Tag: Courage

On Startups.com

OnStartUps. Ever heard of them?  Click here to see a list of entrepreneurs that are changing things.

Many years ago, I found myself driving Ken Blanchard to the airport. We had 30 minutes to talk.  And I was smart enough, even back then, to do most of the listening.  One of the things that has stayed with me all these years was something very simple that Ken Blanchard said:

“You can watch the parade.  You can march in the parade.  Or, you can lead the parade”.

I think about hometown Halloween parades this time of year, with High School Marching Bands and Drum & Bugle Corps.  Do you?  Can you picture watching a home town parade?  Ever march in one?  Ever lead one?

Entrepreneurs change things.  And they are leaders.  Remember Rosa Parks.  I’d like to testify that Rosa Parks was an entrepreneur.   “I rest my case, your honor”.

How big are your dreams?  How much courage (guts) do you possess?  What are you gonna do today?

Seth Goden and 37signals

Seth Godin is like a new BFF.  Why?  Because if I…..

If I have to explain it to you, you may not get it.  Click here to go to his blog.  Highly recommend you read Seth Godin’s blog every day. It’s simple to subscribe to it and you can have it waiting in your in box each morning.

But maybe you’d rather just stick with a plan that’s certain to be safe.

Anyone here remember how Napster destroyed the Music Industry’s decade-old business model?  The Internet is changing all the rules.

Next on deck, 37signals.

Here’s my prediction, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ll most likely become a victim of a Napster-like competitor.

Or, you could just stick your head in the sand.

Mantra, Mantra, Mantra

Mantra, mantra, mantra.

From Wikipedia:  A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of “creating transformation” (cf. spiritual transformation).[1] Their use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra.

I will not be discouraged.

I will not be discouraged.

I will not be discouraged.

There will be  times when you think the path you’re on – the one you convinced yourself and others was absolutely the way – may actually be wrong.

This is why courage and perseverance were invented.

LinkedIn Profile Quick Tip

LinkedIn profiles.  How many have you read?  I’ve read a ton.

Please forgive me for saying this, “Most of them bore me to tears”. They all say essentially the same thing about the author, “I’m so smart, I’m so smart, I’m so smart”.

The intent, noble.  The result, boring.  Why?  Because they all sound the same. Without creativity, and without courage, we perform the status quo.

Who’s looking to hire status quo?  In today’s tough market, I’m guessing no one.

What prompted this post?  A couple days ago a LinkedIn connection said, “Yours is the best LinkedIn profile ever.  Interesting yet informative”.

Ok, so it’s just one person’s opinion, but it sure feels good to know the intent and the result aligned.

jungle jeff, Vision, Mission, Brand

Vision, Mission, Brand. Corporate speak? Sure. Critical success factors? Absolutely.  Or, just plain old common sense?

How many successful businesses operate without these?  “None“, would probably be pretty accurate. Seriously, how could they?

And if they can’t be successful, how can we? Ever wonder about your personal life – without a personal vision, mission, and brand?

When companies evaluate their employee, customer and financial goals and results, do you think they could save time and money by not laboring over these things?

Of course. But that would be very short-sighted and very foolish.

Is it me, or is it hot in here?

Yesterday’s post inspired this one.  “Without clearly defined…..”