“We are at our most alert when we are in danger of failing. The greatest growth comes from being alert, scared, and striving.” – Dan Sullivan We’ve spent the past couple of weeks (here and here, in case you missed it) in this space having a conversation about passion and energy and finding your own … Read more
“There exists in the world a single path alone which no one can go except you: whither does it lead? Do not ask, go along it.” – Friedrich Nietzsche Last week in this space the conversation was around the idea that greatness can’t happen without energy, and energy can’t happen without passion. None of us … Read more
“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” – Marie Curie When I was growing up, most of the people I knew didn’t seem to like what they did for a living. Whenever people would talk about work, it would usually be some kind … Read more
“Pioneering is never done in front of cheerleaders urging on a roaring grandstand of popular approval.” – George Takei We like safety. We’re wired for it. Ever since our ancestors were living in caves, our number one goal is to be safe. If those ancestors were in a cave, with something to eat, and fire, … Read more
“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” – Georg C. Lichtenberg Here’s a quote I’ve heard a lot lately: “I sure hope we have a better year next year.” That’s great. I think virtually everyone who’s ever … Read more
“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” – Bertolt Brecht Humans are interesting creatures. No matter how many times certain things repeat themselves, it seems like we’re always surprised. At this point you would think that after thousands of years we would have learned all the lessons … Read more
“Be yourself – not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” – Henry David Thoreau Last week in this space the conversation was about making your business what you want it to be, not what somebody else thinks it should be. That topic got me thinking about how the … Read more
“Don’t dance for the audience; dance for yourself.” – Bob Fosse Some leaders allow things to happen, and some leaders make things happen (see last week’s conversation). Obviously, as leaders, we want to be the ones making things happen. That seems pretty simple. What’s much less simple is this: what exactly do we want to … Read more
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson Every leader is different. Each one has unique strengths and weaknesses, a unique personality, a unique set of interests and passions, and so on. No two leaders are alike, and there is generally … Read more
“No is a complete sentence…I found developing the ability to say No expanded my ability to say Yes and really mean it.” – Susan Gregg One of my recurring frustrations with the world we live in is the idea that the busier you are, the better your life is (or will be). We’re supposed to … Read more
Get to know our proven, forward-thinking accounting, planning and business consulting experts.
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614 & 5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2025 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
Sheldon:
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614
Sioux Falls:
5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2017 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
