Almost always the creative, dedicated minority has made the world better. Martin Luther King.

If you are still competing with the crowd, trying to look like everyone else or trotting out old ideas that clearly aren’t working for you anymore, maybe it’s time to rethink your proposition.

Here are three critical questions to consider:

• Who, specifically, are you trying to reach?
• What story are you telling them?
• What do you have to do to reach them?

We’re in an era where the winners are coming from the ranks of those willing to step out in front of the crowd. To grow your enterprise or advance your career in today’s hard scrabble environment, you’ve got to be open to change, absolutely clear about who are and work smarter.

What you don’t want is to work safe. That’s not good enough.

Navigating your future. In these changing times, is your current plan the right one? Is a recalibration in the cards? Like to discuss it? Text/Call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment. Thomas Carlyle.

The challenges of the New Year just keep on coming. It’s for sure going to be daunting, but whether you are resolved to step up your current game or start a new one, here’s a check list that will help you get through the storm. The items on this list aren’t new or original but they will play a big role in your success:

 1.   Get fit – eat healthy, exercise right and get enough sleep.
2.   Show more kindness and respect. It’s not just about you.
3.   Choose to be positive. Don’t listen to the pessimists.
4.   Keep social media in perspective. Each day only has 24 hours.
5.   Search out and cultivate new opportunities. Continually.
6.   Fend off thoughts about the past.  It’s today that counts.
7.   Be the best at what you do.

Which ever is the case, occasionally remind yourself that the only edge that separates you from the rest of the field is YOU.

Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay connected.

I hope to see you back here again soon.

The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being successful. Talent is only a starting point in this business. You’ve got to keep on working that talent. Irving Berlin.

A composer of musicals and over 1,000 songs (among them, White Christmas). Starting from humble beginnings he played piano in one key – F Sharp, and never learned to read or transcribe music. Not bad for a 4 year old kid who immigrated to the USA from Russia. (Take that, Trump.)

He was 70 when he was purported to have issued those words of advice.

His business, of course, was music. Whatever yours is, don’t fall for the applause. You’ve got to keep on working your talent, whatever direction it takes.

Navigating your future. In these changing times, is your current plan the right one? Is a recalibration in the cards? Text/Call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com

Life is without meaning. You bring meaning to it. The meaning of life is what you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the feeling. Joseph Campbell.

Of the many prerequisites needed to live a long, full and productive life, one of the most important is the need for a purpose or meaning.

That’s what makes you get up in the morning – what drives you towards your goals and aspirations.

As you move through the years, age is only a number. Meaning keeps you vital, interesting and interested. And, as you get older, it keeps you young.

Navigating your future. In these changing times, is your current plan the right one? Is a recalibration in the cards? Text/Call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com

1. You have to do the work. There is a huge difference between knowing how or what to do – and actually doing it. It isn’t enough to know. You have to take action.
2. We are all working for ourselves now. Whether you are the CEO of your own business or a CEO reporting to the board, in today’s economy, we are all self-employed, even when we are working for someone else – trading our talents and energies for pay and applause.
3. Too many choices are not always a good thing. With too many choices,you can easily get distracted and lose your focus. Best to concentrate your time and talents in one area. And do it well.
4. Ship ‘on the run.’ You will never be 100% ready. Don’t wait to have everything little detail nailed before you start that new project or seize a promising opportunity. Get out there with it. 80% of something delivered is better than 100% of something that never gets out the door. You can make adjustments and corrections as you go.
5. Every mistake you make is progress. The more mistakes you make the closer you come to your goal. The only mistake that can truly throw you off stride is to do nothing because you are afraid. Don’t let fear stand in your way. Do it anyway.

Navigating your future. In these changing times, is your current plan the right one? Is a recalibration in the cards? Text/Call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com