Shows
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - The Last Show..."If you want different results, you have to do things differently." ~Thom Rigsby Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips...2020-05-2206 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - How to Make $100MM"The key to happiness doesn't lay in numbers in a bank account but in the way we make others feel and the way they make us feel." ~Joe Rogan Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small...2020-05-2111 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - Making Dreams a RealityEnjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips, need a comprehensive business strategy or just craving some work-life balance, following Thom's...2020-05-1106 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - How To Make Progress"All progress takes place outside your comfort zone." ~Michael John Bobak Have you ever been on a lazy river ride? You know, you sit in the inner tube and the water just moves you around the "river." That's one of the only places I can imagine where it takes little to no effort on your part to make progress...that is, if you consider going around in circles progress. The truth is that real progress (movement toward a goal) requires YOU to get outside your warm, comfy cocoon and make some new calluses. Of course, blisters come first and those...2020-05-0809 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - How To Be Limitless!"Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless" ~Jamie Paolinetti Have you ever seen a scary movie or had a nightmare? They use your imagination to create obstacles to your actions. And we don't need the movies to do that, we're plenty good on our own. Most people are pretty good at looking at a set of circumstances and letting the potential NEGATIVE outcomes prevent them from acting. Well, let's turn that on its head today. What if you use your imagination to see the potentially POSITIVE outcomes in a set of...2020-05-0709 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - Hi, What do you do?"Don't let WHAT you do be ALL you do." ~Unknown It's a great introductory line at networking events and mixers, "Hi, my name is Thom and I own a store...what do YOU do?" We get so used to saying it, hearing it, and answering it that we miss the message inside. Don't fall into the trap! We'll dig into this and much more on today's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning, with Thom Rigsby. Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby...2020-05-0608 min
7 Minutes in the Morning7 Minutes In the Morning - Be Yourself!When times are crazy and you're working diligently to adapt and remain relevant to your market (and solvent), it can be really easy to look at what someone else is doing and, well, do that. We should certainly strive to learn from others but we can't BE others, you have to be yourself and bring your special brand of greatness to the market. THAT is what sets you apart and makes you a winner! You are uniquely gifted, talented and placed to do something special in the world, probably through or equipped by your business! If you need a hand...2020-05-0508 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy You Should Work Hard At Selling When Things Are Going Great | Thom Rigsby"What? Things are poppin'! I don't need to work on sales!" Actually...this is EXACTLY the time you need to work on sales! Its really easy to sit back and enjoy the steady flow of orders coming in when the going is good, but this is the time when you need to be "working for tomorrow." Invest in those relationships that will continue to pay off over time! Join me on this morning's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning, the 5-day-a-week podcast for business owners and leaders as we talk about how to do just that! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed...2020-02-2009 min
7 Minutes in the MorningFear and Freedom | Business Questions (and Answers) with Thom RigsbyWe've talked a lot about fear, mostly about the fear of failure. But as we examine what to do when your business grows too fast, there may be another fear lingering for you that we need to discuss...the fear of success. Yes, that's right, I said it! People...maybe even YOU...can be and are afraid of being successful! Sometimes those fears have a rational basis, sometimes they come from your own history, but in every case, THEY ARE MADE UP FEARS! In today's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning, the 5-day-a-week video podcast for business owners and leaders...2020-02-1913 min
7 Minutes in the MorningStaying Successful | Business Questions with Thom RigsbyOkay, so things are going pretty well. Whether it's because of your incredible business acumen or just a smoking hot economy...things are cooking! Now what? Well, one thing we know for sure, whatever the cause of your success, there will inevitably be a time when things are NOT going so well. How can you prepare NOW while things are good? That's our topic this morning on 7 Minutes In the Morning, the 5-day a week video podcast featuring THE Unashamed Non-conformist and arguably the best business coach in Huntsville, Alabama...Thom Rigsby! Grab a cup of coffee and join us...2020-02-1707 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhat To Do When It All Goes Right! | Business Questions with Thom RigsbyWe talk a lot more often about what to do when things go wrong...but what about when things go right? I mean REALLY right...like, now you feel like you're over your head in the deep end of the pool!? We all dream of great success when we start our business, but once we get started and we're covered up just handling the day-to-day...who's got time to think about things going TOO good? This is our topic all week this week on 7 Minutes in the Morning, the 5-day-a-week podcast for business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs that are ready...2020-02-1707 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Your Business Is Stuck | THE Business CoachOkay, so we've talked about why YOU feel stuck...but why is your BUSINESS stuck? Still chugging along but not really growing? That's our topic today on 7 Minutes In the Morning, THE daily video podcast for business owners and leaders! Join your host Thom Rigsby from Huntsville, Alabama as we dig into Getting Your Business Unstuck! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost...2020-02-1313 min
