Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

Blog Jumping

Brian Monahan — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:02:17 +0000

One of the best ways to grow is to expand your circle of influence. A “circle of influence”
is a phrase used to describe the people around you. The world wide web and social media
has given us the opportunity to expand our “circles” like no other time in history.

My favorite way to expand my circle is by reading blogs. Recently, I was reading one
of my favorite blogs “Shoestring Branding” by Mario Sanchez Carrion and he mentioned on
of his favorite blogs was by Mark Cuban. I don’t know much about Mark Cuban and for
some reason I thought he was a blowhard and I would not like his message. What’s
interesting is; he is probably a blowhard but I enjoyed reading his blog. I started
thinking a great way to expand my circle of influence is to find out what my “influence’s”
are reading. If Seth Godin is one of my favorite bloggers then where is he getting his
inspiration.

Since, I hope I am one of your influencer’s I am going to share my ten favorite blogs aside
from Seth’s Blog since that is a complete given, he’s my favorite.

Hello, My Name is Blog – Scott Ginsberg
Very Cool Life – Drew Rozell
Sales Caffeine – Jeffery Gitomer (actually a newsletter but clearly an influencer)
Hubspot Blog – Hubspot Marketing Company Blog (sign up for their reports as well)
Gaping Void – Hugh MacLeod
The Art of Non-Conformity – Chris Guillebeau
Fail Blog
Event Manager Blog – Julius Solaris
The Marketess – Krista Neher
LifeHacker

Of course many of these are part of the blog echo-chamber but there are a few relatively
“popular unknowns.”

Share your favorites in the comments on my blog or Facebook.

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

New Year’s DreamChicken

Brian Monahan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:13:48 +0000

Group deal/coupon websites are all the rage, so far my favorite one is “DealChicken” but you are probably more familiar with Groupon. I believe New Year’s Resolutions are kind of like “Groupon’s” for your dreams.

If you are unfamiliar with these group coupon websites the basic idea is the website strikes up deals with local businesses with outrageous deals like 50% coupons for services and products but only if enough people buy the coupon. This seems like a win/win for everyone. The website makes money, the business gains access to new clientele and the end client gets a great deal but I have heard a dirty little secret about this business practice. The only one winning at this model is the coupon website.

What I have heard is the people buying the coupons are bargain hunters who often have no “Intention” of ever becoming regular customers of the small business. In addition, the increase in traffic often tasks the business and current customers become disgruntled with the businesses service quality being strained which leads to a similar experience for those finicky bargain hunters who also have a lack luster experience. It’s a bad cycle and by the way most of these small businesses are losing money on each of these deals.

I feel like “New Year’s Resolutions” are very much the same racket except they just offer one deal per year. If I were opening a daily resolutions company I could call it “DreamChicken” because that is what it really is…playing chicken.

New Year’s Resolutions are kind of like multi-level marketing. They sell you on the dream but their record for results is very slim. Why are you wasting your time with such a failed model. NYR degrade and cheapen your dreams.

Here is how NYR are similar to group coupons. We all do it but we really have no “Intention” behind it. Once we “Buy” or make the “Resolutions” that is often where the “Intention” ends. Similar to group coupons they also put a strain on many people. If you haven’t been working out or dieting all year what makes January 1st a better day to start, in fact its probably a bad day to start. July 1st surely seams like a better day to put on my running shoes.

So, what’s a bargain dream hunter to do?

Find a new method. I recommend getting clear what you want and creating a plan for success. I also recommend doing it all year long. Do it on a Monday, Wednesday or Saturday. Do it on the 15th or the 23rd. Make up your own New Year’s Day on June 4th or some other random day.

Seriously folks, I know very few people who have kept any New Year’s Resolutions for any length of time. I can only honestly admit to one, “wearing my seatbelt,” and that one is a law.

Good Cluck on your Dreaming.

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

A Case For The Yellow Light

Brian Monahan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:38:32 +0000

Recently I was “Running a Red Light”** and I had a bit of an epiphany about how under appreciated the “Yellow Light” is in today’s society.

Before you jump my sh^t about running “Red Lights”, give me a little bit of credit since it’s actually quite rare for someone in a hurry barreling through intersections to have an epiphany without a tragedy like a traffic ticket or accident. Yes, I am a rare breed of hurried and Zen like driver.

Anyway, I was thinking about my approach to life and most of the people I know. They generally fall into two camps…”Red Lighters and Green Lighters.”

You are probably familiar with the “Red Lighters and Green Lighters.” The “Red Lighters” are the nay sayers or the timid mice. They find the faults and fears in an inspiration. Then of course there are the “Green Lighters” who make lemonade from lemons and like to make things happen.

Of course, there are both positives and negatives to both approaches and I don’t mean to oversimplify either type of person. I just want to explore the idea of a “Yellow Light” approach to life.

