If you’ve been reading my work for any length of time, you know I’m not interested in the ordinary. I’m interested in what works.

Comebacks. Grit. Taking action on your own terms.

The kind of things that don’t just keep you on track but set you on fire.

I have a checklist in mind today, not for the sake of checking boxes, but as a tool to ignite action. A way to cut through the noise, the inertia, and the endless waiting around for the “someday” project to show up.

Seven points, drawn from themes I’ve been writing about as of late, including authenticity, action, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of success.

(That final point will be discussed in more detail in a couple of weeks. More to come…)

If you find yourself nodding along—or perhaps bristling at the challenge—it might be high time that we got on a call together. Book a consultation call at http://OLeary.Coach and let’s see what we are capable of together.

o   Do you own your story or are you letting others write it for you?
You can’t stage a comeback if you’re living someone else’s story. Take a hard look: Are you the author of your own narrative, or a character in someone else’s plot? The power of comebacks starts when you reclaim the pen—or the keyboard—and refuse to let circumstance or critics dictate your next chapter.

o   Have you defined your mission or are you merely drifting along?
A plan is only as good as the purpose behind it. You don’t need a 50-page manifesto, but you do need a clear sense of what you’re fighting for. Are you moving with intention, or are you, as author Jim Murphy puts it, living in a “constant state of reaction?” Real change starts with a mission, not your to-do list.

o   Are you taking action or are you waiting for permission?
Sit around and wait for the perfect moment or take the next step—even if it is messy, even if it is small. People who get things done DO NOT wait to be ready. They act, adjust, and act again. Procrastination and comfort are your real competition. What is the one thing you can do today to move forward?

o   Are you willing to be abnormal or are you settling for okay?
Normal is fine. Normal is acceptable and average. If you want to do great things, become abnormal. Sometimes this means being misunderstood or criticized. But the best revenge is real success, not quiet conformity.

o   Are you building resilience or simply enduring?
Comebacks require much more than just grit. They demand a willingness to learn from setbacks, adapt, and grow stronger. Do you treat your failures as final or as fuel for your next move? Effort is not enough. Skill, knowledge, and execution are also required.

o   Are you authentic or are you playing a character?
Mob movies like Donnie Brasco and detective shows like The Rockford Files teach us something: Authenticity cannot be faked. Are you showing up as yourself or are you doing some sort of performance art for the approval of someone whose opinion doesn’t matter? The world doesn’t need more actors—Depp and Garner are better than most of us anyway. It needs people to be real, even when it is uncomfortable.

o   Are you willing to ask for help or are you determined to go at it alone?
Even the best of the best need a coach, a sounding board, or a community. Are you open to new strategies, fresh perspectives, and honest feedback? Or are you stuck in the myth of the lone genius? Sometimes, the smart move is to be the one to start the conversation.

You don’t need another motivational quote.

What you do want is a plan, a push, or a partner who will not let you settle for less than what you’re capable of. If you’re ready to start ticking off these boxes (or circles, or however the typesetting is presenting them to you), let’s talk.

Book a discovery call after going to:

Let’s start building or rebuilding your comeback story today.

The best revenge is real success. And success starts with this checklist.

As always,
Brian