7 Minutes in the Morning3 Mistakes Business Owners Make That Keep Them Stuck | Small Business CoachProgress - verb - movement in a direction. Building a business doesn't happen in one step. You don't go from nothing to Amazon in one step. There are lots of steps, and they're messy - The need to be perfect. Comparison. Don’t compare your now to their now. - The need for “someone else” or “something” else, looking for ‘one more thing’ - Waiting for someone else is deferring your success on to someone else’s shoulders. You’re saying you can’t be successful without them. You’re blaming them for your lack of success. Will you also give them the credit w...2020-02-1110 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow to Grow Your Business When You Feel Stuck | Three Action Steps You Should Take Today!It's really hard to grow a business when you feel stuck! Sometimes it can seem like the only thing growing is your to-do list and you're barely better off than when you were stuck in the 9-5! Every business owner want's to grow, at least a little, but sometimes that growth can stagnate...usually because of what WE do on a daily basis! If you're feeling stuck in your business growth, join Thom Rigsby, THE Unashamed Non-conformist on today's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning. This is the 5-day-a-week video podcast where we talk about how to start, grow, and...2020-02-1012 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy A Vision Is Important | Small Business EssentialsHaving a business is easy...having a SUCCESSFUL business is difficult...especially if you don't know what "successful" means for you! On today's episode of 7 Minutes In the Morning, Thom will explain the value of a vision and how to use it to build a business that Works FOR You! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25...2020-02-0611 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Make Your Work, Work FOR YOU! | Small Business EssentialsYou do work every day...but is your work working FOR YOU? What does that even mean? If work is defined as 'the net value you leave in your wake,' what is the value your work leaves? Does it pay you once, many times, how long? All these questions and more at tackled in today's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning, the daily video podcast for business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle...2020-02-0516 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhat Do You Want Your Business To Do For Your? | Small Business EssentialsEvery year around 627k people with dreams of success and freedom from the tyranny on their 9-5 take the leap into business ownership...and every year, around 595k frustrated business owners decide to close an exhausting chapter of their life...and their business. ⠀ ⠀ Of the 32k intrepid souls that make it through the slings and arrows of their first year, many will ultimately fall prey to the same frustrations and shortcomings that befall the vast majority of those brave enough to consider starting a small business.⠀ ⠀ Why do some succeed where others struggle and fail?⠀ ⠀ This is the topic we will tackle...2020-02-0310 min
7 Minutes in the MorningBigger Difference, Bigger Profits | Small Business StartupIf you want bigger profits, figure out how to make a bigger difference! Grab a cup of coffee and join me for today's installment of 7 Minutes In the Morning - THE source for business growth and entrepreneur success! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to...2020-01-3108 min
7 Minutes in the MorningBut What About the Customers I Will Lose?Anytime you focus on one thing, something else loses focus. That just common sense. So what happens when your focus is applied to a customer or group of customers and you lose others? That's our topic on this morning's edition of 7 Minutes In the Morning. Stay tuned! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business...2020-01-3009 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIt's Not the Customer's Job to Know What They Want! - Really? | Small Business StartupAlmost everything Steve Jobs ever said has become canon for business owners and designers...but what about this one? "It's not the customer's job to know what they want." Is that REALLY true? Join me on this episode of 7 Minutes In the Morning and we'll talk about it, then create a plan to put into action RIGHT NOW to put your own ding in the Universe! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his...2020-01-2809 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIs the Customer-First Mindset Right | Starting A BusinessEvery business owner has experienced it...no sales! The hard truth is people don't buy your product or service because they don't want it! Why not!? I mean, it is a great idea, right? One that thousands...maybe millions of people could use! They'd LOVE it if they just gave it a chance! As a business owner or entrepreneur, it's hard to put yourself, um, I mean your PRODUCT out there and risk people saying they don't like it (and by extension, they don't like you...at least that's what you're thinking!). If we know how painful it is...why...2020-01-2708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWHY THE SMALL THINGS MATTER - Transforming Dreams and Goals into ActionsHave you ever set a goal for yourself and then felt overwhelmed at the size of the goal? Maybe you're really clear on what you want but not sure what to do first to make it a reality. Transforming dreams and goals into actions and why the small things matter is what we're talking about today on 7 Minutes In the Morning. Stay tuned! Business owners and entrepreneurs have big dreams and make big plans...it's just what we do. But sometimes the end goal or outcome is much easier to see that the next three steps we should take. The...2020-01-2314 min
7 Minutes in the MorningShould I Set Business or Personal Goals | The Business CoachWhen you set goals for the year, do you make separate sets for personal and business outcomes? If you do, here's why I think you should do things differently! It's just like my argument against work-life balance...there's no such thing! There is just life...and work happens to be a big part of it! Here's proof...have you ever been at work and thought about something you needed to do at home, at home thinking about work, or on vacation thinking about whether you closed the garage door. Your MIND doesn't create separate buckets for each so why do...2020-01-2209 min
7 Minutes in the MorningI Have A Great Idea...But Where Do I Start!?Ever had an idea for the next great product? You know, the kind they show on late-night TV where their inventor makes millions and retires to some cruise ship? Maybe you have that idea now...and have no idea where to start! Then today's show is just for you! This is 7 Minutes in the Morning, a daily video podcast by business coach and THE Unashamed Non-conformist, Thom Rigsby. Every day Thom takes one business (or life of the business owner) topic and breaks it down, sprinkles it with a bit of his unique insight, then sends you on your way...2020-01-2013 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Make Difficult DecisionsWhat do you do when you're faced with a difficult decision? Keep working (or work harder) on the business...or shut it down? Stick with this problem employee...or let them go? Sell the 30-year-old family business...or refinance? These are just a few of the questions business owners and leaders face every day, and they're tough! And if this is your first time in the entrepreneurial pool...then can be even tougher. On today's installment of 7 Minutes in the Morning, Thom will wrap up the week and talk about how to make difficult decisions! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist...2020-01-1713 min
