Why Try To Get Out Of Your Box, When You Can Use What's In It?
The default settings that matter are tough to set.
You can’t simply press a button and your default reaction to someone’s criticism or anger is empathy.
There’s no programming of emotion to wake up with a positive attitude.
It’s work.
But it’s work worth doing, isn’t it?
Stay Positive & There May Not Be A Setting, But There Is Muscle Memory
You’re not wrong; but they may not be helping you as much as you think they are.
Adding a teaspoon of honey to your oatmeal, mixing an Emergen-C into your drink, eating a handful of almonds… when you add up the calories, that’s what’s putting you over your deficit number for the day; not the bun-less sandwich you had at lunch.
All that grunt work you’re doing for others at your job, they appreciate it, no doubt about that. But if you had an hour each day of the week to focus solely on your toughest and biggest project, what are the chances you’ll create something more likely of getting a promotion or recognized at the next staff meeting?
It doesn’t pay to treat good things as good…treat them as things and then do the things that lead to the greatness you want.
Stay Positive & Pick & Choose
The first half of the challenge is easier to complete thanks to AI, friends, and a good attitude.
It’s the other half of the challenge that technology can’t do and no family member can help you with.
It’s the half that involves personalities, emotions, and narratives. Sure, AI and family might be able to help guide you, but the work is still the work; it doesn’t get easier, but it does get more rewarding.
Creating a sales playbook for a fresh campaign about a new product is easy to craft with AI.
Getting the 15+ stakeholders to hold their end of the playbook stick? That’s art.
The concept begs a question: which half of the challenge are you spending more time on?
Solving a lot of first halves? or solving a lot of other halves?
Stay Positive & The Way To Become Irreplaceable Is Apparent
Before we purchased our first house, we drove around the neighborhood. Actually, we did that and we walked the blocks around it.
Soon hundreds of thousands of kids will be driving around a university campus with their parents.
It surprises me why we don’t apply this approach to the non-physical.
Drive around the software before we purchase. Drive around the online forums before we join the community. Drive around the social profile of the freelancer prior to hiring.
Stay Positive & You’re Not Limited To Where There Are Roads
Might as well check that you’re on the right track.
Might as well check that the height your installing the bracket is the right distance from the ground.
Might as well check that you have everything spelled correctly.
Might as well check that your email actually sent.
Done? Check Again.
Stay Positive & Check Please
I’m an expert in beer knowledge; a Certified Cicerone®.
Yet when I was asked how many varieties of hops there are, my guess was still short of the reality.
It’s a familiar mistake.
We assume our exposure is representative. That what we’ve seen, tasted, or experienced must be close to the full picture.
But it rarely is.
Recognizing that is the beginning of empathy. Of understanding that our lens isn’t the only lens. And opening up to that is a step toward deeper connection—with others, and with the world around us, not just with hops.
Stay Positive & There’s Probably More Than You Think
Why not both?
What does it look like to be better than your competitor?
What does it look like to be a better ally to your competitor?
The greatest brand leaders weave the two.
Stay Positive & Join Them To Beat Them
