by Kirby Hasseman
It’s a great time of year to adjust the thermostat. One of my favorite concepts I have heard recently has to do with a thermostat. It seems appropriate now as the temperatures fall in Ohio…but it’s not THAT kind of thermostat. It’s a personal thermostat. Ed Mylett says that each of us has a personal thermostat. It is set to a certain “temperature” that is determined by what we think we are worth. So if we think we deserve a 75 degree life, we tend to keep our thermostat set at 75 degrees. The good news is, if we fall on hard times (and our temperature drops) we will work hard to get that temperature back up. The bad news is, if things start going really good (and the heat starts to rise), we will likely start to cool things down. This is when we find ourselves outside of our comfort zone…we naturally want to get back there. So how do we “fix our thermostat?” Mylett says there are two ways. Change Who You Hang Around With: Jim Rohn said that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. It’s true. So if you want to increase your thermostat in life, spend time with those that are at a higher temperature. If you are regularly with 100 degree people, you will find yourself being more comfortable raising your heat. Change Your Actions: I love this one because it’s totally in your control. You just have to get over the voice in your own head. So if you normally think 10 sales calls is the max you can do in a day, make it a goal to do 100. Maybe that seems absurd. But if you can increase your activity level and show yourself you can do it, it can help you tell yourself a new story. If you continually do things that people at a higher temperature do, you will soon see your thermostat begin to change. So what is the area in your life that you want to change the thermostat? Where do you want to change? Start looking at the people in these areas that you can spend time with and the actions you can take to push you to the next level. Now is a great time to join thousands of people that are looking to increase the setting on their thermostat! Join our VIP newsletter here. We send one email per week to give you all of the content we create in once place.
by Kirby Hasseman
I was talking to an employee of a local retail establishment several years ago. She was a nice woman, and she had some fairly strong opinions about how a local festival event should be run. She was singing a normal refrain in these types of conversations. Sing it with me: “They should…” “They should make the hours longer.” “They should promote it more.” “They should have more food.” “They should have more dates.” Ironically, I had just come from a meeting about this event. So after about 5 minutes of listening patiently I said, “I am a part of ‘THEY.” We are starting a group called ‘WE.’ And ‘YOU’ are welcome to be a part of it.” She didn’t understand at first. So I explained that this group was not an exclusive club. It wasn’t happening in a dark secret room. It was a gathering of unpaid volunteers that could use some help. She could become “they.” I have never talked to her again. That’s how it works so often. There are those that have lots of loud suggestions. And there are those that “do.” She was a nice person and had some interesting ideas. But the moment someone mentioned that she might have to execute on them, she went missing. The problem with the word “they” is it is victim thinking. If we can blame someone else, then it can’t be our fault. If someone is holding is back, it’s not worth trying. And if we don’t try, we can’t fail. But the moment we join the fight, it might not work. So it’s easier to blame. It’s easier to wait for “they” to fix it. Here’s the thing…”they” are not going to fix your situation, your community or your life. And here’s the other thing…it’s not their job. It’s yours. Here’s a question to ask instead: “What can I do?” In almost any area, you can do something to improve a situation. Whether it’s your community, your fitness, your career or your relationships, you have the ability to do something. Figure out a way to decrease the distance between “I can” and “I do.” And stop blaming “they.” It’s up to you. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter today!
by Kirby Hasseman
There is a difference between “Mentors” and “Heroes.” A mentor is someone who is actively working with you to help you grow in a specific endeavor. Our industry has a great organization that is actively working to connect mentors and mentees, called PromoKitchen. A hero is someone you admire from afar. You might study them and try and emulate them. But they might not necessarily know you. They can have an impact, but it’s usually not face to face. Today though, on Delivering Marketing Joy, I get to interview one of my Heroes, Seth Godin. You can find that interview here. He has a new book out called “This is Marketing.” What was interesting about this interview was in my preparation. You see, unlike most all of my guests on Delivering Marketing Joy, Seth did NOT want the questions in advance. In addition, I knew he had a book coming out…but I did not know what it was about. So while I had a few questions cued up, most of this interview was off the cuff. This would be somewhat nerve-wracking anyway. But since it was with one of my heroes, it was especially scary. The great news for me, is Seth was incredibly kind and gracious. Afterward, he even complimented me on the questions since I did not know what we were going to be talking about. It was the equivalent of me patting my puppy on the head for going outside. “Good boy!” And I was thrilled with the encouragement. So please check out the interview here and let me know what you think! Make sure you never miss an update! It’s time to sign up for the VIP newsletter now. Each week we collect the content we create, and put it in one easy to read email. It’s easy...and you can sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It seems everywhere I look I am reminded of the classic business and personal development book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This amazing book, written by the late Stephen Covey, changed my life and millions of others as well. The simple but profound lessons are ones that each of us can and should be reminded of every day. It seems voting day is no different. So here are 7 Habits, for your consideration, as you head out to vote today.