7 Minutes in the MorningKnowing When To Give UpHave you ever had that feeling that maybe this just wasn't meant to be? Even though I've worked really hard at it, for a long time, I should just cut my losses now? The good news is, everyone who has ever tried something new, difficult, and/or worthwhile has felt that way...so you're in really good company. The BETTER news is...well, watch or listen to the podcast...I don't want to give it ALL away here! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist...2020-01-1615 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Guaranteed Way To Fail - And the Confidence To Start AnywayAre you 'almost' ready to start your business or next project...just as soon as you ___? That attitude will GUARANTEE your failure! There is one easy way to overcome that obstacle and it is required of EVERY successful project! Do you know what it is? Then stay tuned! Every business owner and aspiring entrepreneur has a laundry list of things they 'want' to do. The difference between those that succeed and those that fail however is that the successful businesses START! "But Thom, you don't understand, I just need to know ___!" Whatever words you choose to fill in that blank...2020-01-1409 min
7 Minutes in the MorningLeadership As A Business Strategy - Confidence To Go FirstIs your business a leader in your industry? Are you considered a thought leader regarding your industry? Do you even consider these questions important to the strength and stability of your business? ... You should...and here's why! In any race or contest, it is a simple truth...if you're not in the lead, then you are playing catch-up! In business, if you're not leading your industry segment, then YOU are behind and playing catch-up! Personally, I'd much rather feel the nip of the competition on my heels than be running desperately, fighting off the other competition to close the gap...2020-01-1311 min
7 Minutes in the MorningRestream io on 2020 01 09 at 07 06 45Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips, need a comprehensive business strategy or just craving some work-life balance, following Thom's...2020-01-0910 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Gears of the Success Machine!Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips, need a comprehensive business strategy or just craving some work-life balance, following Thom's...2020-01-0812 min
7 Minutes in the MorningGetting (the RIGHT) Stuff Done!Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips, need a comprehensive business strategy or just craving some work-life balance, following Thom's...2019-12-3011 min
7 Minutes in the MorningStart Your Day From Quite Not CrisisThink back to a time when your alarm didn't go off (or maybe it did and you ignored it). What happened next? Well, when you figured out what was going on, you launched into your day in crisis mode...and it stayed that way all day long...didn't it? On today's episode of 7 Minutes In the Morning I talk a little about my morning routine but more about why you should have a routine and how to build one that works for you, not necessarily copies mine! If you're having entirely too many days of crisis, you owe it to...2019-12-2313 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Leverage A Great IdeaHave you ever seen a commercial and heard someone say, "That was my idea" or "I thought of that!" Is that person you? Let's talk about your ideas for a minute... Everybody has ideas, some are amazing solutions to very challenging problems! So why don't they ever see the light of day? Because frankly, ideas suck. Execution is what separates dreamers from doers, havers, and achievers. When you have that great idea, after a few minutes of euphoric exploration of the what-if's...do you fall back into the "yeah, but's"? You start throwing up all the reasons and roadblocks that...2019-12-1909 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Work Life Balance Is OverratedAre you struggling to 'have it all', trying to figure out how to balance the demands of your work with the rest of your life? If you are, you're doing it wrong...and today's post will help you fix that! Read on... I'll be honest, I market A LOT to the phrase or pain point of 'work life balance' because, frankly, so many people are looking for THE answer...how? The problem is not how but why? Why do you feel as though you need to separate your work from the rest of your life? Your work should help you...2019-12-1810 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhat are you thinking about...right now!?Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips, need a comprehensive business strategy or just craving some work-life balance, following Thom's...2019-12-1708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningAre You Optimistic or Do You KNOW?What is faith? This is a question I've been working on for a while now, part of a bigger project to really examine the words we use a lot and maybe don't "KNOW" what they mean. So I'll ask again, what is faith... Today's quote from Helen Keller takes a stab at answering the question and defines faith as optimism that leads to achievement. But I've come to understand it differently. See, optimism still leaves room for it to not work out. I can be optimistic about an outcome that never happens. Faith, however, means it IS going to happen...2019-12-1609 min
7 Minutes in the MorningDon't Be Married To the Glitter!Hey, did you hear that Instagram updated its algorithm? There's an update to the Facebook feed AND BlahBlah is the hottest new social network! What are you going to do now!?!? Whether it's a new app, a bug fix in the algorithm, or the best and brightest that social media has to offer, there's no getting around it; technology is constantly changing. For your business, it's more important than ever to track these changes and incorporate them into your strategy daily, but when there is always something newer, brighter, and shinier to chase, how do you stay on track? When...2019-12-0310 min
7 Minutes in the MorningDon't Be Married To the Idea!!Do you think you have a good idea? Maybe even a GREAT idea? That's awesome, but can you prove it? Sorry to break the news, but your idea is worthless. It means nothing, has no value, and won't earn you a dime. Now maybe that's a little harsh, but it's true. An idea is just that, simply thoughts in your head or pen scratches on paper of something you think could be great. It has no intrinsic value to anyone but you, and quite frankly, it's just not that special. The reality is what's special is YOU, your ability to...2019-12-0209 min
7 Minutes in the MorningDo Not Quit!Are you just not feeling it today? There might be a reason why... Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking for answers to your small business questions, time management tips...2019-11-1409 min
7 Minutes in the MorningBitter Cold and Bitter TrialsAre the challenges in your life or business protecting you from danger or asking you to prove how badly you want it? Enjoy today's episode and stay warm! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So...2019-11-1307 min
