What's easy not to do

I've been thinking of creating a new website. I've also been looking to team up with an editor who could work closely with me. I've been looking for a web designer, too. 

In this day and age there is no reason for me to be thinking about these things and not getting them done so I put out a feeler on Facebook, asking for my creative peeps to reach out. They did.

Now begins a new chapter in my life.

Follow me to Apresterra!

Adolfo Jimenez is an author, poet, and blogger. He lives in Hollywood, Florida. He has published eight books, which you can find here.

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Carpe Potestatem

This past weekend, I worked an event. I met a couple of hundred people. Most of them I will probably never see again. The few I made connections which may prove very valuable.

I am a believer in win-win situations. I spoke to one of the people I met, who introduced me to someone else, with who I may be doing a substantial amount of business. I called this person with one idea and they gave me another, which I believe will grow my business while creating a new revenue source for my new friend. Win-win!

Often times we ignore opportunities because they show up dressed like work, or they are too complicated. We hope things will be a certain way and are discouraged when they are different. We do this at our peril. I am busy and I'm doing well, but I am not in a position to ignore opportunities. Not by a long shot. There's always room for more.

Opportunities are gifts, but not in the traditional sense. They are not easy. They almost always require lots of assembly and usually don't bring instructions. Sometimes they even bring the wrong instructions. You need to put on your thinking cap and make it happen.

The best way to find the right opportunities is to sift through the wrong ones. The more bad ones you get through, the more good ones you'll find. More opportunities, good or bad, equals more success.

Go get 'em!


Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.

You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Who Gets The Credit?

The days of the ego are behind us. Even a figure as beloved as Barack Obama has been ridiculed for suddenly showing up and trying to take credit for things he said can never happen. Of course, the guy who replaced him isn't exactly a humble fellow. Now more than ever, there is no I in TEAM.

And no one likes a showoff.

While we still fawn over Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs, we live in a time when CEOs are sharing the credit for successes while hoarding the blame. Not all of them of course. As long as there are people, there will be assholes.

I received an email from a colleague yesterday forwarding a note where someone was blatantly stealing an idea that was mine. I wasn't annoyed. I wasn't upset. I'm proud I created something worth stealing.

It was a concept that is not meant to be profitable. I took no steps to protect or patent it. This was something I wanted to share with people.

Please note that this is not to imply that I am a pushover. You steal something of value from me, I'll eviscerate you. 

I have experienced this before in several organizations I've been involved in. I choose to think of it as  if I brought the idea to a certain point and then handed it off to someone willing and able to take it further.

I am not in it for the glory. I am looking to benefit as many people as possible.  I choose to see these events as force-multipliers. I can be more effective at anything if I put it in the hands of others than if I try to do everything myself.

A wise man once said it's amazing what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit.



Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.

You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Thinking With A Group... Not Groupthink

In "Think and Grow Rich," Napoleon Hill wrote of the importance of creating a Mastermind Group. The names sounds ominous, particularly in today's hypersensitive world, but the idea has merit.

A Mastermind Group is a group of individuals who meet regularly to help each other solve problems. It is a peer-to-peer mentoring concept. Call it what you will. It works.

I have participated in many Mastermind Groups. Often as a facilitator, but that just means I send out the emails and move the conversation along. I benefit from these meetings as much as anyone else in attendance.

I run a weekly book club that often spends half its time on the book we're reading and the other half helping each other with challenges we are facing in our businesses. We didn't plan on the book club becoming a Mastermind Group, it just did.

I've facilitated Masterminds through conference calls. I've broken off into one-on-one sessions from these Masterminds. I have helped others and others have helped me.

The idea is that our collective knowledge can be shared to the benefit of all. None of us is as smart as all of us.

That being said, it's important to not allow your Mastermind group to engage in Groupthink, where everyone is agreeing with everyone. No one person should dominate the conversation. It isn't even about trying to convince people to see things your way. It's opening minds and sharing points of view. It's kinda like leading a horse to water... and then leaving him there. He'll figure it out.

I'm always interested in new perspectives and challenges. If you'd like to join or start a Mastermind group, let me know.


Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.

You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Kiss Me First

It happens every day. Either it happens to you or you're doing it to someone else, in which case, you should stop immediately.

