Do something that matters

It is my assumption that everyone wants to do something that matters. I'm far from positive about this, but it just makes sense to me. The opposite is people just want to feel like failures much of the time - and I just can't see anyone wanting that. So then the questions are these:

1) What is it that matters?

2) Can I do something that matters here or do I need to go somewhere else to do it?

The answers (as I see them) are:

1) What do you have a passion about? I'll bet others do to AND would benefit from your passion, understanding and expertise. Share it and watch what happens.

2) Yes. There is not a perfect place or ideal time. Certainly timing can be important, but if you wait to find the right mix of whatever you are waiting for - you will never even start.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes for you!

Is your work art? Should it be?

We waste a lot of time worrying about stuff, rather than just doing something productive. Or new. Or creative. Or heaven forbid, really innovative. The reasons are endless and boring. With all the stats and analytics these days, we have the mistaken notion that we can completely understand what customers (people) will do in any situation. We can't. Sure we may understand trends and options, but by the time we think we understand, the path is well-worn and tired. It has become science.

Science is fine, but it kills creativity and real innovation. I love science and all that it does for us in our daily lives. I really, really do. But that does not mean that we all have to be scientists. Many of us are artists of some sort of another. So we need to make good art.

In business language, art = innovation, however you care to define it. Why aren't you (and I) creating more good art? Find what is stopping you and remove or ignore it for a day, a week or a year. Until you can make good 'art' in your context.

Check out the video below or see it here from Neil Gaiman and this from Seth Godin about his new book The Icarus Deception.

Purpose and passion are 'self serve'

These days you can outsource many responsibilities in your business. Often, you and your customers are better served by doing so because you can hire great expertise at less cost than it would take to employ them in-house. You'll likely gain some efficiencies too. But, there are at least two areas you can't hire out:

1. Your company or organization's purpose

AND

2. The passion it takes to sustain the organization or company

One can't be sure of the reason some companies try to outsource these core elements. My guess is they are tired or they are lazy.

I've seen this done under the veil of 'planning' where an organization wanted the facilitator to lead them to their passion or purpose. In reality, they were not willing to do the soul-searching work it took to get to the answers they needed. Granted, sometimes you may need the assistance of someone to help you with unpacking the 'how' of your purpose, but never the 'what'.

I urge you to do the work. If you don't know how, try this. Shut off all electronic devices and go to a place you cannot be disturbed for a few hours. Without distraction, it may not even take this long. Be sure to take a pen and a legal pad with you.

1. Then, ask yourself this question: Why do people come to your business or organization?
2. If you are failing and need to make a change, the question might be: Why do you want them to come to your organization or business?
3. Then, ask yourself this: What really makes me excited about our business?

Discovering these answers will invigorate and excite you. If it doesn't, you have not found your purpose or passion.