Have you ever been told, 'there are no shortcuts to success,' 'there is no easy road,' or 'practice makes perfect'? We’ve all heard something to that effect. In fact, it may be safe to assume we have all personally dolled out that same sage advice a time or two.
Yet, when it comes to practice, many of us look for the quick fix, the easy way or expect it to just simply happen. We’re all susceptible to this way of thinking. I’ll admit it has failed me a time or two, as well. In fact, I’m still trying to decide how to drop the twenty pounds of sympathy weight I achieved from the births of my two children the last four years. I know the real answer - I just want it to be easier.
Let’s say you are a corporate CMO or VP of Brand Management or an advertising agency SVP of Accounts or Creative Director; you possess great responsibilities to move a company forward, create sales, help the brand achieve a voice and a litany of other objectives. Yet, when it comes to actually doing that, you frequently fail. Yes, that’s right - you (the one reading this), in all... Read more
Archive for Steve Parker, Jr. 
False Directions, Discouragement and Accountability
Five Meaningful Changes You Can Make in Spite of Doubt
This time of year is generally reserved for reflection of time passed, experiences had, people who have come into our lives and those whom have passed through. It is also a great time to celebrate what the future holds. But the future, however exciting, can be filled with angst. That said, many times in life we don’t make decisions because of doubt – it simply paralyzes us. The reality is that if you have a willingness to move forward in spite of doubt, you often should – and it is likely to reap great rewards for you.
Oftentimes I find myself struggling with the “what to change” so I can “be better” dilemma; essentially, the dreaded resolutions or reflection reality check. Over the last month, most of my thought has been focused on minimizing – basically getting rid of waste in my time and life and/or creating more with less. The result, I hope, would be more clarity and time.
Given this topic has been heavy on my mind, I have been reading a lot on the subject. One article I read in Harvard Business Review, “Five Things you Should Stop Doing in 2012” by Dorie Clark, provided some tremendous advice, and therefore I... Read more
