What are you going to say No to?

Does it sound like a strange question? Of course, it does.

Because most entrepreneurs say yes way too often, and in the process their focus and their startups mission ends up at risk.

And this is why by saying NO more frequently you will be able to accelerate your growth and enhance your focus as an entrepreneur.

And, if you've been struggling with making better decisions the first time around, let's explore this and reach out to get started here.

Enjoy this week's 2 Ideas and 1 Playlist!!!

- Mark

1. Focusing Is About Saying No

One of my favorite Steve Jobs quotes, “Focusing is about saying no.”

Is this just a clever ploy by one of the greatest marketers of all time?

NO!!!

Being pulled in multiple directions distracts entrepreneurs from our true goals.

And for the creative entrepreneur, when you hear new, intriguing ideas from people who want to be part of your journey, you start to imagine the possibilities they could bring, and the feeling is like being a kid in a candy shop.

There are many good ideas out there, but a good idea isn’t what got you started on your journey.

It’s better to focus on your great idea than to get bogged down in someone else’s good idea.

Choosing is hard.

And as Steve Jobs also said, “be as proud of the things you haven’t done as the ones that you have done.”

2. Easy No vs. Hard No

It’s easy to say "No" to a bad idea.

But saying "No" to a good idea is very hard.

With good ideas, your mind starts exploring opportunities, either real or imagined.

And, when a "good idea" comes from someone you know, like, and trust, it makes it even harder to say no because you don't want them to leave feeling undervalued or unappreciated.

What can you do?

Saying no is going to leave some people dissatisfied. But, if in the process of trying not to dissatisfy them, you abandon your goals, then this would be worse.

Founder's Playlist

What does an entrepreneur coach listen to this week while writing this?  Have fun and be inspired this week!

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If you’re entrepreneur you’ve encountered people who are ready to jump into the thick of the fray with you, those that want nothing to do with your idea and then those who are rather bland about it.

How can you be a better entrepreneur?

First, you have to find your hell yeah people!

This article is all about them and when you finish it, then become one of mine by hell yeah people by sending me a message here.

And, if you've been struggling with making better decisions the first time around, let's explore this and reach out to get started here.

Enjoy this week's 2 Ideas and 1 Playlist!!!

- Mark

1. Look For Your "Hell Yeah" People

There are three types of people to look for.

There are your Hell Yeah people.

There are your Fast No people.

And finally, your Slow No's.

Look first for your hell yeah people. They're the ones who see you, your goals, and want to be a part of the journey your own. They amplify your spirit and ask only to be part of something larger than themselves.

Second thank your fast no people. Wait, thank them? Their answer to being part of your vision may not feel good, but they are decisive, and you know immediately you can move on, saving yourself valuable time and effort.

At all cost, avoid your slow no people. Their answer seems promising, but the emotional and cognitive load trying to get them on board rarely moves them to a yes and it never turns into a hell yeah.

2. A Different Reason Why "Yes And" Works

Have you heard of Yes And… in improv?

I first learned about it in the book "Impro" by Keith Johnstone.

Simply put, when someone presents you with an idea, you accept it, expand on it, and create something new and greater in the process together.

Yes and...shifts your mindset to one of possibility and, let’s admit it, opens you to some risks.

And while an opportunistic mindset is a powerful tool.

There is another reason this technique works that is rarely talked about.

And that is that most mistakes you make are recoverable from.

Oh yes, mistakes will happen, but will passing over opportunities save you from making them?

Be adventurous, open to possibilities, and start saying Yes and...

Founder's Playlist

What does an entrepreneur coach listen to this week while writing this?  Have fun and be inspired this week!

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If you’re ready to learn how to bridge the chasm between passion and strategy then click the button.

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Having spent more than 15 years in the startup space, the concept of failing fast was new to me in my early entrepreneurial days too

I would have benefited back then from the knowledge I've since learned about failing fast and how to use it.

If you're an emerging entrepreneur or have been doing it for years, you should check these ideas out on failing fast.

If you'd benefit by exploring these concepts at a deeper level to enhance your creativity, innovation, and momentum, then reach out to get started here.

Enjoy this week's 2 Ideas and 1 Playlist!!!

- Mark

1. What Does Fail Fast Mean?

You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to have heard the phrase fail fast.

When you first hear it even sounds appealing. If you're going to hit a failure, wouldn't you want to do it fast? Then you could move on to the next task at hand and quickly past the uncomfortable feelings of failure.

But, when do you apply the failing fast rule?

If you are passionate about an idea, do you want to fail fast then?

If you've finally decided to take an enormous leap, is that a good time to fail fast?

