by Matthew Best
What do we charge for this service? Who's going to implement? Which company should
we partner with? Who has the right information? What should we eat for lunch? We are presented with question and decisions like these all day long. We make decision after decision after decision. Most of the time we don't even think about these decisions or stress over making decisions. But there are those times when we feel we are in the grip of indecision.
We just don't know what to do. I had an opportunity to speak before a chapter of the American Business Women Association this past week and the topic was indecision. I shared with them a simple three step process on overcoming indecision. I call it the stop, drop, and roll method. Of course this is the famous saying taught to children about dealing with fire. I hope you'll see the connection to decision making.
Step 1 - Stop. When you are in the midst of being indecisive the first thing you need to do is recognize that you are having trouble making a decision and just stop. Stop all the chatter in your mind. Remove yourself from the situation. Stressing over indecision consumes a lot of energy. Stop.
Step 2 - Drop. Drop the emotional baggage. As we start to think about all the things we can do, we become emotionally involved in many decision. Remember, the mind is a tool
for your use in making a decision. It's a rational tool. For those times when you can't just "go with your gut" you need to drop the emotional attachment the options and to your fears.
Step 3 - Roll. Use your imagination with this one. My kids love to roll down hills, just like most kids I know. It's next to impossible to roll down the hill though if there are obstacles in the way. When it comes to decision making, you have to identify all the obstacles that are preventing you from rolling down the hill. In most cases, you'll probably find that a good portion of your obstacles are due to a lack of information or criteria. Without important information or the criteria, how can you make an appropriate decision. Identify the information or criteria you need, find it and then roll right into making a decision. Peter Drucker once said something like this - Decisions are easy when we have all the information.
Sign-up at http://www.coachwithmatt.com/
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Instruction Manual
by Matthew Best
"Take this pill to cure your _______." "Read this book in order to _______." "Take this course so you can _______." "Eat this so you can feel or do _______." Directions, instructions, directives, regulations, rules, laws, etc. All day, every, day we hear innumerable directions from others either directly or indirectly telling
us what is good or bad for us. Those that tell us these things think they know what is best for us. And why shouldn't they? How many people out there are looking for direction or instruction - a sort of instruction manual for their life.
We aren't born with an instruction manual – at least not a written and edited version
anyway. The scary fact is that all this well - meaning instruction is nothing more than attempting to get one person to do what the other person wants them to do. Most people don't have a clue how to be themselves, let alone tell someone else how to= run their life. Here's the only instruction you need - You need to be the best you can be.
When we realize this, our first question is typically "how do I do that?" That's the wrong focus - that's looking for an answer that is "out there" as if there is some instruction manual or someone else actually knows the answer of how to be the best you. They don't and you won't find that external instruction manual.
"Being" is usually considered a passive word - just sitting around waiting for something to happen. My understanding of being is a bit different - it relates to the word obedience. The Latin origin of this term means "towards, to hear." Obedience has everything to do with listening.
When is the last time you really listened? Listen to yourself.Listen to what others are really saying - the meaning behind what they are saying. Listen to what is happening around you. There isn't a written instruction manual you can read on how to be you. However, I can tell you this - listen, it makes life easier. What can be said for you personally can also be said for your business, relationships, and so many other things.
Sign-up at http://www.coachwithmatt.com/
"Take this pill to cure your _______." "Read this book in order to _______." "Take this course so you can _______." "Eat this so you can feel or do _______." Directions, instructions, directives, regulations, rules, laws, etc. All day, every, day we hear innumerable directions from others either directly or indirectly telling
us what is good or bad for us. Those that tell us these things think they know what is best for us. And why shouldn't they? How many people out there are looking for direction or instruction - a sort of instruction manual for their life.
We aren't born with an instruction manual – at least not a written and edited version
anyway. The scary fact is that all this well - meaning instruction is nothing more than attempting to get one person to do what the other person wants them to do. Most people don't have a clue how to be themselves, let alone tell someone else how to= run their life. Here's the only instruction you need - You need to be the best you can be.
When we realize this, our first question is typically "how do I do that?" That's the wrong focus - that's looking for an answer that is "out there" as if there is some instruction manual or someone else actually knows the answer of how to be the best you. They don't and you won't find that external instruction manual.
"Being" is usually considered a passive word - just sitting around waiting for something to happen. My understanding of being is a bit different - it relates to the word obedience. The Latin origin of this term means "towards, to hear." Obedience has everything to do with listening.
When is the last time you really listened? Listen to yourself.Listen to what others are really saying - the meaning behind what they are saying. Listen to what is happening around you. There isn't a written instruction manual you can read on how to be you. However, I can tell you this - listen, it makes life easier. What can be said for you personally can also be said for your business, relationships, and so many other things.
Sign-up at http://www.coachwithmatt.com/
Running a Business is Like Buying a Vehicle
by Matthew Best
This past week we bought a "new" minivan for our family. It's not brand new - I'm not a big fan of buying new vehicles, we needed to do this. Our old minivan had just about 160,000 miles on it and was, as our trusted mechanic stated - "getting close to being on borrowed time."
Over the course of this process several things occurred to me that I think relates this process with running a business that I'd like to share with you.
1.Be Clear. You have to know what you are looking for in a vehicle. There’s a huge difference between a minivan and a two seated BMW Z4. While yes, the BMW is fun, is it practical to your situation? For us, it's not as much as I wish it could be.
You have to make several other decisions - what color do you want, or at least know
what you don't want. What's your budget? Are you getting a loan or paying cash? If you finance, how long? How much will you be putting down? Got a trade in? And isn't all this similar to a business? You have to be clear with your business - who is your target market? What's your message? What do you charge for your product or service? What's your profit margin? Etc.
2. Sales. The only way a car is sold is through a sales person ultimately. Of course in our tech savvy age, that sales person could be a website, but it still acts as a sales person. How does the sales person treat you? Are they the used-car salesman stereotype, or are they an assistant buyer asking you questions to find the best fit instead of trying to get the biggest commission. Sales are vital for any business. What kind of sales person are you with your client? What impression are you leaving with your clients? Are you a resource for people?
3. Details. Proof of income. Proof of insurance. Registration. Odometer reading. Sign here - this document says we can check your credit. Sign here - this document says you are waiving this option. Sign here.
This part of buying a vehicle can be confusing for a customer. With all the papers and documents and numbers flying around, you have to have your stuff in order. Is this any different from running your business. Your clients probably don't have a clue as to all the hurdles you jump through for some of the things you do for them. You have been organized and you have to understand it well enough to be able to explain it to your clients with confidence.
Sign-up at http://www.coachwithmatt.com/
This past week we bought a "new" minivan for our family. It's not brand new - I'm not a big fan of buying new vehicles, we needed to do this. Our old minivan had just about 160,000 miles on it and was, as our trusted mechanic stated - "getting close to being on borrowed time."
Over the course of this process several things occurred to me that I think relates this process with running a business that I'd like to share with you.
1.Be Clear. You have to know what you are looking for in a vehicle. There’s a huge difference between a minivan and a two seated BMW Z4. While yes, the BMW is fun, is it practical to your situation? For us, it's not as much as I wish it could be.
