Business Partners: Becoming Effective Teammates

Stress in the workplace can be caused by many different things. Perhaps an associate has been newly hired and is having difficulty adjusting. Maybe there is a personal conflict between two staff members. Perhaps you as a business owner are overworked and spread too thinly, or you need a business partner. Or maybe you have a partner, but communication is not what it should be.

What can you do in situations like this? The answer is simple: seek out a business coach.

I have many effective resources and tools, as well as years of experience in starting and growing effective business partnerships. Don’t settle for a stagnant partnership. Learn how each other thinks and operates. Play to your strong points and fill their weaknesses, while they do the same for you.

Don’t waste any more time struggling through a partnership that is benefitting neither person. I will help you view your business partner as a valuable teammate. Both you and your company will soon begin to feel the effects of this harmony as you achieve goal after goal, without any penalties.


Hardy Hasenfuss, Personal and Business Coach

You Just Can't Measure Accountability

Today, I would like to shed light on one of my many important roles as a business and personal coach. This is the role of being an accountability partner.

The following is an example of an actual case of mine:

I had a client who had difficulty keeping his commitments. This issue affected not only work and social commitments involving other people, but primarily it affected his personal commitments to himself. One of his personal commitments involved adhering to a consistent exercise routine in his method of choice.

I began asking him specific questions concerning this practice, in order that he might set realistic goals. I asked him how often he wanted to exercise, for how long, and which activity he preferred. Eventually, he narrowed down his commitment to a concentrated 30 minutes of walking, hiking, biking, or other such cardio exercises—every day.

Once we had established this desire, I asked the client when he would like to begin. I recommended that he begin immediately--so as not to get discouraged through procrastination--and I asked that he send me a daily e-mail for the next two weeks, confirming that he had completed the exercise.

He was greatly encouraged by this idea, and he took my counsel. For the next two weeks, I received daily confirmation e-mails from this client. I responded to each one with a personal acknowledgement and a few “attaboys!” thrown in.

My client became very energized and committed because of this accountability method, and he has continued to e-mail me his exercise success stories every day since that meeting.

As a personal and business coach, I am always encouraged and pleased with success stories like these. If you know someone who is serious about changing their life, needs some guidance, or maybe just needs an accountability partner, send them my way. Thank you.

Hardy Hasenfuss,  Personal and Business Coach

Keep the Creative Urge Alive

During the winter holiday season, I often speak on the subjects of Joy and Happiness. Both are similar concepts, and are very important ingredients in a bright and productive life. 

For now, I’d like to talk about joy. Although this past years’ joyous Christmas season has come and gone, you should not give up on finding joy in your daily life!

The greatest joy and satisfaction in my work as a coach is to support my clients. It brings me happiness to help them as they pursue their creative urge. I find satisfaction in my life when I see them striving and succeeding in building better lives for themselves, for their families, and for their careers and businesses.

The creative urge I speak of is an in-born desire to create a better life within the sphere of our passions and interests. Although I believe this urge is within each one of us, it is unfortunate that so many of us suppress our creative urges because of petty fears and a self-defeating lack of courage. This is where my support as a personal coach comes into play. It is my job to professionally encourage and challenge my clients to succeed.

Maybe you or someone you know needs to find this joy. If you have a friend, associate, or client who wants to be encouraged and challenged as they pursue the creative urge in their life or business, please give them my card. I am always here to serve you.

Hardy Hasenfuss, Your Joy and Happiness Coach

Coaching 101-Who I Am, and What I Do

I would like to take the time to state the obvious. If you are new to this site, however, it might not be very obvious. I want to briefly explain what I do as a personal and business coach.

I work professionally with business leaders who want more. They want more for themselves. They want more for their staff. They want more for their customers, for their bank account, and for their community. What is this more? You tell me, and I will help you get there.

