The great sports announcer Jim McKay coined the phrase, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” The winter Olympics opened on February 4 in Beijing with subdued fanfare, reduced spectators but with a surplus of unprecedented caution for the health and safety of the participants and all involved. Positive Covid tests immediately sidelined dozens of athletes, after years of regimented and tortuous practice, quashing dreams of ever rising to the top of the podium to receive an Olympic...

I began my education majoring in music as a guitarist before deciding to change direction and pursue a degree in computer science and software development. I devoted thousands of hours practicing the guitar over the years to reach a level of mastery and surrounding myself with great talented teachers and influencers helped accelerate the process. It was a similar scenario when I started my journey of software development and subsequently launching my first company. Reaching a level of mastery in...

As the temperatures plunge and the opaque skies appear interminably cloudy and grey here in Northeast Ohio, there is a bright spot in the days that lift our spirits and peels back that feeling of gloom. The days have begun to get longer, each day, a few more minutes and peaks of sun are breaking through the clouds. There’s a feeling of optimism and hope that creeps into the day and already has me looking ahead to warmer days. In...

I love learning and gain my knowledge from a variety of sources. Thought leaders, courses, books, and the internet are some of these powerful sources. Yet, I’ve been fortunate to gain much knowledge from my own clients as they are a constant source of inspiration, learning and insights for me. Here are 9 such insights I’d like to share with you today:  Consistency wins out over intensity every time. Resilience works best when you get ahead of your stressors, or...

Shhhhhh…. Yesterday was Chad’s birthday and I figured why not surprise him with a week off from writing his newsletter? This is Laurel, Chad’s wife, and I’m taking over this week’s post to share my thoughts on birthdays. It seems that we put less emphasis on birthdays as we age instead of celebrating with greater gusto to acknowledge the gift of being able to reach another year especially when blessed with good health. We ask our family and friends not...

The Big Bang was the title of my first Raising the Barr® newsletter that I launched nine years ago. So much has transpired since that day and I am thankful for overcoming many life and business challenges while rejoicing in the many triumphs and gifts life has offered me. Here is a list I prepared to make this year extraordinary while keeping your momentum moving forward. I recommend you choose the items that resonate with you and offer you with...

There’s a pun going around saying that we are heading into the new year 2020-two, meaning, it’s going to be a repeat of 2020 and the start of the pandemic explosion. Although a daunting thought, I am hopeful it will not come true. Even as the world seemed to be coming apart at the seams back in 2020, I believe we have learned a lot since then as we have also made much progress on many fronts. Here are some...

My first weekly newsletter was written and sent back in January 2013. Today, nine years later, issue number 466 is being released. Like water, which can carve its way through stone, so does our content, created over time, help create our digital empire®.  While reviewing my newsletters from this past year, I have realized many profound learning moments for which I am thankful and appreciative. Here are 12 of them: Important things are worth fighting for. Observing my grandkids has...

Thanks to Facebook live I was able to watch my grandchildren’s winter music recital this week. We have a pianist and a guitarist, (so far), and they both performed with great musicality and a bit of trepidation. Laurel and I, both being musicians, remember the many opportunities we had to perform for the community when we were kids too. The daily practice, sometimes with the urging of parents, for 3 minutes of performing on stage seemed overwhelming when I was...

It’s most likely your mindset that prevents you from reaching new people, creating new products, and reaching new heights. Ask your clients what more offerings would they like to see from you. Their input will become the goldmine to shape your future direction and impact the products and services you create. What type of clients are you serving and focusing on? How about focusing on the ones that listen to you and genuinely want to improve their lives and businesses....