You have to make several other decisions - what color do you want, or at least know
what you don't want. What's your budget? Are you getting a loan or paying cash? If you finance, how long? How much will you be putting down? Got a trade in? And isn't all this similar to a business? You have to be clear with your business - who is your target market? What's your message? What do you charge for your product or service? What's your profit margin? Etc.
2. Sales. The only way a car is sold is through a sales person ultimately. Of course in our tech savvy age, that sales person could be a website, but it still acts as a sales person. How does the sales person treat you? Are they the used-car salesman stereotype, or are they an assistant buyer asking you questions to find the best fit instead of trying to get the biggest commission. Sales are vital for any business. What kind of sales person are you with your client? What impression are you leaving with your clients? Are you a resource for people?
3. Details. Proof of income. Proof of insurance. Registration. Odometer reading. Sign here - this document says we can check your credit. Sign here - this document says you are waiving this option. Sign here.
This part of buying a vehicle can be confusing for a customer. With all the papers and documents and numbers flying around, you have to have your stuff in order. Is this any different from running your business. Your clients probably don't have a clue as to all the hurdles you jump through for some of the things you do for them. You have been organized and you have to understand it well enough to be able to explain it to your clients with confidence.
Sign-up at http://www.coachwithmatt.com/
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Clutter
By Matthew Best
Last week I told you about my computer challenge - having to have Window's reinstalled and being grateful for having backup of my files. This week, I want to continue with another observation about being without my computer for a week. It's a simple observation really - When I went back to my computer and pulled in my e-mail, old files, old programs, etc., I was amazed at how much of it was just clutter.
When we are in the day to day of life, we seldom realize that subscribing to just
one more newsletter or adding one more program to our computer will pile on to the
zillions of things that are already there. Just today, I unsubscribed to about 70 newsletters - I can only imagine how many fewer e-mails I'll receive that I never read anyway. And don't worry - I still subscribe to many other newsletters, it's just that I'll actually value them more since they won't get lost in the clutter.
So how much clutter is in your life? Do you even notice it? Instant access can be a positive thing - look at all the great things we've accomplished as a society. Remember though, it's a tool. Instant access can also mean that there is no time to process the information. Poorer decisions are often made when we don't take time to process information. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Last week I told you about my computer challenge - having to have Window's reinstalled and being grateful for having backup of my files. This week, I want to continue with another observation about being without my computer for a week. It's a simple observation really - When I went back to my computer and pulled in my e-mail, old files, old programs, etc., I was amazed at how much of it was just clutter.
When we are in the day to day of life, we seldom realize that subscribing to just
one more newsletter or adding one more program to our computer will pile on to the
zillions of things that are already there. Just today, I unsubscribed to about 70 newsletters - I can only imagine how many fewer e-mails I'll receive that I never read anyway. And don't worry - I still subscribe to many other newsletters, it's just that I'll actually value them more since they won't get lost in the clutter.
So how much clutter is in your life? Do you even notice it? Instant access can be a positive thing - look at all the great things we've accomplished as a society. Remember though, it's a tool. Instant access can also mean that there is no time to process the information. Poorer decisions are often made when we don't take time to process information. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Saturday, July 18, 2009
It's OK to Not Be Stuck
by Matthew Best
A question that I ask my clients many times at the beginning of a coaching session is "Where are you stuck?" Many times the answers come easily. Clients come to a coaching session very open to learn when they are stuck. But what about those times when the answer to the "stuck" question is hard to find, really minor, or unknown?
I find it interesting when a client struggles with the question, seeking to find something to tell me. It's interesting to me because many times the client thinks I know something about them that would make me assume they are stuck. They are searching for an answer
based on an assumption. Guess what – the assumption is wrong.
I ask the question about being stuck because it helps to identify what type of coaching session we'll be having - problem solving, strategy, accountability, etc. It's ok to not be stuck. Just as it's ok to not be in pain, not be worried, not be tired, not be stressed, not be any number of other things that we invest way too much time and energy into each day.
It's ok to be just fine, normal, doing well, doing great, content, etc. In fact, it's more than
ok. We don't have to live our lives like a network news channel - always some problem or challenge being highlighted. The challenges and the problems should be the exception to normal, not the normal.
Your homework for today is simple - take a few minutes to think about what's going well. Why is it going well? How is it benefiting you? What opportunities are available because something is going well?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
A question that I ask my clients many times at the beginning of a coaching session is "Where are you stuck?" Many times the answers come easily. Clients come to a coaching session very open to learn when they are stuck. But what about those times when the answer to the "stuck" question is hard to find, really minor, or unknown?
I find it interesting when a client struggles with the question, seeking to find something to tell me. It's interesting to me because many times the client thinks I know something about them that would make me assume they are stuck. They are searching for an answer
based on an assumption. Guess what – the assumption is wrong.
I ask the question about being stuck because it helps to identify what type of coaching session we'll be having - problem solving, strategy, accountability, etc. It's ok to not be stuck. Just as it's ok to not be in pain, not be worried, not be tired, not be stressed, not be any number of other things that we invest way too much time and energy into each day.
It's ok to be just fine, normal, doing well, doing great, content, etc. In fact, it's more than
ok. We don't have to live our lives like a network news channel - always some problem or challenge being highlighted. The challenges and the problems should be the exception to normal, not the normal.
Your homework for today is simple - take a few minutes to think about what's going well. Why is it going well? How is it benefiting you? What opportunities are available because something is going well?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Careful What You Wish For
by Matthew Best
An interesting thing happened to me this past week. One day this past week I was attempting to get out the door to do some work at Panera,otherwise called my office
away from my office. The kids were asking me tons of questions,one of the cats had just done something unmentionable outside the litter box,the baby started to cry - we have a pretty full house,so all this is pretty normal.
I was a bit frustrated though. I was frustrated because I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough time to get my work done. I didn't leave the house in the best of moods. It hit me when I got into my car. At that moment I realized that I had gotten exactly what I wanted and I was frustrated about it. I wanted to spend more time with my family - which has been happening. I wanted to work less - which has been happening.I was getting exactly what I had asked for.
So why the frustration? What I came to recognize about the situation was that I was still dealing with the effect of old habits - habits about how much time I "needed" to work. I was used to working many more hours and now I was shifting to working fewer hours. My key for avoiding a recurrence of the frustration is to not only define the goal clearly, but also the consequences of achieving the goal - think of it as symptoms that let you know that you are completing a goal. When I had neglected to do this, I became frustrated at what was going on. When I remembered what the goal was - I remembered that less work time means working smarter, not harder. It means setting up better systems to handle time consuming tasks, etc.
So what are you attempting to accomplish? Are you making progress on this? How do you know? What are the consequences of achieving the goal?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
An interesting thing happened to me this past week. One day this past week I was attempting to get out the door to do some work at Panera,otherwise called my office
away from my office. The kids were asking me tons of questions,one of the cats had just done something unmentionable outside the litter box,the baby started to cry - we have a pretty full house,so all this is pretty normal.
I was a bit frustrated though. I was frustrated because I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough time to get my work done. I didn't leave the house in the best of moods. It hit me when I got into my car. At that moment I realized that I had gotten exactly what I wanted and I was frustrated about it. I wanted to spend more time with my family - which has been happening. I wanted to work less - which has been happening.I was getting exactly what I had asked for.
