by Kirby Hasseman
When scrolling through Facebook the other day, I came across a post that caught me off guard. Well, to be clear, the post itself did not catch me off guard. It excited me. The response to the post, however, really surprised me. Let me explain.
The post included several pictures of construction being done on several sidewalks coming into the city of Coshocton. It showed the machines being run, the progress being made and talked about the improvement this would be for the entrance to our town. To be honest, I was excited. I saw progress. (It still has to do with “What you see.”)
The comments, on the other hand, had a completely different tone.
There were complaints about the mess. Some complained about the noise. One complained about what time the work was being done. I was blown away by the level of complaining about the project! (We all need to complain less…here’s why).
My friends, let me let you in on a little secret.
In every area of your life (and my life) progress takes pain.
Growth takes discomfort. Improvements are hard and are mostly not convenient. This is not new. This a constant rule of life.
- If you want to grow muscle, you first need to break it down so you can build it back up.
- Proper home renovation nearly always starts with demolition.
- Improving your habits takes breaking down old habits to be replaced.
- And yes, replacing a sidewalk (or a road) begins with taking out the old one so there is room for a new one.
So yes, progress can be frustrating. It’s slow. Progress can (and will) be painful. It takes work. And whether you are building a community or a book of business, it will take longer than you think. That is the bad news. Progress takes pain.
But here’s the good news.
Progress is worth it.
Stop complaining. Put in the work. Be a part of the solution. Keep showing up.
Thanks for reading! If you want to see all of our content, head to our blog page. We have new content nearly every day. Oh…and if you want to have some fun, head to our About Us page to learn more about the team.
by Kirby Hasseman
As I write this, the sun is not yet up. The day has begun, if only mentally.
Each morning I find myself looking at a day that I hope to do something productive with. There are obligations, to-do lists, emails, and thousands of decisions to make. How can I make this day purposeful? How can I get the most important things done? How can I make sure the whirlwind does not spin me completely out of control.
Sometimes it comes down to the questions you ask yourself in the morning. I have talked about the importance of questions before. So here are 3 questions I try to ask myself each day.
What am I doing to get smarter?
This has everything to do with what I am putting “in my brain.” What books am I reading? What podcasts do I dial up? We have a choice about whether to just surf social media for click bait, or to intentionally find things that stimulate us and make us better. The fact is, I struggle with this. Sometimes I get lost in the mindless banter on Facebook, or start watching videos on YouTube. But on my best days, i find that I start the day doing something that makes me think. (Here are 5 podcasts that are inspiring me right now).
What am I doing to get better?
In addition to just “getting smarter” there are plenty of other areas in my life I want to improve. Am I being intentional about doing something to improve my fitness? Is there a new skill that I want to learn? Are there business opportunities I need to be considering? Maybe I should be looking at a conference or a workshop to attend. My goal is to look for ways to simply improve to a better version of me.
How can I push out good?
This is a great question at any time of day, but I love to consider this first thing in the morning. It reframes my mindset. Instead of (just) thinking about what I want or need, it makes me think of others. It might be as simple as writing a blog post (that I hope will help others) to making it a point to reach out to someone. But finding a small way to push out some good into the universe always serves me well the rest of my day.
Obviously this list is not exhaustive. There are plenty of other questions that rattle around in my brain each day. These 3, however, help me create a good mental foundation to do good work during the rest of the day.
Let me know what you think! And as always, if you have missed a few days and want to catch up, head over to our blog page. We have all of our content in one place there.
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by Kirby Hasseman
While I love to read and listen to books, the explosion of podcasts have made it easier to listen to new and interesting voices every day. This growth in content is not only great for entertainment purposes, it’s also a new way to continue to grow personally and professionally. And while I listen to many podcasts here and there, the ones I am most committed to are on my phone. I have subscribed.
This list is occasionally updated, but these are the podcasts I listen to on my phone…right now.
