Starting a business is complicated enough. But, when you add in business partners to the mix, it can be a disaster if you do not get organized on day one. To build your business’ foundation, you must create an operating agreement. This is not optional. Even...
When you started your business, did you consider how your business would fit into your life, or how your life would fit into your business? As an entrepreneur, you hear about (if not have already lived through) the 12, 14, even long 16 hour work days...
When it comes to how you handle your business and your personal relationships, knowing the difference between reacting and responding is critical. If we take a look at the dictionary definitions for each, then it becomes clear that having a reaction is not the same as...
I’m always asked when the right time is to start a business and to be honest, there may never be “the perfect time”. Starting a business, even when you are the most prepared comes with an inherent level of risk. Just how much risk you...
When it comes to your personal and professional development, are you focusing on bettering yourself and staying challenged? All too often in life and in business, we let our responsibilities and schedules crowd out taking time to reflect on how we can be better, in...
In business, you’re constantly evolving to try to determine what products and services to offer your customers to meet their needs. We ask ourselves questions like… What need do our customers have? What products or services will they want to buy? What price are...
Too often I see entrepreneurs and business owners fall victim to their ego. They invest their time, money, and sweat into a business venture and risk losing everything rather than making the decision to walk away. Contrary to popular belief, giving up can be one...
Focus, in business, is your secret weapon. With it, you can hone in on anything and reach any goal you are committed to. Without it, your business can be paralyzed or moving in opposing directions that stop your forward progress. The choice is yours… Choose clarity and...
When it is time to make a decision, what do you do? Do you have a set of internal standards or criteria that you run through? Or, do you simply go with your gut and “wing it”. In business, having a standardized system is everything. It helps...
I often hear people comment that they “can’t” do something, when in reality what they are saying is that they “won’t” put in the effort to get the results they want. We as a society, have been conditioned to expect fast results with minimal work....
Quick question for you to consider… Where are you storing your ideas? Are you writing them down or are you storing them in your memory? If your answer is the latter, then I challenge you to find a more consistent way to document your ideas, thoughts, concerns,...
Do you have someone in your life (maybe it’s you) who seems to talk and talk and talk? We all know at least one person like this. Some people may even consider me to be a constant talker. On a recent trip to a vintage...
If you want to challenge yourself, go train with Navy Seal commanders. That is exactly what I did when I flew to California and spent three of the most grueling days of my life. I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and...
As an entrepreneur, you’re often THE expert in your business. You’ve perfected having to wear multiple hats, at any given time, to get everything done. But, what happens when you hire your first employee or work with your first team? For many, it will involve having to...
You often hear the phrase “get everyone on board”. If you think of your business, or even your personal relationships, as a proverbial boat, where you need people to row to keep the boat moving and making forward progress. As with any boat, you’ll naturally...
Fill in the blank… “if it is to be, then it is up to _____.” Did you say “me”? If you did it is okay because I would have said the same thing. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we often think in terms of “me” or “I”. You...
We all know that life is short, that how we live will define our level of success. But, what we all often take for granted is the company we keep. Your five closest friends are not only important on a social level, but they are...
today’s society, we have the mantra “go big or go home”, where we imply that having everything is the ideal. And, for those who don’t have everything, they should be constantly striving to add more to their list of growing successes. This way of thinking...
I am always asked, “How do I become more well-rounded?” And my answer to them is often this, “You don’t want to be!” Think of it this way, being well round is like a globe. You know the old-fashioned ones that have the continents, but nothing...
I’ll cut to the chase - most forms of accountability don’t work. We’ve all been there with a goal we want to achieve and then within days, we’ve already failed. But, why is this always the case? We don’t have a battle-tested, proven way to actually hold ourselves...
Not everything in your life is urgent, and not everything in your life is important. So, what’s the difference? Urgent tasks are those things that have to be addressed immediately. Perhaps it is a question from a client that needs to be answered to move a project...
When it comes to being successful, there are certain actions you must take to reach your end goal. First, you have to figure out what it is you want. Then, must create an efficient and an effective plan to get what it is you want. Next,...
