I’ve decided that this is the year of listening to my instincts.  

It was decided some time ago.  Even the idea was a long time coming, and perhaps well over due, though the timing seems perfect now.   I anticipate it will be a lengthy process before a good habit is formed.  After all, I’m not only working against my tendency to over-think things, but against societal trends as well. 

Consider – we’re flooded with choices, especially in entertainment.  So much so that we barely have time to think before we need to make another selection.  Our quality of life becomes linked with instant gratification.   Meanwhile we’re developing A.D.D., impatience, and a lack of appreciation for anything that takes the time it needs to take (can you imagine the quality of work if the Mona Lisa was created on today’s deadline-driven schedule?)

And so, I recognize it will be a bit of an uphill battle. I have no expectations of when I’ll be acting more instinctual, but I do expect to get out of my own head eventually.

But why, you may ask, do I have the interest in such things anyway?  On one hand we all have a certain reflex thinking to different scenarios.  You see it in every horror movie:

Naïve girl:  “Oh look!  A scary house!  I should go inside and take a shower!” 

Audience: “No!  Don’t you hear the music?  And the lighting is dark and foreboding!”

On the other hand, how many of us have said “Dang! (or another choice word) I should’ve known better!” in any number of outcomes?

Can’t I be satisfied with the 50/50 chance?  Why not accept a healthy average and not focus on it so much?  A lot of people are happy with “contentment.”

But this pursuit is encouraged and even stereotyped in a number of professions.  In journalism, it’s a “nose” for the story.  In crime prevention, it’s a “gut” for the right direction.   Leaders and captains of industry have a “sense” about certain directions – despite what the statistics say.  Sometimes the risk pays off in a huge and illogical way.

And how many of us respect those that make a bold decision – even if they fail – because we admire their courage of conviction, faith, or just a lack of fear?

Isn’t that what it all comes down to – fear?   Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown, fear of judgment, fear of the outcome.

When did we develop these fears?  Why do they have such commitment from us?

Even if fear is taken out of the equation – if for no other reason, I seek to “raise my own bar” and to continue to grow as a professional, I can’t just settle for the status quo.  I think it’s a part of continuing to live the dream.  There’s a price to pay even once you’ve arrived.

An artist can have a “feeling” about a project.  Perhaps it’s the color used in a work.  Maybe it’s the brush stroke or even a different application of paint altogether.  Maybe the scope of the project is one that needs to evolve.  It’s possible the idea itself needs to “percolate” a little more before its time has come.

In business relationships, some people strike you as “odd” for a reason.  Others strike you as having enormous potential.  You get a feeling you’d like to keep in touch with some connections and others you hope lose your contact info.

In the coming weeks, I hope to provide not only updates on this process but also specific examples to further prove the point.  As I work to defeat my own worst enemy and everything he represents, I look forward to updating you on the results.  I also hope you find encouragement to do the same.

I absolutely work for a living. 

I am a success by my own definition and on my own terms, I have no regrets, and I am hope-filled for the future.  I love what I do, but I need to do it.

There are times where business trends leave the sounds of crickets chirping around the office.  It’s a scary experience.  But I also know the trends well enough to plan accordingly.  In those times I joke that “I can’t even afford myself!”  Because we strive to be the best, we have established premium services and can command a premium rate.

The joke has another connotation though – if I could afford us, would I?

I challenge you to think along the same lines – and be objective.  If you had a choice in service providers and even if one was considerably cheaper, would you still choose your company?

Are you a “get what you pay for” provider or are you “all we can afford, so we’ll overlook a few things?”

It can be as scary a revelation as the crickets chirping.

I want to preface this metaphor by clarifying – I like both Coke and Faygo.

Some people have a strong preference.  Perhaps it’s relative to the thirst, the occasion or other intangibles.

The key difference in my mind isn’t how well either brand is made or marketed.  I’m not aware of any political affiliations either company has or if they have skeletons in the closet.  I think I would take such skeletons with a grain of salt anyway.

But the bottom line is Coke costs what Coke costs.  Faygo costs what Faygo costs.  One is just more expensive than the other.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard or witnessed anyone haggling about the cost of either.  Maybe they go on sale, maybe you have a coupon, maybe there’s even a promotional giveaway.  But whatever it costs at the time you need to acquire it won’t spark a revolt.