If we “Go” on Green and “Stop” on Red then why don’t we “Slow Down” on yellow. I think “Slowing down” is such an underrated option in today’s society. It’s mostly, “Go, Go, Go” unless of course it involves infringing or inconveniencing us as individuals and then its “Stop, Stop, Stop.”

Yellow is a new way of life. “Slowing Down” is listening to the little voice inside. It’s the voice which gives us the nuggets of wisdom we don’t find in the rush of Green and the selfishness of Red.

Yellow is gut instinct and intuition. It’s God talking and our 5 senses in balance.

Of course, to be honest I am all about the “Green” but just for a moment I thought I would “Slow Down” and consider another option.

Yellow Light.

**Metaphoric Running of Red Light if you are a Law Enforcement Officer or my insurance company

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

Have You Done Anything Stupid Lately?

Brian Monahan — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:42:40 +0000

I hope so, if not you are not living.

GET STUPID

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

Inspiration Expiration

Brian Monahan — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:23:22 +0000

Inspiration is a lot like a gallon of milk. It expires if you don’t drink it.

Inspiration is unlike milk in that if you drink it (act on it) it is like an endless jug. It automatically replenishes itself and leads to more and better inspirations.

If you are finding yourself in a creative rut you are probably not at a loss for ideas but stuck in fear or doubt. The inspiration is probably there but you are unwilling to notice or act on it.

In fact, as I right this article my inspiration about inspiration is under attack by that little voice in my head that says, “your blog post is boring and needs some work.” Luckily, I have learned to “beat the shit” out of that voice and tell it to “fuck off.”

OMG, did I really write some curse words?

Anyway, now my article is no longer boring and I got your attention.

Right Now, write down one idea or inspiration you have had in the last 24 hours and commit to taking action on it. Seriously folks this is life and death. The creative life source is inspiration and you must learn to act on it. It will change your life, it changed mine.

Skim, 2%, Chocolate or Whole Inspiration….Drink It and watch it multiply.

MOOOOO!

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

Steve Jobs is Gone, It’s Your Turn

Brian Monahan — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:32:05 +0000

I must admit, I have not spent much time learning about Steve Jobs outside of what I have heard in the media. I have no doubt he was an absolute amazing man.

With his passing yesterday, Facebook and Twitter lit up with Salutes, Memorial’s and Tributes to his greatness.

I am thinking the only way to truly honor “A Great Life” is to live yours to the fullest.

Steve Jobs is Gone, It’s Your Turn

Live Big!

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

Broken Commitments Rock

Brian Monahan — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:11:07 +0000

I absolutely love when my clients break their commitments!

Do you break your commitments? Do you even make commitments?

Seriously, Broken Commitments Rock! I have a feeling you think I am yanking your chain but I am not.

As a coach I have an arsenal of tools and processes to help my clients create the life they want. One of the most basic tools in my tool bag is “Accountability” and to be honest it’s overrated. I think the real power in the coaching process is creating better “Commitments.”

Most people see the coaching process as make a commitment, execute the commitment and coach verify the commitment is executed but there are other steps to consider.

Was the commitment in alignment with my values?

Is my life set up in a way that I can keep this commitment?

Did I have the resources needed to keep the commitment?

Are there other commitments or steps that must be taken before I execute this commitment?

Was this a “should” commitment versus a “want or need” commitment

The truth is the reason people break commitments is they are making bad or wrong commitments. When I say “Bad or Wrong” I am not coming from a place of judgement but objectivity. Objectivity is where the power of a coach or outside adviser can significantly impact the success of your commitment. It is often hard for us to be objective with our own commitments but an independent but invested partner can provide the objectivity we need to create better commitments.

Seriously, I do love when my clients break their commitments!

Here are the reasons why I love broken commitments.

Most people don’t take the time to consciously make commitments, they go through the motions of life unconscious of their dreams, goals and objectives…congrats to them for making commitments.

By making a commitment it provides much needed data to make better commitments. You need an input to get feedback.

Commitments are a sign of being engaged in your dreams, whats not to love about people being engaged in their dreams.

It takes courage to put your word on the line.

“I would rather die standing than live on my knees!”-Emiliano Zapata

Photo Credit – Zsuzsanna Kilian

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

Are You Willing To Take the Steps?

Brian Monahan — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:24:42 +0000

Are you willing to take the Steps?

This is a really simple concept.

Most of us are not willing to do the simple daily actions to reach a goal.

Our EGO would much rather wait it out for that one perfect day. The day when everything is just perfect and we have everything we need to be successful.

But our EGO is a self centered saboteur. It will self preserve at all costs. There will never be a perfect day. Your EGO is tough cookie. It’s job is to keep you right where you are because its the only you it knows. The EGO hates change.

