it is suffering because we’re finite and limited. But it’s suffering that’s tainted with malevolence because some of that suffering is unnecessary. You cause it, society causes it. It doesn’t have to happen. That’s the world we live in. It’s hard and it’s cruel.”Then he said, “You’re stuck with that. That’s the bottom line. So how are you going to deal with it?”I think that’s the basis of how we live. The answer to that question “how are you going to deal with it?” With losing money, hating your job, getting fired. That’s the act. The response is life.He gave me a lot of steps (for dealing with cruelty and suffering). I’ll give you some in a minute. But you should also listen to him on the podcast because he gives so much more in that one hour than I could ever collect on this page.STEP 1 – Get in touch with your dissatisfaction.STEP 2 – Take stock of your life (what can you do differently? What are the small steps? Don’t actually take them (yet). Just start by learning what you don’t like and what you do like in your life right now). Do that for a week.Those steps continue. But he also said this:“You have to choose your pathway of suffering. That’s one way of thinking about it. You can choose the suffering that’s associated with deceit, arrogance, resentment, bitterness or you can choose the suffering that’s associated with truth. The suffering that’s associated with truth transcends. It starts to make things better. Deceit makes life worse. And truth makes it better. ”I needed examples—dozens of them.I just kept throwing life problems at Jordan to see what he’d say. He told me how he solves conflicts with his wife. And how he managed his depression. He told me his thoughts on “the grind of life.”Because it’s every day. And it’s hard.But there are things we can do to make ourselves more okay with our chaos and the chatter between our ears. We can follow rules (like Jordan’s) or make our own.I’m doing both.Links and Resources12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. PetersonJordan’s website: jordanbpeterson.comFollow Jordan on Twitter and FacebookWatch him on YouTube (his channel has over 6.5 million subscribers)Also MentionedTools of Titans by Tim FerrissJordan’s interview with Joe Rogan Carl PanzeranA quote from Carl Jung: “Modern people can’t see God because they won’t look low enough”------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

In 2003, Jason Wright was feeling utterly miserable after spending six years job-hopping through corporate America. Wanting more out of life, he decided to become his own boss and operate his own small business. At the age of 28 and with no clue where to start, Jason was determined to make it happen.After a year of hard work, Jason successfully purchased an existing real estate company without any money down. His secret? A compelling story as to why he was the right buyer and an ability to convince the seller they'll get their money. Now, two decades later, Jason is a writer, teacher, podcaster, and coach still persevering in that same Texas town.In this new sub-series of unfiltered mentoring calls, James Altucher and Jason engage in an openly vulnerable conversation where Jason shares his journey of escaping corporate America and becoming a successful entrepreneur. Join us as we listen in on this fly-on-the-wall conversation and learn from Jason's valuable insights.https://www.jasonwrightnow.com/The Jason Wright Show------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Steven Kotler believes that middle-aged adults are better learners than kids, and he has the Ivy League studies to back it up.In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kotler, the bestselling author of Gnar Country: Growing Ould, Staying Rad, and a true expert in the field of peak performance and human potential.In Gnar Country, Kotler explores the world of extreme sports and the science behind what drives these athletes to push themselves to their limits. But what's really interesting is how this knowledge can be applied to all of us, no matter our pursuits.During our conversation, Kotler introduced the concept of "dynamic deliberate play," which involves taking on new challenges and exploring the unknown with a sense of curiosity and creativity. He also talked about how this kind of play can lead to a state of "flow," which is when we're completely absorbed in the activity we're engaged in and time seems to fly by.Kotler also discussed the idea of "peak performance aging," which is the notion that we can continue to improve and achieve our goals well into our later years. He shared the latest research on how our brains and bodies age, and how we can use this knowledge to stay healthy, happy, and productive as we get older. Kotler's compiled research suggests that 'cognitive superpowers' exist which aren't neurologically available to younger humans, but there are four conditions required in order to tap into those abilities:By age 30: Solve the crisis of identity.Be age 40: Create a tight-knit match between your identity and your principal activity.By age 50: Exhibit forgiveness and empathy for yourself and others.In your 50s: Regularly engage in challenging and creative activities.We covered a lot of ground in this interview, from the science of flow to the keys to achieving your goals, and everything in between. So, whether you're an athlete, a professional, or just someone who wants to live your best life, you won't want to miss this conversation with Steven Kotler. Tune in to learn