Not Their Job

"Someone should bring some jobs to our area."

"They should start a company that does that."

"They should hire me.  Someone should give me a job."

"Why doesn't someone see my potential?"

All of these statements (and MANY more) are symptoms of a bigger problem with YOUR mindset.  If you are (or have ever) said anything like this, you are waiting for someone else to create an opportunity for you. 

You are waiting for someone else to fix a problem that needs attention. 

You are waiting for someone else to make your life better. 

It's not their job.  It's yours.

So they next time you hear yourself lamenting the group we all call "they" or "someone," ask yourself what you can do.  You will be surprised (if you really try) what can be done.

You can start a company.

You can bring in jobs (or at least a job for you).

You can recognize your own potential.

You can make a difference. 

It is both scary and liberating to know that the only person holding you back is you. 

Breaking the Winter Rut

I am a creature of habit in the mornings.  I like to have my coffee, read some inspirational material, take a short walk, etc.  All of these things give me a start to my day that I enjoy...and help to make me productive. 

The problem with these routines is they can (sometimes) turn into ruts.

During this time of year (for me) when the weather has been cold for sometime, I find myself wanting to hunker down.  I come home and stay home.  I don't go to networking events (like I know I should).  I work out in my basement and don't go to the gym.  I don't make as many sales calls. 

These (lack of) activities can help keep me warm, but they take away new experiences.  And without new experiences, you can get in a rut in a hurry.  Variety really is the spice of life.

So if you find yourself in a "winter rut," it's time to find some new experiences and dive in.  Even if you don't enjoy them (and you probably will), you will break up the routine a bit...and help you get out of the rut!

The Power of My Why

This past weekend was the official beginning of competition dance season for my daughters.  It's an awesome time for both my girls and my wife...and they enjoy it.  Most of the time, I let them go do their thing with dance, and I stay home. 

So with all of that time by myself on weekends, you would think I would get a TON more done...and sometimes that is true.  But I am amazed by the amount of work that does not get done when they are not there.  It makes no sense.  I have more time to think and more time to do...and I often do less.

Why?

I think it's because Amy, Skylar and Jade are truly my why.  They are the reason I hustle.  They are the reason I want to succeed. 

So when I have all this time without them, I find that my motivation goes down.  I am not aiming for a super-sappy post here.  I find it interesting.  It shows the power of having a person (or person's) in your life that help build you up. 

So now I need to find some new ways to "get going" while they are away.  I am open to suggestions. 

Books So Far This Year

I set the goal to read 50 books in 2015.  It's a lofty goal but I am on my way.  Here is a quick update of the books I have gotten through so far!

Start by Jon Acuff:  Great book to start off the new year!  I like Jon's style and it's a great motivator if you want to get yourself going!  Love the line "Punch Fear in the Face!"

Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf:  Not a bad read.  Ties bible lessons to science on happiness and productivity.

The Self Made Billionaire Effect by John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen:  Not bad but probably my least favorite so far this year.

Transform by Jeff Haden:  Really liked this one.  Lots of Jeff's best stuff in one place.  Great book to read one chapter per day.  Jeff was also nice enough to spend some time on my web show! 

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz:  Love this one!  Several times I felt like he was following me around!  :)  Highly recommend this one for anyone who has a business.  This has really changed the way we account in ours.  Mike was also a great guest on Delivering Marketing Joy! 

What To Do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin:  Really good reminder that it's always our turn to step up and make a difference.  Quick read...great one to share!

Scaling Up by Verne Harnish:  This was a good one but I should not have gotten it on audio.  This would have been better as an actual book.  Great things to make me think...but would have gotten more out of it if I could see the references.

These are the ones I have completed.  I am currently reading Pumpkin Plan and Money (Master the Game).  It's been a great journey so far.  I really think it's helping me to grow.

New Body Wash Bottle

Yesterday I ran out of body wash in the shower.  No worries, I didn't stink all day (I don't think).  But I did squeeze out the very last of the soap.  It was totally gone. 

So what did I do?  I set it down never to think about it again. 

This morning when I got in my shower, there was a new bottle of body wash (just for me) in the shower.  I had told no one.  I had sent no emails, smoke signals, texts or snapchats.  It just appeared.

My Amy did that.

It's simple acts of love and kindness that remind me each day how lucky I am to have Amy in my life.  Sure, the grand gestures and big deeds are nice.  But in a day to day world, where the hectic negativity can drag you down, it's these simple acts that make life great. 

But ironically these are the things we often forget to recognize. 

So thanks Amy D.  Love you!

Editors Versus Producers

In the last several years, the cost of video equipment, editing software and the ability of phones and other devices to record video has democratized the video industry.  That's great!  Combine that with the explosion of social networks and companies have an awesome way to tell their own story.  More people, all over the world, have the ability to take video and edit it together. 

They are Editors.  It is a good and valuable skill. 

But where people (and companies) get into trouble is when they confuse Editors for Producers.  The difference is a big one.  In video terms, the editor can do the job of putting the video together. 

The producer, on the other hand, will tell you why and how.  The producer is the one to have a vision for what the video should look like.  He will guide the concept (and actually have one) from beginning to finish.  He will tell you "no" for your own benefit. 

The editor can make the video project.  A producer can make it great.

Interestingly enough, this difference is evident in most trades.   It's the difference between an amateur (even a good one) and a professional. 

There is a difference between:

*The person who is great with her hands, and the person who has experience running the whole project.

*The guy who can sell you a logo'd pen, and the woman who can tell you how to build a successful promotional campaign.  

*The person who can post for your company to Facebook, and the company that can tell you how, when and why.

It's okay to be an Editor or a Producer.  Both are important.  But what you need to ask yourself is:

"Which one do I want to be?"

"Which one do I want handling my project?"

People See What They Look For

In watching the response to the Oscars online (no I didn't watch, sorry), I was amused by the wide array in reaction.  I was expecting more of the "wow did you see that dress?"  I also thought I might see more posts that reflected "what a great performance by..."

But I didn't see a lot of that (at least not in my feed).

What I saw was two totally different responses to acceptance speeches.  One went like this:

"What a great platform to make a difference."

Another went like this:

"Our Government is clearly run by the Hollywood Elite.  Too much politics in their speeches."

I don't know who is right.  Nor do I really care.  But it always amuses me that two people can see the same thing and have such viscerally different responses. 

I think people tend to see the thing they are looking for.  What will you try and see today?