What I Need To Do

what I need to do

In nearly every area of life, there are two paths.  There is the path of what I want to do.  Then there is the path of what I need to do.

When I am most happy, I find the path of what I need to do and what I want to do are the same.  They are in perfect alignment.  These are the mornings when it’s easy to get out of bed.  I need to get up early because I am going on vacation.  What i want to do and what I need to do are the same.

I get out of whack when the “I want” and “I need” are not in lock step.

I need to work out, but I want to sit on the couch.

I need to get up early but I want to sleep in.

I need to make sales calls but I want to gossip with friends.

I need to work on a piece of content but I want to waste time on social media.

You get the idea.  The most successful people are able to do two things really well.  First, they are able to focus on what they need to do instead of just what they want to do.  Second, they are able to make sure what they want to do and what they need to do align.  They are able to convince themselves (and this is really important) that what they want to do IS what they need to do…and vice versa.

I struggle with this like everyone else.  But the one thing I find to be true is this.  When I am able to focus my energy and focus on what I need to do, I get a lot more done.  And maybe more importantly, when I take care of what I need to do, I get to do what I want to do more of the time.

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He Said She Said Podcast Episode 25

It’s time for Episode 25 of the He Said/She Said Podcast with Hasseman Marketing!  This podcast is designed to give an inside look at being married and being entrepreneurs and the projects we are working on and the challenges we are facing!    We talk about business, family, community and more. So listen in and let us know what you think!

On this episode we talk about…

Trending Topic

This week Kirby and Amy talk about the fall season and what that means to them.  Though neither of them are a fan of the colder temperatures, they are both trying to enjoy the fall weather when they can!

Weekly Whirlwind

This week in the Weekly Whirlwind Kirby talks about the follow up from their Annual Trade Show in Coshocton.  They discuss how the show was and what happens next.  Kirby also talks about gearing up for a little more travel.  Amy talks a bit about small steps of progress at the building.

Lesson In Life

This week in the “lesson in life” Kirby and Amy discuss the idea that, most of the time, big projects are going to be harder than we think.  There will be bumps in the road…and that’s ok.  It’s just a reminder to not get down on yourself.  It is not supposed to be perfect.  Keep going!

Shout Outs

Each week we want to give a shout out to an organization or an individual doing good work.  This week Kirby gives a shout out to local college COTC!  COTC has a new program offering free college to residents of Coshocton County.  How cool is that?  Amy gives her shout out to new company Dresden and Company.  This great group is launching a new basket making venture and celebrating the history and heritage of Dresden.  Both great shout outs!

So that’s a wrap!  Thanks for listening to Episode 24 of the He Said She Said Podcast!   Any feedback will be welcome as we try to provide you value!  If you want to subscribe you can do that where you normally get podcasts…or you can head here to follow on Soundcloud.

Thanks so much for listening!  If you have any topics you want Kirby and Amy to cover, please comment and let us know!  Oh…and if you like this content, check out this page where you can find all of the content we create!  

The Power of “No”

The power of no

I was asked to attend a meeting this morning.  It was a little early, but I certainly could have been there.  But as I sit here typing this post, I am glad that I said “no.”

When you are a people pleaser, a do-er or an entrepreneur, sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to say the word “no.”  You want to help and you love to be included.  So when you get the request to join a committee, attend a meeting, or help on a project your automatic response is to say “yes” and figure it out.  And, in my experience, the more successful you get the more people want you on their committee!

But there is a cost to saying “yes” to everything.

You end up with a calendar full of things that you really don’t care about.  It’s not that you are against them.  In theory, you think they are great.  But you calendar quickly becomes full of activities that you are NOT passionate about.  And of course the problem is, you don’t have time for the things you are passionate about!

Several years ago I came across a rule from Derek Sivers from his book Anything You Want.  Though I still struggle to apply it all the time, it has helped me tremendously when it comes to making decisions about what to join.  The rule is simple.

If this answer is not “Hell yes,” it’s “No.”

In other words, if you are so excited that you say “Hell yes,” the answer is easy.  You will more than willing to bump other stuff off your calendar to work on this project.  You are excited about it!  But if you hesitate at all, then the answer is probably “no.”  Otherwise you get a calendar full of things are are “meh” about.  You are not against them.  You just don’t really care.

And that is no way to live your life…or to be productive.  So take a look at your calendar and evaluate how many things are “hell yes,” and how many things should be a “no.”  You might want to re-evaluate your priorities and embrace the Power of No.

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When the Leader says, “I was wrong.”

I was meeting with a local leader recently and he asked me what I thought about an issue he was considering.  He had taken a stance that I didn’t agree with.  I had kept my opinion to myself up to that point.  But he asked me…so I opened up.  I always tell people that “my two cents is free.”  And since he had asked me, I REALLY told him!

Don’t get me wrong, I was respectful.  But I was direct.  He was thoughtful.  He asked questions.  But for those most part, he simply listened.

