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Perspective

Sharpening Your Focus in the Final Month

NOW WHAT? It’s December…in addition to shopping and sending cards and all that…you have goals and you need to achieve them.

Mural in Brazil
2013: Art? Travel? Something else? What’s on the list?

Less than a few weeks left in 2012 and, no matter what your goals are, staying focused is of the utmost importance.

How can you do that – especially in the wild, crazy social media world we’re in? Good question – and here are a few ways to stay sharp.

1. Visit the Right Kinds of Sites

Yeah, it’s easy to get pulled into discussions about things like the Fiscal Cliff. And then you start looking at the news coverage and believing that things are heading to heck in a handbasket…making it tough to, as CNBC says, “Rise Above.”

No matter your goals – new clients, a new job, or just finishing the year on a positive note – it’s important to avoid the time suck that can be the wrong kinds of websites.

We love using a 10-minute rule on surfing. Set a timer, surf with specific reading in mind, then move on.

Sites we recommend for this sort of thing:

Danny Brown is one of our favorites, and he has launched something cool called “Help Me Be Inspired.”

If you are studying the Social Media and Digital space, check out V3IM and the inimitable Shelly Kramer.

Communications and PR professionals just starting out can learn from industry veterans like the team at SpinSucks or Culpwrit (where they have a great post on your Personal Brand).

There’s a theme to these: they’re all tremendously positive sites – they’re not starting fights, rather helping to lift everyone up through real-world advice.

 2. Don’t Be Afraid of Something New…

This isn’t about signing up for clients that will drive you crazy, or taking the job that you HAVE to take because, well, you HAVE to take it.

It IS about broadening your horizons just a bit.

Is there a project you can sign up for – even if that means you have to spend an extra hour a day learning Excel, or Photoshop?

Is there a side gig you should consider – because your downtime isn’t productive?

And, should you learn a new language – not because you have to, but because…you want to see if you can?

NOTE TO SELF: You have that Pimsleur Russian thing sitting over there. Fire it up.

3. 2013 Planning AND 2012 Finishing

Time to level-set, too. Some things won’t happen this year – but that doesn’t mean that they cannot happen next year.

Maybe the plan was to write a book – but there’s no way you can finish it now. That’s okay…just get it slotted in for 2013. BUT make sure you revisit the plan for this book-writing.

If the plan was to focus on money, you can visit sites like New Frugality and get tips.

Whatever you’ll miss the goal on for this year, do ask yourself if it’s important for next year. If it is, plan it.

 Stay positive and sharpen your focus for the balance of the year. You’ll be glad you did! 

 By the Way…

If you’re up to learning something new – and that something is Digital Marketing – take a look at this top-notch class from 312 Digital. Use the code “Area224” and you’ll save $100.

Stick a Fork in Negativity

Dave from Area 224 is on a break…from Facebook. AND…

I’m on a break from negativity, too. In fact, I want to stick a fork in it. Because…It’s done.

Fork In Road
Thanks, Girl-meets-art; used with Creative Commons License

Really, though, you can listen to outside forces that tell you everything sucks, or you can choose to ignore those outside forces entirely, and move the heck on.

I’m choosing the latter. It’s hopefully going to bring more positivity to my life.

So this isn’t a missive that says you should give up entirely on social media – considering the fact that a blog can be considered one of the pillars of your social media strategy, I’d be flying in the face of convention if I gave it all up.

But I’m taking a break from Facebook, and, even more importantly, from being so gosh darn negative.

Why, Dave, the sudden about-face? 3 Reasons:

1. Everyone’s life looks better than yours…

But, in real life, it isn’t.

I’ve always had a saying about business travel: Those that don’t travel for business are jealous of those who do. And those who do travel for business are jealous of those who don’t.

The old, negative me would look at a Facebook post and say “For the love of Mike, why are you traveling AGAIN? Shut. Up.”

The new, positive me…actually, I don’t want to make them envious of MY lack of travel – I mean, a Foursquare check-in from my living room seems rather much – but, there is something to be said for not having to cope with ANOTHER airline delay. Or a botched hotel check-in (which is much more serious than a botched Foursquare check-in).

People aren’t sharing their travel stories to spite you. Really, they’re not. They’re just…being “social.” It’s nothing personal.

2. The internet is filled with half-truths, lies, hyperbole, and so much more!

Hey, I bumped into one “internet-famous” person online recently who came clean. They used to make a lot of money, now they don’t. They used to live in a big house, now they’re not. They used to be married and now, well, they aren’t. This was someone that, in all candor, I would look to for advice, back when the perception I had of them was high-flying success.

Rather than grave dance on someone’s misfortunes – which is not only mean, it’s counter-productive – maybe there’s something to taking the high road?

