Build Confidence in Others By Showing Your Belief
Dear “Thought Leader”….please FINISH!
So I’m browsing away at some of the projects that I’m keeping an eye on today and as I browse through them (I bookmark them and go look every so often) I keep seeing “stalled” projects…you know, ideas that sound so freaking cool and the “founders” are convinced is the “next big thing”….and they’re stalled. Oh don’t get me wrong, the “simple and beautiful” design work is done, the business models are written…spreadsheets of life changing sales projections are completed, but the project AT ITS CORE has stalled. No sales, no “weekly” updates, no “new and exciting” product launches…the update emails that I’m waiting for come for about 2 weeks and then…….crickets.
Seriously people….FINISH YOUR F***ING projects. And by “finish” I mean follow the damn thing through to it’s success or failure (p.s. most things when followed through will be successful).
So here are the steps:
1. Create a kick ass business model
2. Strip all of the cutesy b.s. out of it
3. Find the fastest way to REVENUE (hint: this does not include writing quirky email auto responder copy)
4. Ignore ANY consultant who says that right now you should be “building awareness and brand recognition”. Trust me, if your product kicks ass and does what it’s supposed to and you SELL IT, your brand recognition and awareness will be very strong.
5. Rinse, Repeat
Once you’re selling some product and have proof of sales, THEN you can create some quirky web copy that makes you feel hipper than you actually are…
until then….you’re not a thought leader….you’re a wannabe.
Five Resolutions for Aspiring Leaders – John Coleman and Bill George – Harvard Business Review
Are you in FLOW?
Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi and Flow
In his seminal work, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi outlines his theory that people are most happy when they are in a state of flow— a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation.
Flow is essentially the convergence of a high level of skill and a high level of challenge as shown in the video. When in “flow”, people typically experience a sensation of “time flying” and “deep purpose”.
In your business, this state is when you’ll feel that you are most productive and driven. Additionally, you’ll likely be most successful in this exact moment.
So what’s the moral of this “story?” If you’re not fulfilled, increase your skill level and your challenge level and hang on for the ride!
There is no such thing as social media
While I’m not exactly a huge @garyvee disciple…I like a lot of what this dude has to say. In particular, I like what he has to say about “social media”.
I’ve said for a long time that there isn’t such a thing as a “tech” company…all companies are tech companies in that they all use technology to “do” business. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic…and Tech….
This Christmas…
This Christmas….I’m thankful for the 70+ friends who came to show us some love on Friday, the 18 men who sang their hearts out for me on Christmas Eve, the family of five who treats us like their own on Christmas Day, the worlds best mother in law who cooked all weekend and is now asleep on the couch, the one wife who seems to know how to love better than anyone else, and finally to one baby…born in a cave…
Mary was an amazing woman…
On this Christmas eve, I’m reminded of an amazing woman who watched her son die for us…God Bless you, Mary.
On another note, I bet this Mom would die for her son….or at least interrupt a Michael Buble concert and risk televised humiliation to help him out…yeah, you need to watch this.
Ski 4 Yellow – Steamboat Springs | Fighting Cancer Globally and Locally
I Am A Champion
I always love to watch people who help others….especially guys like this coach….