7 Minutes in the MorningI Envision A Time When...Why do you work? Can you clearly articulate the end-state you are striving to achieve? It's a simple enough question but one that will probably stump you. I've asked this question to hundreds, maybe thousands of people and the most common answers they have given fall into one of two categories: 1) to pay bills, or 2) um, because I'm supposed to. It is exactly this lack of goals, absence of vision, that lead over 70% of employees to be mentally and emotionally disengaged AT WORK! They just don't care. Among business owners it's slightly better...but not much. In a recent Reddit...2019-10-2109 min
7 Minutes in the MorningPerfection!2019-10-1810 min
7 Minutes in the MorningSometimes You Should Just Give Up!Have you ever felt like giving up, but decided to stick with it just a little while longer...and longer turns out to be a really long time? That's how you can mess around and instead of starting that new adventure, you're blowing out candles at your retirement party! Sometimes you have to quit one thing to gain another! Out quote of the day today comes from Christopher Columbus and is a great example of this principle at work. It's easy and safe to keep the shore in sight, but what greatness lays ahead if we just let go of...2019-10-1408 min
7 Minutes in the MorningFinding Freedom - The Rant!I have a simple question today...who runs your life? You? Are you sure...? Browsing through my feed this morning I saw an article about a new court ruling that would pave the way for blind people to sue businesses that didn't provide accessible websites. At first blush, this doesn't sound so bad...but at what point does personal responsibility kick in? I'm curious why a blind person who is motivated enough to sue a business owner for not having an accessible website would want to do business with a company that doesn't cater to blind people? It reminds me...2019-10-0912 min
7 Minutes in the MorningFinding FreedomAre your choices bold? Do they align with what you SAY you want? So if the pursuit of success exposes freedom, the truest exercise of freedom requires boldness...you must assert and defend your freedom by consistently making choices that move you toward your goals, even when...especially when...those choices are difficult! Are you choosing to win...or not lose? Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business...2019-10-0809 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Secret to SuccessWhat does success mean to you? School teaches us that success comes by following the rules, getting the right answers, and working hard. But is that success? Think of the person you admire the most. They broke the rules. Jesus, Gandhi, Einstein, Bezos, Rigsby...all non-conformists! Because if you keep doing (and believing) what you've always done, you will keep getting what you've always gotten. If you want something else, something more or different, you MUST do things differently! If you are closing in on the end of your first career, or maybe you're just ready to do something different...2019-10-0708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Have Fun At WorkConfidence comes from experience and experience from execution. You have to do something to get a result and in stacking result after result you get experience. And from that experience, you can have confidence. When you are confident that what you are doing is right (not that it will produce a winning outcome) you can have as much fun as you want. The uncertainty of winning or losing is part of what makes playing the game so much fun. You don't want to take that away. But you when you can proceed confidently knowing that you are putting forth your...2019-10-0310 min
7 Minutes in the MorningOvercoming Limits (and Limiting Beliefs!)Question of the day: What do you want to do but believe you are unqualified or unable to do? Have you ever known someone who constantly believed they were falling prey to the latest malady in the news? Cancer from styrofoam cups? Yep! Flesh-eating bacteria? You know...my arm has been itching a lot...! There is a medical condition known as hypochondria where your mind convinces you that you have a condition...so your body begins to act like you have that condition! It becomes a self-reinforcing condition! So here's my thought...if you mind is powerful enough to make...2019-09-3009 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIs Your Dream Big Enough?Did you share your dream with the world yesterday (see yesterday's podcast)? If you did I have one question for you...is it big enough? Let's just say I've been coaching and helping people unleash their pent up potential for well over a decade and in that time I've learned many truths about coaching and getting the best out of people. Here's one of them...if you shared your big, hairy, audacious goal with the world yesterday...there's a VERY GOOD chance that you held back! Yep, I said it...you held back! Here's why! Even if you feel like...2019-09-2610 min
7 Minutes in the MorningUnleash Your PotentialAre you living at your full potential? Is your business, your work, and your life as good as it could be? Even if the answer is "almost" then you still have work to do! Read on... When energy is stored (like in a spring or a battery) and not used it is called POTENTIAL energy...potential because it is not being realized. You have the potential within you and it is stored in the form of a big, hairy, audacious goal...a BHAG...a dream that is so big and crazy that, until today, you have resisted even telling anyone...2019-09-2510 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhat Wants You?What is the one thing that you keep coming back to, time and time again? It keeps calling to you and you just can't get it out of your head? Have you ever wondered why that is? Because you are uniquely gifted, talented and placed to have an abundant life and do work that matters, you are like a puzzle piece, uniquely shaped to fill a given spot in the masterpiece. That means you have at least one matching piece out there somewhere...and it is calling to you! Unless you answer that call and do you part, there will...2019-09-2407 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhere All Dreams StartWhat dream do you have that is so big, so crazy, so ridiculous that you hesitate to share it with anyone else...but you just can't let it go? Last week we talked about fear and the role it plays in reaching your dreams, this week we're talking about boldly pursuing your dreams. This week, we're gonna jump start your journey to reaching that dream by creating some clarity around what you want and building some confidence behind your ability to do it! Lately, the word desire seems to have taken on a negative connotation. The reality is that the...2019-09-2308 min
