Life Lesson

A trick of the writing trade I’ve learned is to write unexpectedly.

That often means two things.

Write a lot of options, more than anyone would guess you would. Put more on paper, bring more to the table and win at the numbers game.

And then, cross out or toss everything that could have been expected.

If another person could write it … if another brand could post it … if another would anticipate it then get rid of it.

What’s left is the truth, the way you see it.

Turns out the way you see it, the real way, is often the way it resonates with others.

 

Stay Positive & Unexpected Writing Says “I See You”

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It’s not societal or generational that we want to find the fast lane.

We want success now. We want love now. We want the project to launch yesterday.

The fast lane, though, can’t be found by preparing more.

The answer isn’t in some book or blog post.

It’s not about being handed enough money or finding the greatest mentor.

The fastest way to launch your idea, succeed in your mission, ship your dream is to start.

It all gets easier when you start. It builds momentum. It puts you in the fast lane.

Start.

And when you’re unsure of what to do next, start again.

And when you feel like you’re going nowhere, start again.

And when you finally cross the finish line, start again.

 

Stay Positive & Keep Starting

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I’m working on the “story” page of the craft beer bar I’m opening.

With great energy, I want to write about the gent who told me not to open one. That he fueled some of my anger (read: passion).

It’s true. He did. There’s not much like a critic who tells you that you can’t do something.

Except there is. Someone better. Someone more energizing. Someone who tells you you can.

If you’re tracking the names of all those who have made an impact on you while you pursue your dream. It’s hard not to note those who have stood in your way, but please don’t disregard those who have helped you along.

It’s a more fun list to keep track of, more energizing, more important.

Take a look at every best selling book. No author wastes a word on those who don’t deserve it.

Better to spend time on/with/next to/giving to/remembering those who do.

 

Stay Positive & Give ’em A High Five Whenever You Can

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One of the best pieces of advice I have gotten is this.

Reflect on what you did before you felt really good yesterday. What were you doing before you felt fulfilled? What was happening moments before you got the burst of positive energy?

Repeat that trigger tomorrow and the next day.

For me, it’s listening to Akimbo while I workout. I’m a completely different (and lesser motivated and happy person) after working out without listening to Seth Godin’s podcast.

Tweak your routine in one way until it becomes the new habit. Then search for the next trigger.

Progress is a routine tweak away. Drip by drip by drip.

 

Stay Positive & Sweeeeeet Dispositionnnnn

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Years ago I noticed a confusion between learning and doing. Almost a self-prescribed line in the sand between the two.

You could learn OR you could do.

The geniuses of that time (and yes, of this time, too) are the one’s who make it an AND statement.

They leap over the line their fear has drawn for them.

Is it good to read a book and learn something new? Sure.

Is it better to read a book and apply what you learned in a way that’s generous to others? Certainly better, right?

Like most fear-drawn lines, the more we leap over them, the better.

Worth remembering, though, that in due time the line will get moved again and will require you to leap in a new way.

 

Stay Positive & That’s How Progress Is Made

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Being shoulder to shoulder is a good place to be.

Sometimes it’s worth being on someone’s shoulders, too.

Offering someone your shoulder works as well.

Helping ease the weight that’s on another’s shoulders is often a smart move.

Being at shoulder height is comfortable.

And when in doubt, shrug the chip off your shoulder. It’ll help.

 

Stay Positive & Forget Having My Back, Have My Shoulders Please

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Without a doubt, the quickest way to complete a project, to cross the finish line, to ship something meaningful is to start.

Time and time again, all it takes to do the work that needs to be done, to find the reservoir of emotional diligence and to discover what matters most to the target is to start.

From personal experience and countless observations, the fastest way to achieve any goal is to start.

 

Stay Positive & Start, That’s All It Takes

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