by Kirby Hasseman
Each week, we pride ourselves on creating content for our customers, peers and prospects that will entertain and inspire. Some weeks we have more than others, but we try to be consistent. But with the crazy changes we have all been forced to make, we have committed to creating more content than ever. As I put together our weekly email to those on our VIP list (you can sign up for that here), it struck me that it would be good to have this all in one place…on one blog.
So let’s dig into a lot of content this week…with a very short description to help you know where to start.
Why Giving Joy is More Important Than Ever
There is plenty of frustration, anxiety, and fear in the world today. Read this blog and learn why and how to give out Joy instead.
Brand-ecdotes with Jeff Wickerham
This new series about our team is making a lot of people smile! Check out our latest and learn a bit more about Account Executive Jeff Wickerham!
Tips For Working Remote from Remote Workers
And it’s official…many of us are being asked to officially work from home. Here are some tips to working remote from some of our team that actually does it! Read now!
He Said She Said Podcast
This time on the He Said She Said podcast, Kirby and Amy talk about the evolution of the Coronavirus…and their views on it. They talk about what they have been working on…and so much more. Listen in and catch up now.
Delivering Marketing Joy (Video)
It’s time for Delivering Marketing Joy! This time entrepreneur Jason Nokes from PromoPulse flips the script on Kirby and asks hime the questions. They talk about how he creates so much content and what he uses. Watch now if you want to use this time to get more done!
unScripted Podcast Coronavirus Special Edition
We don’t usually share this podcast on this email but felt it could be valuable today. This time on a special edition of unScripted, Kirby and Bill talk about how some companies are dealing with the crisis. There should be value here for any organization. Listen in.
5 Types of Media To Blame
It has become very easy to blame the media for every crisis these days. But what does “the media” mean? It’s not a simple as you think. Here are 5 different types of media to blame.
I Learned A Dance In Quarantine
Want a break from the heavy? Need something to make you smile? We know…you need some Marketing Joy! Then check out this vlog created yesterday…as Kirby learns a dance in quarantine. Watch…enjoy…smile.
Create A Work From Home Kit
If you are a leader of an organization, you might have people working from home now. So how do you keep them connected to the culture? Obviously communication is important. Here are a few more ideas. Create a work from home kit. Check it out here.
As always, you can find all of this on our blog page here. But we thought this might be helpful as you look to lift your spirts and be inspired as you work from home. Oh…and if you want to be on our VIP list, you can sign up for that here.
by Kirby Hasseman
With the launch of my new book “The Give First Economy,” I reached out to several of my friends and peers that do podcasting and content to see if they could help me out. It’s always a vulnerable email to send out that says “please help me.” So I was humbled and honored that several people were kind enough to take me up on the offer. What was really cool was that each of these conversations, while they covered similar topics, were very different in tone and content.
That’s what happens when you are interviewed by professionals. They all have their own view, tone and vision for interviewing. Here are a few podcasts that were kind enough to have me.
Skucast with Bobby Lehew
Bobby Lehew is one of the most cerebral people in the Promotional Industry. He is an extremely well-read and thoughtful interviewer. Bobby wanted to dig into part 2 of the book first, and then chat about “giving first.” He even shared his own experience with getting too caught up in the chaos and the need to incorporate some meditation as a practice in your life. Listen to that conversation here.
So You’re In Sales with Roger Burnett
Roger is a believer in the “give first” philosophy and has created a business model around it. Roger dug right in on the concept of the book and wanted to unpack the idea that we have an “Appreciation Gap” in most organizations. Listen in to Roger and I here.
Clone Yourself with Sam Kabert
Sam Kabert is another friend of mine in the Promo Industry and is known for his SWAG Sam personality. But Sam has also become an expert in getting more done through the use of Virtual Assistants and speaks about that all over (he has even written a book about it). Sam and I have a pretty soulful conversation about the ins and outs of getting more done…but being more fulfilled and happy. Sam wants to go deep in his interviews and he does a great job drawing that out. Listen to that conversation here.
There are some more great conversations coming up soon and I will share those as well. But the book has done well (so far), in no small part to these amazing and gracious people that have been willing to have me on their podcasts…and lead a conversation. I so appreciate them “giving first” in this way.
