Foto Finish Friday

Empire State Building, New York, originally uploaded by Joep R..

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Focus Less on Risk & Fear

Frustration
Originally uploaded by Little Thoughts

No matter what you set out to do, there will always be someone who thinks it's too difficult. There will almost always be a detractor. Someone who thinks you shouldn't, who thinks you can't, or thinks you won't. Some will simply be afraid for you.

As long as I can remember I've been writing something. When I was younger I was always writing. My mom used to tell me (with the best of intentions), "You shouldn't write. If you do, people will take your words and hold them against you, no matter how you mean them." She would then tell me that her father used to tell her the same and that he rarely wrote much because of that fear. While I understand where my mother and grandfather's fears were coming from, today I am glad I chose to note them, but continue writing.

The thing is, when it comes to most things in life there is usually some risk. There is usually something that you can come up with to fear about your decision.

The first time you get in the water as a kid, it's a little scary. You could drown. You probably won't float. The first day at school is a little scary. You won't have your parents around. You may not know many people. The first time you speak publicly is nerve racking. You could say the wrong thing. You might forget what it is you have to say. The first time you drive a car is a little scary. You might not keep it between the lines. You might get in a wreck.

Everything is a little scary at first. Some will be afraid for you. Some will encourage you not to go through with it. If you focus on those things though, you will never act. You will be held hostage to the fear of risk and what might happen. While it is important to consider risk, your focus shouldn't be on the risk or fear. It should be on whether or not the endeavor, decision, or goal is worth while in the long run.

Foto Finish Friday

Arc de Triomphe, originally uploaded by Little Thoughts.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Do, Re, Mi

Ashley
Originally uploaded by B-ron.

"We all do 'do, re, mi,' but you have got to find the other notes yourself." ~ Louis Armstrong

I'm going to give you some credit and assume that you probably know, you just have a hard time doing. I know I'm this way in some areas in my life. You get the do, re, mi, part. It's taking that knowledge and applying it in the form of action (finding the other notes) to make music in your life that's tricky.

You usually know what to say. You usually know what you shouldn't say. You typically know what you need to be doing. You typically know what you shouldn't be doing.

Ask anyone how to lose weight and most will give you the same basic advice. Eat healthier and work out regularly. Sure, there are different variations and opinions on how to accomplish it, but in the end it's still do, re, mi. The true success lies in all the other notes that you must find yourself. Desire, determination, self control, and so on.

Apply that same concept to other areas in your life. Your relationships. Your job. Your networking. Your personal growth. Your goals.

Whatever it is, this general idea applies. Deep down you know and can do do, re, mi. You just need to find the other notes to start making some music.

3 Reasons You Should Be Reading

The Death of Creativity
Originally uploaded by Little Thoughts

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." ~ Gandhi

I get irritated with people, including my own friends, who say they don't read. Some even say it with pride, as if it is cool not to read. Some even plaster it on their Facebook profiles with a little, "lol", after it. Well, it's not funny. I'm certainly not laughing out loud and neither are others.

Some say ignorance is bliss. I disagree. Ignorance can be dangerous. What you don't know can hurt you and often will.

Let me give you just 3 very good reasons you should be reading:

1. You gain knowledge.
2. You open up your imagination.
3. You exercise your brain.

So pick up a book and start to read. Gain some knowledge, open your imagination up to some new possibilities, and get your brain in shape.

"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance." ~ Terry Pratchett

Foto Finish Friday

Flatiron Building, New York City, originally uploaded by Joep R..

We're heading home from our vacation tomorrow morning. Hope everyone has had a great week. See you once I get back home and settled.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Foto Finish Friday

Leavin' On A Jet Plane, originally uploaded by drewmaniac.

My wife and I will be leaving on a jet plane tomorrow. We'll be in Boston and New York City for the next week, but I hope to post at least once while we are out. Hope everyone has a great week!

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Different vs. Nutty

Relative Closeness
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

In the comments of my previous post on doing something different, Cassandra brought up an excellent point. Sometimes people do not know the difference between being different with a purpose and simply being "a bit nutty".

I like to leave things to the imagination when I write. I don't like to have to spell it out and I hope we can have a better discussion in the comments. Sometimes, however, it can be constructive to go a little more in depth. This is one case where I think it can be more useful.

I've devised a couple of short lists. One list shows you what it means to be different with a purpose. The other shows you a few things that will make you different, but more on the "nutty" side as Cassandra put it.

Different with a purpose.

