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Greatness is a choice*
Greatness is a Choice aims to create awareness in the reader to see purpose in their life and in the world itself. With and understanding of purpose we can love and respect ourselves and each other and build a very different world than the one we have today.
Written by Wall Street legend Ethan Penner, it strikes the rare balance of being ambitious and provocative with a very practical understanding of how the world works and what makes people tick.
Part one - The Greatness is you
Chapter 1
You Must Admire Yourself
You Must Admire Yourself
Chapter 2
What Is Your Life's Purpose?
What Is Your Life's Purpose?
Chapter 3
Prayer Is Powerful
Prayer Is Powerful
Chapter 4
Be human
Be human
Chapter 5
Risk is life
Risk is life
Chapter 6
The specter of death
The specter of death
Chapter 7
Time is everything
Time is everything
Chapter 8
the ground beckons
the ground beckons
Chapter 9
sacrifice is a prerequisite for greatness
sacrifice is a prerequisite for greatness
Chapter 10
we must honor our body
we must honor our body
Chapter 11
you have the potential for magic
you have the potential for magic
Chapter 12
life is hard for a reason
life is hard for a reason
Chapter 13
work is not a four-letter word
work is not a four-letter word
Chapter 14
personal responsibility
personal responsibility
Chapter 15
the street price of dishonesty
the street price of dishonesty
Chapter 16
the bubble of joy
the bubble of joy
Chapter 17
don't share your unresearched opinions, please
don't share your unresearched opinions, please
Chapter 18
fulfilling potential is fulfilling
fulfilling potential is fulfilling
Chapter 19
there is nos discipline, only faith
there is nos discipline, only faith
Chapter 20
Qi
Qi
Chapter 21
music is eternal
music is eternal
Chapter 22
finding peace and joy in nature
finding peace and joy in nature
Part two - finding your greatness in the world
Chapter 23
choosing with whom to share your life
choosing with whom to share your life
Chapter 24
the debilitating effects of the victim mentality
the debilitating effects of the victim mentality
Chapter 25
duality
duality
Chapter 26
honor your ancestors and your legacy
honor your ancestors and your legacy
Chapter 27
take care of each other
take care of each other
Chapter 28
there will always be hatred
there will always be hatred
Chapter 29
everyone is a philosopher, teacher, and student
everyone is a philosopher, teacher, and student
Chapter 30
giving advice is senseless
giving advice is senseless
Chapter 31
life is an improv
life is an improv
Chapter 32
kindness and generosity are the hightest levels of selfishness
kindness and generosity are the hightest levels of selfishness
Chapter 33
mastery is simplicity
mastery is simplicity
Chapter 34
the best ideas survive open debate
the best ideas survive open debate
Chapter 35
the ripple effect
the ripple effect
Chapter 36
sexuality and the importance of sexual energy
sexuality and the importance of sexual energy
Chapter 37
emotions often block truth
emotions often block truth
Chapter 38
we all screw up
we all screw up
Chapter 39
the kif in the playground
the kif in the playground
Chapter 40
the unique love of a parent
the unique love of a parent
Chapter 41
comfort in the herd
comfort in the herd
Chapter 42
inertia destroys, always go
inertia destroys, always go
Chapter 43
more is not better
more is not better
Part three - the foundations of a great society
Chapter 44
The importance of timing
The importance of timing
Chapter 45
trusting our instincts
trusting our instincts
Chapter 46
freedom
freedom
Chapter 47
most of us never notice
most of us never notice
Chapter 48
pro-cyclicality be crushing
pro-cyclicality be crushing
Chapter 49
racism and discrimination are the domain of the dumb
racism and discrimination are the domain of the dumb
Chapter 50
democracy depends on education
democracy depends on education
Chapter 51
physical safety is the cornerstone of a healthy society
physical safety is the cornerstone of a healthy society
Chapter 52
the hunger for security
the hunger for security
Chapter 53
integrated systems and intersections
integrated systems and intersections
Chapter 54
earth is a giant, challenging, and diverse school
earth is a giant, challenging, and diverse school
Chapter 55
goverment is inherently dangerous
goverment is inherently dangerous
Chapter 56
equality is not the point
equality is not the point
Chapter 57
government is a company and taxpayers are the investors
government is a company and taxpayers are the investors
Chapter 58
the persuasion industry
the persuasion industry
Chapter 59
the world is self-correcting
the world is self-correcting
Chapter 60
teaching people to fish
teaching people to fish
Chapter 61
the treadmill of life is moving too fast
the treadmill of life is moving too fast
Chapter 62
the truth about money and finance
the truth about money and finance
Chapter 63
Capitalism...
Capitalism...
Chapter 64
...Not cronyism
...Not cronyism
Chapter 65
the limitations of capitalism
the limitations of capitalism
Chapter 66
canaries in the coal mine
canaries in the coal mine
Chapter 67
class envy is a dangerous poison
class envy is a dangerous poison
Chapter 68
the basis of cynicism: the milgram study
the basis of cynicism: the milgram study
Chapter 69
a final though...the world won't end
a final though...the world won't end
SOME PEOPLE WILL ASK YOU TO BELIEVE THAT IS A GIFT BESTOWED ONLY UPON FORTUNATE FEW. THAT IS A LIE, AND YOU SHOULDN’T BUY INTO IT. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED THAT GREATNESS IS NOT A GIFT BUT AN ACTUAL WE CAN MAKE THROUGHOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I wrote Greatness is a Choice because I know that greatness is available to everyone, but each person needs to believe in that and to see a path to greatness for themselves.
