Ever heard someone say “no, were just friends”.

I have a number of friends who are woman. I count many of them as some of my closest and best friends.

On occasion either I, or they have said, “oh, were just friends”.

After being called upon to support some of these ‘just friends’ during some tough times and I having made similar demands on them, I have realized that there is no such thing as ‘just friends’.

To say that you’re ‘just friends’ while perhaps well intentioned is really an insult. It’s saying that being friends is somehow less important then being a romantic partner. (more…)

Being so closely linked with the US economy, as a Canadian I have an interest in who might get elected as the next President. What follows is my quick and dirty suggestions on who to elect.

DO NOT elect a Black President
DO NOT elect a Woman President
DO NOT elect a Christian President
DO NOT elect an Asian, Marxist, Capitalist, or Business Person

One of those things matter. What matters is ideas. What matters is leadership.

If you watch CNN all you seem to hear right now is whether the USA is ready for woman president (Hillary Clinton) or a Black President (Obama). (more…)

Wait a minute… I always heard “quitters never win and winners never quit”

So did I. Sounds good but perhaps not the greatest advice.

What do I mean you should quit? Well, what goal are you trying to achieve? What’s your burning desire?

What other activities are you also doing that are draining your energy and taking up space in your schedule?

This is where quitting comes in. In order to be totally focussed on your main objective you may need to quit, at least temporarily, some of your other activities.

I believe work-life balance is a lie. You can have perfect balance but it’s unlikely you’ll achieve excellence in any one area. It’s a matter of what you’ll be excellent at NOW. You may choose something else tomorrow.

So don’t be afraid to quit the things that don’t serve your ultimate purpose.

Recommended reading: The Dip by Seth Godin.

Technorati Tags: Seth Godin, success thru quitting, The Dip by Seth Godin

I’m just running out the door, but I wanted to thank all the mothers out there for all that you do. We love you and honour you.

Sunset in Alberta. Courtesy of Talie

I’ve been thinking a lot about trust. Specifically trust in business relationships.

My VA, Erin Blaskie, is building me a new website based on a blog platform. This required giving her access to my wordpress account, shopping cart, and domain management accounts.

I didn’t give it a second thought until yesterday. I didn’t think of it for any negative reason, it just occurred to me that I’ve put an enormous amount of trust in her by giving her access to some vital business systems.

Why would I do that and not even bat an eye? I think it comes down to what Stephen MR Covey calls the Speed of Trust. In the book by the same name he posits that Trust is the most important feature of any business relationship as it literally affects the speed of any transaction.

Basically:
Low trust makes things slower
High trust makes things faster

I met Erin through another colleague, Michael Port, who is a business author and coach. I’ve also had the chance to visit with her and talk and I’m glad to call her a friend. This creates a high trust relationship. So, when she asks me for access to a system relevant to the work we’re doing, I don’t even give it a second thought.

How is the trust in your business relationships? Do you take the time to cultivate positive emotions? I don’t me to suggest that you have to be on everyone’s Christmas card list, but do you have unwavering trust in the people you depend on, or do you feel you have to maintain complete control?

In my next post I will discuss the difference between Delegating and Abdicating which I think will help you let go some of your control issues, if you’re holding on so tight that your sub-contracts can’t operate at high speed.

Technorati Tags: Andrew Mugford, business relationship, blogging, blog website, blog platform, Erin Blaskie, virtual assistant, Business Services ETC, trust in business relationships

Two farmers badly needed rain to grow their crops.
They both prayed to God for rain.
Only one farmer tilled his field and prepared it to receive the rain.

Which one do you think God gave the rain to?

Which are you?

Are you waiting for something to happen before you proceed on a project or idea? Are you waiting that elusive ‘sign’?

Here’s the message: Don’t wait. Have trust. Trust that those things that are necessary will fall into place when you are ready to receive them.

Stop waiting for everything on the checklist to be completed before you move on.

The only thing you are likely to achieve thru inaction is more inaction and waiting.

Till your field. Prepare for rain.

Technorati Tags: Prepare for rain, inaction

What is the lesson in this event?

There will be plenty of dissection in the days, weeks, and months to come… lots of monday morning quarterbacking, most of which will be useless and unwarranted.

The important lesson as I see it, is that it re-enforces that LOVE is the highest power in the universe and it is that which we must set as our ultimate calling. To treat each other as we would have ourselves be treated.

That isn’t just a statement of faith but rather a sound principle that would solve much of the worlds hurt if it was adopted by the masses.

Love one another. Practice forgiveness.

Love. It’s all that matters.

See also my friend Tshombe’s wonderful post on this.

Technorati Tags: Virginia Tech shootings, Virginia Tech tragedy, Virginia Tech, Tshombe

My friend and superstar VA Erin Blaskie of BSETC., has put together an aweseome ebook.

To quote from Erin’s site: “This 80+ page e-book, “30 Days of Delegation“, will teach you HOW to delegate, WHAT to delegate and WHO to delegate the work to.”

Successful business owners know that delegation is an important key to success. You shouldn’t do things you aren’t good at, don’t have to do, or (in some cases) don’t want to do.

I just had it printed and bound and gave it a read. It’s great for two reasons. First, it shows you how you can delegate away time consuming services to a VA. Second, it is a great example of marketing because it shows off Erin’s creativity which puts her above other VA’s who simply provide a very long list of services but don’t attempt to educate.

You can get it here. Its costs $37 and well worth the cost.

(Now, it’s an ebook so I could just email it to you, but I won’t, so please don’t ask. A lot of work went into this publication and if you’re too cheap to spend $37 to save $$$ in your business…. I don’t suspect you’ll be in business very long.)

Happy delegating!

Technorati Tags: Delegation, delegating, Erin Blaskie, Business Services ETC, BSETC, 30 Days of Delegation

from John C. Maxwell’s book ‘Ethics 101′ (p. 92)

• Care more then others think is wise
• Risk more then others think is safe
• Dream more then others think is practical
• Expect more than others think is possible
• Work more than others think is necessary

“There is no traffic jam on the extra mile” - Zig Ziglar

Technorati Tags: John C. Maxwell, Ethics 101, going the extra mile, Zig Ziglar