about the power of dynamic deliberate play and how it can help you achieve your full potential, no matter what your age.Visit the Gnar Country websiteVisit Steven Kotler's websiteSteven Kotler on Twitter------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Frank Shamrock calls himself "The First Super Athlete" in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Some might say that Frank lacks humility, but he was the first UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and retired undefeated from the organization. He revolutionized MMA and went deeper than anyone else, studying the body and optimizing his performance. While others focused on technical fighting, Frank dug into the biomechanics and truly became a force to be reckoned with.But get this, Frank didn't start off as a fighter. Actually, he found MMA while he was in jail at the tender age of 11. Frank had left his abusive home and turned to crime as a way to protect himself and get out of his situation. Sad, but true.Fast forward a bit, and Frank is in prison at 17 for 3 and a half years. That's when he had his big "aha" moment. He realized that he had ruined his life with 20 felonies, no education, and a baby to support.Frank understood that he had hit rock bottom, but he wasn't going to let that hold him back. He learned that changing his mindset and taking action was the first step to rebuilding his life. Now, Frank is an inspiration to all of us.A former criminal who became a champion, Frank Shamrock's journey and lessons can inspire anyone, whether they're fighters or not. It's all about having the right mindset and taking action to overcome any obstacle.Links and Resources:Follow Frank on TwitterCheck out Frank’s WebsiteAlso Mentioned:“Bound by Blood” DocumentaryEgo is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

To be the best in the world at something requires a lot of skill, some talent, and a lot of hard work. In this episode, James sits down with Grand Master Avetik Grigoryan, the founder of ChessMood.com, to explore the importance of mindset in achieving peak performance at work. Avetik shares his experience as a professional chess player and coach, poker player, and entrepreneur, highlighting the role that mindset plays in achieving success on and off the board.As the founder of ChessMood.com, Avetik is committed to helping others master their mindset and unlock their full potential. [Side note: Chess Mood is incredible. It's hundreds of hours of videos and it really helps, no matter what your level is. Today also happens to be Chess Mood’s fifth year anniversary and they're unlocking all their courses for free.]Whether you're a professional athlete, a CEO, or someone looking to improve your performance at work, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for mastering your mindset and unlocking your full potential.Join James and Avetik as they delve into the importance of mindset in achieving peak performance, and explore the power of the motto "right mood, right move".------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

"If you're connected, there's always hope, there's always a solution. If you feel disconnected, man…it's all on you!"In this episode of the podcast, James Altucher sits down with Cal Fussman to discuss the need for human contact and social connectivity in a world that has been forever changed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Cal shares his personal experience of the daily breakfast group he was a part of for many years with his friend and confidant Larry King, where the motto was "Seize the Day".As the world begins to slowly emerge from the pandemic, Cal and James explore the ways in which our relationships with others have been impacted and the importance of re-establishing these connections. They discuss the value of in-person interactions, the benefits of having a strong support network, and the need for human touch and connection - even if it's giving yourself a daily high-five in the bathroom mirror.Whether it's rekindling old friendships, joining a new community, or simply taking the time to reach out to someone in need, this episode highlights the importance of human connection and the role it plays in our happiness and well-being.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Everybody is lying about the economy and I can't stand it anymore. Listen as I break down what people are misrepresenting, what is actually going on, and how I'm personally investing during this time.One stock that I own a good amount of is  Wrap Technologies, which I've owned for years (as a co-founder). I plan on owning it for hopefully 10 more years, so I don't care if people will buy it or not. Here's why I'm talking about this: I don't particularly care about what happens in the economy when I plan my investments. When I invest, I'm long-term and I'm looking for "moonshots" - exponentially growing industries that have the potential to take $1 and turn it into $100s.This interview originally appeared on Phil Stutts' Undefeated Marketing Podcast. Listen on to hear why people are lying about the economy - whether it's the Federal Reserve, the media, or economists - and what they're missing.Phillip Stutts' WebsiteThe Undefeated Marketing PodcastWRAP | Safer Policing Outcomes | BolaWrap® & Wrap Reality™ ------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

