As a sole practitioner architect, used to working alone, with complete control of every aspect of your business, the idea of becoming something bigger can be terrifying. You tell yourself you’re happy playing it small, keeping it safe. No one does architecture for the money, right?! That was my mindset for many years, no ambition […]
How To Automate Your Small Firm Architecture Studio
As small firm architects, we are responsible for so many different roles and responsibilities. We are pulled in so many different directions and our schedules are full every day, from morning to evening. We need to meet with clients, develop and distribute marketing, respond to important email, manage our social media accounts, send invoices, collect […]
My Secret to Being More Productive… in 60 Seconds or Less
How to be more productive… For years I would ask myself, “How am I ever going to get it all done?” I have so much to do… as an architect, as a leader… as a husband and a dad. And what about all my big plans? How am I ever going to reach for my […]
10 Tips to Conquer Procrastination
My name is Mark R. LePage and I am a recovering procrastinator. There… I said it. After 40+ years, I don’t have much hope of ever finding a cure, but recently I have found some ways to hang on to the wagon and stay focused on getting things done. Here are 10 tips I’m using […]
5 Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Architect Should Be Following
Podcasts (an episodic digital series of audio or video files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device) are a great way to learn the lessons about business that many of us lacked during architecture school. Below are my 5 current favorites: EntreLeadership | Dave Ramsey w/ Host Chris LoCurto One of the most […]
The Power of Stopping
When my brain is rested and not required to complete a specific task or stay focused on success, amazing things happen. During scheduled breaks, like vacations and holidays, I often develop my biggest ideas, like new business systems, strategies or concepts for future entrepreneurial endeavors. My right brain (the creative side) is free to roam, […]
3 Steps to a Better Life: Stop, Drop and Roll
STOP and take time to evaluate your life. Ask yourself… Are you doing the things that make you happy? Are you making the world a better place? Have you found your purpose? What are your goals? Are you working toward a better life? Make two lists; Things That Matter and Things That Don’t. DROP the things […]
What would you do with an extra day each week?
As I sat here in “my chair” flipping through a list of recent DVR recordings, I had a disturbing thought. “How much time do I actually spend in this yellow (yes, “French’s Mustard” yellow) mid-century modern armchair?” You see, I come from a TV family. It’s in my genes. I think I may have plasma […]
The Blessings of Christmas and Being a Residential Architect
Each year from Christmas to New Years Day, Annmarie and I close the studio, send the crew home for the week and enjoy quality time with family and friends. It’s important to take healthy breaks from the intense focus of our work. It allows us to remember what is most important in our lives and […]
How does one get it all done?
As an Entrepreneur Architect I wear many hats. I’m a designer, a draftsman, a project manager, a construction manager, a book keeper, a marketing director, a salesman, a customer service representative, an IT manager, a boss, a partner, a CEO, a COO, a CFO… the list goes on and on. It can be very stressful. […]