Michael Hyatt

Winning at work and succeeding at life is a possibility.

Winning at work and succeeding at life is a possibility.

If you're less stressed, if you're more healthy, you make better decisions. I do private coaching too, and a lot of my clients, I'll say, what are your hobbies? And the most common answer I get is, well, my work's my hobby. Sorry, that doesn't count. In July of 2000, my boss quit, and the CEO came to me and asked me if I would be the new publisher for that division.

If you're less stressed, if you're more healthy, you make better decisions. I do private coaching too, and a lot of my clients, I'll say, what are your hobbies? And the most common answer I get is, well, my work's my hobby. Sorry, that doesn't count. In July of 2000, my boss quit, and the CEO came to me and asked me if I would be the new publisher for that division.

It took us about 18 months, but we went from number 14 in revenue growth to number one. All of this came at some expense to me because I was working nights and weekends. My wife said, you're never home. I feel like a single mom. That was like a gut kick.

It took us about 18 months, but we went from number 14 in revenue growth to number one. All of this came at some expense to me because I was working nights and weekends. My wife said, you're never home. I feel like a single mom. That was like a gut kick.

First of all...

First of all...

Thank you so much for having me, Ilana. It's a privilege.

Thank you so much for having me, Ilana. It's a privilege.

Well, it's funny because I was a music major initially, but it didn't take me long to figure out that I probably wasn't going to make a living at that because the competition was fierce. And I thought I was good till I got to college. And then I was around people that were brilliant. And so I thought, plus I need something practical.

Well, it's funny because I was a music major initially, but it didn't take me long to figure out that I probably wasn't going to make a living at that because the competition was fierce. And I thought I was good till I got to college. And then I was around people that were brilliant. And so I thought, plus I need something practical.

So I decided to major in philosophy, which of course isn't practical at all. But I think the great thing that I got from that was that it taught me how to think and got me really acquainted with sort of the Western canon of literature and was really helpful and has really served me well in my career.

So I decided to major in philosophy, which of course isn't practical at all. But I think the great thing that I got from that was that it taught me how to think and got me really acquainted with sort of the Western canon of literature and was really helpful and has really served me well in my career.

That actually occurred when I was 18. I didn't grow up in a particularly faith-based home, but I was drawn to it when I was about 18 and right before I went into college. And so I took a couple of theology courses and I said, I really think that what I need to understand is first principles and worldviews and delve into philosophy. So that's what I did.

That actually occurred when I was 18. I didn't grow up in a particularly faith-based home, but I was drawn to it when I was about 18 and right before I went into college. And so I took a couple of theology courses and I said, I really think that what I need to understand is first principles and worldviews and delve into philosophy. So that's what I did.

And I contemplated going to seminary after that. I thought about going to law school after that, but I got really intrigued by business and I love entrepreneurialism and business. So that's what I did. Even in college, I was doing entrepreneurial things and I still, to this day, love business.

And I contemplated going to seminary after that. I thought about going to law school after that, but I got really intrigued by business and I love entrepreneurialism and business. So that's what I did. Even in college, I was doing entrepreneurial things and I still, to this day, love business.

Well, it's funny. My boss at Word Publishing in Waco, Texas, took a job at Thomas Nelson Publishers in Nashville. where I live to this day. And so he invited me to come on as the vice president of marketing.

Well, it's funny. My boss at Word Publishing in Waco, Texas, took a job at Thomas Nelson Publishers in Nashville. where I live to this day. And so he invited me to come on as the vice president of marketing.