So why the frustration? What I came to recognize about the situation was that I was still dealing with the effect of old habits - habits about how much time I "needed" to work. I was used to working many more hours and now I was shifting to working fewer hours. My key for avoiding a recurrence of the frustration is to not only define the goal clearly, but also the consequences of achieving the goal - think of it as symptoms that let you know that you are completing a goal. When I had neglected to do this, I became frustrated at what was going on. When I remembered what the goal was - I remembered that less work time means working smarter, not harder. It means setting up better systems to handle time consuming tasks, etc.
So what are you attempting to accomplish? Are you making progress on this? How do you know? What are the consequences of achieving the goal?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Silence
by Matthew Best
Have you ever thought about silence?It's very powerful actually. This is a day and age of constant noise and activity - i.e. IMs,text messaging, phones that do everything, phone calls, e-mails, social networking updates, and especially Twitter, hundreds of TV options, Internet connections everywhere, and more.
Most people are uncomfortable when there is silence - they don't know what to do if nothing is going on. Try being in a room with just 10 people and seeing how long silence will remain. Usually what happens is that someone will cough, or get on their phone, or their phone will ring, or they will rustle paper, or chew gum, or tap fingers, or type something, or who knows what.
Why do we avoid silence? We do we become uncomfortable with silence and quietness? What do we fear? These are great questions to think about this week. You may end coming up with different answers than the next person. This week I want to challenge to be in silence and see what you learn from it. How might this work? When you feel compelled to give unsolicited advice, stop and just be silent and listen. What was the experience like?
When you are in a sales meeting and you really tell your prospect about all the great things your newest gadget can do, stop and let your prospect talk. What did you learn about your prospect that you didn't know before? When you are in a business meeting for your organization and a question has been thrown on the table, try having everyone being quiet for a minute or two. Let your mind do it's work before giving an answer. How were the solutions compared to earlier meetings when people came out with answers right away? What happened with the communication of the people at the meeting?
Here's a big one - try unplugging for a day. If you can't bring yourself to doing it for a whole day, try an hour. I'm referring to all the instant communication and news. What's your day like? Better, worse? How much of what you missed what important?
The old saying is "Silence is golden." What is it for you?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Internal vs. External
by Matthew Best
This past week I listened to the book Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.I really enjoyed the book.The authors explored areas that most people never even begin to think about and ask questions that no one else is asking. The theme that I took away from the book was the internal vs. the external.The authors gave several examples of how so many external things really have no impact on the outcome of people.
For example - The authors cited a study that was conducted on the Chicago Public Schools (CSD).The CSD opened their students up to school choice a few years ago.Considering the shear number of students this district has, the administration decided that there would a lottery for children whose parents decided they wanted to participate in the school choice program.
The students' performance was tracked through their schooling.Not surprising was the finding that the students who participated in the school choice program and changed where they attended school improved their scores.Likewise, those students who did not participate and stayed in their school did poorly.
The real surprise was the third group of students - those who chose to participate in the program, but were not picked in the lottery. Those students stayed in their current chools. The findings showed that these students also improved their scores. The conclusion that was made was that school choice had no impact on the students' scores. What mattered was the decision by the parents and students that their current situation was not acceptable. The mere fact that these students had decided that they wanted better for themselves caused them to do what they needed to do to improve their scores. This was an internal change.
As I've said plenty of times - attitude drives behavior which drives your results. These students shifted their attitude. As a result, they changed what they did. What are the shifts in your internal attitudes and beliefs that will allow you to be successful?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Friday, June 5, 2009
Burn the Boats
Andy Andrews, an author and motivational speaker, tells a story about Hernan Cortes,a Spanish Conquistador who went in search of and captured a large Aztec treasure.Before he left for the New World, he gathered the troops he would need and told them the story of how their life would change after they captured the treasure.The day finally came for Cortes and his troops to sail.Each day on the journey he told his troops the same story about the gold and how it would change their life.
When they reached the New World, they camped along the shore for a few weeks and
each day Cortes told his troops the same story about the treasure.Finally,the troops were restless and were eager to find the gold. Cortes knew they were ready.He assembled the troops and gave them one last order - "Burn the boats."The men were perplexed, but did as Cortes had said.Cortes explained to them that by burning the boats they were eliminating any reason they had to fall back to safety - it was either capture the treasure or die.After the troops burnt the boats, they marched off and captured the treasure.
So,what are the boats in your life and your business?What are the things that give you perception that they are providing you safety,security,and comfort?What reasons are you making for not burning these boats?
Like what you are reading? Want more?Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
When they reached the New World, they camped along the shore for a few weeks and
each day Cortes told his troops the same story about the treasure.Finally,the troops were restless and were eager to find the gold. Cortes knew they were ready.He assembled the troops and gave them one last order - "Burn the boats."The men were perplexed, but did as Cortes had said.Cortes explained to them that by burning the boats they were eliminating any reason they had to fall back to safety - it was either capture the treasure or die.After the troops burnt the boats, they marched off and captured the treasure.
So,what are the boats in your life and your business?What are the things that give you perception that they are providing you safety,security,and comfort?What reasons are you making for not burning these boats?
Like what you are reading? Want more?Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Lessons from the Beach
by Matthew Best
We took a short family vacation to the beach this past week. I love the beach. Even in the relaxation and the hustle of vacations, there are lessons to be pay attention to.
First lesson - taking time away. I am convinced that entrepreneurs and business owners and decision makers spend way too much time working. Believe me, I've been there. I understand - there's lots to be done and it's your business, so you invest a great deal of time with your investment. The problem, and yes it's a problem,
comes when we don't step away for a little bit of time to take a look at the reality of our own businesses. We need time away to gain some clarity and to stop the habits that stop of from making changes. Even taking one day away every so often can be
a refreshing experience. You'll be ready to face the challenges. And don't tell me you are too busy, too important, or too anything else. Even the President of the United States takes a vacation every once in awhile.
Second lesson - Remember what's important. We have four kids aged 2 1/2 months to 6 years old. In the regular day-to-day of life you end of disciplining, telling your kids "no" "stop" and who knows what else. When you take this mindset to the beach you learn to relax a little. We relax because we remember that when the kids
do something we don't necessarily like, it's not because they are bad so often, it's because they are figuring out their own way, testing the limits around them, etc.
We parents get upset because the kids don't do it "our way." The lesson I pulled away was to remember what's important - which isn't much really. Do I really need to directing what my kids are doing every moment and how they are doing it? No. What if they do it a different way? So what. So my message for this lesson is that when you are upset or frustrated with a situation, ask yourself - why am I frustrated? What's important?
Third lesson - be creative. I like to think of myself as a pretty creative person already. But I also learned there is plenty more creativity that I could be tapping into. My daughter and I came up with a game to play on the beach with the incoming ocean waves. There were very few rules, it didn't require us to spend money on
any materials and more importantly, it was a blast.
Take a look at your situation. How can you use your creativity to move you forward? Can you do it without spending any money? Remember, you can make the rules for your own success.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
We took a short family vacation to the beach this past week. I love the beach. Even in the relaxation and the hustle of vacations, there are lessons to be pay attention to.
