What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?
Author: Trey
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Are You Participating in Your Own Life?
Last night was a typical night. Everyone was home, we had dinner, then decided to watch Willie Nelson and Keith Urban on the iTunes Festival at SXSW. The concerts were excellent. Willie was in great form (Madeline kept asking, “How OLD is he?”), and Keith was tearing it up. As a guitar player, I love watching good players doing their thing.
Midway through Keith’s set, he moved into the audience to a small stage in the middle of the venue and played a couple of songs. People crowded as close as security would let them get to him, holding up their phones (one person even had an iPad) to record the moment. And then it struck me –
Why are they watching through the screens in their hands when he is right there?
So many of them were trying to capture the moment to share on their various instatweetbook accounts, that they were missing the moment of being close to someone they admired. I’ve done it, too, and creeped out James Taylor (another story).
How many times do we miss moments in our lives because we are trying to preserve them, instead of simply being present in them? Do we really need some proof that special moments, how ever small, often occur? So, my charge to you today is this: Live. Be fully present in each moment. Capture what you can, but not at the expense of participating in your own life.
At the end of the concert, Keith went back to the audience. This time it was the balcony, and he did a song among the dancing crowd. He ended with a wild guitar solo, then took a sharpie from his pocket. He signed the guitar, and presented it to a guy in the row behind him. THAT guy was not recording it on his phone, but he now has a great story to tell. Tell yours.
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No One In This Room Has Control Over Your Life
YOU control your destiny. YOU decide your path in life. I am not naive enough to think we all have the same starting line, but YOU can decide if you will move forward, or remain mired in your current circumstances. Make something happen. Don’t wait. Start now. Ready, set, GO!
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“You’re Hired!”
Here are some interesting stats from the July/August issue of INC magazine. The questions and comments are mine.
New jobs in April – 119,000
Who did the hiring:
- Companies with fewer than 50 employees – 49%
- Companies with 50-499 employees – 48%
- Companies with 500 or more employees – 3%
Question: Why do job-seekers continue to make companies like Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, Wal-Mart, General Motors and UPS their prime targets?
You increase your odds dramatically by targeting smaller companies.
What 2012 college graduates say the top priorities are when looking for a job:
- Job Security – 33%
- Salary – 23%
- Health Care and other Benefits – 23%
- Company Culture and Perks – 18%
- Company Size – 3%
Question: Are you kidding me? Job security is #1?? Haven’t you seen what happened to your Mom and Dad? You’d better be looking for a place where you can refine your skills and show your value. But your job isn’t going to have “security” and guaranteed “salary.”
If you really want those – start your own business. 72% of college students now say they want to start their own business. Companies are gun-shy about investing training in someone who isn’t going to be there 18 months from now. “Security” goes both ways.
Portion of employers that have rejected a job candidate because of that person’s social-media activity – 34%.
Top 4 reasons those candidates weren’t hired:
- They posted inappropriate photos or information
- There was evidence of drinking or drug use
- They had poor communication skills
- They badmouthed a previous employer
Question: Most companies will Google you before they look at your resume. Are you comfortable with your “online” resume?
Creativity will do more to open the doors for you to be considered than a stellar resume. What have you done that shows you to be “remarkable” in your job search?
Dan Miller, President of 48 Days LLC, specializes in creative thinking for increased personal and business success. He believes that meaningful work blends our natural skills and abilities, our unique personality traits and our dreams and passions. Dan is active in helping individuals redirect careers, evaluate new income sources, and achieve balanced living. He believes that a clear sense of direction can help us become all that God designed us to be.
You can get free job resources by going to www.48Days.com
The world is yours for the taking. Don’t wait. Start now.
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4 Parallels Between The Ironman Triathlon And Small Business
This Saturday, November 2, 2013, I will be competing in my fifth Ironman Triathlon. For the uninitiated, the Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike, and finished up with a 26.2 mile run. As you can imagine, it’s a long day. The race begins at 7 am, and you must finish before midnight to be declared an “Ironman”. In thinking back on my previous racing and training experience, I’ve noticed several parallels between the race and running a small business. Here are four:
1)Everyone is Excited at the Start line
This race is the culmination of weeks, months, sometimes years of preparation. By the time you get to the start line, you are anxiously waiting to get it on.
I’ve seen the same with small business owners. They are excited about their new adventure, and can’t wait to take on the world. It’s an exciting time.
2) You must begin slowly
For the new Ironman participant, the temptation is to go out too fast. Adrenaline, combined with anxiety, can take over if you don’t make a conscious effort to hold yourself back. The results can be disastrous. All of your energy reserves are used up early, with many miles to go.
A temptation for small business owners is to borrow as much money as they can, open a storefront, buy beautiful office furniture, and the best computer systems. Resist it. Grow slowly. Anything that grows too quickly is cancer. Cash flow expenses. You have plenty of time.
3) It’s going to hurt at times
Choppy seas, headwinds, hills. No matter how well trained you are, this race hurts. Really hurts. There is evidence that triathletes can endure pain better than non-triathletes, but I must be an outlier in that study. It strips away any bravado you may have, and truly reveals your character.
In the life of any business, there are ups and downs. Sales go down, cash gets tight, good team members leave. It can amplify your personality, which can be a good or a bad thing. Make sure you have good counsel to help you weather the storms.
4) The reward is not the finish – it’s the journey
At the end of an Ironman, you get a medal, hat, and T-shirt. That’s it (well, that and bragging rights). If that is your goal, it is hollow and fleeting. I have surrounded myself with friends, family, and a club that supports each other and trains together. These relationships are the part that lasts, and the true reward.
As a business owner, you have the opportunity to serve your community by providing a product or service they want or need, while enabling your team members to make a living for their families. If your focus is only making as much money as you can, you will never be satisfied, and mostly likely won’t succeed in the long run (pun intended).
These are only a few examples. What are some questions you have about YOUR small business? Any parallels to other areas of your life? Comment or share below.