PASSION, AND AN EPIDEMIC
Tags: Inspiration, Leadership, passion, Seth Godin
While I am pressed for time… I am compelled to write this post in spite of a very full schedule today.
I am about 75% of the way through Seth Godin’s new book; Tribes, which I’d highly recommend to anyone that’s in search of a fresh perspective on leadership… specifically business leadership, in our modern culture. FYI, Seth has written several best-seller books like
The Dip, All Marketers Are Liars, Purple Cow and Unleashing The Idea Virus to name a few.
In today’s reading… Seth reflected upon a recent 2 week vacation, at which his close-by friend noticed that he was checking his email on his Blackberry. The friend gasped… “I can’t believe you’re on vacation, and you’re checking your email.”
It was unfathomable for this friend that Seth would have any interest in his normal day-to-day life, while taking his 2 week vacation. In turn, Seth was even more amazed that this friend could only enjoy 2 weeks of his life a year, and that the other 50 weeks were miserable, or mundane at best.
As I read this… it was consistent with so many people that I’ve met. Where is the passion anymore? Where is the energy for positively affecting people’s lives, adding value, doing something worthwhile, and being a part of something bigger than ourselves?
If you can relate to Seth’s friend on that vacation… if you look at work as a necessary-evil, then I’d highly recommend that you either perform a self-examination on your character and values… or simply move on if it’s actually that bad. Do this for yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, clients, church members, customers, and everyone around you. Life is too short. Both you “and” your co-workers deserve so much more… and so much better.
Don’t get me wrong. I am an advocate of a healthy work-life-balance… and there are most certainly cases in which workaholics don’t know how to take a break. But there’s an irrefutable epidemic of dispassionate, uninspiring and self-centered individuals that infect their workplaces with mediocrity, and that are likely to never be happy or successful… regardless of where they are. And to add insult to injury… these people will typically see themselves as victims, and in no way responsible for the quality of their lives. It will always be someone else’s fault. In their eyes… there’s nothing to fix, only someone to blame.
My encouragement. Be a THERMOSTAT, not a THERMOMETER. A THERMOMETER is nothing more than an indicator of it’s environment… while a THERMOSTAT affects change in it’s environment. Put differently, a THERMOMETER complains about it… a THERMOSTAT does something about it.
Do something that’s worthwhile, that fits your strengths and purpose in life. Be a positive agent of change. Do something to inspire us, and that’s worth noticing. Do something that will benefit someone other than yourself.
When you’re passionate about what you do for a living… your vacation is a merely time of rest, family and friends… not a prison break.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LOUD! CREATIVE
Tags: Branding, Brian Tracy, Business, Dale Carnegie, Harry Beckwith, Jerry Porras, Jim Collins, Keith Ferrazzi, LOUD! Creative, Malcom Gladwell, Marketing, Matthew Kelly, Michael Gerber, Patrick Lencioni, sales, Seth Godin, Zig Ziglar
First, I want to wish each and every client and reader a Happy New Year. I sincerely hope that 2008 proves to be the best and most prosperous year ever for you, your families and your businesses. I am grateful for your friendships.
For me, 2007 has been a journey filled with growing and learning. As you may already know… my intention for this blog is for it to be a
no-cost, value-add resource for you, and your business or organization. It’s here that I share from my experiences, my client’s experiences, and the various resources from which I study and read.
As you endeavor to grow and develop in 2008, I thought it seemed a thoughtful gesture to share with you some of the books I’ve discovered and studied personally… and from which I post to this blog quite frequently. I hope this is helpful. I recommend all of them.
Please feel free to leave your comments. Don’t be inhibited to call me at my office should there be anything I can do for you. Again, Happy New Year !!! Congratulations on all your successes, and may you have so many more.
Brian
BRIAN WEBB’S RECOMMENDED READING LIST
(not necessarily in this order)
ALL MARKETERS ARE LIARS Author: Seth Godin
SELLING THE INVISIBLE – A FIELD GUIDE TO MODERN MARKETING Author: Harry Beckwith
THE FOUR OBSESSIONS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTIVE
Author: Patrick Lencioni
THE DREAM MANAGER Author: Matthew Kelly
THE DIP Author: Seth Godin
THE TIPPING POINT Author: Malcom Gladwell
E-MYTH REVISITED Author: Michael E. Gerber
E-MYTH MASTERY Author: Michael E. Gerber
DEATH BY MEETING Author: Patrick Lencioni
SECRETS OF CLOSING THE SALE Author: Zig Ziglar
THE INVISIBLE TOUCH, THE FOUR KEYS TO MODERN MARKETING Author: Harry Beckwith
WHAT CLIENTS LOVE, A FIELD GUIDE TO GROWING YOUR BUSINESS Author: Harry Beckwith
GETTING REAL Author: 37 Signals
HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE Author: Dale Carnegie
ADVANCED SELLING STRATEGIES Author: Brian Tracy
THE FIVE TEMPTATIONS OF A CEO Author: Patrick Lencioni
NEVER EAT ALONE Author: Keith Ferrazzi
GOOD TO GREAT Author: Jim Collins
BUILT TO LAST Author: Jim Collins & Jerry Porras
SLICED BREAD AND OTHER MARKETING DELIGHTS
Alright. You might already know that I am a fan of Seth Godin… a bestselling author, entrepreneur and marketing expert. I was just watching Godin’s presentation at the famous Ted Conference, which is held annually by some of the world’s greatest thinkers, doers and communicators… that speak on topics ranging from technology, entertainment and design, to business, science, culture, arts and global issues.
I was about to post some inspiration and information from my find… but I thought you’d enjoy experiencing Seth Godin’s presentation for yourself. Trust me… if you aspire to market your business, service or product more effectively and with greater impact… then you’ll definitely find that the 17 minutes of your time it takes to watch this video to be worth it. Seth is funny, engaging and illustrative in his communication style. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts. If you like it, post a comment… but if you don’t like it or if you disagree… then still post a comment.
5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL MARKETING
One of my more recent reads includes a book by Seth Godin, titled “All Marketers Are Liars.” Seth is a best selling author and another leading expert in branding, marketing and advertising. Seth shares 5 important steps for you to consider as you approach your marketing efforts. They are as follows…
Step 1: A consumers world view got there before you did… A consumers world view affects how they notice things, and understand them.
Brian’s Comments: You can try to change their world view, but understand that this is a long and dangerous proposition.
Step 2: Consumers only notice something new, and then make a guess.
Brian’s Comments: In other words, make sure you’re constantly, constantly, constantly freshening up your website, your advertising, your print marketing collateral. Don’t be stagnant! You’ll inevitably regret it.
Step 3: First imressions start the story. A first impression causes the consumer to make very quick and permanent judgment.
Brian’s Comments: I think we all recognize the gravity of this one. Regrettably, I can remember more than one occasion in which LOUD! lost a new client opportunity because of something that adversely affected the prospect’s first impression of our team or organization. Your first impression might be your last. Make it a good one.
Step 4: Great marketers tell stories we believe… about what consumers notice.
Step 5: Marketers with authenticity thrive.
Brian’s Comments: Be real. Businesses and marketers that use cheap gimmicks and tricks communicate something to their prospects. They are unwittingly telling their prospects that they’re willing to lie to them. This only reduces their credibility. Be real. Always.
You and your business must effectively convince your prospects that your premium is worth it, and why they should abandon their current product or service in order to embrace yours.