Before reading this post, take a minute and think about something you have always wanted to learn. . . . Your time is up! What have you desired to learn, but for multiple reasons, never made the time or financial investment to make it happen? Write it down. . . . Now, I want you to ask yourself why did you want to learn that skill or topic. Were you motivated by money or something intrinsic? Your what and why are the critical starting points to begin every learning adventure.

Imagine that it's your first day on a new job. After completing the new hire paperwork, your supervisor asks you to sit at a desk and participate in computer-based training. This interactive and informative training lasts for one hour. When your supervisor returns, they ask you to follow them into a classroom where you will spend the next four hours learning about the company and your position. Orientation is often not fun, but necessary to prepare you for your new role. Have

We must learn to let our egos die. Yes, we must embrace courageous actions that include accepting failure and rejecting foolish pride. In TD Jakes's book Destiny: Step Into Your Purpose, he writes we must interpret failure as an incident and not a conviction on the value of your life. I know admitting failure is difficult. It is challenging to acknowledge that sometimes working hard is not enough. We can put in an insane amount of effort and still fall short of our goals. Las

Have you ever had second thoughts about a decision? It felt right in the moment, but soon after, you regret the choice you selected. I've been there enough in my life to know that I don’t like regret. I do my best to make decisions from a thoughtful and informed position. My decision process does not mean that I believe I am perfect. Like you, sometimes, I struggle to select the best choice and regret returns for a visit. Last weekend, I wrestled. I went back and forth with m

Maxwell and Sharpton could not be any more different if they tried, but in their writings, they express similar views about leadership. John Maxwell is a former church pastor turned business leadership consultant. Al Sharpton is also a minister, but many of his insightful experiences derive from the political arena. For many years, I disregarded Rev. Sharpton. I couldn’t take the permed hair and tracksuits that were staples of his persona serious. After reading his book, The

I did it! This entry is my 100th blog post. To celebrate this milestone, I am offering $100 off my online self-paced personal development course, Frequency: Personal Development 100. This coupon is available for 24 hours only! While living in Mexico, I began this blog to motivate you, share my writings, and build brand awareness. Since 2017, it has served as a personal accountability measure, an inspiration resource, and as a tool to help me engage in critical conversations w

It has not been perfect. I will continue to face some challenges. Regardless of the circumstances, I commit to making this work. As you know, the transition from life in the United States to abroad has not been easy for my family or me. We have battled financial problems, emotional growing pains, and other life obstacles that come with pursuing alternative paths to success. These three years living as an expat have pushed us beyond figurative and literal boundaries. I am grat

The following is not an exaggerated account of the exchanges between my friends and me. It is an accurate reflection of the conversations that we had as teenagers when they slept over at my house. “Hey man, do you think you could hand me a blanket? I’m cold! No! Get yourself a blanket, punk! I am not a wimp and here to serve you.” As young men, we are often socialized to believe that serving others is a behavior to avoid. We believe doing something kind for another person con

Books filled my childhood. With my father's work as a church pastor, he maintained a home office with volumes of books on religion and leadership. I remember most mornings began with the sight of my mother reading at our kitchen table. My sisters were also avid readers. It was very clear from a young age that learning was an action my family valued. When it came time for me to begin my family, I also carried the tradition of reading and filling my home with books. Similar, to

I can always count on her. When I am buried in my writing projects and tapping the depth of my creativity, she reminds me to return to reality. My wife always keeps me informed. The other day I was sitting and writing at the kitchen table. My partner was upstairs and taking a few moments to herself after putting the children to bed. From the top of the stairs she whispered, “Vernon, I just sent you a Facebook message.” I was in that creative space again extracting what Elizab

It's going on two weeks without a cell phone, and it remains a blessing! For this weekend's blog post, I am re-sharing my article that appeared in my column at The Good Men Project where I discuss how breaking my phone twice in six weeks led to a new level of clarity. I am hoping that it inspires you to get bold and take a technology break today to get clear on the vision for your life. Six weeks before my trip to Wisconsin, for a speaking engagement, I dropped my phone and c

I walk into my favorite local café, greet the cashier, and order the house coffee. In Spanish, the cashier asks me if it’s for here or to go. To go I reply, but I know I plan to have a seat. My Friday night writing sessions have become somewhat of a ritual. I often sit at the brown circular table near the window to feel the warm breeze and relax. First, I open I-Tunes and search for the soundtrack to the classic film Love Jones. Without question, I select Hopeless by Dionne F

It was 4:30 AM when I heard my office door swing open. My middle child was awake and needed his nebulizer for a breathing treatment to resolve challenges with his asthma. Without hesitation, I stopped a writing project and tended to his needs. I wasn't angry with my son for interrupting my work because on most mornings I am awake by 3:30 AM and in my routine. Crazy? 3:30 AM! It's not uncommon for me to be up this early because I am often in the bed by 8:30 PM. It takes discip

There will be occasions when you must say "no" to others to say "yes" to yourself and the strategic activities in alignment with pushing your dreams forward. This philosophy is the premise of Shanda Rhimes' book, Year of Yes. I cannot claim to have read this one, but this is the understanding I have gathered from my wife who did and shared Rhimes’ overarching theme with me. The sentiment in Rhimes’ text, telling others "no" to say "yes" to me, resonates with my use of social

Yesterday, my daughter pulled my finger as we crossed the street and a car approached the intersection. When we made it safely to the other side, she turned and said to me, "Daddy, I saved you." I was never afraid that we would not make it to the other sidewalk. We were too far ahead of the oncoming car to feel threatened. Nonetheless, I went along with her victory. My daughter was full of pride as we continued our walk toward ballet class. I listened, as she talked more: "I

I was sitting one day, stretching my legs, sweat oozing from my pores onto the black cushioned floor, when prophetic words called out. "You have been endowed with the seeds of greatness. That dream, that gift has been given to you." They were the words of motivational speaker and author Les Brown, playing on the phone that lay beside me. At that moment of recovery, having finished a workout and suddenly listening with great intent, I started my journey to the world of persona

Did you like countless others create a New Year’s resolution that began on the first day of 2018? Will this be the year for you to establish financial stability? Is this the year you will commit to eating healthy and working out three-four days per week to lose weight or gain muscle? So many of us create goals at the beginning of each year, but frequently by the start of February or sooner we have lost track of our intentions. Life can be complicated and unpredictable. If you

The following post originally appeared in my column at The Good Men Project, and given number 45's recent disturbing comments regarding Haiti, El Salvador, and the African continent I decided to repost it on my personal blog as a reminder of the behaviors that positive leaders embody. My father’s name, Emery, means industrial leader. For over forty years, he has committed himself to the ministry within the Church of Christ Holiness' community of churches. Before his term in o

It's January 1, 2018, and along with others, you have committed to creating a new year’s resolution. Health and fitness, personal relationships, and finances are likely among the three categories of your life where you would like to see improvements in this new year. You buy the gym membership, create a schedule that includes more time with family, and decide to establish an account that directly deposits money from each paycheck to a separate savings or investment account. E

Have you ever had a rough morning where you wake up on the “wrong side of the bed?" You know, a day that begins with bad news or an unp