Changing people’s word view is hard. Yes, most people can change. But they’ll only change for a select few.

I could tell a million people to stop eating sugar. But unless they hear it from their spouse, they’re not changing.

So, you wanna change people’s world view?

Preach to the ones who already share your perspective. Spouses, in this example.

Then, and only then, can you change people’s world view.

Things I’ve never regret doing:

• Getting up before work to exercise.
• Getting to work late because I was exercising.
• Getting out of bed hungover on a Saturday morning to go play basketball.
• Playing football on the beach.
• Playing horse (or pig) in the pool.
• Getting up to stretch or walk around the office.
• Breaking at noon to take a long walk with Lucy.

You get the point.

No regrets.

Understand people who have crappy jobs.

• The TSA officer does not want to pat you down.
• The IRS agent does not want to audit you.
• The CVS employee does not want to ask you to pick up your dog.

People who have crappy jobs are not trying to piss you off. They just want to keep their job.

Expressly noting you’re helping them keep their job (not get in trouble) helps everyone in the game.

I’ve been a consultant since freshman year of college.

• Lab Consultant: The guy working in the undergrad computer lab.
• HSF Consultant: The guy on your HSF project team.
• Health and Wellness Consultant. The guy behind Life is NOYOKE.

Actually I’ve been a consultant for much longer. And the list of things I consult on is much longer, too.

IT, finance, taxes, accounting, personal electronics, SEO, marketing, plumbing, Craigslist, Ebay, cooking, fitness, directions, gift-giving, menu-picking. Got an urgent question? Cool.

I’m a consultant. I fix problems.

When I get the call, I am almost always able to find a fix.

But in nearly every case, those in need were happier when I helped them find the fix on their own.

CTA: 

1. Wait an hour to reply to “urgent” emails.
2. Ask open-ended questions in response to their questions.
3. Get really excited when they figure it out on their own.

Thanks, SG.

I’m asking the following question:

“Tell me about a time when you didn’t use your turn signal.”

If the answer is not something like, “That’s tough. I always use my turn signal. I don’t want to keep people guessing. That’s how accidents happen. And, it’s a great way to aggravate the people around me,” then the interview can end there.

Those who run their own business know. There’s lots of stuff to do. Of that stuff, it all fits into two categories:

1. Stuff that eliminates personal annoyances.
2. Stuff that moves the needle.

The former is usually:

• Easier to do.
• Easier to discover.
• More immediately satisfying to complete.

But the latter should always be the priority.

You’re the boss. Move the needle.

Instead of a grand opening, why not try a soft opening. Fewer people, less hype, less risk.

With a soft opening:

• Mistakes are seen by fewer people.
• Participants feel closer to you and your brand.
• Highlights and lowlights are easier to consider when nimble.

Books, blogs, movies, restaurants, small-businesses, relationships, TV shows, domiciles, etc. are all similar in this respect.

Start slow with a soft opening.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The month of February in a cold-weather month is like hiking a mountain.

• Feb 1: The beginning.
• Feb 2: “I can’t believe we’re doing this again.”
• Feb 4: Occasional moment to enjoy.
• Feb 12: Short break, almost to the top.
• Feb 14: The peak of the mountain. Proud you made it safely. Will take a minute to enjoy. Excited, but the moment fades quickly.
• Feb 15: Beginning of the decent. It’s all downhill from here.
• Feb 17: Short break to take it all in.
• Feb 22: “Can you believe we did it, again?”
• Feb 26: “I’m really getting ready to be done.”
• Feb 28: “We made it back to the bottom. Cannot believe we did it. Was it worth it? We should never do that again.”

And just like mountain climbers, we’ll do it again. Just to say we did it.

Happy Top of the Mountain Day.

A common site:

• Applying to 20 undergraduate programs.
• Submitting 100 resumes.
• Knocking on 500 doors.

It’s impossible to give 100% to each, right? So why even bother with the add-ons that only get a half-hearted effort?

Yes, it’s nice telling ourselves we tried our best by applying, submitting, knocking on a gazillion opportunities. But isn’t it better to give our best to a smaller list?

It’s certainly better for the recipients.

Here are the essential elements of a good status reports. Size doesn’t matter.

1. Did: Here’s what’s been accomplished.
2. Doing: Here’s the plan.
3. Milestones: Here’s what we’re aiming for, when.
4. Unless: Here are the risks and potential conflicts.

Client / contractor example: Did the about page and recipe template. Doing the review template. Milestones are getting them both done by Friday, unless you don’t review my work.

Parent / child example: Just got back from the mall. Sleeping at Billy’s. Will be back by 10, unless Billy’s mother can’t get her car out of the snow.

Spouse / spouse example: Got to work late. Working on 1MB project until 7pm. Will be home at 7:30 unless traffic is worse than normal on highway.

Follow those four steps. You’ll be a hero at work and home.