Over my lifetime I have become an avid reader of all things personal and professional growth. I’ve also come to learn that many people don’t have time to read, don’t like to read or don’t know what to read to help them live a Fantastic Life. This blog is a shortcut to articles and stories that I’ve found helpful. There are thousands in this library, organized by topic and by Fantastic Life rule. Even better, I’ve summarized each entry and highlighted what’s most important. So you don’t have to.
Categories
Firsts—Lasts—and the Journey
Last week, after 41 years working together, Jim Watkins and I closed our last deal. We closed our first deal together in 1984. In 2020,
The Benefits of Failure
Failure is success in progress.” – Albert Einstein. Let’s get into it—if you want real success, you’re going to have to fail. Probably a lot. In
The Joy of Long-Term Relationships
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller. One of the greatest gifts in life? Watching the people around
Ways to be Calmer
Calmness isn’t something I was born with— however, I have been working on becoming calmer….for a long long time. Ha. I have found that the most
Stop Networking, Start Connecting
We all know, success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know. AND in my opinion, more importantly, who knows you. The best networkers
What it Takes to be the GOAT
Tom Brady is the undisputed GOAT, and his story isn’t just about football—it’s about greatness, period. He wasn’t a prodigy. He fought, adapted, and pushed
Stop Procrastination
Procrastination is the enemy of success. Of course I have procrastinated just like everyone else, convincing myself that “later” is a solid strategy—only to find
Word of the Year: Consistency!
I have learned that success is not all about talent or luck—it’s about showing up every day, no matter what. The best performers don’t wait
Part 2 – Aging: Healthspan
In this second part of our series on Aging, Mary and I dove into a fairly new word: healthspan. Healthspan refers to the years you
Part 1 – Aging
The saying, “age is just a number” is starting to seem more and more true as I get older. Mary Henk, who works on my team,
Just Keep Growing!
Growth means change—and real personal growth requires us to let go of parts of our old selves. The habits, routines, or identities that once served
Burn Out
We’ve all been there — pushing past our limits until burnout hits, and suddenly, we realize we have met our max. When we’re constantly juggling work,
The Benefits of Travel
For me, travel isn’t just a getaway — it’s also how I stay inspired. I’ve written about the joys and lessons of travel many times. Here
How Self-Cultivation Unlocks Lasting Self-Improvement
Self-cultivation is a new word for how we build lasting self-improvement. It’s not all about hitting short-term goals (although I would argue that having super
Never Too Late
Learning never stops—at least not if we want to stay in the game and keep crushing our Fantastic Life. Research shows that when older adults
Making Healthy Habits Stick-New Science
Every year people make New Year’s resolutions and every year people do not stick to them. But my question is: why do we have to
Mindful Meditation Practice
Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword (and a frequent topic of LIFEies)—it delivers real, immediate benefits. According to Daniel Goleman, even a short meditation practice can calm
Set Big Goals Like Caitlin Clark
I get inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. A surprising one I found recently comes from basketball phenom Caitlin Clark, who just dropped a masterclass on
Family Traditions
Traditions aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re the glue that keeps families, friend group and work culture strong. In the Coppola family, we have a number of
The 80/20 Principle for Your Life
Here is a lesson I took a long time to embrace: Not everything deserves your time. Winners figure out what moves the needle and go
What Makes Us Happy?
I believe, for most people, happiness is a choice. And I believe it all starts with our habits. If habits run our lives, then happy
Running Advice from 90 year old’s
I ran long distances for a long time before I finally retired from running. But I didn’t stop moving. For the last 15-20 years I
Friendship Snacks
When I was working 70+ hours a week, I was a lousy friend and sibling. Life comes at you hard and when you are raising
Truth Without Being Harsh
Everyone always says honesty is the best policy, but what happens when the truth is hurtful? Mastering honest communication without hurting feelings is key to building
Exercise More=Sleep Better
Sleep and exercise are two of the most important ways to live a Fantastic Life. Today’s message is a simple one brought to us by
What Are Your Stories?
As the keynote speaker at the 2024 Lee Summit, I had the pleasure of discussing a few of The Fantastic Life rules. I shared how
Round 2: Difference Between Pros and Amateurs
I love this concept so I thought I would revisit it. If you want the original LIFEies on Pros vs. Amateurs, click here. I have always
LIFEies 10-Year Anniversary
Can you believe it’s been ten years since we started this journey together with LIFEies? A decade of sharing, learning, and pushing each other towards
Happiness Rules
Below is a great article by Scott H. Young detailing his 7 Rules for Happiness. All seven are great and worth thinking about applying to your
Doing Great Work
Achieving greatness requires more than ambition. You need talent, passion, and of course, relentless effort. Paul Graham’s insights on doing great work in the article