What's an idea really worth? Honestly, it's worth two cents or less; unless you are willing to incubate the idea and give it a chance to germinate. Then if the idea still has your interest and, more importantly, the interest of others, the idea might be worth a few bucks. Now are you ready to work … [Read more...]
Email, the most powerful weapon in your online arsenal
Social media tools like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and even Facebook are pretty powerful weapons in your online arsenal but they haven't got anything on the old standby email. This post isn't even about email marketing and sending bulk emails to lists of folks. Instead, it's a story about how we've … [Read more...]
7 ideas for the next step after a product launch
Have you ever reached the end of a project and then realized you aren't actually quite there? Me too. There are a couple of options when you reach this point: Quit or dig in and figure out how to fix or finish the project. You aren't a quitter or you wouldn't be reading this. So what do you say we … [Read more...]
Are you "Doing It?"
Doing it: The act of taking a project across the finish line. It's the most difficult task you will ever accomplish in business. It's not because of your own knowledge, skills and abilities; not by a long shot. You know what you are capable of and, while you may push the envelope, you know in your … [Read more...]
The Project Mentality: Start, finish and then start again
I don't make widgets. Instead, I help create works of art. For me, success is based upon my ability to take an idea from conception to commercialization. I've learned, that at that point, I need to step back and let others take over. That doesn't necessarily mean I let go completely but I certainly … [Read more...]
Time for Spring Cleaning
What things can you get rid of? What tasks can you stop doing? What projects can you let go of? Which relationships might have run their course? I was cleaning out my closet the other day and when I got done I realized how much stuff had accumulated over the last several years. It was stuff I … [Read more...]
Snapping a chalk line
Wrapping up a project or software release can be a real challenge. For almost fifteen years now my business partner and I have referred to the process as "snapping chalk lines." If you are carpenter or home improvement buff you'll know we are referring to the chalk lines you "snap" to mark where … [Read more...]
Start at the bottom of the list
I find myself needing to refer back to Getting Unstuck Now more than I would like. Having observed other successful people, perhaps this is just what happens as you begin to take on more success-related projects. The project "to-do" list grows longer and longer. To get unstuck this time I took a … [Read more...]
Keep Working On Your Projects
Just because a project feels stalled and is not ready on the schedule you thought it would be is no reason to quit. Keep working on the project in little bits and pieces whenever you can. Big important work takes time. Stop rushing yourself, unless it's client sponsored work you are being paid for, … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: Yes I Can!
You are presented with the opportunity to work on a difficult and challenging project. You can either say, "No, that's hard" or "Yes, I can make that happen." It's a simple choice that speaks volumes about you. If it was easy anyone could do it. Many years ago my friend and mentor Dean Eggert said … [Read more...]