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A Moment Of Decision: The Lesson I Learn From Their Lies

I have lots of conversations about stories. Late last week I was talking with somebody about rags to riches stories. They certainly do happen. In fact, I had commented about that terrific series of TV programs on the Men Who Built America. Some of those men went from rags to riches. A few of them went back to rags…proving that old adage about going from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in 3 generations.

The world of business has dominated my adult life. Effective selling is comprised of a whole lot of listening, asking great questions and telling terrific stories. Not lies. Stories. I learned those things before I graduated from high school. That was in the era of Watergate – which certainly had an impact on my cynicism. It was proof that things aren’t always what they seem.

Unfortunately, marketing and sales often involve corrupt practices. That includes making up tales that sound great, but aren’t true. The Internet makes it easier than ever to lie. Plenty of people do it.

But…

While I was preparing to go inside the gym to workout, I fired up my iPhone and shot this short video.

Because I don’t care if the stories are true. It’s not the facts of the story that really matter in the context of the conversation we were having about rags to riches tales. What matters is the moment of decision. Most often they’re described in vivid detail to compel listeners to understand the depths of despair…the low point from which the person can climb to find success. It makes the rise seem more spectacular. It makes us think, “Man, if they could overcome that — surely I can overcome my problems.”

So what if it’s not true? I argued that doesn’t diminish the strength of the point – that sometimes we don’t decide until our back is against the wall. Sometimes we neglect to make the best decision until we’re forced to by circumstances that seem so dire we conclude, “What do we have to lose?” Or, we grow so tired of the despair we conclude, “I’m not going to live like this any more.”

Yes, truth matters. No, I don’t want to deal with or engage people who lie in order to get business or promote themselves. But, there are still important things we can learn – even from the most made up stories.

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It’s Great To Hack Learning, But How About We Hacking Doing Instead?

Yep, change this format to HD if you like. Red and Splotchy are even more vivid in HD. It’s only 8:38. I think you can stand me that long in HD. 

Mentioned in today’s video:

• The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything . . . Fast! by Josh Kaufman
Josh appears to be quite bright. I even call him brilliant, but I’ve been known to dole out that adjective with reckless abandon.
• The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton
• I’m fond of applying Pfeffer and Sutton’s lessons to personal living, too. Not just to companies because I don’t much care about companies any more.

Randy

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Born To Do What? No Plan B


heart shapeNOTE: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

I originally released this video this past Sunday exclusively to my Inside The Yellow Studio list, but some thought it’d be useful out here on the front end of Bula! Network. So, here goes! If you’re not part of Inside The Yellow Studio I hope you’ll plug in your email address here.

 

Do you feel you born to do something? Do you have the talent for it?

What if your plan A is all wrong? What if you love it, but you’re no good at it?

How long should you hang onto a plan A that isn’t working?

Van Morrison’s latest record is entitled, Born To Sing: No Plan B.

Today’s topic involves:

• Going all in on one thing, that thing to which we may feel we were born
• Having a single plan, plan A
• Changing direction, figuring out a plan B when plan A doesn’t work out
Getting To Plan B, a book by John Mullins and Randy Komisar
• And a lot more seemingly contradictory questions…and thoughts!

Let’s see if we can’t figure out a few things…or at least, see if we can gain some clarity.

Do you have a Plan B? How did you figure it out? How long did it take you?

Randy

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Do You Ever Ask Yourself, “Am I Worthy Of Success?”

Do you prefer audio? That’s why I’ve made the audio only of today’s video available separately.

Today’s show is important because the message is universal. Everybody suffers hearing two contrasting voices. One tells us we can keep going, encouraging us to push forward. The other one tells us to quit, urging us to give up because we’ll never be able to succeed. Sometimes we listen to one over the other.

The high achievers have both voices. They’re just able to silence the naysayer better than the rest of us. They think differently. They feel differently. And they perform differently, too.

Randy

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Perry Marshall’s Marketing DNA Test (My Results)

I’ve been on Perry Marshall’s list for years. He’s a Google Adwords and PPC brainiac. I’d also describe him as a terrific marketing guy. Oh, and he’s very likable.

You should check him out at PerryMarshall.com

Since I’m on his list I got the email he sent out telling about his new Marketing DNA Test. I spent a few minutes and took it. These are the results. That’s right, I’m unashamed. Transparency and authenticity – 2 words that make me want to vomit – are all the rage so here you go!

Enjoy. Laugh. Cry. Feel badly for me. Feel envy about my greatness. Pity my weaknesses. It’s all done in a real quest to learn more about myself. One of these days I’ll figure it out. Guess I’d better hurry things up, huh?

Randy

 

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