Are you a victim of squirrel syndrome? Based on some fairly unscientific research, about 2 in 3 entrepreneurs are burdened by this affliction. The biggest symptoms include being attracted by every “shiny” thing that comes along, coupled with the inability to say no. But is this hurting your business? Joe Calloway, author, consultant and Executive in Residence at Belmont University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, argues that it is. Having worked extensively with organizations of all sizes and growth cycles, Joe credits the success of many entrepreneurs to one simple adage: “Say no to almost everything.”

Inspired by Warren Buffet, this idea is what separates normal successful people from very successful people, Joe believes. At the beginning of his career, Joe struggled with saying “no” and suffered the consequences. After adopting this concept as his mantra, he began to say “no” more often and started to really hone in on the things he was saying “yes” to.

Another side effect of squirrel syndrome is becoming frozen due to a lack of tunnel vision on the ultimate purpose. Having worked with entrepreneurs for years, Joe has witnessed organizations struggle with this repeatedly. “More often than not, it’s better to make bad decisions than to be frozen. Entrepreneurs will always learn from their mistakes, but they will learn nothing from standing still. As opposed to being frozen, mistakes help you learn your strengths,” he adds. He also suggests that entrepreneurs measures what happens after these decisions.

In addition to learning how to say “no”, it’s important for entrepreneurs to leave room for the “yes”. Joe advises that entrepreneurs should learn how to prioritize their “yes” based on their brand values. “Entrepreneurs and companies should learn to do three or four things extremely well, and with great consistency. It’s all about balance,” he advises.

As leaders, entrepreneurs need to become skilled at saying “yes” to the right things at the right time. “Company owners must remain consistent about the things they say ‘yes’ to,” he says, “Consistency coupled with innovation is how leaders become great.” He also advises that company owners align their entire team on their “yes” – that is, a single vision which encompasses the one thing every team member will always say “yes” to.

Refusing to say “no” to things makes it impossible to simplify your purpose, cut out the noise and move forward. What are some of the things you will begin to say “no” to? Can you identify three things you’ll always say yes to? Let us know in the comments below.

Power is an interesting concept. Few other nouns evoke such a visceral response quite like the five letter word. Today’s Paper Napkin Wisdom guest has a unique take on power and has used this philosophy to guide his organization, Accountability Lab. “The best thing you can do with power is give it away,” says Blair Glencorse.

While many people seek to “change the world” by gaining power through political or economic means, Blair notes that the people who actually inspire change are those who give their power away. “I believe we are all powerful in our own way,” he muses. His organization works with young people across the world in an effort to make governments more accountable. “We help people generate accountability from the bottom up, through guiding them into realizing and channeling that power,” he says. He believes this system will help change governments.

Citing his film school in Liberia, Blair explains how marginalized people often have more power than they realize, “We often look at [them] from a Western perspective, which is not always the most accurate.” Through his work with the film school, students not only find their voices – they discover creative outlets for it.

This output inspires change through the creation of educational videos, such as a recent PSA which highlights the country’s sexual harassment problem. “Giving them the power to articulate their voices helps spark discussions on how to improve policies on both a micro and macro level,” he says. The group has even started Integrity Idol, a series where regular citizens nominate honest government officials. After the nominations all trickle in, people are able to vote for their favorite, authentic official.

While some people often pair accountability with consequences, Blair looks to celebrate integrity, posing that it’s “not necessarily a consequence for things going wrong, it’s a celebration for things going right.” In terms of corporate application, he also believes that leaders should seek to create “integrity idols” within their own organizations – “Companies must champion these values. It can shift the culture of an organization.”

He stresses that it’s important to discover what your team members are interested in and find ways to incorporate accountability in an authentic day. In Liberia, he regularly works with rappers in order to promote positive messages, but in their own voice. “You have to help them recognize the power they already have.”

What are some ways you can incorporate accountability into your company culture? Sound off on our Twitter @WiseNapkin

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in one of the largest entrepreneur events in the world recently. While there, I met with and heard hundreds of entrepreneurs pitching their world-changing ideas. Some truly could change the world.

The problem with many of them though seemed to be that they were pitching to the wrong group. What they needed to do is get out there and get some customers! Incubators, however, seem more interested in grooming entrepreneurs to pitch to VCs, Private Equity, Angel Investors, and other Incubators. 

Best-selling author, world renowned customer service expert, founder of the DiJulius Group, business success – John DiJulius III has tapped into something special. On this podcast, John discusses applying his methodology beyond business, and why his life purpose is to “live an extraordinary life, so that others will.”

Stating your purpose isn’t enough. You have to deliver what you say and what you declare happen. “We all have seeds of potential,” John asserts, “and the seeds of potential that we don’t grow to their fullest potential...cheats all the people that are dependent on us.” Many people just say that they want to live an extraordinary life, but they don’t do the things that can get them there.

John reveals why he tells his employees, “I don’t want your best…,” while sharing inspirational tips and perspectives. “When each of us chose to be...a leader, we gave up the right to make excuses.” Their best is not needed. The only thing that is needed from an individual is to make a difference.

For John, his personal purpose statement is there “to remind me of my obligation,” in both his professional and personal life. Whether dealing with business colleagues or family and loved ones, it’s always important to remember those who work behind the scenes to help with a leader’s success, and to never run over them.

It’s a tale as old as time -  a regular human discovers their calling and springs to action. Our hero/heroin usually meets up with a mentor or a group of allies and they face a villain as a collaborative force. Joey Womack, CEO of Atlanta based Amplify 4 Good, thinks that entrepreneurs often follow a similar path. His organization uses a combination of out-of-the-box thinking, rapid problem-solving, and obsessive data tracking to help companies create impact. In today’s podcast, he talks about why “being a force for good” has become his guiding principle in his journey.

Joey initially adopted this mantra when he decided to go against the grain and opt out of accounting,  the family trade. While searching for motivation to follow his entrepreneurial journey despite the naysayers, this quotes got him through dark times. He explains, “As change-makers and entrepreneurs, we are heroes. We have a responsibility to look out and have a bias to action.” A fellow Star Wars fan, he compared entrepreneurs to Jedis. “We bring balance to the force. It’s up to us to figure out deficits and make a contribution to the solutions,” he says. As with heroes, many entrepreneurs spring into action after meeting their Mr. Miyagis or Gandalfs - mentors that ultimately drive them to their destiny. “We hear this call on the inside which tells us we have to default to action,” Joey remarks.

During this action phase, he has also found that accepting failure during this process is a key to success. “I tell people in our innovation labs that they need to accept that failure is likely. Just like in some of our favorite movies, the main character loses the first battle with the villain. But they take time to regroup and learn,” he says. Joey believes that removing the fear of failure takes the pressure off and allows entrepreneurs to be creative and innovative. He also is intentional about surrounding himself with people who share the same bias for action. “Surround yourself with momentum. We need to rebel against our own limits,” he says.

Due to the pressures and inertia of life, most big hairy audacious goals can seem elusive due to their enormous simplicity. “I want to help one billion people by January 2039,” Joey says. “It’s a big goal, but I believe the universe will bend to your needs once you manifest it.”

How are you using your talents to be a force for good? Tweet us @WiseNapkin or comment on our Facebook Page with your answers.

Ever wonder how there are some small teams that just get it done time and time again? They are tight and nothing comes through the cracks in their communication, organization, service, or delivery? How do they do it?

I call this the X Org Chart – or the Exponential Org Chart. It’s the way that teams (small and large) can create more dynamic and important communication, collaboration and accountability.

It starts with the leader creating a strong sense of focus, aligning the team with it in a structure that promotes communication and collaboration, and finally momentum. You need to create action for The X Org Chart to come to life.

Organizations that operate here, in this form, beat large competitors who are 10 or even 100 times their size because they have each-other’s backs.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

It’s vitally important for leaders to feel like that they can trust their teams. Trust them to complete their tasks, to be strong for the team, complete tasks well, execute on the priorities we have set individually and collectively.

If we do this well, we are delegating tasks to them and they are getting them done. If that is going REALLY well – the team has a sense of ownership and they feel empowered.

There’s another level to this though that is even more important, and that is Trust 2.0.  This sort of trust involves our team feeling like we won’t change how we feel about them, even if they get it wrong. In fact, we should wonder the opposite.

We should be highly suspicious of the people on our teams that effortlessly get all their stuff done without any questions, or issues. In growing organizations we are always doing things for the first time – new things, that’s the hallmark of growth.

So if we’re doing new things and not facing any, we’re either lying or hiding, or not trying hard enough. Leaders need Trust 2.0 to cut through this and truly support the progress of our teams to places we’ve never been before.

If you want a structure to help you do this, I want to give it to you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

Had a fun, wine-filled conversation this week with someone about unlikely sources of cinematic inspiration. I've almost always gone back to this handful of movies when I feel like my belief in myself is shaken and I need a source of inspiration. 

What movies do you watch for inspiration? My top few are in the podcast ... but there are so many more (including my holiday favorite) It's a Wonderful Life, and Scrooged, that could have made the cut.

Make it a great week!

Two years ago Rob Simons challenged me to by flipping around the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast and turning me into the subject and he’d play the interviewer. To launch season 4, he came back to turn the tables once more by interviewing me in today’s podcast. I’ve been thinking a lot since the release of my book, “Your Five Step Plan For Life and Business Success”. As business owners and entrepreneurs, many times we worry about reaching our highest potential, often because we don’t think we are good enough. Thus, my paper napkin for today reads “Make it bad, then make it better. But make it.”

This initially came to me when I created the first draft of my most recent book. I produced it before a keynote I did, and it was just my thoughts on paper. My friend and organizer of the event gave me one requirement in order to speak: they wanted me to give away 100 copies of my book. Having that first draft provided me with the opportunity to improve upon the product.

Let’s go back even further.

In 2009, my personal and professional life was eroding and I was looking for a magic wand to wave over everything. While I didn’t find the wand, I did find something better. And in 2013, I launched Paper Napkin Wisdom. At the beginning, I had no clue what I was doing. It took me almost a year to get the first paper napkin and I recorded everything with $19 equipment. However, while it wasn’t perfect, the conversations we had were still riveting. After doing a few hundred podcasts, of course it improved. Once the process got going, I did 70 podcasts in three months and collected nearly 100 paper napkins. Throughout this process of creating the podcast, I discovered ways to make it better. For starters, being genuine curiosity ended up being the key to great podcasts interviews. Over-preparing took away a part of the authenticity of the podcast. But I had to do it first in order to improve upon it.

“So, Govindh,” you may ask, “how do you go from having a goal to doing it and making it better?” The answer for that lies within the first napkin I ever had on the show, which read, “If you want to learn and grow, you have to do what scares you and do it in public.”

I’ve interviewed hundreds of people over the years and came upon a revelation: many people who achieve great success only do it once or twice in their lives. Because of this, they often unintentionally overlook the process that enabled them to achieve these successes. In Your Five Step Plan, I highlight the commonalities I’ve discovered after talking to the most brilliant minds over the last few years.

1. Multitasking is for computers, not for leaders. In fact, you get an 8x better ROI when you focus on one task at a time.
2. There’s no such thing as priorities. There’s typically only one thing that you can focus on at a time. Deal with that and the rest will fall into place.
3. Your worldview affects your business decisions. To the aforementioned point, when deciding what those priorities are, keep in mind that how you view the world affects how you prioritize.
4. Distilled wisdom is key. If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
5. Be accountable. A study showed that people who wrote down their goals are 36.7% more likely to achieve them. However, those who wrote down their goals and provided progress reports to peers were 76.7% more likely to achieve their goals.

I often see time and deadlines becoming barricades to entrepreneurs starting on a specific goal. While timelines are important, they shouldn’t be used to be hard on yourself. As a career coach, Rob encourages entrepreneurs to learn from their process, even if deadlines need to be adjusted.

One of the big challenges I had in the past was not having a subsequent goal after achieving a big milestone. However, in 2016, my biggest goal is to  get this book into your hands in an effort to “save an entrepreneur, and save the world”. I want to inspire each and every one of you to take your ideas and your business further, faster.

Are you ready to embark on this journey?

Listen to the whole conversation:

In episode 192 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we dive deep into the nuances of creativity, self-doubt, and the entrepreneurial spirit with Amy Bernstein, an accomplished author, book coach, and creative powerhouse. Amy has dedicated her life to the written word and to helping others unlock their potential as writers and thinkers. Through her work, she illuminates the often-hidden journey that creatives and leaders must navigate, particularly in facing self-doubt and taking ownership of their own risks.

The Role of Self-Doubt in Creativity and Leadership

Amy’s perspective on self-doubt is refreshing and counterintuitive. Rather than viewing self-doubt as an obstacle to conquer, she advocates for managing it as a companion in our creative journey. “You cannot conquer self-doubt,” she shares. “But you can learn to manage it.” This philosophy, rooted in her own life experiences, has empowered her to take bigger creative risks and has also allowed her to guide others on similar paths.

For Amy, the presence of doubt doesn’t diminish creativity; instead, it fuels it. She believes that self-doubt is intricately linked to creativity, especially when it comes to taking bold steps or attempting something new. "Anyone who is any kind of a maker or a creator ... is embarking on a lot of risk-taking," she notes. "And the risk-taking often escalates depending on where you are in that project." This risk-taking is where entrepreneurs and creatives share common ground. Both groups must navigate external pressures and internal resistance to bring their visions to life.

Amy’s insights provide entrepreneurs and leaders with a blueprint for how to make peace with self-doubt. In a culture that often prioritizes confidence and decisiveness, Amy suggests that self-doubt might actually be an asset if we know how to wield it. Entrepreneurs and creatives alike face societal expectations to succeed without hesitation, but Amy reminds us that doubt is an inherent part of the journey.

The Similarities Between Creatives and Entrepreneurs

One of the standout moments in the episode is Amy’s insight into the similarities between entrepreneurs and artists. “Whenever you are going to make something from nothing ... you are taking fresh creative risks,” she observes. While entrepreneurs may be focused on financial success and artists on the purity of their creations, both are driven by a need to create something meaningful. This shared experience of “making something from nothing” bridges the perceived gap between these two worlds.

Entrepreneurs often view themselves as separate from the “creative types,” yet Amy challenges this mindset. She believes that embracing the entrepreneurial spirit as a form of artistry can help leaders approach their challenges with a more open and creative mindset.

As she explains, “We live in cultures that are often throwing a lot of negative energy our way. People are looking for others to fail.” Understanding that this energy exists in both art and business can equip leaders with resilience and perseverance.

Owning Your Risks to Drive Success

Amy discusses the importance of “owning your own risks.” She shares how stepping out of traditional organizational roles forced her to take full responsibility for the risks she was willing to pursue. “The risks are there regardless. Are we going to own them or not?” she asks, emphasizing the empowering nature of this choice. Amy’s advice is clear: true leadership and creativity require not just accepting but embracing the risks involved.

Owning risk can be daunting, especially in the face of self-doubt, but it is essential for growth. By taking ownership, we stop waiting for permission or validation from others and start charting our own paths. For Amy, this shift came when she left a traditional career and stepped fully into her creative life, where she could shape her journey on her terms.

Entrepreneurs and leaders can take a page from her book by viewing risk ownership as a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

Failing Bigger: The Road to Greater Growth

Another powerful takeaway from Amy’s story is her concept of “failing bigger.” Rather than shying away from failure, Amy sees it as a necessary step in pushing one’s creative and professional boundaries. She explains that part of her process involves finding the “next thing you’re scared of” and intentionally working toward it. This idea of pushing limits and accepting failure as part of the journey resonates deeply with anyone who has had to reinvent themselves or tackle a new challenge.

For leaders and entrepreneurs, failing bigger means setting more ambitious goals and stepping outside of their comfort zones. It’s about reframing failure as a learning experience rather than an endpoint. By adopting Amy’s mindset, they can view failure not as a setback but as evidence that they’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The Value of Community in Creative and Entrepreneurial Pursuits

Lastly, Amy emphasizes the importance of a supportive community. “Writing and creating can be a very, very lonely endeavor,” she admits. Being part of communities that offer respect and encouragement has been instrumental in her journey, and she advises others to seek out similar support. The process of entrepreneurship, like the creative process, is demanding, and having a network that understands these unique challenges can provide a sense of belonging and motivation.

For entrepreneurs, this might mean connecting with fellow business leaders or joining a mastermind group. For creatives, it could mean participating in writing or art communities.

The key is finding people who resonate with your vision and can help lift you up during challenging times.

Five Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Self-Doubt
   Self-doubt is a natural part of the creative and entrepreneurial journey. Instead of fighting it, learn to manage it.
   • Take Action: Reflect on an area where self-doubt is holding you back. Write down how you can use that doubt as motivation instead of a barrier.

2. Recognize the Creativity in Entrepreneurship
   Entrepreneurs and creatives share the same goal: bringing ideas to life against the odds.
   • Take Action: Approach a current business problem with a creative mindset. Brainstorm three unconventional solutions, even if they seem risky or unlikely.
3. Take Ownership of Your Risks
   The risks in your journey are unavoidable. Choosing to own them gives you control over your path.
   • Take Action: Identify one major risk in your current project or business. Outline a plan to face it head-on instead of deferring it or waiting for external validation.

4. Challenge Yourself to Fail Bigger
   Push beyond your comfort zone, and embrace the potential for bigger, more meaningful failures as stepping stones for growth.
   • Take Action: Set a bold goal this week that challenges you to fail bigger. Document what you learn from the process, regardless of the outcome.

5. Build and Lean on a Supportive Community
   No journey is successful alone. Find or create a community that will lift you up during challenging times.
   • Take Action: Join a new group, networking event, or online community relevant to your field. Share your goals and connect with others for mutual support.

Connect with Amy Bernstein

To learn more about Amy Bernstein and her work, visit her profiles and explore her books and projects:

• Website
• Books by Amy Bernstein
• LinkedIn

Embrace Amy’s wisdom and make self-doubt your ally in the journey toward your next big idea. Keep challenging yourself, and remember to lean into the process—because the best growth happens just beyond our comfort zones.

Take Action Premiere!

I talk about how my 9 year old son and I use our morning routines to help build a plan for the day.

Are you building a plan for your day? How do you do it?

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ... get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week we continued to roll out a new product in one of my companies and the feedback has been great! In fact most of the time people are surprised we haven’t been around for years. But there’s no secret to how we did this – we practiced and practiced and practiced our pitch, story, and value proposition before taking it to the world.

Listen in and I share how you can do the same in your business.

Embrace Your Reality with Molly Booker

Introduction

Welcome to another enriching episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Molly Booker, a transformational author and coach whose insights on self-discovery and personal growth have inspired many. Molly is known for her powerful memoirs and her ability to guide individuals through their journeys of self-awareness and resilience. In this episode, Molly shares her wisdom on a range of topics, focusing on the profound impact of embracing one’s own reality.

The Essence of Self-Discovery

In our conversation, Molly delves deep into the concept of self-discovery. She begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding that “what others say about you is their reality, not yours.” This powerful statement sets the tone for the discussion, highlighting the significance of owning one’s narrative and not being swayed by external perceptions.

Navigating Through Emotional Landscapes

Molly discusses the various emotional landscapes we navigate through in life. She mentions, “I've received a lot of wisdom in my life and given a lot. And so if I was just going to, you know, jot one down on a paper napkin, and I think the reason I chose that was really…”. This reflection underscores the importance of emotional intelligence and the ability to learn from both giving and receiving wisdom. Molly’s approach to emotions is not about avoidance but rather about embracing and learning from them.

Empowerment Through Authenticity

A significant portion of our conversation centers around authenticity. Molly shares her journey of becoming comfortable with her true self and the liberation that comes with it. She says, “if I get introduced as not the typical I'm like, yes, I've already nailed it.” This statement reflects her confidence in her unique path and encourages others to embrace their individuality without fear.

The Power of Personal Narratives

Molly's emphasis on personal narratives is a recurring theme. She talks about the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our reality. By taking control of these narratives, we can redefine our experiences and perceptions. She advises, “Your paper napkin was what others say about you is their reality, not yours. Why did you share that with me?”. This question challenges us to reflect on the external influences in our lives and encourages us to reclaim our narratives.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

One of the most inspiring parts of the conversation is Molly’s perspective on resilience. She believes that true strength comes from within and that adversity can be a powerful catalyst for growth. She shares personal anecdotes that illustrate her journey through challenging times and how she emerged stronger and more self-aware. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome obstacles.

5 Key Takeaways from the Conversation with Molly Booker

1. Own Your Narrative: Embrace your story and understand that what others say about you is their reality, not yours. This empowers you to live authentically without being influenced by external opinions.

2. Embrace Emotions: Learn from the emotional landscapes you navigate. Both giving and receiving wisdom can offer profound insights into your personal growth.

3. Authenticity is Empowering: Being true to yourself is liberating. Celebrate your uniqueness and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

4. Control Your Personal Narrative: The stories you tell yourself shape your reality. Reclaim your narrative and redefine your experiences to foster a positive self-image.

5. Resilience Builds Strength: Adversity can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Embrace challenges as opportunities to develop resilience and emerge stronger.

In conclusion, our conversation with Molly Booker is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-discovery, authenticity, and resilience. Her insights inspire us to embrace our realities, control our narratives, and navigate through life's emotional landscapes with courage and wisdom. Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into these transformative ideas and start your journey towards a more empowered and authentic self.

