Do you feel guilty when you’re not working?

How to choose software for your business

Choosing the right software for your business can be difficult. Here's the process I use to choose the best software, and use software trial periods wisely.

What kind of business can I build in 2022 (with little or no money down)?

There are six kinds of businesses you can start with little or no money down. Here they are, together with the pros and cons of each.

A blueprint for a coaching business

Here are the minimum set of things you need to build a coaching business.

How to double your chances of making the sale

This simple technique can literally double your chances of making the sale. Here's what it is, why it works, and how you can start using it.

The COVID Opportunity

As we head into weeks 3 or 4 (or even more) of self-isoiation, the danger is that we succumb to depression and lethargy. But COVID can be an opportunity for us - here are three ways you can sustain yourself, help others and prepare for growth.

Three ways to look better on Zoom (or any video call)

We're doing a lot of online meetings - and we're still learning to get better at it. Here are top three things you need to do to look good (or at least better) on online calls.

The courage to persevere

When we're repeatedly hit in the face by things that just aren't going right, we can (rightfully) wonder if we should give up. Here's what the honey badger can teach us about perseverance.

Pick one - the key to getting stuff done

When you don't seem to making enough progress, this one technique can help you make a lot of progress fast - by focusing on one thing at a time (and forgetting about almost everything else). (4 min read)

Three principles highly productive people use

I've been a student of productivity for most of my life, and I've realized that, like in many other parts of life, there are a small number of principles that makes the biggest difference in the outcomes. (4 min read)

Three things you need to know about marketing

Marketing can work without going over the top; but unfortunately there's no magic wand you can wave that will have people lining up for your products or services. Here are 3 things you need to know about marketing. (5 min read)

A better sales conversation

Sales conversations - and making the sale - can be difficult. Here's how James added a missing ingredient to his sales conversations and made more sales in two days than in the previous month. (6 min read)

The top 5 reasons your prospects are not buying

If you're struggling to make sales, chances are that you're suffering from one or more common problems. Here are the top 5 reasons they're not buying, and what you can do about it. (7 min read)

Weekly Newsletter or Evergreen Nurturing - which is better?

Content marketing is a great way to keep your subscribers or clients engaged. But producing regular, high quality content can mean sentencing yourself to a treadmill of producing content all the time - here's how Evergreen Nurturing can help, and give your readers even more value. (6 min read)

How to use RightMessage and ConvertKit to track website activity

How to set up RightMessage and ConvertKit to automatically track which pages your website visitors are looking at - and tracking their interest over time.

The gap between here and success

There's a gap between where we are today and the future version of ourself that became successful. Here's how to fast-track the process of getting there - and changing ourselves in the process.

How to get out of severe overwhelm

Sometimes you're so overwhelmed you just don't know where to start making order out of the chaos. Here's the technique I've been using to help me get out of that hole. (8 min read)

The case for (and against) blog articles

Creating content is one way to get subscribers for your business. But there are better ways than just writing an article a week. (5 min read)

Why time management systems don't work

Adopting a new time management can be exciting, but many fail to deliver on their promise. Here's why, and what you can do about it. (5 min read)

How to start building passive income

There's a lot of hype around building passive income. Here's one tried and tested way, warts and all. (9 min read)

Back office setup for an info products business

There are a lot of systems you can use to automate your back office. Here's an inside look at the systems I use for my info products business. (7 min read)

6 signs your website needs help

Your website has a job, but it can't do that job if it's suffering from one or more of these 6 common problems. (8 min read)

How ready are you to build a business?

Here are 11 factors that make a big difference in how successful you will be building a business (9 min read)

When a business dies

A failing business is one of the toughest times you can go through. I would like to acknowledge your courage – and offer some words of hope (6 min read)

Five rules for creating a work environment where you can thrive

No matter how modest your office or workspace, you can design it for high productivity. Here are 5 rules for productive work spaces. (6 min read)

What kind of product or service can I sell?

Deciding what kinds of products and services you can build a business around can be tough. Here are six types of products and services, and the pros and cons around each. (14 min read)

The single most important leading indicator of productivity

Productivity is a holy grail for many of us. Here is the single most important leading indicator of productivity - and how it fits into the bigger picture (6 min read)

Can you actually design your lifestyle?