If you want to keep up with all of the content on our site, please check out our blog page. We keep nearly all of the content we create in that one place.
by Kirby Hasseman
We all have “that voice” in our head. I have talked about it before. It’s the voice that says you are not smart enough, or that no one cares what you think. It’s a voice that we all have to overcome if we want to put ourselves out there and live our best life.
Trust me, when I say you can overcome it. It can be done. But even after you overcome the voice at one time, or in one area, it will come back.
When you put yourself out there again, or when you step into a new situation, or push yourself further than you are used to pushing yourself, “that voice” will come back…and be louder than ever.
This happened to me quite a few times with the release of my new book. Let me give you an example.
During the week of the book launch, I wanted to make a big splash. I am proud of the new book and wanted to get it into as many hands as I could. I had even read a book called “Book Launch” so I could be extra prepared with strategies and tactics. So I prepared a “launch date” of January 6th and worked hard to schedule posts, videos, podcasts and more to make sure the new book did a canon-ball in a small pool!
I felt like I was everywhere!
As a matter of fact, after the launch on Monday and a podcast with Commonsku on Tuesday, when Wednesday rolled around and I was posting ANOTHER podcast, “that voice” was screaming at me!
“You are getting over-exposed,” the voice was yelling.
“No one wants to see this much of you,” it continued.
“Who do you think you are?” it bellowed.
To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed and was thinking of pulling back (3 days into a book launch). Was this all too much? Are people becoming annoyed? Am I overexposed?
Then something funny happened. On that Wednesday, Roger Burnett posted his “So You’re In Sales” podcast to the Promo Professionals Facebook group. I really felt like everyone in this group was tired of me! But in that comment stream a person who I know and respect commented “Oh…I had no idea Kirby had written a book! Thanks for sharing…I will check that out!”
I was totally convinced I was “over-exposed” and a person I know, who knows me, is in the same profession and in the same Facebook group had no idea I had written a book!
That was when I got a powerful reminder. “That voice” is a liar.
If you are on a path of creating something new or pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, that voice will tell you to stop or that it’s not good enough. Don’t listen to it. Keep going. That voice is a liar.
Thanks so much to everyone that has helped me with the launch of the new book. I sincerely appreciate it. You can find the paperback and kindle version here.
by Kirby Hasseman
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.
Make sure you never miss a piece of content we produce! You can head to our blog page here. We have blogs (obviously) and podcasts and videos all in one place. You can also sign up to become a VIP here.
by Kirby Hasseman
When it comes to chasing (nearly) any goal, there are so many factors that I can’t control. These outside factors can make it daunting to even consider starting. No matter the endeavor, or the person, I think we all see these roadblocks. As we consider the journey, we even list them in our mind.
- There is not enough time.
- There are already people doing it.
- I am not smart enough.
- I am not talented enough.
- No one will care what I have to say.
- No one will want to buy from me.
You get the idea. This list of roadblocks and excuses get larger the longer you dwell on them. There are so many reasons why things will not work, there is a big percentage of people that will simply not try at all. But here’s the thing about these roadblocks and excuses. You can’t control most of them. You can’t make yourself taller, or more handsome, or more talented. You can’t wave a magic wand and create more time. You can’t make people care what you have to say.
You really only have control over a few things. You have the ability to improve your attitude. You can change they way you think about challenges. You can commit to viewing the inevitable challenges you will face with a smile. You can embrace the art.
The Art of Showing Up.
You see, I cannot make myself more handsome or lucky. I can’t become the quintessential writer of our time. I will probably never be the most persuasive salesperson or the fastest runner. But I can keep showing up. Every day, I can post a blog. Every day I can make that extra call. Every day I can do the push ups or the run. I control that. I control my attitude and my effort. And so do you.
Oh…and make no mistake…there IS an art to that. Bob Dylan is remembered for the classic songs he wrote. But what is forgotten is how many songs he wrote and recorded. He was prolific. Had he only recorded one album, we probably would not know who he was. He kept working and writing and recording. He kept grinding. He kept showing up.
And then one day…he was a legend.
If you are wavering on your commitment today, I get it. We all get tired and frustrated at times. But on this morning, don’t worry about being perfect. Don’t worry about being the best. Just commit to the art of showing up…again and again.
Make sure you never miss an update! We will try to continue to show up for you on our blog. You can check that out here. Oh…and if you want our content delivered to your inbox each week, sign up to become a VIP here.
