While giving this blog a rest for the last month, I have been reading up on ways to improve business. One of the biggest and most overly used phrases I read was “Think outside the box.” So many people give this advice but very few can actually accomplish it. Why?
The answer is really simple. We […]
Author’s Note: Tangent ahead.
Since I was a kid I have always dreamed of traveling the world ( and meeting Michael Jordan). I have a list of cities that I want to visit and even live for a while.
Until recently I thought of this as just a foolish daydream but now realize that this silly dream is the most important thing I have.
We all have daydreams of our hopes, visions, desires. Most though, including myself, brush off these grand ideas because of this thing called rationality. We grow up to believe that grand things most likely will not happen so we shouldn’t even try.
Instead, what we should do is go to college, get a good paying job, buy a house, get lots of stuff, and do the “American Dream” that I guess someone must have invented in the 50’s. What about our own dreams though?
We, as Entrepreneurs are in a position to see past this facade. To us, a daydream can be something more than a thought during a moment of boredom.
My challenge to you is to rethink the rules and envision your daydream, whatever it is as a real possibility.
A while back I attended a speech called ‘Let Story Guide You’ at the Willow Creek Community Church. The speaker, Donald Miller, made me think a lot about my life and my business. He told some funny stories and made his point, which was very simple:
Your life is your story. Would anyone want to read […]
I have had a few people ask me why this blog is called Zen Problog. It is a simple enough question so I though I would address it today.
When I was just starting out in business I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was so overwhelmed that I nearly gave up a few times. Luckily, through my partner and friends, I was able to muster the strength to keep going.
In the last year, my life has changed drastically. I have become a better person and a better entrepreneur. In this article I am going to break down how I made the name of this blog reflect my experience and ideals.

ZEN
“Emphasis on mindful acceptance of the present moment, spontaneous action, and letting go of self consciousness, judgmental thinking” - Wikipedia
In this last year, I discovered that to truly accomplish great things I needed to take a Zen approach to my professional life.
Having a great sense of presence in whatever it is you do is the most effective way
I thought long and hard before starting my business but to be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I never thought it would be such a challenge (in a good and bad way) but I also never realized all the advantages that come along with it.
For everyone, the advantages are different depending on what you do, how big you are, and who you know. Below is a fairly universal list of reasons why you should start a business or if you have already started one, why you should be glad you did.
1. Working on Your Time. There is no better feeling than being asked to go do something, and you don’t have to say no even if it’s in the middle of the work week. You can set your own time and make your own hours. As long as you get what is needed done (or pay someone to do it for you) you have the freedom of time.
2. Learn Discipline. When you are your own boss you are forced to learn discipline or fail.
A little while back I was presented with a business opportunity that I had not yet considered. An associate of mine (you know who you are) needed a design fast for a client he was working with. Since his business was on a fast track, there was no time for him to do the work himself.
After I did […]
You became an entrepreneur to change the world right? Well, here is your big chance. The best trend today in business is the call to action for professionals to do their part in making this world a better, brighter place.
Do not discard the concept of an Eco Friendly Business just because it is trendy. This […]