Can you actually design your lifestyle? The answer may be closer than you think. (6 min read)

How to calculate your hourly rates

If you have to bill your work out by the hour, here's how to calculate rates that work for you. And other ways to think about it. (6 min read)

How to sell yourself (even when you're modest)

Not all of us are confident telling the world how great we are. But you don't need to be a hypemaster to sell yourself - you just have to write down the facts. (6 min read)

A roadmap for your Bullet Journal

Bullet Journalling is one of the best ways to organise your life and keep track of the stuff you need to do. Here's how to create a roadmap for your Bullet Journal. (6 min read)

Build your business backwards (to get there faster)

It's easy to lose your head when there's so much to do to build your business. Building it backwards may help you get there faster - with less overwhelm. (6 min read)

Where should you focus now?

Where do you need to focus now to get your business running better? One way is to use the Tornado Method. (6 min read)

Behind the smoke and mirrors of Internet success

The Internet can be so full of hype we don't really know what's true and what not. Should you use hype to look successful even when you're not? (7 min read)

The art of the finish

We all chase productivity, and some hold the 80-hour work week up like a badge of honour. But productivity is not enough - here's what you really need. (5 min read)

You can start a business today

You "know" you want to build a business, but starting is difficult. The good news is that it's a lot easier to start than you may think - here are the first three steps you need to take. (7 min read)

5 reasons you need a subscriber list

A subscriber list is critical for almost every small business. Here are 5 reasons you need a subscriber list, and why quality is way more important than quantity. (9 min read)

How to beat the distraction monster

Staying focused on what matters means we have to beat the distraction monster. Here are three things that will help. (5 min read)

Use shutdown routines to leave the stress at work

A daily shutdown routine can be the best way to prepare for the next day - and enjoy the evening before. Here's how. (5 min read)

How to give a presentation without revealing all your secrets

Presentations are a great way to demonstrate your products or services and generate leads for your business. But how do you do that without revealing all your secrets? (6 min read)

How screwing things up can be great inspiration

We can get a lot of inspiration from how we screwed up - not just how we succeeded. Here's how to use your screw-ups as inspiration. (7 min read)

7 things I would do differently if I had to start again

There's a lot that can go wrong when building a business. Here are 7 things I would do differently if I had to start over. (12 min read)

Three fundamentals of a lifestyle business

A successful lifestyle business is based on three fundamentals. Here they are, together with a checklist to see how well you're doing. (6 min read)

Why values matter (and bad things happen when they disappear)

Vision, mission and values are at the heart of any business. But why do values really matter, and what happens if we don't live by them? (6 min read)

Consulting or info products - 8 factors to help you decide

Should you start with consulting, or jump directly to info products to generate passive income? Here are 8 factors to help you decide. (7 mind read)

Put a face on your business

To build trust with visitors to your website, you need to tell them about you. You're more likely to build trust and eventually get them to buy. (5 min read)

Back office systems for an info products business

Here are the apps and systems I use to run the back office for the info products side of my business. (5 min read)

How to get started with marketing

You can get started with marketing even if you're a complete novice - and you don't have to break the bank. Here's how. (8 min read)

The power of specialisation (and how to do it)

The most important thing you can do to build a successful business is to specialise. Here's what it means, and how you can go about it. (6 min read)

How to design a revenue engine (a Big Problem article)

Every business has a Revenue Engine - it's how you make money. You need to design it well to get it to work - here's how. (8 min read)

My business is not taking off - what can I do?

When your business is not taking off and you're in the pit of despair, you need a way out. Knowing you're not alone is the first step. (6 min read)

A brand is a process (and authenticity is the key)

Your brand has static bits and dynamic bits. Turns out that the dynamic bits are way more important to build a strong brand. (5 min read)

How to solve a big problem (even if you don’t know how)

You can solve almost any problem by breaking it down into smaller problems. You'll find you can solve at least some of the smaller ones, and get help for the bits you can't solve. (7 min read)

Why you need to stop learning (and start doing)

Learning can be a great thing - except when all we're doing is learning and not actually doing. Here's why - and what you can do about it. (6 min read)

Decision’s evil twin: Second Guessing

It's natural to have doubts after we made a big decision. But you can't let those doubts let you lose momentum. Here's the story of Decision, and its evil twin. (5 min read)

Build a bridge to make a sale

You can improve your sales by building a bridge to take clients from the lead nurturing phase to the sales phase of your revenue engine. Here's how. (5 min read)

What kind of business do you want to build?