The feeling of self-worth that I enjoy is the most valuable thing I possess. It brings me immense joy and I believe it is the foundation of a fulfilling life.
It is my hope that this book will help you find the unique path to experience those same feelings as you discover your individual greatness.
The feeling of self-worth that I enjoy is the most valuable thing I possess. It brings me immense joy and I believe it is the foundation of a fulfilling life.
It is my hope that this book will help you find the unique path to experience those same feelings as you discover your individual greatness.
I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to greatness up close many times in my life.
Those experiences have helped me understand the nature of greatness, and by sharing those thoughts and experiences with you.
I hope to inspire and unlock many ideas that will fortify the choices that you must make in your own life.
Those experiences have helped me understand the nature of greatness, and by sharing those thoughts and experiences with you.
I hope to inspire and unlock many ideas that will fortify the choices that you must make in your own life.
2003
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2023
2021
The club
Welcome to the Great Intersection, where worlds collide, and unlikely connections thrive.We're a dynamic platform, purposefully crafted to bring together diverse individuals in an ecosystem designed for top-notch learning, meaningful connections, and personal growth.
Our foundation is built on industry leaders of the highest caliber.
Here, you can channel your untapped potential into lucrative opportunities curated by the very best in their fields. It's a world where shared values lead to game-changing alliances, lifelong friendships, and boundless potential.
Commit to greatness and anticipate nothing less in return.
Our foundation is built on industry leaders of the highest caliber.
Here, you can channel your untapped potential into lucrative opportunities curated by the very best in their fields. It's a world where shared values lead to game-changing alliances, lifelong friendships, and boundless potential.
Commit to greatness and anticipate nothing less in return.
Empowerment
Let's be great together
Our community is comprised of empowered individuals partnering together to unlock each other’s full potential.
Humility
Learners ask questions
Duality opposing ideas can both be true. Respect is a prerequisite for growth.
authenticity
It’s the only way we know
Our community insists on authenticity, and prizes uniqueness. That’s the magic.
growth
If we’re not growing, we’re dying
Every idea and every perspective deserves to be heard and debated.
That’s how we all grow.
That’s how we all grow.
community
Greatness is communal and personal
Duality opposing ideas can both be true. Respect is a prerequisite for growth.
What they think about the book
“Ethan’s book is full of lessons.
about being tenacious, about being humble, about paying it forward.
that are worth reading for anyone interesting in leading a great life?”
Investment Legend and Owner, New York Mets
steve cohen
about being tenacious, about being humble, about paying it forward.
that are worth reading for anyone interesting in leading a great life?”
Investment Legend and Owner, New York Mets
steve cohen
“Greatness is the result of exploring personal, professional, and spiritual experiences, and Ethan Penner has had a life filled with these. Yet, in the three decades that we’ve been friends I have noted that love is his secret ingredient and the principal force that has always motivated Ethan in his constant pursuit of greatness.”
Actor, Singer, Artist
fernando allende
Actor, Singer, Artist
fernando allende
“I know that you will all enjoy this book as I have.”
from the Foreword
Julius "Dr. J" Erving
from the Foreword
Julius "Dr. J" Erving
“Greatness truly is a choice available to each of us every day.This book lays out a compelling intellectual framework for us to integrate into our pursuit of our own individual greatness”
Author, Motivational speaker
Tony Robbins
Author, Motivational speaker
Tony Robbins
“Ethan Penner understands how to be a great friend and thus a great person. His book is a thoughtful guide that is sure to provoke readers to examine their core beliefs and give them a fresh outlook.”
Music manager, and author
sharon Osbourne
Music manager, and author
sharon Osbourne
“Ethan and I came to our respective successes from very different worlds.
Ethan from the finance side, me from the heavy Metal music side.
We, however, share the same traits: Tenacity, Wisdom, Inspiration. Stability, Trust, Excellence, and Discipline. These are our core principles and values and Ethan embodies them to the max and his book beautifully shows you the road map to his life.”
Founder and Lead Guitarist, Twisted Sister
John “Jay Jay” French
Ethan from the finance side, me from the heavy Metal music side.
We, however, share the same traits: Tenacity, Wisdom, Inspiration. Stability, Trust, Excellence, and Discipline. These are our core principles and values and Ethan embodies them to the max and his book beautifully shows you the road map to his life.”
Founder and Lead Guitarist, Twisted Sister
John “Jay Jay” French
“Ethan’s book is full of lessons.
About being tenacious, about being humble, about paying it forward.
That are worth reading for anyone interesting in leading a great life?”
About being tenacious, about being humble, about paying it forward.
That are worth reading for anyone interesting in leading a great life?”
Investment Legend and Owner, New York Mets
Steve cohen
"His book is a thoughtful guide that is sure to provoke readers to examine their core beliefs and give them a fresh outlook.”
Music manager and author
Sharone osbourne
“This book lays out a compelling intellectual framework for us to integrate into our pursuit of our own individual greatness”
Author and motivational speaker
Tony robbins
"His book beautifully shows you the road map to his life.”
Founder and Lead Guitarist, Twisted Sister
John “Jay Jay” French
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