Journal + Thoughts

Last week I was asked to speak to a group of local leaders who were celebrating the completion of a nine month leadership course. Leadership is a big, broad subject. The executive who asked me to speak wanted me to focus on the power and importance of relationships in business. Here's a summary of the talk that I gave to them, I believe it is important to anyone - at any level - in all businesses. I'd like to share three quick stories about the ...

Five Simple Principles to Free Your Time  for Living the Life You Want Sometimes quitting seems easier. Have you ever thought about taking your ball and going home? When I was a college freshman on the football team, they called it “catching the night train” - packing up in the middle of the night and leaving – so that no one could see you give up. If you have a job and a family, it can be hard to get it together. I get it ...

Fake it ’til you make it! If you’ve spent any time in business you’ve undoubtedly hear someone throughout this type of advice. In The Boiler Room, a sales manager played by Ben Affleck, he tells his new recruits to “Act as if. Act as if you’re the President of the Firm.” In many businesses, young people need a shot of confidence and are given various forms of advice designed to help them envision their success. I’ve been there, so I get it. But for many ...

There are some things you can’t take back – and you’d never want to! I spend a lot of time, as I’m sure you do, focusing on the numbers. Are you always looking at the ROI on all of the capital expenses that come along with being an entrepreneur? I know that I certainly do, we can’t help it – it goes with the territory. But some things are worth way more than the money or time we put into them. A couple of months ...

Being a dad isn't always fun or easy. It can be a lot of work and has already brought me many sleepless nights. It's also been - by far - the greatest investment of time, money or energy I've ever made. As I watch you run around and play in the pool today, here are ten things that come to mind that I'd want you to know: Watching you grow up is hard, but exciting.I'd give anything to freeze you at this age, but wouldn't ...