Mr. V. (my high school math teacher who, having faith in me, personally drove me to visit MIT when I even gave the slightest hint that I was afraid of not being able to handle a school of that intensity), would either be proud or offended at my new discovery in life... that 1+1=7. Clearly, yes, my calculator will never agree with this conclusion. But their job is to be boringly predictable and rigid, reporting on the facts versus paving the way forward to the future.

For me, 1+1=7 is a rallying cry. A way to focus on situations, events, and opportunities where the sum is far greater than the parts. A match + wood = a bonfire. Vinegar + baking soda = an explosive science fair project. Bacon + eggs = heaven. While these are very simple examples, the philosophy behind it drives the key question: how can I match my talents with the talents of other people to make something amazing?

Running at 10%

Depending on the research you may or may not believe, the often quoted research statistic is that we only use 10% of our brain's power. But in terms of converting our potentiality into actuality, I bet the percentage is far lower. I've seen genius kids at MIT ace their tests and bomb at success, health, and/or happiness. It's like a mustang convertible that can't shift out of first gear. All they need is someone to come by and say "LOOK! You just gotta shift this thing here and look how much faster you can go!"

I see these situations all the time in life, even for people who are already doing and achieving amazing things. But by further seeking out people of complementary skill sets, we can go to the next level together. Take a great TV show and mash it together with a great web team and you can create a completely new show and format on the web. Mix a great writer with an amazing publicist and you can have a NY Times best seller on your hands. Even taking a bright kid and simply providing him or her with encouragement can make a world of difference in their self-esteem and their ability to live life versus simply walking through the motions, hoping to just get by without any trouble.

The Next Level

Ask yourself some of the following questions:

• What skills, talents, and resources would open new doors and opportunities for you?
• What skills, talents, and resources do you have that are greatly needed by others?
• Are their any situations where you could match your talents with someone else that could assist you?

When you find these win-win situations, that is 1+1=7 in action. Yes you could always settle for 1+1=2, but leave that to the calculators. They'll keep the status quo just fine without you. I personally feel that we all owe it to each other achieve our highest and best use. Marketing whiz Jay Abraham even goes as far to say that you're stealing from yourself if you accept anything less. I would have to agree, even if I don't currently live it.

Can We Make it Happen?

I'm always on the look out for more accomplices and allies to assist in our respective pursuits. Sometimes the best things in life are discovered simply while helping another person, unlocking new opportunities for everyone involved. So can we make 1+1=7 (or more)? If so, let's not waste another minute!