Yesterday, while having dinner with friends, we spotted a roadrunner making its way through the yard. Yes, they really do exist and it’s one of many pleasant surprises living in the desert. I always wondered what made Wile E Coyote double down in his endless pursuit of the Road Runner. Time and again, he...
Grabbing Your Brass Ring
Last week I met with two clients who are planning to make big changes next year. Glen is going to leave his current firm and Corey is going to sell his company. Both men know that to prepare themselves for the best possible outcomes, the actions they take in the next quarter are critical to set themselves up for the...
Some Mid-Year Mojo – Rebalancing
"I've spent my whole life working to provide for my family. When do I get to make it about me again? I'm not a selfish man, but isn't it ok to rebalance at some point? The challenge is, I'm just not sure how to even start!" My last column titled "Being the Best Damned Provider You Can Be - Because Failing Your Family...
Being the Best Damned Provider You Can Be – Because Failing Your Family Isn’t An Option
Jeff, who had been a managing director at a boutique investment firm, arrived at Starbucks wearing an expensive suit with a power tie, impressive cuff links and impeccably polished shoes. As he took a seat across from me, his crisp scented aftershave lingered from our handshake. I asked if he had an interview that...
Changing Jobs Again? Steps to Stop Churning Your Career
"After six months of grueling negotiation and endless weeks of travel, three straight days without sleep and countless rolls of Tums, the deal was finally done. I'd hit the goal, doubled our assets under management, was facing my wife's wrath because I'd left her hanging yet again at a family event, making excuses...
The Courage to Let Go – Dealing with Transition & Navigating the Dreaded “In-Between”
I've been doing a lot of what I call "bridging work" lately. It's the work of navigating in-between the piers as the spans of your life's bridge is built. Letting go of what is familiar while reaching for the not-yet-here new stage of life. Keeping Afloat During Change David has recently completed a sale...
Who’s on your “A” team?
Mentoring makes a difference. It's the foundation behind the Board in every investment you make. Imagine considering an investment in a portfolio company and the founder says, "Nah, I got this. I don't really need any input on how I make decisions or run the company." As an observer you see the big picture, you can...
What’s Your Number?
In this business, we focus a ton on numbers… ROI, Exits, Carry, Bonuses, Cash Valuations … and on and on. I’ve been really focused recently on one particular question with my clients … What’s your number? Most of them think I’m asking about the number they need socked away to retire. The number I’m talking about is...
The Guy With The Best Job In The World
When he heard himself say, “I only have to do it for eight more years, til the kids are gone …” and thought he might throw up at that thought, Mark realized he HAD to do something differently. But, what finally shocked him into action was overhearing his young son’s answer to a stranger’s innocent question...
You are not your wallet, your job title, or what you do for a living.
You are so much MORE than that. The problem is, your self-identity has been wrapped up in ALL of those things for a good slice of your life. And now it’s crunch time. Because you can’t HELP but feel like something’s missing. And this isn’t the kind of vacant space that can be filled with a glass of scotch, a game of...