Visualizing Your Way to Success… Uh… No…
“How do I stop putting energy into worrying about how my life has gotten worse, is getting worse, and might get more worse — instead of into positive visualizing and action?” The inestimable and incredibly productive Ariane Goodwin has produced the second annual smARTist Telesummit to support artists in building their art career. I’m one […]
Freedom Versus Service In the 4-Hour Work Week
Kelly Parkinson over at Copylicious wrote about her break-up with Tim Ferris’ The 4 Hour Work Week. Brilliant. And she articulated something that had me squirming about the book. I do have to give Tim Ferris his due: he’s brilliant, I read his blog quite regularly and I enjoy his insights. And the book itself […]
How to Punish Assistants for Catastrophic Mistakes
You finally did it. You decided to hire an assistant, or a virtual assistant, or even a full-on employee, with payroll and everything. Yahooey! You’ve hit the big time now. You’re business is sure to take off. And then your new assistant sends you an email, or leaves a voicemail, or comes to your office. […]
Is It Okay Not to Give All Your Profit Back to Your Clients?
You finally made the leap and are getting paid a price that feels good. Except that it’s itching the back of your neck, the back of your heart. You’re uncomfortable. Next thing you know, you’re working twice as hard, putting in extra hours, doing all kinds of little extras for your clients. You’re exhausted. You’re […]
Losing Business for Want of "The Nudge"
Our friend Erica called my wife and me to invite us to a holiday dinner. We couldn’t go, because we already had plans that evening. But, when we hung up, we remembered that weeks and weeks ago we had decided to go to a show that her husband was involved in producing, but had never […]
250,000 New Views In a Single Week
The Story of Stuff is a great movie created to point out the missing pieces of our materials economy, and what it’s costing us, and how to go about fixing it. It’s witty, engaging, funny, informative, with great production values. And it went totally viral, with 250,000 views in it’s first week. I loved it. […]
How to Avoid Being Trapped In a Niche
Bang! Bang! Bang! The hammer comes down again and again, nailing those wooden planks in place. Finally, it’s done: you’re trapped. No windows, and the only door nailed shut. Those business gurus told you to pick a niche, and so you did. And now you’re stuck there, for the rest of your days. G’bye creativity. […]
How to Get Feedback from Colleagues That Makes Sense
Okay, you’ve just written a new website, or a new sales page. Or maybe you’ve just created a new product or offer. Or even just tried on a new suit. And you turn to your friend and ask: “Can I get some feedback from you? What do you think?” So they tell you what they […]
A Happy Chanukah Ham
I laughed out loud when I read Robert Gorell’s post at Grok.com. Basically, a gourmet food store, Balducci’s had this special on display: Hmmm… Someone totally missed the boat. It’s a big fat dumb mistake here in the US, and yet, in a multi-cultural world, where we all have global reach, how easy is it […]
Should You Let Clients Who Cancel Get Away With It?
Another knock, I open the door, and again I’m surrounded by monsters who come up to my knees. “Trick or treat!” In the US, October 31 is Halloween, when it’s a tradition for parents to take their children knocking on neighbors’ doors, to get their bags filled with goodies. It’s too much fun. There’s no […]