Think of all the people whose job it is to help you.
None of those people serve you advertisements.
Now think of all the people who do serve you advertisements.
Sure, any of them could make an argument that their work helps you. TV helps us escape. Google helps us find things we need. The news helps us stay informed.
But their job performance is based on selling more ads. Not by helping you.
Not sure what you want to do with your life? Or who your customers are? Or what you should speak about?
Work backwards.
Instead of seeking the right answer, find the wrong ones.
There are so many things that you don’t want to be doing or people you shouldn’t be selling to or topics you shouldn’t be talking about.
Eliminating options equals clarity.
Consistency can get you a lot of things.
That which you’re consistent at doesn’t much matter. Even the littlest things count.
One little promise to yourself and the world is enough to make you the biggest star in the universe.
Grocery shopping without a cart is tricky.
At first, you think you can carry everything in your arms. Then, you start to stack a little higher until one thing spills. And another. Finally, you can’t talk two feet because your arms are so full, and you’re walking so carefully to ensure you don’t leave anything behind.
This is a lot like the creative mind.
Without a shopping cart for your ideas, you start lose them one-by-one until you can’t proceed.
For this, I use a single Google doc on my phone. Some people use Evernote or the standard notepad app.
Makes navigating the grocery store of life much more pleasant.
Procrastination is not a habit.
It’s not laziness either.
It’s merely a way to put anxiety at rest.
Think of something special to do, figure out the worst-case scenario, and then just do it.
Facebook equals fear.
I’ve written a million articles on what NOT to do first thing in the morning.
Why?
Because I need to be reminded how much better days are when I avoid email, news, social media, etc. first thing in the morning.
Despite my own best advice, I still found myself indulging.
Finally, I found something that resonated.
One song.
One line.
One time, instead of falling into the information overload abyss.
Simon & Garfunkel.
“I get the news I need from the weather report.”
So now, I check the weather.
And I start the day:
Where do YOU get the news you need in the morning?
People talk about “investing in yourself.” The concept says to save some money now and you’ll have it when you’re retired.
But, what about the opposite?
Borrow from yourself today for the things you won’t need when you’re retired.
Bachelor / bachelorette parties, out-of-town weddings, family vacations, motorcycles are all good examples.
Easy to say you can’t afford these things today.
But chances are, your retired self will be happy to issue a loan for them so you can enjoy them in memory down the road.
Three things to remember today:
You’re welcome.
Pro tip: Don’t use the phrase “Pro tip.”
You may, in fact, be a pro at whatever you’re recommending.
But it also makes you a pro at sounding like a giant douche who puts him or herself above others without any real desire to help.
Something to consider.
There’s a legendary story about my late Uncle Jake.
He was clumsy, clueless and confidently matter-of-fact.
Plus he was legally blind.
His glasses only made him slightly less blind.
Yes, he was a character.
But here’s the story:
Uncle Jake went to a funeral service. Afterwards, Uncle Jake got in his car and joined the the funeral procession to the gravesite. He and his car were near the front of the procession.
Sometime along the way, Uncle Jake started following the wrong car.
Classic Uncle Jake.
But the cars behind continued to follow Uncle Jake.
All. Over. Town.
Moral of the story:
Just because everyone is going a certain direction or using a certain method or saying a certain thing, it’s not necessarily the right direction or method or message.
It might be Uncle Jake leading the procession.