"Pushing the envelope" is a phrase that originated with American test pilots like Chuck Yaeger and John Glenn in the 1940s. It described maximum stress situations for the metal skin ("envelope") of a jet aircraft. In other words, the plane was designed to fly safely up to a certain speed for a certain distance at a certain altitude.

The job of test pilots was to "push the envelope" by making the plane go faster, farther and higher. The term "pushing the envelope" came into popular parlance in the blockbuster 1979 book and 1983 movie "The Right Stuff."

Naturally, this phrase is near and dear to me. On my business card, my title is "Envelope Salesman." So literally, I am pushing the envelope every day!

Beyond that, "pushing the envelope" means pushing the boundaries and pushing yourself to be better, faster and smarter and to get the results you want, in business and in life. I can assure you that as times and businesses change, I have had to make many adjustments to keep our company functioning and prospering. It's about determination and risk taking -- going above what your customers expect and trying new things that will put you outside of your comfort zone.

Most people go for safety and security when planning and living their lives. There are certain lines they won't cross. Many life-changing, transforming and worthwhile decisions are outside their comfort zone and require risk, which prevents them from trying anything new.

When you study truly successful people, you'll see that they all saw opportunities, took risks and made plenty of mistakes, but when they were knocked down, they kept getting up ... and up ... and up. They owe their success to their willingness to accept change as inevitable and welcome the challenge.

Determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances. In fact, discouragement usually spurs them on to greater things. When they get discouraged, they recognize that in order to achieve different results, some change is in order.

At 211 degrees, water is hot. One small change -- one more degree -- and it boils, turning into steam. And steam can power a locomotive. That small change of one more degree makes all the difference. That one extra degree in business and in life separates the good from the great. It's your life. You are responsible for your results. Never be afraid to turn up the heat.

A little book, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull," swept America in 1970, selling more than 7 million copies, but not before being turned down by 18 publishers first.

Richard Bach wrote the 10,000-word story about a seagull that refuses to join with those in his flock that are only interested in scavenging savagely for food. Instead, Jonathan Livingston Seagull wants to fly and soar to heights none of his kind could even imagine.

Most seagulls learn only how to get from shore to food and back again. But Jonathan kept going off by himself, flying higher and higher, until he finally was able to reach 8,000 feet, far higher than any other seagull had ever flown. He even learned to fly at night, something seagulls never do.

Jonathan would go into dives straight down -- reaching the incredible speed of 214 miles per hour. He taught himself to do the loop, the slow roll, the snap roll, the point roll, the inverted spin and the pinwheel! Every day he kept learning new ways to fly that stimulated and nourished his soul.

Although initially rejected by his flock for his unorthodox approach to life, Jonathan eventually became a hero of wisdom and renown. Younger seagulls flocked to Jonathan to learn his flying secrets.

The lesson of this little book is the necessity to risk some things in life and, above all, to keep on learning. There are few prizes for following the flock.

No doubt about it, taking chances and making changes can be daunting. But consider the alternative. If you aren't content with the status quo, you have no choice but to change the way you are operating.

After all, it is the continued search for excellence and devotion to learning that is the true secret of professional accomplishment and personal happiness.

Mackay's Moral: To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.

The atmosphere was beyond electric: 18,000 cheering teenagers, and it wasn't for a rock star, a pro athlete or even a school cancellation. This remarkable group of students gathered in St. Paul, Minn., for We Day in early October to be recognized for their stellar record of volunteering. And this was only one of more than a dozen such gatherings across North America.

We Day is described as a celebration of the power of young Americans to create positive and lasting change, not only in their communities and around the world, but within themselves.

No one could attend without an invitation. Participants had to earn their spots, and were rewarded with inspirational stories and star-studded performances. To qualify, each attendee had to have engaged in one international and one local cause. And they took home plenty of ideas for new projects.

Madeline Titus, a junior from St. Cloud, Minn., has attended several We Days. Her enthusiasm is evident. She said, "It's hard to describe the day. I've never experienced anything like it. It's like 18,000 teenagers screaming, not for Justin Bieber, but for something that actually matters. It's one of those times you get goosebumps all over your arms." Madeline was featured in a local magazine for her part in the creation of an anti-bullying workshop and her volunteer work at a nursing home.

We Day was started in Canada in 2007 by a non-profit, Free the Children. That organization was founded in 1995 by Craig and Marc Kielburger and 10 fellow seventh-graders who were inspired by the story of a 12-year-old Pakistani child slave. Their mission was to free children overseas from exploitation and poverty.

They were not deterred from achieving their goal, even when the international charities they contacted could offer them no advice on how young people could get involved. They were determined to prove that kids could make a difference. They decided to start by encouraging kids to take action on issues that mattered to them. The movement now includes 2.3 million energetic young people who want to make a difference at home and around the world.

