Every day, new people are asking me to “like” their social media pages. There were four requests from yesterday - alone. To my mind, I’m happy to see people creating and doing work that matters. But, on the contrary, are they really getting from me what’s actually needed to make a difference? My attention.Thinking about social media for a second…“Please, like my page.“I like your page.Your page will appear in my feed only if Facebook decides that I look at enough content that your page would be relevant. My questions for you: What good to you was the like in the first place? What did you really get from me besides an uninspired press of the thumb? Do you really have an engaged audience?Do you have permission to directly connect with me?Now think about this…Facebook ads that direct me to your website. Your website offers me an opportunity to subscribe to your mailing list.You now own my inbox, and I receive anticipated, relevant, and direct messages from you.My new questions for you:What produced more value for you?If I don’t like your product, I can unsubscribe - isn’t that valuable information? Knowing who engages with your content?If what you have to communicate is meaningful to me, you’ll be able to see if I clicked to find out more. What insights can that give you?Because I’ve given you permission to speak to me, you’ve also received the benefit of my attention. Attention is scarce and therefore, precious.
You tell me.“Brady Helps is a channel for communicating insights into life, self-effectiveness, and leadership to a growing demographic of job seekers, explorers, and individuals looking for answers. Or,“Brady Helps is a blog for people. People who benefit from insights, like to explore, and see themselves as leaders. It’s also free.“Nowadays, I’m used to seeing the first type of explanation - the long-winded ones. In fact, I see so many that I begin to wonder if the simple version is correct. Is it? We live in an age of skepticism. Is what we’re hearing real? In the age of “fake news,” everything is up for question. To counter this, I propose we move back to basics, embrace simplicity, and seek out the straight-forward messages. If you let it be, life can get complicated. Consider embracing simplicity as an alternative.
Yes, we all have 1000 things to do and no time. There is an abundance of responsibility, but a scarcity of time to focus. You have no time to meet, but a thousand emails, alerts, and pings on your phone.You have no time to cook healthy food, but tons of time to stop at McDonald’s, get Starbucks, and drink alcohol.You have no money for whole foods, but enough money to buy the latest gear. Scarcity and abundance coexist.You have time to do all the things you set your mind to do.You can focus on what’s important if you choose. Consider you have one thing to do now and a thousand exciting possibilities that await you. But you can only pick one.Choose wisely.
You’ll need to show up.You can no longer hide.You might be wrong.You could fail.The others will find out, and they’ll talk.The world could be changed for the better.People’s lives might be improved.You’ll be seen as an expert.You’ll be seen as a huckster.You’ll be seen.You’ll be heard.Taking a stand, doing something that matters, might mean many things. But what is for sure, you’ll be seen and be heard.Sawubona.
… and that’s alright! You’re not going to get all of the jobs you applied for;You’re not going to win all of the contracts you’d like; andYou’re not going to triumph over every debate. But, if you adjust your mindset, you’ll find opportunity.When you don’t get the job you want, perhaps you need to target a company that aligns better with you?When you don’t win business, perhaps you need to change your pitch? Or maybe they’re not the right client for you?When you lose a debate, what did you learn from the other side? Turning losses into gains isn’t a consolation prize. It’s growth, and growth is life.
Have you heard of the EVO Planner? I use one, love it, and recommend it to all of those like me - the ones that need an effective tool to help them “do” life amidst a crazy schedule. Yes, I could use Outlook, Gmail, or another digital planner - but I don’t. I don’t because I enjoy the mindfulness of writing out where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I’m going. Writing out my plans on a piece of paper makes my thoughts real and concrete in a way that no other device can. For me, there’s a “calm” seeing a “blank page” that’s ready for me to imagine what life will be like later in the day, this week, this month or this quarter. I’ve written before about the mental GPS. Using tools like a planner, a pencil, and a piece of paper helps my GPS not only know where I’ve been, but where I am, and where I need to go. What do you use?
Back in the 1930s, David Butler produced a movie-musical entitled, “Just Imagine.”
The movie describes a man that was struck by lightning in the 1930s, kept unconscious, and then revived 50 years later in the 80s! In this film, we see how people thought of what the future would appear.
Airplanes have replaced cars, people no longer have names - instead, they have handles, such as J-21, and meals come as a pill.
“I didn’t know the food was yours,” or,“I didn’t look to see who the food belonged to.” “I can’t do it,” or,“I will learn how to do this.““No one told me,” or,“I didn’t think to ask.“The language you use to admit your faults matters. When you say, “I didn’t know…” we are not acknowledging our inaction. Instead, saying, “I didn’t look to see who the food belonged to,” clearly shows our self-awareness and suggests what we can do to better ourselves in the future. Don’t limit yourself by using vague language. Be specific. Be accountable.
A few days ago, I had occasion to speak with a talented soloist. She was sharing the struggles she and others were experiencing as they were navigating a new market.
The challenge is that the new market is tightly controlled by a few chokeholds - agents and an industry organization similar to the Tavern League.
Artist: “I either have to get an agent to represent and show me, or I need to pay a ton of money.”
If you’re looking to break out on your own, spread an idea, make a change - don’t play for the short-term wins, play the long game. Short term wins are low hanging fruit, quick contracts, getting a job so that you can have a job - it’s checking the boxes. The long game involves strategy - constantly evaluating failures and making better decisions in the future. It’s doing things because they’re the “right thing to do,” focusing on creating something better, and never losing sight of “why” you do what you do. Our world is a bit different today than it was a month ago, and it’s easy to frustrate. But don’t lose hope. Focus on your long game.