You make a contact on LinkedIn or some other platform and the person immediately sends you a pre-written diatribe on how their business can help you. Help me? You don't even know me? Have you asked me what I need? Have you asked me if I even need help?

These individuals are the digital equivalent of the handsy guy who takes a smile from a pretty girl to mean, "yes, by all means, reach up my skirt!"

Let's be honest, if I wanted your help, I would have asked.

This is not to say you shouldn't prospect, you should, I believe it's a great use of your time... if you do it properly. It shouldn't be, "Hi. Nice to meet you. Buy my shit!" and then move on to the next.

Tell me how pretty I am, buy me a drink. Win a stuffed animal for me at the carnival. Find out what my needs and wants are. You'll have a much better chance of scoring.

At the very least, if I don't need what you're offering, I will know what you are offering. I may know someone who does.

NOTE: In the time it took me to write this post, someone on LinkedIn "connected" with me and told me what they wanted to sell me. I replied "No thanks" and he responded "Okay. Have a nice day."

He didn't want to work to earn my business. He wanted me to hand it to him. You can guess how many times that's happened.


Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron

You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Trusting Your Gut

You ever get that feeling? You know the one. Down in the pit of your stomach. Sometimes it's positive. Sometimes, it's a bad feeling. It's a real thing and you ought to listen to it. Let it guide you. Think of yourself as a Jedi and that feeling is The Force.

I don't know how to explain that feeling. Maybe it's God. Maybe it's the lizard brain. Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's something we all imagine. All I know is, it's usually right.

I believe it's the accumulation of experience. I think all the mistakes we've made, conversations we've had, books we've read, and advice we've received, go to some place in our being and create that feeling. I think that's why it becomes louder and more reliable as we get older, and I think that's why we ought to listen to it.



Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron

You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

The Secret Law of Attraction?

A lot has been said about the law of attraction. Most of what's been said is nonsense. The thought that thinking about something will make that something happen or appear is quite simply bullshit.

This is not to say you shouldn't think about your goals. Hell, you should obsess about them. How else will you achieve them? But don't expect things to happen because you think about them.

I have a friend who is a talented writer, filmmaker, editor, etc. He could be a Hollywood start director and producer. But he's lazy. He thinks about his dream career all the time. He's watched more movies and knows more about movies than anyone I know. He watches every TV show. He knows the bios of the directors and actors.

But he's waiting for Hollywood to magically appear on his doorstep. He will wait until the end of his days. That type of thing doesn't happen. Ever. Not even in the movies.

You can attract success and blessings by working hard toward them. Like attracts like. If you work hard, create and exploit opportunities and create successes, more successes will become available to you. Then, all you have to do is pick them up.

Think positive, but know your thoughts are just a map. You have to get off your butt or nothing will ever happen.



Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of www.levelomacaron.com 

You can find him at https://www.instagram.com/adolfo.jimenez/

Who Are You?

Who are you?

Not your name. You.

When people see you, what do they see?

What is your brand?

These are questions everyone in the business world needs to answer. Whether you are an entrepreneur or you're selling cars or driving for Lyft or Uber, you need a brand.

I am a creature of habit. I go to a rotation of restaurants near my office for lunch. There are two in particular that I visit once a week. The waitresses know my name and they know what I like to eat. I'm not special. I'm sure they do this for every one of their regulars. They've branded themselves as being better than other servers. I'm sure their pay reflects this fact.

These ladies have branded themselves. Shouldn't you? What do you want to be known for? Do you want to be just another car salesman or do you want to be "My Guy down at the Chevy Dealership?" Do you want to be a dental hygienist or Britney, the amazing young lady at my dentist's office?

Decide who you want to be and resolve to become that person. Share your journey with the world and you are taking your first step toward branding yourself.

Let me know who you become.


Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of www.levelomacaron.com 
You can find him at https://www.instagram.com/adolfo.jimenez/

Round Up The Posse

Jim Rohn said you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. That might be a scary thought. But it's also a thought that can open you up to all kinds of new possibilities.

I spend a lot of time with my wife. This is good because... well, she's my wife. Also, she and I are of the same mindset. We work hard. We share the same values. We encourage one another. What else do I need?

