You should do something that makes you feel a little uncomfortable.

I’m just sayin.

I am currently reading an advance edition of Daniel Gilbert’s Stumbling on Happiness.

It is rocking my world. It is funny, smart and oh-so-very fabulously written.
You MUST read this. But you can’t – well, at least not until May when it actually hits bookshelves.

Then, you MUST read this.

Getting hitched? … In style?

Fighting with your mother over the booking of your wedding photographer?

Introduce her to the guys at AveOne and discover pre-martial bliss. (Don’t worry, you will find something else to argue about.) These guys are fabulous AND they won’t make you reenact your senior prom photos.

Seriously, they are top notch, fun, and ready to give you the most professional and creative wedding photography available.

Check it out yourself. You’ll see.

I’m not going to make you read Who Moved My Cheese, but I will make you read this:

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

-Will Rogers

If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.

-Ward

To this FlackRabbit says, “Amen.”

I am amazed by the perspective one can gain through a conversation about blue velvet paneling and breakfast pastries.

It is so fun hearing about folks who went out on a limb to chase their passion, only to find it was the most fabulous difficult decision they have ever made. 

And it makes me smile.

Half of the FlackRabbit team will be MIA for a few days traveling to Austin, TX for the annual South by Southwest conference, breathing the same air as the best and brightest tech and design minds in the world. Very cool.

I am quite jealous because my favorite blogger is giving a key note this weekend and Dave is getting to see her and I am not. Very sad.

AP shoots itself in the foot

LOS ANGELES (AP) – In obituaries Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 for actor Don Knotts, The Associated Press reported erroneously that “The Andy Griffith Show” character Deputy Barney Fife carried just one bullet, in his shirt pocket, after shooting himself in the foot. The character was accident prone, but never shot himself. Link

Courtesy of regret the error

Sure, there will be warm fuzzy moments shared between you and your clients, but there also will be times when you really, really screw up. When this happens you will need to muster up the courage to respectfully apologize, retain this client, and save a little face, too.

Here are some apologizing tips from the Poynter Institute:

Take ownership. Don’t make excuses.

Take your time. Don’t rush through an apology like you just want to get the task behind you.

Be sincere. A hollow apology may be worse than none at all.

Be specific. Explain what you regret, and why. Require nothing in return. Say you’re sorry because you really are, not because you want thanks, praise or an apology of your own.

Demonstrate leadership. Show that mature professionals take responsibility for their actions and accept the consequences.

By Scott M. Libin - Leadership and Management faculty, Poynter Institute

Sure, you know who you are and where to find you – but do your clients?

As you  build your website and draft your contract template, keep in mind that your contact information really does need to be visible so clients will know to whom to write the check and where to send it.

If you are working from home and do not feel comfortable posting your home address on the web, or if there is any way someone might be confused as to whose name goes on the check, please be sure that your contract and invoices clearly state this information.

This is especially important if your business name is Shoe Shop, your given name is Sally Shoe and your website is Shopforshoes.com. If you do not have a “doing business as” profile at your bank, they will not let you desposit checks made out to your company name or website, which forces you to ask your clients to resend their payment.

This sucks and should be avoided.