First lesson - taking time away. I am convinced that entrepreneurs and business owners and decision makers spend way too much time working. Believe me, I've been there. I understand - there's lots to be done and it's your business, so you invest a great deal of time with your investment. The problem, and yes it's a problem,
comes when we don't step away for a little bit of time to take a look at the reality of our own businesses. We need time away to gain some clarity and to stop the habits that stop of from making changes. Even taking one day away every so often can be
a refreshing experience. You'll be ready to face the challenges. And don't tell me you are too busy, too important, or too anything else. Even the President of the United States takes a vacation every once in awhile.
Second lesson - Remember what's important. We have four kids aged 2 1/2 months to 6 years old. In the regular day-to-day of life you end of disciplining, telling your kids "no" "stop" and who knows what else. When you take this mindset to the beach you learn to relax a little. We relax because we remember that when the kids
do something we don't necessarily like, it's not because they are bad so often, it's because they are figuring out their own way, testing the limits around them, etc.
We parents get upset because the kids don't do it "our way." The lesson I pulled away was to remember what's important - which isn't much really. Do I really need to directing what my kids are doing every moment and how they are doing it? No. What if they do it a different way? So what. So my message for this lesson is that when you are upset or frustrated with a situation, ask yourself - why am I frustrated? What's important?
Third lesson - be creative. I like to think of myself as a pretty creative person already. But I also learned there is plenty more creativity that I could be tapping into. My daughter and I came up with a game to play on the beach with the incoming ocean waves. There were very few rules, it didn't require us to spend money on
any materials and more importantly, it was a blast.
Take a look at your situation. How can you use your creativity to move you forward? Can you do it without spending any money? Remember, you can make the rules for your own success.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What's Your Niche?
by Matthew Best
So, what's your niche? It's quite an intimidating question isn't it? I find that
very few people can truly identify what their niche is completely. Most entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of defining a niche - they are creative people and see any limitation, even if it's self-imposed, as a violation of their freedom. Can you see how this might be a conflict?
One of the biggest challenges that people have in defining their niche is that they
don't know how to. I can't tell you how many articles I've read on the importance
of having a niche, but so few things are out there on how to go about defining a
niche. Today is your lucky day though because I'm going to share with you the big secret.
First, identify the skill set that you are an expert in. Is it finance, marketing,
coaching, internet-related activities, etc. Second, identify an industry that you want to work in. That's it. That's all there is to it. So let's say you are a financial planner. Instead of trying to convince everyone in the world to work with you, you decide that you are going to work with real estate agents. You apply your skill set to a specific industry.
Chances are that you will be much more successful than blanketing everyone. Your message will be focused and you can focus on specific challenges that real estate agents are dealing with. So what's your niche?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Working On Your Business
by Matthew Best
You've heard the question before - Are you working in or on your business? The
idea being that we do a lot of the technical parts of our business and we don't
invest enough time working on the business strategy and focus.
This past week, I took time away from the technical activities of my business and
I worked on my business. What an experience. Taking time away from the daily habits of your business can yield big results. First off, there is clarity. Several things became very clear to me by taking time away like this. I realized how much of a technician I am with my business – something I didn't like learning, but something that will cause me to make some serious changes with how I run my business.
When we are in the thick of doing your business it's almost like running your business
with blinders on your eyes. You lose sight of what's going on around you. Here's the biggest challenge that any entrepreneur and small business owner has with taking time away to work on their business - time. When do you have time to do this? You don't. There is always something else to do. So what's the answer - you make time. It doesn't have to be tomorrow. Look at your calendar – schedule some time - a day, a half day, even one hour if that's all you can give.
Schedule time sometime within the next month to work on your business - the strategy, your goals, your message, your marketing plan. Look, I understand that time and money are tight. It wasn't easy to put everything else on hold to work on the business - but it was vitally important. Does your business exist to serve you, or are you a slave to your business? If you are a slave to your business, it's time to take a serious look at what's going on and make some changes. You'll be glad you did.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Are You Confusing The Tool with The Real Deal?
by Matthew Best
I had a great conversation this week about confusing the tools in our lives with
the real deal - the goal we are looking to accomplish. What I mean is that so
often we forget that a tool is just a tool, not the thing that is actually important.
Yet how often do we attach so much importance and significance to the tool that
we lose sight of this? All of a sudden the tool overshadows the goal. We lose
sight of what is important and start to drift, even while we are focused on the
tool.
A phone is a tool, yet how often do we forget that the phone is just a tool for
our convenience? Let me ask, do you work for your phone or does the phone work
for you? When do you have to answer it? When it tells you that a call or message
is coming in, or when it's convenient to your schedule?
A tool is an instrument that can be used to make your life easier, assist you in
accomplishing a goal, or make your work more efficient or effective. What are the tools in your life and your business? Are these tools making your life and business better? Or are they demanding more of your attention, time and energy? Are you confusing these tools with what really matters? Are you placing too much emphasis on the tools and not enough on the goal? Are your tools working for you, or are you working for them - answering their every beck and call? Remember your foundation - the why of what you are doing. The tools merely assist you with the how - remember this as you go through your day today.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
I had a great conversation this week about confusing the tools in our lives with
the real deal - the goal we are looking to accomplish. What I mean is that so
often we forget that a tool is just a tool, not the thing that is actually important.
Yet how often do we attach so much importance and significance to the tool that
we lose sight of this? All of a sudden the tool overshadows the goal. We lose
sight of what is important and start to drift, even while we are focused on the
tool.
A phone is a tool, yet how often do we forget that the phone is just a tool for
our convenience? Let me ask, do you work for your phone or does the phone work
for you? When do you have to answer it? When it tells you that a call or message
is coming in, or when it's convenient to your schedule?
A tool is an instrument that can be used to make your life easier, assist you in
accomplishing a goal, or make your work more efficient or effective. What are the tools in your life and your business? Are these tools making your life and business better? Or are they demanding more of your attention, time and energy? Are you confusing these tools with what really matters? Are you placing too much emphasis on the tools and not enough on the goal? Are your tools working for you, or are you working for them - answering their every beck and call? Remember your foundation - the why of what you are doing. The tools merely assist you with the how - remember this as you go through your day today.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Friday, May 1, 2009
Are You In Control?
by Matthew Best
For the past week I've been focusing on the idea of control. So often we ask questions
that relate to control - "Who's in control here?" or "What's the process?" or "What
results should I expect?" Often, control and predictability go hand-in-hand. We get caught up in the idea of being in control. Think of times when you are not
in control and remember how insecure you felt. And so, we usually conclude that a certain level of control is either good or bad. I want to challenge your thinking on this for a moment. What if control was just a part of the process, or the process itself?
Let me explain. The next time you are at a restaurant, look at a table. Think of the table in relation to control. The table has certain weight limitation - how much can go on top of it before it will break. Doesn't that weight limit control what will go on the table? How about the size of the table? It controls how many tables and in what formation will fit in the restaurant. The table affects and controls what kinds of limits there are on the chairs that will work well with the table from a height and style standpoint. The location of the table controls the flow of traffic through the restaurant as well. You can go on and on.