7 Minutes in the MorningDon't Let the Fear Paralyze You!Yesterday we talked about how your dreams should scare you, at least a little. Just don't allow that fear to paralyze you and keep you firmly planted where you are! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small...2019-09-1907 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Comfortable Office Chairs Suck!How comfortable is your office chair? I was walking through the office supply store the other day and saw these big, fancy office chairs and thought to myself, "Office chair or TV recliner?" Now, don't get me wrong...of course you should be comfortable when you're working. But your desk is a great metaphor for your business. Make the desk comfortable for working but not so comfortable that you never want to leave! The whole purpose of having a business is to be a creative outlet and a financial source for the life of your dreams! It is NOT the...2019-08-2006 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy You CanBefore you knew how to ride a bike (and maybe while you were learning) you may have thought it was impossible. For thousands of years, people believed it was impossible for mankind to take to the skies. You are looking at some limitation, constraint, or obstacle today and thinking it is impossible to overcome, yet, all your limitations live only in your mind. Everything is possible. It may require sacrifice or difficult choices...but Everything is on the table for you today! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist...2019-08-1906 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Average is Good EnoughWhat are you not trying because you don't feel qualified or ready? I love this quote from Bruce Lee because it calls it perfectly...greatness is present in everyone, even the average person, but it requires effort to achieve. With all the opportunity for distraction available to us...literally in the palm of your hand...we often fall prey to Distraction Over Action. We know that the next task or project is going to be taxing, stressful, or lengthy so we opt for a "quick" distraction. That quick distraction turns into a long one, the BAM...off your game. One...2019-08-0905 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Cash Is NOT King!You've probably heard the old saying that Cash Is King...right? What if it's not? As business owners and leaders, the odds can feel like they're stacked against us. With more than 90% of new businesses not making it through the first five years, and their demise often attributed to inadequate funding (wrong, but that's for another day) it's easy to understand why so many businesses chase the money. But there's another currency you should be chasing instead. Harold Geneen once said, "In business, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will...2019-07-2508 min
7 Minutes in the MorningSo You're Too Busy?So, how have you been? How's the business? I find myself asking this question a lot at networking or other meetings where I'm running into people I know. It's a pretty common greeting. Do you know what answer I get frequently? "Well, I've been pretty busy!" (or some variant of that) While we're taking a little break from the daily grind this week at the beach, I wanted to remind you that busy does not equal effective. In fact, it is a terrible measure of how things are going. The hamster is busy, and not moving an inch. In...2019-07-2410 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIt's Okay to Have Some FunDo you have fun while you're working? Building a business or expanding your career is hard work...and serious business. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun while you're doing it! In fact, you SHOULD have fun...it will make it a lot more enjoyable while you're doing the hard stuff! Now I'm not saying that if you don't have a ping-pong table or foosball table you're doing it wrong. You can have fun without all the toys or games...in fact, it may even be better that way. When you lean on the games to bring the...2019-07-2307 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIs It Time to Take A StandAre you the best at what you do? Are you willing to say so? I will frequently talk with business owners and leaders and have fantastic products or services but downplay their own effectiveness or impact! Heck, I'm even guilty of this (and my grandmother would be proud!). The problem is that if you don't express the confidence you have in your product or service...who will? Exactly nobody! We think that we're being humble or avoiding speaking ill of others...but the reality is that people, including your customers, want to know that you are confident in your...2019-07-2205 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhen Limits WinHow do you know when it's time to cut bait? Yesterday we talked about boundaries... and I'm also a fan of pushing your limits. So how do you reconcile those? It's really not as hard as it sounds When you start with personal responsibility! As an individual, you are only responsible for your decisions and outcomes, then there are modifiers. Parents take on responsibility for their kids, entrepreneurs take on some of the burdens for their employees and customers...but there's a limit. About 18 months ago, my adult son died from the effects of alcoholism. In spite of our best...2019-07-1910 min
7 Minutes in the MorningGood Fences Make For Good NeighborsIt's easy to talk about your neighbor violating boundaries, but what about you? Today let's talk about how boundaries help YOU stay focused and in your lane! Especially as a business owner or leader, it's super easy to drift...to "expand" the business into new areas where there seems to be a need. But what happens when you do that too early or with faulty research. Suddenly you find yourself in unfamiliar territory and, perhaps worst of all, the original business can fall on hard times due to your lack of attention. Having and abiding by boundaries let's you focus...2019-07-1808 min
7 Minutes in the MorningTwo Keys to Control: Know and NoHow often do you say no to requests that don't lead to your success or help you meet your goals? Saying no is easier for some than others, but if you have any hope of living the life you crave, you must become a master of culling the invaluable. And THAT begins with knowing what you want. So how do you KNOW what you want? Is it possible to be sure? To have no doubts? I'm just going to go ahead and say it, you WILL have doubts along the way! It's a long road full of hard work. Of...2019-07-1708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Tree And the FenceQuick, name one thing that is preventing your success or keeping you from reaching a goal. Don't dwell on the answer, just blurt it out! Now ask, is this something within my power to change? Regardless of what your blocker is, the answer is YES, you can change your circumstances and remove any obstacle! All too often we allow negative self-talk to rule out day. And when that's not giving us the excuse we want, we turn to comparison shopping for progress. You know, "THEY are farther along than me...". And don't even get me started on believing in the "...2019-07-1608 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhen To Flex and When to FocusWhy do plan always fail? When I was growing up, the A-Team was all the rage on TV. One of the characters in that show had a saying, "I love it when a plan comes together!" Why is that such a great thing? Maybe because it is such a rare thing! One of the most frustrating things to me as a business coach is to see people put so much time and effort into a business plan only to file it away and never look at it again. Is THAT why so many businesses fail? I don't believe it is...2019-07-1509 min
