Do you remember Why you’re doing this? Whatever your “this” might be? (This business, this project, this job, this venture, whatever.)
Think about your Why – is it grounded in a goal for yourself or for others?
I’ve noticed that those who not only have a rock-solid, passionate Why of any kind move forward so much faster, but those who have a Why that has to do with others? They’re on a whole other level.
What’s your Why? Does it have to do with a goal for your family? For your spouse? Your Mom? Your kids? Your community? Use that passion, remember WHO you are doing what you’re doing for. When you’re caught up this afternoon or this weekend or next week in the hubbub of life, of this and that, sit back and remember not just the WHY but the WHO. Allow it to simplify things. Remember Why, remember Who, then just do it already.
In the video I explained my why, so now I’d love to hear yours. Share?
I was reviewing the list of books I’ve read (so far) in 2010 this morning, and it got me thinking about usefulness. As most of you know, I read quite a bit. I don’t read every day, and when I do read I don’t sit for hours on end. I read most days in one or two or three 20-minute chunks. Regardless, I still cover quite a few pages over the course of several weeks/months/years.
Be Careful Not to Push
How do I know I’m getting the most out of what I’m reading? Making the best use of my time? How do I walk the fine line between spending the page-turning time for pure entertainment and enjoyment purposes and spending it to move my business or my life forward in some way?
It’s a tricky question. How I answer it? By not pushing.
In my experience, the key to getting the most out of any book is directly related to your engagement at that time with its specific topic.
Here’s what I mean: say you’ve done nothing lately but dream of leaving your dead-end job. If you pick up Escape From Cubicle Nation, you’re probably going to lick up every, single detail that Pam Slim writes in that book. It might spark you to more specifically dream of quitting, it might give you confidence and inspiration; you might take notes, and you might even take action. The subject of the book is interesting and applicable to you right now. And you know what? If it’s applicable and interesting, it’s also entertaining. You’ve walked the fine line.
Further, you could also be a lover of Jodi Picoult novels, but if you’re inspired and passionate about your future self-employment, Ms. Picoult’s words might not keep your interest right now and sitting down with one of her books probably wouldn’t be the best use of your time. At least not today.
(There’s a critical time element here, you see?)
It’s Realistic, Not Logical
So. Back to pushing. Don’t force yourself on to a book because you logically think it’s what you should be reading right now. It’s like sales – if you push a product on someone, they might bite, but they’re not going to last long. Simmer for a minute and be honest with where you are.
I’ve had books sit on my shelf for months – even years – until one day, because of whatever circumstances were happening at the time, it finally catches my eye and I turn page after page ferociously. A recent example of this? I’ve had friends recommend Born to Run for months, but until I had a blast in June completing a 10k race I didn’t have any interest. Shortly after? I not only read Born to Run but Ultramarathon Man and 50/50, too. I was engaged with the topic and learned a ton. Reading those books was a fantastic use of my time, both entertainment- and education-wise. On the flip side, I’ve tried to read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People a half-dozen times over the past few years. Can’t get into it. Logically, I want to consume it so badly, but for some reason it just isn’t a topic that’s engaging my brain cells right now (what a contradiction, eh?). Anyway, I’m not going to push it. Some day it will pop off that shelf and transform my business and my life. But not today. Today it’s not worth my time.
People ask me often how I find so much time to read. Quick answer, I prioritize it. Taking the answer further, I prioritize it because I make darn sure that what I am reading is doing some kind of good. If I need to relax, a fluffy novel from Jane Green or John Grisham. If I’m bored, a generally-interesting read like Freakonomics or 1 Dead in Attic or Dewey. If I’m motivated, Delivering Happiness or The Last Lecture or The Traveler’s Gift to keep the motivation going. If I’m business focused, maybe Social Media 101. Whatever. You get the point. If I need to relax, Social Media 101 is not going to cut it. If I’m itching to push my business forward, Grisham probably isn’t the best use of my waking hours.
Use Your Time Wisely
Entertainment or education or both; determine what’s engaging you at the moment. Be honest, and get the most out of your reading time.
And now I want to know what you think. Agree? Disagree? Comment!
A post inspired by a looong drive across the Midwest recently, and it’s all about…Average. Why is Average something that people are ok with? Or, stated a bit clearer – why is Average something that people think they HAVE to be ok with?
Let’s try this: You – yes, you – don’t have to be ok with average. It’s your choice. Who said you had to?
You don’t have to accept the fact that, well, the average person just kinda puts up with their job. Disliking your job is, you know, normal.
You don’t have to accept the fact that the average American gets sick every winter – or three times every winter – or once a month – or whatever.
You don’t have to accept the fact that you can kinda pay your bills every month. That you’re not saving nearly as much as you’d hoped – or none at all. But hey, that’s ok, that’s the same situation the average person is in.