So much about this table deals with control - yet, is it really about control being good
or bad? Now come back to your business. Are you in control? What is in control? And what does that mean really? What effects does that have on the business - internal and
external communication, time management, management of others, sales, customer loyalty, etc.?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Friday, April 24, 2009
Endings and Beginnings
by Matthew Best
It's been said that beginnings are often disguised at painful endings. Take a look around you at life cycles. The ending of business or personal relationships. The ending of a job or the "failure" of a business. The ending of a sporting event.
These are all endings, but also beginnings - the question is what it is the beginning of? So often we get caught up in the status quo that we struggle to hold on to what we are familiar with. In doing this, we make the ending more painful. We are often left asking ourselves if we could have preventing the ending at all. When we lock ourselves on the familiar we miss the new beginning.
New beginnings are where the opportunities exist. New beginnings challenge us to grow, to do something new, to expand ourselves beyond what we think we know and are comfortable with.
This isn't always a pleasant experience, but it is growth. What are the endings and beginnings in your business? What are you doing today
to embrace a new beginning as an opportunity for growth?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
It's been said that beginnings are often disguised at painful endings. Take a look around you at life cycles. The ending of business or personal relationships. The ending of a job or the "failure" of a business. The ending of a sporting event.
These are all endings, but also beginnings - the question is what it is the beginning of? So often we get caught up in the status quo that we struggle to hold on to what we are familiar with. In doing this, we make the ending more painful. We are often left asking ourselves if we could have preventing the ending at all. When we lock ourselves on the familiar we miss the new beginning.
New beginnings are where the opportunities exist. New beginnings challenge us to grow, to do something new, to expand ourselves beyond what we think we know and are comfortable with.
This isn't always a pleasant experience, but it is growth. What are the endings and beginnings in your business? What are you doing today
to embrace a new beginning as an opportunity for growth?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What’s the Principle?
by Matt Best
I've been doing a great deal of reading lately. I've read books and authors such as Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations published in 1776, David Hume, also a 1700's author, Alexis DeTocqueville's Democracy in America, published in the mid 1800's, Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, and The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen.
These are all books that I categorize as political philosophy - man's relationship to himself through government.
What is interesting is that each of these books and authors teaches something unique and at the same time they emphasize a common theme or set of principles.
I would not have seen the significance of the principles had I not read these series of books.
The principles are the things that matter - they apply regardless of who utilizes them or where. As I have been telling my clients lately, when we understand the principles and the process, we have clarity and we can accomplish great things.
When we attempt to violate the principles, we suffer the consequences.
What are the principles that govern your business? Are you conflicting with these principles or are you working in conjunction with these principles? Are you even aware of the principles? If not, what will you do about this?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
I've been doing a great deal of reading lately. I've read books and authors such as Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations published in 1776, David Hume, also a 1700's author, Alexis DeTocqueville's Democracy in America, published in the mid 1800's, Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, and The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen.
These are all books that I categorize as political philosophy - man's relationship to himself through government.
What is interesting is that each of these books and authors teaches something unique and at the same time they emphasize a common theme or set of principles.
I would not have seen the significance of the principles had I not read these series of books.
The principles are the things that matter - they apply regardless of who utilizes them or where. As I have been telling my clients lately, when we understand the principles and the process, we have clarity and we can accomplish great things.
When we attempt to violate the principles, we suffer the consequences.
What are the principles that govern your business? Are you conflicting with these principles or are you working in conjunction with these principles? Are you even aware of the principles? If not, what will you do about this?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
Friday, April 10, 2009
Recession Proof Attitude
by Matthew Best
Let's do a quick check - how's your attitude? Are you depressed, angry, upset, annoyed, etc? Do you watch the news, read the paper, see articles on the internet, listen to your friends and neighbors complain?
It's pretty easy to let all the negativity get to you, isn't it? We are all inundated with negativity nonstop.
Let me get right to the point - I'm sick of hearing about it! Consider this - more millionaires have been "made" during recessions and depressions than during "good" economic times.
So what is about these people that help them to be so successful?
Here's what I've learned - they can't stop being inundated with all the negativity, but they can choose to either ignore it, blow it off, etc. These people decide that they aren't interested in letting others decide how they are going to feel. They have a plan and a direction, they stay focused on it, and plow ahead.
These people understood that their emotions are there to assist them, not control them. When we act out of anger, fear, etc. we usually end up with less than desirable results. Our emotions are there to assist us in understanding what is going on - but not base our decisions solely on emotion. That's why we have a rational mind.
These people listen. Listening in many different ways. They listen to their emotions, they pay attention to what's going on around them, they see the trends that are coming. In other words, they keep their eyes open to opportunities and dangers.
Here's my final thought - get out there and succeed! You can do it!
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
Let's do a quick check - how's your attitude? Are you depressed, angry, upset, annoyed, etc? Do you watch the news, read the paper, see articles on the internet, listen to your friends and neighbors complain?
It's pretty easy to let all the negativity get to you, isn't it? We are all inundated with negativity nonstop.
Let me get right to the point - I'm sick of hearing about it! Consider this - more millionaires have been "made" during recessions and depressions than during "good" economic times.
So what is about these people that help them to be so successful?
Here's what I've learned - they can't stop being inundated with all the negativity, but they can choose to either ignore it, blow it off, etc. These people decide that they aren't interested in letting others decide how they are going to feel. They have a plan and a direction, they stay focused on it, and plow ahead.
These people understood that their emotions are there to assist them, not control them. When we act out of anger, fear, etc. we usually end up with less than desirable results. Our emotions are there to assist us in understanding what is going on - but not base our decisions solely on emotion. That's why we have a rational mind.
These people listen. Listening in many different ways. They listen to their emotions, they pay attention to what's going on around them, they see the trends that are coming. In other words, they keep their eyes open to opportunities and dangers.
Here's my final thought - get out there and succeed! You can do it!
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Trust
by Matthew Best
The band U2 recently released a brand new album. I purchased it soon after its release. I hadn't even heard a single song that was on the album. So why did I buy it?
I bought it because U2 is my all time favorite band. I've bought all of their albums over the years. I love their music.
This got me thinking about trust. Even though I had not heard a single song on the new album, I trusted that I would like it. I have this trust because in one sense, being a fan of U2, I have a relationship with the band - as all true fans do.
U2 has done an excellent job of building a loyal following. Fans have come to expect things from the relationship. They expect to hear the unique guitar sound of The Edge, one of the members of the band. In fact, you can tell a U2 song just by hearing The Edge's guitar playing.
Fans expect to see a new album out ever few years. Fans expect Bono, the lead singer, to be outspoken about the issues he cares about. Fans expect the band to put on great shows.
The band has done an excellent job of meeting these expectations and then some.
U2 has an excellent level of trust and loyalty with their fans because they work continuously to build that trust. They created the expectations they were willing to commit to.
What are you doing in your business to build trust with your own fans? What expectations are you creating? Are you at a point that if you offer a new product or service, that fans would buy it, just because you put it out? If not, why not and what are you going to do about it?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
The band U2 recently released a brand new album. I purchased it soon after its release. I hadn't even heard a single song that was on the album. So why did I buy it?
I bought it because U2 is my all time favorite band. I've bought all of their albums over the years. I love their music.
This got me thinking about trust. Even though I had not heard a single song on the new album, I trusted that I would like it. I have this trust because in one sense, being a fan of U2, I have a relationship with the band - as all true fans do.
