Your Big, Great Idea: DO IT NOW

JT — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:57:01 +0000

One fear I encounter in my small business coaching clients is the fear of their ideas being stolen. Maybe you can relate. There you are, with a great idea that you swear you’ll get to when “the timing is better”, then you soon discover that your great idea has been implemented by someone else!

That awesome invention, the book that teaches people something cool, or a better way of doing something that improves people’s lives; we’ve all had them, not acted on them, and they seen the manifestation of the idea on TV or in the stores and thought, “I FRIGGIN‘ THOUGHT OF THAT!”??

Maddening, no?

Well, it gets worse.

You see, only YOU can create your Vision; only you can make that amazing idea what it truly can and should be. Even if someone rips you off or imitates your idea (happens to me all the time), no one else can create, duplicate or do it better than you. This is a big issue that even proven companies struggle with, and why I focus on it in my business consulting service.

So why is that important?

Because the world needs your Vision. The world deserves your version of those brilliant ideas. There is only one ‘you’ in the world, and the way you interface with it makes your ideas and contributions special.

But there’s more.

The saying “an idea whose time has come” is so true; eventually, brilliance rises to the surface. It begs for a conduit to birth it into the world. So why not you? Why not let it be YOU who brings it out?

There is no nobility in humbly placing your dreams on the shelf, so get moving and share your gift with the world. Even if you’re not ‘ready’. Even if you’re not sure. Even if it seems like a silly idea, a foolish concept, or something that others may laugh at (kind of like the personal computer and cell phone were at the point of conception). Even if you fall on your face in the first few attempts, be the one who brings it to the world.

Do it today. The world is waiting, but the brilliance won’t.

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Steve Jobs and his impact on our world

JT — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:59:33 +0000

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 the world bid farewell to one of its innovating leaders, Steve Jobs. Whether you are a “Mac person” or not, it is hard to step outside the rays f light cast by Steve and his amazing innovations. Calling him simply an “Apple co-founder” or “CEO of Pixar Animation” does no justice to the impact he has made on our lives. To collect a list of the innovations he birthed in his 56 years of life on Earth would be a travesty to the impact he made on countless people who never held an iPod or iPhone in their hands.

Steve Jobs was much more than a leader of the tech world, he was a leader of the real world. He was much more than a man with a Vision, he was a Visionary. There will never be another Steve Jobs in the world, ever. But the kind of genius he exuded, the Vision he developed and shared with the world and the passion he had for a life well-lived exists in all of us. Right now.

Below, I embedded a video of the commencement speech he gave at Stanford University. I first saw it in 2008 when I was going through a particularly tough time in life. To me, his message was–and still is–so powerful because he nails down the TRUE essence of life. It’s not about making money, accumulating “stuff” or having hordes adoring fans, it is about happiness.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Everything else is secondary.”
~ Steve Jobs

Thank you, Steve. While you are already dearly missed, your legacy and influence live on for eternity.

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Building rapport in business

JT — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:23:57 +0000

My dear friend and coach Rene Kamstra and I had a great conversation recently about some of the differentiating qualities of great entrepreneurs. One quality we discussed was the ability to build rapport. Check out this video from a recent news interview I did where I share just a few of the points Rene and I discussed.

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Overcoming Burnout in Business and Life

JT — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:02:31 +0000

Burnout happens to the best and the brightest achievers. Entrepreneurs are especially susceptible because of the constant demands on our time, talents and focus. Business consulting services often focus on the symptom instead of the solution. Check out this video clip from an interview I did on Boise’s KTVB news and get a sneak peek into the small business coaching I do for my clients. Whether you are a solo-preneur or a top executive in a Fortune 500 company, burnout and loss of focus can happen to anyone. Watch this clip for three tips you can use right now to stay on top of your game.
~JT

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How entrepreneurs and High-Altitude people make a difference

JT — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:00:30 +0000

Are you making a difference in the world? Entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, authors, speakers, athletes–the kinds of people I serve in my business consulting services–tend to be the difference makers of the world we live in. It doesn’t take a huge victory to impact the world; it just takes a little effort and commitment. Watch this short video where I share a story about a combat mission I flew over Afghanistan to reinforce a principle of focus in my small business coaching practice and see how you can relate to the message. I look forward to your comments!
~JT