Guess what? This sort of thing will happen, over and over and over again. The internet is a great thing: you can create the perception that you are both large AND in charge.

idog
World-famous cartoon. Copyright The New Yorker.

But, really. If you’re NOT the real deal, the world will find out. It may be tomorrow, it may be a few years from now.

My own take: “Who. Cares.”

Look, I’ve got my own problems, you’ve got your own problems, and we are (GASP) all in this together. Take what people say with a grain of salt…or a salt lick. Especially online. Easier to be positive that way.

3.  Both sides just spent $2B to tell you the other one sucks.

It’s true: either your guy won or they lost, but, in any event, someone spent a whole lotta money to drill home the negative imagery.

Rather than belabor the point of how negative this campaign was, I’m choosing to focus on those things that ARE in my control.

It’s not about looking at a glass that’s half-full while you’re driving a car off a cliff – it’s more than that. Or maybe not.

In any event, I’m NOT sticking my head in the sand hoping problems will go away. That’s being ridiculous. Instead, I’m getting my head out of the sand and focusing on those things I CAN CONTROL.

And it starts with my mood. My perception. My positivity.

Join me. Please.

It might actually be fun!

Marketing Without A Conscience

Scruples? Ethics? A Conscience? Remember Those Things. Please.

(UPDATE: There’s a video, too. See the link at the very bottom.)

In the race to the top of whatever industry you’re in, you will encounter all types. The go-getters, the trend-setters, the over-achievers. Etc., etc.

Hopefully, you’ll also encounter people with scruples, ethics and a conscience.

But something got Dave’s blood boiling

First of all, and this is Dave speaking, I wish James Cordova the best in his battle against cancer. I wish his wife, Tasha, the best as she and her family cope with this terrible disease.

And this blog post is not about them – it’s about the company that is using them to sell product.

Witness this photo, making the rounds on Facebook yesterday:

ViSalus Photo
Company uses dying man to sell product

NOTE: Scroll down if you want to read the full text of the Facebook post.

ViSalus is a Multi-Level Marketing product in the wellness universe. I can’t vouch for whether it’s great or not.

But what I can vouch for is that scruples, ethics and a conscience are all missing from the people behind this marketing campaign.

Rather than a lengthy dissection of what is wrong here…

I want to focus – as a human first, and a marketer second, on some things I’m going to suggest you CAN do when marketing your product or service. Here goes:

1. Show compassion as if the cameras aren’t there.

Cameras are everywhere, but what’s that line about integrity – doing the right thing when nobody is looking?

2. Leave your product or service out of the discussion.

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been part of corporate discussions – LOTS of times – where the people are focused on doing the right thing first, come Hell or high water. Believe me, it has happened. “How big a check can we write for the victims of…?” OR “What if we were to pick up the cost of…?” (NOTE: These discussions actually happened at big, faceless, “evil” corporations. They did. And there wasn’t an executive saying “Let’s leverage this for maximum PR benefit.”)

3. Gut check.

Even if someone IS telling you “it’s okay to use my image and likeness to promote your product,” someone needs to actually ask themselves how this is going to look.

Visalus Post
Complete text
  • Are you lifting people up just for the sake of lifting people up?
  • Are you looking like a good company – or an ambulance-chaser?
  • Is this the right time? Or is it too soon?

The company in this example is Marketing Without A Conscience. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one.

Do the right thing. Know the right time. And ask yourself how this makes you look.

UPDATE: We found this video on August 30. httpv://youtu.be/U4meAO0BRos

Just One More Day…

Yes, we’re still doing our FORWARD:MARCH webinar series; and we have 7 slots left for private coaching and consulting, too. Starting March 5…

120 over 89
Not perfect, but getting better

We’re jumping on the Time is Money bandwagon today. It is February 29, after all, and this is a day that arrives once every four years. (The site we’ve been working on as a side project – New Frugality – goes more in-depth on the subject as well.)

A confession from Dave: I have to control my blood pressure.

After watching and checking every once in awhile, I was corralled by several people to get it checked for real. So I did, and Doc told me I should get a monitor. So I did that, too.

The photo is today’s reading – and I am in no way declaring victory.

Just One More Day…

Wait a minute, we have that extra day to work with, right? So, whatever it is, we can put it off til tomorrow, right?

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Months ago – when I first went to the doctor for something entirely different and he said: “you need to track that blood pressure.” So I thought I would, but I really didn’t.

In fact, the in-home blood pressure monitor was something I really needed, but put off getting until the last possible moment.

Because I figured I would wait Just…One…More…Day.

Time Is Money – So How Are You Investing?

Right…that old pablum again: if you’re spending 10 minutes on something, but you bill out at $200 an hour, then that’s 1/6 of $200 you could be charging someone for.

