"Function, function, function!"

Perhaps to some, this is a motivating mantra. For instance, when you lose your job and the prospect of losing your top client is a very real possibility, get back to function.

Focus on one thing. Three times, I guess.

"Forward motion is everything."

Is it?

In the Hollywood world of Jerry Maguire, according to Avery—the Kelly Preston character who uttered this "advice"—forward motion is everything.

"Cush saves all."

One client saves all? In retrospect, quarterback Frank Cushman (who has trouble even throwing the pigskin) might not have been the one for Jerry to go "all in" on. But, nevertheless, it moved the plot along.

The great email marketer Ben Settle often reminds his followers that "one" is the most dangerous number in business. One of anything. Particularly clients.

If you've seen the film—which happens to be the best-selling VHS tape of all-time aside from Disney titles—you'll remember that Jerry walks a professional tightrope when Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell ends up as his sole client after Jerry is fired for the shockwaves his "mission statement" created within his sports agency office.

We found the text of that entire document, "The Things We Think and Do Not Say," and put it on a resource page:

Anyhow, Jerry is in dire straits. His relationship with his "truculent" client, Tidwell, is eroding.

Pretty soon one client could turn into zero. Be careful, Jerry...

Maguire has in the back of his mind, though, the words of his mentor, Dicky Fox. Words that were nagging at him as he wrote the "mission statement" in the middle of the night in a Miami hotel room.

"The secret to this job is personal relationships."

As it is with most jobs. Personal relationships.

Of course, Jerry becomes a master at crafting personal relationships after coming to grips with his own flaws. Tidwell becomes a star and gets his multi-million dollar contract.

"Show me the money!"

Jerry's client list goes from one to many. He soon becomes "oversubscribed." A good problem to have.

Fostering personal relationships is what we're about. A good portion of my relationships these days are "virtual"—with the Good Folks out there who listen to the podcast and read the emails. Same goes for the small entrepreneurship groups I facilitate several times a week.

Even better, I will soon be launching a series of "virtual masterminds" for the ambitious folks like the Jerry Maguires of the world. Those who believe in the value of personal relationships and mentorship.

We're calling it the O'Leary Inner Sphere. More dynamic than an "inner circle."

Sign up today and be the first to know when registration opens.

As always,

Brian

P.S. -- "Roll with the punches. Tomorrow's another day." -Dickie Fox