It’s so important to build transparency in the life of the entrepreneur, leader, and difference maker.

Too often we don’t hold space for our most important relationships, the ones with our spouses, life partner, and families. We need to save space for them, and us, to share our dreams, our challenges, our hopes.

Structure time in the evening to debrief on the day, and more importantly to brief on the day before you start. This is not an opportunity to vent, this is an opportunity to share a vision for the day.

At the end of the day, it gives you an opportunity to share what you’ve learned, what you won, and what you’re grateful for. Think of it as a night time huddle with your most important partner – the one you wake with and end with each night.

Give each-other a safe and soft place to land after another busy day and support each other to remember and restate your family, personal, and even business dreams.

There is nothing more intimate than those moments of peace before and after falling asleep. If you happen to be on the road, or away from loved ones, then turn to a journal …

If you have made your bedroom a no cell phone zone, then this becomes even easier.

Have more pillow talk and give your self a soft place to land each day, and a great place to start in the morning.

This transparency will have you end and start each day with support at a level that will help you create momentum and take action on your dreams and goals.

Let`s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Subscribe to both our podcasts Paper Napkin Wisdom and to Take Action by Paper Napkin Wisdom now.

Each week I’€™ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

As I was speaking to a group of entrepreneurs about execution this week, we discussed the value of changing our Perspective as leaders to not think that we were out front, but rather out back of our teams supporting them as they charged forward.

The discussion evolved toward understanding the value of how elephants lead. While elephants have obvious size and strength, that’s not how they lead. The alpha female is the leader of the herd and she leads from the back of the group using skills like Problem Solving, Social Intelligence, Openness, Decisiveness, Patience, Confidence, and Compassion to guide the group.

Make it a great week!!

In Episode 180 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Raeanne Lacatena—a holistic business coach, mental health professional, Reiki master, and mother of three. Raeanne brings a fresh, integrative perspective to life and business, seamlessly weaving together her multifaceted roles. Our conversation delved deep into growth, transformation, and the natural cycles that influence every aspect of our lives.

Raeanne's paper napkin wisdom struck a profound chord: "Business can be a series of deaths and rebirths, destruction for creation." This powerful metaphor beautifully captures the cyclical nature of both business and life. It's a reminder that success isn't a straight, upward trajectory but a dynamic process of evolution, transformation, and renewal. For entrepreneurs and leaders who often feel the pressure of constant growth, this perspective can be both liberating and enlightening.

Embracing Destruction for Creation

We discussed how business and life mirror natural processes—like the rising and setting of the sun. There are moments when things flourish, and periods when aspects of our lives or businesses seem to wither or end. Rather than resisting these phases, Raeanne emphasizes embracing them as essential parts of a larger cycle that paves the way for creation. The "death" of an idea, product, or life phase doesn't have to be negative; it can serve as the fertile ground for rebirth and innovation.

Raeanne shared how this philosophy is deeply ingrained in her coaching practice. With her background in mental health and Reiki, she's acutely aware of the connection between personal well-being and professional success. She guides her clients through these cycles, encouraging them to see potential in setbacks. These patterns show up in various ways—be it the rise and fall of a business or personal challenges we all face.

A Holistic Approach to Growth

Drawing from her experiences as a professional and a mother of three, Raeanne has witnessed these cycles unfold repeatedly. She highlights the importance of recognizing that life and business aren't isolated from each other—they're interconnected. The rhythms we experience in one area often influence the other. This holistic approach means acknowledging that personal challenges—relationships, health, family—can profoundly impact how we show up professionally.

During our conversation, Raeanne delved into how embracing the process of destruction can be liberating. While it's natural to fear the end of something—a relationship, a project, a venture—holding onto what no longer serves us can stifle growth. Letting go of old ideas or roles allows us to move forward with greater clarity and purpose. It's about making space for something new and trusting that the discomfort of destruction is temporary, leading to exciting possibilities.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Raeanne encourages leaders and entrepreneurs to step back and view their businesses through a wider lens. Too often, we get caught up in day-to-day operations and lose sight of the bigger picture. By adopting a holistic mindset, we can see the ebbs and flows of our business as part of a natural cycle, rather than something to fear or avoid. This perspective not only brings peace of mind but also helps us make better, more informed decisions aligned with long-term success.

Transforming Fear into Growth

Her insights remind us that the cyclical nature of business and life can be our greatest teacher. By embracing both the destruction and creation phases, we allow ourselves to grow and evolve continuously. Raeanne's wisdom challenges us to let go of the fear associated with failure or endings and instead view them as stepping stones to greater achievements.

5 Key Takeaways and Action Ideas from Episode 180

1. Embrace the Cycle of Destruction and Creation

Business and life are not linear processes of constant growth. Instead, they follow cycles where destruction leads to creation. As Raeanne says, "The rise and fall of the sun shows us this cyclical nature." Understanding and accepting this allows us to navigate challenges more effectively.

Take Action: Identify one area in your business where holding on is hindering growth. This week, take a deliberate step to phase out or transform that aspect, making room for new opportunities.

2. Adopt a Holistic Business Approach

Raeanne bridges the gap between personal and professional development, emphasizing their interconnectedness. Viewing our struggles through a lens that includes mental health and self-awareness enriches our approach to business.

Take Action: Integrate a holistic practice into your routine. Whether it's mindfulness meditation, a wellness workshop, or a team-building retreat, invest in activities that nurture both personal well-being and professional growth.

3. Let Go to Move Forward

Holding onto what no longer serves us can block new growth. Letting go, though challenging, is essential for making space for something better. It's in these moments of "death" that we open the door to rebirth.

Take Action: Conduct a "letting go" audit. List outdated strategies, unproductive habits, or limiting beliefs. Commit to releasing at least one item on that list this month.

4. Prioritize Self-Care as a Foundation for Success

With her background in Reiki and mental health, Raeanne highlights the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs and leaders. Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being equips us with the energy and resilience to face business ups and downs.

Take Action: Establish a daily self-care ritual. Allocate time each day—even just 15 minutes—for activities that rejuvenate you, such as exercise, reading, or simply unplugging from technology.

5. Harness the Power of Reflection

Raeanne advises leaders to reflect on past failures and challenges, viewing them as integral parts of the creation process. Reflection helps us learn from experiences and apply those lessons to future opportunities.

Take Action: Set aside time for regular reflection. Schedule weekly or monthly reviews to assess what worked, what didn't, and how you can apply these insights moving forward.

What cycles of destruction and creation have you experienced in your life or business? I invite you to jot down your thoughts on a napkin and share them with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let's inspire each other through shared reflections and insights!

This conversation with Raeanne Lacatena was a powerful reminder of the natural cycles that govern our lives and businesses. By embracing these cycles, we can navigate our journeys with greater clarity and purpose.

For more thought-provoking discussions like this, be sure to listen to the full episode and subscribe to Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Get more from Raeanne Lacatena here:

Here's the link to download her free ebook:  https://www.raeannelacatena.com/ebook

And here's the waitlist for the new book, too:  https://www.raeannelacatena.com/integrated

Just in time for Christmas, there’s cold weather in the upcoming forecast here in Ottawa. So it’s fitting that today’s podcast discusses ways to raise the temperature on company culture. If you’re a long-time Paper Napkin Wisdom fan, you’re familiar with Motivational Speaker and Leadership Consultant Jason Barger. In today’s chat, we focused on how companies can collaboratively create and maintain a positive culture, or in Jason’s words, “Be a thermostat; proactively set your temperature.” Jason details this sentiment in his new book Thermostat Culture. The book centers on the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat – while thermometers just report the temperature, the thermostat controls and regulates the environment. “Culture is dynamic,” Jason says, “The most successful cultures are proactively managed.”

For the past decade, organizations and pundits have become obsessed with company culture. But Jason points out that a great culture consists of more than foosball tables, catered lunches and casual attire. “We throw around the term ‘culture’ so loosely. Part of setting a thermostat culture revolves around constant measuring and re-aligning,” Jason remarks.

So, how can companies effectively measure this culture? Jason proposes a method he’s dubbed “The 6A Process”. First, leaders must assess the current temperature. Jason recalls an instance where he and his hiking companions lost their way in the Adirondacks.

“We weren’t clear where we were on the map,” he recalls, “Until you travel to Point Z, you have to know where point A is.” He suggests having “conversations about the currency for change”, in which organizations really take an honest look at their current culture and assess the need for change. The second ‘A’, aligning, refers to bringing the organization together to determine whether or not everyone is aligned on the assessment and the need for improvement. “Basically, everyone needs to collectively agree on whether or not they’re buying into it,” Jason says.

Once aligned, organizations need to begin to determine where they want to be. “A wise man once said ‘He who aims for nothing, hits it every time’,” Jason says. He suggests giving people space during this period and allowing them to buy in to the ultimate company culture vision. The fourth ‘A’ stresses the importance of clearly articulating the culture. Developing, revising or referring to a brand platform that outlines mission and vision statements, core values and key messages is especially helpful during this time.

The final two ‘A’s – action and anchor – go hand in hand. Organizations must decide what they need to do to ensure their culture permeates through all aspects of their business and develop systems to make it stick. “After these steps are complete, I remind people to revisit them every so often – especially during times where it seems like the culture is going off-kilter,” Jason advises.

Developing and maintaining a strong company culture is undoubtedly one of the tenets of a great organization. However, Jason warns organizations to not get too comfortable. “The phrase ‘We have a good culture’ should end with a comma, not a period. Whenever it ends with a period, I’ve found that the culture is in peril. There should always be conversations surrounding ways to keep the culture alive. You have to make that investment.”

What are some of the ways you keep your organizations’ culture afloat? Share it with us via Twitter at www.twitter.com/wisenapkin or Facebook www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom 

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week we continued to roll out a new product in one of my companies and the feedback has been great! In fact most of the time people are surprised we haven't been around for years. But there's no secret to how we did this - we practiced and practiced and practiced our pitch, story, and value proposition before taking it to the world.

Listen in and I share how you can do the same in your business.

Life and leadership is a contact sport.

You need to make contact with people every day as a leader and in life. There’s no avoiding it.

So how do you build protection for the energy vampires that surround us? They are every where now. More and more.

In the sea of all of that – remember that you need to bring protection with you. But where do you get it? How does that start?

It’s starts when you wake up in the morning. Remember your bedroom is a no-cellphone zone. No electronics and blinky shiny lights to move you to the danger zone.

Start by thinking great thoughts – better yet, write them down. But start somewhere … and thinking about the great day that could be is a good step in the right direction.

Then, think about your intention for the day. Who do you want to … need to … show up as today? What can you give to the people around you via energy and intent? Set that mindset up with visualization, repetition.

Think, write, and FEEL gratitude in the morning – let yourself feel the momentum that will create.

Use the Paper Napkin Wisdom Simple Planner (get it at www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com) … it’s free. Or write on a blank page – your goals, and one thing that you can do to move closer to your goals today. Start now.

Take Action …

Focus on the one thing that you need to do today, right now, that you can do to move yourself forward. Do you know what that is? Focus on it now.

Go do it. Make it happen.

Let's work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Subscribe to both our podcasts Paper Napkin Wisdom and to Take Action by Paper Napkin Wisdom now.

Over the past decade or so, the phrase “company culture” has become embedded in our vocabularies and used as an HR tool to attract the best and the brightest. It’s indisputable that today’s employees want to love the companies they work for.  But let’s go beyond the buzzwords and get to the heart of what company culture really means and why it’s important. Tristan White, described by Smart Company as “one of Australia's next generation of business leaders” and founder of The Physio Co., breaks down four key building blocks. 

“Company culture is not just about the good times and the parties. A strong culture helps you and your team get through tough times in business,” says Tristan. And he would know: The Physio Co, a patient care facility that focuses on elderly care, has been listed as one of “Australia’s Best Places to Work” for the past seven of the twelve years they’ve been in business.

His emphasis on company culture dates back to the start of his business. After five years of successfully running his company, he realized that he didn’t particularly enjoy going into the office anymore. “I had twenty team members, business had grown but there was no culture or vision for the company.”

In 2009, he and his wife took a trip to North America. There, they researched similar businesses and decided to take a values based approach to running their company back home. “Culture is built with vision, purpose, repetition and love. It’s a really big word that has so many layers, but at the end of the day, culture boils down to alignment,” he says.

Keeping employees aware and engaged with the BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) and shorter term goals is a great way to maintain this alignment. Tristan has found success in connecting employee’s day to day responsibilities with the overarching company goals. “When we achieve our goals, we celebrate! However, when these goals aren’t achieved – which is sometimes the case – authenticity and honesty is important. Ask your team for help. Tell them what worked and what hasn’t worked,” remarks Tristan.

While some may think they’re similar, Tristan breaks down the dichotomy between vision and purpose: “Vision is where you’re headed; purpose is why you exist. When you seek to define your purpose, I like to refer people to Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, Start with Why.” When your purpose is made clear, hiring people who share the same values becomes a breeze. The third tenet of a solid culture, repetition, can sound a bit boring, which is why Tristan refers to it as “relentless execution”. While it can bring back memories of a boring summer job as a teenager, age old concepts like having a daily huddle or tracking certain metrics periodically can have a profound impact on culture.

“Use repetition to tie actions back to the purpose,” says Tristan. In addition to the mundane tasks, he also subscribes to a “rhythm of celebrations.” Employees are celebrated once they come onboard as well as when they leave. Consistently implementing these initiatives allows for the company culture to infiltrate every aspect of the business.

The final building block of a solid company culture is love. Showing employees that you care about them for more than their output can make a difference. “Lead with care, lead with love and you’ll get long term loyalty in return,” says Tristan. Using these four metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your company culture will pay dividends in the short and long term. What are some tactics you use to keep your employees engaged? Tweet them to us after listening to the podcast.

Everyone is talking about the greatest PREDICTOR of success is how much “grit” or resilience someone has. How willing are they to slog through the rough stuff before reaching for the prize. Some call this delayed gratification, though I don’t think they are the same thing.

The secret source of resilience is within you … it lies with passion, love, and faith. Feeling passionately for what you’re doing, caring deeply about the work and the people you serve with and for, and faith in the vision are all lessons of the heart. Some call this the “soft stuff” … I call this the tough stuff.

Connect to that inner passion and you’ll find limitless resources not just for you but for everyone around you.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Shep Hyken is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, a grass roots entrepreneur, and a speaker. He’s a busy guy but he’s focused in a way that makes him effective and efficient.

He’s already been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Speakers Association, an incredible feat considering he’s still amazing crowds around the world on the subject of consistently delivering Amazing Customer Service.

In his Paper Napkin Wisdom, Shep shares with us a simple yet profound message. He says: “On successful people (and those that aren’t). Those that do, do. Those that don’t won’t!”

Don’t Hold Back

The first time Shep heard the above phrase, the last word was “don’t” rather than “won’t” but there’s a big difference between the two words and Shep believes his spin on it to be more accurate. “Won’t” conveys that we’re stopping ourselves, which is precisely what Shep thinks happens. He believes that some people hold back because they don’t see the bigger picture or don’t look for the positive strategic byproducts that happen as a result of doing new, different things and trying all kinds of different angels. In some cases, he says, there’s something subconscious that keeps people from doing things or it’s simply that they don’t like to try a little bit harder or work a little bit harder. It’s unfortunate, because a little bit of extra effort can make all the difference.

“Someone once told me it doesn’t take much more to go first class,” says Shep. Putting in that little bit of extra effort or that little bit of extra work can make all the difference in an experience and he says it’s what makes an experience memorable. It’s an element that Shep applies to every business relationship he has, but he’s careful not to over commit. He’s learned that in order to be successful and grow you have to say ‘no’ and delegate tasks. Delegating tasks allows Shep to do what he calls staying in his lane: he knows what he’s really good at and he stays focused on doing that. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t expand his efforts or that he doesn’t keep an eye out for new opportunities, but it does means that he evaluates potential ventures in terms of how congruent they are with what he does in addition to assessing how much time and money it will cost him.

Identify What Works

Shep says that part of success is identifying the things that you’ve done in the past that worked for you and trying to repeat them. He advises taking a look at what you’ve done from the beginning of your business to what you’ve done now and find the milestone moments, the moments that really made a positive impact in your business. Are there things that have worked for you in the past that you don’t do anymore? Shep says that our attention too often gets siphoned off into the some activity that gets in the way of us doing what’s always worked best. If we take the time to repeat things that have worked for us in the past instead of constantly innovating, we not only save ourselves time, we give ourselves the opportunity to see what strategic byproducts might be right in front of us.

“Things are going to happen that you’re going go ‘ooh, that’s a great idea.”

A strategic byproduct is an opportunity that arises as a result of some sort of current situation.”Along the way things are going to happen that you’re going to go ‘ooh, that’s a great idea.'” says Shep. He shares the example of how, when his speaking business was lagging due to the fear surrounding air travel in the wake of 9/11, a client mentioned how he wished Shep had content he could bring to the company. Considering what his client had said, Shep reworked his content into a training format and did just that. Recently, he’s even noticed that his income from training has begun to surpass that of his speaking engagements.

Shep has a really simple approach to getting stuff done, he just does it. By delegating the things that would otherwise distract him from staying in his lane, and putting in that little bit of extra effort, Shep is able to keep a sharp eye out for opportunity and move his business in the right direction. It’s a method that’s lead him to great success, where might it lead you?

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

Following up on the bad news of a few weeks ago, things didn't get better. I got some very tough breaks that blindsided me in business and life. It's been a challenge to see the silver lining on the clouds of the last couple weeks.

What made it easier has been my Forum, my Mastermind group - my group of peers. There's strength in finding people to help you unpack the challenges of life. I share how it's helped me find my way in the last couple weeks.

Abby Robinson is Atlas Corps’ Chief Development and Engagement Officer. Atlas Corps’ mission is to “address critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals.”

She leads behind the scenes and works one step behind the entrepreneur, but is always in step.  Although “make it big” might be a phrase we normally think of as applying to the entrepreneur or top executives, when Abby says it she means, “Wherever, whenever, whoever you are, you can do your best and have an impact. I think that’s a good saying to drive one through life.” Making it big includes helping others grow as well, to be inspirational and help young people achieve.

The key to being successful for Abby is by listening to the entrepreneur’s idea and creating her own system to get his visions and thoughts on paper efficiently. Seeing the bullet points and a timeline, she can create something achievable. Consistently, and that has built the CEO’s trust. For successful communications, once three emails have gone back and forth, she believes it is time for an in-person conversation. And if she sends emails to employees on weekends, she’s mindful that it will be treated as priority unless she says otherwise, so she’s clear in setting expectations.

When you act like everything’s a crisis and there’s no prioritization, it’s easy to lose staff engagement and the focus on making it big. “Everything always seems like it’s on fire,” Abby says, “But let’s be honest. We are an organization that provides fellowship opportunities, we’re not providing direct services, we’re not emergency services, so when things are on fire, that all needs to be in perspective…” Figuring out what matters most will keep up the energy and momentum to “make it big.” 

The title says it all: Think Big, Start Small. This is the philosophy behind many accomplishments and dreams that individuals and entrepreneurs bring to fruition.

Every big endeavor requires a step-by-step process of achievement. Innovative ideas are the big picture, each step turns that idea into reality is the small. Thinking big keeps eyes focused on the prize. Small achievements along the way are their own mini-prizes.

Andrew Davis shares his big dream story in today’s interview. From the time he was a child, Andrew wanted to work for the Jim Henson Company, with their famous characters, the Muppets. He began by doing magic tricks; he worked his way up to performing little puppet shows. Andrew dedicated three years to skills practice, and wrote thirty-six job query letters to the Jim Henson Company, letters he sent every month. He finally received notice. With no contacts and no formal idea how to achieve his dream, Andrew managed to land an interview. This is a real example of how to think big and start small!

As Andrew explains, success is achieved by breaking down goals. The big plan may seem impossible to others, but if each small step is clear and consistent, support increases. As Andrew notes, “Consistency is important to achieving big ideas.” That’s what he did. He stayed consistent and kept the rhythm.

Breville is another dream big, start small and achieve company. Breville sells kitchen appliances and juicers. Their dream was to sell more juicers. They did so by targeting overweight 40-year-old men via a 90-minute documentary film called, “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.” They partnered with food companies and movie theaters and sold so many juicers that Breville ran out of juicers to sell!

As Andrew says, “A rising tide lifts off ships.” It’s a clear depiction of how small steps can give rise to think BIG dreams and ambitions.

Who among us doesn’t want better results?

So often we look at the bottom line and continuously set better goals and watch for the outcomes that we want to see. Whether it’s improving the bottom line, better customer service, client retention or other outcome based metric – we want to improve them.

Rarely, however, do we look to the process that created the outcomes and structure time and energy toward reviewing the process and making improvements. If you build a system around improving the processes of your organization, you’re guaranteed to get better results over time.

Try it out for yourself. The faster you apply the process improvements, the faster you can go up the hockey stick of growth.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

In episode 183 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vernon Oakes, the host of Everything Cooperative, and a passionate advocate for the cooperative business model. With years of experience in real estate, business education, and cooperative development, Vernon’s mission is to empower communities and transform economies through the power of cooperatives.

The Beginning of a Cooperative Journey

Vernon’s journey into the world of cooperatives began with a simple yet profound observation: “Watching everyday people make powerful business decisions started my journey to love cooperatives.” This was the wisdom he shared on his paper napkin during our conversation. He realized that when people come together to pool resources, make decisions, and share profits, something truly transformative happens.