U2 has done an excellent job of building a loyal following. Fans have come to expect things from the relationship. They expect to hear the unique guitar sound of The Edge, one of the members of the band. In fact, you can tell a U2 song just by hearing The Edge's guitar playing.
Fans expect to see a new album out ever few years. Fans expect Bono, the lead singer, to be outspoken about the issues he cares about. Fans expect the band to put on great shows.
The band has done an excellent job of meeting these expectations and then some.
U2 has an excellent level of trust and loyalty with their fans because they work continuously to build that trust. They created the expectations they were willing to commit to.
What are you doing in your business to build trust with your own fans? What expectations are you creating? Are you at a point that if you offer a new product or service, that fans would buy it, just because you put it out? If not, why not and what are you going to do about it?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at www.passportforsuccess.org
Monday, March 23, 2009
How Have You Failed Your Way to Success Lately?
by Matthew Best
I have a colleague who once set a goal to fail more than he had in the past. You read that correctly - he wanted to fail more.
You may be wondering if my colleague lost his marbles. No, not at all. It's the idea that we fail forward to success.
There is the famous story about Thomas Edison. Edison invented the light bulb, but it took him over 10,000 attempts to get it right. When asked by a reporter about those 10,000 "failures," Edison responded that they weren't failures at all - he just figured out 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb.
I can't tell you how many partnerships I've tried to put together over the years. The vast majority fail, if they even end up making it off the ground at all. That's ok though. I never expected to hit the jackpot with a successful partnership the first time out. I had much to learn about partnerships. I'm getting much better at understanding how not to create a partnership.
The biggest obstacle you will probably face to failing forward is your own perseverance. Edison must have had an abundance of perseverance. If this is an area that is lacking for you - work on it - it will be worth it.
So how have you failed on your journey of success today? If you aren't failing, you aren't trying something new. And if you aren't trying something new, you are stagnant and your business is serious danger.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
I have a colleague who once set a goal to fail more than he had in the past. You read that correctly - he wanted to fail more.
You may be wondering if my colleague lost his marbles. No, not at all. It's the idea that we fail forward to success.
There is the famous story about Thomas Edison. Edison invented the light bulb, but it took him over 10,000 attempts to get it right. When asked by a reporter about those 10,000 "failures," Edison responded that they weren't failures at all - he just figured out 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb.
I can't tell you how many partnerships I've tried to put together over the years. The vast majority fail, if they even end up making it off the ground at all. That's ok though. I never expected to hit the jackpot with a successful partnership the first time out. I had much to learn about partnerships. I'm getting much better at understanding how not to create a partnership.
The biggest obstacle you will probably face to failing forward is your own perseverance. Edison must have had an abundance of perseverance. If this is an area that is lacking for you - work on it - it will be worth it.
So how have you failed on your journey of success today? If you aren't failing, you aren't trying something new. And if you aren't trying something new, you are stagnant and your business is serious danger.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Breaking Down Your Goals
by Matthew Best
Most entrepreneurs I know have no problem with goal setting - at least they think they are good at it. In fact, most entrepreneurs I know have a ton of goals. Their challenge comes down to two things - prioritization and manageable goals.
Prioritizing your goals will allow you know which goal to work on first. What's the easiest way to prioritize your goals? Run a tournament. It's March Madness time, so this should be an easy concept. Set your goals up in brackets and have two goals "compete" against one another. Decide which goal would be more satisfying to have complete. That's your winner. Keep doing this until you have your top goal and start working on it.
As for manageable goals - the key is to break you goals down to smaller chunks. If you have a revenue goal of $100,000, it may be easier to set a smaller goal of generating $10,000 or $5,000. If you can figure out how to generate $5,000 once, you can repeat the process.
Another key to breaking your goal down is to make sure you understand the connection between your smaller goal and what you are really trying to accomplish. This can be a big challenge. Going back to our example - You really want to generate $100,000, not $5,000 - so you have to make sure you identify your motivation for generating $5,000. Without identifying this - you're bound to hit a road bump in your goal and without the motivation to continue, you'll likely give up.
Make sure the motivation taps into your emotion. Why do you really want to generate $5,000? Get passionate about it - as if it were the most important goal of the year. You'll have your motivation and you'll probably be ready to get started. Don't delay - get moving.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Most entrepreneurs I know have no problem with goal setting - at least they think they are good at it. In fact, most entrepreneurs I know have a ton of goals. Their challenge comes down to two things - prioritization and manageable goals.
Prioritizing your goals will allow you know which goal to work on first. What's the easiest way to prioritize your goals? Run a tournament. It's March Madness time, so this should be an easy concept. Set your goals up in brackets and have two goals "compete" against one another. Decide which goal would be more satisfying to have complete. That's your winner. Keep doing this until you have your top goal and start working on it.
As for manageable goals - the key is to break you goals down to smaller chunks. If you have a revenue goal of $100,000, it may be easier to set a smaller goal of generating $10,000 or $5,000. If you can figure out how to generate $5,000 once, you can repeat the process.
Another key to breaking your goal down is to make sure you understand the connection between your smaller goal and what you are really trying to accomplish. This can be a big challenge. Going back to our example - You really want to generate $100,000, not $5,000 - so you have to make sure you identify your motivation for generating $5,000. Without identifying this - you're bound to hit a road bump in your goal and without the motivation to continue, you'll likely give up.
Make sure the motivation taps into your emotion. Why do you really want to generate $5,000? Get passionate about it - as if it were the most important goal of the year. You'll have your motivation and you'll probably be ready to get started. Don't delay - get moving.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Running a Business is like having a Newborn
by Matthew Best
This past week my wife delivered our fourth child. It's a wonderful experience that changes your life.
In fact, when you think about it - running a business is very much like having a newborn.
When you have a newborn you just don't sleep on your own schedule - it's the baby's schedule. Isn't that also true for your business? When a customer wants something, you go out of your way to fulfill their need on their time frame. It doesn't always work out, but your customer appreciates the effort.
You devote as much time, attention, and energy to your children as possible to see them grow up to be successful young adults who can make it on their own. Think about how much time, energy and attention you put into your own business - if you are like most business owners, you treat your business as if it were a member of the family. It's health and well-being have an impact on the rest of the family.
Having and raising a baby is not an easy job. Could anyone argue differently about owning and running a business?
Ask any parent if they love their child unconditionally and you should get a resounding yes. That is why kids can get away with so much - parents will put up with a great deal of frustration because they love their child. The same is true for a business owner. A business owner is willing to put up with a great deal of frustration - from irate customers, to uncertain profits, to late hours - all because of the love and devotion an owner will put into their business.
Lastly, A child can make you proud. The first time they say a word, or take a step, or ride a bike without training wheels are proud moments for any parent. You have first moments in business too. The first dollar you earn, your first client, the first time you make an actual profit. These are proud moments for a business owner.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
This past week my wife delivered our fourth child. It's a wonderful experience that changes your life.
In fact, when you think about it - running a business is very much like having a newborn.
When you have a newborn you just don't sleep on your own schedule - it's the baby's schedule. Isn't that also true for your business? When a customer wants something, you go out of your way to fulfill their need on their time frame. It doesn't always work out, but your customer appreciates the effort.