Akimbo by Seth Godin
In the Akimbo podcast, marketing legend and thought leader Seth Godin takes on a topic and digs deep. He is thoughtful and edited. I like this one because it is so well researched and thoughtful…like Seth Godin himself. He takes on everything from our political system to our education system…and everything in between. Here is just one episode about why you should write a book…and yes it inspired me to write another!
Ed Mylett Max Out
Ed Mylett is every where right now and you can find this content on Youtube and other forms too. But I love this in a podcast form. Ed is thoughtful, positive, and inspirational and I think he has become a better interviewer as well. Sometimes he gives his own take on success and growth, but often he interviews a diverse list of guests including this most recent interview with WWE Superstar Seth Rollins.
GaryVee Audio Experience
It should come as no surprise that I listen to Gary Vaynerchuk! I talk about him all of the time! His podcast can be overwhelming as they post new content every day. Sometimes it strikes me and sometimes I pass by. But that’s actually kind of cool to me. Often I come across something that I needed to hear right then…and it re-ignites me in a powerful way.
PromoCorner
In the Promo Industry, you really need to subscribe to PromoCorner! Yes, it houses the unScripted podcast with Bill Petrie and I (and I give 7 Lessons I have learned from that here). But in addition the Industry Insider podcast comes out on that channel too. Good stuff.
SkuCast
The SkuCast podcast is the official podcast of Commonsku. While this company and this podcast is targeted at the Promo Industry, I don’t think it only provides value there. If you are a marketer or an entrepreneur (or both) you will likely find interesting takeaways from this one. I really loved the recent episode about the 5 C’s of Creativity. Bobby Lehew and Mark Graham spent some time digging into what creativity is and how to define and manifest it. Loved this one.
So those are the podcasts that are currently on my phone. What podcasts am I missing? What is the next great thing I should subscribe to? Let me know. Oh…and if you want to listen to He Said She Said (the official podcast of Hasseman Marketing), just check back to our blog page each week. Amy and I take on a ton of different topics. Listen in and let us know what you think!
by Kirby Hasseman
It’s time for Episode 19 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 talk about the changing face of retail. Is retail dead like they say? And what does it mean for a small town like Coshocton? Kirby suggests it might actually be good! Listen in now!
Weekly Whirlwind
This week in the Weekly Whirlwind we talk about Amy’s recent battle with some back pain. It’s not a great time (and of course it never is) for this issue. Amy talks about what happened…and where she is going from here!
Lesson In Life
This week Kirby and Amy talk a simple tactic when you are faced with a big goal or a big project. It can be overwhelming. They talk about the idea of “taking the next right step.” When you focus on the big picture, it can be intimidating. Listen in and get their take on the “next right step.”
Shout Outs
Each week we want to give a shout out to an organization or an individual doing good work. This week Amy gives a shout out to all of the volunteers who gave time, treasure and talent to the Community Impact Day. Oh…and here is a video about that. Kirby gives a quick shout out to local entrepreneurs Jason and Carly Thompson. Listen in now!
So that’s a wrap! We will be back…and we will continue to improve. 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!
by Kirby Hasseman
One of the most impactful books I have read over the past few years is Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*&%.” If you can get over the language, you will find that it’s a surprisingly zen look at life’s trials and how to overcome challenges. (On a side note, if you are offended by language like this, you should OBVIOUSLY not read this book).
Like many books in the personal development space, there are plenty of great takeaways in The Subtle Art. But there was one that really resonated with me. It started with a simple question. “What are you willing to suffer through?”
The idea that holds many of us back is that people who are successful just don’t struggle the way most of us do. Life just comes easy to them. They are “natural” runners, or chefs, or writers, or entrepreneurs, etc. Nothing is hard to them. That is, of course, a load of crap.
Manson points out that, in any journey, there are going to be tough times, low points and times you want to scream. Things will absolutely NOT go as planned. The difference between people that succeed in life is often simple. They are willing to keep going anyway. They are not loving every minute of it. It’s not joyful (at least not in that moment). But (and this is huge) they are willing to deal with that short term pain and frustration to reach the goal at hand.
