What do You Have?

I'm of the mind that in today's society, people (and my generation in specific) far too often sell ourselves short when it comes to challenging projects. As soon as the first twinge of 'this might fail' hits our gut, we duck. Instead of looking at the reasons it might work, we often focus on all the reasons it won't.

If you can relate to this, I have a question for you to ask yourself; one that's helped me narrow down what it is that I hope to do (and am currently doing, to some extent) to accomplish the goals I have for myself.

So, keeping your project (or your job, or career, or business) in mind, here's the question: What talents, skills, or experience do you have that makes you especially qualified to do whatever you are setting out to do? 

I'd love to discuss what you come up with! Use the sidebar on the right and I'll loop back with you.

Not a Perfect Post

When we are faced with a task in which we have the potential to fail, we often get a funny feeling that settles down near the beltline. That's called fear. And most often, the only thing we really fear is imperfection.

What if it doesn't work?
What if they laugh?
Will anyone like it?
Who will be offended?
What if it's not perfect?

Getting good-enough-to-make-a-difference work to your fans knocks the socks off of being so involved pursuing perfection that we never really deliver our value.

The Problem with Writer's Block

...is that it's not writer's block at all. It's fear. Fear that is keeping us from putting that which we believe into the world. Fear that someone will tell us our writing isn't coherent enough, or point out grammar mistakes, or pick a fight with our stance.

I wrote in an earlier post about serving a specific group of people. We add value as a writer (or a contractor, or a designer, or a gunsmith) when we bring our certain set of talents and our worldview to the group we serve. That's why Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman can both be financial advisors to huge groups of people. Some like Dave, some like Suze, and all have good reasons for having a favorite.

As the innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, we need to decide who we're going to add value for. We need to determine where our talents/interests/worldview intersects with people we like who have problems that we can solve (and are willing to pay us for our talent).

Don't let writer's block (the fear of failure) get in the way of giving your best. Do your work for your people. And if someone from outside of the group points out a typo, kindly let them know you're elated that all they could find wrong with your writing was a spelling error.

Bad Milk and Selling

If we look at any transaction (an exchange of value such as service, money, goods) we see an underlying factor: trust.

Trust is the core of all of our dealings. I trust that the grocery store won't sell me milk that is two weeks old. If they did, I would have a hard time going back. If they did it twice, I wouldn't go back; they broke the trust.

As you work your job or run your business or make connections, rather than trying to make sales (or get a raise, or be a smooth talker), focus on building trust. The sales will take care of themselves.

When does our Work become an Art?

• When we are brave enough to deliver without knowing if it will work
• When it is touched with a bit of humanness 
• When the object of our work tells the story of who we are
• When some people criticize it
• When others appreciate and come back for more
• When we are excited to get out of bed on Monday (for the most part)
• When we enjoy and others benefit
• When it allows us to make a connection

Are you doing these things today? 

A side note: I enjoy a cup of coffee and a good talk (or email or Skype call) with people who are out to make (or making) a dent. Zip me a message using the form on the right and let's make change happen!

Why I wouldn't last working at Wendy's (and why I hope you wouldn't either)

I heard my stomach bellowing and groaning as it caught wind of the warm meal-in-a-bag that had just been handed through my window. As I rounded the corner toward the exit, I glanced at my receipt, only to find out the drive-through cashier had failed to give me my discount, although I had given her a coupon for a free cup of chili.

Usually, I'm a relatively nice guy. But, my chili? Come on.

I wheeled my pickup around and pulled back up to the window: "Did I forget to give you my coupon? I asked, taking some of the flak for their blunder. The young guy that took my order leans out the window and let's me know that I forgot to tell him I had a coupon. The cashier then explained that she didn't see the coupon come in, and promptly checked her envelope. Whoops. There it was!

A manager entered the scene, evidently to stand and watch which course of action her subordinates deemed best in order to rectify this situation. After a solid ten seconds of standing, I finally piped up and told them that my favorite solution would involve them giving me my coupon back, and me leaving the place, which they agreed to do.

The End.

I don't say all of this to bad-mouth Wendy's. My chili was still good. My fries were hot. My Frosty was sweet. But the experience of getting blamed for a company's mistake after I gave them my money is one that rubs most of us the wrong way.

Luckily, it is experiences like this that make us realize how low the customer service bar has been set by the industrial age, and more importantly, how much better (and more fulfilling) it is to make a connection.

If you work at Wendy's, I hope you try to give away the farm if you goof up an order. Giving away too much might get you fired. But showing that you care might get people talking about you in a good way.

Denting the Universe

The value of your project (or your performance at work, or your business) will always be in proportion to your investment.

Seems elementary? Consider this: If a guy wants to be a mechanic, he needs the tools, the garage, the know-how, and someone needs to be his customer. However, if this same guy's goal is to be the best mechanic in his town, his investment into all of the things listed above needs to be much greater.

Still simple.

The problem for many of us is, although we're accepting of this basic proposition, we get lost in production and miss the opportunity to invest.

It all depends on how big you want your dent in the universe to be. If you're okay with being a mechanic, that's your call. But if you want to be a game-changer, you're going to have to do the work no other mechanic is doing.

Want to talk about your dent? Let's get coffee! I'm always up for a good visit.. And coffee.