I was feeling discouraged today. I doubt I am alone in the feeling. Some days are worse than others and for some reason we simply cant find inspiration. I tried many things, exercising, eating my fav food, I even went to a festival. Nothing worked. I reverted to some patterns (breathe, focus my thoughts, imagine) that help me get going. Kinda worked.
Inspiration is a funny thing. Its an energy that materializes out of nowhere. It can spawn world changing thoughts, amazing feats of physical ability or the desire to change one's life for the better. The power in inspiration is endless.
But yet, we think inspiration belongs only in the realm of the arts. We play it down in business. Although thinking of the big idea (inspiration) can be worth a lot of money. Its only in the day-to-day activity that true success is found. Finding inspiration each of these days can be difficult.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The Last Push
Its that extra rep you push out, in the last set of pushups, where you build a body to be proud of at the beach.
Its the work you do at 9pm on a friday, that gets you the promotion.
Its the last kilometre you run, when your legs are screaming in pain, that lets you finish the triathlon.
Its when your terrified and nervous, but you go those extra 10 inches to plant a kiss.
If its worth getting, its likely going to involve discomfort. Why? If it everyone could do it, it wouldnt be worthwhile but most people don't like being uncomfortable. Its like my buddy Tyson says, "Training for a triathlon involves a haneous amount of pain!" I think it applies to most everything worth getting.
Its the work you do at 9pm on a friday, that gets you the promotion.
Its the last kilometre you run, when your legs are screaming in pain, that lets you finish the triathlon.
Its when your terrified and nervous, but you go those extra 10 inches to plant a kiss.
If its worth getting, its likely going to involve discomfort. Why? If it everyone could do it, it wouldnt be worthwhile but most people don't like being uncomfortable. Its like my buddy Tyson says, "Training for a triathlon involves a haneous amount of pain!" I think it applies to most everything worth getting.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Would you be friends?
During a due diligence meeting today, my boss, Brad, asks the president and founder of the company, "Do you have a lot of friends?" He responds,"In business or personal life?" Brad, "Personal."
It seems strange to value something as obscure as whether a person has a lot of personal friends when buying a business. Brad has bought over 8 companies and has been doing this sort of business for almost 15 years, there must be some validity to the question.
He said to me after, "Don't go into business with people that have no personal friends. Why? Because they are the people that will try to screw people once some trust builds up and the moment they turn there back, the try to take take take."
Its a good test. Would you be friends with this person? No. Then why go into business with them. Compassion and trust are too elements that should be in all relationships, if someone lacks these key components, they probably won't be around for long.
It seems strange to value something as obscure as whether a person has a lot of personal friends when buying a business. Brad has bought over 8 companies and has been doing this sort of business for almost 15 years, there must be some validity to the question.
He said to me after, "Don't go into business with people that have no personal friends. Why? Because they are the people that will try to screw people once some trust builds up and the moment they turn there back, the try to take take take."
Its a good test. Would you be friends with this person? No. Then why go into business with them. Compassion and trust are too elements that should be in all relationships, if someone lacks these key components, they probably won't be around for long.
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