What is a Cooperative?

A cooperative, as Vernon explains, is a business model that is owned and operated by the people who use its services. Unlike traditional businesses where decisions are made by a few, in a cooperative, each member has an equal vote and say in the business’s operations. This model promotes economic democracy, fairness, and inclusivity, making it a powerful tool for community development and empowerment.

The Core Principles of Cooperatives

Vernon delved into the core principles that define a cooperative and why they are more relevant today than ever before:

Why Cooperatives Matter More Than Ever

According to Vernon, the cooperative model is a solution to many of the economic and social challenges we face today. As communities and businesses grapple with inequality, economic instability, and a lack of shared prosperity, cooperatives offer a model that fosters resilience, fairness, and collective success. By sharing resources, making decisions democratically, and focusing on long-term sustainability rather than short-term profits, cooperatives create a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

How to Get Started with a Cooperative

Vernon encourages anyone interested in starting or joining a cooperative to first educate themselves about the principles and values that guide these organizations. He also suggests reaching out to existing cooperatives for support and guidance. Whether you’re looking to start a food co-op, a worker-owned business, or a housing cooperative, the first step is to build a group of committed people who share a common vision and are willing to work together to bring it to life.

5 Key Takeaways from Vernon Oakes

Vernon’s journey and passion for cooperatives show us that business can be a force for good when people come together with a shared purpose. As we reflect on his insights, let’s consider how we can incorporate the cooperative principles into our own lives and businesses.

With recent public events on my mind, I’ve been paying a little more attention (and asking questions) of my female teammates, colleagues, and other entrepreneurs, leaders and difference makers and have been stunned to hear their stories of having to “work harder” to be heard than their male colleagues.

I’m not saying this is everyone’s story – in fact I’ve been mostly oblivious to the issue in the bubble that is my entrepreneurial world. I say it’s time to draw a line in the sand and for men to ensure they #ManUp and no longer let their male counterparts, colleagues, and teammates to treat women in any lesser way than their male colleagues.

I know that the events of the last week will lead to other women, in other walks of life, to come out and speak about what’s happened to them in the workplace.

Let’s make sure they’re heard.

And let’s end this …

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

255,207. Search “leadership” in Amazon and that’s the number of publications that will come up. With the plethora of ideas out there, is it possible to get to the heart of what leadership truly is? Val Jon Farris, CEO of Diamius Multinational Consulting Firm thinks so. With over two decades of experience conducting leadership development programs, he recalls that the more classes and seminars leaders go to, the more jaded they become.

“It diverts them from their innate knowledge of leadership. Doing a leader is not being a leader,” he says. Without an internal “leadership” compass, an abundance of misdirected actions can occur. Leadership is more than a checklist of best practices and lists. In this podcast, Val explains his thoughts behind this theory.

Having an innate understanding of what it means to be a leader is a major key to leadership success. “Leadership needs to be intentional and inherent,” he says, “The only person you can ever truly lead is yourself.” While he does not believe that everyone has a “leader” inside of them, he does believe that some people can take this approach to cultivate their inner trailblazer.

He stumbled upon this approach while working under the mentorship of inventor and world class engineer, Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller. Bucky believed in taking care of “Spaceship Earth” and all inhabitants of it. Val took this to heart and, over time, began to slowly shift his leadership style from “critic” to “education”. “I realized that things worked better when I put my pride aside and focused on making things work,” he recalls.

A second revelation occurred while he was ice climbing Mt. Shasta with some friends. After nearly falling to his death, he refused help from his fellow climbers. After taking a moment to step back, he realized that his ego was preventing him to getting the help he desperately needed at that moment. In fact, it was putting his entire team in needless danger.

“In that moment, I realized that I needed to move away from my ego – which was denying the help from my team, and move towards how I really felt—scared, shaken up and in need of assistance,” he says.

Listening to yourself and allowing your heart to influence your leadership decision is a crucial part of gaining your teams trust. Additionally, it provides space for others to flex their leadership skills. He calls this concept ‘holding space for someone’.

“I like to give my team space, while investing in them to be their very best. They’ll do so in their own way. They just need to know that you’re supporting them.”

What do you think about Val Farris’ theory? What’s driving the core of your leadership? Tweet us @WiseNapkin with your answers!

Is there a formula for success? This week’s Paper Napkin Wisdom guest, Geoff Smart - CEO of lead consulting firm ghSMART - proposes just that . Dr. Smart, the best selling author of Who: The A Method for Hiring and the newly released Power Score: Your Formula for Leadership Success, holds a PhD in Psychology and has spent the last twenty years collecting and synthesizing data from over 3000 leaders and their teams.

While most books on leadership suggest that most prominent trait of successful leaders is honesty, Dr. Smart discovered that this wasn’t necessarily a special trait, and that most people (successful or unsuccessful) rated themselves highly in this category.

The Power Score (P x W x R) takes a look at the empirical data surrounding common traits of leaders and proposes that if teams are good at prioritizing, hiring the right people and building the right relationships, they are twenty times more likely to be successful than if they don’t have these traits. The concept was birthed by his publisher, who suggested that Dr. Smart take a more holistic approach to his new book as opposed to just providing tips on hiring as he had for his previous work “Who”. “The formula is multiplicative,” Dr. Smart explains, and akin to an athlete performing in a triathlon -- he or she must be good at all three in order to be successful.

The “P” stands for prioritizing and refers to the need for leaders and their teams to be equally plugged into the top goals and objectives of the organization. According to Dr. Smart, only 24 percent of leaders in the sample were good at prioritizing, while 90 percent said they had too many priorities. Working collaboratively to establish goals and a step-by-step process to achieve them is crucial to the success of any team.

The next letter in the equation, “W”, stands for Who. This value represents the team members themselves and evaluates whether they are all-stars or average from the beginning of the hiring process. To dig a bit deeper, Dr. Smart suggests asking the following questions prior to hiring a new team member:

• What does performance mean? What will it take for this person to be an all-star in this role?
• How was this candidate sourced? Was it a referral from an internal party?
• Am I asking the right interview questions and avoiding any hypothetical statements or situations in the interview?
• Am I selling this person on how great of a fit it is, how much time they’ll have with family, how much freedom they’ll have, the amount of money they’ll make and how fun it is to work here?

Because the majority of managers worldwide only have around a 50% retention rate for the staff they hire, these questions are pertinent in order to ensure the new hire will bring value to their new team.

Finally, “R” stands for relationships. “Simply stated,” Dr. Smart explains, the right people need to be talking at the right time.

Check out the latest podcast and Dr. Smart’s new book to learn more about the formula for success!

We’re just a few days away from 2017! If you’re like most business owners, you’re looking for ways to evolve your marketing strategy next year. If so, this podcast is my New Year's gift to you. Former Paper Napkin Wisdom guest Joe Calloway recommended today’s guest, and I’m so glad he did. Jane Atkinson has over 25 years of experience securing top-tier speaking gigs for Fortune 500 C-Level executives.

In today’s podcast, we discuss her method that ensures success for her campaigns. Her three step process, “Ready, Aim, Fire”,which she outlines in her new book The Wealthy Speaker, provides the framework for her clients to succeed. “In the ‘Ready’ phase, we get crystal clear as to what we’re selling,” she says. Aim refers to gaining clarity around what the focus of the campaign will be, while ‘Fire’ is the execution of the campaign.

All great marketing plans have a formula and Jane’s “rule of threes” framework is no different. Prior to developing this outlook, she realized the need to develop a unique process. “I knew what I was talking about, but it wasn’t very organized,” she says. During the ready phase, she recommends entrepreneurs to gain clarity into what it is they’re selling. While this may be easy for some, she urges business owners to ensure that this clarity permeates all levels of the organization.

The aim phase is a bit more intense. “You have to pick a lane and narrow down where you’d like to be viewed as an expert,” she says. Developing a clear and concise promise statement is a large part of the aim phase. This statement “should explain what you do and who you do it for,” Jane recommends. She also puts a large emphasis on curating a target audience and understanding how the product or service will benefit them.

Following the aim phase, it’s time to “fire”. “Attempt to answer your buyers questions, then provide solutions,” she recommends.

 This should be a cyclical process in any business, Jane says. “If your message isn’t resonating, ask yourself - are reaching out to the right market? Circle back to ready and evaluate,” she advises. While many entrepreneurs may be itching for change, she also warns against making major overhauls. Instead, she recommends strategic tweaks and evaluating strategies prior to moving forward. “I had a client who was looking to get in front of the healthcare community. He didn’t think our strategies were working. But it turned out that it was just taking more time that he was accustomed to,” Jane recalls. And, if a major overhaul is needed, Jane recommends that brands “put out feelers to see who the message resonates with the most in order to create momentum.”

It's normal for people to occasionally get stuck in the chaotic “ready” phase, but Jane says that it’s often fear that’s driving the bus. “If you're afraid, gain clarity around what's making you uncomfortable and refer to points in your past to combat that fear,” she says. While perfection is ideal, it’s also not very realistic. “[Business owners] need to be okay with not being perfect,” she says.

What phase are you currently in with your brand? What are some ways you can explore to become “unstuck”? Comment below (www.Facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom) or send us a Tweet at www.twitter.com/wisenapkin with your response.

For more than two decades, Alex Charfen has been creating and testing business philosophies specifically geared towards entrepreneurs. Alex has been an entrepreneur himself during this period, and has developed the Entrepreneurial Personality Type to help business owners grow their business and themselves. He has contributed to numerous major media outlets and brings his core philosophy to Paper Napkin Wisdom: “There is nothing wrong with you.”

Alex’s contribution stems from an observation that whoever has stood out in history has always had a restlessness - something that people constantly told them was a weakness. Ranging from the original great thinkers of Athens to Einstein to Buffett, opposition to this type of innovative thinking has always originated from a resistance to change. In the business world, entrepreneurs represent this archetype because we are highly susceptible to negative criticism.

At every level of business - and especially when starting out - the message is “fix yourself.” In Alex’s experience, however, entrepreneurs must discover how to identify strengths and abilities, develop protection and support, and lower pressure and noise. You may be surprised at how rapidly these efforts help in accomplishing your goals. Alex even goes so far as to recommend leaning into your personality (as opposed to tempering it) and make it a more prominent part of your business.

From the work Alex has done with entrepreneurs, he has identified three awakenings that each of us experiences: 1) a realization that we are fundamentally different, 2) an innate motivation to keep going, 3) the call of contribution. The first stage begins at an early age by learning “what is wrong with me” through systemic suppression and fear. This eventually grows, however, into learning how to get ahead, and learning that self improvement often requires breaking systemic rules. The next evolution becomes “how to get my partners and team ahead”, which finally results in “how to contribute and help everyone.” Think of Bill Gates as the perfect example: someone who began is career as selfish, driven, and cutthroat, but developed a philanthropic, generous spirit of contribution.

Entrepreneurial personalities tend to prefer momentum to feeling - forward vs backwards as opposed to happy vs sad. As such, chasing momentum is more rewarding than chasing happiness. Entrepreneurs tend to be momentum-based or highly attuned to whether they’re moving forward. As Alex describes it, pressure and noise = stress, frustration, obstacles, regardless of size. Protection and support comes from surrounding yourself with people who help you move forward.

Complete the following exercise: think of a time when you experienced a high level of momentum. What were you chasing and how are you tracking your momentum? Who contributed to you and who have you contributed to? A perfect example of this formula is Rick Hoyt: a person who, with the help of his father, family, neighbors and friends, overcame a physical disability to develop strengths and abilities, and eventually make a contribution through inspiration.

I so often hear about entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference-makers wanting to get more results – scalable results – exponential results. They talk about their hearts being into it, but they are not driving the results they want.

The answer is simple, you have to couple passion and process to get crazy results – exponential results.

You have to be wildly committed to the goals that you set, and make progress on them every day. You cannot do this without a process that permits you to focus on them, to relentlessly execute on them.

If you want a structure to help you do this, I want to give it to you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week I share an experience from this week. I was dealt a huge blow late this week. It was a public failure - and to some degree very embarrassing on the surface. I share how taking responsibility for it has helped me evolve, learn, and grow remarkably quickly. I'm ready for the next time, and no worries, there is always a next time!

How do you respond to challenges and adversity? 

How do you get ready for the next opportunity? 

In an age where everyone can pick up their smartphones and become an instant “expert” on any topic, how can entrepreneurs market their knowledge to their consumers? Millennial money expert and author of The Broke and the Beautiful Life, Stefanie O’Connell thinks it has a lot to do with packaging. No, she isn’t referring to big bows or pretty wrapping paper. She poses that while information isn’t propriety, experiences are.  Instead of hoarding knowledge, entrepreneurs should find a way to package their experiences in a way that’s meaningful for other people.

In 2008, Stefanie was a recent college graduate, utilizing her degree in theater to travel the world and live her dream. However, due to the late 2008 recession, she was forced to return to New York. “I got a job that paid $225. While it was very fulfilling, it wasn’t exactly financially viable. I was the epitome of a starving artist,” she recalls.  After taking up a friend’s offer to read Suze Orman’s The Young, Broke & Fabulous, she became enthralled with the idea of money management. She ended up becoming a resource for her friends and began sharing her money management advice on a blog. This turned into a book (The Broke & Beautiful Life).

“Financial advice is pretty straightforward and some view it as boring,” says Stefanie. However, she paired her own experiences with age old financial advice to develop a platform that was both relatable and helpful. Instead of telling readers to start an emergency fund, she details the time when she broke down in tears at a dentist’s office because she was unable to pay $2000 for a necessary procedure. “By tapping into the details, you evoke an immediate emotional response from a reader or consumer. I create the urgency by sharing my experiences,” Stefanie says.

Balancing information and experiences can often be tough, especially when entrepreneurs find themselves in situations where they’re not driving the conversation. Stefanie likes to have “talking points with a point of view” for these situations. She draws on her drama background to pair words together to drive home certain points for her audience. “The aspect of storytelling is very valuable, no matter what industry. No one is going to care what you know if you’re not coming across in a way that’s relatable,” she says. Stefanie also stresses the importance of knowing the audience and finding ways to add segmented value.  

Being relatable and changing the conversation from a monologue to a dialogue means doing research to discover your audience’s needs. Stefanie spends a lot of time dialoguing with her audience in order to do just that. “I even look up Amazon book reviews to see which books in my sector have received two or three stars and check to see what was missing,” she says. Additionally, as a financial advisor who specifically focuses on women and millennials, she takes caution to only listen to feedback which will add value to her audience. “If someone begins to tell me that I need to focus on providing Baby Boomers with retirement advice, I typically shy away from that because it doesn’t speak to my niche,” she says.

For entrepreneurs that worry they will run out of experiences to share, Stefanie says that she hunts down other experiences by simply taking interesting people out for coffee. “I know that the first thing financial advisors typically say is to cut out coffee from your budget. But I have enjoyed an incredible ROI from that tactic,” she laughs. And, when talking about what experiences she plans to share in the future, she started doing a dream bio exercise, where she writes up her dream bio then compares it to her to-do list. “It’s very important that I’m intentional about that alignment,” she notes.

What are some ways you can package your experiences into something that’s helpful for your audience/customers? Tweet us with your answers at @WiseNapkin!

Everything worthwhile is hard to do. Being a better parent, a better leader, a better entrepreneur, or build a better business mode. Everything.

The reason? They’re enormously simple. The strategy and idea behind great things is simplicity, and they're worthwhile because you understand them and their value. 

For example: admitting when you’re wrong – in real time. This is hard to do. It’s elusive, worthwhile and the right thing to do but it’s hard. Simplicity and how easy it is to do aren’t the same thing. Simple doesn’t mean easy. The path to simplicity goes through complexity, and it can be very challenging to find focus and deliver that elusive thing.

That’s what entrepreneurs do – we deliver that elusive value, that’s only doable by you.

Being yourself is simple. But rare, particularly in challenging circumstances. But it can reap great rewards. Recently, we were launching a new product and were asked by a customer – a big customer we needed – how many other clients are you working with that we can join in with? We admitted we had none: a simple thing to do, but rare. The client was so impressed that they immediately decided they wanted to work with us, because we were doing something new and exciting.

So, yes, everything worthwhile is hard to do, but can reap great rewards.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we'll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

What happens when you create a venn diagram that combines discovering your passion with providing unique value and figuring out where your audience is listening? In this podcast, Rand Fishkin, founder and CEO of Moz, believes that is how you find your sweet spot.

As with most entrepreneurs, Fishkin knows a little bit about how failure can eventually inspire success. After dropping out of college in 2001, he began working with his mom at an agency where they offered clients web design and marketing solutions. However, they began drowning in debt, amassing over $500,000 from overhead expenses. In 2004, he started a blog called SEO Moz. “I spent four hours a day writing blogs. For the first year, it wasn’t really attracting anyone or resonating with a particular audience,” Fishkin recalls.

But after a year of publishing blogs five days per week, eventually the audience came: SEO Moz (renamed Moz) became a credible source of information about the newest marketing phase - search engine  . In fact, the blog became so successful that in 2007, he was able to pay off his debt. While discovering his sweet spot took some time, Fishkin notes, “I have not seen someone in the content marketing world where someone was automatically a massive success.

The founder of Buzzfeed had over 11 years of publishing experience before it became what it is today. It’s all about shifting your passions to an area where you can provide unique value.” Additionally, he notes that entrepreneurs should keep their ear to the ground to find where their audience is to avoid choosing the right platform to promote their service or product.

As a public figure and thought leader, Fishkin has a few nuggets for entrepreneurs. First, they must be willing to learn, adapt and change for their audience. Additionally, it’s key to experiment with new platforms without over investing in them, in order to continue to grow and learn. Find out more words of wisdom by clicking the link  ! 

How are you doing on your goals for the year? Your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you even remember what they were?

So many times we’re hard on ourselves for the early misses.

We say we’re going to eat low or no carbs, three weeks in we’ve eaten some delicious pastry, fries, or even cake and abandon ship.

We say we’re going to work out every morning, wake up earlier, go to sleep earlier, read more, watch less TV, connect more … whatever.

Whatever it is, it’s important enough to declare and make a goal around, but behavior change is harder than that. It can take HUNDREDS of days to break a habit that you’ve had for many years.

So here’s an idea – celebrate NOTICING that you’ve repeated the habit you want to change. Smile and give yourself a pat on the back for noticing that you’re repeating it and change then. Don’t beat yourself up … don’t get down on yourself.

Celebrate catching yourself doing something you wanted to change and change it.  Sometimes you have to celebrate getting it wrong so that you can create the momentum to get it right.

The best time to have caught yourself may have been before, but the second best time is right now.

Attach powerful positive feelings with the act of catching yourself and conquer new heights with your goals for this year.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Subscribe to both our podcasts Paper Napkin Wisdom and to Take Action by Paper Napkin Wisdom now.

The concept of working a 9-5 position isn’t ancient. You may not realize it, but it’s actually only a few generations old. While people in the 1500s certainly had trades and appointed positions, the work force looked very different prior to the Industrial Revolution.”The concept of going to a big dark building was so foreign [500] years ago. [But] in the last five to ten years, there has been a shift. Entrepreneurship is the future,” explains Clay Hebert, marketing and growth hack expert.

Prior to the turn of the century, the folks who approved or denied access to certain opportunities - otherwise known as gatekeepers - were the game changers. And although they still exist, Hebert believes they are a lot less relevant than they were in those days, stating, “All of the gatekeepers are gone. Except one. You are the last gatekeeper.” In this podcast, he explains his philosophy behind the quote, along with ways entrepreneurs and creatives can begin to rethink how they view gatekeepers.

Gatekeepers follow the standard rules and procedures that have been around for ages, which means that sometimes “[they] don’t have good taste”, he notes. In fact, J.K. Rowling’s first book in the Harry Potter series was cast aside by publishers and picked up by his daughter, who begged him for a sequel. Hebert came to this revelation after leaving his decade long position with consulting firm Accenture. “I worked with awesome, brilliant people, but they didn’t value entrepreneurship like I did,” he recounts.

In 2009, he studied under Seth Godin’s alternative MBA program and went on to help brands and individuals with digital marketing. After helping a friend hold a successful Kickstarter campaign for a film she was directing, he began to realize how gatekeepers were slowly going out of vogue. “In order to make her film, she needed to raise $30,000 for post production costs. But there were gatekeepers telling her no. With my help, she got past them and found another way.” The film went on to be shown at festivals and win awards, further cementing his idea that gatekeepers were a thing of the past.

Of course, some gatekeepers are useful. “I want to be sure that my pilot is trained and certified, and isn’t some hipster guy from Brooklyn that just randomly decided he wanted to fly a plane,” Hebert jokes. However, when it comes to more creative and entrepreneurial pursuits, he believes that people simply need to get out of their own way.

A big part of this is monitoring what you consume and becoming a gatekeeper for yourself. Whether it’s the latest vacation photos from an old high school friend on Facebook or the salacious headline in the paper, it’s important for entrepreneurs to keep a pulse on what they are “ingesting”. “99% of people don’t care about you or what you do. And that’s great news,” Hebert says, “Ignore them. so you can give value to the 1% that do care. That’s hard to do when you’re ingesting all of that noise.” He encourages entrepreneurs to subscribe to author Kevin Kelly’s concept of finding and nurturing 1000 true fans, while building from the ground up.

