Put Your Ass Where Your Heart wants to Be

This is the 35th in a series of posts in which I share thoughts on a book that has inspired me over the years.

Steven Pressfield is one of my favorite authors for both fiction (Gates of Fire and others) and nonfiction (The War of Art and others). Full disclosure: he is also a friend. Steve has this uncanny knack of coming out with a book that precisely targets the mindsets I need to change and the actions that I need to take.

His newest book is about turning good intentions into actions, turning positive thinking into commitment, and turning dreams into reality.

I’ve share The Self Empowerment Pledge (pictured below) with thousands of people. I’ve heard from many the positive impact it’s had on their lives. But when I ask how that happened, it’s always because they acted upon one or more (or all!) of the promises. Because they put their ass where their heart wanted to be.



And as Steve points out, it’s not just putting it there – it’s keeping it there.

Sitting down to do your work is a physical manifestation of your verbal affirmation that you are capable of doing that work and that you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. 

One dimension of Steve’s formula does not work for me so I’ve adapted it. He says you need to relocate physically to be where the action is. If you’re an aspiring actor, move to Los Angeles. If you’re an aspiring country singer, move to Nashville. Immerse yourself in the milieu, meet the people who can help you, engage in the sharing of ideas. Catch the spirit.

We’ve worked with partner hospitals from Alaska to Florida and points between. Because there is no center of action from my work, I’ve created one: the Culture of Ownership Leadership Academy (COLAcademy). This 3-day event brings together a 2-person team from 12 different organizations to share ideas and workshop their own cultures.



We had a great experience, and a lot of fun, at our inaugural event last week. The next schedule for September 7–9. Attendance again will be limited to just 24 people from 12 organizations. For information, respond to this spark plug or email me at [email protected].