- Be Pro-Active: This is the “if it’s to be it’s up to me” chapter in the book. So many people wait for life to happen to them. Covey encourages us to make these things happen ourselves. My favorite concept is focusing on your “Circle of Influence.” This allows you to spend your mental energy on this you have control over…and not what you don’t. So how does this apply to the election? Get educated on each race and each issue. Don’t spend time spreading hate. Learn and be ready to cast your ballot in a way that makes sense to you.
- Begin with the End in Mind: When you start each journey, it’s important to understand where you want to go. It’s not JUST about goal setting, though that’s a part of it. It’s about envisioning the life you want to lead and the person you want to be. So…what kind of leader do you want to have in your community? What kind of programs are important to your city? What do you want your area to look like? Begin with that in mind.
- Put First Things First: Now that you have created the first two, put the most important things at the top of the list. We all know this can be tough as “life gets in the way.” But the most effective people make the most important things the focus. What is most important to you? Honestly ask yourself why.
- Think Win/Win: No matter how smart or how charismatic our leaders are, they need to work with others in order to succeed. The same is more true, in my experience, with government. When selecting your leaders, what is their track record for collaboration? Are they willing to think Win/Win?
- Seek First to Understand/Then To Be Understood: I smile at this because, in this election cycle, we have not seen a lot of Habit 5…right? But the fact is, this is a hard one for strong leaders. I struggle with this one. But the best leaders are able to really deeply listen. Are we voting for and promoting people who do that? Are we, as voters, really willing to listen?
- Synergize: Habit 6 is all about putting collaboration together. From my perspective, this is about understanding that many different people with different priorities are going to get elected to different offices. Hopefully they will be able to work together in office to better each and every community. But as a voter, are you willing to be led by them? Are you willing to work with the other party (what ever that is)?
- Sharpen the Saw: The final habit is one about renewal. It’s about reminding yourself about the first 6 habits on a regular basis. In personal development we understand that the best of us are constantly working to get better. Again…how does this apply? During the craziness of the election we seem to draw very firm lines in the sand about our beliefs. That’s great. But are you willing to take those beliefs out and examine them? Most of us are very comfortable judging others…but are you willing to re-evaluate yourself?
No matter how you vote today (and I hope you notice I didn’t tell you how to), keep these 7 Habits in Mind as you go to the polls. Despite your frustrations or your politics, we are taking part in a grand tradition. Let’s give it the thought and respect it deserves.
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by Kirby Hasseman
In a rare date night, my wife and I went to the movies to see “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The new movie, about the band Queen, was entertaining and eye opening. Lead singer, Freddie Mercury, was played extremely well by Rami Malek. And it was super cool to get the backstory around some of their iconic songs and how they all came together. I am no movie critic, but I thought it was worth watching…especially if you are a music lover. The next day, I was struck by a few things about the movie that stuck with me. Here are 3 things that Bohemian Rhapsody reminded me. Being Authentic Is Hard: When most of us think of Freddie Mercury today, we visualize the larger than life performer on stage. Though that was a part of him, it was certainly not all of him. The movie showed Freddie struggle with his family (he changed his name), his faith, his sexuality and his own loneliness. Though we see him now as a trailblazer (and he was), it was far from easy. But the world is different because he was (and Queen was) authentic. Creative Discord Is Good: The movie showcases the creative process of the band well. There are moments of fun and inspiration. But there are also moments of yelling. At one points, when Freddie works on a project on his own, he finds he misses the process. He points out to the group that when everyone just “did what he said,” the music wasn’t has good. Sometimes we try to get rid of that discord…and we shouldn’t. Fortune Favors The Bold: Queen was amazingly talented and unconventional. They were known for pushing boundaries in every way…and their music shows it. They refused to be put “in a box” as a musical style. So they experimented with different styles of music and ways to record it. They refused to go with convention. By charting their own path, Queen created a compilation of music like no other. Go watch the movie. Or don’t. But today will be filled with some of Queen’s greatest hits playing in the office. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
We live in an amazing time. Regardless of what dream you want to chase, you have access to unlimited information about the topic. You can find articles, podcasts and videos explaining just about any topic under the sun. You just need to “google it.” *Want to fix the plumbing on your sink? You can find a great video on youtube. *Want to be a better parent? The internet is filled with articles and blogs on the topic. *Need to get in better shape? Find an event to train for, and the training plan, right online. In addition, the internet has broken down walls allowing just about anyone to into spaces that were, in the past, blocked off. If you want to create a video series, start a podcast or even write a book, you don’t need anyone else’s permission. You just need to have the courage and moxy to DO it. Like I said, we live in an amazing time. So what are you doing with it? Are you scouring the web for articles, videos, and podcasts about the topic you are passionate about? Are you looking for events to attend that will help you grow and understand more on your topic? Do you work to find books to help you grow? If not, you have to ask yourself, what’s holding you back? It’s not the technology. The barriers to entry and information have been taken down. You can find the information, the people, and the software you need. But are you willing to invest? Are you willing to invest the time to learn? Are you will to spend the time to grow? 5 years from now you will be same person you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read. What are you doing today to be a better you tomorrow? Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter today. It’s a little investment and it costs nothing. We put together our posts in one email each week. Sign up here.