Click here for a special bonus gift from Clay Hebert and make sure to listen to the podcast.

Are you looking for uncommon results in your company? Or maybe just for yourself? There’s a structure to build the uncommon results you crave for yourself and your team and it starts with transparency.

I’m not just talking about 2% or 5% growth from year to year. I’m talking about double digit year-over-year growth. Even triple digit growth!

This comes from taking your SMART² goals to another level by combining Process and Volunteered Accountability. What does that mean? It means having your Team opt into sharing progress on Priorities openly with others on a regular schedule.

On top of that, they have to agree on how far someone can go with no progress and no problems. If there is no progress and no problems over a prolonged period of time, that should be a problem!

Take your growth to the next level by implementing The Structure of Transparency and earn yourself some Uncommon Results!

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Mark Moses is one of the world's foremost coaches of entrepreneurs. After starting his first business at age 19, he went on to build and sell two firms during his entrepreneurial career and now focuses on helping entrepreneurs increase profitability and accelerate growth. In his Paper Napkin, Mark shares: "If you can't define it, you can't measure it. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it."

Whether your goal is business, personal, or other, it must be explicitly defined before you're able to truly achieve it. Ask yourself the following questions: Where do you want to be three years from now? What will it take to guarantee that happens (and how will you measure it)? What stands in the way of making that happen?

Now ask those same questions for the next year; for the next quarter. Are the goals related and are they equally measureable? This state of constant definition and perpetual measuring is the most concrete method to managing your objectives. Leave the mentality of "concept" behind and instead embrace detailed, specific objectives.

Most entrepreneurs understand where they want to be, but struggle to identify the processes, tactics, and activities that will guarantee the end goal. Common examples of concepts without specifics are: hire better sales people, improve culture, improve efficiency, deliver better service. How can you focus on something important if it is not specific enough to create tasks?

Conversely, if the goal is to grow revenue, define that growth: "from X to Y in Z timeframe". Define the initial steps it will require to achieve that goal: hire X amount of salespeople". Clearly outline the measurements along the way: X number of calls/visits per salesperson, etc". Creating such a specific and measureable plan will bring your daily, weekly, and quarterly activities into sharper relief.

A common overlooked factor of this process is that the measurements must be leading, rather than lagging. Because entrepreneurs tend to focus wholly on the "what" and frequently ignore the "how", it is more important than ever to have a system of leading indicators to hold your team - and yourself - accountable. Businesses that have embraced this philosophy average a CAGR of 50% growth in revenue per year. At the very least, you will be empowered to dramatically enhance your ability to achieve much higher or more meaningful growth rates.

Accountability is another critical element of this process. Your ability to install these improvements in process, systems, management and leadership increases, as does the engagement of your key players. Hold an annual planning session and obtain that consensus/buy-in from your team on not only your objectives, but the measurements you will use to track progress. Follow through with accountability assignments and continue with quarterly planning and weekly check-ins, thus removing the possibility of becoming distracted by micro-level issues or "emergencies".

Weekly progress reports are also important to allow for mid-course corrections. The corrections are "bite-size" when identified weekly, as opposed to massive when delayed until a quarterly or annual session. You have thus empowered your key players (and the organization) to truly focus on achieving long-term goals. 

So many people who talk about living an abundant lifestyle. It’s a big subject, particularly when you’re not feeling abundant. When you are at the top of the cycle, having big wins, everything fills our buckets. But at the bottom of the cycle, where there are no wins and things don’t happen, we don’t feel abundant.

When we’re at bottom of the cycle, we must realize that abundance and the path to abundance starts with one. Just one small win, one small act of kindness. What we focus on, act on, align with, and measure will get done and come into our lives.

One thing can become many when we focus on it. What we focus on becomes true. What we spend our time on gets bigger. Where your attention goes, your focus goes. So abundance starts with one.

Think of one thing that went right today - why did it go right? What did you contribute? Think of one time you led someone to a higher and better result, one time you coached someone, one time you made a connection, and how it all came together.

The reverse is true too: when you focus on one bad thing, it becomes everything. So make that one right thing the center of your focus. Because abundance starts with one.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Subscribe to both our podcasts Paper Napkin Wisdom and to Take Action by Paper Napkin Wisdom now.

Warren Rustand has created, led and grown many successful private, public and not-for-profit entities. He is currently the CEO of Providence Service Corp and has a long and distinguished career serving a Chief Executive or in senior-level leadership positions with numerous other organizations. Warren is a frequent speaker on leadership, business, families, and personal development, and contributes to Paper Napkin Wisdom with the following: "One's success in life is relevant only to one's own capacity."

In Warren's experience, it is human nature - and certainly the nature of the entrepreneur - to measure one's self against others. On the contrary, true success can only really be defined through our own capability, potential, and skills (those that have been given to us and those we have developed over time). The only success that is relevant, therefore, is that which can be measured against this personal capacity or potential.

Supplemental to this idea of personal capacity is the notion that rather than comparing ourselves to others who might have more of something or be better at something, we should look to those who may be less fortunate. Not only does this allow us to recognize how fortunate we actually are, but it also enables us to mentor, support, and assist others on their own path of personal development.

Warren's experience has taught him that the greatest journey in life is self-mastery: the idea that we can control our appetites, passions, desires, and abilities and channel them in constructive ways. Rather than getting caught up in ancillary activities, we can concentrate on true progress through the following five steps:

·         1. Commit to a higher level of personal discipline

·         2. Have a purpose every day

·         3. Make intentional decisions

·         4. Make conscious choices

·         5. Answer the call to serve

Warren teaches that if we make progress with these steps each day, we become closer and closer to self mastery, which can ultimately lead to greater individual freedom. These steps are integrated and should be worked on together (rather than one at a time); they also require a significant level of proactivity, rather than simply reacting to everything around us. 

This means recognizing the three areas in which we have control every single day: our mind, our energy, and our time. By Warren's estimation, if we can manage those three consistently well, we will come close to finding success measured against our personal capacity. Warren's own personal habit is to ask himself "Why am I alive today?" Such a simple question allows him not only to discover his purpose(s) for the day, but also to schedule around that purpose in a proactive, highly defined way.

Another exercise that Warren employs is a daily, 30-minute reflection to focus the mind, split into three ten minute segments: 1) think great, positive thoughts, 2) read great, positive thoughts (i.e. not the newspaper!), and 3) write in a personal journal about the positive aspects of your life. As with great athletes and other competitors, never allow a negative thought to enter your mind as you prepare to master your personal energy. This will ultimately allow you to be the best entrepreneur, parent, sibling, etc, you can be, measured against your own personal capacity. 

In episode 189 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Natalia Matveeva, an accomplished entrepreneur and leadership coach known for her emphasis on creating purpose-driven businesses. Natalia shares her journey and unique insights into the importance of resilience in business, shedding light on a key aspect often overlooked: aligning business goals with personal values. Natalia’s message is clear—resilience isn’t just about persistence; it’s about building a business that resonates with who we truly are.

Discovering True Resilience

As entrepreneurs, we’re often encouraged to “tough it out” through challenges, to keep going no matter what. While grit is essential, Natalia emphasizes that resilience goes beyond sheer determination. She notes, “True resilience is found in the harmony between our business and our inner selves.” This perspective suggests that when our business goals align with our personal purpose, resilience becomes a natural byproduct, helping us navigate challenges more smoothly.

Through her years of experience, Natalia has found that maintaining harmony between external goals and internal values creates a sense of purpose and satisfaction that fuels long-term commitment. “If we align both business and ourselves,” Natalia explains, “we can achieve a kind of fulfillment that pushes us forward, even in tough times.”

The Power of Purpose-Driven Success

Building a business that reflects our personal values doesn’t just lead to resilience—it also brings about fulfillment and lasting satisfaction. When asked about her journey, Natalia shared that she found greater motivation and joy in her work once she made a conscious effort to align her business with her personal “why.”

“A purpose-driven approach is what makes all the difference,” she says. By infusing our businesses with a clear sense of purpose, we not only stay motivated but also find meaning in every step of the journey. This purpose-driven mindset can make the ups and downs of entrepreneurship more manageable and fulfilling.

Personal Growth as a Catalyst for Business Success

Natalia is a strong advocate for integrating personal growth into business growth. She explains that our personal evolution directly impacts our professional lives, often creating a ripple effect. “As we grow personally, we can channel that growth into our businesses,” she states. This interplay between personal development and business success allows entrepreneurs to bring fresh ideas, renewed energy, and an expanded vision into their work.

For Natalia, prioritizing personal growth has meant exploring self-awareness and self-care, both of which have enriched her ability to lead with purpose. “When we bring personal insights into our businesses, we create something that resonates deeply with our values,” she explains. This alignment strengthens resilience and drives authentic business practices.

Self-Awareness: A Guiding Compass for Decision-Making

Entrepreneurs often face a high volume of decisions, many of which can feel overwhelming. Natalia highlights the importance of self-awareness as a key tool in navigating these choices effectively. “Self-awareness helps us make choices that resonate both personally and professionally,” she says, urging business owners to regularly check in with themselves.

By developing self-awareness, leaders can approach decisions with greater clarity and confidence. Natalia points out that this practice allows us to avoid burnout, focus on our priorities, and ensure that we stay on a path aligned with our vision and values.

The Value of Regular Reflection and Realignment

While aligning our values and goals is crucial, Natalia emphasizes that it’s an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. She encourages entrepreneurs to make regular time for reflection to ensure they’re still aligned with their purpose. “Reflecting and realigning keeps us connected to what we truly believe in,” she explains. This practice fosters resilience by ensuring that our business remains an authentic expression of our personal values.

By periodically reassessing our path, we can adjust to changes, refocus our priorities, and continue progressing with a clear sense of direction. For Natalia, this commitment to realignment is the cornerstone of resilience, empowering us to stay true to our values even as we grow and evolve.

5 Key Takeaways from Our Conversation with Natalia Matveeva

Bringing it All Together

Natalia Matveeva’s approach to resilience challenges us to think about success as more than just achieving business goals. Instead, it’s about creating a business life that reflects our core values and allows us to find true fulfillment. When we align our inner purpose with our business, resilience becomes an essential part of our journey rather than an occasional tool.

How will you bring more alignment into your own life and work? Take a moment to jot down your thoughts on a paper napkin, and don’t forget to share it on social media with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom.

Kris Kaplan is a firm believer that if you’re not having fun at what you do, you shouldn’t be doing it. After a long career on the road as a rep, Kris decided it was time to create an organization of people who shared the same values as him and were wholly focused on a singular vision. He is now a coach to entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other high-performing individuals, providing them with tools needed to simply execute. It is that focus on execution that inspired his contribution to Paper Napkin Wisdom: “Giddy Up and Make It Happen.”

Kris’ personal mantra of making it happen originated from taking his own thirst for learning and turning it into action - step on the gas and go for it. Within his own business, he found himself in a learning mode, protecting what was his during the post-recession free fall. Dealing with that kind of negativity in his business - a focus on saving what was left - made the business gun-shy about being as forward/active as possible. It also drove Kris toward developing a philosophy of less learning; more doing.

Personally, this mantra inspired Kris to become more active and lose weight, mostly to keep up with his young children. Professionally, however, it helps to maintain a “north star” when traveling along your path, or what Cameron Herold would describe as a vivid vision. Kris’ experience has taught him to take the strategy that he crafted and make the decision to accomplish it. Entrepreneurs can become enthralled with strategy as a sexy topic, but tactics are going to move you forward. Focusing on execution will also help simplify your strategy and create/maintain alignment among the team. In other words, a return to a singular goal.

The motivation for this focus on tactics derives from Kris’ observation of the current state of success: we now accept the “stumbling forward” way of business can be acceptable, rather than striving for true greatness. Companies are merely surviving rather than growing - 10% growth is stratospheric rather than the norm. Ask yourself this: what if you do a little less business, but become true experts at what you do? Wouldn’t that ultimately push your business towards a more rapid period of growth? Especially considering that revenue is not necessarily the only way to measure growth and success.

The foundation on which Kris has built this philosophy is one of empowered entrepreneurialism, passion for the products he represents, and simple solutions. Simplify your vision - be the #1 provider of X - and that vision will eventually filter down to tactics and execution (e.g. achieving that goal means I need to make 3 phone calls instead of 2).

It is certainly a more difficult proposition for an established company to rethink their perspective, as opposed to a new company that is just starting out, but the reward is that much more valuable when it happens. The time might never be right, but the result will always make it worthwhile. As Kris says, think about “when is now a good time”. 

Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitate. Roughly translated into “More things should not be used than are necessary,” Occam’s razor— a principle developed by Franciscan friar and logician—harps on the value of simplicity. In today’s podcast, Brian Kight explains the value of simplistic discipline. “[In order to be successful], one must choose discipline over default every day. It’s the one thing that enhances everything,” he says.

As CEO of Focus 3, an organization that helps organizations align leaders, culture and behaviors with strategy and goals, he routinely couches entrepreneurs on the value of discipline. “It’s a constant battle between our willingness to bring discipline to each day or to default into old habits. The hardest thing to do in the world is to execute the simplest tasks with discipline. Elite levels of discipline garner great results,” he continues.

While this idea seems simple enough, anyone can agree that it isn’t necessarily easy. Take diet and weight loss, for example. Everyone knows the basic ways one can shed pounds – healthy eating, exercise, regular check-ins with a dietician and so on. However, shutting down the default (also known as autopilot) and getting to the discipline part is what makes it so difficult. Default is anything driven by autopilot, resistance and impulse – three things that are not uncommon in the human experience. “Living a disciplined life means that you’re not on autopilot. You’re living intentionally,” he says.

For most people, the word discipline has an immediate negative connotation. But the word actually comes from a Latin word which translates into student. “All discipline means is learning how to narrow down and apply a system of standards,” Brian says, “In my observation, I encounter far too few people who have a definitive set of standards and living them with discipline.”

Contrary to popular science, Brian refuses to subscribe to the notion that it takes 21 days to establish a habit. “I don’t believe that discipline becomes our natural norm. It’s something you have to work on. Your brain is always going to want to find an easier path. Discipline must be a daily decision and very intentional,” he argues. 

For leaders who are looking to incorporate more discipline into their corporate structure, Brian warns that discipline must come from within and not from external sources— otherwise, it’s just compliance. “First, you must set the standard, then give people tools that help them become disciplined and hold them accountable. It’s not about rules; it’s about establishing a standard through clarity and support,” he advises. 

Rich Mulholland has had one of the more an entrepreneurial careers of all the Paper Napkin Wisdom contributors. He started out as a roadie for bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi and eventually realized that there was a lack of energy in the industry during the winter months in South Africa.

Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he took the initiative to adapt the “rock show” model to corporate clients. He started out by dressing up corporate speeches and presentations with pyrotechnics and grand theatrics, but quickly realized that he was solving the wrong problem: he needed to work on the presentations themselves, rather than the theatrics surrounding them. This was a result of the intense hatred that Rich (and really, all of us) had for boring presentations - it is also the motivation for his contribution to Paper Napkin Wisdom: "“We all need to fall in hate with something.”

An oft-cited quote from Ghandi says that if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. According to Rich, however, this is antithetical to the entrepreneurial motivation: entrepreneurs tend to look at things we hate in the world and say “we can fix it." The entrepreneurial spirit, in Rich's mind, arises from a passion about something so frustrating that the desire to change it becomes overwhelming. This desire ultimately spawns two ways to approach a solution as an entrepreneur: fix a problem or fill a gap.

Contrary to Ghandi's perspective, if you end up doing what you love, your passion will become your job, and cease to be something you love. Rich's approach, on the other hand, has allowed him to separate life effectively - hobbies, loves, passions don’t get in the way of work and vice versa. He has become empowered to explore both avenues of himself - work and life - independently and learn dual channels of lessons. The resulting philosophy:  “love how you do what you do." It is much easier to be passionate about something that frustrates you; call it an itch to be scratched.

Looking back to Rich's origins in the music industry, we see the true motivations for an entrepreneur: for any market that lacks an expert, whomever puts their hand up first and says “pick me” is the expert by default. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs are so busy running their businesses that they aren't open to spotting a problem when it arises. "Being busy" has become a status symbol; a hallmark for success.

Having the capacity to solve the dilemmas of entrepreneurial businesses requires a freedom from "being busy"; a commitment to balance. If we think of our business as a support structure for our personal lives - having a better life means taking the time to do the things you enjoy and spend time with people you love. Once you reframe what success means, it is much easier - and you are more empowered - to prioritize.

In episode 178 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we were delighted to welcome back Peter Shankman, an entrepreneur, author, and renowned keynote speaker. Known for founding Source of Sources (SOS), Help a Reporter Out (HARO), Mental Capital and his focus on neurodiversity, Peter has continually pushed boundaries in both his personal and professional life.

During this insightful conversation, Peter shared a simple but impactful mantra: “Do the scary thing.” This nugget of wisdom has played a pivotal role in shaping Peter's successes and life philosophy.

Why Do the Scary Thing?

"Everything I've ever done in my life that's been successful... has started by my doing the scary thing," Peter explained. Whether it’s jumping off cliffs, both literal and metaphorical, he attributes much of his growth to embracing fear and risk. This philosophy pushes individuals to leave the safety of their comfort zones and explore the unknown.

For Peter, "the scary thing" has driven decisions in both his personal adventures, like skydiving and triathlons, and his business endeavors, like launching HARO, now an essential platform for journalists worldwide. The element of fear is present in all major breakthroughs, as taking risks often involves a chance for failure. But Peter reminds us that failure is not something to fear—it’s part of the journey to success.

Neurodiversity as a Superpower

Peter’s story is unique in more ways than one, as his journey includes embracing his ADHD as a gift, not a limitation. He talked about how ADHD has fueled his creativity and allowed him to approach life with a different lens. "Having a neurodiverse brain is a superpower," he stated, emphasizing that seeing the world differently can provide a competitive edge, especially in entrepreneurship.

Peter’s podcast, Faster Than Normal, is dedicated to helping people with ADHD recognize the strengths that come with a neurodiverse brain, demonstrating how they can leverage their differences to their advantage.

Action, Not Perfection

One key lesson Peter shared is the importance of action over perfection. He reflected on how many people hold themselves back because they want everything to be perfect before making a move. But in Peter’s view, waiting for perfection means missing out on growth. "You’ll learn as you go, and the mistakes you make will help you grow faster than if you wait for the ‘right’ time."

This concept ties back to his core belief: act now, and adjust along the way.

Bringing Fear into Business

We also discussed how this idea of doing the scary thing applies to business. Peter stressed the importance of making bold moves when building a company. “If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing,” he said. Whether it’s launching a new product, expanding into a different market, or even rethinking customer experience, leaders need to take calculated risks to move forward.

Success, as Peter notes, often lies on the other side of fear. His story is a living example of how embracing the unknown can lead to incredible achievements.

Conclusion

Peter Shankman’s wisdom is a powerful reminder that fear and growth are intertwined. From his career successes to his personal triumphs, his advice to “do the scary thing” applies not only to entrepreneurs but to anyone looking to level up in life.

5 Key Takeaways from Episode 178 with Peter Shankman

1. Do the Scary Thing: Growth happens when you leave your comfort zone. As Peter said, "Everything successful in my life started by doing the scary thing."

2. Neurodiversity is a Gift: Embrace the unique strengths that come with a neurodiverse brain. ADHD and other conditions are not limitations—they're superpowers.

3. Take Action Over Waiting for Perfection: Don't let the fear of imperfection hold you back. "You’ll learn as you go," Peter explained.

4. Boldness in Business: In entrepreneurship, bold decisions lead to progress. "Comfort is the enemy of growth," Peter remarked.

5. Failure is Part of the Process: Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a key ingredient. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow faster.

Peter Shankman’s approach to life and business is a blueprint for those looking to push past fear and embrace boldness. Take a moment to reflect on how you can do the scary thing in your own life—because that’s where real transformation begins.

What does it take to be an effective leader? Thousands of books and articles attempt to answer this question (including our podcast). On today’s show, entrepreneur support expert Miranda Barrett is an shares her insights on what it takes to be an effective leader. For more than a decade, Miranda has worked with over 400 entrepreneurs as part of the EO Global Team.

“I work with our member leaders to discuss their goals for the upcoming years and I’ve found similarities between the people who end up meeting those goals and those who don’t,” she says. Often times, leaders think they’re leading but their staff is disengaged and disinterested in the overall mission. “If you think you’re leading and no one is following, you’re just out for a walk,” she says.

According to Miranda, the main trait of a good leader is someone who knows how to leverage and engage their team. “Entrepreneurs have so much energy and passion. It’s akin to an excited golden retriever,” she says. Leaders must understand how to share that excitement and vision with the team. Additionally, showing sincerity and vulnerability is a crucial part of getting teams in line with their leader. She explains, “You have to admit when you’re stuck and turn to your team members to help fix the problem, instead of micromanaging. That trust is contagious and will come right back to you.”

Empowering your team through humility and vulnerability can also lead to teaching them to develop their inner leader, which in turn, will help you reach your goals. She recalls a situation where a supportive team led to success, “We were hosting our Global Student Entrepreneur Awards program. The team was phenomenal. My job was to make sure our emcee did the best job possible, despite last minute scheduling changes. In a very visible way, he was on the hook for anything that would have gone wrong, but he had a safety net. He looked alone but he was supported. ”

Things don’t always turn out as planned. When teams don’t reach their goals, it’s important to take some time to regroup. “There’s a humility in being curious. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Was the process broken? If so, where was the breakdown? Figuring out what happened and where, instead of immediately blaming your team is a crucial part of maintaining that trust,” she says.

