#bottomlinebc

Bruce Lee said, “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” I pondered on this quote and its applicability to both our personal and business lives. I have had a brilliant plan set up for this summer. I was going to work on home renovation projects, building my brand, and my fitness. Reality had other ideas. My brother passed away suddenly, and my 88 yr old dad needed my help. All my plans went out the window. I am trying to get back on track with my plan when this quote from Bruce Lee popped into my mind. I was swimming against the stream of my reality and struggling…hard!! I think we all do this. We believe our plans are somehow set in stone and work ourselves to the ground forcing a game plan against the reality we are facing. It is exhausting and counterproductive. Our plans need to be fluid like water. We need to use the currents of our present reality to our advantage rather than seeing it as an obstacle or a negative. I see this in business far too often. A plan is set, goals are set, and reality is ignored, frustrating everyone involved. Improvise, adapt, overcome. #bottomlinebc #business #adaptiveplanning https://www.instagram.com/p/CRhE-4Pj7hB/?utm_medium=tumblr

Let go of the non-essential, self-created busy work. I was pondering this thought Sunday afternoon as I started to feel guilty about my absence from Linked In. I haven’t posted anything in months, and I believed I was leaving something unfinished. Why have I been absent? Let’s see: 1. I have started creating a second income stream via investing. 2. I started a small business with my wife. 3. I redesigned my office. 4. I have clients that require my undivided attention. 5. My family time is precious . In short, my plate is full, so I stepped back a little from Linked In. I am writing this as a cautionary tale about the addictive nature of busy work that, in reality, is unproductive. For me, it was getting likes and comments on Linked In. I convinced myself it was essential to my business; it wasn’t. I have witnessed many fall into this trap. The quality of work decreases while working far more hours than necessary. I made progress on my goals, maintained my business, and spent quality time with my family by shedding the non-essential stuff. It was far more relaxing too!! More hours does not equal more production. More tasks does not equal more accomplished. And that’s the Bottom Line. #bottomlinebc #efficiency #busywork https://www.instagram.com/p/CNkrg5DAVkn/?igshid=1mdw3vgrgii20

I want to share a personal story about perseverance. A key ingredient we all need to have if we are going to get anywhere in life; without perseverance, we become a bunch of quitters, and I know, I was one of those quitters. In her junior year of college, my oldest daughter called us distraught, crying, and hating life. She was going through a very rough patch and didn't think she could take it anymore. Dad went into instant SWAT mode and wanted her to come home. I didn't care what it cost. Long story short, my daughter decides to stick it out. She persevered. Three years later: My daughter graduated on time Got married Bought her first home with her husband She not only persevered but thrived, and in the process, inspired me. These dark times are not easy, and they are not meant to be. We are tested, molded to become something better. The more challenging and vigorous you train, the stronger your muscles become. The more we can accomplish. The business world is no different. To go after our dreams, do what we've never done before requires perseverance. We push forward and go for our goals, or we quit. We can make the world a better place if we persevere. And that's the bottom line #bottomlinebc #experience #motivation https://www.instagram.com/p/CLGD5HWAwXC/?igshid=15qzoacokd5y6

Three qualities essential to a consultant and his client: 1. Lack of Ego – we don’t know everything, so we should not come in an air of arrogance. Every issue and client is unique; respect that. 2. An Attentive Ear – we need to listen to all stakeholders to understand what the real issue is. You are hired for one thing, but the real problem is something else. You discover this by listening and observing. 3. Have An Open Mind – solutions can come from the most unexpected places and, many times, it is not the boss. Listen and evaluate every suggestion. The advantage of a consultant is a lack of recognition regarding the pecking order or social dominance in a company. We don’t care about it. What drives us are the results needed to improve or solve a situation. And that’s the Bottom Line. #bottomlinebc #bestadvice #business https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ7aRLBg2Yn/?igshid=1o81ckbkmey46

I am done with resolutions!!! It's the same restart every year and the same failure rate every year. New Year's resolutions simply don't work. Instead, I will use the tools that have served me well in business and adapt them to life. 1. Set a Plan 2. Measure Progress 3. Evaluate what works and doesn't 4. Make adjustments to stay on track It's not rocket science, it's discipline. And that's the Bottom Line. #bottomlinebc #problemsolving #experience #motivation https://www.instagram.com/p/CJo5h_SAAR5/?igshid=1dt9cknngzkw4

I was an Electronics Tech in the US Navy and worked on Radars and other electronic equipment. We were taught that the first step in troubleshooting equipment was to check the ON/OFF switch. Is the thing turned on? Simple, right? You would be shocked at how many people forgot this step and wasted a lot of time diagnosing the wrong problem. Life and business can present the same issues. Sometimes we overcomplicate the solution and go down a rabbit hole that yields low or negative results. We need to get into the habit of taking a step back and checking our own ON/OFF switch in our life. Whether health, wealth, business, or mindset, take that step back to reset and think through what you need to do to succeed or overcome. You may be surprised that you can make improvements by merely flipping a switch. And that’s the Bottom Line!! #bottomlinebc #problemsolving #solofhumanity #experience https://www.instagram.com/p/CIltKx0g5xg/?igshid=yeysvy84swma

Hope has no substance, form, taste, color, or smell. Hope cannot be handled, sold, bought, or given. Hope is mysterious, unmeasurable, and without limitations. Hope is that indelible human spark that inspires us to reach for more. Hope believes that good can come out of bad situations. Hope insists that improvement is possible. Hope is human. I am the Bottom Line Guy and SOL of Humanity. We are Hope. #bottomlinebc #solofhumanity #hopeforhumanity https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVZ9gXg8At/?igshid=gwbkd0wiw8ct

NONE OF US ARE SAFE!!! A statement I heard regarding the President’s COVID diagnosis. It made me stop and think. The biggest takeaway was the genuine fear that was evident from the speaker. We need to stop this. Statistically speaking, the body recovers from most illnesses. I am not downplaying the severity of the virus or arguing about the measures taken. However, the effects of anxiety will linger long after the body defeats the virus. To me, this is a far more dangerous situation that will impact health for a far longer time. Anxiety lowers the body’s immune system and makes you more susceptible to getting sick. The long term effects of prolonged stress on the body are well documented. We need to cut ourselves some slack and detach from the information overload. Take a breath, rest, relax, exercise, get in touch with nature, laugh, and enjoy your friends and family. Death will come to all of us; this is the way of life. Don’t rush it by stressing over things you can’t control. Enjoy life, live it to it’s fullest, come what may. It can be your most excellent adventure if you allow it to be. And that’s the Bottom Line. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. – Psalm 56:4 #bottomlinebc #stress #relax https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_BPiAAl3X/?igshid=1acav7jyggwr6