Not many people get excited by the prospect of getting joint-locked or choked at 6 o’clock in the morning. 🥋 This morning as I opened the front door, the air cold, and the stars still out. I found myself wondering if I’d be better off turning around…

One of the biggest challenges of running a business is the sheer volume of critical decisions that you have to make as an owner.

Whether that's hiring a new team member, setting the direction of the business, or adjusting your product or service mix. There are decisions throughout the business that you ultimately are responsible for.

If you haven’t read it, then here’s a 1 sentence summary.

Grandpa needs new slippers, but Grandpa likes his old slippers.

What could you do to help them?

Just wrapped up coaching for the day and one thing really stood out from a session today with a construction business owner, who's grown significantly over the last few years and really grown…

Five o'clock yesterday and the final session of the day, my client made a comment, which really made me sit up and my seat and take notice.

He said I'm realising that we finally building a business that I would actually want to work for.

A millennial? An un-engaged employee? A business losing money?

Maybe.

However, I believe if you’re experiencing these challenges in your team, then the first place to look, is in the mirror.

Maybe it’s the sunny Tasman weather, the time of year or simply the change of scenery, but one of the highlights of our family’s annual summer holiday, is a dinner date with my wife.

Bowie knows what she wants in life.

But Bowie doesn’t have many words.

Sounds like most kids right?

Every game has a set of rules.

These rules ensure the game is played fairly and there is no confusion as to who’s winning.

The game of business has a set of rules too.

I often get asked what it’s like being a business coach.

And I usually give the same answer.

The business part is easy.

The people bit is more complex.

An ancient Greek parable states, “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.”

In business it’s easy to become a fox: Fast but not the fastest, creative but not genius, GOOD but not GREAT.

Like you, my behaviour has patterns.

Those patterns show up in every area of my life, especially business.

Let’s be honest, you’re not paying yourself much.

Not when you consider the financial risk you took in starting your business, the long-hours, grumpy customers and staff headaches. Sometimes, you think it would be easier to just be an employee.

Teaching yourself is certainly a great way to start begin learning a skill. However, there is a down-side which is not often talked about.

The first week of lockdown I sat down at my new home office desk, pulled out a black felt pen, and started scrawling ideas on Post-it notes.

Who are the people surrounding you right now?

Last Friday at an ActionCOACH training day in Wellington - I laughed at COVID-19.

I took this photo a few weeks back, but it's poignant now more than ever.

Feeling a deep sense of gratitude today.