Their newest initiative is a year of action dubbed "We Act," a free program designed to inspire and enhance a school's service learning initiatives. Free the Children offers lesson plans, campaign kits, online resources and mentorship to students and teachers. Participation in these programs may also earn them a ticket into We Day.

"Just as 'Glee' made singing cool in school, the We Act program and its student leaders promise to make philanthropy cool and weave it into the DNA of high school culture," said Dean Phillips, co-chair of We Day Minnesota.

Hutton Phillips, Dean's sister and We Day Minnesota co-chair, added, "With We Day, We Act and programs like it, our generation is so impacted -- we are inspired to volunteer, vote, give -- we are inspired to live 'me' to 'we.'"

A major initiative in helping children transform their lives is a focus on education. Free the Children believes that education allows learners to become leaders, and gain the tools to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. The goal is to build 200 schools in developing communities around the world. Visit their website, freethechildren.com, to learn more about these programs.

My good friend Marilyn Carlson Nelson, former CEO and chairman of the worldwide conglomerate Carlson Inc., spoke at the event, and hasn't stopped gushing about the enthusiasm and commitment she witnessed. Marilyn was a shining example as a speaker, given her storied record of volunteerism and community and global involvement. She shared these words: "This is my message to both you girls and you guys -- you can make your dreams come true, and I'll give you one secret to making that happen. Write down your goals and work every day to achieve them, and when you meet one goal, check it off and write a new one. Believe in yourself and never stop believing in yourself. We believe in you, and that's why we are all here.

"Our company and our family foundation have a credo and it goes like this:

"Whatever you do, do with integrity.

"Wherever you go, go as a leader.

"Whomever you serve, serve with caring.

"Whenever you dream, dream with your all and never, ever give up!"

Mackay's Moral: These students know how to take care of business "from me to we."

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I still have trouble spelling the word, but I didn't let that stop me.

I've always believed that entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes of our economy. They're the ones who start the companies that create the majority of new jobs.

The term "entrepreneur" originally meant a person who led a military expedition. It has come to mean an innovative, creative leader who undertakes a risky venture in the hope of creating wealth and capital.

Eric Sevareid, the legendary radio and TV commentator, wrote: "Entrepreneurs are the lead players in the drama (of business). In at least four specific settings, their role is crucial. A new industry ... a new product in an existing industry ... the one who opens up new markets ... when, so to speak, the economic ground shifts ... The category of entrepreneur includes all the people who set out to change the corner of the business world in which they find themselves -- all the people, in a word, who push the system along its restless path."

Entrepreneurs are a distinct group. They often like to lead the pack. Fulfillment often means more to them than money. Entrepreneurs believe in making things happen. They are seldom content. They're constantly looking for new things. They have faith in their ideas and are risk takers.

In short, they aren't satisfied with the status quo. They need to improve, innovate and invent.

Actor Alan Alda, the star of the TV show "M*A*S*H," gave some great advice to his daughter: "Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can't get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you're doing. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself."

Maybe you don't want to start your own company. Maybe you aren't ready to strike out on your own. Maybe the economic climate makes financing tough. Maybe you need a little more time to develop your idea. I understand that. I toiled for a few years at an established company to prepare myself.

But you undoubtedly want to be the master of your own career. You can let your entrepreneurial spirit come through whether you are your own boss or not. You can cut your entrepreneurial teeth at jobs that present opportunities for innovative thinking and management experience. Companies large and small will always find room for employees with attitudes and abilities that will advance their goals. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Here's some valuable advice that's useful for anyone wanting to get ahead. You can apply these tips to your career and your life, whatever your path might be:

-- Network. The more people you know in your business and outside of it, the more sources of information, advice and support you have to rely on. The more you exercise your networking muscles, the stronger they get -- and the easier networking becomes.

-- Don't listen to naysayers. Some people will always say you can't succeed. Listen to everyone, but don't pay undue attention to "friends" with negative attitudes.

-- Think creatively. Entrepreneurs succeed by finding new solutions to old problems. Don't repeat what everyone else has already accomplished. Instead, look for ways to achieve something different.

-- Learn from mistakes. You're going to make them. Most successful people fail from time to time, but they don't let setbacks stop them. Commit yourself to learning from your mistakes so you don't make them again.

-- Be honest. No matter what you're engaged in, you need associates, friends, employees, investors and other stakeholders to trust your word. Tell the truth at all times to build solid relationships.

-- Be flexible. No matter how good your ideas are, or how committed you are to your goals, remember that things change. Be ready to modify your plans so you can take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

-- Find a mentor (or two or three). Seek talented people willing to share their expertise and wisdom. You can't know everything, especially when you're starting out, so an experienced mentor can supply guidance that will help you avoid the obvious mistakes.

Mackay's Moral: Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't.