You don’t have to accept the fact that if something is uncomfortable, it’s bad. People can’t change – they can’t better themselves or change directions or quit their job – that’s not normal, you say!
False assumptions.
You don’t have to accept any of these things. You can, if you wish. But you don’t HAVE to.
A huge thank-you to Tim Jahn over at BeyondthePedway.com for this interview. I met Tim at Big Omaha in May – amongst many, many others – so it was wonderful to chat with him 1-on-1 for a bit.
And while you’re there, be sure to check out the rest of Tim’s blog. Amazing interviews with impressive folks such as Dennis Crowley, the founder of Foursquare, Jason Sadler of iwearyourshirt.com, David Hauser, the co-founder of Grasshopper, and much, much more.
I was running down the road today and got to thinking about owning your personal story. (Yeah, don’t ask. I daydream while I run, don’t you?)
Your story is your story. Embrace it, appreciate it, love it, own it. So many folks are ashamed of where they came from, of the mistakes they might have made on their journey to where they are today. Why? Isn’t that what MADE you who you are today?
Why don’t more people create great stuff out of the story of their journeys?
Could you even go so far to say that without your mistakes and whoopsies and stupid decisions you would not be in the position you are today? That you wouldn’t have come up with that business idea or you wouldn’t have met the person you did or you wouldn’t have appreciated what you now have or you wouldn’t have been open-minded to that new idea that transformed your life?
If I hadn’t spent 7 painful years working against my personality in corporate, I would not be where I am today. Hands down. Not professionally, not financially, not personally. In fact, you could even say that I wouldn’t have met my husband. And I know for sure that I wouldn’t have met the gal who I first went into business with and failed, and then went into business with again and succeeded, which in turn allowed me to financially be ok with leaving that job.
(Side note: Life is scary-cyclical sometimes, yeah?)
Whatever your beliefs – that everything happens for a reason or part of a master plan or whathaveyou – you are who you are today because of your experiences. You might think you’re better off because of them, or perhaps worse. Or maybe it should just be a neutral balance. Better just meaning stronger – more experienced, more lessoned.
Whatever the label you choose to identify its impact, use those experiences and share them with the world. Embrace your story. Because if we aren’t a better person today because of what happened yesterday, what was the point?
There’s nothing better than late-night, sunken-eyed, bursts of clarity. I was struck the other evening with how many people are paralyzed by fear. So much so that they end of doing nothing. They end up NEVER doing ANYTHING.
You’re too good for that. Here’s why (if you cannot see the video below, you can watch it here):
So take that fear by the horns and get into action already. How will you ever know what could be if you don’t?
Thoughts on fear in business? Fear in life? How do you push through it and get yourself to take that critical first step?
2010 is turning into quite the year for my Life List – it seems to be shrinking at lightening speed. The first weekend in May Nate and I took a quick, 24-hour trip to Omaha to attend the annual shareholder weekend for Berkshire Hathaway. Part of the deal, of course, was getting the opportunity to listen to the sage of Omaha himself, Warren Buffett, speak.
It was quite the event. Thousands and thousands of shareholders, an hour-long, parody-like movie showcasing several of BH’s companies, and Warren and his second-hand man Charlie sitting behind a basic folding table on stage. Questions go throughout the day. And…that’s it! Fascinating in its simplicity. One highlight – realizing Bill Gates was one of the few members of the board and, therefore, that we were in the room with two of the richest men in the world at the very same time.
Besides the main event, BH fills one of the exhibit halls in the Quest Center with elaborate booths from some of their companies – giveaways, huge shareholder discounts, funny mascots, etc. Free breakfast was also part of the deal.
All in all, it was awesome. Exactly what I had always wanted to check out. It was a gathering of thousands of interesting investors – some big, many small – that at the very least were curious, knowledge-seeking, business-minded folks. THAT is what made it cool.
…and also why attending the annual meeting and listening to Buffet speak was #73 on my life list.
…and yet another example of how community can be so powerful. I had publicized my life list several months ago, a friend of a friend of a friend was reading my website, read that I wanted to attend Berkshire’s meeting, knew she had tickets to attend that she wasn’t using, and offered to give them to me.
Wha?
Awesome.
High-fives and hugs to community. Cheers to crossing items off your list. So grateful!
What say you? How’s your life list coming? Do you have one? What items are you working on?
It was a honor last week to have been interviewed by Geoff Wood and Andy Brudtkuhl of PrairieCast.com, the “podcast for Midwest entrepreneurs.” We had a great chat that touched upon how I left the corporate world, who inspires me, and what I’m currently working on. Also, for the first time I mention the new web application I’m launching with a couple friends, so tune in for that.
Thank you, Geoff and Andy, for a wonderful interview! I come in around the 10:30 minute mark. Click here to check it out.
