Tag: #SethGodin

Posted on

The Big Accomplishment – A Gift I Can Decline

Seth Godin says that sunk costs are “a gift from your former self”. . and . . “the question is, do you have to accept that gift?”

crappypictures.com

Maybe yes, maybe no. Some sunk costs propel me forward in a good way. Others are an anchor holding me down. Only I can know how sunk costs impact my life. The time, effort and money to pursue an education, a profession or a relationship is worth it only if I’m better for it emotionally.

Seth says that “our ability to rationalize sunk cost is really spectacular.” How hard or easy it is to tell other people that we’re “ignoring sunk costs” – influences what we think of ourselves.

What other people think . . .

So yeah; stay in that profession that cost a small fortune to achieve; so what if I’m miserable. Don’t move, don’t leave, don’t give up that childhood dream – it took SO much to get here. And this is who I am.

But it’s not.

Every day I get to decide who I am.

Is that easy? No – But it’s possible, and sometimes that’s enough.

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”

― Ann Landers
Share
Posted on

Choose to be Different – If You Want To

We are who we believe we are. Choosing to be different is within our control. Seth Godin’s recent blog post points out this opportunity. He told a friend of his:

“The person we see when we look in the mirror is the person we become, the person we fight to defend and persist with.

If you see someone who doesn’t have a lot of friends, then every time a potential friend comes along, you will find a way to distance yourself from the heartache of being rejected, and you’ll continue to not have a lot of friends.

If you see someone who isn’t happy with inputs you can’t control, then when new inputs come along, you’ll find something wrong with them and seek more control not less.

If you see someone who thrives on challenges, challenges will become a chance to thrive.”

Seth encourages me to show up every day and see the person I want to be. This requires I acknowledge habits of thought that perpetuate a self I don’t want. With this insight, he suggests I change the stories I tell. Stop the drama and the dogged discontent I narrate – to myself and to others. Tell better stories.

Then behave accordingly.

“If you want to become the kind of person who can teach an 8-year-old how to play basketball, you can start doing that right now.

If you want to be the kind of person who leads, you can begin to lead.

If you want to.”

Acknowledge the problem.

Decide to change.

Reprogram beliefs.

Apply new behaviors.

Again and again and again . . .

“If you want to.”

“But this is human life: the war, the deeds,
The disappointment, the anxiety,
Imagination’s struggles, far and nigh,
All human; bearing in themselves this good,
That they are still the air, the subtle food,
To make us feel existence, and to show
How quiet death is.” – Keats

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ― Confucius

Share
Posted on

Gotta Know What to Share – When to Share

Excuses diminish when I put a stake in the ground and declare an intention. Sharing can release blocks and reveal resources. My community boosts and encourages me to advance, and that momentum is priceless.

Expressing an objective also attracts advice. Some welcome, some not – it depends on the audience and sensitivity of the disclosure. Will my intention weather the input and resemble what I dreamt?

The alchemy is in knowing what to share, when to share and who’s listening.

In September 2013, Seth Godin introduced Krypton College – and I learned how to pick myself and start a project that matters. The program sunset years ago, but the know-how lives on.

KRYPTON COURSE #001; From the work of Seth Godin

Applying the coursework provided by Seth and his team, I chose my project and committed to its launch date, sharing it with my Krypton College cohorts. Using the “SHIPIT JOURNAL” (Download a free pdf from Seth here) – I fleshed out my fears, identified advantages and hurdles and came up with a game plan. Living The Emerson Rule was conceived.

My SHIP date was May 31, 2014. I gave myself 8 months – which seemed like a long time, until it wasn’t. My first post was May 29. My people supported my efforts, encouraged me when I wavered and celebrated when I hit my mark.

But what about the stuff out there on the edge of crazy? What about the dreams and desires society calls eccentric or peculiar?

Recently I found Abraham and the works of Esther Hicks. They tell me to keep my ideas to myself until they’re fully developed.

Neville Goddard also counsels me to “walk in secrecy.” Doubt and skepticism can spoil fledgling ambitions. Trying to explain or defend a fanciful belief throws me off. Neville says to “tell no man of your spiritual romance” as it steeps. Protect it as it matures and grows. Trust that giddy delight and enjoy the faith that evidence will appear.

The distinction between sharing and staying mum lies within. My desire to write and create a blog was well-known; just waiting on my ass to take action – sharing gave me the nudge I needed. Newer revelations, however, are wraithlike and tender. They’ll poke their head out in conversation – at the right time to the right people. Until then they are in my care.

“I’ve come to know that what we want in life is the greatest indication of who we really are.”

― Richard Paul Evans, The Gift
Share