Most of us have been told to set big, ambitious goals. We’ve read the books, filled the journals, and maybe even posted the vision boards. Goals are important — but they’re only half of the equation.
Here’s what we often miss: defining what we won’t sacrifice to reach them.
That’s where the idea of anti-goals comes in.
Continue reading
This past weekend, my house was quiet for once, as everyone headed in different directions—shopping, the beach, errands. And I realized something surprising: I was actually excited to be alone.
For some, that idea is terrifying. They fill the silence with noise and the empty spaces with distractions. There’s a compulsion to do something, call someone, or scroll through social media because being alone, even for an hour, feels unbearable.
Continue reading
This week on Outside Insights, I sat down with my good friend John Sanders, founder of Bridgeforce, to talk about what it really takes to build a business that endures.
John’s story isn’t about quick wins or flashy exits. Over the past 25 years, he and his partner have built a management consultancy serving global banks, credit unions, fintechs, and lenders — staying true to the values they set on day one.
Continue reading
Most business owners think scaling means reaching more people.
Nikhil Paul says it’s the opposite.
In this week’s Outside Insights, my longtime friend and small business growth coach shares why the fastest path to growth is going narrow, not wide—and how identifying your cult customer can transform your business.
Continue reading
If you’ve ever worked in business or strategy, chances are you’ve come across the term BHAG—Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Coined by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in Built to Last, a BHAG is a long-range, high-stakes goal meant to stretch your thinking and galvanize action. It’s the kind of goal that gets you out of bed in the morning—something bold, long-term, and worthy of your energy and ambition.
Continue reading