You devote as much time, attention, and energy to your children as possible to see them grow up to be successful young adults who can make it on their own. Think about how much time, energy and attention you put into your own business - if you are like most business owners, you treat your business as if it were a member of the family. It's health and well-being have an impact on the rest of the family.
Having and raising a baby is not an easy job. Could anyone argue differently about owning and running a business?
Ask any parent if they love their child unconditionally and you should get a resounding yes. That is why kids can get away with so much - parents will put up with a great deal of frustration because they love their child. The same is true for a business owner. A business owner is willing to put up with a great deal of frustration - from irate customers, to uncertain profits, to late hours - all because of the love and devotion an owner will put into their business.
Lastly, A child can make you proud. The first time they say a word, or take a step, or ride a bike without training wheels are proud moments for any parent. You have first moments in business too. The first dollar you earn, your first client, the first time you make an actual profit. These are proud moments for a business owner.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Staying Upbeat
by Matthew Best
Every once in awhile, even the most positive person will allow themselves to feel the effects of what is going on around them. It can be difficult for entrepreneurs to stay upbeat - the constant drumbeat of the media about the recession, hearing about it from friends and family, seeing it in the newspaper, etc. What's a person to do? Here's a few quick tips.
First - tune out as much of it as you can. You know what the news is going to report don't you? Death, destruction, loss, fire, damage, crime, woe-is-me stories, etc. That's what counts as news these days - skip it. If anything important happens, you'll find out - someone is bound to tell you about it.
Second - get serious about your goals. Nothing generates a positive outlook like success. Take a look at your goals and start working on them every day - do one thing today that will bring you closer to your goal. Then, when you accomplish the goal, set another one.
Third - Get creative. Generating new ideas, creating new partnerships and joint ventures, and offering new products are great ways to stay upbeat. You are most positive when your creative juices are flowing - you are focused on opportunities and possibilities.
Fourth - Create a two minute complaining session. That's right, set aside two minutes to just complain, mope, feel sorry for yourself, have a pity party, etc. Really get into the moment with this. You'll get that "down" feeling all in at once for the day, and everything else will feel a heck of a lot better.
Fifth - Exercise. When I'm feeling down or low on energy, I go for run. The toughest part is getting out the door, but as soon as I get going, I always feel better. And when I get back - I'm revived. Find your own exercise routine - even if it's walking for 15 Minutes. Getting up and moving will refresh you and give you energy.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Every once in awhile, even the most positive person will allow themselves to feel the effects of what is going on around them. It can be difficult for entrepreneurs to stay upbeat - the constant drumbeat of the media about the recession, hearing about it from friends and family, seeing it in the newspaper, etc. What's a person to do? Here's a few quick tips.
First - tune out as much of it as you can. You know what the news is going to report don't you? Death, destruction, loss, fire, damage, crime, woe-is-me stories, etc. That's what counts as news these days - skip it. If anything important happens, you'll find out - someone is bound to tell you about it.
Second - get serious about your goals. Nothing generates a positive outlook like success. Take a look at your goals and start working on them every day - do one thing today that will bring you closer to your goal. Then, when you accomplish the goal, set another one.
Third - Get creative. Generating new ideas, creating new partnerships and joint ventures, and offering new products are great ways to stay upbeat. You are most positive when your creative juices are flowing - you are focused on opportunities and possibilities.
Fourth - Create a two minute complaining session. That's right, set aside two minutes to just complain, mope, feel sorry for yourself, have a pity party, etc. Really get into the moment with this. You'll get that "down" feeling all in at once for the day, and everything else will feel a heck of a lot better.
Fifth - Exercise. When I'm feeling down or low on energy, I go for run. The toughest part is getting out the door, but as soon as I get going, I always feel better. And when I get back - I'm revived. Find your own exercise routine - even if it's walking for 15 Minutes. Getting up and moving will refresh you and give you energy.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Are You Dealing the Symptom or the Cause?
by Matthew Best
If you had a stone in your shoe, what would you do? Most people I know would answer with the obvious solution - take your shoe off and dump the stone out. Problem solved.
What I find amazing though is that we may know this intellectually, but there are so many examples in life where we put aside this obvious solution and think that the simple solution of "dumping the stone" just won't work for any number of reasons.
Examples abound these days - one need only look at how government operates to understand that "dumping the stone" would mean that many government agencies and officials would be unnecessary and in short order, out of a job.
Another example would be healthcare - how many times do we treat the pain we feel as opposed to looking at what is actually causing the pain?
And how about business - especially your business? What are the "symptoms" you deal with every day? How are you treating them? Are you looking at what these symptoms are actually telling you about the situation, or are you more concerned with just making the pain go away?
Take a few moments today to stop reacting to the "pain" your business or your people are experiencing and instead listen to what that pain is trying to tell you.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org
If you had a stone in your shoe, what would you do? Most people I know would answer with the obvious solution - take your shoe off and dump the stone out. Problem solved.
What I find amazing though is that we may know this intellectually, but there are so many examples in life where we put aside this obvious solution and think that the simple solution of "dumping the stone" just won't work for any number of reasons.
Examples abound these days - one need only look at how government operates to understand that "dumping the stone" would mean that many government agencies and officials would be unnecessary and in short order, out of a job.
Another example would be healthcare - how many times do we treat the pain we feel as opposed to looking at what is actually causing the pain?
And how about business - especially your business? What are the "symptoms" you deal with every day? How are you treating them? Are you looking at what these symptoms are actually telling you about the situation, or are you more concerned with just making the pain go away?
Take a few moments today to stop reacting to the "pain" your business or your people are experiencing and instead listen to what that pain is trying to tell you.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org
Difference between Prospectors and Master Prospectors
"Prospectors value their money more than they do their time. They'll waste their time trying to hold onto their money. Master Prospectors value their time more than their money. They'll invest their money into tools that make their time more valuable." John Kalench
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Birthdays
by Matthew Best
February is a big birthday month in our family. My birthday was the first, my son turns two on the second, my oldest daughter turns six on the sixth, my wife's grandmother turns 92 on the seventh, my wife's birthday is the 17th and her cousin's birthday is the 27th.
All these birthdays are great, and yet require a good deal of planning to make all the parties a real hit.
Business is no different. You have busy times - times when everything is happening all at once - sales, projects, new hires, marketing campaigns, etc. During these busy times you know that being organized and prepared makes all the difference.
Take some time today to set some time aside to plan your week. Even better, take a look at when your busy time is and start planning what you'll need now.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
February is a big birthday month in our family. My birthday was the first, my son turns two on the second, my oldest daughter turns six on the sixth, my wife's grandmother turns 92 on the seventh, my wife's birthday is the 17th and her cousin's birthday is the 27th.
All these birthdays are great, and yet require a good deal of planning to make all the parties a real hit.
Business is no different. You have busy times - times when everything is happening all at once - sales, projects, new hires, marketing campaigns, etc. During these busy times you know that being organized and prepared makes all the difference.
Take some time today to set some time aside to plan your week. Even better, take a look at when your busy time is and start planning what you'll need now.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What are you and your business becoming?
Do you realize that you and your business are always changing? What I find amazing is that we spend so much time attempting to get ourselves and our businesses to a position of familiarity - actions that we feel comfortable with. We do this because it’s human nature to want to feel like we are in control.
