You’re a renegade-you have a level of passion and commitment that others don’t. You’re apt to break the rules that are blocking you from getting things done. You’re a renegade because you want to build something great, have a fulfilling career, and not be required to sacrifice yourself on the altar of success. Whether you are an entrepreneur leading your own company or an intrapreneur within someone else’s, whether the company is large or small, it doesn’t matter. I know what it’s like because I’m a renegade, too. I just didn’t always know it.
My journey into the world of business never bulleted down the express lane. At age 16, I ran away to New York City to become a model. Six months later I talked my way into college without a high school diploma. Neither New York’s fashion scene nor academia satisfied my yearning to make a difference in the world, so I became a Buddhist monk. At 24, I broke my vows. At 25, I got a burger, a boyfriend, and a bottom-rung job at Microsoft. I embraced my inner geek, but I also figured that the way to make my mark and help others was to start building companies. At 27, I decided to become a millionaire. Ten years later, I had made over $10 million and given $3 million of it away to assorted nonprofits. At 40, I retired, having consulted to 700 companies in the Fortune 1000 and 300 small businesses, invested in 200+ startups, created over 5,000 jobs, found the man of my dreams, got married, and became a step-mom to an incredible son.
Sounds fantastic, right? That’s the stuff for the front page of the résumé. Here’s the stuff that isn’t exactly front-page news: I also screwed up royally. Lots of times. I lost sight of the good intentions that sent me into business in the first place. I gave power over my life away to other people again and again, letting them decide whether I was worthy enough. I was so busy expanding my Rolodex that I blew off a bunch of great friends. I turned myself into such a molar-grinding, burned-out ball of anxiety that I needed a facelift at age 38 and had to have my teeth recapped at age 42. Oh, and did I mention that I made a little business mistake that cost me $8 million? It took some major wake-up calls-including, sadly, helping to care for my dying father-to get me back to the necessary work of reclaiming my life’s purpose.
I wrote Rules for Renegades to remind myself and others how exhilarating and creative and kick-ass business can be-and to tell a bigger story-that of building a fulfilling life while rocking your career. Here are my 10 Rules for Renegades:
Rule 1: Everything’s an Illusion, So Pick One That’s Empowering: We choose to define our reality… What do you want yours to look like? Design and act is if you are that person NOW.
Rule 2: An MBA is Optional, a GSD is Essential: Having a Gets Stuff Done is the best credential you can earn… It’s the most impactful pedigree because it makes your name synonymous with results.
Rule 3: Problems + Pain = Profit: Only painful problems are worth solving… Pain makes people open their wallets and take action.
Rule 4: Build Power Instead of Borrowing It: Many people get power by association. But what happens when the association ends? The positional power goes b’bye. Here’s how to build your own power that no one can take away.
Rule 5: Rock Rejection and Finesse Failure: Failure is simply a result we hadn’t anticipated. Learn to fail forward and get something out of each so called failure. Use QTIP for rejection: Quit Taking It Personally. Throw a Rejection Party.
Rule 6: Learn to Love Networking: Life = the people you meet + what you create together. Always remember this. Relationships are what life and business are all about. To rock your relationships you must learn to network palm up.
Rule 7: Only You Can Lead Your Life: Whether you see yourself as a leader or a follower, only you can be the CEO of your life. Own it. Learn the New Laws of Leadership to catapult your career and life to great heights.
Rule 8: Work Your Money Mojo: CEO means Cash Extraction Officer. It’s your job to keep your company, and life, well funded. Find out how here. Money is an energy to create things. Make sure you know how to harness its power.
Rule 9: Resign as General Manager of the Universe: Many entrepreneurs lean towards control freakism. Learn to let go a little. You’ll find this gives the people in your life a chance to step up more too.
Rule 10: Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There: With all of our at times frantic activity we need to stop and remember what really matters. Life isn’t about activity. It’s about making a difference in our brief dance on Earth.
Your path is different from mine, but I’m guessing we have some things in common. You want a fabulous life and career, maybe you have a vision that you want to make into a reality. You want to succeed without sacrificing your personal life. I wrote this book for you.
If you simply want to become financially independent, this book will help. If you want a meaningful life full of rich connections, this book will help. If you want to integrate spirituality with your work, this book will help. If you want to have more self-confidence and self-esteem, this book will help.
Order Rules for Renegades now! Click here: www.rulesforrenegades.com
To download the first chapter of Rules for Renegades, click here: www.rulesforrenegades.com/inside.html
