It’s amazing how many of my business coaching clients believe that they “don’t have a creative bone in their body”. They consider themselves as ‘business-minded’ – logical and strategic. Of course, many small business owners possess those qualities, but they are often selling themselves short by not actively exploring their creative side. We tend to think of creative people as those who dwell in the arts: writers, painters, sculptors, chefs, musicians, architects etc. These are certainly creative pursuits, but in its purest form, creativity is best defined as making a new connection between existing ideas. When you look at it ...

I recently came by some interesting feedback from a fellow Tenfold coach’s client. He told us that the most valuable thing he had gotten out of his sessions so far was how his ego was holding his business back. I’ll admit it – I was a little taken aback. Quiet and mild-mannered, I certainly didn’t have this guy pegged as an ego-maniac. This exchange reminded me that ego-imbalance doesn’t always result in a mahogany tan, bad comb-over and a “bull in a china shop” approach to relationship management (Oh, hello Donald). You don’t have to have an obviously inflated sense ...

“When I'm drivin' in my car, and the man come on the radio He's tellin' me more and more about some useless information Supposed to fire my imagination” – Rolling Stones, Satisfaction If you’ve been stuck in traffic on your daily commute or when moving between client sites lately, you may be experiencing the same level of dissatisfaction that I have been. The breakfast fare offered by my local radio stations comprises a tedious menu of pranks and over-excited, mind-numbing dissection of the previous evening’s episode of The Bachelor. Well, no more! I am setting myself a challenge to maximise ...

Ability to master fear would make the top 5 of any entrepreneur’s list of most important skills – in fact, it would most likely take out the top spot. The big names - Branson, Jobs, Disney, Gates to name just a few – know that the path to success never did run smooth. These guys have all experienced setbacks at some point in their journey, but they didn’t let their fear stop them. Fear: Friend or Foe? Fear is a completely natural response to negative stimuli… so it can’t all be bad, right? Fear is one of those double-edged-sword emotions. ...

It all starts with a simple cup of coffee.  And a cheeky biscuit, just to tide you over until dinner. One biscuit won’t hurt and it goes so well with coffee and your body is craving a 3pm sugar hit. Somehow, at the end of the month, you’re automatically reaching for the bikkie tin without even realising it and in need of larger pants. What happened? We often form habits without thinking. Then we just can’t stop, despite negative consequences and compelling evidence that we need to change our behaviour. As a mentor to owners of small businesses, I know ...