• Challenging the status quo for the express purpose of improving things.
• Changing your usual routine and adding some healthy, useful habits in an effort to break up the monotony in your life and job.
• Taking on a new direction in your life because the direction you are heading is full of problems and failure.
• Understanding that it is impossible to be everything to everyone, tossing aside that desire to please everyone and go with the flow.
• Realizing that it (your project, your job, your goal, etc.) is not working and changing course because you must in order to be successful. This isn't giving up, it's quitting at the right time.
  

Different, but a little on the "nutty" side.

• Rebellion against the status quo for the express purpose of making waves.
  
• Changing continuously in an effort to make sure no one knows what to expect, even you.
• Taking on a new direction in your life simply because you are bored. It's true that you might need to go in a different direction, but there should be a better reason than simple boredom.
• Believing it is possible to be everything to everyone. Always trying to make everyone happy instead of just your most loyal of friends, customers, or fans. Note: This isn't really different. This is like far too many people out there.
• Doing the same thing over and over again. Failing time and again, thinking all along that this time there will be a different result. See the definition of insanity if you've got time.
  

As you can see, one list can be meaningful and can lead to other opportunities. The other list will get you attention, but it won't be positive in the long run. One makes a difference while the other just stands out.

I'd rather be a making a difference than just grabbing attention any day.

Do Something Different

Laundry Awaits
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

So what you're doing isn't working. Now what?

Dare to do something different for once. Challenge the status quo. Change your usual routine. Take on a new direction. Decide to stop going with the flow and do something that is meaningful and will stand out. Do something different in an effort to be remarkable.

Of course, you want to do something different for the right reasons. Doing it different just to be weird or get attention usually doesn't work out positively. Do something different, but don’t do it for the sake of being different.

Be and do something different, but with a purpose.

Foto Finish Friday

Green morning, originally uploaded by Catherine Nikola.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

4 Reasons to Ignore the Economy

laundry mat
Originally uploaded by katiemalone

1. It doesn't matter. It's just the economy, stupid. Think about it. In the grand scheme of your life, does the financial status of the world really matter? It shouldn't. It is important to put all things into perspective. You will still have those who love you and those you love. Your friends and your family. You also have your life. Decide to do something else with it that matters much more than any dollar you could ever make. The economy doesn't matter in the grand scheme of your life.
   
2. You can't control it. The stock market is the best example of this. You can watch it go up and down, down and up. You can't control it. You can't control the economy. You just have to be responsible for yourself and your finances. Make smart money decisions, save, and stay out of debt.
3. Learn to live life. Take the opportunity of a poor economy to evaluate various aspects of your life. Learn to appreciate the small things. Take walks, ride a bike, eat less. Help others who may be struggling. Build relationships. Make the changes in your life that you've always said you were going to do, but never did. It doesn't have to cost a thing and in the long run will be more meaningful than trying to make a buck and worrying about the state of the economy.
   
4. Adversity prompts growth. We don't often learn much when everything is going well. It's the most difficult moments in life that teach us some of life's most valuable lessons. If things get difficult because of the economy, use it as an opportunity to grow.
   

Choose today that no matter what happens, you will not allow a poor economy to keep you from living life.

Just Start

Endless Journey
Originally uploaded by h.koppdelaney

Sometimes you have to start.

When I started this blog nearly two years ago, I had no clue where I was going. Not that I have much of one now, but I'd like to think I'm a little more consistent and have a better idea of where I'm heading. The point is, I started. I began. I just had to get moving in order to get somewhere.

You can read all the blogs, books, and opinions. You can consult all the experts. You can listen to all the critics. You can study all the time. You can prepare to no end. In the end, you must start in order to ever accomplish anything. You don't want to be the guy with all the knowledge, but never putting that knowledge to any use.

• Start your project.
  
• Start your diet.
  
• Start your work out.
  
• Start your blog.
  
• Start your goal.
  
• Start your business.
  
• Start your change.
  
• Start your journey.

Sometimes you have to start. The rest of it will take care of itself as you continue the journey.

Chasing Your Dream While Keeping Your Day Job

Blue power!
Originally uploaded by Éole

Danny Brown was kind enough to ask me to invade his blog with a guest post today. You should head over there and check it out. The discussion is about holding down a day job while trying to start your own business using social media.

Foto Finish Friday

First Amendment Rally (Union Square, New York City), originally uploaded by Luke Redmond.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Wake Up

IMG_2970
Originally uploaded by John Rozier| Photographer

Are you going through the motions? Are you sleepwalking? Are you thinking about all the things you're going to do one day?