This interview blew my mind. I'm not going to inject stem cells into my penis, but I'm going to do everything else Ben Greenfield suggests. Human hacker - and New York Times bestselling author - Ben Greenfield joins the show as he shares the secrets from his book Boundless: Upgrade Your Brain, Optimize Your Body & Defy Aging. I have interviewed dozens of people on this topic; however, this episode and book sum them all up and then go 10x deeper! Ben explores cutting-edge science and strategies for optimizing every aspect of human performance, from physical fitness and longevity to cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and sexual performance. This episode will be enlightening whether you're a seasoned biohacker or just looking to improve your health and wellness. Get ready to learn how you can hack your own biology and unlock your boundless potential with Ben Greenfield. Visit Ben's WebsiteView All of Ben's BooksBen on TwitterBen's YouTube ChannelBen on Instagram------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook  ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Sara Blakely is a self-made billionaire. She’s the founder and creator of Spanx. I interviewed her in January 2017 - over 800 episodes ago! - but all of her advice (learned directly from DOING) is still impacting me today. I had to re-listen. And I hope you do too...Some people are inspirations for life. Sara is one of those people.Sara Blakely is weird. I wish I could think the way she does. I want to be weird like her.“I look at any object and try to think of any use it has other than what people had planned for it.”And then she acts on it. She sees a pair of pantyhose, cuts off the feet (why not?), and creates a multi-billion dollar company, Spanx.She sees her 9-month pregnant belly and paints a basketball on it. And then inspires hundreds of other women to do the same. Creates a book out of it, The Belly Art Project, and donates the proceeds to charity.“All my life I was taught how to deal with failure,” she told me. “My dad would ask us at the dinner table every night: how did you fail today?” HOW DID YOU FAIL TODAY?She got comfortable with failure at an age when every other kid wants to get an A+ at everything.She got comfortable embarrassing herself. For two years she tried to be a standup comedian. “I wasn’t very good at it.” Practice embarrassing yourself…Ready. Fire. Aim.She got a huge order from Nieman Marcus even though she didn’t have the inventory or the production ready.She said, “YES!”. Then she figured out how to get the order filled.Oprah listed Spanx as one of her “favorite things” of 2000. Oprah wanted to film her office. Sara had no office.She said, “YES!”. Then she got an office and filled it up with people.Say YES! Then make things happen. Don’t argue yourself into failure.Excuses are easy. Saying “yes” and then executing is hard. Get your thinking time.“It takes me five minutes to drive to work,” she told me. “But I take 45 minutes. I use that time to think.”It’s important to think. To be creative every day.This is how she comes up with non-stop ideas to expand her brand, expand her products, and work on other projects.I suspect this is the secret to how she always sees things differently. Being creative is a practice. It’s not lightning from above.It’s taking the long route when you could’ve taken the short route. Purpose = Infectious salesmanship.While I was talking to Sara she used the word “empower” several times.Spanx clothes give women more confidence. Empowers women. The Belly Art Project empowers pregnant women.It seems like there are three parts to a project that leads to mastering salesmanship.The higher purpose for it. This gets people excited.The actual product and its benefits.ExecutionCombine all three and people will get infected with your passion for your ideas. Sara was unstoppable. Don’t volley.Don’t engage with the people who want to argue with you. That’s time wasted when you can be creative. Don’t invite ego in the door.Once you’ve worked on your project, have passion for it, and started it, be willing to take suggestions and listen to people.Ego can kill a project and close the door on good opportunities. Be aware of your mortality.Sara was selling fax machines for five years before fully launching Spanx.She could still be selling them if she never started.If she listened to all the people who tried to dissuade her.If she became afraid of the multi-billion dollar companies that could have easily squashed her. Except they didn’t. She was one person and they were billions. But they lost.We are here only this precious small amount of time. Make every moment a work of art. Make every moment move you one step forward toward your dream and purpose.Invent a new undergarment even if you have never made clothes in your life.Get 100s of women to paint their pregnant bellies and then raise money for charity with the idea.“EVERYTHING IS A CANVAS,” she told me.Which makes everyone a potential artist. What a great way to look at life.But I can’t!Why not?For anything you want to do, for anything that excites you, take the time to figure out the next step. Ready. Fire. Aim.Just why not? Why not? Links and Resources:Visit her website: Spanx  The Belly Art Project and check out the book The Belly Art Project: Moms Supporting MomsEvery Mother CountsMen’s SpanxFollow Sara on Instagram@sarablakelyFollow Sara on Facebook + TwitterAlso mentioned:“How To Be a No Limit Person” by Dr. Wayne DyerI interviewed Sara’s husband, Jesse Itzler, about his book Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe  to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn