First of all I want to apologize to my regular readers. I have been writing this weekly newsletter now for a couple of years and last week was the first week I have not produced an article.

I was in Montreal for an annual event called G2. G2 is an alumni group of business owners who have completed the Entrepreneurial Master’s Program at MIT. This is a 3 year program I completed with 60 other business owners a few years ago and our group decided we wanted to continue to meet each year for a similar experience.

This year our alumni group joined forces with another class from MIT for a 4 day conference in Montreal. I can honestly say this is one of my biggest highlights each year. As a matter of fact, next year is already confirmed with speakers, location and venue.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, nothing beats gathering with some of the top business owners from around the world for a week of learning, networking, and a bit of debauchery. G2 attracts people from all across the globe.

Each year it also seems that the guest speakers are less important than the actual attendees. The entire experience was hugely inspirational, but the biggest value for me comes from the peer interaction. If I were a racecar, attending this event is like filling my tank with race fuel.

• We heard stories from a man who has climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents.
• We met the CEO of Bombardier and heard his story of growing the company from $10M to $4B in 25 years.
• We learned how one of our attendees grew his company from zero to cashing out 10’s of millions of dollars in 3 years selling to Warren Buffett.
• We heard stories of how another attendee was arrested and held in jail for 3 days for base jumping from a very large and famous building in large US city.
• We heard the story of another attendee who has ridden a bicycle cross country.
• During the event another attendee received one of three bank wires for 10’s of millions of dollars for a company he just sold.
• We heard the life experiences of one woman who after being dumped by her (very high profile – you would know his name) boyfriend, she became a Buddhist monk for seven years. She then went on to start and sell 5 companies and coach corporate CEO’s and US Presidents.
• We heard the story of an attendee who put every last nickel into his start up including mortgaging his home and just a few years later cashed out millions.
• We heard the story of an attendee who decided to take his family to New Zealand for over a month to rock climb and surf and let his kids experience the culture.

The learning and the experience sharing were tremendous.

Now I ask you, “Where is your inspiration coming from?” Have you sufficiently upgraded your sphere of influence?

Or are you still hanging out with your beer drinking buddies (fyi, we also drank plenty of beer in Montreal) and watching Sportcenter all weekend?

I can honestly say that I feel proud and humbled to be part of this group. Usually I feel like low man on the totem pole, but I would rather associate with those that can help me grow and achieve more than spend time with those that can only pull me down to their level.

Look around you. Is your sphere of influence in the same economic situation as you? Lower?

How many of your friends have climbed the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents?
How many of your friends has started and sold 5 companies? How many of your friends have the courage to mortgage his house and invest every nickel to his last $50 only to see huge financial success?

How do you live your life? Are you pushing yourself daily to achieve and do more? Have you thrown off the chains of complacency to create a life worth living?

I am now questioning my own life after such a hugely inspirational week. I have done many things in my life; flying airplanes, racing motorcycles, skydiving, black belt in Tae Kwon Do, travelling to dozens of countries on 4 continents, starting and selling businesses, and much, much more.

And yet, I feel like I can do more. I need bigger goals. Each year I take a trip alone for a few days to reflect on the previous year and set goals for the next year and beyond. It seems I need to take another trip. Will you follow my lead and set bigger goals?

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