The ultra religious.
The vast majority of North Koreans.
The armies of traveling consultants.
They don’t know any different.
Different seems impossible.
Different seems scary.
Different seems illogical.
But different is out there. And it can be a whole lot better than the same.
If you’re at a career fair, what would you rather hear from a recruiter?
Five minutes of facts and diplomatic BS about the position and company despite the recruiter knowing immediately it’s not a good fit and you have zero chance to even get an interview simply because of something she saw on your resume you just handed them?
Or, the truth. And perhaps, five minutes of genuine, free career counseling.
Well, I certainly had no interest in delivering or receiving the former.
But that’ probably why I write something like the latter, here, every day.
Life on the road is a grind. The people who do it with you become your second family.
But what happens when they’re no longer your second family? When they’ve been upgraded to your first?
Then, you know it’s time to go home.
During my days flying every week:
For every reason flying brought me the pain, there was one that made it worth it.
Lemons, lemonade, People.
Activating airplane mode is the unofficial beginning of a vacation.
Just pure bliss.
Lately, I’ve been activating airplane mode every day. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes, I’m refreshed like after a week on the beach.
Of course, business travelers go on airplane mode on flights for work. But isn’t that still airplane mode?
Flying for work. No flying at all. Take a few minutes per day on airplane mode.
Who doesn’t want a daily vacation?
What’s in the subject line of your email?
Detailed description? That doesn’t get it opened.
“Please read” after the detailed description? That doesn’t get it opened.
Capital letters and a threat like “PLEASE READ AND DO NOT DELETE?” That doesn’t get it opened.
What about building trust in your email recipients that your emails will be relevant, brief, and value-add? That can’t go in a subject line. But it’s something any administrator, consultant or marketer can do to get their emails opened and responded to.
Because if you’re using too much detail, begging, or making THREATS in your subject lines, you’ve already lost. Perhaps, then, start from the beginning. No subject.
Right click any tab.
Yes, any of the vital tabs you have open.
Choose “Close other tabs.”
It’s like spring cleaning, but easier.
Like going for a long run, but easier.
Like shaving after you haven’t in two weeks.
You get the point.
Right click. “Close other tabs.”
So easy. So good.
A simple phrase to make you more productive, efficient and stress-free. Oh, and it will do the same for your family, friends and customers. The phrase is a question, actually. “Would you miss it?”
“Would you miss it?” is good for spring cleaning. Pick up a blouse and ask yourself.
“Would you miss it?” is good for small businesses. Just ask the question of your customers. It especially works when considering any business purchase. Will my customers come back to buy because they miss this lamp I’m considering purchasing? “Will they miss it?”
“Would you miss it?” is especially good for software developers and consultants. Clients of these folks, too. Will Windows users miss the Start Button? Or, will the extra piece of functionality be so good that it will be missed if left-out? Or, will it over-complicate the system as a whole resulting in nobody ever saying, “I miss that awesome software, or website or store.”
Ask yourself, “Would you miss it?” If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track. If the answer is no, chances are you have a cluttered closet, a staggering business, or healthcare.gov.
This job? That job? This project? That project? This marketing tactic or that one?
No worries about that “how I’m going to get there” stuff. I’ve figured out where I want to be.
I want to be an influential leader in the American Health and Wellness Advocacy community.
That’s it.
Notice there’s no “doing verbs” like change or sell or build. That’s all “how you’re going to get there” stuff. That’s all stuff I’m doing, but most of it is getting me “where I want to be.” Anything not getting where I want to be should and will stop.
Want the formula? Fill in the blank: “I want to be a ________ (adjective and title/impact) in the _______ (specific community/niche).”
Some more examples:
Your “where you want to be” can and will change. For a while, mine was a “calculated risk-taking entrepreneur in the road-warrior consultant world.” Now, it’s “an influential leader in the American Health and Wellness Advocacy community.” Later, it will be different.
But, I like where my “where you want to be” is now.
How about you with yours?
Lately, I’ve been giving the same advice. It’s not specific to food or fitness. I’ve found myself giving career advice. And the advice has turned out to be pretty good.
My career advice is a consulting buzzword. Actually, it’s probably more of an aphorism. Here it is:
First, figure out where you want to be [hand gesture]. Then figure out how you’re going to get there [hand gesture].”
Figuring out where you want to be, or what you want to is gold. To a hiring manager, it can explain four jobs in four years. It makes you valuable and attractive. It makes you seem more honest and trustworthy. More employable.
But the best part of figuring out where you want to be? The “how you’re going to get there” part becomes very clear. You’ll hardly ever be lost.
It’s time to figure out where you want to be. Me included.