7 Minutes in the MorningStop Chasing the Bright Shiny Thing!When you confidence isn't founded in focus and purposeful action then you are jumping without a parachute. - Kathryn Lang It's a slippery slope when you start chasing what "seems good" at the time. When you run a business, it is easy to allow distractions, which can dilute your focus even though it seems the "rabbit hole" you're running down seems more exciting. You'll find yourself "confidently" chasing details or "new ideas" that don't make a difference in the big picture when you originally started everything. You have confidence because you've been there before and you're "revisiting" something that soothes...2019-07-1212 min
7 Minutes in the MorningIt's Your CallBusiness (and life) is a contact sport! What do you do when it gets to be too much? Let's face it, it happens to everybody! Sometimes all the moving pieces of your success and fulfillment seem to be moving in opposite directions! UGH! The answer though is pretty simple... The more complicated things become, the more aggressively you have to simplify! Overwhelm, and the feeling of lost control that accompanies it can be debilitating if you let it...but it doesn't have to be. Most people believe when they are experiencing overwhelm that the pathway out is planning or studying...2019-07-1108 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhen Confidence WinsDo you have what it takes to become an overnight success and turn everything you touch into a win? Are you sure? Sometimes when I'm having a conversation with someone looking for a business and life coach I will ask them this question. Often they seem genuinely surprised that I'd ask such a question. But it's a necessary question. If you're going to win in business, you have to have confidence in yourself! No one else is going to do it for you! Confidence is the residue of execution. The more you execute, the more your confidence builds. And as...2019-07-1008 min
7 Minutes in the MorningAre You the Right Person for the Job?Do you LOVE the work you do? Are you excited about getting after it this morning? If you're not, it's not the end of the world. No one promised we'd love it EVERY day. Both business owners and employees alike can find themselves 'out-of-love' with their work. When that happens to you ... what should you do? One of the great lies you've been sold is that you should go to school, work hard, get good grades, get a "good" job ... then gut it out for 30 or 40 years so you can finally live the good life in your golden years. What...2019-07-0908 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Freedom to SucceedHow bad does it have to get before you will take action? You've probably heard that all human action is driven by one of two things, avoidance of pain or achievement of pleasure. It's Independence Day here in the US and as I'm writing this I wonder...was it pleasure or pain that motivated the Founding Fathers? As you are reading this right now, there is something you want to do. Something you want to accomplish. It might be a big, legacy type outcome...or maybe something small, like a raise or a promotion. In either case, you have to...2019-07-0408 min
7 Minutes in the MorningToo Much Confidence?When is it possible to be TOO confident? Are you doing it right now? I preach A LOT about confidence because it is the by-product of experience and the fuel for stretching your comfort zone. But is it possible to have too much? To be so confident that you begin to ignore red flags and warning signs of something going wrong? 'Bob' was a prospect for my business and life coaching practice. He came to see me because 'everybody' had told him his business idea wasn't going to fly. He'd heard and read 'lots of people' say to ignore the...2019-07-0209 min
7 Minutes in the MorningConfidence Is FunWhen was the last time you really had fun? Take a second right now and really think about it! How much did confidence have to do with it? Joe Namath once said, "When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun." But is that really true? Confident of what? Have you ever watched children playing? Our granddaughter is 7 and she loves to sing along with songs and videos...but not when someone is watching. She's very confident in herself when no one is looking. Add in an observer and her confidence takes a hit...and it becomes less...2019-07-0109 min
7 Minutes in the MorningCircumstances Do Not Dictate Outcomes!Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? You may have heard me say that opportunity is just a set of circumstances...facts or conditions that surround you. But is it possible to have so many opportunities or circumstances that we get stuck and can't make ANY progress? Well, sure, it's possible...so what do about it? When you are feeling overwhelmed by circumstances, it is rarely the volume of opportunity that is causing the problem (that doesn't change very much over time). Rather, it is the relative weight you are assigning to the opportunity or the outcome. Sometimes, the...2019-06-2807 min
7 Minutes in the MorningGet Scared!What did you do yesterday that scared you? Made you nervous? Was risky? We talk a lot about fear on the podcast (7 Minutes In the Morning, link in bio) because fear is a natural part of life. It serves a biological purpose by causing our body to prepare for 'something' and it tells our senses to 'pay attention!' Fear also serves an important mental purpose as well. When you feel afraid or scared in a work or business capacity, it's a message that you are testing the edges of your comfort zone. Yep, that's right, your comfort zone! Many...2019-06-2708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningYou Have My PermissionDo you believe someone is holding you back? Preventing your happiness or success? Maybe you're just worried about their approval. Could this describe you? When talking with a new client, I often ask why they are looking for a life and business coach. Many of them are already a success as a business owner or leader but they still feel there's something missing, something they just can't reach...and often they will tell me about someone who is holding them back. It shows up in different forms for different people. Maybe it's the employee who just won't make enough outbound...2019-06-2608 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThe Secret to Work Life BalanceHave you found work/life balance yet? Neither have I and there's a good reason why...it doesn't exist! [read more] You have been sold a bill of goods, a pig in a poke, whatever axiom you want to use. The idea that work goes in one box and life goes in another, then somehow, if you are PERFECT they're supposed to balance out, is just a bunch of bunk! Okay, so if work/life balance is a load of...um...fertilizer, then what SHOULD you expect?! Here's the deal...you need to work. There is something deep in your...2019-06-2407 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhy Is It a Struggle to Reach My GoalsWe're almost half way through the year, are you struggling to reach your goals? That's a good thing, here's why. We hear a lot these days about how things should be easy. Great example: minimum wage should be a living wage. I don't know about you but there was a time in my life where I worked three jobs and my wife worked two...5 jobs between us...to make a 'living wage.' There was nothing easy about it, but we did get one very valuable thing from it. I've always been blessed to know that the best things in...2019-06-2114 min
