We’ve Changed, Just Ask Us

Wall_street_2

I think Wall Street would be a great place to hold a retro Greek Tragedy.  When you think about it they have all the elements you’d need:Hypocrisy

Hubris

Weeping

Comedy

Fear

Who could ask for more?  The Motley Fool has a great article on the rating agencies’ (Moody’s, S&P, etc.) tell of woe.

Now remember folks, no one is to blame and we’ve changed, just ask us.  That would be a great PR campaign for Wall Street.

Fear and greed still lives.

How To Surround Yourself With People Who Are For You Part II

I wrote a post some time ago about how to surround yourself with people who are for you.  It warrants another look today, considering all the recent news (elections, recession, career insecurity).

The following are 7 keys to knowing and choosing:

  1. Start thinking seriously about the circle of people that surrounds you now.  Evaluate (why do you hang around them, are they positive or negative, would they be around if you failed) the value they bring to your life, and then make a decision about whether they should be in your circle.  Sign post up ahead; this won’t be easy.
  2. Test those who you’ve decided to keep.  For example, tell them about a dream you have.  See if they tell you its impossible.  A person that embraces the impossible is more than likely seeking to keep you in a box.
  3. Do the people in your circle cross-pollinate with you? Meaning, are they looking to you for inspiration.  You don’t want a one-sided relationship.
  4. Have the people in your circle connected you with others who can help?  If they haven’t, question why not.
  5. Is there any jealousy between you?  If someone in your circle is jealous, then its a sign of someone just hanging around to satisfy their insecurities.  Be careful here, jealous people eventually betray.
  6. Look to the eyes to discover what is in the soul.  For example, if you see fear when you tell someone your dreams, then you are probably looking at someone who won’t be for you.  They may say something positive, but its a mask.
  7. Control your urge to be liked.  We all want this, but it can kill if we’re not careful.

It’s so important to have a powerful circle of people who genuinely seek your good.  These people are ecstatic when you win.  They also will be grounded in reality, which is key in keeping you from chasing fantasies.

A Book of Dreams

Do you have a book of dreams?  I’m talking about the book that holds all the dreams you’ve seen become reality.  I think you should have one.  Here’s why:

  • Without a book of dreams, you’ll fall from someone else’s dogma.  For example, your boss or the latest feel-good/no-pain sales pitch.
  • Dreams make every pursuit meaningful.  Your career then becomes a tool to catch your dreams.
  • People without a book of dreams fall prey to fantasy.  Fantasy is the exercise of hoping Simon realllllllly likes you.
  • God placed dreams in you to draw you.
  • Show me someone without a book of dreams, and I’ll show you someone who is cynical, critical and hurting.
  • People with a book of dreams have figured out that dreams do come true (thank you Walt) and anything less is a lie.
  • People with a book of dreams are at peace with knowing that life is a limited time offer, so they run harder.
  • A book of dreams will give you focus, and not distraction.

I’m sure I could have kept the above list shorter, but I’m speaking from my own experience.  I’d like to warn you also, expect people to think you’re a nut case.  Just expect it.  Those well intentioned (you know what road they pave) people will tell you that you’re being impractical, foolish, and stubborn.  "I’m jealous of you and too afraid to pursue my own dreams," is what you won’t hear.  But it lives in them just the same.

Creative Discomfort

One of the wisest things you can do in your career and life is to embrace discomfort.  Really, its just about changing/learning in order to make your life a masterpiece.  Once again, a masterpiece is not a respecter of your income, fame, family, car or social network.  There is a masterpiece in you, and only you can get it out.

So what does discomfort do for your masterpiece? 

  • It keeps your senses on fire, as it relates to new trends and new paths. 
  • It keeps you away from group think (a poisonous exercise). 
  • It reminds you that you only have a limited time to get this life right.
  • It reminds you that maybe you were put here to inspire others to discover.
  • It reminds you that true success doesn’t come without discomfort.

Some years ago, when I ran the halls of corporate America, I was teaching a group of associates about the idea of Creative Discomfort.  In that workshop, I had the group (about 20 people) walk down and up 3 flights of stairs-backwards.  It was priceless to see and absorb.  Those people learned that day the cost of being in a state of discomfort.  But what’s inspiring is how they got used to walking up and down backwards.  It didn’t take very long for the group to realize how breakthroughs come-usually where we’re afraid/unwilling to go.

John Moore over at Brand Autopsy has a wonderful post on THE Social Media MATRIX that reinforces my thoughts on Creative Discomfort.  I love his connection to The Matrix.

Google Trends

Today I want to point you to Google Trends.  I may be late to the party, but I’m intrigued by what this tool can do.

I did a search on career management and I think you’ll find the results fascinating.  As search engines continue to grow as the go-to portal for information, these types of results could prove valuable to you in a host of ways…career, business, and marketing to name a few.

Virtual Book Tour with Cube Rules

I am excited to let you know that starting next Monday (February 4) I will be involved in my first virtual book tour for Waking Up In Corporate America.  Scot Herrick of Cube Rules will be the host/interviewer/commentator.  Scot’s blog is one of my favorites and he’s an authentic guide for those in the cubicle world.  He’s a tremendously nice guy too.

Scott will feature me the entire week and each day will have a different interview question pertaining to the book, followed by my answer and then Scot’s commentary.  I really like the format of the tour.

Tune into Cube Rules next Monday.

American Express and Credit-Ability

Last week I received a letter from American Express explaining a credit decision made without my request.  One of those random reviews I suppose.  I decided to call them and ask for an explanation.  Keep in-mind, American Express usually shines when it comes to service-with me.  But on the day I called i was talking with….CREDIT OPERATIONS (hear the foreboding music).

Credit operations at American Express told me the decision was made based on their inability to find my D&B number.  I told the representative not to worry, because I had the number handy.  She gave two distinct warnings:

  • Providing the number might not change the decision
  • Don’t call customer service (American Express customer service) when I check to see the status.

Some might think it would be a little strange for American Express to act this way, but I don’t.  Do you think it was a coincidence that I received a letter around the same time American Express announced setting aside $450+ million in loan loss reserves in the fourth quarter of 2007.  Maybe it was just me being paranoid and upset.

Do you think the senior leaders at credit operations thought about the impact on me-the customer.  Or do you think American Express was just knee-jerking their way to a credit decision?  American Express needs to remember that at the heart of every transaction is the customer.  Their opinions and feelings will impact the loyalty they have for the "brand."  When an organization ignores this, negative consequences usually appear.  Just ask Countrywide.

I still don’t get the "don’t call customer service" speech.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Your Career

Daniel Day-Lewis is arguably the greatest actor of our time.  His approach to his craft is-to say the least-intense.  He is a tremendous example of pursuing what you do with full passion.  What if we did the same with our own careers?  Greatness would be the result.

For better or worse, the choice is ours.

Take a look at the interview below with Mr. Day-Lewis and see if you can’t pick up some career advice.