by Amber on July 27, 2010
The first company I started never did anything. It had business cards, a website, a logo, a business plan, a price list and all sorts of other “business needs,” but it was missing the one thing it needed most to be a success.
The work.
I’ve learned a little bit since then, and now I don’t worry about most of those things up there because those are the details. People only care about the details AFTER they have already taken interest in you “the author,” or you “the painter,” or you “the designer, singer, dancer,” whatever… And the other thing is, they don’t really care about those details, like you care about them. They don’t dissect the meaning of your logo or banter about your color scheme or spend much time deciding to do, or not to do business with you because your business card shimmers or is cut kinda funny.
What sells people, is what you deliver.
What keeps them returning is how well you deliver.
And after that, the price matters some.
My point is, stop buying stuff to make your business, art, creative venture appear legit. Just be legit and do what you do better than or different than anyone else.
The details will come later.
by Amber on July 21, 2010
What is Failure?
By definition it is:
–noun
- lack of success
- nonperformance of something due, required, or expected
- a person or thing that proves unsuccessful
All of those definitions have one major thing in common: they are all about perception. I think most of us look at failure as finite. If you fail, then it’s over, the end, kaput. But who made these rules? None of the definitions presented above state that failure means that success is no longer an option, we just internalize the meaning of the word and many of us run around in fear of this thing called “failure” but is this fear justified?
Fear of failing is an excuse to never try. Maybe we fall short of a mark, which is essentially what this definition suggests, but does falling short mean we should give up completely? Are we ever really left without any feasible alternatives? Do we ever reach an end where getting up and dusting yourself off is not an option?
Well, I’m sure that it is possible to fail, but I can assure you its terribly rare for people to fail in the way we often imagine: A catastrophic, epic ruin from which we will never economically, emotionally or physically recover. For most of us, a “failure” may make us a little uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassed. Crippled and unable to move on? No, almost never.
Again, its how you perceive failure can get you in trouble. In some cases, people misinterpret the time it takes to succeed. Every idea, business venture or creative product is not going to explode over night. An extended timeline does not indicate failure. If you are still in operation, you have not yet failed. Let’s not be so eager to embrace something that makes us so uncomfortable.
Change your mind about failing! Recognize that you have much more to learn by trying, even if you must try and try again. A misguided perception of failure only handicaps progress and eliminates the likely chance that you will succeed.
Keep in mind: Failure is not a prerequisite for success. A Harvard Business School study found already successful entrepreneurs are far more likely to succeed again (the success rate for their future companies is 34 percent). But entrepreneurs whose companies failed the first time had almost the same follow-on success rate as people starting a company for the first time, 23 percent. People who have failed previously, have the same amount of success as people who never tried at all. 1
All the more reason to not inundate ourselves with fear of false failures, and to embrace a path to success!
(1) Freid, Jason & Hansson, David Heinemeier. Rework. NY, New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2010
by Amber on July 20, 2010
Sounds easy enough. In fact, most people think they do love themselves and love all that they stand for, until their perspectives and positions are challenged by someone or something perceived as more “together.” When that happens, doubt sets in and we start measuring ourselves against the people we think we want to be like. We try to fit in or imitate what is working for them and forget about who we are and what we stand for. Inevitably, we come to stand for what has the least amount of friction – what seems to work easiest for those we consider “complete.”
That is not self love, but rather retreat.
When in pursuit of your passion, the first thing you must do is love who you are and what you stand for. This entails being prepared to defend your values and stand tall in their honor, even when it seems like the masses are against you. (by the way, the masses are never really against you).
As your grow to truly love yourself, you will discover elements that make you distinctive. As you embrace these differences and find ways to apply them in your life, you will develop a clear definition on what is, and what isn’t, negotiable. Expect resistance! There will people that are offended by your point of view, or feel you are irresponsible and your perspectives are not well thought out. That is okay! In fact, if everyone thinks what you are saying is a grand idea, it’s probably not. It’s probably a safe idea, and it probably won’t plunge you into the success that you are seeking but into just another average existence – where every one else is already falsely content to be.
Safe is boring.
If boring isn’t reason enough to avoid being safe, another good one is that safe is also not really that safe. How secure can you be when there are a thousand you’s that you can be replaced with? If you are like everyone else, why would anyone choose you? The value of your individuality, of your uniqueness, of your commitment to what you stand for should be clear now. You have all the reason you need to embrace you and your ideas and give all you reasonably can to their success.
Consider the iPod. It is an Mp3 player, but it is one of the best. So much so that many people call all Mp3 players, “iPods.” When you go into Best Buy, the section where you find Mp3 players has a huge sign hanging over it that says “iPods & Mp3 Players.” The iPod didn’t get to be that large by being average, or cheap or blending in. It got there by being great. People can say it is over-priced all they like, by making a high quality, easy to use product, “iPod” became synonymous with “Mp3 Player.” Just think about that for a moment: “Subway” is not synonymous with “sandwich.” ”Coach” is not synonymous with “handbag.” Yet when you say Mp3 player, an iPod is likely what comes to mind.
People read my blog and think I am crazy. I don’t mind. Lot’s of people do not agree with the things I say here. I realize that I challenge the traditional perspectives that say unhappy at work and barely at home are okay. That a reasonable salary is good enough. I challenge the thinking that suggests that adapting to corporate culture is the only way to survive. I realize that this makes people uncomfortable. But I am finally in a place where I recognize the value in my perspective and I am not afraid or ashamed to share it. Nor am I afraid to make decisions in my own life to live it.
It’s because I have embraced my values and I love them and am prepared to stand behind them…
Even when people think I am nuts for saying I might quit my day job to be a full time bartender.
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