While on a hike a couple months ago it hit me: we’re all guilty of saying we “do” what we more accurately “did.” We say we “go” to the gym when the truth is we haven’t exercised since the New Years resolution wore off around Groundhog Day. “Went” to the gym would be more accurate. We say we “do” things that are personally and professionally positive not because we’re liars, but because we get distracted. The degree to which you give yourself credit for doing what you more realistically did has a lot to do with your success. As I stare down the next 25 years of running my own business, I’m taking a more critical look at my business habits. After all, we are the result of our daily habits. Analyze your daily habits. What do you no longer do that you once did and should be doing once again? Did is not do!

Lisa Hudson, co-owner of Fitness By Design, an Indianapolis-based personal training business joins me for an encore. She was my guest in episode 3, celebrating her company’s 30th year in business. In this sit down, Lisa and I discuss what businesses get wrong, and how to avoid those mistakes yourself. We talk about the value of creativity, lessons on working smarter, and how to successfully work alongside your spouse for three decades. If your business sells a product or service that isn’t an absolute (and trust me, you probably do) how do you separate yourself from the competition? Lisa will tell you how, as well as offering other great advice you can use to Do Business Better.

Joe Calloway is the author of over a half dozen books. His latest work, The Leadership Mindset discusses the habits of those who are successfully in charge. Joe knows because he works as a consultant to the leadership of companies. His clients are already successful but want to be even more so. If you run your own business or aspire to someday, you’re going to be or behave like a leader. Some of the recommendations and anecdotes Mr. Calloway shares with us in this episode might surprise you. Things like: take action, take on more risk, stop trying to be different, simplify then simplify again, and above all – always create value for everyone involved. This is a fun discussion with a friend of mine – you’ll enjoy it!

Howard Berg is the World’s Fastest Reader according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He joins us to teach us how to read faster and comprehend more of what we read. Maybe you’re a fast reader, maybe you’re a slow reader (like me), the main thing is that you keep reading. Because in business and in life, knowledge is power. Most non-readers say it’s a lack of time that prevents them from reading. If that’s the case—although it’s generally just a flimsy excuse—this episode teaches some techniques to speed up the learning process.

This month marks two milestones: I turned 50 and completed 25 years running my own business. Depending on your age, 1994 may or may not seem like such a long time ago. It was July of ’94 when I handed my resignation letter in to Cooper Industries. A lot’s changed since then. The lessons keep on coming — running your own enterprise is a learning experience! In this episode I share 5 Lessons you can apply to your own life and business to make them both prosper!

Bill Zimmer started selling siding as a 17 year old high school student. At age 23 he opened up shop as a home improvement company, mostly selling aluminum siding. His company morphed into replacement windows and eventually sunroom and patio enclosures. If you don’t live in the Midwest, you might wonder why anyone would enclose their patio. Hint: it’s because of winter. Now at age 66 Mr. Zimmer is still going strong and on pace for a record year. He shares his story, lessons learned, ideas on how to position through proper marketing, and how to avoid selling on price. The big piece of advice from 43 years of success: Don’t get too excited when things are up or down because they’ll always turn the other direction.

In business we’re constantly seduced by what is flashy, new, and different. While marketplaces change, and we certainly must adapt, certain fundamentals of success never go out of style. In this episode we discuss the allure of chasing four hour work weeks and promises to “10X” your enterprise. Unfortunately, we sometimes abandon the fundamentals of success because we’re seduced by these flashy concepts promising the easy way to riches. But business basics work for the long haul. And isn’t that what you’re really pursuing, prosperity and longevity? You attain that through paying attention to the fundamentals and executing them with excellence.

We’ve all heard the old saying, “The only thing constant is change.” If that’s so (and it is), why are humans so reluctant to embrace change? Is it laziness, fear, lack of resources? Randy Pennington is a business consultant who helps individuals and organizations navigate change. He joins me to discuss strategies you can use to prosper through adaptation. Randy poses two important questions: What else and what next? (We expand on that and then some!). In this episode you’ll glean tactics for reinventing so that your business can attain success and longevity.

Kenny Chapman was working at a lumberyard when he bought his first business. He’d been to college for one semester, where he learned college wasn’t for him. He then served in the military, where he learned discipline and a few things about himself and his business personality. The 23-year-old lumberyard attendant knew he wanted to be a business owner. So, he bought a drain cleaning business off one of his customers. At the three year mark, Kenny almost threw in the towel, but he got some frank feedback that changed his outlook AND his business. Mr. Chapman went on to buy heating and cooling companies, then plumbing businesses. Mind you, he’s neither a plumber nor an HVAC technician! Today, Kenny operates the Blue Collar Group — a training and consulting business for service providers in the construction trades. He shares lots of lessons and a few stories you can benefit from!

Joe Santa quit his high school athletic director job at age 49 to get into the awards business. This business would be easy, right? After all, we live in the “every kid gets a trophy” culture. Each season Joe saw a truckload of awards handed out to student athletes. Plus, he knew the decision makers who purchased recognition items. Easy business! A year or two in, the reality of running one’s own enterprise set in for Joe. Turns out, it was more difficult than he’d envisioned. His contacts didn’t immediately drop their vendors to become clients. Some items he thought would be a slam dunk, weren’t. And operating a retail storefront was a distraction from sales effort. Such is life, and the learning curve for all who embark on their own endeavor. Mr. Santa is now in his ninth year and growing. He knows now that - when it comes to running your own business - trophies aren’t given out for participation! You’ll enjoy this frank discussion and the lessons.