defining the harbor

Whenever I work with someone to devise a communication strategy for an organization or project, I’m always astounded that so few stop to establish a clear sense of values and goals for the brand or project. Most willingly forge ahead without a defined direction.

Why aren’t people apt to define these things? Frankly, because it’s a foreign concept to them. It’s quite likely they don’t define these big picture concepts in their personal life either.

How many people do you know that have a firm grasp of their personal strengths, passions, core values and goals?

I’m guessing only a few?

How many people do you know that are living at their full potential with high levels of fulfillment in their jobs, relationships and overall life?

Not a whole lot?

I imagine there’s a correlation.

“Our plans miscarry if they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind." - Seneca

rethinking resumes

In the current system, we’re taught to fit ourselves into a mold. Tailor your resume to match that job listing. Fit yourself into the box that someone else created.

I’d wager this has something to do with why so many of us struggle to confidently define ourselves. We’re trained to look to a higher authority to tell us who we should be.

Perhaps we should invest our energies in authentically defining ourselves and throw that notion of a traditional resume out the window. Instead of shoving ourselves into predetermined boxes, let’s have the boldness to seek new ways to write our own futures.

simplify

“Netflix no longer has vacation or sick policies because keeping track of all this data was expensive and overtaxed the human-resources department. If a company has the right employees, they won’t take advantage of paid days off – they’ll leave only when it makes the most sense for them to do so.”

- from Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie

Do you ever find yourself adopting systems or procedures simply because that’s the norm and the way things have been done in the past?

Instead of existing on automatic, we can all take a lesson from Netflix in the way we orient our lives. Assess the actions and activities that define your day. Don’t create a to-do list filled with deceptively “productive” items that bear no real relevance to your mission and goals. Strip away all that distracts you from the true essence of your life and work.

i'm fan of...

all things Jack White

mustard clothing

Don’t let your present role limit the boundaries of your personal capability.

a note to college students

Enjoy being in school. Savor the ability to learn, and use the opportunity to establish a firm vision for what you want your working life to look like. It’s better to craft your own vision before someone else crafts it for you.

The reality that arrives on your doorstep shortly after graduating is this -- the working world today is in a sorry state, defined by workaholics and counter-productivity. Those already entrenched in it will unintentionally pass their beliefs off to you, should you let them.

Your automatic response may be to match their stride. After all, you are the new guy, aren’t you? Who are you to question the rules of this new working world?

Question away because that’s the precise thing the broken working world needs. Insist on being relentless in pursuit of your vision. To many, you will look entirely unreasonable. Keep forging ahead. A lack of so-called reasonability is the precise thing we need to change the tide.

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

- George Bernard Shaw

Commit your energy to something in which you are genuinely invested,

and you are unstoppable.

superpowers

Think about the last time you introduced yourself to someone. You know, the standard conversation that follows nice to meet you. What was your shpeal?

If you’re anything like me, you may completely neglect the value of introductions. I typically give some vague description of my job and perhaps mention where I’m from. I don’t really bother to highlight my strengths. And, I definitely don’t reveal any superpowers.

Superpowers?

Yep. Seth Godin’s name for those exceptional reasons why are you more than just another hand shake. He points out that if you don’t proclaim your superpowers, no one will have a clue that you have them. Thus, no one will seek you out for help and let you put those powers to use. Talk about a missed opportunity.

I've accordingly been inspired to recognize my own superpowers. Next chance at an introduction, I think I’ll try out a new description of who I am and what I do. I’ll explain – I have a distinct ability to listen and carefully ask the right questions to guide a person or organization to genuinely define themselves. From there, I love envisioning possibilities for the future, crafting strategies for authentic communication through written word and visual design.

What superpowers do you have to share?

focus

You don’t have to be everything to everyone.

Don’t be the company taking on clients you aren’t much invested in.

Or that person that snaps under a mountain of tasks all because she couldn’t say no.

You can’t – and shouldn’t – be what everyone else wants you to be. Be precisely who you are. Focus on the person that you know you were created to be.