Randy Cantrell

Randy Cantrell is the founder of Bula Network, LLC - an executive leadership advisory company helping leaders leverage the power of others through peer advantage, online peer advisory groups. Interested in joining us? Visit ThePeerAdvantage.com

The Fear Of Failure Has No ON/OFF Switch

Personal Development, Video / By

What’s does it mean to fail anyway?

Does failure have a time zone…or a time component? That is, if you’re unable to accomplish something in a predefined period of time…does that make you a failure? Or does it just mean you’re a slower learner?

Beware of the person who says they have no fear.

Remember when the NO FEAR brand was a big deal (well, maybe it still is, but I don’t see it much these days). I admit I had a few baseball caps from that company. I embraced the notion of moving forward in spite of fear, but I’ve never believed we could just make up our mind that we would no longer be afraid.

Sure, fear can be overcome, but isn’t there something about fear that makes us alive? Don’t we get our juices going when we’re afraid? How else can you explain the wild attraction people have to horror movies like SAW? Some of us enjoy being afraid.

Have you ever been scared enough to run? Scared enough to do something other than what you were doing? Me, too.

There are times when fear drives us to take actions we wouldn’t otherwise take. And there are also times when we have to face our fear – and do the thing we’re afraid of any way!

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Chasing And Catching Entrepreneurship: How Can You Solve It? (Part 4 of 4)

Entrepreneurship, Video / By

This is the follow up question to #3, “What’s your biggest frustration?”

Mentioned in today’s video:

• New York Times blog post by David Pogue
• Arriva headphones for the ipod Shuffle
• Twisted Wave – audio recording software aimed for those of us dealing in spoken word
• Mixergy.com – Andrew Warner interviewed a founder of Weebly
• Don’t let today be the day that you quit.

Will you do me a big favor?
Insert your name and email address in the sign-up box in the upper right hand corner. I’ll make it worthwhile for you.

Thank you!

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Episode 132 – One May Be The Loneliest Number, But It Is Also The Most Magical Number

Entrepreneurship, Personal Development, Podcast / By

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Three Dog Night circa 1970 (give or take)

In 1969 Three Dog Night had a hit song written by Harry Nilsson, ONE.

It was the first song on their first album. Think about that because it’s important for today’s show.

We’re all chasing increased website traffic. We want a bigger audience. A larger market. More people.

Whether we’re writing a blog or selling a product, larger audiences trump smaller ones.

Just like more money is better than less money.

Being popular is better than being unknown.

An increase in audience brings with it a potential increase in sales, connections, joint venture opportunities, more dynamic relationships and a host of other benefits.

No, you’re not foolish to crave all these things…or to even chase them with all your might.

But, as the saying goes, “You gotta crawl before you can walk.”

I hope you’ll subscribe to the newsletter. Just enter your email address in that box in the upper right hand corner. I’ve got some special treats in store for you if you do!

Thanks for listening.

 

Episode 132 – One May Be The Loneliest Number, But It Is Also The Most Magical Number Read More »

Chasing And Catching Entrepreneurship: What’s Your Biggest Frustration? (Part 3 of 4)

Entrepreneurship, Video / By

Mentioned in today’s episode:

• iVideoHero – it’s a perfect example of a gap in a market that is well served with this tutorial product
• 37 Signals – they’re another great example of a company whose products stem from solving problems they faced
• Evernote – a wonderful tool that many of us couldn’t live without, now that we’ve got it
• GoatMilkStuff – not mentioned, but another fine example of a small business that grew out of a frustration/desire. This is directly from their website: “PJ’s adventures into soapmaking originated five years ago out of her desire to not use chemicals on the children’s skin.”
• My resources page has links to a variety of useful items…from premium WordPress themes, to membership site plugins, to sources for pro audio gear. Many of these companies likely began because the owners were frustrated. Maybe they saw no solution. Maybe they didn’t see suitable solutions.

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The Novice Expert

Communication, Personal Development / By
"I don't need no stinking class."

Surfing is like anything else. You’ve got to learn it.

Now, I’ve never taken a surfing class, but I’m sure one or more of these guys is thinking, “I don’t need this. I just wanna go surf.”

The world is full of people who know not that they know not.

They’re a sad lot, but they do provide some killer YouTube content.

But there’s another group. They know something. Many are even highly educated. They’re just inexperienced.

“I don’t need no stinkin’ experience.” 

That’s the caption underneath their photo.

Recently I was indirectly involved in a sales situation. The business owner was lamenting how a novice salesperson was chasing a deal he felt was a long shot. Worse yet, the company had some resources tied up in chasing the deal. As I am wont to do, I shot my mouth off telling the business owner, “It’s like trying to be a vitamin when the client wants and needs and aspirin.”

We talked about how hard it can be to convince a prospect that they need whatever we’ve got. Again, I couldn’t resist mouthing off, “But, I’ve only got 40 years experience so I don’t likely know enough.” We chuckled and he replied, “Yeah, your 40 years has likely jaded your perspective.” More laughter.

The serious issue is that I know very clearly that there are many things I don’t yet know. I feel like I’m the guy Dirty Harry was talking to when he made this exhortation…

A man’s gotta know his limitations.

Many novices don’t yet know that. Their confidence – real or fake – gets in their way and works against them.

Many experienced people are just as guilty.

Today try looking for things you can learn. Don’t presuppose you know the right answer. Maybe you do, but it won’t hurt if you remain quiet for a few minutes. Don’t be so quick to think, “I don’t need to listen to this. I know exactly what ought to happen.”

You might save yourself embarrassment. You might learn something. Or, you might foster greater confidence from others.

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