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Why social networking is dead and SOULful Networking is the answer

JT — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:27:50 +0000

So you have 25,000 followers on Twitter and 5,000 “friends” on Facebook. Who cares? It is about connecting, and not just for the sake of making a buck. Success in business is about making an impact and connecting from the soul. I’m shocked how many entrepreneurs in my small business coaching practice miss this essential point. Watch this video for the skills you need to be a SOULful networker (including a tip from the great Larry Benet) and take your business and your life to a high altitude.

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How to turn 4 minutes into millions

JT — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:26:04 +0000

When I left the US Navy in September of 2008, I walked away from a childhood dream.

Ever since I was a kid, all I wanted to was to fly in the Blue Angels. At the age of 16, I was at an air show in Boise, Idaho and I was invited to go “backstage” with the Blues after one of their demonstrations. The lead pilot, Commander Gil Rud, made it a point to come straight up to me and thank me for being at his show.

He thanked me.

Why would he thank me? After all, I was the kid that grew up hearing from seemingly every person in my life that I was “not cut out for flying”, that my dream of becoming a Naval Aviator was a fantasy, and that I should be “more realistic” in my desires for my life.

But Commander Rud changed that. For four minutes, he talked directly to me. Didn’t look way for one second. Listened to me, soaked in my enthusiasm, and told me that one day I’d wear the Wings of Gold that only Naval Aviators earn.

And he was right.

I tell you this story because that short conversation was more than just a “pump up” speech. It was more than an autograph session and a way to get closer to a hero. It provided so much more.

It provided hope. It provided inspiration. It set the example.

When I flew to air shows, or even stopped to pump gas after a long day of flying, I would sometimes get asked by mothers and fathers if I would say hello to their sons or daughters. Those kids, they’d say, “dream of growing up to fly just like you do”. It was the best part of my job.

Today, I take my message of mission accomplishment and use it as a vehicle to help people feel like I felt that spring afternoon of my 16th year. My mission these days is to turn four minutes into millions. Not just in money; but in dreams. And I don’t mean dreams in some sort of “woo-woo” sense. I mean your TRUE calling–your mission.

I hope you take the opportunities in life to be inspired by people you look to for such energy. I hope that you take the opportunities to inspire others. You have that ability every single day just by deciding to be excellent in all you do. And when you do, you set the tone for the future of not only the people you touch, but also the tone you set for yourself.

Inspire someone or be inspired by someone today. The four minutes you spend doing so can turn into millions.

~JT

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Starting out and starting over in business (and life)

JT — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:08:39 +0000

When entrepreneurs first start out in business, they are full of hope and open to possibility. I love this phase of the entrepreneurial pursuit! It is one of the reasons I got into small business coaching in the first place; to help new entrepreneurs get started on the right foot. Whether you are beginning your journey or are a seasoned business pro looking to begin a new venture, check out this video. I share some insight from my business consulting services and offer a free strategy session as well!

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Taking a stand for what you believe in business (and in life)

JT — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:31:42 +0000

A big part of small business coaching involves helping entrepreneurs and start-ups define their mission and construct a solid strategy for accomplishing that mission. But one of the most important things any leader can do–in life and in business–is take a stand for what they believe in. Whether it be your company’s mission statement or the core values of life, having the guts and the backbone to stand up for what you believe in can and should be a guiding principle to how you do business. Check out this short video on the importance of standing up for what you believe and learn a key tenet of success that I reenforce in my business consulting services.

I look forward to your comments!
~JT

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Single vs. Engaged–Who is more successful?

JT — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:56:13 +0000

Are you single or engaged? Entrepreneurs, your success in business has little to do with your relationship status EXCEPT as it applies to your relationship with your clients and customers. A big part of small business coaching is helping entrepreneurs connect at the heart-level with their customers. Check out this short video to learn some strategies I employ in my business consulting services.

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