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.
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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
If you have followed Hasseman Marketing, or this website, you might know that I have written a blog for quite some time. Then last year, I created challenged myself to write a blog post every day. I did that for over 6 months. It was a rewarding, powerful and tiring experience! After taking a break from the daily blogging, as you might expect, I fell out of a rhythm. I certainly still write a blog…occasionally. But (as of late last week) I decided to get back to writing on a more consistent basis.
I have several goals with this exercise.
First, I want to get the voices out of my head! I am kidding (for the most part) but I do find the writing process cathartic. It makes me feel good to push something good out in the world in the morning. It’s a bit of therapy for me.
Second, I do truly want to provide you some value. Generally, I write about a few different topics. I focus my time on personal development, sales & marketing and entrepreneurship. These are things that I am super passionate about. I find that I have inspiration everywhere for these topics and I hope they resonate with many of you.
Oh…and to set the table, I have decided I will not write every single day. The weekend will be “my days off” from posting. The goal is to go for August…and see how I am keeping up!
With the goal of providing value in those areas in mind, let me start with a few posts that have most resonated in the past in each of those areas.
I Am Not For Everyone (Personal Development)
Ever create something quickly without a lot of thought? Sometimes inspiration just roles out and you get out of the way. This was the case for this blog. I needed to get a post done quickly, and this is what I wrote. I talked about the fact that “I am not for everyone.” This can be a very hard thing for many of us to accept. But it can also be very freeing. This post was one of the most read of 2018…check it out here.
20 Great Questions To Ask (Sales & Marketing)
This was another post that I had no idea would have the impact it did. The fact is, in sales and marketing, we need to ask better questions. We hear all of the time about “story telling” and that is really important. But in order to know what story to tell, you need to first ask the right questions. Here is a list to get you started.
10 Must Read Books for Entrepreneurs
I have had the opportunity to read quite a few books over the past few years. And though this list is certainly not exhaustive, it’s a great list to start with if you are thinking of starting a business. The best of the best continue to learn every day. So if you know of a book that I should read, please let me know too!
So I am getting Back To The Blog. Here we go. If you want to make sure you never miss, you can check out out blog page. We have all kinds of content there. And as always, you can sign up to be a VIP here.
by Kirby Hasseman
There was an announcement recently about a local business that was closing its doors. I was saddened for the owners and the employees, and then I was fascinated by the response I saw from the cheap seats on social media. Though there were certainly responses that expressed their sadness for the company, there were just as many that took the time to take shots at the business and the owners. The comments were all over the place in nature, but I did notice one thing in common.
None of these “shots” came from other business owners or leaders.
Have you ever noticed that? You rarely see negative comments from someone who has walked the walk. These “coulda, woulda, shoulda” observations nearly always come from the cheap seats. It’s easy to hurl insults when you don’t have to actually put in the work. That’s why, as Teddy Roosevelt says, “It’s Not The Critic That Counts.”
The same is true for other areas too.
You rarely see a One Star Book Review from another author.
The person that creates content almost never posts mean comments on the new video creator.
A person who has worked hard to get in shape hardly ever fat-shames the person working out.
These people don’t spew venom at the person putting in the work because they know how hard it can be. Sure, everyone has 20/20 vision from the past. Everyone has an opinion on what needs to be done, or what you should have done. But most people are unwilling to do it. That’s not my opinion. It’s just math. The work is not done by the majority. It’s done by those willing to raise their hand.
So if you are one of those people that is putting in the work, take heed. You are appreciated. And, like that local business, you might stumble. As a matter of fact, stumbles are inevitable. But the future is made by those that take the step, grab the bull and put in the work. So good luck.
And if you are one of these people that find yourself yelling from the stands, this is your invitation. Pick a project. Take a step. Do the work. You will have way more impact than by just being another voice in the crowd.
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