So, you have a couple options. One is you can go for “The Big Leap” which I like to call “EGO Homicide” or you can “Take the Steps.”

It’s a much gentler path. Each and every day take a small step in the direction of your dreams and goals. Each and every day you take charge and your EGO will eventually realize you are your dream. Your EGO will trust you and then you can take bigger steps or maybe two steps.

What steps do you need to take today in the direction of your dreams?

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

The Wrong Question

Brian Monahan — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:39:39 +0000

Featured Article from August 17, 2011 – Launch Newsletter

The Wrong Question

One of my heroes is Captain “Sully” Sullenberger. “Sully” is famous for safely landing his disabled jet on the Hudson River on an icy day in January, 2009. The event is affectionately known as “Miracle on the Hudson” but I like to give “Sully” some of the credit in this “miracle.”

A few weeks ago, I shared questions “1” and “5” from my speech, “The Five Right Questions to Supercharge Your Life and Business.” In my speech, I reference “Sully’s” heroics when I introduce question one, “What are my options?” I get the feeling “Sully” might have asked himself this question intuitively when he lost the power to his engines on that fateful day.

Tapping our intuition and considering all options allows us to find answers that don’t seem reasonable but, are indeed options. I can imagine some of the options “Sully” played out included turning back, getting to the nearest airport, freaking out… Instead he chose the “Road Less” travelled and landed on the river. Have you ever faced a challenge that felt like landing a jet on a river?

Of course hindsight is 20/20 and we know “Sully” made the right decision; but I also know “Sully” made some other right choices along the way. Society has trained many of us to focus on our weaknesses. I am almost 100% certain “Sully” did not make this mistake in 2009. I can’t even imagine the outcome if “Sully” asked himself what I call, “The Wrong Question.”

“In what areas do I need to improve my skills as a pilot (insert your job here)?”

Once again, I cannot confirm; but, I think “Sully” intuitively used the second question from my speech “The 5 Right Questions.” That question being, “What are my strengths?” Instead of the really bad question society has trained us to answer, “What are my weaknesses?” Seriously, if “Sully” had focused on his weaknesses, we might be referencing that day with a different name, something like “Tragedy on the Hudson.”

The real tragedy is that every day in almost every home, office and/or school around the world people are making this huge mistake. In the moment of truth when faced with a major project or tragedy, people are focusing on their weaknesses, when instead they should be channeling their inner “Sully” and focusing on their strengths.

Question #2

What are your strengths?

I challenge you to take at least 30 minutes and write down all of your strengths. This is not a time to be shy. Think about your education, your job, your hobbies and your accomplishments — carry these strengths with you wherever you go.

Resources to Identify Your Strengths:

StrengthsFinder 2.0 – Amazon Link

MAPP – Motivational Assesment of Personal Potential

Energy Leadership – Amazon Link

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”

The Difference Between Options and Opportunities

Brian Monahan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:49:04 +0000

A few months ago, I developed a speech called, “The 5 Right Questions to Supercharge Your Life and Business.”

The premise of the speech was based on an intuitive approach to business – asking ourselves the “Right” kind of questions – those that are empowering and reflective and help us find new answers and solutions to our life and business.

The goal of today’s post is not so much to discuss the concept of the “5 Right Questions” but the insights I have gained while presenting this topic to groups and using them with my individual clients.

Here are two of the five questions from my speech which are interestingly enough the first and last question, respectively.

1. What are my options?

5. What are my opportunities?

What’s interesting is that when I go through the 5 questions in order, I notice that when I reach question 5, I am often answered with a puzzled look or silence. At first I must admit, I was worried that my speech and concept might be flawed. If everyone is going quiet on question 5, perhaps it just doesn’t make sense.

After the first few presentations, I spent a little time reflecting on the concept, trying to figure out what caused the silence. In fact, if I’m honest with myself I knew there was something missing in my speech and concept. It revolved around the difference between Options and Opportunities. On paper, the two seem very similar but intuitively I knew there was a huge gap between the two concepts. Then it hit me.

The difference between Options and Opportunities is PEOPLE.

Exploring our options is a great technique to create opportunities; however, options only become opportunities when we include another person.

This plays out in all areas of life and business. The person who picks up the phone or the person who reaches out to make a connection is almost always more successful in life and business.

Here is the equation.

Options + People = Opportunities

Do you need a speaker for your event? I would love the “Opportunity” to share the other 3 questions with your group or organization…or should I say PEOPLE. Click Here for More Info.

Brian Monahan is a Professional Coach with Launch to Freedom. Brian works with emerging entrepreneurs to help them create a plan to reach their “Tipping Point” for success. Expert In The Rough is the official blog of Launch to Freedom. Feel free to share posts and articles on your website or newsletter with attribution and a link back to the original content. Visit Launch to Freedom to sign up for your free “21+ Must Have Free Business Tools for the Small Business Owner”