Why business leaders need my services:  Business owners and leaders in the workplace face constant pressure from many sides. They are pressured by customers, vendors, staff, investors, and their superiors. Quite simply, most business leaders are overworked, and therefore are unable to enjoy their chosen profession anymore.

What do I do: In simple terms, I help business leaders and individuals view their lives through a larger pair of glasses. I help them put the many various struggles and aspects of life into perspective. I advise people on how to think strategically and proactively, rather than constantly operating in “crisis mode.” Additionally, I guide leaders in the hiring process, helping them place the right individuals into positions where they will shine.

Hardy Hasenfuss,  Personal and Business Coach

A Guide to Understanding Your New Year's Resolutions

Some estimates say more than 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. Only 8% Achieve them.

What are the secrets behind those who succeed? Here are a few words to get the gears turning: Simple. Tangible. Obvious.

Keep it Simple

Resolutions should not be over-complicated. They should be definite, not reliant on tentative external circumstances. In this instance, it is helpful to think in black-and-white.

Make it Tangible
Setting ambitious resolutions can be fun and inspiring. Goals should be bounded by rational, achievable metrics. 

A resolution to lose some weight is not that easy to follow.

We say if you can’t measure it, it’s not a very good resolution because vague goals beget vague resolutions.

Make it Obvious
Experts recommend charting your goals in some fashion. There’s no universal strategy for success, so decide on a method of organization that works for you. For some, making a clear to-do list is enough of a reminder; others rely on “vision boards” or personal diaries.

-An emerging tactic: share your goals with your friends and family. It’s a great way to build accountability.

If you have already started making resolutions for the New Year - STOP. Better yet, if you haven’t begun, don’t start – yet. Let’s think about it first.  You need a strategy if you don’t want to be among the 92% who fail in achieving their goals.

Let me suggest a 9-point strategy that will optimize your chance of success:
1. Make a quick list of possible resolutions. Don’t do anything with them yet.
2. Get clear about the crucial differences between a vision, a goal and manifestation.
3. Decide which of those on your list fit which of the above.
4. Prioritize your list and then focus on one item. Create a vision and one or two goals.
5. Decide if you need to manifest something to support your vision.
6. Build in the possibility of short-term, incremental success to keep you motivated.
7. Spread the work involved in achieving them over time.
8. Use all three aspects of your psyche – mental, emotional and spiritual intelligence.
9. Use worksheets appropriate to your intentions.

Vision, Goals, and Manifestation-When I ask most people to explain their vision, they invariably give me a goal. Most corporate vision statements are goals. So what is the difference?

A goal is future-oriented and set in time. It is measurable, highly specific and objective. It is Yang (masculine) energy. It’s about making things happen, controlling the outcome and being active.  A goal should be achievable, realistic and structured so you know when and if it is achieved or not. If not achieved, you need to love yourself for failing and then set another goal.

A vision is neither time-specific nor measurable. It exists now within you and you will have it as your guide forever, or at least for as long as you remain passionate about it and supports your purpose. It is what gives you your inspiration and the juice to go on to set the goals that will support your vision. Your vision is your source of fulfillment. It is Yin (feminine) spiritual energy so it is receptive and naturally attracts whatever supports your vision. It is bigger than you, gives meaning to your life and draws you to it. It requires you to open to receive what the Universe wants to give you, which is support for your vision.

Manifestation is neither a vision nor a goal. You can only manifest what is capable of being made manifest (real). In other words you can only manifest what is concrete, tangible and what you will recognize ‘out there’ when it shows up in your world. 

-When people fill in the Radical Manifestation worksheet, it amazes me how many people still put something in the box to manifest that is really a goal.


 Manifestation occurs as a result of activating the Law of Attraction, and this is best done by using a Radical Manifestation worksheet.  The worksheet, rather than trying to change your subconscious mind, uses your Spiritual Intelligence instead. But for this, the worksheet is essential.  You can download a Radical Manifestation worksheet from Colin’s Cafe. Registration is required by clicking here.