Lately, I’m hearing a lot of confusion from clients about how to land new business. Some of the marketing playbooks they have relied on (e.g., creating content, attracting traffic, sending traffic through a funnel, and then generating leads) have fallen apart over the last year or so. But I keep coming back to one simple,…
My client was in the midst of an unprecedented storm of projects and responsibilities. She felt overwhelmed by everything and was convinced that the only way to find peace was by mastering all this work with sheer force and effort. As I listened, I couldn’t help but hear the ghost of a younger version of…
Sometimes a client will come to a call with an excited, nervous energy, tinged with fear and dread. They’ll say something like, “I have this idea, but it feels a little crazy,” or “Is it too much to think about this right now?” They’re sitting on a big dream—something that seems too good to be…
Last week, my wife and I spent a lovely seven days in Little Traverse Bay, Michigan, where we walked the beaches, watched some sunsets, had terrific meals, and generally relaxed. About halfway through the week, my wife turned to me and said, “You know, I like VACATION BRAD.” I paused for a minute to think…
As you’re reading this, I’m out on what I call my “yearly walk.” For me, that means I’m somewhere in the mountains or on a beach, pushing myself on a long, strenuous hike. I’m in unfamiliar territory, soaking in new sights, and leaning into a different rhythm. In our busy lives, where the to-do list…
Our most persistent opposition doesn’t come from external forces. It comes from within. It’s that voice in your head, the one whispering doubts, planting seeds of fear, and telling you all the reasons you can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t. I hear it too. Especially when I’m pushing into uncharted territory, starting something new, or – and…
Because AI is such a hot topic and the frontier of its use seems to be continually changing, I’m periodically sending out an update about how I’m using AI today. (You can compare to my use cases from 9/2023.) I would love to hear back from you about how you’re using AI, also. Some of…
Last night, discovered an interview with Mandy Patinkin on YouTube. The interviewer posed a question that honestly stopped me in my tracks: “What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?” His answer resonated so powerfully with me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Here’s a version of what he said…
Last week, I went on a fishing trip to Canada with some guys from my neighborhood. Let me tell you two stories about that trip. They’re both true, but they focus on very different things. Story 1: The vacation that went wrong It’s a 12-hour drive to Lake Windemere. We spent all day Sunday traveling,…
Transformation usually begins with desire. I’m not going to set out on a new journey unless I’m either in a tough spot or see the promise of something much better on the horizon. We can’t go chasing after every impulse that comes to mind. But if a desire persists and keeps coming back to “haunt” me. These…