We all know what burnout looks like.  It’s the stressed-out manager who proclaims they’ve “had it” and books the next flight to Cancun.  The start-up co-founder working 130 hour weeks who claims he “can’t take all this bullsh*t anymore” and goes on a week-long bender in Miami.  The boss who yells with such intensity you fear he might have a heart attack.  It is so common that everyone in any career – engineers, sales managers, tech support personnel, etc. – is susceptible to burnout. Despite being so common, many managers aren’t aware of why burnout happens or how to keep it from h ..read more

Everyone has a different goal system that works for them. Personally, I’ve found that using a quarterly goal system works best (and I’ve tried a lot!). Quarterly goal periods- 3 months at a time- allow habits to truly build and substantial achievements to be made. But, 3 months isn’t so long that I lose motivation. Businesses track their goals quarterly, why should personal goals be treated any different? Everyone has a different goal system that works for them. Personally, I’ve found that using a quarterly goal system works best (and I’ve tried a lot!). Quarterly goal periods- 3 months ..read more

Here’s Your Quick Start Learning Guide to Performance Management Want to understand the basics of performance management? Many writers and consultants are using the term as a substitution for the traditional appraisal system. You are encouraged to think of the term in this broader work system context instead. Performance management eliminates the need for performance appraisals, employee reviews, and employee evaluations. Performance management is not an annual appraisal meeting. It is not preparing for that appraisal meeting nor is it a self-evaluation. It’s not a form nor is it a measu ..read more

Stay motivated, committed, and moving forward Goals are objectives, targets, purposes, intentions, and plans that you intend to achieve. They can be personal or support the objectives of your work organization. Whether your goal is a promotion at work, a streamlined work process, a new customer, a published article, an exercise program, or weight loss, the goal must be your goal. You are less likely to achieve your manager’s goal, your spouse’s goal, or the goal you think you ought to work on this year. Set Goals Based on Values  Hyrum Smith, the founder of Franklin Quest, later Frank ..read more

Marketing can be incredibly expensive. In fact, for many startups, after initial investment and any payroll obligations, marketing campaigns can easily be the most expensive part of your business. If you’re a rookie entrepreneur (heck, even if you’re a veteran entrepreneur), you may feel enticed to blast news and advertisements about your new company and its products through every marketing channel you can, across every demographic available. And, when someone asks you why you’re advertising so broadly — citing concepts like marketing segmentation, customer profiles, and Cost of Conversion (Co ..read more