Welcome to Mindful Monday!

My book, The Price of Becoming, is on sale right now on Amazon. So far, it is a USA Today National Bestseller, an LA Times Bestseller, a Publishers Weekly Bestseller, and a Success Magazine Bestseller. I think you'll enjoy it. I appreciate your support!

Here are some things from this week...

A great conversation with Ken Chenault about being the CEO of American Express
A simple formula for a pretty nice life
A beautiful essay from Tom Verducci about the Milwaukee Brewers
A cool video about the art of being yourself
Wise words from Phil Knight

#713: Ken Chenault - How To Earn The Top Job

Ken Chenault was chairman and CEO of American Express for 17 years, and Warren Buffett called him “the gold standard for corporate leadership.” Today he’s chairman of General Catalyst. His new memoir is Equal to the Task. During our conversation, we discussed Leadership Lessons from 17 Years as American Express CEO: How to Earn the Top Job, Hire Great Leaders, Build Culture, Challenge the Status Quo, and Lead with Character. You can also WATCH our conversation on YouTube.

Independence + Purpose

A simple formula for a pretty nice life is independence plus purpose. Purpose is different for everyone. Sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s community, religion, work, whatever. But independence is more universal. Our desire to be independent, why we want it, what prevents us from achieving it, and why some people sabotage their ability to have it, is such a common story across cultures and generations. A useful (and entertaining) essay from Morgan Housel.

A Master Craftsman at Work

"The Brewers brought back a beautiful, craftsman style of baseball that the analytics, scientific-driven revolution tried to kill. They hit the most ground balls, used the opposite field the most, used the lowest launch angle, and bunted the most, all heretical to the power-loving new schoolers who preferred pulling the ball in the air and avoiding the risk of outs on the bases. But that style could only work when the players bought in fully, like a symphony orchestra playing from the same sheet of music. Riffing not allowed. That many of the players in this case were young, discarded, or overlooked made such teamwork more possible. The camaraderie of the humbled." You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this beautiful piece of writing from Tom Verducci about the Milwaukee Brewers and their leader, Pat Murphy.

The Art of Being Yourself

Caroline McHugh shares a powerful message about breaking free from the trap of comparing ourselves to others, letting go of the need for external approval, and finding the confidence to embrace our unique individuality. It’s a useful, thought-provoking watch that shifts how you view authenticity. CLICK HERE to watch it.