“I’ve never done this before” isn’t an excuse or an apology, it’s an opportunity. There is not historical personal data that you can compare against. You’re setting a new benchmark. If you’re trying archery for the first time and you miss the target with every arrow you fire, it’s absolutely the worst score you’ve ever […]
Strategic naivete can be a creative advantage. If you don’t know anything about a subject it’s a heck of a lot easier to come up with ideas to contribute on the topic. Ignorance makes it easier to make things up. People hear the word “ignorant” and think it’s an insult. Ironically, that’s an ignorant response […]
The next time you’re working on a serious project and you’re not sure where to begin in order to make it happen, start out by asking yourself “how can I have the most fun while I’m working on this project?” I don’t think most people have fun making the big projects happen in their lives […]
You could wait for approval, funding, experience, permission, buy-in, blessings, team members, diploma, domain name, logo, website, business cards, new clothes, new car, or a haircut — or you could go ahead without it. Seth Godin calls it “waiting to be picked”. It’s when you’re waiting to be chosen by somebody you perceive to be […]
Volunteer to work on the weird projects. Jump at the chance to take lead on a boring project. Step up and say you’ll pull together some research or be the main presenter at an executive meeting to deliver a report. Raise your hand and raise your profile and your perceived value within your company and […]
Some writers and speakers (and assorted “gurus”) say that you have to have a 100% positive attitude 100% of the time, and I can tell you that an assertion like that is 100% baloney. No one can be 100% positive (or 100% anything) 100% of the time. I think the goal (at least mine) is […]
There is a reason you have smoke detectors in your house and not fire detectors. The smoke is the early warning sign that a fire is likely to occur (or be present). There are other signs that you’ve learned to recognize in your life that have saved you pain, frustration, and regret… If you see […]