Kurt enjoys playing fetch with his new puppy, Max. He throws the ball as far as he can, and Max races after it, only slowing down to compensate for an unexpected turn. Sprinters call this “running through the tape”. Have you ever watched some runners near the finish line and slow up in the final few steps? There’s something in
Why Are You More Successful Than Me?
Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers: The Story of Success challenges the belief that success is primarily a product of talent and hard work. Instead, Gladwell argues that success is shaped by a combination of external factors such as opportunity, cultural background, timing, and an individual’s environment. His analysis suggests that while talent and effort are important, they are often overshadowed by circumstances beyond
Ask the Right Questions
Successful business requires constant reflection. For business owners, the ability to stay ahead often comes down to asking the right questions. The right questions guide decisions, sharpen focus, and keep things moving in the right direction. Business owners should ask themselves these four questions every day to ensure ongoing success and growth. 1. How have I improved the value of
The Shadow of Doubt
Emily had been a diligent employee, known for her attention to detail and creativity. When her boss seemed to be singling out her work, it felt flattering; he praised her ideas in meetings and asked for her input on important projects. However, the praise soon turned into subtle criticism. “Did you really think that approach would work?” he would ask,
When In Doubt, Do Without
JoAnn maintains that the best advice her grandmother gave her was “When in doubt, do without.” It rings in her ears when she shops, when she ponders taking a vacation on a credit card and most recently when a friend suggested getting a tattoo. The advice has saved JoAnn thousands of dollars and taught her self-discipline. Clearly, neither JoAnn nor her
Adapt or Get Left Behind
John Nese’s business was going broke. His family-owned grocery store was being eaten alive by grocery chains. So when a woman called looking for a unique mint soda, he saw an opportunity. Today John’s store, Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, sells every imaginable soda from around the world. Business is good. John Nese was willing to adapt, here are other examples: Slack was initially
Make People Talk About You
The purchasing manager’s office wall was peppered with quotes on colored postcards. There were quotes about quality, pricing and appreciation. He enthusiastically explained that a supplier sends a quote-card every month as a thank you for doing business with them. He enjoys sharing them. What is it about you, your company or your product/service that would elicit such a positive
What Limiting Beliefs Do You Haul Around?
Trevor founded a manufacturing company 20 years ago. The business continues to expand; the customer list now includes Fortune 500 companies. Professional groups have asked him to share his “secrets to success”, but he declines. Trevor secretly feels inferior to other owners, insecure because of his lack of formal education. Sarah was born to style hair, to make people look
Do You Polish Bricks?
After all the planning, research, and saving Darcy has accomplished her life-long dream, she owns a coffee shop in a small town. In order to share the entrepreneurial experience with young people who might one day open their own business, she contacted high school counselors for potential employees. At last, the staff was hired and trained, the coffee was ready
The Mess Makers and the Fixers
There are two kinds of people in the world – the mess-makers and the mess-fixers. Mess makers come in all shapes and sizes; their intentions may or may not be good. Some know they are manipulative, but others are merely trying to control their world. A young parent demands the grandparents care for the baby regardless of their own plans.