Grab Your Shield

Someone is about to talk about you.

Instead of focusing on what isn't positive, let's focus on what is: People are talking about you. If it is a critic who is widely acclaimed, you may consider changing whatever that person recommended. But as Seth points out, reacting to critics allows the lizard brain to be turned on pleading for you to stop what you are doing and go back to what was easy and comfortable.

Let your shield down, allow a couple of blow to land. See how that feels. If you can’t take it, find another profession. If you feel nothing, take out a pen and a piece of paper and come up with “Ideas to Shake Up the Marketplace.”

Say cheese...

What has happened to our daily impressions of people? Why aren't we smiling more?

I have found the successful people that I know are pleasant to be around. They smile a lot. They look me in the eye when I talk to them. They know how to make me feel good about myself.

My best business example is Chick-Fil-A. Every time you walk in the restaurant, you are noticed, and smiled at. Why isn't every company like this?

A smile means friendliness in any language.

The beginning

This is my first blog.

What have I gotten out of college?

I took a lot of test and studied for a lot of finals. I got grades based on what my teacher thought I should get, but what am I taking with me that my diploma will represent?

A network. Time management skills. A more clear view of my political stance. A better understanding of what love is. I know what industry I want to work in. I experience significant loss of loved ones. I played a sport that people were passionate about. I have the respect and admiration of one of my professors that I wouldn't exchange for any price. I made children smile. I taught Bible class. What have you done that has inspired others? Or changed the way someone thought?

It seems strange to me that I won't get graded for any of the above, but the longer list is what I will remember most. The interactions, the parties, the phone calls, the traveling.

It's that kind of connection that universities, colleges, and trade schools should market with. Not how big the school itself is. Seth Godin said once, "Are we getting bigger to get bigger, or bigger to get better?" Georgia Southern should stop growth and get better. After that, get people that like the school to help them with their marketing through connections like I had.