My birthday is coming up – this Saturday, Oct. 15th to be exact. And it’s off-limits to working for anyone else. It’s my day. I am not doing any work except on my own sites and for myself . It’s golden. It’s my day. Why am I bothering to make this so clear?

Every year I “help” someone else on my birthday and feel angry and resentful for doing it because it’s not what I wanted to do and I believed I couldn’t say “no” to my friends. I’ve been working …

It’s a funny thing about the word “No.” Some people have no ear for it. They’re blind and deaf and never seem to get it or hear it. Or if they hear it, they don’t listen. They keep charging onward like bulls in a china shop, destroying more relationships and opportunities in the process. So let’s recap something. When someone tells you they no longer want to be your friend, or your partner, or your buddy, or your business partner and you can’t resolve things at that stage, then it’s …

Not everyone has what it takes to get to the top, to climb the ladder, or to succeed as an entrepreneur, author or stand-alone success. It’s hard work and not everyone is cut out for it. But those of us who love the challenge keep trying and we help those around us who are willing to risk as well.
I work with a lot of people because I believe in them, not because they’re paying me. Most aren’t. Many of us mentor others. It’s rewarding to watch someone take what you’ve …

This weekend I took stock of my stress and realized it was off the charts. I wrote out all the projects I’m working on to *help* people and friends get THEIR business going and compared it with how much time I’m spending on my own. Then I looked at who is helping me and who is not. Out of the 15 or so folks I’ve been helping, only three are putting in as much time on helping me as I am spending on helping them. The others are sitting around …

Seth Godin is on a roll lately. Another excellent post today talks about what really happens when people, customers in his case, feel underappreciated or taken advantage of. They just….
Not fade away
By Seth Godin
Most partnerships don’t end up in court.
Most friendships don’t end in a fight.
Most customers don’t leave in a huff.
Instead, when one party feels underappreciated, or perhaps taken advantage of, she stops showing up as often. Stops investing. Begins to move on.
No, I’m not going to sue you. Yes, I’ll probably put my best efforts somewhere else.
Just because …