In general, too much of anything is bad for you. Food, alcohol, screens, sitting, etc., are just some of the more common activities that have a diminishing – or negative – return the more you engage in them. But how do you moderate them? How do you fix those bad habits? As Tara Parker-Pope points …
When to quit or keep going
“In the middle, everything looks like a failure.” That’s Kanter’s Law, as stated by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, professor at Harvard Business School. In every new venture, change project, or turnaround – no matter how high our hopes are at the beginning, or how much success we enjoy early on – there is almost always a …
Instead of New Year’s resolutions, try this
It’s that time of year where we pause, ponder, and promise ourselves to improve. But instead of making New Year’s resolutions, try this: Past Year Reviews. Got this idea from Tim Ferriss of “Four-Hour Workweek” fame. I tried this last year and I found this process to be more valuable and actionable than trying to …
Super-simplified sales and marketing
Designing a sales and marketing plan for 2019 doesn’t have to be hard and complicated. Yet, I see clients and colleagues get wrapped around the axle on this all the time. Meetings are convened, spreadsheets are built, and grand plans for conquering the world are developed. Sounds good, right? But there’s usually one key question that …
Embracing a reality-based management style
Drama – gossiping, withholding buy-in, resisting change and avoiding accountability – is emotional waste. And it’s unproductive, uncomfortable and exhausting. That’s the thesis for Cy Wakeman’s leadership writing and consulting practice. She’s also the author of “Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses Into Results.” I like Wakeman’s radical …
How to reach peak mental state
The way you start your day can change your entire life. Research shows that most successful people follow strict morning routines. Of course, no one can achieve the same routine every day, but striving for consistency can do wonders for your outlook and productivity. Here are the fundamentals: Train your brain to get what you …
It’s not about you
The perennial mistake made over and over again in pitches, presentations, and proposals is one of perspective. We all have a natural bias to focus too much on what we want to say, rather than what audience members want to hear. We’ve all done it. And we’ve all been on the receiving end. When communicating …
Sincere thanks
In the spirit of the holiday week, I’d just like to extend a simple and sincere thank you. Thank you, Gentle Readers, for opening this email and letting me share an idea or two each Sunday. Thank you, Clients, for trusting us with your clients, and your client stories, and your other important projects. Thank you, Friends and Family, for the love and support …
How to give thanks
The warm sentiments of gratitude will rise to a fever pitch this week as we prepare for our national holiday of thankfulness. And while the premise is altogether fitting and necessary, it can be easy to forget the fundamental reason for the day in the frenzy of last-minute grocery store trips, table settings, and cooking …
Random acts of kindness
With Thanksgiving almost upon us, the timeliness of this fun example of generosity as a growth strategy couldn’t be better. Most of us in the Kansas City area know Tippin’s as one of most beloved brands in the grocery store when it comes to holiday menu-planning. The company’s website says it all: You say “Tippin’s” …