In the end he said, “I have been thinking about this all the wrong way.”

In other words he said “I was wrong.”  And in that moment, I gained respect for him.

So often as leaders we feel like we have to have all of the answers.  We need to chart a course for our team and “stay that course” and have the “courage of our convictions.”   We need to be strong and confident and determined.  But what happens when the information changes?  What happens when the course we charted is no longer working?

And this is not just for leaders.  So often, as humans, we establish an opinion or view of the world, and then move on.   Often, we don’t re-examine these positions.  The world changes…but do we?  And if we do notice that change, doesn’t that make us weak to change our opinion?  We hear people talk about politicians changing their position and we call them “flip floppers.”  This is silly and small minded.  The world evolves and so should we.  It doesn’t make us weak, it makes us wise.

In that moment, when he said “I was wrong,” that man gained my respect.  He was able to listen.  He took the opportunity to get new information.  Then he acted on that information.  That is what true leadership looks like.

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Where Do I Put That Energy?

where do I put that energy

I really enjoy creating.  It most often takes the form of some kind of content.  We do video, podcasts and blogs that we hope will provide value, and then promote what we are trying to do.  It’s my version of art.  It’s what I create.

Recently, however, I took a short break.  I spent September traveling a lot, and I decided to “give myself” a break from this blog.  I still created videos (you can find those here on my Youtube channel) but I decided to take a breath on writing.  I even took a break from the He Said She Said podcast (we came back yesterday).  The idea was to refresh, re-energize and re-focus.  This was my mental vacation…and that makes sense, right?

This break was good…for a short time.  After that, I noticed a few things I did not expect.

Creating Is a Muscle

When you set out to write a blog nearly every day, a huge concern is that you are going to run out of ideas.  I was certainly concerned with that.  That is why, when I start on a goal like this, I like to have a few topics or blogs done.  It gives me a “head start.”  But what I found was almost the opposite.  The more you create, the more your brain sees ideas for content all around you.  You see a lesson in your interaction with your kids, or your team, or the cable company.  Ideas for content are suddenly everywhere.  Creating becomes a muscle that you can strengthen.  Rather than running out of energy or ideas, you suddenly find yourself with more.

And just like a muscle, when you take TOO long of a break, the muscle gets weaker.  Your brain gets a bit lazier.  It misses those signals.  Sure, you pick up on the big moments, but you miss the day to day.  The fallacy is that you will run out of ideas.  The truth is, the more you create, the stronger you get.

Where Do I Put That Energy?

The other thing I found out about myself is the act of creating is actually cathartic for me.  This is where I take the time to push out value and good in the world (often first thing in the morning).  The activity of writing (or editing or whatever) helps to frame my mind in a positive and productive way for the rest of my day.  When I don’t do that, I have this pent of energy that needs released.  And recently, I feel like I am releasing it in the form of complaining.  I am still editorializing on projects, activities, elections and more.  I am just doing it in a more negative and less productive way.  I talk about why we all need to STOP complaining immediately here. 

It’s time to be more intentional of where I put that energy.  Without that, the energy will come out in other ways that might not serve me as well.

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He Said She Said Podcast Episode 24

It’s time for Episode 24 of the He Said/She Said Podcast with Hasseman Marketing!  This podcast is designed to give an inside look at being married and being entrepreneurs and the projects we are working on and the challenges we are facing!    We talk about business, family, community and more. So listen in and let us know what you think!

On this episode we talk about…

Trending Topic

This week Kirby and Amy talk about the most recent election cycle.  Kirby suggests that we need to start with the idea that, even though we might not always agree, we don’t have to be enemies.  Amy talks about a recent Ellen video she saw that went with the theme.  When we say “be kind,” that does not mean just to those that agree with you.  Listen in to get more on this!

Weekly Whirlwind

This week in the Weekly Whirlwind Amy spends some time talking about the ups and downs of the building project.  Though we all want to celebrate the wins, it’s important to understand that in every journey worth doing, there will be challenges.  Amy talks about just a few in the journey to bring the building back to life!

Lesson In Life

This week in the “lesson in life” Kirby and Amy talk about the importance of being intentional at work…but also with fun!

Shout Outs

Each week we want to give a shout out to an organization or an individual doing good work.  This week Kirby talks about friends Mark and Catherine Graham from Commonsku.  Both are generous, smart and giving entrepreneurs…and they recently sold their first company Rightsleeve.  Happy for them!  Amy gives a shout out to anyone and everyone that helps with the Coshocton County Fair!

So that’s a wrap!  Thanks for listening to Episode 24 of the He Said She Said Podcast!   Any feedback will be welcome as we try to provide you value!  If you want to subscribe you can do that where you normally get podcasts…or you can head here to follow on Soundcloud.

Thanks so much for listening!  If you have any topics you want Kirby and Amy to cover, please comment and let us know!  Oh…and if you like this content, check out this page where you can find all of the content we create!