The thousands of different businesses you can build can be grouped into four or five categories. Here's what they are, and how each will affect your lifestyle (7 min read)

Three keys to building a business you will love

There are three keys to building a successful business that you will love, and will keep you going through thick and thin. Where they meet is called the "sweet spot". (5 min read)

How much do you need to know about business to build one?

Building a business is scary because you don't know what you don't know. But it turns out you don't need to be expert at everything - here's a system to help you figure out how good you need to be. (5 min read)

How to overcome objections to the sale

Clients often hesitate at the last moment before they commit to a sale. Here's how to recognise the patterns, and overcome the objections. (5 min read)

Building a small business culture

Building a culture does not have to be difficult. Here's a simple technique to get started. (4 min read)

What does your ideal lifestyle look like?

How far off is your ideal lifestyle? Here's some perspective and an exercise to take the next step forward. (4 min read)

Sell the outcome, not the solution

Selling outcomes is way more powerful than selling tools or expertise. Here's how this resulted in pivoting my business, and why you need to be selling outcomes too. (5 min read)

Frustrated with a lack of sales? You need an MVRE

If you're frustrated with the lack of progress in your business, you may need a Minimum Viable Revenue Engine. Here's what it is and how to build one. (8 min read)

100 articles and counting - what I’ve learnt

I've now produced over 100 articles in 14 months containing over 150,000 words. Here's what I've learnt. (7 min read)

Are you ready for a lifestyle business?

Living life on your own terms is so enticing, and one of the ways to get there is to build a lifestyle business. Here are 5 things to help you decide if a lifestyle business is for you. (8 min read)

Five keys to a 6-figure lifestyle business

The lure of the lifestyle business is enticing - living life on your own terms. Here are the 5 common traits I've seen in successful lifestyle businesses (11 min read)

3 unexpected ways to radically reduce stress

We all deal with stress all the time, but some of us seem to have an ability to handle stress better than others. Here are 3 unexpected ways to radically reduce stress. (7 min read)

The real truths behind building a lifestyle business

The lure of the lifestyle business is strong; a business that gives you the lifestyle you want, on your terms. Here's what the marketing doesn't tell you. (8 min read)

You don’t need more leads (and what you need instead)

You don't just need more leads to build a viable business - you actually need fewer but of higher quality. Here's why, and what you can do now. (6 min read)

The (liberating) power of looking back

Building a business can seem like a never-ending slog. But if we make time to review just how far we've come, we can renew our energy and our motivation. (5 min read)

The biggest lie about blogging as a business

Turning blogging - or content marketing - into a profitable business is not easy. Your blog is just one piece of the puzzle. (6 min read)

How to live (and deal) with overwhelm

We all get overwhelmed from time to time - it's just part of life. Here's how you can learn to live - and deal - with it. (6 min read)

How to get paid for proposals

You can spend a lot of time and effort creating proposals that don't get accepted. Here's how you can charge for proposals, and get clients to like it. (9 min read)

There’s only one thing holding you back right now

There are so many things we have to do in our businesses it can be hard to know where to start. But the truth is there's only one thing holding you back right now. Here's how to find it. (7 min read)

The danger of believing our own lies

When we believe something to be true, it will inevitably become truth. Here's how to recognise your own self-fulfilling prophecies, and how to get around them. (6 min read)

How to get rid of distractions and double your productivity

Focus is the new IQ, and distractions are focus killers. But there are only 3 types of distractions, and once you know what they are it becomes easy to deal with them. (8 min read)

The top three reasons you’re not getting more clients

If you're struggling to get more clients, you're not alone. Here are the top 3 reasons small businesses don't get more clients, and what you can do about it. (8 min read)

