The “I Totally Get It” Crew

wm-backWe need them.

The people who understand us.

The small band of close ones who display the right combination of empathy and compassion.

You are insecure, neurotic, scared, and full of doubts about something.

You hesitate to share this with anyone.

It is your secret in the dark.

You take a risk and start to explain.

To shed light.

Your words come slowly, pausing about to stop at any moment.

Your Narrator makes you regret that you began.

Your story flows, your doubts grow.

They nod.

They listen.

Some have even been down the same road.

They share as well.

You thought you were alone.

They are on a journey too.

Simple words.

“I Totally Get It.”

That is the crew we all need.

Build Something That Will Be Missed

Road time.

Hours spent traveling from one customer to the next.

Time to and from the appointment, the errand, the visit.

Use and savor this time.

Connection calls.

Podcasts.

Seth Godin’s Start Up School.

Resonating message.

One specific phrase.

“Build Something That Will Be Missed.”

New Focus.

New Purpose.

Build.

Build again.

Keep building.

What will they miss?

 

 

Making Soap: A Lesson in Being a Serial Entrepreneur

Breakfast with a few close friends is always welcome on my calendar. During yet another snow storm, we made our way out to find a new place to eat. The one friend came from far away, the other from right down the road.

We talked. We connected. We laughed.

One friend is always traveling, and has great stories.

The other friend is a Serial Entrepreneur. They are always coming up with new ideas, new businesses, new ways to make something happen.

As we were eating our food, the Serial Entrepreneur gave us both small packages. Homemade soaps in nicely decorated packaging. Not only have they been experimenting with making soaps, they have already started selling them.

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While reading Seth Godin’s new book “What to do when it’s your turn (and it’s always your  turn)” I was reminded of this other friend.

They are always taking an idea and running with it.

They try, fail, try again, succeed, think of something else, and keep moving.

Did they wait for someone to tell them it was their turn? No, they just keep doing.

Do they have all the answers? No.

Do they have a complete plan with all the details before the move? No again.

Do they take risks? You betcha.

Did they wait for everything to be perfect before they shipped? Nope.

Do they do more in a few years than most of us will do in our lives? Yes.

After breakfast I thanked this friend for the lesson: Keep Trying New Things, Take the Risk, and Ship.

I wonder what their [your] next idea will be?

No Bad Runs

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Running can be hard.

Some runs feel amazing.

Everything clicks, your body responds, and you just go.

Other runs don’t feel so great.

Your legs feel like cement, that weird [knee, foot, ankle, back, thigh, or toe] pain is back, and you struggle.

Sometimes you feel young beyond your years.

Other times you wonder if you are getting too old to run.

Sometimes you get a personal best.

Other times you are afraid to look at the time.

We can be tempted to label these “other” runs.

“Today was a bad run.”

“I can’t believe what a bad run I had today.”

“I have had a bad run three times this week.”

Who said every run would be easy?

Who said we wouldn’t struggle, doubt, or wrestle?

Each run means that you actually went out and ran.

Each run is another run under your belt.

Each run becomes part of your history, your experience, your life.

Each run doesn’t limit the next one.

Some runs feel amazing.

Other runs don’t feel so great.

There are no bad runs.

 

Savoring the Quirks

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Everyone has quirks.

Some quirks are endearing.

Some quirks are irritating.

Why don’t they replace that roll?

Why do they wait until the recycling is overflowing?

Why do they always bring up that thing when you visit?

Why do they [insert our issue, pet peeve, history, expectation, or offense] here?

Recently we have experienced some loss.

Recently those around us have experienced some loss.

Recently we got news that more loss is coming.

Loss causes a shift in perspective.

What was once irritation now causes comfort.

An empty roll means they are still here. Maybe just a few moments ago.

Messy toys on a table, way too many wet shoes piled in a heap by the back door, fingernail polish on the coffee table, the piercing pain when you step on a LEGO, the fuel gauge left on empty, piles of unopened mail, the strange pile of receipts by the phone, clutter on the stairs, jackets on the backs of chairs, modeling clay in the carpet, gum in the driveway, mystery stains on the kitchen floor, the overflowing hamper, the heap of clothes by the shower, whatever gets stuck in the drain, loud voices downstairs in the morning, slurping noises while drinking, loud crunchy chewing, and the list goes on, and on, and on.

Today you have all these things. Someday they will cease.

Instead of irritation. Choose savoring the quirks.

Maybe these quirks can be reminders of what you have.

 

Playing with the Bumpers Up

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Bumpers.

You have seen them. Bumpers stop bowling balls from taking a trip down the gutter.

Pins are knocked down. Scores are recorded.

But those scores are inflated, not entirely real.

I have noticed something similar in business, specifically in the hiring process.

The position is vacant. The field of candidates is narrowed. You want to fill this position.

The questions get harder. You dig a little deeper. You want the right person: the right fit.

Suddenly, the bumpers appear.

“I think the candidates will struggle with that question, what if we soften it, or explain it a little more?”

“Why don’t we go easy on them, help them relax, that way they will be successful?”

Maybe it is the thought of having to start over, re-advertise, and try again. Maybe you have to admit to your boss, or their bosses that it didn’t work out. Maybe an unsuccessful process will reflect poorly on you.

The pressure to fill the position becomes stronger than filling it well.

The real problem with bumpers is they mask the downside risk. Bowling with bumpers is all upside. You knock down pins. You are invincible. Your scores are amazing!

Bumpers are okay if you are new and need some practice. But when the real game, the hiring process is being played, you need play with both upside and downside risk.

Once the process is over, the bumpers come down anyway. They will be in your organization and will bring both the upside and the downside.

The next time you are hiring or interviewing, look around to see if you are playing with the bumpers up.