Wake up.
Get ready.
Get moving.
Work hard.
Accomplish something.
Finish.
Repeat.

Notice that talking about what you are going to do doesn’t really fit. Sometimes I need this reminder as much as the next person. So many like to talk about what they are going to do, what their dreams are, or what they wish they could do. There's nothing inherently wrong with discussing future plans, but at some point you must act.

You must wake up.

That's Not My Job

Everyone Knows It's Windy
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

Aside from my neighborhood lawn mowing service as a kid, the first job I ever had was through a Retail & Marketing class I took my senior year in high school. We had various options in a retail environment that we could take as part of the month long job program. It was a temp job, but often led to summer jobs for seniors who liked making the cash. For some reason I chose Pizza Hut. Don't ask me why.

Because of the hours of the program and my classes I actually ended up opening for them as the cook. I made pizzas all morning for their buffet and then would wash dishes before heading back to classes for the afternoon.

One morning I finished a few minutes early. I didn't feel like standing around with the cook who was training, nay, using me as he sat at the desk in the back listening to music. So I went to the dining area and started putting the place mats and silverware on the tables. I only finished one table before the cook came up and asked me what I was doing. When I explained he said, "No. That's the waitress's job. They'll be in later."

You've heard it before. Hopefully you've never said it before.

The "That's not my job" (TNMJ) attitude, is one of the most dangerous diseases that can infect the work place. It discourages teamwork and is the source of useless animosity. Sure, there are times when someone isn't carrying their weight and you may have to pick up the slack, but is that reason to sour the whole apple cart?

The thing about TNMJ disease is it can come in many forms and can spread quickly. It can be passed on very casually. As in my case at Pizza Hut. I didn't finish preparing the tables even though I didn't think the cook's attitude was right. In the remaining days of my job, I never did attempt to do more than my job again. I had been infected.

Some examples of TNMJ.

• "Someone else will do it."
• "Someone else will speak up."
• "I'm not responsible for that."
• "I can't make a change."
• "I'm not any good at that."
• "I don't want to learn that."
• "I'm already swamped."
• "I don't have time."
• "I don't know anything about that job."

I hope you are never caught repeating some of these. If so, decide today to rid yourself of TNMJ and work to change the attitude of your team or office.

Foto Finish Friday

Trafalgar square, originally uploaded by buckaroo kid.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

You Don't Need To Read This

Eli
Originally uploaded by Emma Werderman

You probably don't need to read this. It's just a reminder.

Continuing the thought from yesterday's post. Most excuses are commonly used over and over. These excuses are used in many circumstances. They are not exclusive to any one area of life.

• I don't know enough.
• I don't know how.
• I have no confidence.
  
• I am shy.
  
• I have nothing to say.
• I will do it someday.
  
• I am too busy.
  
• I have no time.
  
• I haven't done that before.
  
• I have always done it this way.
  
• I don't like change.
  
• I like things the way they are.
  
• I tried it once.
  
• I don't think it will work.
  
• I don't think it's worth the risk.
• I am not smart enough.
• I don't live in the right city.
• I don't have enough money.
• I don't believe it's my problem.
  

Of course, you didn't need to see this list. You don't use excuses. Right?

Excuse Me?

The Many Faces of Jodi
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

An excuse is more difficult to defend than a mistake.

A few weeks ago my wife and I went out to dinner with a friend of ours. We took her to one of our favorite restaurants. Usually the service is great. This time they had a new waiter who was working our table. It didn’t bother us that he was new and made some mistakes. What did bother us was he had a knack for making a mistake and then blaming it on the cook or someone else who wasn’t around.

We all mistakes from time to time. No matter the degree of the mistake, many times the temptation is to come up with some excuse for why. That temptation should be resisted.

When faced with the realization that you've made a mistake, the best medicine is always to take your medicine. Acknowledge the mistake. Say you are sorry or ask for forgiveness if necessary. Correct it. Learn from it. Move forward.

It's not easy, I know. In the heat of the moment it can seem the easiest way out is to give an excuse. But an excuse is always harder to defend than a mistake.

Excuses are never easier, despite what it may seem. An excuse will make matters worse. An excuse reveals a desire to cover up, not repair damage done or change direction. An excuse will make you memorable, but for reasons you don't desire. An excuse can damage trust. That's just naming a few things.

So what if you've made a mistake? It's pretty clear to me that the easiest route is to simply say you are sorry, learn your lesson, and move forward.

" Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Foto Finish Friday

Shadows on the bridge v2 19492, originally uploaded by MerlinsMan.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.