First Word

       They always say there are two things guaranteed in life—death and taxes. You can add a third thing to that statement— change .   Nothing in life is static, and change is inevitable. Yet when it comes to the business environment (and in life), most people do not embrace change. Change scares them. Why do so many people fear change? A recent article in Inc ., titled “Science Says This is Why You Fear Change (And What To Do About It),” Case in point: one study had a group of people view a painting that they were told was done in 1905. The next group viewed the same painting but this group was told that the painting was done in 2005. The 1905 group rated the painting much more aesthetically pleasing than the other group. We like that which has been around for a while. That's the obvious reason for why we don't like change.  But it runs deeper than that. We also fear the new because of the uncertainty it brings. As popular podcaster Tim Ferri...

I had a conversation yesterday with a client about marketing. We were talking about why one method of marketing always seems to work, but it also worked for only a short period of time. Over the years the businesses I've seen thrive are those whose leadership is flexible and nimble on their proverbial "feet". Management is responsive and understands that "change" and more importantly the "ability to change" with the marketplace will take the company forward. Companies that get stuck in a rut and unresponsive as the marketplace shifts will often find their market share erodes over time. Cutting-edge leaders in an area are often confronted with competition, and then that competition eats into that market share. Leading-edge companies know that the minute their competitors step into the arena, it's time to reinvent the arena. And that takes the aforementioned flexibility. They key is to avoid being the old dog who begrudgingly learns the new trick...

Do you ever feel like all you ever do is wait for things to happen? Wait for your life to change. Wait for your personal or professional life to fall into place. This last year, I feel like all I keep doing is waiting and waiting for change. I keep waiting for my business 3L Publishing to go to the next level of success.  I keep waiting for my lover to be with me. I keep waiting and waiting. The frustration mounting each day as only trickles of success happen. It's time to stop waiting and start doing ! Change is about taking action and making changes not waiting, wondering and hoping. In my book Second Bloom , I emphasize the need to take action. Action is the cornerstone to success. Establish your vision! What is your vision? Do you know? Stop and really visualize it. Meditate on that vision. You have to first know what you're heading toward (both personally and professionally). Vision #1 : To exceed my gross income and make first $10K a month followed by incremental in...