Sure, you get it, I get it, we all get it.

Except…I didn’t get it.

The cost of the monitor above was about $40. The ability to track movement of my blood pressure was very important – as it enabled me to get a handle on things like diet and exercise and stress, and how they impact my blood pressure movement.

The time delay may have cost me in the long run, or maybe it didn’t – but I put off making a small but major purchase out of…well, out of the old excuse.

Just One More Day…

If I wait just one more day to get off my bottom, I’ll be in a better mood and things will happen then.

If my business waits just one more day to invest in our marketing, our operations, planning or whatever else, the clouds will open up then.

If I sit this one out and wait just one more day, maybe there will be another event to attend that’s even better, or another opportunity to sit down for coffee with someone prettier, or more connected, or with more money.

I’m not an expert – but I think you can’t wait Just One More Day. Can You?

 

Perspective in Business, Marketing – and Life

If you’re new here, be sure to check out the webinars we’re doing in the month of March. We’d love to have you join us!

Baby YOU'RE a Firework
cc License, Camera Slayer

Sometimes, a healthy dose of perspective is in order. Here’s what we mean:

In the past month, we’ve had a couple friends get medical diagnoses that, frankly, suck. Long-term prognosis is good – but life will be different.

We’ve watched a few friends get new jobs and launch new opportunities – and, while it’s awesome for them, we’ve also seen more than enough examples of friends who are stalled: can’t find the right opportunity, found the right opportunity but can’t start it for awhile, or are gainfully underemployed, or terminally in a funk.

We’ve seen connections appear to drop off the face of the earth – but it’s because they had to leave the social media world: bad relationship, crumbling marriage, family issues, or even threats of violence.

And, even though it seems like everyone is underwater with their mortgage: we’re connected to people who are not only mortgage-less, their living conditions can BEST be described as “sub-optimal.”

Perspective is a Funny Thing: You Don’t Get It Until You Get It.

It would be easy for me to sit on my high horse and tell you to “look out for each other” or “be careful what you post because it might rub someone the wrong way.” But I can’t. I don’t have your perspective – and you don’t have my perspective.

I had a good friend who, a few weeks ago, started a conversation like this…

THEM: “Can I be brutally honest with you?”

ME: “Yes.”

THEM: “Promise not to get offended.”

ME: “Okay.”

THEM: “You are sharing too much negativity. Every post, every status update, every everything is…too negative. By being negative, you’re inviting negative things into your life.”

ME: “I’ll take that under advisement.”

This was the frying pan to the face that I desperately needed.

They were 100% right. I was being negative. I was inviting the negative. Thus, negative was following.

The Business Takeaway: Positive Execution

Whatever your business is, it might be easier to look at what you didn’t get done than what you DID get done, or on what hasn’t happened than what HAS happened. It might make more sense to say that “Bob is a VP and I’m just a Manager.” Or “Mary sold her company and I’m still languishing away at mine.”

But, wait a minute: what DID you do? What HAS happened?

Crap, I’ve had too many discussions with people about client opportunities here at Area 224 world HQ that it would be virtually impossible for me to go back to past experiences and not find a positive takeaway.

Find the positive execution and focus on it. You got something accomplished – and that is a plus that you can use as a POSITIVE.

The Marketing Takeaway: Don’t Market Absolutes

I’ve always thought that one thing that churches did well in the Middle Ages was to Market Absolutes: “Join Our Church or Go to Hell.” That’s an elevator speech that is succinct, negative, and absolute.

Not buying your product doesn’t mean my hair will fall out – and buying your product, conversely, shouldn’t absolutely give me a full head of glorious hair.

It might help – but the zero sum marketing game hurts everyone. A plus for you shouldn’t be a minus for me – it works or it doesn’t. Maybe I’ll try it, maybe I won’t. Show me how it might make my life better – but don’t give me the platitude that says “Buy Now, Be Absolutely Thin Tomorrow.”

Empathy Marketing – not Absolute Marketing. People can read right through the hyperbole – they want to see the process BEHIND getting there, not the absolute holy grail.

Walk Me Through It. Don’t sell me on your overnight success – that’s ten years in the making anyway.

The Life Takeaway: Lift Someone Up

The same conversation I referenced above ALSO got me to endeavor to “lift up five people a day.” By that – heck, someone has something positive going on, right? If not, make it happen yourself – who can you send a letter to? Whose status update needs the like button clicked? Who do you know that can help open the door for a new job, a new contract, a new relationship, for someone in your circle?

Five People: That’s Not Too Difficult. Lift Them Up.

Trust me – I can’t sell you on changing your perspective immediately, but I can ask you to seek out things that are positive and GET your perspective changed.

Starting now.

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