Website Maintenance
Posted: February 27, 2013 Filed under: Writing Leave a commentWe’re currently transferring domain registrars for my blog, so if things look funny, give us a few days to work things out. In the meantime, you can find me on Tumblr or read the archives through this web archive.
When Life Hands You Lemons… Learn Alchemy
Posted: February 3, 2011 Filed under: Writing 6 CommentsAll too often, our circumstances are defined by what other people tell us is realistic or feasible. The old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade,” is a perfect example of this paradigm.
What if I don’t like lemons? What if I’m not in the mood for lemonade?
Too bad, the logic goes, those were the cards you were dealt. You’ll just have to make do with what you have.
Nope. Nuh-uh. Not any more. Not for me. When life hands me lemons, I’m making orange juice. Read the rest of this entry »
Get Over It
Posted: February 2, 2011 Filed under: Motivation | Tags: dreaming, inspiration, motivation 6 Comments“The dog ate my homework…”
“I was dropped when I was a baby…”
“I don’t have enough time…”
“The boss won’t let me…”
“Nobody understands…”
What Egypt Can Teach Us About Every Movement
Posted: February 1, 2011 Filed under: Leadership, marketing | Tags: egypt, Politics, protests, revolution 1 CommentThe recent protests in Egypt can teach us several lessons about successful movements:
1) Great movements are often catalyzed by youth. It’s hard to start a revolution without, at some point, involving young people.
2) Movements often begin as a reaction to an injustice or a perceived wrong, but can only be sustained by a proactive passion for the cause itself. Read the rest of this entry »
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Posted: January 31, 2011 Filed under: Productivity, Writing | Tags: creativity, inspiration, productivity, steven pressfield, war of art, Writing 6 Comments
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is amazing. If you deal with creativity in your work or personal life, I can’t make a better recommendation.I don’t know why I went so long without reading this book.
I had heard friends mention it in passing, but honestly hadn’t paid much attention to it.
Last year, I finally picked up the War of Art and finished it over Christmas break. I loved it.
Pressfield’s The War of Art is a must-read for any writer or artist.
This manifesto for creatives is essential for anyone longing to overcome “The Resistance” (the name of the force that prevents each of us from accomplishing our dreams.)
The Best Way to Network: Serving People
Posted: January 28, 2011 Filed under: Business | Tags: Business, networking 5 CommentsMy tip for the best way to network is simply this: serve people. In a world of self-congratulation and a growing obsession with celebrity culture, we need more of this ethos of humility and generosity. Networking is a funny concept. In business, you’re supposed to network with peers in your industry to stay fresh in your trade, grow in your field, and keep a healthy list of prospective clients (depending on what you do).
Read the rest of this entry »
When You’re Feeling Uninspired
Posted: January 28, 2011 Filed under: Motivation, Productivity | Tags: creativity, inspiration, steven pressfield, the resistance, war of art, Writing 1 CommentI’m not feeling particularly inspired today. I don’t even want to write anything on this blog.
I’ve learned two vital lessons about what to do at times like these when I’m feeling uninspired. One is from Steven Pressfield, and the other is from Anne Lamott (via Ben Arment).
The first is this: Fight through the Resistance. Author of The War of Art Steven Pressfield explains in his book that there is a force warring against your creativity. It is called “the Resistance,” and it wants to keep you from your destiny.
You need to get up every day, expecting resistance, and fight through it.
You need to not wait for inspiration, but do your part by showing up. It’s up to the Muse to do the rest. Read the rest of this entry »
Are You Satisfied?
Posted: January 26, 2011 Filed under: Business, Motivation | Tags: 37 signals, Business, jason fried, satisfaction 1 CommentJason Fried of 37 Signals posted a tweet recently saying how sad it is when business surveys set “satisfied” as their highest metric for success. What a “low bar” to set, he laments. Read the rest of this entry »
You Must Ship
Posted: January 25, 2011 Filed under: Productivity | Tags: shipping 2 CommentsYou have to put your work out in front of people if it is going to make an impact. The world can’t be changed by what it doesn’t see.
You must give up on perfectionism and fall in love with “good enough.”
You need to do more than come up with good ideas and interesting strategies.
You must ship.
Don’t Be a Celebrity
Posted: January 25, 2011 Filed under: Motivation | Tags: celebrity, culture, motivation 4 CommentsOur culture lauds celebrities to a fault. We place such a high priority on being famous (or getting there) that any status level lower than that of celebrity is simply unacceptable, in our minds. Read the rest of this entry »
Goins, Writer 