Why you don’t need a CRM (and what you should do instead)

We have easy access to hugely capable tools to make our lives as entrepreneurs easier. But are these tools always the best solution for what we need? Here's why you don't need a CRM, and what you can do instead. (8 min read)

How to manage your mindset

Cultivating and maintaining the right mindset is crucial to stay at top performance and enjoy life. But how do we manage our mindset even when things are not that good? (7 min read)

How to get more done in less time with work compression

"Work will expand to fill available time." This is Parkinson's law, and we can use it to get more done in less time through something called "work compression". Here's how. (7 min read)

How to estimate your time better

Why are we so bad at estimating how long it will take to do something? Here are 5 reasons why, and what you can do about it. (7 min read)

A really practical marketing plan for non-marketers

When you're running a small business, your marketing plan has to be really practical and not take a lot of time to maintain. Here's how I do it. (7 min read)

How to get off the self-improvement roller-coaster

How to get off the self-improvement roller-coaster by letting go of big goals and focusing on getting just 1% better every day. (7 min read)

Why you need two kinds of marketing - and how it works

Marketing is one of the most important - and difficult - parts of a business. But you can simplify and improve your marketing if you know there are only 2 kind of marketing that matter. (7 min read)

Three keys to making it as a freelancer

Over years of working with freelancers, solopreneurs and small business owners, I've found 3 things that make a major difference between success and never-ending struggle. Here they are. (7 min read)

When should you give up?

When do you decide to give up? When have you tried enough, weathered enough hardship without the reward you're looking for - and eventually give up? Here's some guidance. (8 min read)

Why getting things wrong is the best way to learn

We learn very little when things are running smoothly. In fact, we do most of our learning when things go wrong, and we have to find a way to fix it, or a better way to do it. (5 min read)

The Tornado Method Manifesto

This is the Tornado Method Manifesto - what it is, why I created it, what my hopes are for it and the conditions under which it can be used and shared. (6 min read)

Stop worrying about the competition

We can worry so much about competition that we let our businesses be ruled by what others do. Here's why you shouldn't, and what you can do instead. (6 min read)

How to turn blogging into a business

Blogging on its own is not a viable business model, but it can enhance and support your revenue streams. If you're starting with a blog, how do you turn it into a business? (8 min read)

It's all about throughput and output, not activity

It doesn't matter how hard you work or how long you work - in the end, it's what you produce that matters. Here's what scaling El Capitan can teach us about productivity. (5 min read)

Your blindspots are holding you back

We're held back by what we don't know and what we believe is true that isn't. Here's how blindspots work, and what you can do about them. (6 min read)

How totally non-productive days can help you get back in the groove

Every now and then we have a day where we're totally non-productive. Here's how those days are actually useful, and how we can use them to get back in the groove (6 min read)

From dream week to real week - how well does it work?

Designing your dream week is easy - but getting it to work is tough. Here are some lessons from doing it for over 100 weeks. (6 min read)

So just what is a marketing strategy anyway?

There are so many definitions of "marketing strategy" that it's difficult to make sense of what is going to help your business. Here's a consistent way to look at it that will help - and fits into your overall strategy (7 min read)

My Medium journey and the fallacy of vanity metrics

LinkedIn views, Medium story views and Twitter followers are often just vanity metrics that don't mean a whole lot for our businesses. Here's how to recognise them, and what to do about them. (6 min read)

How to write better and faster with the art of deconstruction

If you want to write better and faster, one of the best ways is to study great writers. And the best way to do that is with the art of deconstruction - here's how it works. (7 min read)

What do you do when you’re about to fail?

What do you do when you're about to fail? Here's what Richard Branson had to say about this at the Energy Disruptors event in Calgary. (5 min read)

Three hacks for a better quality of life

Quality of life is an elusive thing. It's so easy to outsource it to other people's values and what society tells us we need; here are 3 hacks that will help you have a higher quality of life. (6 min read)

The art of writing a lot

For many of us producing a lot of content is critical to what we do. Here are the main problems I've encountered and how I'm overcoming them. (7 min read)