The Power of Words
Starting Each Day With A Little Thinking...Blog Challenge Day 14
End of week two here. Today Natalie asks us to consider:
- What are two key ways you could use the habits of a millionaire to monetize your blog in the next month?
Unlike previous days, today Natalie used a podcast – with Jaime Tarde – to deliver the information on how to take on the question. Maybe I just wasn’t listening well or maybe I’m more of a “reader” versus a “listener”, but the podcast didn’t click with me like the previous thirteen day. That said, there was still some good information. Jamie tossed out two ideas that were solid that I’ll definitely be embracing:
- Make sure you’re moving forward / constantly in motion towards your end state
- Don’t make excuses — or at least don’t let them get in the way of the forward motion
Two solid tips that are worth adopting.
If you want some more information on the challenge, check out the post on day thirteen at:
http://suitcaseentrepreneur.com/blogchallenge/blog-challenge-day13
KITA
That’s short for “Kick in the Ass (KITA)”. Originally, I thought I’d title today’s post “push” and work in the KITA concept; however, I quickly realized that in so doing I’d be falling prey to exactly what I was going to write about!
It’s so easy to dream about the future that we want. To envision how wonderful it will be. To run through in our mind how we’ll actually put Johnny Paycheck’s classic song in to action. And yet here we are on Monday morning. At the same desk. Staring at the same computer. Ready to do the same thing all over again. Why is that? We know it’s not what we want to do, yet we keep on doing it. And we’ll keep doing it until we get a swift KITA.
KITA’s come in many forms:
- A health scare
- The loss of a job
- The birth of a child
- A frank conversation about what’s wrong with your life with someone you know and respect
Regardless of the form of the KITA, they all share a common trait:
- They are a form of significant emotional experience
Only when we are faced with an event that has emotional impact are we open to stepping out of our comfort zone. There is no doubt that when faced with a KITA there is an impact. If you’ve ever had health scare, lost your job, had a child, or had one of those “Come to Jesus” meetings with a friend you remember. You remember the feeling in your stomach. The heighted sense of awareness. The fear. The change. And finally the fact that it all worked out in the end in spite of the perceived immenseness of the situation at the time. That’s because we each have huge untapped abilities to function at higher levels. We simply don’t tap these levels until something or someone provides that KITA.
With that in mind:
Are you in need of a swift KITA?
As always, thanks for the time.
Blog Challenge Day 13
Today Natalie’s asking us about our actual web presence:
- What three things would you most like your website to have and how will you go about getting them?
Well, first I’ll need to launch my actual “business” web site. However, that won’t be difficult at all through the wonders of WordPress. As I’m early in the process, in my opinion, it’s all about building an audience. The key is to transform from simply appealing to the intellectual to somehow triggering the emotional in the folks that come to the website. Therefore, let’s go with:
- A solid, memorable logo + name/call to action that is catchy. These will be the basis of “my brand”. This one deserves a good chunk of my time. This one should come pretty directly out of reviewing the previous responses in the blog challenge with a special emphasis on my USP. I also plan on running through the post Natalie mentioned on “laser focus” and see what I’m missing.
- A set of “roll through” pictures that speak to the ideal world / better state that I’ll be looking to help folks find. Each image has to evoke emotion and suggest action. I need the visuals to tie in to the call to action / drive the connection. I’ll likely look to have my wife Sonya and daughter Casey help out here. They’re good with picture and visuals / they’ll do a better job than I ever could!
- An e-mail opt in option. Getting folks to the page, but not capturing their information would be a bit pointless! The how here is to do my research on Mail Chip and A-Weber, see which one makes the most sense, and add an opt in option to the web page.
Pretty basic stuff, but that’s OK. Start with the fundamentals and build from there.
If you want some more information on the challenge, check out the post on day thirteen at:
http://suitcaseentrepreneur.com/blogchallenge/blog-challenge-day13
Blog Challenge Day 12
Welcome to Saturday morning and day 12 of the blog challenge. Today Natalie’s got us looking internally to identify our USP or Unique Special Proposition as she calls it. First thing that comes to mind is that here definition is a bit different than the “normal” USP. Normally the “S” stands for Selling versus Special. It’s an important distinction in that Natalie’s reinforcing the key to success is to be yourself versus looking to sell someone or something else. Subtle but very important! Today’s “official” prompt”
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What is your USP Unique Special Proposition that sets you apart from the crowd?
Natalie even went so far as to provide a series of questions to help you uncover your USP. Never one to pass up help, I thought it would be useful to follow the rubric:
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What are you better at than anyone else? Everyone has always told me that my mind works totally differently / I think faster and make connections that they don’t see.
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What do you enjoy doing the most? Can’t pin it down to just one thing! Some of the big one’s are playing games (fishing, golf, bridge, biking, etc.), reading and learning, and helping other people learn, grow and live better.
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What do (or could) you provide that no one else is providing? Help with getting on the path to learning, growing, and living. I’ve had a great set of life/career experiences + recently had to answer (or start to answer!) the “what do you want to be when you grow up question”.
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What annoys people the most about your industry or blog area? That there’s nothing there and what is there is “academic”. When I reflect on how/where/who helped me to figure out “things” (health, career, family, passion, etc.) it becomes apparent rather quickly that there have been limited “single point” resources. I’ve been able to read a lot from books and pick up a bit from professional coaches/trainers. However, a lot of what I’ve read is academic versus practical. I have been helped by multiple individuals over time that challenged me to think about things — Udatta, Paul, and Ed probably had the biggest impact. Although many others stand out; and, it just occurred to me, those that I have helped have also been invaluable in helping ME grow. As I worked with them to help them, they taught me a ton!
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What is remarkable about you? That I can move between so many areas so easily. I’ve got a PhD in engineering; have played for championship softball teams; lived internationally; played golf to single digit HCP; fished competitively; worked in research, project management, marketing, commercial management, operations, purchasing, logistics; developed a successful Subway franchise; changed careers to financial planning; raised a family; coached kids teams; achieved financial independence and done a ton of other things! In each of these areas I’ve always (i) acclimatized quickly, (ii) enjoyed the experience, (iii) met great people, and (iv) had success quickly.
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Do you have an unusual combination of elements? <<see the answer above>>
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Do you have a big personality? Yes and no. I’m not the guy that will go on stage at Vegas. However, I do have a strong “presence” and folks often accuse me of being “intimidating” as I think very quickly and take things to a new level in a hurry. Folks have repeatedly remarked that I’m both interesting and fascinating. I also get feedback that I’m a nice/good person. Finally, I’ve got a big mouth / can’t keep it closed. I tend to speak my mind and can not tolerate things that are either irrational or unfair.
Now I’m not sure whether to be mad or glad with Natalie at this point in time. I just uncovered a HUGE number of things that will help me with my USP; however, the actual USP is not jumping off the page at me! As I know how I think, I’ll likely take a few minutes and do something else, come back and read my thoughts, and the USP will emerge — consider self-awareness as a real strength / I “know” how my mind thinks / “know” when I’ll be able to solve the problem / can put things aside and come back at the “right” time.
Right on cue, five minutes aside and the idea’s crystalized:
- I have a collection of life experiences that are truly unique. They involve both work and non-work related areas; and, in all areas, I’ve been able to find a way to succeed while always embracing a “win-win” mentality and helping others grow in the process. While there are many that can offer support and guidance, few of these have been through the process personally and achieved the level of success that I have. Further, few have the true passion to help others learn, grow, and live.
Not a bad first draft if I do say so myself!
If you want some more information on the challenge, check out the post on day twelve at:
http://suitcaseentrepreneur.com/blogchallenge/blog-challenge-day12
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