Methodology

In the world of work, everyone chastises procrastinators.[tweetmeme source=”jshirk.com” only_single=false http://jshirkman.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/http://jshirkman.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/procrastination-isnt-a-dirty-word/]They’re lazy. They wait until the last minute. They put things off. They’re the ones stapling the paper, adding the last image to the PowerPoint, or making that phone call seconds before the deadline. But if they get it done…does it matter? The person who finishes something weeks ahead of time and the person who finishes it just in time, if the quality of work is the same, are no different. They finished the job. They met the deadline. They shipped. Now tell me, where’s the issue? ...

Many of you know I had an incredible opportunity to attend an invitation-only seminar by Seth Godin this morning. There will undoubtedly tons of posts to follow on this unbelievable experience, but here’s my initial reaction and my baptism into video blogging. Oh, and some breaking news about Seth’s future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV0w4pNAwFc

Economy of Abundance ****We live in an economy of abundance. In the United States, the vast majority of people have all of their physical needs met. Many have disposable income, some have so much they aren’t sure what to do with it. The only way we can compete is through superior sales and marketing; in fact, our free-market economy relies on it. The market has pushed the price of production lower and lower, but the amount consumers and businesses are willing to spend on service that goes above and beyond, service that reaches out and makes a connection, service that builds relationships that better the consumer will continue to be more valuable. ...

I was talking with a friend last week who was sending out “email blasts” to clients for a part-time job. He asked for insight about a certain way of following up with someone, so for background, I asked how he got the names of the clients. “Our company buys lists of email addresses and then we ’email blast’ them and ask if they need help with social media” ...

Last week in one of my classes, a professor stopped class for a public service announcement. He said: “I’m not going to learn your names this quarter. I’ll call you ‘this gentleman’ and ‘that lady’, but I won’t learn your name. In fact, the only way I’ll know your name is if you get in trouble. So it’s better if I don’t learn it.” Thank you for the disclaimer, prof. You’ve just earned my divided attention and haven’t garnerned an ounce of respect from that statement. ...

[tweetmeme source=”jshirk.com” only_single=false http://jshirkman.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/fools-never-start/] We’ve all heard the cliche “Fools rush in (where angels fear to tread).” It seems like sound advice, but I feel all too often “Fools never start.” We calculate, analyze, triple check, and stir over. We hypothesize, procrastinate, dream and don’t take action. The problem all too often isn’t rushing in, it’s failing to start. Fools never start… …taking chances when they have a hunch. …reaching out when they know they should. …asking why when things seem amiss. …risking it all and figuring out the details later when pursuing a passion. …leading because they feel they are unqualified. …expressing their ideas because they are afraid they’ll be stolen. …rejecting the status quo for what they know is better. …taking steps to make change. …accepting responsibility and refusing to blame others for circumstances. ...

I’m currently enjoying a week of sun and fun in Fort Myers, Florida for Spring Break. It’s been fantastic, but I just can’t seem to get anything done. I know, I should be enjoying by vacation (and don’t worry party patrol, I am!), but I still have a number of things I’d like to accomplish this week. Unfortunately, a lack of motivation is stifling all productivity. Whether you’re on the beach or at the office, you probably have some things you’d today. Emails to send, books to read, people to follow up with, and projects to work on. ...

I rarely condone taking the advice of musicians who repeatedly make terribly inappropriate and outlandish comments and often make fools of themselves, but Kanye West John Mayer used the stage as a soapbox Friday night in Columbus, and I agreed with him nearly whole-heartedly. A calling is a calling because it comes from a voice far away. You have to make sacrifices. You’ll have to give things up, but following your calling is the most important thing you can do. This is most certainly a paraphrase because John took the liberty of rambling and all but worshipping his guitar, but at the very core of his message, I agree with him. ...

They say winning isn’t everything. I completely disagree. If you aren’t winning, then you’re losing. And from my experience and deep amount of research: No one likes to lose. Can you learn from it? Sure. But a “loss” isn’t always a loss–many times it’s just a situation needing redefined. So let’s clearly define a victory to clear up the confusion of losing. There are three ways I see in defining a win: ...

What are you dreading most today? Is it that tedious project that’s hanging over your head? Or a mile-high status report for your boss? Is it getting to the gym? Whatever it is, do it first. Wake up, hop out of bed, grab your cup of joe and dive in to your worst task. Mark Twain said it best: “Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” The frog is your worst task. That item on your to-do list that leaves a permanently bad taste in your mouth like you’re four weeks into the Atkins diet. It’s a pain. It’s frustrating. It has to be done. So do it. Right now. ...