Having a team of “yes-men” may mean that your team members don’t feel open enough to voice their opinions. A disengaged team can be just as bad as an incompetent one. “When you have people proactively looking ahead of you to help and feel safe making suggestions? That’s when you can be sure that your team wants to be there,” she says. Conversely, if your team isn’t making suggestions, they may not feel comfortable speaking up.

Finding ways to draw the honesty out of your team ensures its health. Miranda suggests that leaders find “fun and inventive” ways to get honest feedback from team members that may not feel comfortable opening up.  Miranda recalls a company who was looking to open a store in China. In the meeting, the team assured their managers everything was on schedule to open on time. However, after the managers let the team place bets on when they thought the store would actually open, they found that the entire team didn’t think the deadline was possible. The store ended up not opening for months.

What are some things you do with your team to keep them engaged? Send us a tweet @WiseNapkin with your answer!

My very Uncommon Opinion: buying a house is a good investment

These days, it seems to be all the rage to tell people to “never buy a house.” Folks like Grant Cardone and James Altucher argue that buying a home eats up too much capital and never allows for a good return on investment. Well, to put this bluntly: They’re wrong, and I have the facts to prove it.

How much money are you really putting down?

If you’re an average millennial with decent credit, you’ll usually only be putting down 10% when you purchase your first home – far from some online arguments that assume a 20% to 40% down payment when arguing against home buying. That’s a big difference – $30,000 vs. up to $120,000 for a $300,000 home. Don’t rely on inaccurate assumptions; estimate what your down payment would be before deciding that buying isn’t for you.

People are overbuying on their first (or second, or third) house

When most people look at a mortgage offer from a bank, they purchase the most expensive house the bank will allow them to afford, which is a terrible idea. If a bank extends someone the credit to buy a $500,000 house, but a $300,000 home fits most of their needs, the less expensive home is a better financial and lifestyle choice. Remember, overextending yourself means you are actually buying a mortgage, not a house.

Many of the arguments against buying overlook making a sensible purchase, and use examples in which individuals are buying the most expensive home they can get their hands on. That seriously sways the numbers in favor of renting. Just because others are doing this doesn’t mean you have to – get a less expensive home so you can save and place more money into investment vehicles with a higher rate of return, or spend the difference on things you are passionate about.

Money spent on upgrading your lifestyle or yourself, such as traveling the world or finally firing up that great business idea, are a far better investment than a fancy address. Plus, you can always upgrade later, if you want.

Keep in mind, you have to live somewhere

One of the traditional arguments for buying a home is that you’re spending money on rent anyway, so you might as well invest it in something. This is still correct. As long as you make smart choices when you purchase a home, it’s better to invest in your own property rather than pay a landlord.

Think about it this way – you’re going to lose a lot of money renting over the years. If you lose less money over time by owning a house, you’ve made a great financial choice.

Homes nearly always appreciate in value, especially with maintenance and ‘smart’ improvements

If you let your home deteriorate and don’t maintain it, it’s a no-brainer that its value will decrease over time. However, if you maintain your home by investing in improvements that can increase its resale value, it’s likely to significantly increase in value over time.

Examples of improvements with a high rate of return include installing high-quality floors, maintaining bathrooms, and upgrading your home’s kitchen. Unfortunately, improvements to the backyard such as landscaping have low ROI, so you should avoid spending too much on them if you’re trying to maximize your home’s value.

Will I be stuck in my house forever?

Unlike what some folks say, buying a home doesn't chain you to one address for life. Unless you get really unlucky and purchase a place for well over its market value, you’re not going to get stuck for long – just sell the house and move into another. If you can’t, simply rent out your property and rent another somewhere else while you sort things out and wait for the original home’s value to increase.

Is this a good time to buy?

The housing crash of 2008 is still in recent memory and it has many first-time home buyers scared that they could overpay, only to see their residence quickly crash in value. So, to determine whether the housing market is overvalued (and thus headed for a bust) or if it still has a lot of room for stable growth, check out an analysis done by The Economist for a quick snapshot.

The magazine’s data team looked at two numbers: the ratio of price to income and price to rent, and found that houses in most American cities appear to be at fair value when compared to long-term averages. Some cities, however, like San Francisco, have homes that are extremely expensive compared to average incomes (meaning they could be destined for a fast fall), so it’s a good idea to dig into a city’s price-to-income and price-to-rent ratios before buying property there.

Profiting off of your home equity using “The Smith Manoeuvre” (for Canadian homeowners)

In the U.S., home mortgage payments are tax deductible (as long as it’s a primary residence), but in Canada, homeowners aren’t quite so lucky. However, Canadians can take out a home equity loan in order to invest money in income-producing entities (like dividend-paying stocks or rental property), and use the tax return to further pay down their mortgages.

It’s called the Smith Manoeuvre, and while it sounds complex, it’s a fantastic way for many homeowners to develop a sizeable investment portfolio and pay their mortgage at the same time. If you’re considering doing this, you should be confident in your investing skills – and be prepared with a Plan B if you need to move and the market goes down.

The bottom line: You should probably own a house

Should everyone go out right now and buy a house? Well, maybe not everyone. But if you're like most young people who earn a steady income and want to invest in their future, it’s absolutely the right move. If you still don’t believe me, run the numbers yourself with this calculator. It takes into account rent prices, mortgage rates, inflation levels, taxes, and variety of other factors to compare the long-term costs of renting vs. buying a residence.

As entrepreneurs, it’s often tough to take time to smell the flowers. Learning how to juggle endless to-do lists, a budding business and loved ones can be difficult for even the most seasoned entrepreneur. However, in this week’s podcast, Trackmaven’s CEO Allen Gannett explains why he is making it a point to take time to be appreciative.

The 25 year old helms the fifty person B2B software company and managed to raise $26M. “I met investors who immediately fell in love with the business. There was a lot of momentum,” he recalls. Early on, he gravitated towards one of his investors and they began a mentor-mentee relationship. “As a young homosexual CEO, it was a confidence builder to find someone I connected with in a world where I wasn’t really fitting in,” Allen says. However, things took a turn when his mentor died unexpectedly. Stunned by the loss, he realized that he hadn’t been as appreciative of his mentor’s support. “It made me reflect on ways to appreciate those who have invested in me emotionally and financially.”

Allen began to find simple ways to acknowledge those around him. While entrepreneurs typically care more about getting the work done as opposed to getting a pat on the back, employees and team members often need that validation in order to feel appreciated. “There is a difference between entrepreneurship and leadership,” Allen explains. Now, if he sees an employee doing a stellar job, he’ll invite them out to lunch. “That validation can really make all the difference. As a CEO, people are constantly watching you - even in ways you don’t realize. It can be taxing, but its more positive and empowering. It can be a confidence builder for them,” he says.

While appreciation is important, he also thinks it’s necessary to have some sort of balance. In cases where the team is underperforming, he urges entrepreneurs to take a look at themselves first. “We have to be willing to ask ourselves if our goals are actually attainable,” he says. He also advises entrepreneurs to marry appreciation and accountability. “Put appreciation on a pedestal and develop a meritocracy culture.”

How do you show your team members that they’re appreciated? Sound off on our Twitter @WiseNapkin or on our Facebook Page!

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in one of the largest entrepreneur events in the world recently. While there, I met with and heard hundreds of entrepreneurs pitching their world-changing ideas. Some truly could change the world.

The problem with many of them though seemed to be that they were pitching to the wrong group. What they needed to do is get out there and get some customers! Incubators, however, seem more interested in grooming entrepreneurs to pitch to VCs, Private Equity, Angel Investors, and other Incubators.

Resilience is not an accident. It doesn’t arrive at the moment of need by default.

The reality is that resilience is there when we need it when we plan for it. Part of this is, of course, planning for it by having a great Playbook, aligned with your Path, and articulated with predictable communication structures to your Key Players. Without planning there’s no chance that you’ll have resilience when you need it.

The thing is, however, practice is important too. How do you practice resilience? Listen in … but it starts with building predictable structures of communication and collaboration. It continues with practicing these habits in good times – maintaining them during great times.

Holding space for your team (and yourself) daily helps.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

I had the opportunity to sit beside someone who was a Member of the Million Miles Club on a plane this week and we had an great conversation about the use of knowledge, technology, and leadership around the world. He spends a lot of time traveling to Asia, Europe, and elsewhere marketing innovative technologies around the world.

His key point - knowledge was becoming near valueless. Instead, execution, collaboration, communication, and connection are becoming increasingly valuable.

Listen in and find out why.

In episode 186 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman has a compelling conversation with Todd Palmer, a CEO coach, entrepreneur, and author who believes that “The problem is never what you think it is.” This simple yet powerful insight drives his approach to leadership and coaching. Todd has spent years guiding leaders to uncover the deeper issues that lie beneath the surface of everyday business challenges. He believes that by getting to the root of problems, leaders can build more resilient organizations and foster meaningful growth.

Throughout this episode, Todd shares lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey and reveals how his Paper Napkin Wisdom has shaped his career. Todd's story isn’t just about overcoming surface-level challenges. It’s about exploring the underlying issues that often go unnoticed and addressing them head-on.

Recognizing Hidden Challenges in Leadership

Todd’s philosophy centers on the idea that the real problem is rarely the one that’s immediately visible. “So often, we get caught up in the symptoms and miss the root cause,” he explains. For Todd, leadership is about going deeper, asking the tough questions, and understanding that the most pressing issues are often hidden from view.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Todd shares how he once struggled to address a culture problem within his business. “At first, I thought it was just a few bad hires or a lack of motivation,” he says. “But once I dug deeper, I realized it was about leadership. I wasn’t showing up authentically, and my team could feel that disconnect.” This shift in perspective allowed Todd to address the root cause and rebuild a stronger, more aligned team.

Facing Fear to Uncover the Real Problem

According to Todd, fear often keeps leaders from looking beneath the surface. Fear of failure, fear of vulnerability, and fear of the unknown can all prevent us from digging deeper. He explains that it’s essential for leaders to confront these fears and push past them to discover what’s really holding them back.

“Fear blinds us to the real issues,” Todd notes. “We get so wrapped up in what we’re afraid might happen that we miss what’s actually happening.” For Todd, addressing fear is a way to gain clarity. When leaders let go of the fear of confronting the unknown, they open the door to understanding the true nature of their challenges.

Authenticity and the Deeper Connection

In Todd’s view, authenticity plays a crucial role in uncovering hidden problems. When leaders are willing to show up as their true selves, they’re more likely to connect with others on a meaningful level. “If you’re not being real with your team, you’re missing out on important insights. They can sense when something is off, even if they can’t put their finger on it,” he explains.

Todd shares that his own journey toward authenticity taught him how to listen better and look beyond the obvious. “It’s not just about being honest with others; it’s about being honest with yourself. When you’re authentic, you create a space where real issues can surface.”

Building a People-First Culture by Digging Deeper

Todd believes that a people-first culture requires leaders to go beyond the symptoms of disengagement or low morale. Instead, he advises leaders to look for underlying causes that may not be immediately visible. “You can’t build a strong culture if you’re only addressing surface-level issues. You have to understand what truly drives your people.”

For Todd, this means asking questions like, “What’s really holding this person back?” or “What’s causing this frustration?” By focusing on the people rather than the symptoms, leaders can create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Embracing Resilience Through Adversity

Todd’s entrepreneurial journey has shown him that resilience is about more than just bouncing back from failure. It’s about learning from setbacks and understanding the real lessons they offer. “Every failure has a hidden message,” he says. “If you can dig deep enough to find it, you’ll come out stronger on the other side.”

Resilience, for Todd, is a skill that leaders can develop by consistently asking, “What is this situation really trying to teach me?” He believes that embracing this mindset allows leaders to uncover insights that can help them navigate future challenges with greater clarity.

Here are five key takeaways from Todd’s conversation, each with a “Take Action” element designed to help entrepreneurs and leaders put his wisdom into practice by exploring beneath the surface:

1. Look Beyond the Symptoms

Todd’s wisdom reminds us that the first issue you see is rarely the real one. “If you only address what’s on the surface, you’ll miss the root cause,” he warns.

Take Action: Next time you encounter a problem, ask “Why?” five times to drill down to the core issue. Reflect on whether the initial problem you identified is a symptom of a deeper issue and take action from there.

2. Confront Fear to Gain Clarity

Todd explains that fear often clouds our ability to see the real problem. He encourages leaders to face their fears head-on to uncover the truth. “When you let go of fear, you see things for what they really are,” he says.

Take Action: Identify one area in your leadership where fear might be limiting your perspective. Write down the worst-case scenario, and then challenge it. What deeper issue might you be avoiding, and what small step can you take to address it?

3. Lead with Authenticity to Foster Trust

Authenticity isn’t just about being honest—it’s about showing up fully, so others feel safe to share what’s really going on. “Authentic leaders create space for real issues to surface,” Todd explains.

Take Action: Ask your team for feedback on your leadership style and take their responses to heart. By modeling authenticity, you create a culture where your team feels empowered to address challenges openly.

4. Go Deeper to Create a People-First Culture

Todd believes that strong cultures are built by addressing underlying issues rather than surface complaints. “When you dig deeper, you can address what really matters to your people,” he says.

Take Action: Conduct a one-on-one meeting with each team member and ask them what they think the biggest challenge in the company is. Listen to their responses without judgment and look for patterns or deeper issues to address.

5. Embrace Resilience by Learning from Setbacks

For Todd, resilience is about understanding the deeper lessons hidden within failures. “The only real failure is the one you don’t learn from,” he asserts.

Take Action: The next time you face a setback, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned. Write down three insights or takeaways and consider how they can inform your future actions.

Final Thoughts

Todd Palmer’s insight that “The problem is never what you think it is” serves as a powerful reminder that great leadership is about more than just solving problems—it’s about understanding them. By going beyond surface-level challenges and exploring the underlying causes, leaders can build stronger, more resilient organizations.

Reflect on Todd’s wisdom, and consider how you can apply this mindset in your own life and work. Take a moment to jot down your thoughts on a paper napkin, snap a photo, and share it with us on social media using the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let’s continue the conversation on how small ideas can lead to big results.

On this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, entrepreneur and author Damion Lupo makes his case for the gift of errors, “Mistakes are the universe gifting us wisdom, wrapped up inside the struggles in life.”  Damion further explains that throughout our lives, we make mistakes, and as we do, we are taught that mistakes are bad. As a result, we revere people, who we believe, do not err or who are perfect at what they do. In truth, perfection is a farce, a fabrication of society. To understand the depth of knowledge, and succeed in any endeavor, mistakes must be made and overcome.

“If you want to succeed, don’t make mistakes, and don’t challenge authority; go with what you’re told to do.” Damion notes that this philosophy teaches people to become robots and puppets. Those who truly succeed are the ones think for themselves, who make mistakes, and who are willing to venture into the dark and learn from that void.

From the corporate and entrepreneur point of view, Damion further discusses that people don’t always acknowledge when they have made mistakes, so they continue to err. For example, Damion’s friend refused to accept that he’d lost a small fortune. Instead of admitting his money investing mistakes, he hid them, and the financial failures continued. Nothing was learned.

“If you’re gonna be in motion, you’re gonna make mistakes.” Damion describes, as a leader, one must be willing to be bold and move forward, even in the face of adversity. Learn from mistakes and move on quickly. This top-down behavior sets a corporate standard. Employees must be confident to come forward with problems and mistakes, or a firm will never succeed.

At the end of the day, mistakes are a gift, that when accepted and acknowledged, lead to wisdom, progress, and success.

This is the time of year when so many of us start to take stock of the year that passed and the one that’s coming. It’s that time that we start to think about what could be for the year ahead.

There have been studies done that show that most people only accomplish a small fraction of their goals from year to year. Yet there are others that do much much more.

There’s a simple way that you can make more of your goals happen, and more of your team’s goals happen, that requires little effort from you other than setting up an uncommon structure for them that involves transparency and dialog around progress … the ULTIMATE leading indicator.

Great teams do this way better than the rest … update your goals to SMART² goals and make your results change like never before.

If you want a structure to help you do this, I want to give it to you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

In episode 187 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we’re thrilled to welcome back Cameron Herold, a leader whose insights are reshaping the way we approach growth in business and life. Known for his impactful coaching and leadership strategies, Cameron brings us a fresh perspective on what it takes to climb the proverbial ladder of success.

This episode centers around an intriguing metaphor Cameron calls the “Two Ladders”—one representing skills, the other confidence. His vision is a balanced approach to leadership growth, showing us how essential it is to build both skill sets and self-assurance simultaneously. As Cameron says, “If my skills are shaky, then my confidence is going to be starting to shake. If my confidence is shaky, my skills start to shake.”

Let’s dive into some of the standout points Cameron made in this episode and explore how his “Two Ladders” concept can help leaders like you build a more resilient foundation.

Skills and Confidence: Two Ladders, One Goal

Cameron Herold believes that the journey to success isn’t linear; instead, it requires stability on two fronts—skills and confidence. He explains this idea using the metaphor of two ladders that you need to climb side by side. “If you’re climbing up one ladder, and your left hand and left foot are on one ladder and your right hand and right foot are on another,” he describes, “it starts to sway if either one is shaky.”

This imagery is a reminder that both skills and confidence must be developed in tandem. As leaders, we can sometimes focus too heavily on one while neglecting the other, but as Cameron points out, “It’s skills and confidence that will actually grow those people.” For entrepreneurs and leaders, building a solid foundation in these areas is essential for long-term success.

Creating a Supportive Environment for Growth

Cameron emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where team members feel safe to grow. Drawing a parallel with parenting, he explains, “We need to cheer them on… we need to coach them to success.” This idea underscores the need for leaders to foster a positive, encouraging environment that nurtures both skill development and confidence.

For Cameron, coaching isn’t just about holding people accountable; it’s about empowering them. He says, “I’m not going to hold you accountable… I hire accountable people.” This approach reflects his belief that leadership is about trust and autonomy. By hiring individuals who take ownership of their roles, leaders can focus on guiding them rather than micromanaging.

Coaching at Every Level of Leadership

One of Cameron’s most compelling points is that coaching should be a continuous part of a leader’s journey, no matter their experience level. Even at 59, Cameron invests in coaching to sharpen his skills and maintain his confidence. He encourages leaders to model this approach for their teams, saying, “If coaching is good for me, then it’s clearly going to be good for you, too.”

This willingness to learn and grow, regardless of one’s position, is a hallmark of effective leadership. By prioritizing their development, leaders can inspire their teams to do the same, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and improvement.

5 Key Takeaways

Here are five actionable takeaways from Cameron’s insights on leadership, each with a “Take Action” tip for entrepreneurs and leaders:

1. Embrace the “Two Ladders” Concept

Success is built on a foundation of both skills and confidence, and developing these simultaneously is crucial. Quote from Cameron: “If my skills are shaky, then my confidence is going to be starting to shake. If my confidence is shaky, my skills start to shake.”

Take Action: Reflect on areas where your skills or confidence may be lacking. Set aside dedicated time each week to work on specific skills and seek feedback to bolster your confidence.

2. Foster a Positive Growth Environment

A supportive environment encourages your team to take risks and grow. When people feel safe, they’re more likely to develop both skills and confidence. Quote from Cameron: “We need to cheer them on… we need to coach them to success.”

Take Action: Create a positive reinforcement plan for your team. Recognize and celebrate small wins regularly to build an atmosphere where growth feels rewarding and safe.

3. Hire for Accountability

Instead of enforcing accountability, hire self-managing people who take ownership of their roles. Leadership is about empowering others, not micromanaging. Quote from Cameron: “I’m not going to hold you accountable… I hire accountable people.”

Take Action: During your next hiring cycle, look for candidates who demonstrate initiative and responsibility. Develop interview questions that reveal how they’ve managed themselves in past roles.

4. Model Continuous Growth

Great leaders are lifelong learners. Cameron advocates for continuous coaching and personal development at every stage of one’s career. Quote from Cameron: “If coaching is good for me, then it’s clearly going to be good for you, too.”

Take Action: Enroll in a coaching program, or work with a mentor. Share your growth journey with your team to show that personal development is a priority.

5. Focus on the Setup for Success

Just as you need to set up a ladder securely, you must also establish a solid foundation for your team to grow. The right preparation helps them reach greater heights. Quote from Cameron: “How you set up the ladder is pretty important, too… you’ve got to set this up right.”

Take Action: Review your team’s current structure and support systems. Identify areas where they may need additional resources, training, or tools to be successful, and take steps to provide them.

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Cameron Herold challenges us to rethink leadership as a balanced journey of skills and confidence, supported by an environment that prioritizes growth and accountability.

Whether you're scaling a startup or leading a well-established organization, the insights shared today remind us that effective leadership is a constant climb.

Share your biggest takeaway with us by posting a photo of your notes on a napkin and using #PaperNapkinWisdom. How are you strengthening your own ladders of skills and confidence? Let’s keep climbing together!

In episode 191 of the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast, host Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth. Michael’s journey is filled with real-life lessons on leadership, accountability, and the impact of clear expectations. With experience in both managing and growing a successful manufacturing business and now coaching leaders, Michael brings a unique perspective to building a culture of clarity and responsibility in organizations.

