Welcome to SmartsMatter

“What I lack in smarts, I make up for in work…and given how hard I have to work, I must not be that smart!”–Greg hague

Risk-Life Balance

This is meant to encourage thought, not controversy. I expect it will do both. 30% UNEMPLOYMENT… THIS QUARTER? Published in Bloomberg March 19:  “Federal Reserve Bank

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Pivot

COVID-19 has forced a lot of businesses to pivot.  While it’s not fun and can be stressful, pivoting can result in short and long term benefits

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Problem Solvers

We have all endured difficult times.  Loss of a loved one. Loss of a limb. Loss of net worth. Loss of direction. Loss of confidence.

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Two Hatted Dad

Has a brief moment in time ever changed the trajectory of your life?  It happened to Tom Leonard of Richmond, Virginia.  After Tom told me this story, we decided

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Finding A Ralph

One of my favorite quotes is by Imran Khan: “Compromise for your dream but NEVER compromise on your dream.”  I am inspired by people who

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Time. Options. Information.

Negotiation skill can make a multi-thousand dollar difference in crafting better deals. Whether you’re buying or selling cars, homes, anything expensive, knowing what to say

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No Plan B

A few years ago I had the honor to interview legendary race car driver, Mario Andretti. It was for a story in my book, How

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Special Skin

I didn’t have a dad growing up. My mom and grandma raised me.  But I did have an uncle. He was like a father to

Read More »

More Mistakes

Two weeks ago I wrote about 6 ways to make better decisions and fewer mistakes.  This is Part II, with a few more proven techniques

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Talkin’ Turkey

I love Thanksgiving. No pressure. No presents. Just food, football, family and friends.  For 14 straight years I’ve shared Turkey Day trivia in my Thanksgiving

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Mistakes

We all make mistakes, sometimes obvious ones. Why do smart people (like you and me) make bad decisions?  There are proven reasons why we mess

Read More »

Daylight Saving Time

Growing up in Cincinnati, I was all about Daylight Saving Time.  It meant an extra hour of playing with friends before the streetlights came on,

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Cities Take Control

Cities across the country are taking control, responding to a surge of citizen concern about the rapid proliferation of non-resident investor owned Airbnb rental operations

Read More »

Risk-Life Balance

This is meant to encourage thought, not controversy. I expect it will do both. 30% UNEMPLOYMENT… THIS QUARTER? Published in Bloomberg March 19:  “Federal Reserve Bank

Read More »

Pivot

COVID-19 has forced a lot of businesses to pivot.  While it’s not fun and can be stressful, pivoting can result in short and long term benefits

Read More »

Problem Solvers

We have all endured difficult times.  Loss of a loved one. Loss of a limb. Loss of net worth. Loss of direction. Loss of confidence.

Read More »

Two Hatted Dad

Has a brief moment in time ever changed the trajectory of your life?  It happened to Tom Leonard of Richmond, Virginia.  After Tom told me this story, we decided

Read More »

Finding A Ralph

One of my favorite quotes is by Imran Khan: “Compromise for your dream but NEVER compromise on your dream.”  I am inspired by people who

Read More »

Time. Options. Information.

Negotiation skill can make a multi-thousand dollar difference in crafting better deals. Whether you’re buying or selling cars, homes, anything expensive, knowing what to say

Read More »

No Plan B

A few years ago I had the honor to interview legendary race car driver, Mario Andretti. It was for a story in my book, How

Read More »

Special Skin

I didn’t have a dad growing up. My mom and grandma raised me.  But I did have an uncle. He was like a father to

Read More »

More Mistakes

Two weeks ago I wrote about 6 ways to make better decisions and fewer mistakes.  This is Part II, with a few more proven techniques

Read More »

Talkin’ Turkey

I love Thanksgiving. No pressure. No presents. Just food, football, family and friends.  For 14 straight years I’ve shared Turkey Day trivia in my Thanksgiving

Read More »

Mistakes

We all make mistakes, sometimes obvious ones. Why do smart people (like you and me) make bad decisions?  There are proven reasons why we mess

Read More »

Daylight Saving Time

Growing up in Cincinnati, I was all about Daylight Saving Time.  It meant an extra hour of playing with friends before the streetlights came on,

Read More »

Cities Take Control

Cities across the country are taking control, responding to a surge of citizen concern about the rapid proliferation of non-resident investor owned Airbnb rental operations

Read More »