When I latch on to an idea, I grip it with both hands and shake it by the lapels. If the concept doesn’t fall apart, I begin an exhaustive effort to explore a theme. For me this consists of finding the funny bits and seeing how far I can take them. Though many people say […]
When something unexpected happens, do you pause a moment to reflect on an appropriate response or do you behave reflexively and act emotionally without strategic consideration for what comes next? These two extremes are the difference between how you React or Respond. If You React Reaction is emotional. It’s chemical. Do you remember back in […]
I was in a roomful of 15-20 people today at my Toastmasters club and the person running the meeting asked everyone “If you think you’re creative, raise your hand” — and do you know how many people stuck their hands in the air? Two. And one of them was me. Here was an assembled group […]
UGH. I hated business networking events so much. It was mostly standing around, mumbling banal halfhearted small talk to random strangers and trying to avoid the “schmoozers” — you know, the ones who are there with the agenda of seeing who at the event was “worth talking to” because they could get a sale out […]
I find a lot of parallels between ideas, sales, and what is known in writing as The Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey was a concept shared by Joseph Campell, a professor in literature who primarily worked in comparative mythology and religion. Campbell identified a common story arc containing multiple stages that runs through every compelling […]
Most people don’t want to hear your idea because they have plenty of ideas of their own. They don’t want to add another idea to their list of things that remain undone. I learned this fact while marketing my brainstorming-for-hire services. I sold many one-on-one idea generation sessions, but I found there was more need […]
For the last few years I’ve followed the example set forth by Chris Brogan and my friend Anthony Iannarino and selected three words to help guide my decision making and actions through the coming year. I started posting my three words publicly in 2017 and 2018, and thought I would continue the tradition by posting […]