On a country trip I realised the speed and passage of time.
I also realised the death of a product and the need for constant innovation, invention and initiative.

A rural phone box had died.
A sad carcass was all that remained in the pretty little village.
The brand name had faded far from its former glory and the death was painfully slow.

For me, it’s not long ago that these ultra modern, sleek, shiny steel boxes were new, brand new.
Today, mobiles, modems and everything else have killed what was once new.

Survival comes by constantly reinventing, moving and trying.
Death, just like a firework, will be yours if you don’t reinvent the minute your product is successful.

I’m not saying this is essential.
I am saying it’s a good compass and a good guide.

When you start a business is your motive to make money?
Perhaps have freedom?
Maybe to challenge yourself?
Or something different?

All fine, all essential, all valid.

However, next time, think about adding this;

“Will what I do make what already exists – better?”

That’s how you break the norm.

New ideas are great.
Because they are new we don’t know if they will work.
That denies the right to say “bad idea”.

All ideas are good.
Which you pick will determine success.
There is no such thing as a bad idea (assuming a rational mind of course).

Because we don’t know we have to be objective.
The wrong answer is not to try.
The right answer is to try but with a golden rule attached.

That rule is – speed.

Create a culture of really rapid trial and error.

Innovate quick,
Try quick,
Test quick,
Implement quick
Or,
Ditch quick.

That way, you will make progress – with high speed

A business plan is just like a parachute jump.
Strange but true!

Every freefall jump starts with an idea.
Every jump has the easy initial excitement. Nice idea, daring but no risk.

The idea becomes more real.
The aircraft takes off, the butterflies twitch.

12,000 high and the risks are obvious. It’s no longer just an idea.

The defining moment comes along. A test that will try your nerves.

The jump begins and everything seems blurred, distant and far off.
Worse still, the destination looks tiny, unobtainable and a long way away.

The wind howls and gusts do their best to throw you off course.
The scenery tempts but will consume your focus.

More winds fight with a big open chute.
The tiny destination seems impossible from a sky so high.

The goal is survival and the mission is simply to hit that landing spot.
Anything else is a crash and with crashes comes injury and broken limbs.
Flying again will be a dream alone.

Total focus, no distractions, a few big battles and the spot looms large.
Success is a dead centre landing on a once far off dream.

Next time you decide to take a risk (or jump from 12,000 feet).
Make sure you know your destination.
Make sure nothing blows you off course.

Brainstorming can be fun.
Brainstorming can quickly create wonderful, cheerful and exciting new horizons.
The rapid fire process of finding a new path will always inspire.

However, what creates success is a little different.

Brainstorming is a super sleek tool to create a dreamy idealistic vision.
The easy part is creating the vision
The less exciting piece is making the journey.

Great businesses are not built on one great brainstorm session.
They are built on lots of little ideas that continuously weave a new picture.
Every little bit is precious and each piece creates its own part in the big picture.

There is rarely the easy great idea and its pursuit can break hearts, effort and spirit.
A great business is full of lots of great little ideas where every drop eventually fills the bucket.

Next time you brainstorm, reward little brilliant steps.
Beware of exciting giant leaps.
Stay in touch with the market.
And loosen the lead on risks.

Your ideas, your people and your courage will reward you.
Never forget, every drop…..

Many people have new found free or extra time.
Some to get depressed.
Some to wait for the tide to turn and some to freeze in an icy panic.

Some day the storm will pass.
For now, we have to live in its midst and do the best we can.

It’s a little like camping.
When we planned it we dreamt of clear blue skies and babbling brooks.
When we went, it rained all day.
When it rained we had 2 choices;

(1) Sit in the tent moaning
(2) Sit in the tent having fun or doing something useful

Number 2 is worth thinking about.
Number 2 is preparation for when the storm clouds passes.
Number 1 has no useful legacy.

When times are tough, when you are stuck in a rainy tent …. Teach.
Gather up your followers, make them feel cozy snug and warm and …. Teach.

When we are busy we forget to teach.
When it’s quiet …. Teach

After all, it’s still one of the most rewarding things we can ever do.
It’s not just teaching, it’s legacy.

Running is a fickle sport, especially distance running. The fitter you get, the more prone to injury. You know you are fit when the limbs ache and injury looms!

Fitness, like everything, is relative. In our running club these are the benchmarks.

3 days a week – ok

4 days – good

5 days – very good

6 days – excellent

In our world, below 3 is not worth talking about. For the last month or so I have been hovering between a 3 and 4. If it was my end of term report – ok

My good friend Joe Byrne holds no prisoners He is an “excellent”. Bluntly, he questions my weekly performance. His is not to congratulate, more to see the flaws. That’s why good friends are good friends.

My latest ‘update’ over coffee. Joe was not impressed. He paused then spoke.

“Conor, you have to rediscover your passion for running.”

Few words, big impact.

What’s your passion?

What was your passion?

Go rediscover it

My good friend Dave Clarke was asking me how the world of hospitality was coping with its present Tsunami. I replied with a few tales of hope.

Dave sees things with complete clarity. Better still, he knows how to communicate those lessons.

Recently Dave dined in a great value, great food kind of place in Dublin. (It’s called ‘Howards Way …. By the way!)

Dinner was good and the value superb. It was a good deal all round.

Not for Dave the easy expression of “it was a great restaurant with great food”. Too easy for my bright friend. Instead, he summed it up so well and this is what he said;

“I like to cook Conor. If I go out to eat, the food I get must be at least better than I can cook.

When that happens, I’m happy. When it doesn’t, I see no point in going back ever again.”

If you know a struggling restaurant or restaurateur, print off Dave’s advice. It will guide them simply, effectively and customer measurably.

Did you ever sit around with your friends and hear them say “I wish….”

Or even, “One day ….”

The nature of dreams is to keep them out of reach.

Now swap the word ‘dream’ for ‘goal’ and see what happens.

As the saying goes;

“Goals are dreams with deadlines”

Our employment world is changing and fast too.

New conditions create new dynamics, conditions and terms. ‘Location Independent’ is one such term. It does what it says on the label.

My thanks to fellow Triiibe Member Michael Ivey for sending me this whole new world.

Log on to locationindependent.com/blog to read more.