So here it is … My BHAG…img6-full

In August 2016 (the month I turn 40), I will participate in my areas Century Ride, which is a 100 Mile (160 km) bicycle tour to 3 Ports along Lake Erie. 

First off, I’m sure if you are reading this, and unfamiliar with Verne Harnish (the Growth Guy), you have are probably wondering what BHAG means.  Well it is simply stands for a BIG HAIRY A$$ GOAL.  He states that if you are not growing you are dying, and by not setting crazy goals to stride for, their is nothing pushing you to achieve what you want. Don’t get me wrong, he is not saying go out and have BHAG be the end all and be all, but there are a series of smaller more measurable means to get there.  It is a proven fact about human nature that once you succeed at something, you are more likely to keep doing it.  The same is true in the Newton’s Laws of Motion:

  • Law #1 – an object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion
  • Law#2 – the more force applied to an object the greater the acceleration 
  • Law#3 – for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Who knew goal setting could be a physics lesson??

If we tweak a few of the words in the above laws of physics, you can apply them to human nature.

  • Law #1 – a PERSON at rest tends to stay at rest, and an PERSON in motion tends to stay in motion
  • Law#2 – the more force applied to an object the greater the ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Law#3 – for every action there is an equal and opposite CONSEQUENCE

Long explanation short.  Once you start it is hard to stop, as you are being held accountable by your network, or face the consequence of not achieving the goal.  Simple right?

By reading this, I am setting the laws of Physics into motion, and you are now apart of my BHAG…What’s yours?

Here we Go!

There is no better day then today.

Darren, I am burning my boat as I land in unfamiliar territory.  As simple as it sounds…create a newsletter and send it out… it is far more difficult in practice.  However, the time has come to stop hiding in the unknowns and open myself to the never ending possibilities that are presented everyday, when you make yourself aware.  I looked back in my templates, and this newsletter was stated in April of 2014.  Now, March 2015, and we are still having the same conversation.  But this time I have chosen to make it happen.

I have to admit that I  am really good at creating the medium.  Hiding in the safety of my own hard drive.  Lately, I have come to realize the that is holding me back is nothing more then me and the thought of putting myself out their to the world, vulnerable, open to criticism,and judgement.  The wheels of worthlessness, and inadequacy spin wildly out of control, screeching any form of forward momentum to a complete halt.  Self doubt kicks in.  Why me? What do I have to offer? Who do I think I am?  and so on and so on and so on.  A never ending spiral of all the reasons not to, and the all reasons to step out long forgotten.

This time is different, the reasons why a Newsletter is important has remained the focus, so I did what I do best…Research.  I found a repeating theme of 5 things that support the importance in creating and sustaining a monthly newsletter.  These 5 reasons are…

  1.  Keeping you Connected – a newsletter allows for you to make a connection and create a relationship with your clients and potential customers so they can get to know you and your business. As they get to know you they start to trust you and will be more inclined to use your services.
  2. Staying in touch – a newsletter allows you can keep your connections up to date on new services and products you are offering. How will they know what you can do for them unless you tell them?
  3. Provide effective tools and information – This information can be used for further success of your connections business.  Write about industry trends or things that will help them in their business – they may not even know they exist or that they need them. For example, write an article (with a link to your site) on how social media will help them grow their business.
  4. Strengthen relationships/Builds your Brand – Become the person they turn to for assistance and service.  Remember you are the expert.
  5. New Audience Potential – Ask your customers to share the newsletter with other businesses or their clients, as well it is a way to connect with new people, and potential customers.



When you think of a penny, they are everywhere, most are viewed as meaningless, and unimportant.  However, if you take the time and gather enough pennies, as a collective they have the power to to become something meaningful, and important. Alone a penny is just a penny, but 100 pennies can make a difference. What if we were no longer talking about pennies, what if we were talking about People?  Could you be the Missing Penny?