Steve Jobs – Master the Message

There are many aspiring entrepreneurs that would rather build their widget and let someone else sell it.  I’m sad to report that you may have a problem.  Until you have grown beyond the small business classification – you – the owner, the founder, the chief cook and bottle washer will be your company’s best sales person. No one knows the product and benefits better than you. No one is more passionate about the design, the services, the intricate details than you. I’m not suggesting that you have to become the pushy telemarketer or a sleazy used car sales person, but you do have to master your message and learn to convey it to people.

No one was a better salesperson at Apple than Steve Jobs.  However, if you called him one he would probably rip you to pieces. Over time he made the transition, from the guy who almost threw up from nervousness before his first television appearance

 

to the guy that delivered a sales presentation better than any professional salesperson could have dreamed. IMO, mastering your message is as important as anything else on aspiring entrepreneurs to do list.  You may want to consider joining your local ToastMasters group to kickstart the process.

 

Will Smith – I’m Not Afraid to Die on a Treadmill

Who would have thought when we were first introduced to the Fresh Prince of Bellaire that the man behind the character was so deep? He makes so many points in this video that resonates with me its crazy.  I love this one,

Separation between talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people that who are trying to excel that have dreams that want to do things. Talent is what you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours of beating on your craft.  I never considered myself talented. Where I excel is ridiculous sickening work ethic. While the other guy is sleeping I’m working. While the other guy is eating. I’m working.

Michael Jordan said it another way – “Maybe I made it look too easy.” In this day and age it is hard to fathom the amount of work necessary to be really successful in our endeavors. It seems like overnight successes are everywhere.

That said, I’m all in the hard work camp.  My passions have never truly lined up with my 9 to 5s.  I was good in math and science, so I became an engineer.  I was never passionate about being an engineer. I was passionate about video production.  I was passionate about the stock market.  I had to work nights and weekends to develop those skills, because my days were preoccupied with my JOB.  So, out working the other guy is not an issue for me. However, Smith’s next point trips me up more often than I would like to admit.

Nothing is unrealistic. Being realistic is the most commonly travelled road to mediocrity. Why would you be realistic? What’s the point of being realistic? It’s just a barrier. I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it. It’s already done. I’m just waiting for y’all to see it.

Where is the point of diminishing returns? After one year, I closed down my video production company and went back to engineering. Was I being too realistic about the business’ likelihood of success? Was the next big opportunity around the corner?

Smith makes many more great points in this video, but the final one I want to highlight is that successful people are incredibly competitive. Michael Jordan says that he is the most competitive person that he knows.  Will Smith says that he is the most competitive person that he knows.  I assume that they have met before.  Smith says the following,

I’m not afraid to die on a tread mill. If we get on a tread mill together. One of two things is going to happen. You are getting off first or I’m going to die.

I’m not sure who would win a Michael Jordan / Will Smith tread mill battle, but it would be hilarious to watch. The bottom line is that the Fresh Prince grew up to be a serious dude and has given us much to contemplate.

My favorite take aways for success are:

  • Must have extreme work ethic
  • Be optimists
  • Must have intense desire to win

What’s your favorite take aways from the video? Leave a comment below.

Les Brown – Your Life is Powered by You

Your life is powered by you. I love that phrase. Les Brown lays it out for us.

Your life is powered by you. You got a dream, an idea,  you gotta take responsibility to make it happen. Your dream, your life, going to the next level will be powered by you. Don’t put your destiny in anyone else’s hands. No one is going to care more about your dream than you. Nobody is going to work on your stuff more than you.

That’s so true. However, the other point in this video may be even more important. You have to share your dream with others.  I often fall into the trap of not discussing my goals with others.  It’s so easy to say that everyone has their own issues and that no one wants to hear about my hair brained ideas.  However, that’s really a defense mechanism that is slowing down progress.

Les says, “if you have been running into a wall – it doesn’t  mean that you can’t get through. It means that you to find someone who is on the other side or find someone who knows someone on the other side.”

This is a great video on passion, persistence, and perseverance.  Les adds a couple more Ps – people and projects. Those are the sharing Ps and of course, it’s powered by you.

What are you thoughts on the video? Share them in the comments below.

Tony Robbins – Tiny Changes Mean Huge Results

For as long as I have been playing golf, I should be much better than I am. A few years ago, it looked like my game was improving and then it disappeared again. Each year I usually end up recycling the same old excuses. “I need to play more often, but I don’t have the time.” “I need to get to the driving range.” The golf industry is built on this one – “Better equipment that’s what I need.”

That all being said, golf is really not that high on my priority list. It’s a nice escape.  It cracks me up when I see celebrities or professional athletes whining about their golf games. Tony Robbins tells a story that is mind altering if taken to heart.

Robbins starts by sharing his struggles in a golf lesson. His balls are going left and right – everywhere except for straight. The instructor says that if you slightly adjust the strike angle, just 1 millimeter, the ball will go straight. That tiny change will make all of the difference.

Tony says that’s a fantastic life lesson for us.  When all hell is breaking loose in our lives, we are only 1 millimeter  away from getting back on track.  Unfortunately, most people think it’s impossible and just give up.  I have been there many times and it currently feels like I’m in one of those storms, but I trust and believe that I’m only 1 millimeter away…

If you are in one of those moments – here is a pick you upper.  From the looks of it, Charles Barkley may be several meters away. LOL…