Life Lesson

The hard part is the connection to the people that will be the ones that enable you to do more of what you love.

The hard part of Amazon isn’t sourcing products; it’s maintaining a connection with the consumer.

The hard part of a bar isn’t selecting the faucet style; it’s establishing a lasting connection with a new guest.

The hard part of a marketing gig isn’t coming up with ideas; it’s bringing the ideas to life in a way that increases attraction and retention of the customer base.

Of course, it’s easy to be fooled into believing the other stuff is hard because it allows us to forgo the truly hard work.

The brands that win, however, are the ones who lean into the hard part: people connecting with people.

Stay Positive & Where Are You Investing Your Time?

You’re worse off if you wait until you make it to take it all in.

Truth is that there’s nothing stopping you right now from it.

Smell. Touch. Look around. Listen.

Stay Positive & No Need To Wait Until You’re At The Top

Drip by drip.

Step by step.

Piece by piece.

Little by little.

Inch by inch.

Whatever expression you need to latch onto, do it.

Stay Positive & Bit By Bit

The views at the top of Mount Elbert were incredible. The air was special. The sounds were unique. The satisfaction of the energy exerted to get there was fulfilling.

Then again, I could say the same about three quarters of the way up when we stopped to drink some water and borrow some sunblock from another climber.

Then again, I could say the same about half way up when we paused to look around and decide if we wanted to go the other half or just turn around.

Then again, I could say the same about a quarter of the way up when we talked through some water streams and had a beer on a small bridge.

Then again, I could say the same about driving into the parking lot of the park when we could look up and only see part of the mountain.

…. You see where I’m going with this. We don’t need to be at the top of the mountain to have a top of the mountain moment.

Stay Positive & The Top Can Be Right Here, Right Now

Imagine you’re in a club or at a wedding or house party or dance studio (wherever it makes sense to dance) and the following factors are in play:

Then, all the sudden, your favorite song goes on… now what?

You dance, of course.

Our jobs are a lot like finding the right song to play for others.

Stay Positive & Familiarity Is The Result of Many Factors, Not One

Outsiders are worth inviting in.

Not to convert them to insiders, but to pressure test the tribe you’ve built.

Consider the trucking logistics company that asks a Head of Compliance of a winery to visit their operations and provide feedback.

The differing views is what may define the company’s differentiators.

And it’s simply a good gut check on if you’re holding up to the values your company is committed to.

Of course, you don’t need to have a company to do this. You can do it for personal values, too.

Stay Positive & Engage The Outsiders

There’s really nothing that you’re starting from scratch with.

Have an idea for a book? Toss it to chatgpt to get it started.

Want to direct a movie? Check out the class your community college offers.

Itching to start a new business? Many on LinkedIn are awaiting your connection.

Not knowing where to start or not wanting to start because you’re too far behind no longer makes sense.

Stay Positive & Go For The Logical