Now, throughout the course of my day I come in contact with scores of people. Some are my colleagues, some are my clients. I try to approach every interaction with the greatest amount of positivity I can. I try to learn from everyone I meet or spend time around. If this possibility doesn't exist, I coach them and try to add value to their lives. If that's not possible, I limit contact.

I have friends I care about deeply who want to go to lunch with me a couple of times a week. I limit it to once a month. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that I often work through lunch. The second reason is that they will ruin my lunch with their complaining and I don't want to fill the second half of my day with negativity. Why poison my mind when I still have work to do and money to make?

Drive time is reserved for phone calls to family and to audiobooks. I see no point in listening to news. It only brings me down or pisses me off. I'd rather spend drive time listening to books and improving myself. I occasionally listen to some music when I feel the need to decompress. The folks at CNN and Fox ain't part of my posse!

The craziest thing I do is drive in silence. I'll do this once or twice a week. No music, no books, no calls. Just the sound of the engine and my thoughts. Try it sometime. It's therapeutic.

All of these things are better than being in the presence of people who bring me down. They also allow me to populate my posse with people who are successful like Gary Vaynerchuk or Jim Rohn or even George Washington.

Try any of these techniques and let me know how it goes.


Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of www.levelomacaron.com 
You can find him at https://www.instagram.com/adolfo.jimenez/

Being an Expo Expert

I attended a business expo yesterday for the first time in several years. (Full disclosure: I went to a Food Expo last year with my wife who is an F&B professional but I spent more time eating than networking. As soon as I walked into the room, I felt the rush of familiar feelings: the too-loud music, the din of conversation, the occasional outburst of laughter. The smell of opportunity in the air!

Then it hit me: I should’ve brought some business cards.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m usually hyper-prepared for these things, but it was a last minute invitation and I had no idea I’d end up here. Still, I failed. No excuses.

So I walked the room I didn’t work the room, I walked, and I said “hello” to lots of people. This is not the behavior of an entrepreneur; it is the behavior of a puppy. I did get a nifty grocery bag and some goodies, most of which are now in the recycle bin. Look, I’m nothing if not honest.

I was proud of my colleague. She walked from booth to booth with purpose. She went in with a plan and made what may prove to be meaningful connections. It helps that she’s a lot more attractive than I am… just kidding. I mean, she is, but that’s not what gave her the edge. The key for her was preparation.

I want you to be like her, not me. So here is a list to help you prepare for your next Excursion into Expo territory:

• Business cards. Have them, lots of them. They’re cheap and expected in such all situations. I like to keep them in my left pocket so my right hand is free for pressing the flesh. Hand them to people. Drop them in fishbowls. Enter every drawing. Oh, and realize that they will probably not get you a whole lot of business.
• Have an elevator speech prepared. I realize you will probably not be attending an expo in an elevator but you will be competing with a million other people who will talk to everyone you meet so be concise. It shows you are prepared, it demonstrates your confidence and competence and shows you are respectful of people’s time.
• Brush your teeth. Seriously. Especially if you’re a close-talker.
• Don’t eat and greet. By all means, take advantage of the snacks, but take a brief timeout to chow down and then return to the expo.
• If you do eat, please, please, PLEASE, stop by the facilities and wash your hands, face, rinse your mouth, and chew a little gum or something. Please.
• Apply the 80/20 rule. Listen 80% of the time. You know what to do with the rest.
• Fight the urge to speak to everyone in the room. It’s always better to make one or two meaningful connections than to collect a stack of business cards and make ZERO impression on the people you meet.
• Have fun.

It really is that simple. Don’t be like me. Learn from me. See you at the next expo!

Adolfo Jimenez lives in Hollywood, Florida, and is a Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach with the John Maxwell Company.  He consults with entrepreneurs and businesses, primarily in the areas of customer service and sales. 

He is the Director of Someone To Laugh At, a stand up comedy workshop; HostAnOpenMic.com, and CruisingWithComedians.com; Adolfo is the co-owner of Abdaliz Custom Bakery, which you can visit at www.abdaliz.com.

He can be reached at adolfo@adolfojimenez.com