As an expert in business and leadership coaching, Michael is all too familiar with the challenges that come with team dynamics and performance. His paper napkin wisdom, “Most of your frustrations with people are the result of unclear expectations,” resonates with leaders across industries. In this episode, Michael unpacks why setting expectations is more than just a management tool—it’s the foundation of effective leadership.

From Manufacturing to Coaching: A Journey of Transformation

Michael’s transition from running his own manufacturing business to coaching leaders wasn’t just a career shift; it was a transformative journey. Through years of hard work, he grew his family business significantly, but he also faced intense challenges, including a betrayal that nearly brought the business down. Reflecting on these experiences, Michael reveals, “One of the underlying issues affecting performance and leading to frustrations is simply the fact that lots of people get onboarded into a job and don’t really understand what’s expected of them.”

In his coaching work at Next Level Growth, Michael focuses on helping leaders implement structured accountability and clarify expectations. He has developed a powerful framework that addresses three core areas for every role: Mission, Most Critical Outcome, and Obsessions. This method ensures that everyone understands their purpose within the organization and knows how to measure their success. According to Michael, “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets,” emphasizing the importance of building a culture of accountability from the ground up.

Accountability Redefined: Shifting from Brow-Beating to Clarity

Many leaders struggle with accountability, often associating it with criticism or discipline. But Michael offers a different perspective, suggesting that accountability, when approached with empathy and clarity, can drive motivation and performance. He explains, “Accountability and high-performing cultures don’t have to be brow-beating, disciplinary cultures. In fact, the inverse is often true.”

Michael’s model, built from his own experiences and honed through coaching, is designed to support leaders and team members in knowing whether they are “winning” in their roles. This clarity fosters self-motivation and reduces friction, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and aligned with the organization’s goals.

The Power of Onboarding and Defining Roles

One area Michael strongly advocates for is investing in a structured onboarding process. He believes that starting employees with a clear understanding of their role and expectations is essential to long-term success. “If we take time in the very beginning to have a dialogue around expectations in both directions, we create a de facto agreement because we had a dialogue about them,” he explains. For Michael, this dialogue is the foundation of a healthy, high-performing work culture.

By defining roles through his Next Level Accountability Chart—outlining each role’s mission, measurable outcomes, and key “obsessions”—Michael has helped numerous companies create a results-oriented culture. His approach emphasizes measurable outcomes, aligning every team member’s objectives with the broader mission of the company. “The companies I work with that have done this well truly build a financial engine in the business,” Michael says, underscoring the power of this framework.

5 Key Takeaways

Links to Learn More About Michael Erath

This episode reminds us that accountability, clarity, and structured expectations are the cornerstones of a thriving organization. Take these actionable insights to create a culture of high performance in your team, and as always, jot down your favorite takeaway on a paper napkin and share it with us using #PaperNapkinWisdom!

Check out more Paper Napkin Wisdom here: www.linktr.ee/PaperNapkinWisdom

Know Your True North

In the latest episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we had the pleasure of hosting Chris Schmitt, a distinguished high-performance coach with Azimuth Consulting Group. Chris brings a unique perspective to leadership, drawing from his extensive experience as a United States Army Special Forces Green Beret and his work with top-tier companies like Starbucks, Google, Meta, and Uber. His approach to leadership is rooted in self-awareness, empowerment, and the ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Chris Schmitt served 30 years in the military, during which he commanded, planned, and executed special operations missions worldwide. His military career equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership in high-stakes environments, a perspective he now applies to coaching corporate leaders. Chris emphasizes the importance of "knowing your azimuth"—a concept that represents one's true path or purpose in life.

The Importance of Knowing Your Azimuth

One of the key concepts Chris discussed is the idea of knowing your "azimuth." This term, which originally refers to a navigational compass direction, is used metaphorically by Chris to represent one's true path or purpose in life. He emphasizes the significance of understanding and staying true to this personal direction as a cornerstone of effective leadership.

"I truly believe that knowing your azimuth, knowing yourself, knowing your best self, and being able to stay true to that, to find that true North, and be unapologetic about it, is a key piece of being successful," Chris shared. This powerful idea resonates deeply in both personal and professional contexts, encouraging individuals to align their actions with their core values and long-term vision.

Empowering Others to Be Their Best

Another important theme Chris touched on is the empowerment of others. He shared a touching story about involving his daughter in creating the compass rose for his logo, highlighting the importance of recognizing and nurturing the talents of those around us. "Empowering her to be her best, and all of us looking at where we fall on the map and figuring out from that position how we contribute the most by being our best and not trying to be somebody we're not," Chris explained.

This approach underscores a fundamental aspect of leadership: the ability to see and cultivate potential in others, allowing them to thrive and contribute meaningfully. It is a reminder that leadership is not just about guiding others but also about fostering an environment where everyone can excel.

Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence

In today's volatile and uncertain world, leaders often face ambiguous situations that require quick thinking and adaptability. Chris drew parallels between the challenges encountered in military operations and those in the corporate world, illustrating how lessons learned in high-stakes environments can be applied to business leadership.

"The same uncertain and ambiguous environment experienced in combat has been an essential parallel experience to coach high-performance behaviors for leaders," Chris noted. This insight highlights the value of resilience and strategic thinking, skills that are crucial for navigating the complexities of modern leadership.

Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth

Chris's commitment to continuous learning and personal growth is evident in his extensive educational background and certifications. He holds an Executive Certification for Coaching from Columbia University, a Master’s in Organizational Development from Central Washington University, and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the United States Military Academy at West Point. His dedication to professional development serves as an inspiration for leaders striving to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Building a Legacy of Leadership

Throughout our conversation, Chris emphasized the importance of building a legacy through impactful leadership. His involvement in community initiatives and veteran support organizations reflects his dedication to making a positive difference beyond the corporate realm. "Chris remains connected to the U.S. Special Operations Community through special projects and is passionate about supporting the Veteran Community," he shared, illustrating his commitment to giving back and creating lasting change.

5 Key Takeaways from the Conversation with Chris Schmitt

1. Know Your Azimuth: Understanding and staying true to your personal direction is crucial for effective leadership. Align your actions with your core values and long-term vision.
2. Empower Others: Recognize and nurture the talents of those around you. Leadership involves fostering an environment where everyone can excel and contribute meaningfully.
3. Navigate Uncertainty: Develop resilience and strategic thinking to handle ambiguous situations confidently. Lessons from high-stakes environments can be valuable in the corporate world.
4. Commit to Lifelong Learning: Continuously enhance your skills and knowledge. Pursue professional development to stay ahead in your leadership journey.
5. Build a Legacy: Focus on creating a lasting impact through your leadership. Engage in community initiatives and support causes that resonate with your values.

Chris Schmitt's insights provide a roadmap for leaders aspiring to navigate their journey with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to empowering others. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper dive into these concepts and more inspiring stories from Chris's leadership journey.

Links:

Azimuth Consulting Group - https://www.azimuthleadership.com/

The Traverse - https://www.azimuthleadership.com/traverse 

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

Had a fun, wine-filled conversation this week with someone about unlikely sources of cinematic inspiration. I’ve almost always gone back to this handful of movies when I feel like my belief in myself is shaken and I need a source of inspiration.

What movies do you watch for inspiration? My top few are in the podcast … but there are so many more (including my holiday favorite) It’s a Wonderful Life, and Scrooged, that could have made the cut.

Make it a great week!

Dr. Heidi Hanna is CEO and founder of SYNERGY, an integrative neuroscience partnership that provides brain-based training for individuals and organizations. Heidi’s publications include the NY Times best seller The SHARP Solution: A Brain-Based Approach for Optimal Performance (Wiley, Feb 2013), and the follow-up release Stressaholic: 5 Steps to Transform Your Relationship With Stress (Wiley, Jan 2014).

In addition to those accomplishments, Heidi also attended college on a full scholarship to play softball. As a pitcher, she quickly realized that athletes share a common awareness of the window they possess to perform an optimal level. She also discovered that most high-performing athletics perfected ways to recharge their energy in order to continue performing that those levels. Finally, as with any pitcher, she become intimately familiar with the pitch counts imposed upon her.

Throughout these experiences, it became clear that energy is our most important resource. In softball (and baseball), a pitch count is a regimented tool design to allow pitchers to recharge their energy appropriately. Similarly, in tennis, players only spend an average of 35% actually playing the game; the remainder is spent restoring their energy levels. As you can imagine, this tactic translates seamlessly into the non-sports world and especially to entrepreneurs.

Stress can initially provide stimulation for achievement, but prolonged periods or intense levels of stress will ultimately diminish our ability to be resilient. For entrepreneurs, installing a schedule that allows for energy restoration can be difficult and feel uncomfortable.

Physiologically, however, we are designed for it. Before the technological advance of the previous century, most humans scheduled themselves around natural daylight. With the advent of artificial light, it became easier to work beyond the limitations of nature. The advances of the last decade have exacerbated those habits further, as it is now possible to be constantly connected and consistently running at full capacity.

This eventually leads to "tolerating" life, as opposed to finding a true rhythm. As such, we must determine our own pitch count in order to recognize when we need time to recharge. Think of the process as coupling periods of strategic engagement with periods of strategic disengagement. Down time doesn't mean surfing the web, watching TV, or checking email; rather, it means allowing your mind to fully recharge. A simple start is to schedule time blocks for 50 minutes instead of one hour to automatically build in a 10-minute window for energy restoration.

Make a proactive effort to be at your peak when it matters most, rather than trying to maintain that peak at all times. Identify what's most important in order to capitalize on those moments. This can be accomplished through an "energy audit". Monitor your sleep habits (amount of time, sleep preparation and technology cut-off, positive morning rituals). Embrace nutrition - your body's fuel. Maintain a balance of movement and rest to keep from overcommitting to one or the other.

Entrepreneurs can easily fall into the trap of thinking "it's all about how much I can get done, and how quickly". The more intense the situation you prepare for, however, the more recovery time that will be required. If you enter each day with intention and remind yourself that in order to speed up, you must slow down, you will avoid that dreaded entrepreneurial pitfall: burn out.

Long-term commitment to recharging energy creates the longevity necessary to leave a legacy. Perfecting this process will even allow you to then coach your team in managing their own pitch count. Health, happiness, relationships, business all will improve.

Create a recharge revolution!

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin
Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week I visited a group of entrepreneurs for a workshop on Execution. On the way back, I had huge challenges getting back home for the weekend. Apparently there was some sort of computer error, which took a ton of time to fix and, predictably, let to me missing the flight home.

The challenge was that 1000s of other passengers had the same challenge as I did that day.

I never quit, nor did I think of quitting … in fact, I’ve never quit on anything. In fact, in never even occurs to me.

This week I share why.

Make it a great week!

In a society where people expect things to materialize instantly, many would be entrepreneurs expect the same, as it relates to success. However, in today’s podcast, founder of RYSE Media, Jay Jackson discusses how his view of entrepreneurship has evolved over the years and provides tips for the next generation of entrepreneurs. “Some people dream of success, some people wake up and work hard at it every day,” he says.

With the insurgence of social media and the desire for instant gratifications, Jay finds that many people aren’t willing to put in the work required to be successful. “When you see a successful person, aspiring entrepreneurs often don’t understand the steps it took to get them there,” Jay says. Growing up, he often idealized the wrong people and was headed down a different path until he found a mentor who changed his perspective. The process of fulfilling his dreams by founding his own magazine wasn’t easy, “Early on, I realized the importance of consistency. I try to pass that value along to my team members and people I mentor.”

Jay believes that aspiring entrepreneurs should take the responsibility for their own empowerment and build doors, if necessary. “When I speak at high school and colleges, students often tell me they don’t encounter many entrepreneurs. Through sharing my story, I believe it empowers them a bit more,” he says. While many of the students idolize basketball players, they fail to realize the work behind the glitz and the glamour. “We’re living in a generation that wants everything instantly. But I think at the core, [my company] tries to expose people to success and the process to becoming successful,” Jay remarks.

As for Jay, his key to success is consistent and authentic innovation. “My team is young; the average person is around 25 years old. I’m always tapping them for ideas on how to engage and inspire through our content.”

What are tips you’d like to pass on to the next generation of entrepreneurs? Send us a tweet @WiseNapkin with your answer!

This has nothing to do with an ACTUAL well.

It has to do with the structure and support systems we need as leaders, as entrepreneurs.

It’s such a roller-coaster of ups and downs out there that we need support to help keep us a little more level and a little more in the zone to be in flow … to capture the momentum around us.

The challenge is that we tend not to do that when things are good – we’re so focused on the ride up that we forget about creating layers of support and structure for the way down.

What does that look like? It looks like truly transparent relationships that are nurtured with peers, people who are doing what you want to be doing in life and business. This transparency needs to happen in a rhythm, one that gets quicker when you need it (like a heartbeat). But is also there when you don’t (also like a heartbeat).

Focus on building meaningful relationships with people you aspire to be like, and show up with transparency – show up with challenges, opportunities, and problems that you haven’t figured out yet.

Ask them for help – build a well.

Let`s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we’ll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Subscribe to both our podcasts Paper Napkin Wisdom and to Take Action by Paper Napkin Wisdom now.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week I share an experience from this week. I was dealt a huge blow late this week. It was a public failure – and to some degree very embarrassing on the surface. I share how taking responsibility for it has helped me evolve, learn, and grow remarkably quickly. I’m ready for the next time, and no worries, there is always a next time!

How do you respond to challenges and adversity?

How do you get ready for the next opportunity?

What would you do if there were no rules or set path to achieving success? In this podcast, Matt Ward explains his philosophy behind his theory that there are no rules. “In life and business, there are set patterns,” he explains,”but at the end of the day, you can do what you want to do.” And he would know -- Matt started out as an engineer but now runs an ecommerce company.”I was always the straight A student, really rules focused, a bit of a nerd. Great at math and science, not so great at English,” he admits.

After becoming dissatisfied with the corporate world and discovering his love for crowdfunding and ecommerce, he began exploring the idea that rules should be abandoned. He happened upon the idea after reading Eckhart Tolle’s bestseller (and Oprah approved) “The Power of Now”. The book asserts that there is no past because it's over, and there is no future. Additionally, Tolle believes that most problems technically don’t exist because they’re in the future. This was a life changing revelation for Matt, who ended up on a completely different course than the one he started on.

As the head of a Fulfilled By Amazon company, he breaks down how Amazon has broken the rules and subsequently changed history. While competing giant Ebay encouraged people to bid on items, Amazon allowed people to get the best product for the lowest cause. “Raw efficiency... makes things really easy for consumers and is one way Amazon is breaking the rules,” he says.

Matt also believes that many entrepreneurs are victims of analysis paralysis, “You don’t have to be perfect to launch. Perfectionist syndrome keeps people on the beaten path. You [end up] holding yourself back. That’s the main difference between “wantrepreneurs” and “entrepreneurs.”

He encourages entrepreneurs to change course if something isn’t working, a lesson he learned after stopping his crowdfunding story.

He leaves budding entrepreneurs with this advice, “Go do something stupid so that you’ll learn incredible things from it. Set outlandishly large goals. Plan goals over the next 12 months while having this mind set. If you shoot for the moon and get 10% of the way there, you’re going to have a hell of a success story… assuming you have a rocket.”

Check out the whole conversation.

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Entrepreneur Family, a new channel focused on how entire families share in the entrepreneurial journey and how it impacts not just the entrepreneur but their loved ones as well. 

Entrepreneurship requires that a risk-taking individual embark upon a journey: to launch their own business, using their own innovative ideas, in order to eventually earn a viable profit. Entrepreneur Amrit Mansahia discusses in detail with us her business journey, and the challenges she faced along the way. Specifically, she notes that most challenges are unforeseen, and only appear once the entrepreneur is already deep into the process.

Amrit Mansahia explains how one’s family is equally affected by the launch of a new business. Throughout an entrepreneur’s journey, there is more than one individual along for the ride. She says, “It is not me who is failing or succeeding; it is we.” As a spouse, both partners are on the journey together; it is a family affair.

The journey began for Amrit Mansahia when she was a graduate with an entrepreneurship bachelor’s degree, and a supportive husband by her side. They both embarked upon terrific jobs, working for others, until her husband had the idea of the spouses starting their own business. Amrit agreed, even though they had the responsibility of a new baby to also consider. Both spouses quit their jobs and began the business. Immediately, the struggles ensued: long work hours, no income, no money for basic necessities, including baby diapers. Amrit notes, “In one’s own business, there are so many tasks to complete simultaneously.” Focus and balance are very important, because every action and decision depends on and directly effects another action and decision.

Amrit Mansahia describes the entire entrepreneur journey as a rollercoaster ride, with many ups, downs, and unknowns along the way. However, in the end, she observes that having a viable company to call her own is worth the difficult journey it required, of not only her and her husband, but their entire family as well.

Many of us are familiar with the concept that in order to get the life you want; you have you build it intentionally. However, how can entrepreneurs navigate the pivot from the life they’re living into the life they want? Bri Seeley, founder of the Inspirational Woman Project, explains how she began to live an intentional life when she began to live by this guiding principle: “Life does not get better by chance. Life gets better when you take action towards creating your inspirational life.”

She has spent the last year inspiring women to do the same. After stepping in to help her (current) business partner with an event, Bri found herself hosting what would end up being dubbed The Amplify Collective. Gathering over dinner and wine, about twenty women discussed their passions and vulnerabilities for about 2-3 hours. Realizing that they had stumbled upon something special, Bri and her partner began to throw several more events over the next few months, all of which sold out nearly immediately. But Bri wasn’t always living such a purpose filled life. 

Prior to adopting this as her guiding principle, Bri admits she was stumbling throughout life. She was running a fashion company alongside her day job. While it was once her passion, she felt like she was running in a hamster wheel, “I was amassing massive amounts of debt. It was time to begin taking action in a purposeful way.” In 2015, she closed down her fashion brand and began going through the redefinition process.

Redefining her purpose proved to be tough. Because many people only knew her as a fashion designer, she had difficulty getting people in line with her new vision. “It was like walking up to a blank canvas and saying I get to choose what I create. And it was terrifying.” When crafting her new vision, she began to evaluate what she had accomplished in the previous years. Bri realized that in her previous entrepreneurial venture, she enjoyed inspiring women to look and feel feminine. She decided to take everything she had been doing for the last several years and translate those experiences into an organization that focuses on women empowerment.

Upon this newfound realization, Bri discovered that there was a certain persistence that had to be had in order to maintain her new direction. “I record an audio that details all of the good I want in my life for that month. It allows me to bask in the actions that I’m taking and the purpose I’m living in. I listen to it every day,” she says. Sometimes she doesn’t reach all of her goals, but she takes the time to appreciate what she has accomplished, “The more you hear it, the more you align it.” Bri also follows a morning routine that has allowed for her to stay aligned with her purpose. From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., she takes “me time”- sometimes, this involves coloring for hours; other times, she’ll go to her rooftop for yoga. “I just listen to my body and do what it wants,” she says.

By maintaining a balance between living intentionally, practicing self-care and taking the time to recharge, Bri transformed her life and now empowers other women to do the same. What steps have you taken to live an intentional life as an entrepreneur? Tweet us with your answers at @WiseNapkin.

Each week I'll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week I talk about how important it is to stay in your lane and remain focused on your main priority. Don't get distracted with things that will pull you off course. 

Are you staying on course? How do you do it?

If you’re a long term Paper Napkin Wisdom listener, you may remember Christina Harbridge’s last visit EPISODE 47, when we had a lively discussion about shifting focus towards things that are enjoyable. If you’re just tuning in, Christina has a very interesting background. She has co-authored software, built a company that hit national revenue success, practiced acrobatic swing dancing, been a NASA test subject, and collaborated to design several large-scale metal sculptures currently on display in San Francisco, Austin, and Toronto. Now, she is the CEO of Allegory, a company that provides group training, one-on-one coaching, behavior change, and company culture services. In today’s podcast, she breaks down why drilling down on context is crucial to good communication.

Christina explains, “If I ask you for food and you hand me an apple, it’s because I wasn’t specific enough.” Taking it a step further, if she wanted a Granny Smith, she may find herself disappointed when you hand her a Golden Delicious for a midday treat. Recognizing levels of context has to become a habit, Christina remarks. As opposed to throwing around buzzwords, Christina recommends drilling down a bit and getting to the heart of the conversation and concerns. “Context is a deliberate practice and you must notice it everywhere in order to increase understanding. It will become more of a habit over time,” she says.

On an organizational level, becoming more contextual can pay dividends. Christina makes it a practice to ask for direct, tangible examples when a team member makes a complaint. “Getting examples can drive change and fulfill a person’s basic need to feel understood,” she believes. For example, as opposed to complaining that a Director of Finance is underperforming, Christina suggests asking team members for specific examples in order to change the complaint into a solution. “Context helps you understand if it's just a complaint or if there is a good example beyond the buzzwords,” she says.

Outside of complaints, Christina believes there is also a benefit in applying this philosophy to positive feedback. “When praising an employee, give root level feedback. Make sure to specify an example of exactly what you liked in order to see that behavior replicated,” she mentions. Christina admits that she wasn’t always a practitioner of this belief. “I used to not specifically articulate my needs and get mad when they weren’t met. It would bubble up until the point where a missed document would take me over the edge,” she recalls. By adopting this practice, she has found that things run more smoothly in both her personal and professional life.