7 Minutes in the MorningYou Have Everything You NeedAre you waiting for ___ (fill in your own blank here) to be successful? Well STOP waiting and start working! I hear it all the time, an aspiring business owner will give me the run-down of everything they have to get figured out before they can launch their business. The vast majority of the list is spot on, then they come...I call them the boulders! The boulders are completely unreasonable, logical fallacy arguments against launching. For example, trying to build a process or a system that will "work at scale" when you haven't found the first customer yet. Trying to...2019-06-1909 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWhat Is the Displacement PrincipleAre you having trouble getting results? Can't seem to get the things you want? Here's the reason...and an answer! You are not getting the results you want because of displacement. You are displacing the work you SHOULD be doing to create the result you want with other work that is either 'busy work' or directed at something other than what you say you want. If you have the ability to read this message, you have access to everything you need to create the result you want! The ONLY thing holding you back is YOU and what YOU choose to...2019-06-1806 min
7 Minutes in the MorningSee it before it happensCan you predict the future? Most business owners and leaders look at the future as some big secret, waiting for it to 'be revealed' or 'unfold.' You will hear them say things like 'no one can know for sure' or 'let's see what the future holds' and the reality is they are wrong! Have you ever used any of those phrases? Do you think the future is a secret or a mystery? Allow me to explain. Every year car manufacturers release new models. Once or twice a year networks release new shows or seasons of shows. Every fall a...2019-06-1707 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWins Live in the Land of LossDo you ever feel like giving up? I do...and here's how I keep going. Some days are better than others. You wake up with all the energy and excitement you need to power the week! Then other days...not so much. Why the difference? Frankly, there are lots of reasons from the physiological to psychological to the weather...but today I want to address the REAL underlying reasons why you want to give up. Have you ever seen the movie 300? Did you know it's based on the true story of King Leonidas and the Battle of Thermopoly? How did...2019-06-1209 min
7 Minutes in the Morningsuccess demands hard work and focusYesterday we talked about there being no easy path, no 'lotto solution' to your challenge. Those of you with kids can probably relate to this (or maybe it was an employee!). They work so hard and spend so much time trying to get out of doing something that you look at them and think (or say), "You know, if you'd spend that much time doing what I asked, you'd be done already." While I do believe that you are uniquely gifted, talented and placed to do your work that matters...that is only part of the story. You still have...2019-06-1107 min
7 Minutes in the MorningThere is no risk free path to successPsst...hey...are you looking for a watch? I guess a more modern version of this old trope would be, "Hey, buddy, you looking for a 100% guaranteed way to make $10k of totally passive income by tomorrow?" Why are we so enamored by these kinds of offers? What makes them so appealing even when we immediately view them with doubt and skepticism? I often say that an opportunity that doesn't come with some risk is not really an opportunity, it's a gift or a hand-out. Intuitively we know that anything of real value comes with a cost. For an opportunity...2019-06-1006 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow to Overcome the Fear of FailureWhat fun, exciting, or great thing are you missing out on because you are afraid of failing? Stop missing out! Fear serves a great purpose for us...it is our mind telling our body to pay attention and it kept us alive for many generations! But when you accept fear for what it is, and why it exists, overcoming it gets easier. All fear is rooted in uncertainty and serves to help us avoid pain. The only way to reduce or remove fear is by reducing uncertainty by 1) studying the situation or 2) just do it. I was talking with a...2019-06-0708 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow to Have Whatever You WantDo you have what you want or settle for what you can get? As a life and business coach, almost every day I have a conversation with an aspiring business owner that starts out something like, "Yeah, I have a great idea for a widget! I have a solid design and I'm ready to quit my job to work on it, BUT {insert excuse here}!" You've probably heard of the placebo effect, you know, patients given sugar pills experience the same benefits as those that get the real thing? Why is that? Simple, because they believed! And you don't have...2019-06-0607 min
7 Minutes in the MorningMake a Buck or Make a Difference?What do you think about this quote from Tom Brokaw? Is it easier to make a buck than a difference? I look at this and think "Transactional versus Relational"... and relationships are hard, thus, making a difference is hard. Okay...how about an example. Here in the south, we have the Publix grocery store chain. They do lots of "little things" right but one of the most visible is that they offer to take your groceries to the car for you. Nah, it's more than that...they assume they are going to unless you tell them no...and they don't...2019-06-0509 min
7 Minutes in the MorningMake a big difference, make a big profitDo you want to make a profit or make a difference? How about both! Sometimes we get so wrapped up with trying to make money, make a profit, that we lose the perspective of our customer. I like to share the story of a business coaching client that owned a food service business. She entered the business through the back door every day and allowed her employee to open the front door. She always saw the store from "the inside" and lost the customer' perspective. Keeping the customers' perspective is critical though if you are going to make a difference...2019-06-0403 min
7 Minutes in the MorningFind the Will to WinDo you have what it takes to win? Are you willing to do whatever it takes? I had a terrible boss once. No, I mean REALLY bad! Combine that with my stubborn streak and what do you get? I became determined to stay at the company longer than he did. That vision, that mission, gave me the will to put up with a LOT of crap! For many people, the 'will to win' is something soldiers or athletes need but you don't need it in your role, right? Well, maybe! I hate to break this to you but every day...2019-06-0309 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow to Simplify A Difficult DecisionWhat change are you putting off or avoiding? This week on the podcast we've been talking about change and how to make it happen and now we are down to where the rubber meets the road! Before you go any farther, think about the change you need to make... Let me guess, that conversation in your head went something like this... "I need to ___ (quit this dead-end job and go out on my own), but ___ (the benefits here are really good, the kids need braces, etc). You know, it's really not that bad, if I can get ___ (my boss) to...2019-05-3109 min