Usually though, if we are in a position familiarity, we get ourselves lulled into a false sense of security - and that’s when we start to fall behind. You can read endless stories about people and organizations that were at the top of their game and then came crashing down, all because they stopped changing.
When something gets to be familiar, it’s usually time to examine it and see what needs to change. That doesn’t always mean change to doing something different. Sometimes change can mean doing what you are familiar with, only better - small changes that enhance a strength.
So the questions for you this week is this - What are you becoming? What is your business becoming? What’s familiar and comfortable for you? What needs to change?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Usually though, if we are in a position familiarity, we get ourselves lulled into a false sense of security - and that’s when we start to fall behind. You can read endless stories about people and organizations that were at the top of their game and then came crashing down, all because they stopped changing.
When something gets to be familiar, it’s usually time to examine it and see what needs to change. That doesn’t always mean change to doing something different. Sometimes change can mean doing what you are familiar with, only better - small changes that enhance a strength.
So the questions for you this week is this - What are you becoming? What is your business becoming? What’s familiar and comfortable for you? What needs to change?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Manifesto
What’s your company’s manifesto? I know you are probably sitting there saying - “what in the world are you talking about Matthew? Manifestos? What in the world does that have to do with my business?”
A lot actually. I was listening to an audio book and the author suggested that every company should have a manifesto. What a great idea. I’ll be working on the Best Solutions’ manifesto this week, won’t you join me?
See, manifestos don’t have to be just political or religious documents stating a set of principles or beliefs. Coupled with a vision, mission and core values, a manifesto is a great addition to any business.
One key obstacle you might be identifying right now is this - how do you write one?
Well, you can do a quick Google search to see what others suggest if you like. Here’s the summary of what I found that seemed to be a consistent theme.
First, it’s got to be something you feel strongly about. Think about it - you are writing a document for all the world to see. You better have something important to say and feel passionate enough about it to share with the world. A quick Wikipedia search on the term ‘manifesto’ revealed some well known examples: The Declaration of Independence, the Communist Manifesto and the Contract With America are just three of the dozens listed. I don’t think anyone can argue that those are three documents that made an impact.
Second, be clear and concise. Say what you have to say. Manifestos are not full-length novels that go into great detail - they are a set of beliefs that are clear and concise.
Third, be bold. The purpose of a manifesto is to tell the world about your cause, to start a movement, to change the status quo, etc. Think about those documents I mentioned before - they all boldly call for a different way of doing things.
There is no rule that says manifestos are reserved for political movements. You and your business are a movement. You and I and everyone else with a business are all in the same business when you think about it - we are in the business of change. Every entrepreneur is looking for a new way to do something, a way to change the process, to reduce costs, improve revenue, change the way people shop, and on and on.
So what’s the cause that your business takes up? How does this cause affect and inspire others? How are you and your business going to change society, or our nation, or your state, or even just your community? What’s your entrepreneurial manifesto?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
A lot actually. I was listening to an audio book and the author suggested that every company should have a manifesto. What a great idea. I’ll be working on the Best Solutions’ manifesto this week, won’t you join me?
See, manifestos don’t have to be just political or religious documents stating a set of principles or beliefs. Coupled with a vision, mission and core values, a manifesto is a great addition to any business.
One key obstacle you might be identifying right now is this - how do you write one?
Well, you can do a quick Google search to see what others suggest if you like. Here’s the summary of what I found that seemed to be a consistent theme.
First, it’s got to be something you feel strongly about. Think about it - you are writing a document for all the world to see. You better have something important to say and feel passionate enough about it to share with the world. A quick Wikipedia search on the term ‘manifesto’ revealed some well known examples: The Declaration of Independence, the Communist Manifesto and the Contract With America are just three of the dozens listed. I don’t think anyone can argue that those are three documents that made an impact.
Second, be clear and concise. Say what you have to say. Manifestos are not full-length novels that go into great detail - they are a set of beliefs that are clear and concise.
Third, be bold. The purpose of a manifesto is to tell the world about your cause, to start a movement, to change the status quo, etc. Think about those documents I mentioned before - they all boldly call for a different way of doing things.
There is no rule that says manifestos are reserved for political movements. You and your business are a movement. You and I and everyone else with a business are all in the same business when you think about it - we are in the business of change. Every entrepreneur is looking for a new way to do something, a way to change the process, to reduce costs, improve revenue, change the way people shop, and on and on.
So what’s the cause that your business takes up? How does this cause affect and inspire others? How are you and your business going to change society, or our nation, or your state, or even just your community? What’s your entrepreneurial manifesto?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New Year's Promises
We are now a few days into 2009 - how are you doing with your resolutions for the new year? Did you make any?
Recent studies suggest that fewer people are making resolutions and the ones that do make them are breaking those resolutions faster than previous years.
Here’s my advice for your New Year’s resolutions - don’t do them. Instead make one significant New Year’s promise. This is something that you will absolutely promise to complete by the end of 2009. It could be something personal or business related.
Why a promise? Because a resolution is nothing more than a wish, when it comes down to it. There’s no plan of action and no consequences if you don’t fulfill the resolution. Unless you have a Superman-like will of steel, the chances that you’ll keep your resolution for the entire year are minimal.
Think about it - if you are like most people, when you make a promise, you’ll do everything in your power to keep that promise. That’s because when we make a promise, we are putting our integrity on the line. Integrity is one of the the most important values that a person has. Think about this - we’ll be dishonest, just keep our integrity from being questioned - that’s how important integrity is. And no, integrity and honesty are not the same thing. Honesty is giving your word, integrity is keeping it. If we never give our word (make a honest commitment), then we don’t have to worry about keeping our word do we?
So what’s your promise for 2009? It’s not too late to make a promise for the year. If you need some accountability - e-mail me at matt@somedayisland.com with your promise. I’ll put it in my calendar to ask you about your promise at the end of the year.
Make 2009 a great year. Make a promise and keep it. You’ll be glad you did.
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Recent studies suggest that fewer people are making resolutions and the ones that do make them are breaking those resolutions faster than previous years.
Here’s my advice for your New Year’s resolutions - don’t do them. Instead make one significant New Year’s promise. This is something that you will absolutely promise to complete by the end of 2009. It could be something personal or business related.
Why a promise? Because a resolution is nothing more than a wish, when it comes down to it. There’s no plan of action and no consequences if you don’t fulfill the resolution. Unless you have a Superman-like will of steel, the chances that you’ll keep your resolution for the entire year are minimal.
Think about it - if you are like most people, when you make a promise, you’ll do everything in your power to keep that promise. That’s because when we make a promise, we are putting our integrity on the line. Integrity is one of the the most important values that a person has. Think about this - we’ll be dishonest, just keep our integrity from being questioned - that’s how important integrity is. And no, integrity and honesty are not the same thing. Honesty is giving your word, integrity is keeping it. If we never give our word (make a honest commitment), then we don’t have to worry about keeping our word do we?
So what’s your promise for 2009? It’s not too late to make a promise for the year. If you need some accountability - e-mail me at matt@somedayisland.com with your promise. I’ll put it in my calendar to ask you about your promise at the end of the year.
Make 2009 a great year. Make a promise and keep it. You’ll be glad you did.
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.