People ask me, and they then…
Frown at the reply.

It’s because their expectations aren’t met.
It’s because they’re asking—so they think—a business question.
And they expect—of course—a business answer.

But believe it or not, the secret to success,
Isn’t found in business textbooks.
There is, in business, no textbook definition—no textbook strategy—for success.
How do I know this?
Well, for what it’s worth, I studied management and accounting, and I worked as an accountant and business adviser for more than 20 years.
I know business (that’s why people keep asking me that question in the first place).
And I know when textbook business advice is useful,
And when it’s of no help at all.

That’s why I say success isn’t ensured via a business strategy.
If it were, Yvon Chouinard’s business would have failed—a long time ago.
If it were, Scrivener wouldn’t be a Mac-only app.
I can go on, but,
I’ll get to the point.

You want to make that leap—cross that divide—from employee to entrepreneur?
You want to be a successful business owner?

Then do this:
Stand before a mirror,
Do you see a successful entrepreneur?
Gaze into your eyes, and ask yourself this,
What are the odds of me being successful?
Now ask yourself,
Do I believe I can be successful at business?

Measure mightily the answer.
Because it all starts with belief.
At the end of the day there’s more value in that tired, old expression, “You gotta believe!”
Than there is in a hundred business textbooks.

And, at the end of the day, understand that science is beginning to prove,
What Henry Ford said a hundred years ago,
Whether you believe you will succeed, or believe you will fail.
You’re right.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Why the rush? Why treat life like a race—like a series of ever-alluring finish lines?
What’s wrong with now?

Nowhere is this ceaseless eagerness for the finish line more prevalent than in our careers.
We’re eager for promotion; anxious for vacation.
We anticipate a raise; almost demand a break.
And  the most wistful wish for the finish line is shown by those anticipating retirement.

People, I have a suggestion;
Work so it feels like play
Play at something every day
Enjoy each day you’re alive
And live like there’s no finish line.

Because, the only  true finish line that looms
Is the one that none is eager for.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

As she explained it, the stubborn and persistent bird, obviously intent on flying into space that simply did not exist, kept flinging itself into Gwen’s picture window. Probably leaving that poor robin with, or so Gwen surmised, an undoubtedly very sore beak.

A somewhat sad, yet subtly amusing, tale,

But it was Gwen’s insightful analogy that had me ruminating, still days later.

“Imagine,” She suggested, “How we often act just like that bird, repeatedly throwing ourselves at obstacles, with no clear strategy, nor full understanding of the goal.”

Pretty clever that Gwen, uh?

All of which left me, as mentioned, reflecting on goals and strategies; picture windows and obstacles.

And pondering one final thought,

Those metaphorical picture windows—those almost invisible obstacles—I sometimes bump up against? What if I’m the one creating them? What if I create them in order to remember something truly important?

That what lies beyond the obstacle isn’t something I want anyway. All because what lies beyond, just like the image that insistent robin saw in Gwen’s picture window, is nothing more than an illusion.

How about you? When thinking about strategies and goals, are you bumping into any picture windows?

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

And I just found more…

Much of this site is devoted to helping readers realize they can get whatever they want.

Success. Happiness. Reward. Achievement.

Whatever you want.

It’s there—waiting for you.

But some of us don’t believe it can happen—to us.

Some of us believe dreams only come true—to other people.

And, some of us need proof.

For those needing proof, for those unable to believe it’s true.

There is, indeed, evidence.

Some already on this site.

And, now, I got more.

I’m reading this book, The Brain That Changes Itself…

Allow me to quote from the back cover,

“(The book introduces) principles we can all use, as well as a riveting collection of histories—stroke patients cured, a woman with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, learning and emotional disorders overcome, IQs raised and aging brains rejuvenated.”

And that’s just the back cover…

You know,

One of my favourite expressions is, “What if? Anything is possible.”

And this book is but another example, reinforcing that,

Much of what was once thought impossible, is now known to be, very much, possible.

Do you have a goal? A desire? A dream?

Do you view it as something that’s possible? Or impossible?

Before answering, just think,

If it’s possible for the brain to change itself, then what else is possible?

So,

If you have a dream,

Go for it.

Go for the big one.

Because, maybe, just maybe, anything is possible.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

My answer, I thought, was catchy, “It’s a story of hope, happiness and making your dreams come true.”

Then I said, “It’s a novel that explores creative alternatives to the common, mundane, Work-Success-Retirement formula.”

Ahem.

I was kinda proud of myself.

Work-Success-Retirement formula.

Has a nice ring, doesn’t it?

And, while I like the label, I’m not, to be honest, at all fond of what it represents.

What I mean is, I’m not fond of a formula that says, “Work hard. Become successful. Retire.”

Why not?

Look at it this way.

Is there something you love doing? Music, maybe? Photography, perhaps? Cooking, conceivably?

Whatever it is you love, when you’re doing it, are you looking forward to the day that you can stop (retire from) doing it?

Not too bloody likely, right?

You’re doing it because it’s fun, because you love doing it, because it’s who you are,

And you, likely, don’t want to entertain the thought of stopping.

Now, I know what you’re thinking too.

You’re thinking, “Hang on, we’re talking about work, and work isn’t something I love doing.”

But, what if work could be like that?

What if your career—your livelihood—was derived from something you loved doing?

Wouldn’t that be cool?

And that’s what the book addresses. It holds—within an amusing and compelling story about two people on a park bench—real-world, workable solutions for taking control of your career, your future, your life.

Now, before you dismiss me (and my idea), do me a favour.

Think about people you know, or you read about, or you see on TV, who make a living at something they love.

And think of those people—people well into their 60s, 70s or even 80s—who can’t dream of stopping. Won’t think of quitting. Won’t entertain the thought of retirement.

What makes them different?

(And it’s at this point that I finally get to, ahem, the point).

For months, I was searching for one word—one catchword, one byword, one slogan, one mantra—that explains, defines and illustrates what it is about those everyday people—those chefs, those journalists, those tailors, those musicians—who will never quit doing what they do.

And, after a long search, after scrolling, in mind, through an index of catchy one-word candidates, I found  (at last!) the mot-juste.

And that word is; Passion.

That’s the difference.

That’s why there are people who go to work, every day, and who refuse to stop going to work every day.

Because their lives—and their livelihood—are filled with passion.

They Pursue Passion

They Experience Passion

They Own their Passion

They Communicate Passion

They Live a Life of Passion—every day.

And you can too.

All you need to do, is to

Pursue passion.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.