They are willing to suffer through it.
It reminds me of when I was training for a marathon. Though I “enjoy” running, it’s not joyful at every moment. There were plenty of times I did not enjoy every moment. And let’s face it, almost no one enjoys going out for an 18 mile training run. But I was willing to suffer through it so that I could run a marathon.
The same is true for most of the big goals in your life. They will not be easy. You just have to decide what you are willing to “suffer through” to get there.
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by Kirby Hasseman
For over 3 years, Bill Petrie and I have been sharing our opinions on the marketing, branding and promotional products world on the unScripted podcast. Every Friday, Bill and I connect through the magic of technology, and discuss trending topics in our world. We call it unScripted, quite simply, because neither of us knows what the other is going to bring up so you get an honest, unedited view of our opinions and takes on industry topics.
I am proud of the podcast for several reasons. We have been recognized with awards (humble brag). We have received kind words from our peers. And hey, it’s been fun! But the journey has taught me quite a bit as well. So, if you are interested in starting a podcast or any other kind of content, here are some lessons I have learned from doing the unScripted podcast with Bill Petrie.
Consistency is King
One of the things I am probably most proud of is that we push play each week. As I write this, it will be week 162 of the unScripted podcast. That means we have put out a podcast for 162 weeks in a row. It’s a commitment. But it’s that consistency that has not only built an audience but has helped Bill and I grow. We got better at podcasting. We got better at choosing topics. It’s just like exercise. It’s about stretching and working those muscles that make you stronger.
Have Someone Who Pushes You
I am a believer in consistency. But we would have never made it through this many episodes without Bill driving me. It’s so powerful to have someone who helps to keep you on track. Bill has been an incredible teacher, coach and friend through this and I appreciate it. If you want to try something big, and crazy and hard (and you should), it’s great to have someone who pushes you and lifts you up. Thanks Bill.
Be Authentic and Transparent
I almost did not add this one because it’s almost cliche at this point. But if you want to create something long term, it’s nearly impossible to be someone you are not. Sooner or later, your real opinions will come through anyway! So be willing to put yourself out there.
Have the Courage of your Convictions
Some of the most interesting discussions we have had on the podcast (and then after) have been when Bill or I said something that upset people. While that is certainly NOT our goal, we do want to create discussion and thought. Whenever this happens, Bill and I both take the time to be introspective about our statements. Do we really think that way? If not, I think both of us are willing to say “Nah…I was wrong.” On the other hand, if we still feel strongly about something, I think that’s important too. Despite the reactive culture we have right now, I think we need to stand up for what we think as well. Trust me when I say, sometimes that is easier said than done.
Lift The Other Person Up
Partnerships of any kind can be hard. With that in mind, remember if you start something like this that “you are in the service industry.” It is really important that neither Bill nor I worry too much about credit. That is easier said than done! We all have healthy egos…and we all want recognition. But if you want a partnership to last remember that it should not matter who gets the credit.
Continue to Try New Things
If you create something that requires consistency, there is the chance you can get in a rut. That’s why it’s so important to be willing to try new things. Be willing to experiment with your format. Be willing to try new things and fail in order to find new things that work. If you don’t…it’s easy to get stale.
Keep Going
And that leads nicely to my final lesson…keep going. If it gets stale, or you get tired, it’s super tempting to think “maybe now is the time to quit.” And while it’s important to keep evaluating (in all things) I would recommend to keep pushing on. Most of the time that is the voice of comfort in your head. It’s easier to quit than to persevere. Most of the time, however, you are glad when you keep moving forward…even if it’s just for one more day.
Those are my lessons from the unScripted podcast. Again, thanks to Bill for helping me keep this train rolling! If you have questions about content marketing, please feel free to reach out to me. And if you want make sure you never miss a piece of content head to our blog page.
