- July 9, 2018 -

Cars and computers...easy to take for granted until they stop running.

My car's been in the shop for a week, waiting for an alternator to be replaced so I'm using a loaner to run my appointments.

A loaner that is can't seem to hold freon. In 90 degree Pittsburgh weather!

At least I'm not looking at gears slipping and a transmission rebuild.

No tell-tale grinding noises, knock on wood.

Speaking of grinding...I've talked before about Gary Vaynerchuck, the King of the "grind."

He's proud of it. Aspires to it. Wears it like a badge of honor.

Truth be told, he's a guy who [...]

- July 4, 2018 -

I'm taking off soon to spend the Fourth with my family...now that my dad is gone, time with my mom means even more.

And if you're also traveling over the next few days, safe travels!

But before I head out...the holiday got me thinking about the freedom we all have as entrepreneurs.

The freedom to set our own schedule...ironically, because we love what we do, we often don't take enough time off. (Can you relate?)

The freedom to design the lifestyle we want.

It's a day to celebrate all the sacrifices you've made to "purchase" that freedom:

...the personal [...]

- July 2, 2018 -

Ever notice that the more time you spend in front of a computer, the worse your long-distance vision gets?

I'm sure that's why my golf game stunk yesterday.

Darn computers!

But it got me thinking.

It's all about focus - and golf is a head game.

You gotta focus on the short game...the chip shots, the pitch shots, and the putts.

You gotta focus on the long game...driving for distance.

And when both are in sync, man it's like magic.

If there is one word that describes GaryVee, it's the word ‘hustle.’

He's the guy who says, [...]

- June 28, 2018 -

For over 30 years, I've had a saltwater fish tank.

Yeah, I know that freshwater aquariums are less expensive and much easier to maintain.

Freshwater creatures are more hardy and more forgiving.

But OMG...the vibrant colors of the fish and the fascinating coral and live rock of saltwater aquariums are breathtaking!

It's like a living, breathing work of art that is constantly changing.

Looking at it lowers my blood pressure. Same effect as sitting by a fire, staring at the flames.

A ton of work, but I actually enjoy the challenge of keeping everybody in the tank happy and healthy.

...regularly testing the [...]

- June 27, 2018 -

"Ever tried to fight with one hand behind your back? I ever tell you how badly I hate to lose?

C'mon, you know what I'm talking about. 'Cause you suffer from the same disease. You hate to lose too.

I know. I saw the moment when you decided, "Screw this" and you let 'em have it with your left.

It's a great feeling, isn't it? To triumph, to win even when you've been set up to lose?"

Dialogue from a TV show where a boxer agrees to throw a fight...and then mid-fight, he changes his mind and wins the fight.

Turns [...]

- June 26, 2018 -

Of all the responses to my daily emails that I get, this by far is the most common:

Along with two more related questions about the "unconventional advice" given in yesterday's email:

Geez, so I have to give up all my trade secrets?

Just kidding. I have no trade secrets...I'm pretty much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get sorta guy.

Just a lot of trial and error. And when I find something that works, I generally [...]

- June 25, 2018 -

Raise your hand if your least favorite class in high school was English.

Spending my time learning about words that dangle, split, and get misplaced was NOT my idea of fun.

Writing was even worse...thesis statements, supporting statements, citing references, blah blah blah.

I mean outside of my English teachers, who would ever want to read this stuff?

Turns out...no one!

If I were to write emails today that read like essays, would you honestly waste even a minute reading them?

+ Boring as hell..check.

+ No personality...check.

+ But perfect grammar...check, check!

Guess what the #1 skill business owners wish they were better at?

Because [...]

- June 20, 2018 -

Ever play Nintendo growing up?

Or have kids/grandkids who'd rather play Xbox (or whatever the latest gaming craze is) than eat?

Hours upon hours of practicing.

You learn how to read your enemies.

Develop good instincts by playing against good players.

And then at some point...you hear about "cheat codes" and "hacks" and a whole new world opens up.

You can skip levels or unlock super powers...so I'm told by my nephew and his buddies.

To really serious gamers, cheat codes are like a secret weapon.

...to even the playing field against their top competitors.

...to push 'em on to the next plateau.

Is it really [...]

- June 20, 2018 -

Sometimes less is more.

...not when it comes to golf, though. But I digress.

Sitting in McDonald's yesterday nursing a cup of coffee while on the road between appointments, I overheard the manager telling her employees:

"Whoever's your favorite person in the world, that's who you're waiting on today."

Takeaways...

1. Who the heck is that manager? I want to hire her. Today!

2. She's got the key to leadership dialed-in big time.

No holier-than-thou rants about yesterday's mess up's.

No handing out task lists that haven't changed since the last manager quit or maybe the manager before or...you get the idea.

Just a simple [...]

- June 19, 2018 -

"Wilt the Stilt."

"Goliath."

Nicknames carried over from Wilt Chamberlain's high school basketball days.

Names he hated.

He preferred "The Big Dipper" - a name his friends came up with because of his need to dip his head when walking through door ways.

Arguably one of the greatest players who ever lived.

But Chamberlain was a lousy foul shooter when he came into the NBA.

The worst.

Here was a man who could excel at virtually every physical feet under the sun.

He could literally score at will with two, and sometimes three, defenders draped all over his body.

But put him all alone at the [...]