I've been doing something a little different lately, Reader. You know me mostly as the guy who talks about revenue, marketing, doodling, and the messy reality of running a business. That's not changing. But I've been having a lot of conversations with clients, with peers, with people I respect…that keep circling back to the same thing. The way most business advice is built doesn't work for a lot of us. Not because we're not trying. Because the systems were never designed for the way our...
1 day ago • 1 min read
I’m loving this Pacers run!!! I grew up in Indy watching Reggie Miller “choke” Knicks fans and hit daggers from the arc. It was gritty. Loud. Classic. But this go-around feels different Reader. During the last game, my son looked up and said, “Hali’s shot is kinda… odd.” Yep. Tyrese Haliburton’s jumper IS funky. Low release, wide base, strangely far from his body…it looks like something a coach would fix in middle school. Scouts questioned it when he was going pro. Skeptics said it wouldn’t...
12 months ago • 1 min read
Who's up for an experiment?We've all got a lot on our minds, Reader.The experimentSpend as little as 2 minutes and just focus on 1 thing - a doodle. Make lines. Feel the texture. Hear the sound. Let all your thoughts pass without engaging them. I've been doing this daily for more than a month.I'm a LOT less stressed.I'm more productive.Even my kids have noticed! Here's the ask Grab this image below (on your phone or print it). Start doodling in the guy's head (what's on your mind, random...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
"Alright class, I'm going to put you into groups. If I say your name, I want to you go sit by the eagle picture." my teacher says. "My dad loves eagles! I can't wait until my name is called so I can tell him about the photo." I think. "Laura, Brad, Jessica, Marcus... If that's you, head over the the eagle." "Next, these are the cardinals." "Cardinals are the state bird of Indiana and they have cool hair." My hopes rise. "BJ, Heather, Gregg, Katherine, Leslie, Reader...Go sit by the cardinal!"...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Reader! Strava, one of the world’s most popular fitness tracking apps, studied more than 800 million athletic activities to determine when people quit New Year’s Resolutions. It’s today, the second Friday of January. Today is National Quitters Day. *** For years, I struggled in a bad (pronounced “TOXIC”) job. I made New Year’s resolutions to make more money, work fewer hours, and look for a new job. And year after year, I stayed. I quit on my resolution...until I took control. Is that...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
“Everybody lean in.” I squeeze into a photo with rest of the speakers and leaders at a conference. My phone buzzes in my back pocket. “Whoa! That’s my personal thigh.” Says the guy behind me. I reach back and silence my phone. Everyone resettles and my phone buzzes in my hand. It’s my wife. I’ll call her right back. “Alright, we got it.” says the photographer. I hop off the stage and answer my phone as it starts buzzing again. “What’s up?” “How do you get a remote control car out of hair?”...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
“House plants on the driveway? That’s new.” I say. My wife responds, “This plant is dying. I think it has a fungus.” She’s pulls it out of the pot and begins brushing dirt off the roots. A bit later I walk back out. “How’s it going?” “It turns out, it was two plants. One has died and their roots are all tangled.” For the next couple hours, my wife carefully sits and untangles the roots. She delicately cares for and treats the remaining one while removing the pieces of the other. *** Fast...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
I met Ben at a conference. We were playing with Legos...and making business decisions. So, you already know the level of awesome he brings to the table. He's wise beyond his years and hilarious to boot...and our conversation had me in stitches. Give it a listen. Know someone who is struggling with a bad boss...or maybe who is trying to avoid the landmines of becoming a bad boss...buy them a copy of the book, Leadershit. Jake P.S. I made an announcement this week.
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Halloween is coming...so I'm sharing a chapter of my book with you. Chapter 19: Who Are You?Get the audio file free...I won't even ask for your email. Halloween is approaching. It’s become a big deal around the office. Every year, we gather for a pot-luck lunch. We carve pumpkins and play games. The fun employees wear costumes. **** One year, I dressed as an employee that had recently quit. I wore a Captain America shirt, sprayed my hair and beard black, sprinkled in some baby powder, and...
over 2 years ago • 2 min read