This week’s challenging question comes from Zeya, in Ontario, Canada: Q:  How do I prioritize ideas in my head? Often I start working on one project, but suddenly think of the other projects that I need to work on, and then the process gets scattered. Click to tweet this: There are wonderful places to store … Continue reading "How to Prioritize Ideas – Pick Dave’s Brain"

Congratulations! If you are fortunate enough to be able to read this email, then, in all likelihood, you’ve managed to reach the finish line of another year. While last year’s New Year’s resolution to eliminate pasta from your diet may have backfired, maintaining your career through another year means something must be going right. Before … Continue reading "How to Make the Most of Your Annual Review"

In the coming months, you may be the recipient of a gift. There’s a good chance this might be a tad uncomfortable. Some of us–I’m not naming names–are terrible at receiving gifts. It’s not always easy, but showing appreciation matters. After all, it’s the thought that counts in business and in life. So, here’s a … Continue reading "When Thank You Notes Just Aren’t Enough"

Are you really taking the time to get to know your business partners? I’m not just talking about equity partners, I’m talking about hiring other people and companies to do things that represent your business. Sometimes business owners hitch themselves to sketchy partnerships faster than a late night wedding in the Las Vegas Elvis’s Chapel … Continue reading "The Vales of Values When IT Comes to Business Partnerships"

Meet your new personal trainer. His name? ”Brock.” “I’ll spot you,” Brock says as you chalk up for the bench press. He stands behind you as you lift the weights off of the rack. He then grips the crossbar, lifts it up FOR YOU, and yells, “You’re a warrior! You’re crushing it!” Whether it’s running … Continue reading "Developing Leadership by Letting Go"

“Lo que muy bien se aprende, nunca se olvida.” Did you have a high school Spanish teacher that made you repeat that line over and over? If you did, you know the translation: A well-learned lesson is never forgotten. Then life happens and, POOF, all the notes you took from books, seminars, and Spanish 101 … Continue reading "The Best Way to Retain Information"

Ever had a bad self-checkout experience at the grocery store? You scan an item, and the screen reads: REQUIRES MANAGER APPROVAL. You call the manager, but they can’t override the firewall. So, they call a developer. The developer has to hack into the mainframe, but they need a secret code from NASA. Thus, the cycle … Continue reading "Why “App Addiction” Doesn’t Equal “Productivity”"

Data-Savvy entrepreneurs should be familiar with Google Trends. It’s a terrific tool for learning the “what, when, and where” of Google searches. It helps you market efficiently and set sales goals. Except, after 5 minutes or so, you get a bit silly with the searches. For instance, in the US, “Kenny G” spikes between November … Continue reading "Google Trends and Procrastination: What’s the Link?"

Remember that moment? You know, that little thing that signified a benchmark for personal success? Did you let it fly by? Maybe it was a next-level client, or generating higher revenue, or…heck…a new baby!  Well, guess what? You did it! Congratulations! …so, what happens next? For some reason, entrepreneurs have a tendency to wolf down … Continue reading "How to Savor Your Success"

Ah, business ownership. Yep, it’s hard not to gaze upon what you’ve built and proclaim, “home sweet home.” Little do you suspect that the very foundation of your home, the organization chart, is about as flimsy as the paper money that’s about to go flying out of your wallet. Organization charts that are contaminated with … Continue reading "Fixing Common Organization Chart Mistakes"