How can you begin to practice specificity in your day-to-day life and organization’s life? Tweet us with your thoughts!

Data is the new black. Over 90% of the world’s data has been created in the past two years; and on average, people consume nearly 30 GB of data per day. From entrepreneurs to CMO’s of Fortune 500 companies, people simply can’t get enough of it. But often times, organizations hit a standstill because they don’t understand how to properly leverage the data to drive actionable results.

In some cases, it’s simply because they’re not looking at data through the right lens. John Johnson is a trained statistician, data consultant, expert witness and founder of Edgeworth Economics, based out of Washington, D.C. Author of the newly released book Every Data, he explains how  some businesses neglect to properly harness this information and what they can do to begin collecting purpose driven data.

“Statistics and data can be powerful, but very misleading. As a statistician, I think about the world from a data driven perspective. But what I’ve noticed is that averages are just like a snapshot,” Johnson says, “It just explains one frame and sometimes neglects to tell the whole story. This can lead to terrible decision making.” A good example to illustrate this point is to compare the average salary of a mayor across America (around $60,000) with the salary of a deputy mayor (around $80,000).

At an initial glance, it may seem confusing that a deputy major earns less than an actual mayor. However, these data points fail to consider that only larger cities like New York and Philadelphia have deputy mayors, while every small town and metropolis have mayors. “What you’re averaging can dramatically skew the results. Thinking deeper about data will help [business owners] make more sense of it,” he says.

Speaking of “average”, John is the exact opposite. Back in 2010, he developed a company of “wiz kids”, which wasn’t necessarily the norm. “In a typical firm like ours, you see older people working with their much young apprentices,” he explains. By refusing to settle for the average, he has since expanded his firm to 80 employees in three offices.

For companies looking to improve their data collection or analyzation methods, John suggests the following:

1. Make sure the data you’re reviewing is correct: The first step in analyzing your data is to make sure it’s the correct data set. When the temperature control company NEST was bought by Google, the ticker jumped by 1900% in one day. Unfortunately, that ticker wasn’t for NEST – it was for a similarly named penny stock that had gone bankrupt. Slowing down and taking time to review which data you’re looking at is essential to the success of your data analyzation efforts.

2. Determine what question the data is trying to solve: While some people can be data hoarders, this leads to massive efforts for data mining that isn’t even useful or applicable. Take the time to sit down and decide which problem you’d like for your data to solve, prior to gathering several data points.

Have you ever fallen victim to bad data practices? What did you do to fix it? Let us know by sending us a tweet at @WiseNapkin.

In the fast-evolving world of technology, it can be easy to overlook the human element. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman speaks with Annette Levesque, a global expert in e-learning who built one of the first e-high schools in the world. Annette shares her unique perspective on the intersection of innovation and human connection, offering a wealth of wisdom for leaders and entrepreneurs navigating the digital age.

Innovation Meets Education

Annette’s journey into e-learning began as a passion for leveraging technology to increase access to education. As one of the pioneers in the online education space, she transformed how students could learn, breaking barriers of location and time. "I saw early on that technology could expand the reach of education, but I also knew that it needed to remain student-centered," Annette explains. Her work wasn’t just about building platforms; it was about creating environments where students felt connected, engaged, and supported—despite being physically distant.

For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this insight is vital. While technology can help scale operations, it’s critical to remember that the end user’s experience is still rooted in connection and engagement. Whether you’re working with clients, customers, or employees, ensuring that technology enhances human interaction is a key ingredient for long-term success.

The Power of Human Connection in Business

A recurring theme in Annette’s conversation is the importance of human connection, even in tech-driven industries. "People don’t remember the tools you used; they remember how you made them feel," she emphasizes. In her view, businesses that focus solely on innovation without considering the relational aspect will struggle to maintain loyalty and trust in the long run.

This wisdom applies across all sectors—whether you’re leading a tech startup or running a more traditional business. The tools we use may evolve, but the need for trust, empathy, and relationship-building remains constant. Leaders who recognize this will not only retain their workforce but also foster an environment where creativity and innovation can thrive.

Trust in the Digital World

Building trust in digital spaces is a challenge that Annette knows well. In her work with online education, she learned that establishing trust remotely required more than just reliable technology. "You need to be transparent, consistent, and show up in ways that people feel seen and heard," she shares. For leaders, this means going beyond transactional interactions. It requires demonstrating empathy and understanding through communication, follow-through, and shared values.

In a time where remote work and digital services are more prevalent than ever, leaders who invest in trust-building will set themselves apart. Whether it’s through regular check-ins with your team or personalized customer service experiences, these efforts go a long way in making people feel valued.

Leading with a Balance

Annette believes that successful leadership today is about balancing innovation with a personal touch. "Technology can scale a business, but it’s the people behind it that drive success," she says. As an entrepreneur or leader, finding that balance requires intentional effort. It’s easy to get caught up in new tools, automation, and systems that promise growth, but staying connected with your team, customers, and partners is essential to sustaining that growth.

By focusing on human connection alongside innovation, leaders can create businesses that not only grow but also inspire loyalty and trust.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Human Connection is Your Greatest Asset

Annette emphasizes that while technology can drive efficiency, it's the personal connections you create that will drive long-term success. “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” she says.

Take Action: Identify one area of your business where you can enhance human connection, whether through more personalized communication with clients or increasing face time with your team. Make a plan to implement this within the next month.

2. Technology Should Serve, Not Replace, Connection

Innovation is crucial, but Annette reminds us that it should support rather than replace meaningful interaction. “The tools are there to make life easier, not to cut out the human element,” she notes.

Take Action: Review the tools you currently use in your business. Are they enhancing or detracting from human engagement? Eliminate or adjust any systems that are creating barriers between you and your customers or team members.

3. Trust Requires Transparency and Consistency

In a digital-first world, trust isn’t built overnight. It’s earned through consistency and transparent communication, something Annette has mastered in her work with online education. "People need to feel like they’re being heard and understood, not just managed by an algorithm," she says.

Take Action: Start holding regular, transparent updates with your team or clients, even if there’s nothing significant to report. Consistency in communication builds trust and reinforces your commitment to their success.

4. Leverage Technology for Personalization

Annette shares that one of the benefits of technology is its ability to personalize experiences at scale. “We have the tools to make every interaction feel customized and personal, even in large organizations,” she says.

Take Action: Implement a system or tool that allows for more personalized communication. This could be as simple as adding personal touches to your emails or using CRM tools to tailor your outreach based on specific customer needs.

5. Balance is Key to Leadership Success

Annette closes with a powerful message about leadership. “It’s about balance—balancing growth with connection, innovation with empathy.” Leaders who can manage this balance will not only achieve success but sustain it.

Take Action: Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on how well you balanced innovation and connection in your leadership. Journal any key observations, and consider how you can improve this balance moving forward.

Annette Levesque’s insights serve as a timely reminder that in our fast-paced, tech-driven world, human connection remains the cornerstone of success. Whether you're leading a business, building a team, or interacting with clients, the relationships you foster will ultimately define your impact.

If you want to dive deeper into Annette’s wisdom, check out the full episode and take a moment to share your biggest takeaway on social media using #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let’s keep the conversation going!

In the latest episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Diego Osorio, CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila. Diego shares the remarkable journey of transforming a passion for storytelling and heritage into a successful tequila brand. With his unique background and innovative approach, Diego has made a significant impact in the spirits industry, infusing Lobos 1707 with a rich cultural legacy and a modern entrepreneurial spirit.

Diego Osorio’s Vision for Lobos 1707 Tequila

From its inception, Lobos 1707 has been more than just a tequila brand. It represents the art of craftsmanship, the pride of heritage, and the power of community. Diego Osorio, driven by a vision to honor his family’s heritage, has turned Lobos 1707 into a global brand that stands for authenticity and quality.

Diego's journey began with a deep appreciation for storytelling and a desire to share his family's traditions. He quickly realized that the tequila industry was the perfect platform to combine these passions. Lobos 1707 is built on a foundation of quality and authenticity, drawing inspiration from his family's 16th-century distilling traditions. This dedication to heritage is what sets Lobos 1707 apart in a crowded market.

Innovating with Tradition

One of the key elements that distinguish Lobos 1707 is its innovative approach to distilling. Diego explains how the brand combines traditional techniques with modern innovations to create a unique product. The tequila undergoes a unique aging process, finishing in Pedro Ximénez wine barrels, which infuses the spirit with distinctive flavors. This blend of old and new showcases Diego's commitment to maintaining the integrity of his heritage while pushing the boundaries of the industry.

Building a Brand with Purpose

Diego emphasizes the importance of building a brand that stands for something greater than just the product. For him, Lobos 1707 is a representation of unity and community. He shares how the brand name itself, 'Lobos,' meaning 'wolves' in Spanish, symbolizes strength, unity, and loyalty. This ethos is woven into every aspect of the brand, from its marketing campaigns to its community outreach initiatives.

Navigating Challenges and Staying True to Your Vision

Launching and growing a brand in a highly competitive market like tequila is no small feat. Diego shares some of the challenges he faced, including breaking into the American market and ensuring that the brand's story resonated with consumers. Despite these obstacles, his unwavering commitment to his vision and values helped Lobos 1707 overcome the odds.

He believes that staying true to one’s roots and being authentic are critical to building a lasting brand. Diego’s advice to entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Know your story, stay true to it, and never compromise on quality.”

5 Key Takeaways from the Conversation with Diego Osorio

Diego Osorio’s story is an inspiring example of how passion, innovation, and a deep respect for tradition can lead to success. His journey with Lobos 1707 is a testament to the power of staying true to one’s roots while embracing innovation. As Diego continues to build Lobos 1707, he reminds us all that the spirit of entrepreneurship is about more than just business; it’s about sharing your story and building a community.

Call to Action

Inspired by Diego’s journey? Share your own story on a napkin and post it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let’s celebrate the power of heritage and innovation together!

Being second in command is tricky terrain to navigate; just ask Adventure Links COO Adam Trautenberg.  Co-host, Miranda Barrett joins Govindh Jayaraman to get the inside scoop on how this COO takes charge of a demanding job that’s constantly in flux.

“The role is defined by the relationship with the CEO,” explains Adam. That relationship isn’t something that simply grew overnight. For him, “it was an organic experience…it built over time.” Trust is the most essential result of that developmental period. The two key components of their symbiosis involve him understanding his CEO’s vision, and, “her having the trust in me that I’ll get there.”

With trust, comes candor: “Mistakes are open and discussed.”  For Adam and his CEO, it’s about finding solutions, not pointing fingers. “She’s not going to scream and yell, or fire me, or threaten to fire me…It’s a really honest and open communication line.” However, that doesn’t protect him from political pitfalls. 

COOs often find themselves, for better or for worse, as the liaison between the CEO and the rest of the company. “If you cover too much for the CEO…you can lose a little bit of the trust of the team.” It’s a fine line that only a few have the balance to walk. 

So, what does it take to make a great COO? Adam quickly asserts, “Adaptability.” Apparently, there simply isn’t a normal day for him, which explains why, “there’s no job description for COO.”

In this thought-provoking episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman engages in a profound conversation with Dmitry Buterin, an entrepreneur who has successfully built businesses from the ground up and navigated the complex landscape of technology and personal growth. Dmitry’s journey is a testament to the power of self-recognition, the fluidity of life, and the importance of embracing the present moment. For leaders, his insights provide invaluable guidance on how to lead with authenticity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of human experience.

The Blank Napkin: Symbolizing Infinite Possibilities

The episode begins with Dmitry presenting a blank napkin, symbolizing infinite possibilities and the undefined nature of human experience. This blank slate represents the freedom to explore, question, and redefine one’s path without being confined by preconceived notions or rigid structures. For leaders, this concept is particularly relevant. Leading a team or an organization requires the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and the courage to embrace new ideas and approaches. The blank napkin serves as a powerful reminder that leaders should foster an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish, unbounded by past constraints.

The Power of Self-Recognition

Dmitry emphasizes the importance of self-recognition, explaining that understanding and acknowledging one’s current state and experiences is crucial. He challenges the idea of striving for a detached observer perspective and instead advocates for recognizing that everything happening in one’s life is part of their unique journey. For leaders, this means being acutely aware of their emotions, strengths, and areas for growth. By cultivating self-awareness, leaders can make more informed decisions, build stronger relationships with their teams, and create a culture of authenticity and trust.

The Fluidity of Life and Mindset

Throughout the conversation, Dmitry highlights the fluid nature of life and how one’s mindset is constantly evolving. He reflects on his experiences of building businesses and how his perspectives have shifted over time. Dmitry underscores that there is no permanent “true self,” but rather a dynamic and ever-changing process of experiencing and reacting to life’s events. Leaders can draw valuable lessons from this perspective. By acknowledging the fluidity of their own mindset, they can remain open to new ideas, pivot when necessary, and continuously grow alongside their teams. Embracing change and uncertainty can lead to greater resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.

Letting Go of Rigid Structures

Dmitry discusses the importance of letting go of rigid structures and ideologies that confine one’s thinking. He shares his journey from being rigid about his knowledge to becoming more open-minded and flexible. This shift has allowed him to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness, recognizing that life’s flow cannot be controlled or predicted. For leaders, this advice is particularly pertinent. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, clinging to outdated practices and beliefs can hinder progress. Leaders must be willing to question the status quo, embrace diverse perspectives, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Embracing the Present Moment

A significant part of Dmitry’s philosophy is the emphasis on living in the present moment. He argues that practices aimed at preparing for the future can often distract from the here and now. Instead, he advocates for embracing each moment as it comes, understanding that every reaction and emotion is part of the current experience. This mindset fosters a sense of peace and acceptance, enabling individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience. For leaders, focusing on the present moment is essential. It allows them to be fully present with their teams, make more effective decisions, and respond swiftly to emerging opportunities and challenges. By cultivating mindfulness and presence, leaders can create a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Key Takeaways

Join Govindh Jayaraman and Dmitry in this profound conversation that will inspire you to embrace the fluidity of life, recognize the importance of self-awareness, and lead with authenticity and adaptability. Listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights into Dmitry’s journey and the wisdom he shares.

Dave Rendall is an entrepreneur who has worn many hats during his professional career, which started when he was very young. All told, he has delivered newspapers, been a stock boy, lawn boy, caddie, painter, janitor, tutor, resident assistant, job coach, supervisor, nonprofit manager, and senior executive. Just to spice things up, he also has experience as a leadership professor, stand-up comedian, and endurance athlete. Drawing from this vast array of experience, Dave’s contribution to Paper Napkin Wisdom is rooted in reality: “What makes us weird, makes us wonderful. What makes us weak, also makes us strong.”

The common social reaction to uniqueness is one that nearly every teenage kid experiences at least once: rejection. Weirdness has a negative connotation; the word “unusual” is usually meant as a criticism. The resistance once receives for being weird is a push to be more conventional; to fit in. Robert Quinn once observed: “Deviants will always generate external pressures to conform when you perform beyond the norms, the systems will adjust and try to make you normal.”

It has been Dave’s experience, however, that the things that make you weird will also make you successful and remarkable. Those who are perceived to be weak may actually be quite strong. This perspective comes from Dave’s time working with people with disabilities (and specifically, helping them find employment). While it was common for others to focus on someone’s perceived disability, Dave explains that it takes a true genius to identify what’s working and what’s effective.

Dyslexia is a condition that provides a perfect example in the world of entrepreneurship. One study revealed that more than 50% of British millionaires were dyslexic, while another showed that at least 33% of entrepreneurs in the U.S. also have the condition. One person who fits into both categories is Richard Branson, who claims that his dyslexia has helped him to succeed. The logical conclusion: people with the condition don’t have weak or broken brains, they just have different brains. Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos, would likely agree; his dyslexia drove him to stay out of the office, improve his management style, and grow his business. Upon selling to FedEx for $2.4B, he claimed that not only would he not want to remove his condition, he wishes everyone could have it.

As with most entrepreneurial endeavors, there is a powerful analogy that comes from the sports world. Matt Stutzman is a competitive archer who won the silver medal at the Paralympic Games, all without arms. Matt says that he developed this incredible skill as a result of his disability by fine-tuning his core muscles and legs to the point of athletic superiority. He is even now facing legal action from those who claim that his condition gives him an “unfair advantage.” So perhaps the question you can ask yourself is: if someone without arms can be seen as having an “unfair advantage”, then is the weakness you face as an entrepreneur or as a leader really as strong as you think?

In Dave’s experience, there is always someone that is “weird” the same way you are, who would not see you as weird, but as wonderful. It’s about finding the right fit and the best situations where your perceived weirdness works for you. Dave is a 6’6” man, so he already stands out - yet he regularly wears pink shoes and pink pants as an homage to his three daughters. A side effect to this is that it helps him stand out even more (i.e. be more memorable) - for a professional speaker in a crowded marketplace, this becomes a clear advantage.

In a business sense, to be different requires doing things that are weird and unusual, but most businesses measure themselves against competition standards or parameters. Everyone measures success in the same way. True success, however, lives in having the courage to be weird and think differently in order to separate yourself and define success in a unique way. If you’re able to differentiate yourself into true uniqueness, then there is no competition.

In this week’s Leading Behind the Scenes, Marlou Hermsen makes the case (without laughing) that those who wish for a better world should seek to, “CHANGE the world without being a smug twat.” If the statement makes you smile, and does not offend, it means you’re probably on the right track, because, as Marlou further explains, smugness, besides being a deterrent to team collaboration, is also a creative block. Collaboration is key to success, but when individuals are smug twats, they stifle new ideas and thwart joint ventures.

According to Marlou, there are people who work for worthy causes to personally benefit — via the acquisition of money or notoriety. These types of gains can lead to smugness. Instead of seeking profit, she says, find a purpose. But, how can one not be smug when they have been successful? Easy. Reflect. Celebrate the small steps, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. Avoid superficiality. If one remembers that work is never done, the impetus to be smug will diminish.

Despite wanting to change the world for the better, Marlou don’t consider herself to be an activist. She says, “The word ‘activist’ has a stereotypical feel, a negative connotation — it reeks of smug twat, of someone who is an individual, rather than a team contributor. Even though I have spent my whole career actively working towards change, I avoid labeling myself an activist. Instead, I prefer to be called naive.”

Naive is the opposite of smug, exactly what we need to succeed. Naive implies that one is not jaded, that one is open to new ideas. Curiosity, drive, and commitment are elements of naiveté. Once a person has become set in their ways, these traits vanish, and smugness takes hold. It’s like losing your superpower.

Everyone has a superpower — it’s comprised of what you enjoy doing, plus what you are good at. Superpowers are about balance. And balance is the key to being energy-resilient, which is so important when working towards a goal.

Marlou has learned that changing the world does not occur in a straight line. Instead, she notes, it’s two steps forward, five steps back, ten steps forward, one step back. As such, it would be easy for a smug twat to lose their balance, and energy, and forgo an opportunity to change the world.

Bottom line … when we are under pressure and stress (or distress) our pulse quickens. We need to distribute vital energy to various parts of our bodies quicker in these situations.

Our companies are no different. We need to speed up our communication rhythm in these situations and there is no doubt that there is value to having a regular heartbeat – a regular structure to daily, weekly, monthly communications.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

In memory of John, and to support his family during this difficult time, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor.

In Appreciation of John Ruhlin - Lessons that Live and Love On

John Ruhlin was more than just an entrepreneur; he was a master of appreciation, a man whose philosophy of valuing others left an indelible mark on everyone he met. As we reflect on his life and legacy, it's clear that John's lessons on appreciation continue to resonate deeply, influencing both personal and professional relationships.

In a recent series of conversations with some of John's closest friends—Cameron Herold, John Di Julius, Shep Hyken, and John O'Leary—each of them shared profound insights into the impact John had on their lives and careers.

Cameron Herold began the conversation by reminding us of John’s core belief: "Love Bombing." Cameron emphasized that this simple yet powerful principle was something John lived by every day. Whether in business or personal life, John believed that recognizing and valuing the people around us leads to growth—both in relationships and in outcomes.

John Di Julius echoed this sentiment, highlighting how John’s philosophy of appreciation propelled him to unprecedented heights. "His message has touched so many," John said, reflecting on how John Ruhlin’s approach to valuing people was the key to his meteoric rise. It wasn't just about gifts or gestures; it was about the genuine care John showed for everyone in his circle, something that resonated deeply with all who knew him.

Shep Hyken shared a poignant memory of John, recalling the suddenness of his passing and the void it left in the hearts of his friends and colleagues. Shep reminded us that John’s legacy isn’t just in the business strategies he pioneered, but in the love and respect he cultivated. "John lived by his words," Shep noted, emphasizing that his success was a direct result of his unwavering commitment to appreciating those around him.

John O'Leary closed the conversation with a reflection on how John’s credo—"What you appreciate, appreciates"—was not just a mantra but a way of life. John O'Leary pointed out that this philosophy was something John Ruhlin didn’t just preach; he practiced it daily, and in doing so, he inspired others to do the same.

Five Key Takeaways from John Ruhlin’s Legacy:

1. Appreciation Creates Growth: What you appreciate truly does appreciate, leading to stronger relationships and better outcomes in all areas of life.

2. Genuine Care Leads to Success: John’s meteoric rise in business was fueled by his genuine care for others—a lesson that reminds us that success is deeply tied to how we treat people.

