By Daniel M. Murphy on 7/30/2009

Small business owners and entrepreneurs continually battle against the competition, economy, finances, government regulations, employee issues, busyness, denial, distractions, and a host of other challenges.  Such COMPLEXITY is simply the "price of admission" for being a successful entrepreneur.  However, if you don't learn to manage such complexity, it will crush you and your business.

However, please don't become overwhelmed by all these issues.  In fact, all these issues are not the real...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 7/23/2009

Business coaching done right is about helping someone else (the client) to discover for themselves what needs to change in their business and life... so that they may achieve greater success and fulfillment.  Coaching empowers the client to solve their own problems and seize their own opportunities.  While a business coach will help open new doors and opportunities, it's still up to the client to walk through them.  When it's all said and done, business coaching is part science, part art...the science...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 7/16/2009

Ever notice on the back of a hotel door, there is a floor diagram with a red dot that signifies "you are here."  It's there to show you your room in relation to the fire exits.  In short, it's your exit strategy and life-saver plan.  As a business coach, that "red dot" got me thinking about the situation most small business owners find themselves in.  They don't really know where they are in relation to their own exit strategy...selling the business. As such, let's play the "red dot" game.  Visualize...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 7/9/2009

A recent Twitter (www.twitter.com/GrowthCoachCorp) entry I made sparked an idea for this business coaching blog.  I mentioned that successful entrepreneurs take 100% responsibility for their results and won't dare tolerate excuses within their company.  Is that true for you and your business?  If not, here comes some tough-love business coaching.

Can you handle the truth?  OK, here it comes...your business is where it is, how it is, and...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 7/2/2009

Let me guess, at times you feel overworked, overwhelmed and a prisoner to your business.  As an owner, your frustrations often outweigh your fun.  And lastly, you are wearing multiple hats and functioning in multiple roles for your company.  How did I do?  Did this business coach describe you accurately... at least some of the time?  If so, you need to QUIT!  No, not quit being an entrepreneur or business owner...just quit doing some of the roles and tasks you have been doing for years or ever since...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 6/25/2009

My wife recently got a GPS (global positioning system) for her vehicle.  She and my kids do lots of driving to new destinations for volleyball and baseball tournaments.  No sense getting lost and wasting time.  And since I am directionally-challenged and no real help when it comes to driving, a GPS was a good investment.

As most of you are aware, a GPS instrument is a pretty amazing and affordable piece of technology. You always have a clear destination, specific directions to get there, and...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 6/18/2009

The Growth Coach has been on Twitter for the last month or so and providing lots of resources and business coaching insights to small business owners and professionals.  Again, our mission is to help entrepreneurs work less, earn more, and enjoy richer and fuller lives...as well as increase the value and future saleability of their business.  Twitter is one social media venue we found that allows us to effectively and easily touch the lives of many entrepreneurs at the same time and help educate them about business management, business improvement, business coaching, The Growth Coach, and how to locate our certified business coaches.

...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 6/11/2009

Last week, I parked my vehicle on a steep incline and had to set the parking brake...a rare occurrence.  Upon returning to my vehicle, like a fool, I forgot to disengage the brake and pulled out down the hill.  Since I only partially set the brake, the vehicle did move forward but very slowly and awkwardly.  At first, I did not know what was holding back the vehicle.  I gave it some more gas but the vehicle was still hesitant and somewhat unresponsive...the vehicle and I were still being held back....

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 6/4/2009

Business ownership is as much emotional management as business management.  Owning and running a business can be like a roller coaster ride of emotions IF you don't learn emotional management and don't occasionally escape from your business.  You need to take care of yourself...body, mind, and soul.

Right now, however, especially during these economic challenges, many owners are feeling overworked and overwhelmed.  The "business ownership ride" is a bit scary.  As such, business owners are...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/28/2009

Losing weight should be easy...right?  After all, one simply needs to eat less calories and exercise more.  What is complicated about that basic information?  Nothing!  Then it should be fairly easy and straightforward to get lean and stay that way.  Wrong!  Nearly all of us, out of first-hand experience, know that it's not that easy to lose weight and then maintain our ideal weight.  After all, estimates show that over 70% of Americans are overweight.  Why?

Weight challenges can't be due mainly...

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