Make More Than Money

June 29, 2015 Lindsey

We know money is a tool. And we know we shouldn't just be trying to make money. Yet, we get lost in that pursuit sometimes, don't we?

We need to pay attention to money to ensure our business can sustainably function. We need to pay attention to it to ensure we are using it, as a tool, to the best of our ability.

But when we become fixated on making money alone, our businesses will soon feel the effects. If we are fixated on making money, we won't necessarily consider making the best solutions for customers. Instead, we will likely make decisions based only on the potential for (usually short-term) cash.

There are so many factors for us to consider when making decisions. Let's not make decisions based only on making money, otherwise we may end up with poor businesses, indeed.

The Way To Get Things Done

June 22, 2015 Lindsey

We hold tasks a little too close to our chest, don't we?

Maybe we want them done our way. Or maybe we think no one else can complete them as perfectly as we can. Maybe we don't want to impose on others and so we'd rather do it ourselves. Maybe we want all the responsibility because we want the potential glory. Or maybe we fear if we give tasks to others, we'll make ourselves obsolete.

All of these are flawed. We get stuff done and avoid burn-out by delegating. We serve others by including them and giving away the credit. We won't be obsolete because we will always have value to give to the world.

Let's get stuff done by including others. And let's serve them with the credit due in the process.

If you're looking for more business quotes, I've found some good ones on this BrainyQuote page.

There Is Always Opportunity

June 15, 2015 Lindsey

This is always true. It might not be the opportunity you're looking for. It might not be easy, but there is always opportunity.

Chaos makes us reactionary. For some, it incites fear and stress. It's understandable. We generally want comfort, reliability and predictability. Not chaos.

Yet, we don't need to scorn chaos. It holds opportunity. And opportunity holds hope for change. Hope for making something better.

It's hard to deny fear and stress when we're in chaos. But if we can step back and evaluate the situation, we may see an opportunity. Which can change everything.

The Marriage of Rank & Responsibility

June 8, 2015 Lindsey

I have been a fool when I have wanted to be the leader so things could be done my way. Because the only power you receive when you lead is to serve.

When I was a child, I heard phrases like "because I said so" and "when you're grown up you can do it how you want". Instead of learning in humble wisdom, my thoughts rebelled, "yeah, I'll do it MY way when I'm grown."

I've had many experiences since where I thought my way was better, but I was forced to submit to those in charge. All this welled up in me to create a desire for leadership so I could do things MY way. So foolish.

Because leadership isn't a place to impose our ideas and rule on others. Leadership is responsibility to serve others and look out for their best interests. The best leaders get this. And I hope we're like them.

Let's not be foolish enough to try to divorce rank and responsibility. They're meant for each other.

Oh and if you're looking for more motivational, leadership and business quotes, you can check out my pinterest board of curated quotes below -

Follow Lindsey's board Business Quotes on Pinterest.

We need to be reminded

June 1, 2015 Lindsey

We often know what is right in some part of our hearts. But we fail to do it. We often need to be reminded of what is already in our hearts more than we need to be taught something new.

This is true of those that you work with. We all need grace and compassion. We often know what to do but we lose focus. If we're re-instructed to do something, it can be insulting. Often all we need is a gentle reminder to regain focus.

And for ourselves, sometimes we simply need to come back to that which we already know instead of learning more. We already know it, sometimes we just need to be reminded.

It is better to fail in originality...

May 18, 2015 Lindsey

Imagine for a minute that you saw someone create a successful business, so you decided that in order to be successful, you'd copy their business almost completely. You did everything like they did. And you became successful. You succeeded in imitating someone else's concept.

How would you feel? Probably good because of the profit and your ability to copy the other business. But there'd be another part of you that didn't feel so great, because to copy another person, you had to silence a hope in you. You had to silence the hope that said you have what it takes to do your own thing. The hope that said "you're creative enough, you're smart enough and the world needs your uniqueness." That hope had to be sacrificed for you to put your chips on imitation.

When we live imitating others, we don't just harm ourselves when we sacrifice the hope, we harm others as well. When we live like that hope isn't real for us, we are also living like it's not real for others. If you aren't living like it's true for you, then how can you tell someone else it's true for them?

Herman Meville gets it. It is far better to fail in originality than to propagate the lie that you can't succeed being original. The world doesn't need more of the same. The world needs you in all your uniqueness. Go ahead and try originality. That risk is better for everyone than if you succeeded in imitation.

How To Make Decisions Easier

May 11, 2015 Lindsey

When you know what matters most to you, it's easy to make decisions. Or at least it should be.

It's only difficult to make decisions when you lose sight of what matters most to you. It's difficult to make decisions when you start taking projects out of fear and only for the money. Or when you start trying to be or do what everyone else wants.

You lose you then. You lose what matters most to you. Your actions cause internal friction against your values. We all struggle with it.

But we can all come back. We can change our decisions. We can remind ourselves of our priorities and get back to them. Then the decisions are easier.

When decisions are hard, just remember what your values are and decide accordingly.

This reminds me of James Clear's post Let Your Values Drive Your Choices that I put on This Week's Gold last month.

Motivation To Improve Your Business

May 4, 2015 Lindsey

You should always be improving. We don't live in a stagnant world. Your business shouldn't be stagnant either. You should continually be improving your business because it is best for your customers, your employees and you.

But have you ever thought about other businesses being better than yours? Have you been concerned about them exploiting your areas of weakness or finding a way to serve people better than you do?

If so - good. That means you care.

Fortunately, you have more information about your business than your competitor has about it. So you're in the best position to improve it before they find out what is the matter with your business. You just need to keep on it. Keep showing up. Don't let your fear or ego get in the way.

Keep going. Your consistent effort might be preventing business disasters you didn't even know were looming. You're doing it Peter, you're doing it.

On a slightly related note...you're no different than Robin Williams (you are, but you're not).

Tell Me And I'll Forget

April 27, 2015 Lindsey

Yesterday I was discussing with Mike the value of front-loading time and effort. You know, the whole teach a man to fish vs. giving him a fish thing.

It's quick and easy to give a man a fish compared to teaching him how to fish. But it's best for him and you if you teach him instead of giving him a fish (there is the argument to do both if starvation is a concern). Teaching him may grant him long-term independence while giving him a fish is a short-term fix that guarantees future need.

The more you front-load your effort in teaching your employees, the better it is for both of you. It's easy for you to just tell them what to do. It takes more effort to show them. But for you to make their training and education active for them will take the most effort. It will take more time and effort for you to set them up well in the beginning, but it is best for everyone in the long-term.

Progress Is Impossible Without Change

April 20, 2015 Lindsey

Wanna hear a joke?

A company of men had been out in the field for weeks when the officer in charge came to them and said "I have good news - today you're getting a change of underwear." The men were thrilled. Then the officer said "The bad news is - you're changing with him, you're changing with him..."

What does your mind have to do with your life? Your business?

What does changing your mind have to do with your growth?

It all comes down to our minds doesn't it? Our decisions create who we are. Out of our minds we create our lives. This is why I talk about our thought processes so very much. It is the most vital component of business management.

When things aren't going well in business, it is often due to our misguided thought processes. Out of our minds we create our businesses. We must be pragmatic. We must be willing to change our thoughts if we want to progress.

And the changes certainly should be improvements, unlike exchanging them for a different dirty pair of underwear...

To: Business Owners