In 1986 I thought I ruled the world. I had just turned 18 and the world was mine to use as I saw fit. In 1988, I almost died in a car crash that would leave me in hospital for a month and on crutches for three.

In 1997, I was on top of the world. I was in a lucrative job and living the bachelor life to the fullest. In 1998, I had been unemployed for 6 months and two of my friends had died of AIDS. 

We're only borrowing good fortune. What we do with it is up to us - carefree only gets us so far.

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When George Lucas made Star Wars, he waived his director's fee in exchange for licensing rights. Despite most studios turning down his movie idea, Lucas believed in it and was willing to put his money where his mouth was.

Twentieth Century Fox agreed to the deal, believing that movie merchandise wasn't a big selling point. Star Wars went on to become one of the most successful movies ever, and the toys, video games, soundtracks and other merchandise made Lucas millions.

While you might not be George Lucas, there's no reason why you can't make your own blockbuster. All you need is belief.

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Most folks know the story of Noah. How God warned him about an upcoming flood that would last for 40 days and 40 nights. To preserve nature, Noah took two of every animal onto his Ark in readiness for breeding once the storm had passed.

However, you could also look at it another way. If a cow died, Noah would still have had one cow left for beef and milk. He and his family wouldn't starve, and they could come back to land and start afresh. 

Moral of the story? Always have a back-up plan.

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A new study by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada comes up with some amazing facts:

• Teen girls who smoke marijuana are much more likely to be sexually active
• Getting drunk more often correlates with an increased likelihood of sexual activity

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Marketing to a law firm is very different to marketing to a butcher's shop.

Implementing social media strategy for a school is not the same as implementing social media strategy for a school for spine surgeons.

Flying a kite is not the same as flying a three hundred passenger Boeing.

One size fits all solutions?

No such thing.

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We're watching.

We're watching what you say; how you say it; and the conviction behind it. We're taking in the words you use; the directions you're giving; the recommendations you're sharing. We're taking you at face value and trusting what our ears hear and our eyes see.

Our eyes are our cameras and cameras never lie.

So next time you're about to speak, remember - we're watching.

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If you're considered a leader, what type of leader are you?

Do you lead from the front and refuse to ask those under your guidance to do anything you wouldn't yourself? Do you hang back in the shadows and delegate from afar? Do you have lieutenants under you that carry out your work for you, and you just sign off the paperwork?

Whatever different form of leadership you take, one thing is common across all leaders - the knowledge that they need to be led as well.

Your troops are your front line of defense. This could be a sales team; a customer service team; a tech support team; or commenters on your blog. They can tell you what's happening every day. They can see changes you miss in the ivory towers of leadership. They can be the eyes that see new opportunities and best practices.

Leaders - true leaders - don't just lead; they're led as well.

If you're considered a leader, what type of leader are you?

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Old often equates to age, and wisdom. Old shows staying power and stamina, and hard battles fought and won.

New often equates to eagerness, and a willingness to experiment. New shows paths yet to be journeyed and successes to come.

Mix old and new and you have the wisdom to journey the right paths. The staying power to battle to success.

Old and new are two different words but they don't need to be two different worlds.

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When you're down on your luck, who do you turn to?

When the world seems against you, who do you turn to?

When you want honest advice and ways to make things right, who do you turn to?

When you need to get rid of all the BS and be the person you need to be, who do you turn to?

I'm guessing friends and family. Not fairweather friends; not imagined family. But those you trust. Those you've grown with; feel comfort around; know only have your best interests at heart. Because they know you'd do the same for them.

Now.

Imagine if your customers were your friends and family. Imagine the trust you could build. Imagine the belief in each other. Imagine the greatness you could create together.

Imagine the potential.

Ready to make new, true friends?

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