We're always told... say "No!" to other people. But how often do you do inner reflection and say "No!" to yourself. I'm not talking about saying "No!" to hiking that trail that looks too steep, or "No!" to that mango carrot granola bar because you don't like mango or carrot. I'm talking about everyday little things in your life or work life that you do, and affect your personal productivity or success. You are in control of so much of your own success. But only if you also learn to say "No!" to yourself

In this year-ending episode I reflect on a decade as an entrepreneur and how I've changed my approach to doing business toward the end of the decade and how I'll focus on the future

Because I work on the road so much helping other communities and downtowns located far from where I live, people often ask me about where I live, what's it's like, etc. They also ask if I have thought about moving closer to my target market. The conversations then occasionally drift into a wider conversation about 'fit' and how where you live 'fits' and complements what anyone does as an entrepreneur  

Well, I've finally decided to take a break from Facebook. I'm still actively using my other social media platforms. But I'm stepping away from my personal Facebook page for a break. Why? There are few reasons. In this episode, I share why I am doing it.

Work has been super busy over the past month and I have spent many days away from home to do work in other communities. And that explains why I have gone a few weeks without a new One Minute Monday episode

Putting yourself in front of the camera can be terrifying for many people. "What will they think of me?" "Will I sound silly?" "I look stupid on camera?" I've heard it all. I was once terrified of being on camera. But I took the leap years ago. What made me instantly start embracing it more was the reactions I started to get. It gave me confidence. My enthusiasm grew. So, here's what I tell everyone who is scared of making their own videos: Try it. And then look at the reactions. You don't need everyone to like you. You only need the right people to see it and appreciate it.

Just because a business appears to be 'popular' on Facebook, it doesn't mean it is a successful business. I have seen many 'popular' businesses on Facebook fail in real life. I see businesses that are currently 'popular' on Facebook and know they are failing to make a go of it. It is all a reminder that 'popularity' on Facebook does not always equate with a business being a success in real life. Yet I see this misconception growing, especially in smaller communities. Having only your friends, your clique, and your family, like you on Facebook is not the same as real customers coming through your doors and spending money.

I visit a lot of small towns as a professional speaker on marketing and social media. When you tour the towns, visit shops, and meet the people, you get a real snapshot of the sense of welcome. To anyone who says every small town is the same, I can tell you they definitely are not. I recently spent several days working in Palmerston and Harriston, Ontario. The only things these two towns share with many other small towns are the challenges of downtown revitalization. But both have incredible enthusiasm and support and they are taking significant ongoing actions to change those fortunes. Both these towns will succeed. I know it. I was blown away by the sense of welcoming in these towns. They don't just talk about being "great places to be." There really is a community-wide vibe that shows it's a great place to be.   

I'm on vacation! That means I am roadtripping to towns and tourist destinations to experience how other communities are standing out. It's amazing what you see and learn by going beyond your own town's borders. When I travel across Ontario for speaking engagements about social media and marketing, I am able to use the perspectives gained to help other communities. Next month I am speaking in Muskoka, And in October, I return to eastern Ontario for another speaking engagement.

When I do conference and workshop speaking, there's a common concern that I often hear from the employees who are in the trenches doing social media for their businesses or organizations. It goes like this: "I'm trying the best I can, but the people at the top don't get it!" That's code for the people at the top are clueless. They don't use social media, beyond posting to family and friends on their personal Facebook page. Yet these people at the top often believe they are experts about social media. Sadly, they are not experts. Most couldn't read an analytics chart if they tried. They are also so disconnected from social media that they rarely even look at the content being posted on their organization's social media feeds or look at the engagement. Yet, again, there they'll be in a future meeting taking the lead to explain the organization's use of social media. I can tell you this: organizations that are long-term successful with social media have a 360 degree ecosystem of support, engagement and strategic planning from top to bottom. The organizations and businesses that share this trait are few. You can easily spot the successful ones -- or ones trending to success -- on social media. The ones that don't have a 360-degree ecosystem have a strategy that flip flops or appears non existent, refuse to invest, and are falling behind the competition.