We are Taught Things Aren’t Easy

From the time we are kids we are go through a bit of an evolution. We learn when we are little kids that we can do anything we dream. Then as we get older we learn that only the top performers, like the smartest kid, the quarterback or the head cheerleader should grab for the brass ring, while the rest of us need to look for a responsible career and stability. Over this time we are taught that things are not easy, and we face a chance of failure if we chase our dreams so we should focus on stability over our dreams. We are taught that things are not easy and we are trained into complacency. We need to shuck this training and regain the belief that we can do anything. It is the person who believes they can accomplish anything that can create great things and change the world.

iPad case...it's not always easy

I'm one of those early adopters when it comes to some new technology, particularly new Apple products, so yes, I got one of the new iPads when they came out on Saturday. Following this new purchase, I proceeded to start the hunt for the perfect iPad case. While ultimately I think I'll get the case from Apple, as it seems to be the best choice, I came across one company that shows it's not always easy doing the simple and little things. As a new iPad owner I was of course shopping for the new case on my iPad, when I came across this web site. While this company seems to have an iPad case option, they did not take into account that the iPad does not support flash based web sites, and they have their web site flash based. Perhaps it was an oversight, but I (and likely others) immediately ruled out the option of buying from this company. I mean if they can't present the information in a device relevant format, how could they be expected to make a case customized for the device? While I believe things may not be easy, but they are pretty simple, this company shows us sometimes even the simple things are lost on companies today.

Faith and Belief and Self Confidence

I was standing on the front porch last night and I had an overwhelming sense come over me. This was a sense of calm, and I knew the feeling. I have been working on a new air freshener for a new company we began working with, one focused on the mass market. The sense of calm and peace I felt come over me was knowing that the product was going to be success - simple and amazing faith and belief, just knowing that this product will be, and in my mind already is, a success. I just know. This got me thinking about a section in one of my favorite business books, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Napoleon talks a lot on the topic of faith, and belief in yourself and how this transmutes to your power. I wanted to share a section of his book on what he calls the self-confidence formula, the following are his words, and seem to come back to us in many business and self improvement books such as "The Secret" and many others:

SELF-CONFIDENCE FORMULA

FIRST: I know that I have the ability to achieve the objective of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward it's attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action

SECOND: I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality, therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for thirty minutes daily, upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become,thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.

THIRD: I know through the principle of auto-suggestion, any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it, therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE

FOURTH: I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I will never stop trying, until I shall develop sufficient self-confidence for it's attainment

FIFTH: I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice, therefore I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and myself.

I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that I will become a self-reliant, and successful person.

-Napoleon Hill

"All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."
-T.E. Lawrence

Be Valuable

I was asked today to help solve a problem for a competitor at one of my major customers. The basics of the issue is that my competitor is having problems decorating a part. Our mutual client asked me to provide some help as I have an expertise in plastic and this is a plastic part. While I won't get into the problem in more detail than explained, the thought that this brings up is where to draw a line, and how to build value, both personally and for your company. For my part, I agreed to help my competitor. My help could result in solving a problem for my customer, who is my ultimate concern. Sure, it may have been better for me to play dumb and offer no assistance to help fix their problem. I could have just allowed my competitor to flounder with the problem, miss deliveries, and pursue their business, but I am not sure who this would ultimately hurt other than my customer.

Upon my agreement to help, my customer stressed the value that this brings to our relationship in that they were able to call on me for help with this. It was clear that our competitor was beyond their skill set with this problem, and as we will be able to help in the solution, opportunity for future projects requiring such expertise will potentially lean more in our direction than our competitors.

This was an opportunity seize value, and cement value for our company in my customers mind. I saw this opportunity when the conversation began, and didn't intend on letting it pass. Whenever possible it is important to seize opportunities to bring value to a business relationship. This will not only solidify your relationship, but also position you away from a cost cutting competitive situation that many others get caught in. When you bring true value and offer it generously, you receive reward commensurate with your generosity. I've tried it both ways, many times feeling that I needed to hold everything tight to me, and share very little, because the more only I knew the more valuable I was. I have learned that this does nothing other than give you a headache, and a completely false sense of security. If the information you have and hold to yourself helps no one, then you are bringing no value, and you therefore lack value. When you share of yourself generously, you bring value to a situation and generate value, both perceived and real, in yourself.

I almost feel like a cliche with the fact that I have only realized this truth after reaching my late 30's. When I was younger, I would argue with my Dad when he was too generous with information he shared with customers. I thought there was more value in keeping it all secret and to ourselves, dolling it out as needed. Now, I find myself writing about the value of sharing what you know generously, having realized that this approach is what creates true value in you and your company.

"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions."
-Albert Einstein

If It Was Easy Anyone Could Do It

I grew up hearing this phrase from my father and it shaped my perspective and life. Never did I want to be like just "anyone", so every time I faced something that was not easy, I ran this phrase through my head. For many years this phrase shaped my business world, I took on hard projects, sometimes ones that seemed impossible problems to some, I looked at them as challenges to be tackled. This approach has resulted in growing a very successful, fast growing company, and I've learned some things along the way getting here. Maybe some of what I have to share will prove helpful to others. One thing I have no doubt learned, is that while my fathers phrase drove me in many ways, I believe it somewhat false...I believe deep inside that anyone can do it! With the development of the right tools, a great attitude, firm belief in self worth, and relearning some of what we are taught when we are young, anyone can capture success.