Failing fast isn’t for the big, transformative issues. It’s for testing small changes to find the things that work and don't to help you discover the actions that will have you making faster progress on the larger goals on your journey. Fail fast on the small tasks so you can be steadfast on your larger goals.

2. Three Steps On How To Fail Fast

Great, you want to fail fast, but how do you do it?

If you’re like many entrepreneurs, you probably pick a point in time, call it the finish line, and if it was a short period of time, then say you failed fast.

But isn’t there a better way?

Here are three steps to do it better:

1. Be specific. No goals like, I’m going to start sharing my idea. Instead, set goals like talking to 20 potential customers and sharing how you are working on their problems.

2. Be accountable. Instead of I'll try to talk with 20 potential customers. Set a goal to call five of them each Wednesday.

3. Be timebound. Such as I will do these actions for the next month.

At the end of your timeframe, measure the results. Then decide if you should continue, make adjustments, or stop altogether. By following a simple method like this, you can make decisions faster, gauge their effectiveness, and determine if they are moving your transformative goals forward.

Founder's Playlist

What does an entrepreneur coach listen to this week while writing this?  Have fun and be inspired this week!

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If you’re ready to learn how to bridge the chasm between passion and strategy then click the button.

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I've been a founder for years and love the world of startups. But, even I have to admit we say some crazy sh*t that wouldn't be taken seriously in any other space.

This week I poke a bit of fun at things entrepreneurs say. Still, seriously these ideas have a compounding negative effect on our business, our sense of self, and the larger entrepreneurial community. Let’s change that! Let’s tear down the startup mythologies that are holding entrepreneurs back.

If you'd benefit by exploring these concepts at a deeper level to enhance your creativity, innovation, and momentum, then reach out to get started here.

Enjoy this week's 2 Ideas and 1 Playlist!!!

- Mark

1. The Sh*t Entrepreneurs Say

If you’re an entrepreneur, you know one, or love one, then you have heard the ridiculous things they say. I’m sure you’ve done your best to hold your tongue, hoping they can’t read your face and have their feelings hurt.

When entrepreneurs rinse and repeat statements like these, they don't realize how they are holding themselves back from achieving their goals. Even worse, because they embrace and imitate them, other emerging entrepreneurs think this is the only way to have a prosperous business.

If you’re using statements like these, then stop.

If you hear them from others, then question them.

Now, for a funny but not exclusive list for you to ponder.

1. "I’ll take a salary once we’re profitable."

2. "We’re in stealth mode, but it will be huge."

3. "We pay a low salary because equity will be so much more valuable one day."

4. "Our product sells itself."

5. "I’m not focused on markets that aren’t at least $100 billion."

6. "All I need is funding."

7. "I’m building a startup, not a lifestyle business."

2. It’s Time To Tear Down Startup Mythologies

If this last year has taught us anything, it’s that change is here.

And business has fundamentally changed.

No longer do people want more office perks to offset long commutes and longer hours. They want the time and flexibility to work from where they want.

And startups are no longer immune to this change.

No longer does the lone dorm room genius represent emerging entrepreneurs. No longer should founders be forced to sacrifice lifestyle for funding.

It’s time to tear down the mythologies of startups.

Join me in rewriting them.

Founder's Playlist

What does an entrepreneur coach listen to this week while writing this?  Have fun and be inspired this week!

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If you’re ready to learn how to bridge the chasm between passion and strategy then click the button.

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Many entrepreneurs struggle with taking the entrepreneurial leap.

Here is the message you’ve needed to hear to start today and let your gifts shine through.

If you'd benefit by exploring these concepts at a deeper level to enhance your creativity, innovation, and momentum, then reach out to get started here.

Enjoy this week's 2 Ideas and 1 Playlist!!!

- Mark

1. Soon Is The Enemy Of Now

Get started now and begin your first draft.

You may encounter many reasons to wait: uncertainty, timing, adequate resources, etc.

However, there are many more benefits to starting immediately: increased creativity, a renewed sense of purpose, and alignment of your time and aspirations.

Don't realize too late that it takes more effort doing the things that don't matter than working on the things that do.

2. Do Your One Thing

There are many things you’d like to do today.

But only one of these will have the greatest impact on moving you forward toward your goal.

Do not let others schedule their time over it.

Do not schedule your other work over it.

Take care of your one thing today and celebrate when it's complete.

Founder's Playlist

What does an entrepreneur coach listen to this week while writing this?  Have fun and be inspired this week!

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If you’re ready to learn how to bridge the chasm between passion and strategy then click the button.

Follow me on Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn