Where Does The Time Go?

If you're not sure where your time is going, tracking what you spend time on is the BEST way to get to any core issues.  Yeah, I know- it's a pain.  But, SOOOO worth it!  You will be amazed - likely you'll be both pleasantly surprised and completely disgusted after reviewing your results.  Importantly, you'll gain insight and motivation to make some changes to you can get more priority stuff done in less time.   Following are tips for tracking so you can make changes and reap the benefits of better time use!

12 Days of Apps: CALENDAR

Using one master calendar that allows you to schedule on the go and reminds you ahead of time where you need to be is PRICELESS for success in business.  

I have been using Google Calendar this past year, but frankly it doesn't matter which one you pick as long as it syncs to everything you need it to.  I also like DejaOffice for this because it works across various Calendar programs and platforms (and Contacts), and lets you organize with Categories and color-code (yes, I'm a total nerd for this stuff!).  

Some important features to consider of any decent mobile calendar app are as follows:

12 Days of Apps: HOOTSUITE

My clients are probably sick of hearing me rave about Hootsuite, my social media dashboard, aka "lifesaver."  I mean, who has time to post decent content 3 or more times a day on 3 or more social media accounts while they are trying to run a business? Hootsuite, both via desktop and mobile app, allows me to create one message and post it to any combination of 5 different places. 

12 Days of Apps: DROPBOX

Ross was having lunch with a referral and was hoping to close the sale.  They seemed very interested and asked if he could email some documents that same afternoon to a colleague.  Fortunately, he had them available via Dropbox and was able to send the message with attachments immediately.  They were impressed, and he got the deal.  Ross had previously lost valuable time with prospective clients because he had to wait until he got back to the office hours later,

12 Days of Apps: EVERNOTE

What happens when you are driving around and have a killer idea that you want to get down before you forget?  

You could:
1. Pull over and make a note-- but oops you're on the freeway and the next exit is miles away
2. Try to remember-- and then chastise yourself later because it slipped your mind
3. Scribble it on a gum wrapper or gas receipt-- which may be discovered later under the seat with illegible smudges

What I Learned in 7 Years in Business

OK, seriously, I can't possibly cover everything I've learned as a business owner over seven years in one post!  However, I wanted to share some of the highlights with others out there-- especially newish business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those on the fence.

1. Make sure you like what you're going to be doing.  If you aren't sure yet, find some resources to help you figure it out.  Don't fall into the money trap.  The sayings are true: the money will come much more easily when you are contributing in a way that's enjoyable to you, and that others find valuable.  After 7 years, I have no "itch" to do anything else...
2. It's better to fail than to be afraid to make a move!

Are you Productive or EFFECTIVE?

The other day I found myself rushing to get to Rotary in time for lunch and felt like I had been "running at full speed" from the moment I got out of bed. I had a to-do list with some check-marks and a good client meeting that morning, but I felt a bit manic as I was speeding along in traffic and mentioned on the phone, "Oooh, I don't like it when I'm rushing like this!" (I do like fast-paced and dynamic, but this was the next level), then I said  "At least I've been productive!" Because I felt I had been getting things done.  But then I realized I was justifying it.

Return On Investment

The High ROI of Business Coaching

Coaching is a relatively new industry, started in the 1980s, but has spread world-wide because it works. A 2001 Manchester study of 100 executives from Fortune1000 companies found that the average ROI (return on investment) was 5.7 times the initial investment in a typical executive coaching assignment. The study found the benefits to companies that provided coaching to executives were improvements in:

What I Learned On The Treadmill This Morning

Double Bonus! Watching or listening to motivational material while walking or running on the treadmill is such a great way to boost us up. This morning I was watching a DVD series that featured some of the greatest speakers of our time: Les Brown and Jim Rohn.  Wow, what a great start to my day!  These were my top 3 takeaways during the short half hour of exercise:

3 Parts to Making Change EASY

Yes, you read that correctly: "Change" and "Easy" can absolutely go together. Most people would agree that change is hard, changing habits is difficult, changing your conditioning takes focus and discipline plus time you don't want to spend on it.  Admittedly, that is true for most people.  However, you

What You See Is What You Are

We can look at another person and discern some things about them immediately.  In addition, we can look at our own overall picture and acknowledge that it is a mirror reflection of who we are; our state of well-being, physical health, financial health, strength of relationships, and success in business.  These are outward reflections of our mindsets, philosophies, and specifically how we think of our self.

Why do the vast majority of people who win the lottery lose it all and find themselves in the same financial status as before their winnings?  Why do roughly 99% of people who go on a diet to lose weight gain that weight back?

It's as if we have a default setting, and something may occur to change the setting, but usually we seem to return back to that setting eventually.  We do. In a nutshell, it is