The ultra-quiet, high speed fan that’s missing an on/off switch. The gorgeous print ad in a national magazine that’s missing a website address. The sales pitch that dumps facts yet never inspires action. What’s missing? Much of modern business work involves either creating something new (writing a news story, preparing a legal brief, designing a […]
Read MoreFrom discovering new drug therapies to winning triathlons, the capacity for human achievement is humbling. NASA scientists reached Pluto this week, beaming back stunning imagery of the distant planet. Brian Acton and Jam Koum, who founded WhatsApp in 2009, sold their startup to Google for $19 billion just five years later. Easton LaChapelle built a […]
Read MoreHe almost closed the deal. She almost got that big promotion. They almost won the championship. Almost. Near misses can be especially frustrating, since you did almost enough work to make it happen. When a pro football team carries the ball 90 yards down the field, that progress was the sum of great strategy, precision, agility, and powerful execution. But when they fumble […]
Read MoreThink how polished you were on the day you interviewed for your job. Or applied for a small business loan. Or went on the first date with your spouse. You took the time to look and act sharp. You were engaged, thoughtful, and energetic. You were a great listener. You were empathetic. You cared. Fast […]
Read MoreMy friend Les Gold, star of the hit TV series Hardcore Pawn, gave a dynamic speech this week that left the audience mesmerized. His opening line really struck me: “How bad do you want it?” As products of a consumer-driven society, we want just about everything. We want fancy cars, palatial homes, and exotic travel. We also […]
Read MoreTo me, it’s not about comparing yourself to other people or being boastful. It’s about comparing “down” to a previous version of you.
Read MoreNow I’m no prude and I’m all for artistic expression. But peddling obnoxious trash to audiences in order to sell more records can’t be making the world a better place. Sure, these “artists” are scoring a bunch of cash. But at what cost?
Read MoreMy 11 guiding principles for graduates, dropouts, young guns, and seniors alike.
Read MoreThat’s right… the Nest sells for ten times the price of the find-anywhere industry standard thermostat. And they are sold out everywhere you look.
Read MoreThroughout my career, my favorite saying has always been: “Someday, a company is going to come along and put us out of business. It might as well be us.”
Read MoreAs the dark side becomes yummier, it’s time for you to strengthen your resolve.
Read MoreGo ahead. It’s your turn to spin the wheel.
Read MoreLet the countdown begin.
Read MoreIf you are pursuing anything worth doing, they heat is likely to get really hot. Before you forfeit your dreams, perform a careful examination to see if you are really in a “can’t” dead-end or just a “won’t” situation.
Read MoreTry approaching your next challenge as a detective from 16th century London. Or a heroin-drenched jazz musician from the early 50’s. Or your seven-year-old nephew. Or the warden of a maximum-security prison. Or Kim Kardashian. Or Darth Vader. Or the Octomom.
Read MoreThat dreaded “oh shit” moment will likely crop up when you least expect it. The next time it does, don’t run from it. Seize it. It’s simply an opportunity for you to shine and grow.
Read MoreTurns out that good old-fashioned grit has been statistically linked to being the number one indicator of high performance.
Read MoreYou can’t be great at everything, but you’re probably world-class at something.
Read MoreThe sole of every single Louboutin shoe is painted bright red. Pantone 187C to be exact.
Read MoreIf you or your company has the personality of a pet rock, it’s time to shake things up. If you don’t, your competitors surely will.
Read MoreIt is highly unlikely that this “movement” will accomplish much of anything.
Read MoreSend the critic out for a long walk, ask the right questions, and get busy with manifesting your true potential. Everyone else’s is already taken.
Read MoreMany of us chase success, only to find it to be an elusive tease.
Read MoreMany people find themselves in “okay” jobs, “okay” relationships, and living “okay” lives. It takes boldness and courage to let go of the known to pursue the wonder and magic of what’s possible.
Read MoreHow do you know if you’ve accomplished something today?
Read MoreLet’s take a look at winning – then vs. now.
Read MoreI’ve had the privilege of performing jazz guitar on stage for nearly 30 of my 40 years. Live improvisation is an adrenaline rush like no other. Spontaneous creativity in real-time.
Read MoreThe software world enjoys many advantages. Smart people. Lots of capital. High leverage. But one that should probably be celebrated more… the idea of “versions”. That’s’ right, versions. Software companies are in a constant state of reinvention. As soon as one version of their product is out, they start imagining the next. The goal each […]
Read MoreMost business (and life) decisions come down to a multiple choice question. Should we launch Product A or Product B? Should we expand to Cleveland or Dallas? Should we choose ad campaign 1, 2, or 3? This is where 99% of the world stops, selections an option, and goes on to spend countless hours justifying […]
Read MoreThe last five years have been a nightmare for the US car industry. General Motors, once the largest company in the world, declared bankruptcy. Chrysler also hit Chapter 11, and then was sold to Fiat in an effort to save the company. Major brands such as Pontiac and Saturn have been shunned altogether, and will […]
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