Which would you prefer? Shopping at Costco or shopping at CVS?
Buy-in-bulk vs. buy one-at-a-time.
Use most vs. use it all.
Use the best vs. use you got.
Isn’t that a good way to think about work? Do in bulk.
Who doesn’t prefer going to Costco? Just gotta get yourself there.
South Park and Chappelle’s Show have made Comedy Central millions. Same with their creators. So why are Matt & Trey still going strong while Dave Chappelle vanished after a few incredible years? Few theories.
Scope creep. The scope of Trey and Matt’s duties have’t changed despite the shows evolving sophistication in animation, effects and sound. These guys still make shows in one week using a few meetings in a conference room. When Chappelle’s show got bigger, however, so did the scope of his work. More filming, more promos, more writing.
It’s lonely at the top. For Chappelle, who had his back? Who was he sharing the highs and lows with? Chappelle had a couple co-creators, but he was the star. For Trey and Matt, it’s always 50/50.
Not in it for the money. Trey and Matt may have been at first, but certainly aren’t now. Today, they have more money than they could ever spend. And yet, they’re still working hard. Dave Chappelle was just a stand-up comedian. He worked his butt off to reach the top of Comedy Central Mountian. Why? To get paid. The ending credits to his show said it, “I’m rich, biatch!”
Lessons here? Be more like the South Park guys. Set some expectations, find a partner in your work and do what you love.
Good talk.
Here’s a classic clip of Dave Chappelle on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 2001
Pre-committment is a powerful tool.
Schedule a workout on your calendar. Tell readers that you’ll be writing every day. Be the coach for your kid’s little league team.
Pre-committed. Pre-committed. Pre-committed.
Try making excuses when you’re pre-committed. Yup.
John Oliver has been hosting the Daily Show. Not great, right?
The awesome TA gave today’s lecture. Not great, right?
The cool maintenance guy ran the front desk. Not great, right?
It’s never easy to be the stand-in. John Stewart, and the professor and the doorman are great. But as the stand-in, wouldn’t it be better to just be you? People may not like it. But, at least it’s you. Isn’t that why you got asked to stand-in?
So you’re an expert. Now what?
You spent 10,000 hours mastering a piece of business software. You’re an expert. Cool.
You spent 10,000 hours as a market maker. You’re an expert. Congratulations.
You spent 10,000 hours as an insurance salesman. You’re an expert. Good for you.
So you’re an expert. Now what? Why not become an expert at something else? You don’t need to give up your original expertise.
Guitarists, chefs, woodworkers, mechanics, gardeners, comedians, filmmakers, are all experts. But most of ’em still have a day job.
There’s a new drug out there. Taking it will result in your salary increasing 8-10x. Your salary becomes guaranteed for 8-10 years. And, it makes your job 8-10x more fun.
There are some minor side effects. But they’re negligible. And, there’s a 1% chance your employer finds out you’re taking the drug. If he does, you’ll be asked to take an unpaid vacation for 8-10 months. Your guaranteed salary stays guaranteed, though.
If you would like a sample, you can contact Ryan Braun. If he’s unavailable, you can try calling the YouWouldHaveDoneTheSameThingIfGivenTheOpportunity Clinic in Miami. Or, as they’re also known, The 8-10 Clinic.
What’s on your calendar today? Meetings? Calls? Reminders?
What about the second half of your day? Why not make that busy, too?
Looking back, which half will you remember?
I listened to “Startup School”. It’s a podcast recording of Seth Godin’s seminar for entrepreneurs. I probably listened to that 15 track lecture 1,000 times.
Then I stopped. And so did my momentum on lifeisnoyoke.com.
Until I stumbled across this: Seth Godin’s recent post about how audiobooks changed his life.
Irony? I’m never sure. Coincidence? Maybe. Funny how things work themselves out?
For sure.
On the most important days of your life, who’s gonna show up?
You’ll always remember who showed up to your grandma’s funeral. Just being there.
You’ll always remember which colleagues reached out upon hearing you were leaving the company. Just an email or a call.
You’ll always remember who donated to your fundraiser. Just a few dollars.
The people who didn’t show up? They had a reason. And that’s reason enough.
But, those that did show up? Those that were there, or reached out, or gave? Those people will live forever.
You have two choices:
The latter should. And I will.
Donate today and I will match your donation 100%.
Today only.
Now you can’t say “What have you done for me lately?” Even though I did just teach you how to ask for a favor.
Donate today for 100% match by me.
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NOTES:
I actually need to put a limit on this match offer because my girlfriend has a big network of donors. Let’s say $500 aggregate match, matching donations as they come in. If you donate after the $500 aggregate match, I will owe you.