“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

If you live in Vancouver, you’ll likely be anticipating the next Canucks game. Even if you’re not, you have to give them credit for lasting the distance.

Through the ups and downs of the season, through wins and losses and through injury and health, they’ve achieved the ultimate this season – getting to the finals.

When you’re in business, the seasons are … Continue Reading

I met Marc (name changed to protect the innocent) this week. He’s young (early 30′s). He’s a business owner. And, he’s ambitious.

I loved the conversation. He told me how he got started in 2006 by accident (don’t many entrepreneurs start this way?). He told me how he moved from a traditional street front operation to an 8th floor location in the CBD. And he told me how he’s grown his business by focusing uniquely on business customers.

Because his personal passion is for all things mechanical, especially aeroplanes, he continually … Continue Reading

I read Tom Bradby’s article in the Globe and Mail titled “William’s story: Told by the journalist who knows him best.” I liked the article as it provided a perspective on how William, despite the expectations of those around him, seems to be determined to carry off his destiny in a manner of his choosing. You’ve got to credit his mother with providing the foundations of such thinking.

The article also got me thinking of … Continue Reading

“Men of action are favoured.” – George S. Clason, The Richest Man in Babylon

I don’t believe anyone wakes up and says to themselves, “I’m going to go to work today and do a bad job.” Not even the team at Borders, the second-biggest U.S. bookstore chain that filed for bankruptcy in New York.

They made management changes, there were job cuts and there was debt restructuring. They did their best, I’m sure, to turn the company’s fortunes around. But, for whatever reason, they just … Continue Reading

“The secret to happiness is low expectations.” – Barry Schwartz

From the time we get up in the morning to the time we go to bed, life is a series of choices.

Some don’t seem that important. For example, the colour of socks I wear today won’t make much difference because I’m able to change my socks tomorrow.

But other choices can have a significant impact. For example, the choice not to act at all.

Each choice is based on the knowledge we have at the time we … Continue Reading

“You’re going to think anyway, so you may as well think big!” – Donald Trump

OK – I’ve decided. I’ve decided on my 2011 priorities. But, according to David Siver, if I want to be successful, I need to keep my goals to myself.

So for now, I will keep them to myself. But I will share with you just how I decided on what’s important.

First, I decided there are three areas in my life that requires attention – my business, my family & friends … Continue Reading

I was chatting with a client earlier this week about planning for 2011. I very much liked her thinking so I thought I’d share it with you.

When I asked her about her plans for 2011. She responded, “my goal for next year is to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

At first glance you might not think these words are terribly inspiring. But in fact they are incredibly inspiring. Why?

Because what she essentially told me was “I know what my priorities are and I’m going to keep … Continue Reading

AGF was kind enough to invite me to a market update conference today. I get so much via the web these days that I haven’t attended an update in person for some time. Martin Hubbs from AGF provided an interesting presentation that was the right balance between what makes AGF different and what we can expect of the market over the coming months.

My takeaways were that, in general, corporate profits are positive (and that is a good thing). But the positive profits have come from cost … Continue Reading

What are your concerns when it comes to planning for your retirement?

Do you wonder how you will spend your time? Or do you worry that you may not stay healthy to enjoy your retirement?

And when it comes to saving for retirement, what keeps you up at night? Is it how much to save? Or, is it how much income your retirement savings will generate over the short, medium and long term so you can truly call yourself financially independent.

Two reports recently … Continue Reading