Did you start this year off with big goals? Did you set aggressive growth targets for your sales? Are you thinking about writing a book, working on some speaking topics, or taking a big trip with your family? Well? It’s February. How are you doing on those goals? Have you made significant progress? Enough so…
When was the last time you said, “Wow, I’m so glad I got that voicemail!”…? Tell me. Do you get a thrill when you see that the VM icon on your phone is lit up? Didn’t think so. Maybe it’s time we faced the fact that voicemail is a technology whose time has come —…
It only takes a minute each morning. Before I open my email, before I get started with my work, I stop and write down three (or more) things I’m thankful for. It’s a simple thing. Just a brief pause in an other wise hectic day, but there’s some kind of magic in practicing gratitude. As business…
I’ve always respected those folks we describe as “the strong, silent type”. You know, the “wise and mature leader” who commands a room with a glance, or communicates it all with a subtle facial expression. These folks have an economy with words that suggests deep thinking. The fact that they use words so sparingly makes…
On July 4th there were more than 60 people shot, and 9 killed in Chicago. I don’t know about you, but that seems out of control to me. 60 people shot? This wasn’t some 110º day with tempers flaring. How can this much violence erupt on a holiday weekend? I found this quote from Chicago…
The cost of success: Is it worth the price of admission? When we work on something truly great (you are working on something great aren’t you?), we will face adversity. There will be times when the whole world seems hell bent on putting brick walls in your path. But there’s only one way to respond…
When I was starting my business, everyone told me: give up your job, give up your life, and work like hell. That was my introduction to entrepreneurship. The problem was that, at that time, I was a single dad with three young kids. Working 100 hours of the week (even if I was free to…
So, let’s say you’ve been working for a company for a while, and you really want to find a way to accomplish some new tasks or take on new roles with your position. You’re ambitious, hungry, and ready for a challenge. But that means figuring out how to convince your boss that A) You’re ready…
One of my team members has been facing significant health challenges. She spent most of this past month in a doctor’s office, and wasn’t working very effectively. I didn’t count her PTO days, or dock her pay. I sent her some flowers and prayed for her to get better. Another one of my team members…
Missing deadlines is a common occurrence in the world of small business. No one is to blame (or everyone is to blame) and there are no real consequences — until the owner wakes up one morning and says, “Hey, weren’t we supposed to be finished with this project by now? What happened?” There are plenty…