My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast cover art

My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast

My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast

Written by: Jeff Burgess
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In 1979, Jeff Burgess was a 22-year-old college dropout drifting through life in a haze of beer, weed, and dead-end jobs. He was the "town clown" with an undeniable work ethic but no clear direction. Then, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, his father called him home for a talk that would shake him to his core: "You have a gift, and I cannot allow you to waste it anymore. It’s time to get your shit together."

From that moment, everything changed...

… and change it did!

Armed with a relentless drive, a knack for problem-solving, and a newfound determination to make something of himself, Jeff set out to prove his father right. Within two years, he skyrocketed from warehouse worker to Vice President of Sales at a booming tech company. By the time he retired, he had built a global business supplying surveillance video recording appliances to both the most iconic and the secure sites in the world.

It Worked for Me is the inspiring, no-nonsense story of how an underachiever transformed into an industry leader—one who thrived not by playing it safe, but by embracing risk, trusting his gut, and always finding a way forward.

Amongst the Five-Star Amazon Reviews…

"Jeff Burgess’s It Worked for Me is one of those rare books that manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable. What stood out most to me was the way Jeff lays bare his journey—equal parts grit, intuition, lucky breaks, and yes, even a bit of dumb luck. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but he shows how persistence and openness to opportunity can make all the difference.

What makes the book especially refreshing is his humility. Rather than presenting his story as a straight line of accomplishments, Jeff acknowledges the twists, turns, and unexpected detours that shaped his path. That honesty makes the victories even more meaningful.

And I must give special kudos for the way Jeff consistently praises and credits his wife throughout the book. It’s clear that she’s not just a background figure but an essential part of his story. That kind of recognition adds a warmth and authenticity that makes the book resonate even more.

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that success often comes from a mix of hard work and serendipity, this book is a must-read. Highly recommend it."

Angela T. Verified Amazon Purchase

"It Worked for Me isn’t your typical business book—it’s a story of raw perseverance and self-belief from someone who built success without shortcuts or a college degree. Jeff Burgess writes with so much honesty and humor, taking you from the chaos of getting fired to the clarity of founding a multimillion-dollar company.

What makes this book stand out is how personal and practical it is. Every story carries a takeaway: how to lead with integrity, turn rejection into motivation, and believe in your own potential even when no one else does. Jeff’s lessons apply far beyond business—they’re lessons for life.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, this book will remind you that passion, persistence, and people skills will always be worth so much!

Klaro, Verified Amazon Purchase

 Economics Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • Why Effective Listening Beats Talking Every Time – Advice That Works

    Why Effective Listening Beats Talking Every Time – Advice That Works
    Feb 16 2026

    Who’s usually the smartest person in the room? According to Jeff Burgess, it’s often the one doing the least talking. In this episode, Jeff reflects on an early career lesson learned the hard way: talking more doesn’t make you smarter — listening does.

    From his early days battling “motormouth” in customer meetings to discovering the power of silence, Jeff breaks down why effective listening builds trust, uncovers real needs, and creates stronger relationships. He shares practical insights on asking better questions, doing just enough homework, and why patience and thoughtful follow-up often matter more than having all the answers on the spot.

    A grounded, no-nonsense episode about why listening with intent isn’t passive — it’s one of the most powerful tools in business and life.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • How Mastering the Art of Taking a Flying Leap Helped Me Grow

    How Mastering the Art of Taking a Flying Leap Helped Me Grow
    Feb 9 2026

    What do broken bones, childhood rooftop stunts, and multimillion-dollar business decisions have in common? In this episode, Jeff Burgess reflects on how a lifelong habit of taking flying leaps — sometimes reckless, sometimes calculated — shaped his growth as an entrepreneur and leader.

    From a childhood spent learning cause and effect the hard way to bold, high-stakes decisions in the early days of building BCD, Jeff shares why risk-taking doesn’t mean ignoring consequences — it means having the courage to act anyway. He walks through a pivotal moment when trusting instinct, transparency, and relationships led to a $14 million breakthrough that changed the trajectory of his company.

    A candid, story-driven episode about courage, calculated risk, and why playing the game will always beat watching from the sidelines.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • How “Halt and Catch Fire” Captured the True Spirit of ’80s Computing

    How “Halt and Catch Fire” Captured the True Spirit of ’80s Computing
    Feb 2 2026

    What did it feel like to build the future when no one knew what the future would look like? In this episode, Jeff Burgess looks back at Halt and Catch Fire and explains why the series captures the raw risk, ambition, and excitement of 1980s computing better than almost anything else on screen.

    Jeff connects scenes from the show to real moments from his own early career — from COMDEX and the debut of the IBM PC, to the rise of MS-DOS, portable computers with actual carrying handles, and the race to define industry standards. He reflects on a time when innovation meant betting everything on an idea, curiosity drove progress, and technology felt like pure “what-if” magic.

    A nostalgic and insightful conversation about the era that shaped modern tech — and why that fearless spirit of experimentation still matters today.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
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