Now apply this to your own business.  Would you consider yourself a “Coke” brand or a “Faygo” brand?

I don’t want you to be too caught up in the egotism of “what my time is worth” or “how I’m more important than someone else.”  This is more about a sense of pride in your service.  It equates with “you get what you pay for” – and you should see yourself as a premier brand. 

This line of thinking can also be an eye-opener, especially if you’ve never done any marketing to see how your brand is perceived.

Perhaps it will spark a change in advertising, public venues, or just pricing.  Ultimately, it also translates into what kind of customers you attract.

Have you ever been in a city long enough to establish “where the money is?”  Because the resources are available, the environment is improved.  Sometimes you’ll notice the affluent version of  a facility or store that has a quality counterpart (but just outside the “comfort zone”)  In short, because they can, the rich are willing to pay to establish the environment they want (and not necessarily need)

I’m not judging the rich – I hope to join the club – and in short, if someone is willing to pay for a premier service or brand, who am I to judge that they shouldn’t pay a price in accordance with such quality?

So examine your strategy.  Are you attractive to the premier-seekers or will you be relegated to the bargain basement?

I’ve heard “do your best” or “give it 110%” or the classic sports version “hustle!” but I don’t remember anyone recognizing that those are relative. 

If I’m too short to dunk a basketball, I may be giving my best but will probably never be giving Michael Jordan’s best.

If I have no sense of rhythm, I may be trying hard to keep count, but will never be giving Fred Astaire’s best.

Then again there are exceptions – if I’m terrible at math, I may or may not be giving Einstein’s best.

But it is the exceptions that I think too many people focus on as the norm – as if it’s easier to expect the same from everyone instead of taking the extra time to direct each person towards their strengths.

Granted, success stories are great inspiration and should be seen as the spirit of tenacity bringing dreams to fruition.  There was a time when Jordan couldn’t make the basketball team, when Astaire was a clumsy kid, and when Einstein flunked math.

A key difference is passion.

I’ve never met any successful person in any walk of life who didn’t work hard to achieve – ignoring nay-sayers, adversity, or just popular opinion.  Successful people aren’t super-human or from a distant planet, they just wanted it badly enough.  Sometimes a special teacher, coach or parent was involved.  Sometimes it was over many years of development.

On the other hand, every successful person I’ve ever met also recognized (or had astute help with recognizing) their destiny - it wasn’t a hopeless dream.  They knew they had potential - even if it didn’t make sense at the time (honestly, have you ever met a really good accountant who knew since childhood?)

And so I offer this challenge to you – are you soaring with your strengths, or trying to fit an Einstein into a Jordan?

Life is too short to try and recognize someone else’s potential and deny your own.  Work towards change starting today!

A lot of  people need to work.  Many take jobs they don’t enjoy and are even humiliated in the process.  While I sympathize with their pain, this post is not meant to address their situation. 

This is for the affable.

The Everyman wants to work hard, be successful and generate as much business as possible.  That’s a respectable ethic.  However, there is a balance.  In a need vs. want mentality, you shouldn’t favor the latter.

Maybe you didn’t plan on being this way.  Life sneaks up on you and you may wake up with more than you don’t need and less of what you do.

If you’re finding priorities becoming re-organized or obscured altogether to fit the whims of your clients, consider it a warning sign of things-to-come.

If you find that your business calls or e-mails are un-returned – even from common courtesy – you may be trapped in a devalued state.  Of course some prospects will hope you “get the hint” with their silence, but the other possibility is sickening.

The status quo is a tricky concept to maintain.  However, pretend it’s to your advantage and your clients need your attention.  extend the time between calls or e-mails a little.  Give them a little space.  You may be surprised that the next time you reach out, it’s a more appropriate timing.  They may even have just planned to call you!

Reflect upon which are loyal to you – those are the ones to keep, and the personality to look for in prospects.   Those types deserve your dedication – and within reason.

Loyal clients will also appreciate you as a person.  They’ll understand your commitment to excellence, but also to your family (for example.)

Before too long, you may find a new balance in your life and a new success in your business.

The only thing you have to lose by trying this approach is a lack of respect.