3. Live by Your Principles: John didn’t just talk about appreciation; he lived it every day, showing that our principles should be reflected in our actions.

4. Relationships Over Transactions: John’s approach to business was never about the transaction; it was always about building meaningful, lasting relationships.

5. Legacy of Love: John’s passing is a reminder that our greatest legacy isn’t what we achieve, but how we love and appreciate those around us.

John Ruhlin’s life and work remind us that the true measure of success lies in how we value others. As we carry forward his lessons, let’s all strive to appreciate more deeply, love more fully, and build relationships that stand the test of time.

In memory of John, and to support his family during this difficult time, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor. John was a gift to us all, and now we have the opportunity to give back to his family, ensuring his legacy of generosity lives on.

The goal of Carey Anne Nadeau, founder of Open Data Nation, is to “bring expertise in open data and data science to bear on the most pressing urban issues.” What compelled her to start the company was that she “wanted something to exist that just didn’t exist.” She was frustrated, dissatisfied, and complaining. The industry tended to be a “boys’ club,” and she experienced this firsthand when she was getting paid significantly less than a male peer. “The structures that already existed were not supportive to my growth,” she says. When told by a friend she should just “do it herself” she found the inspiration to start her own business. She chose to focus on using data science for societal benefit – to improve health and safety in cities – and become a female role model.

At one point, her entire company was female. This did not occur intentionally, but because it was mostly women who were motivated to do data statistics for the betterment of our society. Hence the title, “the future is female.” Carey Anne sees “a lot of opportunity for women to have a greater role. When they do, businesses see a lot of benefits.”

However, because her industry is still a “boys’ club,” Carey Anne is very aware of how she can be perceived. When she meets with new clients, talks about her value proposition, and lets her audience know she’s an MIT data scientist and city planner, they are often taken aback. Their reaction is, “What? That can’t be.” Knowing that have people have questioned or doubted a young, female entrepreneur’s standing in the industry, she suggests that one be very aware of people’s possible predispositions with respect to race, age, ethnicity, etc. – even whether a man has a beard.  

Carey Anne sees data’s role in business as helping think about, anticipate, and prepare for the future, not just as means of reviewing the past. For example, she will ask clients, “What pain points are you overwhelmed with?” to gain an understanding of how to get ahead of the problem.

Carey Anne does believe “the future is female,” but she is not saying the future is not male. It is not a zero-sum game. In her own experience, her male and female advisors offer divergent, but complementary, business-building help and insights. Where men are very focused on the current business and have opened boardroom doors, women have pushed more aggressively about how to make money. They “are really scrappy, looking for another angle, they don’t pigeonhole,” she says. At the same time, it is often a female characteristic to offer love, appreciation and support, and Carey Anne hopes that men, too, see themselves as “examples for others in the way we can all live our lives with more love and more happiness.”

To scale a business, we need to care about others more than we care about ourselves. The challenge is that we need to care about strangers (e.g. customers, suppliers, vendors, partners, bankers, even employees) - people you don’t really know.

As entrepreneurs and leaders, we often take on the burden pressure from everyone around us and put it on our shoulders. In order to be of value, we need to do that transparently and openly. On the other side, we need to be really committed to outcomes, results, and delivering a value to strangers.

If we build systems around that commitment to value, then we can hit the scale paradox.

When you think about your journey and your business, can you say that the person on the other side knows - not thinks – knows that you care? If you can’t, then they don’t.

You bring something unique to the game. Don’t forget that every time you’re on the way to new, it will be scary, but fear opens the door to learning and the opportunity to be transparent. Strangers who are most aligned with your mission and understand why you do what you do will support who you are, if you show up transparently and they know you care more about them than you do about yourself.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet.

I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we'll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

You have so much to give, you had better start now.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

This week I visited a group of entrepreneurs for a workshop on Execution. On the way back, I had huge challenges getting back home for the weekend. Apparently there was some sort of computer error, which took a ton of time to fix and, predictably, let to me missing the flight home. 

The challenge was that 1000s of other passengers had the same challenge as I did that day.

I never quit, nor did I think of quitting ... in fact, I've never quit on anything.

This week I share why.

Make it a great week!

Have you ever nearly tripped over a milestone or a goal because you were focused on the bigger prize?

That happened at Paper Napkin Wisdom and we nearly let the 150th Episode go by without any recognition of what we've learned and done over the last 3 years.

In that time we've collected more than a thousand paper napkins, done hundreds of interviews, released a book, and TENS of thousands of you have subscribed and listened to the podcast.

Since we were looking forward, however, we almost forgot to look back and see just how far we've come. 

What happened next is incredible ... I asked our Contributors to come back and share what has changed for them, if anything, since they shared their wisdom with us. I wasn't sure if I'd get one or two folks. I was overwhelmed to get 11 contributors come back and join us.

The content here defies a write-up ... it requires a listen. 

There are three easy ways to sign up for the Paper Napkin Wisdom Podcast:

1. via iTunes at - https://goo.gl/J9lpnk
2. via Google at - https://goo.gl/7yo17X
3. via Stitcher at - http://goo.gl/OpZIni

or via www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com

In addition, this podcast launches the the vlog video version of Paper Napkin Wisdom so we recorded the live stream of the 150th Podcast Episode recording.

Join me as I talk to some of the world's most incredible entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference-makers and they share pearls of wisdom around faith, family, growth, people (teams), momentum, vulnerability, authenticity, resilience and success.

You can see the video on our YouTube Channel here.

Don't forget to get the book!

The world loves leaders. We write books and television shows about them and promote leadership as one of the defining qualities of a successful person. However, today’s guest Bill Treasurer, has a somewhat unorthodox take on what great leadership should really look like. After spending the last two decades as an author and leadership development coach for Fortune 500 brands, he has concluded that we have been wrong in our approach to the concept and essence of leadership. 

“The first law of leadership is ‘It’s not about you’,” he says. A self-described leadership plumber (“I’m the one who gets the hairballs out,” he jokes), Bill explores this concept in his latest book entitled A Leadership Kick in the Ass. “I got the concept from my son. He was chosen to be class leader for the day. When I asked him how it went, he said ‘I got to open doors for people’,” Bill recalls. This seemingly innocuous but impactful statement revealed to Bill that one of the basic tenets of leadership was being overlooked. “Emerging leaders have sharp elbows of ambition. Sometimes leaders forget that the central of idea is about those being led. It’s never about the leader,” he says.

While leaders are praised for being exceptional motivators, Bill describes leaders as Chief Opportunity Creators for both their people and their organization. Instead of judging individuals and teams by their own cadence, Bill urges leaders to exude patience. “99% of the leaders I meet are impatient,” he says, “But leaders must accept that people will take time to walk through the door you open for them.”

With the number of responsibilities on their plate, leaders must find time to refocus – not only on the company’s goals – but also their leadership style. The renowned innovator Steve Jobs reportedly had a similar refocusing period after he was fired from Apple in the mid-80s. “He got back to the essentialism of it all. We learn best from experience and our transformational humiliating events,” Bill says.

Leaders must learn how to authentically rebuild themselves in order to provide the greatest value to their team. Additionally, leaders can refocus by setting vision and getting team members to become emotionally invested its success. “Growth is good, but it’s just an outcome or an ends to the means. People and investment are the means,” Bill remarks.

What are some ways you refocus your leadership? Let us know at www.Facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom or Twitter www.twitter.com/WiseNapkin!

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

I was visiting a group of 20-30 entrepreneurs in Washington, DC this week and we were discussing Execution (getting stuff done). There are so many of us that seem to get stuck in urgent tasks, instead of focusing on the important work that will move us forward.  Sometimes we do this because it is more comfortable to play the role of the superhero and the save the day, the way we have always done, rather than do the uncomfortable task of doing something new.

Remember, the new task - the harder one to pick, is supposed to be uncomfortable. We have never done it before. Go for it ... do the thing that you have never done to get the results you have never had.

When we first started Paper Napkin Wisdom, the idea was that by inspiring entrepreneurs to change themselves, we could promote change in the world. Lucas Siegel, co-founder of Capital Peak Investments and AlternaScript has a similar idea in today’s Paper Napkin Wisdom. “If there’s something in the world you don’t like, then build a business to change it,” he says. He began AlternaScript with this concept in mind. “It’s fascinating how few people realize that a business is really just about solving a problem better than other people can.”

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, his family always instilled a sense of worldly purpose within Lucas. After graduating from the University of Colorado and extensive travelling, he began to explore the problem with health supplements. “I discovered that most of them sucked and did not have any scientific backing. The underlying problem – which is what I based my company off of— surrounds how we can optimize health for American citizens and the world. How can we unleash people to live up to their potential, from a healthy living perspective? In my opinion, business is the only way to sustainably solve some of the world’s most massive, daunting problems,” he mused.

Beginning a business with a question in mind is a great way to stay on purpose through the entrepreneurial journey. “It’s so easy to lose track of why you’re here. Keeping that question at the forefront of your efforts helps to align your vision and your team,” says Lucas. Speaking of teams, he credits a lot of his success to his “tribe”. There are three types of people he keeps around him, “I surround myself with scalers, inventors and operators. And I make sure they’re all smarter than me and purpose driven individuals.”

Running a purpose driven business can be tough without the help of a well-oiled machine. Lucas ensures that he stays on track by running daily and reading (or, as he tells it, having a conversation with the author).  Additionally, he develops six month goals which he writes down and reads twice a day. “I have micro goals inside of my larger term goals. Six months is the longest I’d like to plan. I read somewhere that strategizing on a year to year basis is less of a strategy and more of a dream. Putting tight timelines on things pushes your brain more,” he says.

A large part of Lucas’ purpose is to provide consumers with top notch products. He’s not prone to analysis paralysis and is an advocate for another popular idea on our show: ‘Make it bad then make it better.’ “We use consumer feedback to evolve our products. We have developed over fifty versions of our cognitive enhancement brain supplement,” he says. “The hard part is scaling and gaining traction and going through the 5,000 no’s to get to that one yes.”

While he credits his success to the idea of solving a problem with his business, Lucas also cautions fellow entrepreneurs to do the same. “A lot of people come to me to try and figure out why their business isn’t growing. I always tell them to think to themselves: ‘Am I solving a problem that exists? Or did I create the problem in my head’,” he muses.

What’s the ultimate worldly purpose behind your business? Tweet us @Wisenapkin with your answers!

We have all been there. Feeling caged and unable to move forward due to real or perceived fears. But what if you realized that the cage was unlocked, and all you had to do was walk out? Zahra Al-Harazi, founder of Foundry Communications and UNICEF’s Canadian Ambassador, explains how entrepreneurs can overcome these boundaries. “There’s no lock on the cage,” she says, “No matter what cage you place yourself in or where others may put you, there’s never a lock there.”

Growing up in Yemen, she didn’t always subscribe to this idea. She moved to Canada with her children in 1996, where she became a stay at home mom. “I didn’t have any ambition and didn’t think I could really do much,” she admits. Upon realizing that this feeling wasn’t a regional thing, she began to think of ways to overcome it.

Fear had been holding her back from a variety of things, but she decided she didn’t have to be stuck there. She went on to live by this and share this philosophy at conferences and seminars across North America. Although she was mildly acrophobic, she took up a friend’s offer to go skydiving. “I threw up as soon as I landed,” she laughs, “But I did it.”

In order to escape the “cage”, Zahra found value in developing core values for herself and her business. “By developing these values and exemplifying them in everything you do, it allows you to live a more free life,” she says. For example, one of her core values states simply ‘Be Curious’. By consciously living that principle, she allows room for her curiosity to reign supreme and lead her to places where she may have once been afraid to go. “The fear never leaves. But you learn to work around it,” she says.

Another way to escape this fear is to overcome the reluctance to ask for assistance. “I have thirty mentors. I go to people for different things I need help with,” she says. When she was first starting out, she began to cultivate a tribe by asking for help.

“I learned how to be vulnerable and using that vulnerability to get out of this cage,” she recalls. When asked if she’s sometimes afraid to ask for help because she doesn’t want to “weak” or “ill-informed”, she admits that she does have these feelings sometimes. “However, I’ve learned that vulnerability can be contagious,” she says.

A tribe is undoubtedly the strongest tool in any entrepreneurs’ arsenal. When it comes to networking and discovering that tribe, she recommends that people develop a UVP (unique value proposition) and learn how to be of service to others in an authentic way. Additionally, she urges others to never discount someone prematurely, “Everyone has something to bring to the table.”

What “cage” have you locked yourself in? Is there a certain person that could help you get out of that cage? What can you bring to the table to overcome these fears? Let us know by Tweeting us at @Wisenapkin

The date was February 4, 2013. The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers were going head to head in Super Bowl XLVII. Suddenly, in the third quarter, there was a power outage. For thirty-four minutes, spectators across the globe were held captive by this unprecedented technical difficulty. Then, cookie brand Oreo tweeted “Power out? No Problem, you can still dunk in the dark” with a starkly lit image of an Oreo. Even if you didn’t watch the Super Bowl, chances are you heard about this story, as it was covered by hundreds of major media outlets. Today’s Paper Napkin Wisdom guest and marketing maven, Dave Meerman Scott, has pioneered this concept, known as newsjacking. According to Dave, newsjacking is the art and science of injecting your messages into a breaking news story. “To grow your business, align your marketing to the news of the day. Timing is key,” he remarks, “Very few companies are agile enough to do real time marketing.”

For many marketing departments, their marketing is very proactive. While this is great from an operations standpoint, Dave recommends that priorities are shifted to include time and space for reaction to relevant news articles. “You’re planning on your timetable and not the time table that’s most important to your marketplace. People don’t care about your products and services, but they may care about the story you align yourself with,” he says. Dave shared a few examples of a few of the ways people have successfully executed on this strategy.

Example 1: Trent Silver is a 22-year-old entrepreneur who founded Cash For Purses, a company that purchases used, high end handbags, fixes them and resales them to consignment shops. When he saw the breaking news story that Lindsay Lohan was having money troubles, he wrote a blog post offering to purchase her handbags. He then sent this blog to a few editors. The response was astounding: he was featured in TMZ, Radar Online, Huffington Post and more. Additionally, this generated over 8000 inquiries and a quarter of a million dollars in revenue.

Example 2: Mitch Jackson is a senior partner at Jackson & Wilson Law Firm, a legal practice in California. He blogs about the legal ramifications of breaking news stories (Charlie Sheen’s HIV announcement, Bill Cosby’s case and more). This has led to journalists quoting him and using him as a source in for their stories. He’s generated multimillion dollar settlements from this alone.

Example 3: Eloqua CEO Joe Payne realized that his competitor, Market to Lead, had been acquired by Oracle. When he did a web search, the Oracle website had very limited details surrounding this story. He decided to write a blog post detailing the acquisition and what it meant for the industry. Within a day, he was approached and quoted by PC World, Information World and more. Coincidentally enough, Eloqua was purchased by Oracle a little while later. “It was the $16m blog post,” laughs Dave.

For businesses who are looking to share similar success, Dave suggests the following:

• Have a legitimate tie to the story: Make sure your brand has an authentic connection with the story. Otherwise, this method will look forced.
• Timing is key: Control the narrative by striking when the iron is hot. Waiting a few days or even a few hours can make your story lose its relevancy or edge.
• Success takes time: Keep in mind, this success may not be instant. Work to establish your blogging rhythm so that when an opportunity arises, you’re able to pounce.

What newsjacking stories have you noticed lately? Have you tried this concept yourself? Tweet us with your answers @Wisenapkin

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

As I was speaking to a group of entrepreneurs about execution this week, we discussed the value of changing our Perspective as leaders to not think that we were out front, but rather out back of our teams supporting them as they charged forward.

The discussion evolved toward understanding the value of how elephants lead. While elephants have obvious size and strength, that's not how they lead. The alpha female is the leader of the herd and she leads from the back of the group using skills like Problem Solving, Social Intelligence, Openness, Decisiveness, Patience, Confidence, and Compassion to guide the group.

Make it a great week!!

Too often we get stuck.

Caught.

Stopped dead in our tracks.

Usually we end up blaming ourselves for something we did or got wrong in the past. Or because we “wish” we were doing something else right now.

Remember one thing:

You are frekkin’ unstoppable …

Remind yourself ever day, all the time. And take epic action …

Move forward, you can do it. In fact, you’re the only one who can.

Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success … get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

In today’s podcast, avid readers Govindh Jayaraman, entrepreneur and host of Paper Napkin Wisdom, and James Ashcroft, entrepreneur and mentor at EO Accelerator Meetings, discuss Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson, legendary winning coach of the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers.

Though neither is particularly a basketball fan, both loved the book and highly recommend it. They recognize that “eleven rings” refer less about championship rings and more about a bond between players; it’s a circle of love that gets amazing results. Both feel that the book’s honest style and the lessons garnered can directly apply to personal and professional life, lessons in leadership for any team endeavor.

Key inspirational themes they found in Eleven Rings:

• Lead from the inside out. Phil Jackson took athletes with tremendous talent and egos and provided a structure so they could be creative, while creating a bond, a recipe for team success. Jackson helped his players grow individually and grow together into something bigger than themselves, which could be a story about any management culture.
• Find the joy in your work. Phil Jackson, they said, “clearly has a joy. It’s inspirational that someone finds the river of joy within themselves, to say, what I’m best at, what my calling is, to extract the best from these young men in a team environment. That congruence is extremely powerful.”
• Delegate authority as much as possible. Jackson felt that was the most effective approach to build everyone’s leadership skills, unity, and help others to grow. He created space for his teams to figure it out, and didn’t make a lot of calls from the bench. He trusted them and didn’t claim to always have the right answer. As Michael Jordan said, the “team’s collective think power” was their hallmark of success. Obsessing about winning is a losers’ game. Create the best possible conditions for success and let go of the outcome.
• Turn the mundane into the sacred. Jackson thought teaching spirituality to his men was the biggest part of the job. The lesson for Govindh and James? “When we commit higher sense of self, self-discipline, collective discipline, we can achieve way, way more.”
• Lead with compassion. Phil Jackson bent his style to the individual player (think of Dennis Rodman). Practices were sacred ground where players could just be themselves. Jackson’s goal as a coach was to foster an environment where the players could grow as individuals and express themselves creatively within a team structure. Govindh and James agree, “whether it’s a coach, leader, father, husband, friend, don’t we want to achieve that with and for each other?”
• Among other explorations, Jackson used music to help his teams and had them coordinate their actions in 4/4 time. The team synchronized, each attuned to the hidden language they had, playing together. Beat by beat they harmonized with each other. Jovindh and James see this as the learning for companies: “If they fall out of stride, out of rhythm it’s a big issue for a company’s leaders. There is rhythm, harmony we need to maintain within the organization. When we break it, nobody knows where to be.” If the tempo is dragging or the players out of key, the music becomes noise. “Music and rhythm and momentum, the energy that it takes for a sports team or business to continue and work together and bring as many people into that ecosystem as you can, that is success.”

Entrepreneurs, what big plans have you been putting off because they seemed unrealistic or too far-fetched? Have you ever asked yourself, “Well, why not? What’s the worst that can happen?” Today’s podcast guests thinks that you should. “There are benefits to having ADHD”, declares founder of HARO and Paper Napkin Wisdom show favorite, Peter Shankman. “When you have ADHD, you have two speeds, off or all the way on. You tend to not overthink things. You come to the conclusion that you want to do things, just because you move faster than normal.”

Think of it as flying through and around and with things.

As it turns out, this ended up being how he got started with his latest project, Faster Than Normal, a podcast which focuses on turning ADHD into an advantage, instead of a disability. While many entrepreneurs are plagued by inaction due to overthinking, Peter doesn’t have that problem. “There’s a built in bias to action. More ideas have failed because they haven’t been done, not because they were bad ideas,” he muses.

While many successful entrepreneurs are innately curious, many also suffer from this bias. Perfectionism, while a noble quest, is often the serial killer to innovation and creativity. Peter’s approach pairs a relentless desire to execute and innovate with the relentless desire to have fun and let loose. This has proven to be successful for him: by using his ADHD as a rocket instead of a crutch, he has founded several entrepreneurial ventures.

The Faster Than Normal podcast is extremely personal to him. As a child, he often felt out of place. He subscribes to Kevin Spacey’s quote which states “If you're lucky enough to do well, it's your responsibility to send the elevator back down.” Peter often receives letters from parents that thank him for speaking up and providing his interesting perspectives on ADHD.

He believes that embracing differences is an important key to innovation. “I’ve lost several friends from suicide over the past decade or so. There need to me more conversations surrounding mental health for entrepreneurs,” he says, “We become our most honest selves when we become the help we once needed.”

So, how can entrepreneurs adopt the ‘do first and think later’ mindset? Think of your brain as an Internet browser. The more tabs that are open, the slower it will go. Peter suggests adhering to a strict routine and ruthlessly eliminating anything that does not fit within that routine. “Structure will set you free,” he says.

What are some of your ‘big, hairy audacious goals’? What’s stopping you from going after them? Tweet us with your answers @WiseNapkin!

Each week I’ll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

Following up on the bad news of a few weeks ago, things didn’t get better. I got some very tough breaks that blindsided me in business and life. It’s been a challenge to see the silver lining on the clouds of the last couple weeks.

What made it easier has been my Forum, my Mastermind group – my group of peers. There’s strength in finding people to help you unpack the challenges of life. I share how it’s helped me find my way in the last couple weeks.