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.

Money is one of the fastest moving things on this planet.  Often spent before it’s earned, it definitely holds a fragile existence in many lives.  To too many, it is the all-consuming god and to others, it’s a tool (the latter is a much healthier perspective.)

In either case, one cannot be too careful with it.  As a business owner, you have to constantly ask yourself  “what is the return on this investment?”  Advertising, marketing, promotions, p.r. and appearances, networking, memberships, and so on all create a formidable wrestling match for the dollars.  We’re torn between what is good business and what is good relationship building.  Too often, the latter is the winner.

Specifically in the area of promotions and networking, it comes down to knowing your market, knowing who to talk with about future business, and generating relationships with those key people. Cold calling is a waste of time – referrals are what you want to generate.

So is the networking group filled with those people or just people-who-may-know-someone-who-knows-someone?  (Don’t be afraid to ask them!)

And is the convention filled with people who are looking for you?  Or is it filled with people who may-or-may-not-someday-need-someone-like-you?  In which case they won’t “save your information” because they won’t even remember why they saved it in the first place.

And what about that great advertising spot in the yellow pages/directory/t-shirt?  Who will see the ad?  Would you look for your business in those spaces?

You may answer “yes” or “no” to each of these questions, but all too often dollars are thrown away for the naming rights to a stadium instead of just giving customers a good deal.  Too many times you’ve been “everywhere” and it’s sensory overload.  Your message is lost.

When in doubt, ask your leads and customers where they found you in the first place.  You may be surprised at just how affordable marketing can be.

Have you heard the adage, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me!” and ever thought a little more about it?

It’s not just applicable to your dealings with a single individual.  It also applies to your dealings with similar situations.

The incompetent, the apathetic, the clueless, the excuse-makers – all have similar personalities, tell-tale signs and m.o.’s that you should watch out for, recognize and change your tactics appropriately.

This applies to many areas.  “How many times must I tell you….?”  your parents would say and you, in your youth and blissful ignorance would try to answer – only to find that the count rolls on (and would for many years, right?) 

One definition of insanity is to do things the same way and expect different results.  While in your youth, it was probably your parents who were driven insane by your repetitive behavior, my message today also speaks to our ignoring our instincts.  Nature honed our survival “gut reactions” over millions of years – if we had ignored them, it’s arguable that our species would be extinct today.

So the next time you’re heard saying something like “you’re right, you’re right, I KNOW you’re right” (whether out loud to someone “telling you so” or to your own screaming conscience)  Make a resolution to stop the cycle of gullibility and step up to the next level in your own evolution.

Unless you’d be interested in a bridge I have for sale….

It occurs to me that everyone is an expert in something.

Blogs notwithstanding, anyone can express an opinion and have some very convincing arguements – on both sides of any issue. Call me a pleaser, but I like to think that my thoughts are non-controversial, encouraging, and come from a lot of real-world experience.

Then again, I could be full of it.

The point of my rant is I genuinely hope my thoughts are helpful to you who read them. At the same time, I encourage you to solicit several points of view, develop your originality of thought, and encourage others to do the same. I am not so arrogant to believe that my ways are the only ways, my views the only views, and that I should be the ultimate role model for all.

But no one else should be either. There’s room for everyone (somehow.)

This translates into business well. I’ve worked side by side with folks who see things differently, offer the same services, and still we can co-exist, network, develop strengths and successes together. The big picture breeds optimism.

So keep your eye on the big picture, and seek to learn and grow. At the same time, be aware that others will follow your example – and so the cycle continues. Enjoy your piece of the puzzle!

My parents were always supportive.  I don’t remember a time when they discouraged my dreams or suggested I develop a “fall back.”  Consequently, I’m living the dream of a professional artist.

They were also very good about giving me a variety of experiences.  I had the swimming lessons, little league, piano lessons, cub scouts, etc.

My eclectic upbringing continued to incorporate a strong faith, a love for family, and a value of things intangible – they didn’t raise a boy with expensive tastes.

And as I reached college, I remember thinking that with all the interests they had fostered, I would only be able to dedicate true development to one of them.  Such was the way my perfectionist mind worked (and still does to a degree – if you’re a creative, you get this.)

So at the crossroads my confidence wavered a bit.  I had always known that I wanted to be a professional artist and now I was HERE.  Where you learn how to be what you want to be “when you grow up”*

(*The ironic thing here is the human brain isn’t fully developed until age 25 – about 3 years after most kids graduate.  One of the last things to finish “cooking?” Commitment!)

So now what?  I stayed the course – with no regrets.  I still keep the other interests alive.  But ultimately what feeds my soul is the idea that I’ll leave this world a better place than I found it.  Passing the cosmic tests, influencing the young and giving peace to the aged.

But all idealism aside, I find myself at those cross roads again from time to time.  Sometimes it’s a peaceful time for reflection, sometimes is a dark night of the soul.

But a life without examination isn’t worth leading, right?  We might as well be a cow in a field blissfully ignorant of its fate.

I write this in hopes that it will challenge you to reflect as well.  And that the happy problem will be a choice of fantastic direction A and fantastic direction B.

But in all things, reflect, pray, and savor the decision.