Mike O'Brien

What did you do today to improve your tomorrow? #writing #amwriting

We did it! So excited to announce that the Metuchen Downtown Alliance has won the @NatlMainStreet 2023 Great American Main Street Award. Thanks to everyone who made this incredible feat possible. This would not have been possible without the energy, commitment and spirit from YOU! Thank you. Get ready to celebrate! #DowntownMetuchenWins

A 1-page formula for generating 100+ ideas to write in 30 minutes or less: The Endless Idea Generator It's like a chef's secret spice that turns every meal into an irresistible feast!

@polak_jasper It's amazing what you can accomplish with incremental progress.

Weak businesses have a new idea every week. Strong businesses have the same every week, done better.

Forget brilliant ideas. Make execution your unfair advantage.

@parkerworth Thanks for sharing! Adding this to my reading list now.

The secret book that billionaires don’t want you to read: Gengis Kahn & the Making of the Modern World Filled with lessons on how to build an empire, here’re 9 of the best to help you win the game of business:

After working with dozens of multi-million dollar companies. Strategy execution is what separates good from great. Steal our 5 rules of strategic execution:

@ItsKieranDrew This applies to organizations as well. Focus on doing one thing really well. Then you can expand to other verticals, products, etc. Don’t try to chase too many shiny objects at once.

A lesson that's taken me far too long to learn: Success isn't about doing more. It's about doing less, but better.

27 simple sentences that'll teach you more about project management than a $4,995 course:

@OCharnoff 👋

We reviewed 75 welcome email sequences from top Shopify Plus brands, so you can apply what they’re doing right to your own email sequences! 📝 Comment 👋 to access the report and learn why 32.9% of top brands use an emoji in their subject line.

Some new managers use self-deprecating humor to offset any awkwardness. This is a fine line because you don't want to lose your authority. Treat yourself as you would one of your direct reports and don't say anything you wouldn't about one of them.

@polak_jasper Love this list! How much do you lean on the project sponsor for these elements? We’ve recently expanded our PM team and trying to find a balance.

Three underrated skills of a project leader: 1. Leading by example: You set the standard. Live up to it. 2. Run great meetings: Everyone feels heard in the decision. 3. Storytelling: Inspire people to join you on your journey.

The old model of making money is going to school for four years, getting your degree, and working as a professional. That model is going the way of the dinosaurs. Adapt or follow them into oblivion. The new model is to become a perpetual learner and create useful stuff.

What's more important, completing a task or the process (efficiency)? It's always completing a task. But to get promoted this year, after a task or project is complete, share what went well and what went wrong (WITH SOLUTIONS) to show that you're thinking about efficiency.

Are you difficult to work with? If so, you won't get promoted this year. How do you change that perception? 1. Be more positive 2. Offer solutions 3. Be proactive 4. Be on time 5. Build relationships You can do all of this without sacrificing your needs.

One of the most important skills you can learn is how to communicate clearly. One of the best books I've read on the subject is @HarvardBiz's 'Better Business Writing'. Buy it, read it, and keep it close as you continue refining your business writing.

A few days ago, I asked you about the qualities of an ideal leader. And I got hundreds of answers. Here are the top 10 qualities people expect from a leader:

“Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.” - Henri Bergson

Every creator needs a newsletter. But most people aren't sure when to start. I've taken mine from 500 subscribers and 27% open rates to 16,000 with 55% in 12 months. Here's what I'd do if I had to start again (using the 'Lean Newsletter' method):

Want to get promoted this year? Bring solutions to your boss and not just questions. Questions force your boss to process the information and make the decision. Bringing solutions means you're providing additional context to speed up that process.

Share the credit. Hold the blame. Use ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ or ‘we’, especially when discussing successes. You never do anything yourself.