GarthBox

It might be your muse, but it’s not for you.

The work you’re doing, the art you’re making, the skills you’re using to put something out in the world? It’s not for you.

The projects worth completing aren’t for you.

You are not the target or the user or the end consumer.

When there’s a fork in the road, it’s often easy to decide to take the path we would take.

But we have to remember, the journey we’re on to make change isn’t for us.

Better to choose the path that they would want us to take.

Stay Positive & Constantly Gut Check, Who Are You Making The Decision For?

Photo credit

Better customers want more from you. They want you to bring out the best of yourself. They want you to meet deadlines and deliver on the promises you make.

These are great customers to have because they make you better, which attracts better customers.

The same can be said for friends and clients and colleagues.

Better ones challenge you. They have high hopes. They pay you more. They expect you to leap.

And then you attract better ones.

Stay Positive & Better Is Better

Photo credit

The doing part is easy.

If you want to get fit, work out.

If you want to be a writer, write.

If you want to be the best significant other you can be, be it.

It’s the becoming part that’s hard.

Becoming the kind of person who dedicates an hour every morning to working out.

Becoming the kind of person who ignores the naysayers and self-doubt and sits down to write daily.

Becoming the kind of person who puts another ahead of your own interests and desires.

If you’re struggling in life, don’t try the doing part more; try the becoming part.

Harder. But worth it.

Stay Positive & It Makes The Easy Part Of Doing Even Easier

Photo credit

People know when you’re committed.

And when they know it, there is inherent trust.

An acquaintance of mine started a newsletter on beer. In his first communication, he shared how long he would run the newsletter for. He also went right into the newsletter. No tease, just content right away. Beyond those two noticeable elements, it was still somehow clear he was all in.

There’s something about commitment that’s easily perceived when it’s real, partly consciously, partly subconsciously.

And just as there’s inherent trust and attention when it’s present; there’s skepticism and distance when it’s not.

If you’re not committed, it’s worth reconsidering the endeavor; not in the sense of not leaping, but in the sense of what it would take to exude your commitment.

Stay Positive & Own It

Photo credit

A pause to catch up.

A pause to open the docs and get them in front of yourself.

A pause to catch your breath and find your calm.

A pause to gut check the direction you’re heading.

A pause to apply the polish before shipping.

A pause can be the difference maker.

Stay Positive & The World Can Wait A Moment More

Photo credit

Sharing your expertise is more than helping another.

It’s more than leading.

Sharing expertise is about making another feel comfortable, relieved, and assured.

Expertise can certainly motivate and energize.

But at the end of the day, to feel like you’ve interacted with an expert, you can sleep soundly.

Is that the impact you have on others?

Stay Positive & If Not, Time To Study Up

Photo credit

Before consuming your art, what is the person wondering?

That’s really a great place to start before any copy writing or creating occurs.

List the questions out.

For whatever you’re creating, what is it the end target/user/reader asking?

(It’s really just a page out of the SEO handbook – applied to any form of art. What answers, help, info are they looking for?)

Once you have those questions down. Go ahead and make your work.

When you’re finished, you can gut check yourself.

Did what you make answer all the questions the target was thinking?

Stay Positive & Once You Nailed It, Make It Even Easier For Them To Get Their Answers

Photo credit