7 Minutes in the MorningMaking Risky ProgressIs there something you're not doing because it's 'risky'? Let's talk about that... We deal with risk every day. Driving a car, or for that matter just riding in a car, is risky! According to the CDC more than 32,000 people are killed and another 2 million are injured every year in car crashes! Okay...so it's not risk you're afraid of... Maybe instead of saying you are avoiding risk, you could say you're 'playing it safe' or 'pursuing that safe career instead of the risky business or job opportunity with that startup. I say it has NOTHING TO DO WITH SAFETY...2019-05-3008 min
7 Minutes in the MorningForget About Perfection!Perfection (can be) the enemy of execution... Execution yields progress... Progress yields happiness, therefore... (The need for) Perfection is the enemy of Happiness! Enjoy! Thom, THE Unashamed Non-Conformist =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thom Rigsby is a lifestyle & business strategy expert. Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur launching almost a dozen startups and more than 25 years of business experience, Thom brings his creativity and "Non-Conformist" approach to entrepreneurship and getting results for you and your small business! So, whether you are looking...2019-05-2907 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWill You Be Happy If You Get Where You Are Going?Do you know where the road you're on will take you? I ask this question a lot and most of the time the answer resembles, "Um, yeah...I guess." You have probably heard most of your life that if you study hard, get good grades, get a good job and work hard that you can finish happy. The problem is, what about the journey? See, the reality is that you can do all those things, just like the checklist tells you to, and still have a miserable trip only to arrive at an empty destination. Kind of like that Chevy...2019-05-2405 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHave You Held On Too Long?There's a fine line between committed and crazy, have you crossed it? I once coached a business owner who was frustrated by their lack of progress in bringing their product to market. When I dug into the details, he told me he didn't really have the time to work on that product because he was so busy answering customer calls for another product. He was so focused on one product that he was blind to the success that was right in front of him! Knowing when to stay the course and when to pivot is hard, no doubt about it...2019-05-2205 min
7 Minutes in the MorningKeep MovingHow will you know you've 'made it'? It's a pretty common question, especially in entrepreneur and business owner circles. So common in fact that we don't really pay attention to what the question assumes...namely, that there IS such a thing as making it! Too many business owners, leaders, and high performing individuals assume that the promised land awaits if they just keep their head down and soldier on. Do you feel that way? What if that's wrong? In my coaching practice, I've had the opportunity to work with several business owners as they were making an exit from their...2019-05-2109 min
7 Minutes in the MorningWill You Answer the Call?Would you answer your phone the next time it rings if you KNEW the call would change your life for the better? What if it MIGHT change things for the better? Many people, maybe even you, look at an opportunity as a single big-thing delivered with a bow on top and a card with instructions. The outcome is guaranteed, just plug it in and the world is yours! But just like many a birthday or Christmas present, the reality of that present is much different than what you've built it up to be. Oh yeah, it's awesome to rip open...2019-05-2007 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow to Create Happy Customers - Start With YesHave you ever had a request from a customer that was just completely ridiculous? Did you do it anyway? The only thing that makes any request ridiculous is our perception of the request. If you run an ice cream food truck and someone comes up looking for coffee...you might think that's ridiculous. For whatever reason, that lost customer didn't think it was ridiculous... hhmmm. So adding a coffee pot, that's pretty simple. Adding an espresso machine, not so simple. Since our job is to solve problems for other people, it stands to reason that the more problems we can...2019-05-1607 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Deliver World Class Customer ServiceWhen was the last time you experienced bad customer service? See how easy it was to remember that time? I recently read some stats that said 1 in 3 BAD customer experiences get shared with friends and/or social media but only 1 in 14 GOOD experiences. So it stands to reason that we have to create many more positive experiences to get the same "credit" from our customers. Piggybacking on yesterday's topic, it's the little things, done over and over, day after day, that create positive customer experiences. You might buy hundreds of things off eBay...then you get that one thing that...2019-05-1507 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To Make Happy CustomersAre your customers happy? Are you sure? When you are running a business, it's easy to slip into a way of thinking that your customers should be happy...just, well, because they are your customer. "I mean, they wouldn't be my customer if they didn't like my product, right?" Well, not necessarily. Customer satisfaction is not a thing or a department... it is something everybody does every day. So how do you make customers happy? Solve their problems! Bonus points if you can make them feel special as you do it! If you can find a way to set your...2019-05-1409 min
7 Minutes in the MorningStop Wasting Time!It's a saying you hear all the time...at least I do...and it makes my skin crawl! All week we've been talking about how to get stuff done and be more EFFECTIVE if your pursuits so you have the time to enjoy the benefits of being an entrepreneur. But even entrepreneurs say this all the time...and it's all I can do to maintain my composure and not fly off the handle with them. The truth of the matter is that your time is the most expensive resource you have available to spend and discounting or being dismissive of...2019-05-1008 min
7 Minutes in the MorningHow To GSD - 3 KeysDo you ever have so much to do that you don't know where to start? This is something that is common with many of my coaching clients. They are high-performing leaders, founders, or executives in a business and they are looking for ways to do even more. But doing more is very rarely the answer. Instead of working more, I actually encourage them to work less by being more focused on results rather than activity. To implement this in your life, follow these simple steps: 1) KNOW the outcome you are working toward. It is shocking to me (although maybe it...2019-05-0709 min