Podcast

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.

It’s an idea.

Maybe just a passing thought.

We put it back there on that back burner. That’s where we put things to simmer.

Things can simmer without much attention because simmering takes time.

Once in awhile we peek in. Maybe we give it a gentle stir.

We’ve got other things on the front burner that demand our constant attention. They’re the major projects in our life. They’re burning hotter. Some of them are on a rolling boil.

That front burner item is eventually done. It’s ready to come off the cooktop all together. To make room for that back burner idea.

Ideas and projects have a lifespan. Cooking isn’t always the answer. When something is done, it’s done! Time to remove the heat and get on with the other elements of preparation.

Right now you’ve got something on the back burner that deserves to be moved to the front burner. It’s been back there simmering long enough. Bring the heat. Get it ready for the plate.

It’ll mean you’ve got to remove something, but that’s okay. You’ve got plenty of things that you’ve been thinking of getting off the stove. Get them off today.

It’s a birth and death cycle. Something comes off the front burner to make room for something deserving. Today’s the day to get that back burner idea out front where it can have a chance to fully develop.

Timing may be everything, but there’s no day like today!

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Days pass. Nothing profound. Same ol, same ol.

Still we read numerous blogs. We spend hours Googling a variety of interesting articles. Stroll over to YouTube and Vimeo and we watch a dozen videos. Cruise on over to iTunes where we download some podcasts for our daily workout.

Still nothing profound. No AHA! moment.

Until it all changes…and we experience what we were looking for all along. Well, we weren’t looking for that exact one, but still we found it. The needle in the haystack!

The AHA! Moment

If I could predict or create the AHA! moment…I’d be the wealthiest man on the planet. I’d surely be the world’s most interesting man.

Sadly, I’m neither. But I am a man in search of an epiphany. I think you are, too. We’re all searching for more AHA! moments. More epiphanies. Those moments feel so terrific when we experience them.

I’m going to tell you why all this “content creation” and “content consumption” is worthwhile, even if it’s not all greatness. Much of what we consume – maybe MOST of what we consume – is not life changing. Still we consume it.

We should. Click play and I’ll tell you why!

Mentioned in today’s show:

• The Radical Leap Re-Energized by Steve Farber (I read the 1st one, but I’ve not yet read this one)
• Daniel Clark of QAQN.com posted a funny message on Facebook that helps prove my point about content.

You guys are all opening my eyes about this episode… I don’t know if there was something in my water yesterday or what, but I think we need a do-over. Think Tank was not without a few flaws – many my own hangups (the ‘bikini’ discussion) – but if the overall impression you’re all getting is that we had a lousy time and Think Tank sucked… that’s not at all how I feel about it. If podcasters are allowed one train wreck of a show, this might be mine.

Leave me a review over at iTunes, please!

Have a safe, happy Memorial Day Weekend.

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Live out loud. Be loud and proud.

Over 20 years ago Jeffrey Gitomer would open a sales training seminar much like he does today. He’d ask a room full of salespeople, “Who is the most important person in the world?” In unison the room would answer, “The customer!”

Gitomer would then ask, “Let me put it another way. There are two people left on the planet – you and the customer. One of you must die. Who’s it gonna be?” Again, in unison the room would answer, “The customer!” Exactly.

Gitomer’s point was well made. We all think we’re the most important person in the world.

We know what our problems are, even though others may not have a clue.

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.

We might be surprised at the trouble others have seen.

Mentioned in today’s show are two books (they’re both old):

• Quiet Desperation: The Truth About Successful Men by Jan Halper

• Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith

It’s a new week. Go make it a better week for somebody else. It’s the best way I know to make it a good week for yourself. Oh, and one more thing. Don’t tell anybody.

Do me a big favor. Leave me a review over at iTunes.

Thank you,