A book is never the solitary work of a lone writer. So many people have shaped who I am today and in a very real sense, they were my collaborators on this project. Though I am sure I will forget someone, I’d like to especially thank the following people:
• My wife, Gail, for being my best friend, business partner, and lover for thirty-three years. She is a constant source of encouragement to me, always believing the best and forgetting the worst.
• My five daughters and (so far) three sons-in-law for keeping me real. While they love me unconditionally, they don’t let me get away with anything. I only wish they had a little greater appreciation for my poor attempts at humor.
• My dad and mom, who have always noticed and affirmed what is best about me and overlooked the rest. They are two of the most positive, joyful people I know. No son could ask for more.
• Kristen Parrish, editor-in-chief at Thomas Nelson, and my editor on this project. We first worked together when she came to the company as my temp assistant in 1998. She rescued this project when I was ready to throw in the towel and demonstrated remarkable patience as I struggled to finish.
• Jamie Chavez, my copy editor, who hates the word amazing and who insisted that all my nouns and pronouns agree in number. She added the final polish that this project needed to shine.
• Brian Scheer and Joy Groblebe, my managers, and Tricia Welte, my executive assistant. The three of them handle the business side of my life, freeing me up to do what I do best. I couldn’t ask for a better team.
• Andrew Buckman, my web developer, who implements my crazy ideas and keeps my blog running in tip-top shape. If I can conceive it, Andrew can code it. He also has the guts to push back when I suggest a bad idea.
• My downtown neighbors, also known as the “Franklin Campus,” who are a wellspring of love and support. Thanks to Steve and Karen Anderson, Matt Baugher, Les and Patsy Clairmont, Ian and Anne Cron, Ken and Diane Davis, Chris Elrod, David and Rhonda Kemp, Lindsey Nobles, Bill Puryear, Keely Scott, Robert Smith, and Spence and Krissy Smith.
• My coaches, Daniel Harkavy, Dan Meub, and Ilene Muething. You taught me, stretched me, and pulled out of me stuff I didn’t even know was there! You have shaped my thinking more than you know.
• My Community Leaders at MichaelHyatt.com, who help moderate my blog comments. You, too, free me up to focus on where I add the most value. You have given selflessly to my readers and I will be forever grateful. Thanks to Michele Cushatt, Barry Hill Jr., Joe LaLonde, Rachel Lance, Jim Martin, Tim Peters, Jason Stambaugh, Jeremy Statton, John Tiller, and Justin Wise.
Finally, I’d like to thank Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, Arvo Pärt, and John Tavener for providing the soundtrack for my late-night musings and writing. Oh yeah, and also Bon Jovi and 2 Limited for waking me up in the morning!