by Kirby Hasseman
Things go wrong. It’s unfortunate. But it’s reality. Despite a great idea, good execution and the best of intentions, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. You lost the sale. Your company failed. You let the opportunity go. Whatever. It happens. But what do you do then? I think the common reaction is to protect…to go on defense. It’s the reaction where you justify the failure and to protect your ego and your brain. This is the depressive state where you huddle up on your office, or your home, or your safe place and you avoid the outside world. This a natural and very human reaction. And for a time, it might be necessary. But it’s not productive. Once we can, the better reaction is to go on offense. This reaction attacks the problem and tries to fix it or learn from it. Lost the sale? Okay…but why? What could I have done better? Can it still be saved? What do I need to do? What can I control? When things are slow in sales, what do you do? Do you wait for the phone to ring? Or do you, like a lot of people, create “busy work” that will make it look like you are being proactive, but really keep you from being uncomfortable? I have done that. And while we are there, we can convince ourselves we are busy. But it’s not really offense. If you are at that crossroads this morning (as many of us are), it’s time to make a choice. Make a list of the things you know you need to do. This is a list of the things that make you uncomfortable…but could help you succeed. Now go do those. As Jocko Willink, former Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, would say, “You have a problem….Good.” 
Things went wrong. But today is a new day. Now…go on offense. Make sure you never miss your motivation and inspiration. Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here. And as always, you can always shop online for great promotional gifts for your team here.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right!
This week on the podcast I talk about a few people that I admire. These are people who are very publicly chasing a dream that might not work. Everyone loves to celebrate the person on the stage with the award. But to get there, you have to have the courage to go for it…when it might not succeed. Here are a few people that are doing that right now…and I love it.
As I said, I admire them. If you want to admire them too…find them here.
Tyler Smilo: As I mentioned, Tyler is a musician that is originally from Coshocton. Now he travels around and plays all over. He is great. Here is his Facebook page.
Co-Lab: Here is a page that will be very interesting if you are in the Promo Industry. These two supplier companies are working together to create a better experience for distributors and customers. Learn more here.
Tanner Ward: Tanner is a fisherman (who happens to date my daughter). This past weekend he fished at the College Bassmasters National Tournament. He made the final day…by himself. Here is his facebook page. Now we need to get this boy some sponsors. 🙂
Each of these people are chasing something that might not work. That is where the magic happens. It’s the courage to step out and make it happen.
That wraps up the message from the DMJ Podcast today. Please make sure you subscribe the DMJ Podcast in iTunes, Soundcloud or wherever you listen. Oh…and make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Win the argument. It seems like all anyone wants to do these days is “win the argument.” We all want to be right. Anyone that knows me, knows that I struggle with this. I have opinions on things (some I have even given real thought too), and feel like my perspective is the right one. I even talked a little about my need to be right here recently. The thing is, most of the time in life, it’s not about winning the argument. It’s about creating a level of influence. We want people to move in the direction we would like. It’s not about brow beating them to our way of thinking. It’s about guiding them. So here are a few ways to better influence. Never Insult Them: This is probably the biggest trend I see today. It’s most prevalent on social media, but it bleeds over. We are so sure that our perspective is the right one, we assume anyone that believes the other way is an idiot or (worse yet) evil. So we tell them so! Remember, no one finds you, or your way of thinking smarter if you call them names. Listen To Them: If you want to be heard, you first need to hear. When people feel safe to share their opinions with you, they are much more likely to let you do the same. It also gives you the ability to say “I gave you the chance to give your perspective…will you give me the same?” Validate Them: It’s important to let people know that you respect them. You may disagree, but that doesn’t make them a bad person. There is value in you letting them know that. And here’s a bonus one. Consider their perspective. If this a person you feel compelled to change…you probably respect them. If that’s the case, it might be important to consider you might be wrong. The ultimate show of respect and maturity is to admit that you are wrong. (Oh…and I talked about that here). Just a thought. Thanks for listening and considering! We are working to post value to you each day! Make sure you never miss an update or a post. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. And as alway, you can check out products for your next promo campaign here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Kindness is a super power.
Don’t get me wrong. I love all of the Super Hero movies. I love the idea that “someone” with infinite power can save me (and the rest of humanity) if things go terribly wrong. It’s fun. It’s entertaining.   The problem with these movies is they help create the idea that we need someone else to be “the hero” of the story.
We don’t.
We have the ability to be a hero each day. We just have to choose to put on the cape.  And here’s the thing. It’s not hard. Unlike in the movies, we don’t need to lift cars, dodge bullets, fly or bend the universe with our minds. Making a difference in your every day life is really easy. You just have to be intentional.   Here are just a few simple ways to be a super hero.
Give Credit
People are doing interesting and important work every day…in every community. Make sure they get credit for the work. More importantly, give credit for the effort. It’s the effort (not always the results) that they can duplicate.
Give Compliments
Be on the lookout to give compliments. Do you like the color of their shirt? Tell them. Did they get a new hairstyle? Tell them it looks nice. Maybe you appreciate their sense of humor at the office. Don’t keep it a secret. One of my rules of life is, if I catch myself saying something nice about someone “behind their back,” I let them know.
Give Thanks
It’s simple. But it’s amazing how often it doesn’t happen. Make sure you give thanks to your customers. Make sure you appreciate your family and your team. Give thanks to the people that help make your life better…they might just continue it! 🙂
Smile
If you want people to think you are a nice person, smiling at them is the easiest way to make it happen. It costs nothing, but it makes everyone feel acknowledged and appreciated it.  And the thing is, most people don’t take the time. So you stand out as well.
Remember: Everyone has the ability to be a Super Hero. You just have to be willing to put on the cape.
Thank you so much for reading! We appreciate you. If this brought you value, sign up for our VIP newsletter here!    Oh…and make sure to bookmark our blog page here so you can check back every day for more content.
by Kirby Hasseman
“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” I always joke that this is “Kirby Hasseman’s Number 2 Rule of Life.” It’s my rule, but I really struggle to follow it. It seems like the “idiots” are the hardest people not to argue with! They are so clearly wrong. I just need to let them know! Then they will surely proceed to lead a more productive and happy life! Surely I am doing the world a favor by setting them straight. There are a few problems with my rule though. First, it seems like every time I go into an argument sure I am right, it keeps me from learning anything. Sure. Sometimes people are just wrong. But most of the time, they just have a different perspective. If I spend all of my time trying to convince them, I lose out to hear a new way of thought. Second, the moment I call someone an idiot (or any other name for that matter) I will never convince them of anything. No one has ever changed their mind after being insulted. Want to make sure you never miss an update? It’s easy. Just sign up for our VIP newsletter. Each week we do a weekly recap of the content, and sometimes we throw in some specials too! Sign up here.
