Bart Hubbard

“Don’t be the best, be the only.”
― James Altucher, Skip the Line: The 10,000 Experiments Rule and Other Surprising Advice for Reaching Your Goals

“we too often surrender what is in our control due to circumstances we think are unalterable.”
― Alan Weiss, Million Dollar Consulting, Sixth Edition: The Professional's Guide to Growing a Practice

“The Formal Consulting Agreement will contain the following components: • Defined Background and Problem Statement Your client has shared the background and context of their current situation, allowing you to fully understand the problem they need help solving. • Defined Project Deliverables You and your client have agreed on the project deliverables and answered the question, 'What does success for the project look like?'. This question is great because it pushes the client to define success in their own words. • Defined Project Scope You and your client have agreed on the project’s boundaries, outlining what areas you’ll focus on and which are out of scope. • Documented Constraints You identified and recorded any constraints that could have affected the project's success. For example, suppose the goal is to reduce manufacturing defects, but the client has already purchased materials with known quality problems. In that case, this is a significant constraint that can impact the project's outcome. These constraints should always be documented. • Project Assumptions You and the client documented all assumptions related to the project to ensure everything was clear. If any assumptions are incorrect, they can impact the entire project, so it is essential to clarify them upfront. • Project Timelines You and your client have agreed on a project timeline, including firm deadlines for the final deliverables. • Pricing Structure You’ve agreed on your consulting rates, travel costs, and any other potential expenses, as well as the payment terms for the engagement. • Your Commitment to Quality Lastly, it’s essential to document your commitment to quality. This could include offering guarantees if the client isn’t satisfied with the value provided. Once all these factors have been discussed, included in a consulting agreement, and signed by both parties, you've officially converted your lead into a client.”
― James Ragin, From Employee to Consultant: A No-Nonsense Guide For Starting Your Consulting Business and Landing Your First Client

“A jump doesn’t have to happen at once—that’s rare. But the little things—the expense spreadsheets, the cold-call conversations, the internal research and brainstorming—that can start now.”
― Mike Lewis, When to Jump: If the Job You Have Isn't the Life You Want