Author: Garth Beyer

There’s a wickedly smart worker at a business downtown. The work she does is excellent and the connections she makes with customers keep them coming back.

But, every now and then, people wonder why she’s not where she’s supposed to be on time, why the project didn’t get completed on deadline, why her attitude is poor.

It’s because of people like her that many of us wave the words around, “I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.” We understand there’s a likely reason for the unexpected actions.

However, many may think she’s so talented that nothing could bring her down or make her fumble on the job. They’ve created an ideal of perfection, which, to a degree, is the fault of the worker herself for setting the bar so high. Sure.

But, it’s near-sighted to hold someone else accountable for being incredible 100 percent of the time even when we’re used to it.

Equally unfair to expecting perfection is wishing the imperfection away or trying to force the excellence in one area of life to another.

I’d say it’s the flaws, the fact there are reasons to offer people the benefit of the doubt that makes them a joy to work with and be around.

Imagine for a moment if the person who is excellent at work is the same at home and in their community. You probably imagine a robot void of emotion, right? Because that’s what it would take for someone to excel at every facet of their life.

So, maybe benefit of the doubt is the wrong expression to use. Maybe it’s, “They’re human. Let’s talk to them to see what the source of the issue is and how we can help. Maybe they only need some slack or maybe they need a friend.”

Responsibility isn’t about letting people be. It’s being there for them when they’re on and even closer when they’re off.

That’s the real benefit of the doubt.

Stay Positive & “How Can I Help?” May Be The Most Powerful Words

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Spending time arguing over trivial this or thats is a poor investment.

Notice the discord and move on to focusing on things that amplify what you both agree on.

It’s our responsibility to recognize the moment and find not just the common ground, but also the higher one for both of us.

There’s only so much time in a day, anyway.

Do you really want to waste hours of it on trivial disagreements?

Stay Positive & Pivot

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When items are made visible, they’re more likely to bring us joy.

Hiding work in a folder or a bin isn’t why you created in the first place.

Make it visible to others and yourself.

Organized, good enough, but most importantly, visible.

And if you’re not willing to. It’s time to toss it.

Stay Positive & Tidy Up

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Not a reaction. Not a convenient time between reaching back out. Not negligence. Not so short that it’s condescending. Not too quick to show thoughtlessness.

But a sincere (timely and thoughtful) response is all we hope for.

And because we never get it, it’s even more important those who connect with you get it from you.

It can be your differentiator if you want it to.

Stay Positive & Hit Send, Don’t Sit On It

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At any given time, that’s what we’re doing.

We’re creating a tribe that will follow us or we’re consuming the path someone else put down.

We’re writing and posting or we’re clicking and reading.

We’re adding value to a relationship or mooching off the selflessness of another.

There’s certainly a time to be consuming more than creating, but I’d put my money on if you’re reading this then it ought to be the other way around.

Go ahead and create. We’re waiting for you to join us.

Stay Positive & The Switch You’ll Make Is Why We Create, Anyway

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You can set yourself up for success.

You can alter the environment you’re in to signal yourself into thinking deeply about a challenge.

You can play the right music.

You can tell others you trust (and trust you) that you won’t leave the room until you’ve solved it.

You can remove all the distractions.

You can set a reward for yourself for when it’s complete.

You can mark work time on your calendar so no one tries to book over your time.

Most importantly, though, you can start.

Fingers to keyboard. Pen to paper. Eyes closed to think deeply.

Once you start, you may realize you don’t need to invest time in controlling as many of the other variables as you thought.

Stay Positive & Are You Hiding Or Helping?

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Contrary to popular belief, marketing isn’t often about the money.

It’s not all about the pricing system or how much you have to put behind FB ads.

It is, however, more about the staff you decide to hire, the website copy you write, the spiel you stand by when your family asks why the heck you’re doing what you’re doing.

It’s also the journey you share with your tribe and how much you let them be part of it.

Then there’s the way you dress and how quickly you respond to email and how often you’re there when someone needs you.

It’s all a signal and the collective signal is the most important part of what marketing is or isn’t. Money plays a role, but not as large of a one as we might think.

Stay Positive & Clarity With Consistency Is Everything

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