I woke up this morning to the sounds of little feet – six grandchildren in my son Kevin’s house here, high up in an aspen grove in Woodland Park, Colorado. The first big snow of the season is falling and we've got a roaring fire in the wood stove. It reminds me why I’ve created the work I love. Yes, Joanne and I are joining Kevin for the conference he’s conducting for a whole bunch of excited business owners here in view of Pike's Peak, but that’s fun as well.
The opportunities for blending work and play have never been greater. With the varieties afforded by service, information and technology, we can design our work to compliment the “life” we want.
Check out one of my favorite quotes of all times:
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both.” James Michener
This is an increasingly common theme. We have been sold an American myth in thinking that a college degree will guarantee fame and fortune. This year’s graduating MBAs are finding a very uncertain job market in an economy that’s forced companies to delay hiring plans and maybe not even show up at the campus career fairs. Part of this is a somewhat stagnant business environment and part is that the MBA has lost some of its appeal to the business world.
Several years ago I met with a good looking young man who 19 months prior to seeing me, had graduated with his MBA from one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the country. He had sacrificed a great deal of time and money to get the degree, fully confident that there would be a selection of $85K/yr jobs lined up for him. However, in 19 months of heavy interviewing, he had not been offered a position of any kind at any income figure.
In working with him, it was quickly apparent that he came across as arrogant, condescending, and egotistical. Fortunately, with the pain of no positive results, he was quite teachable and we were able to change his personal presentation quickly and get the opportunities he had been seeking.
A now famous Yale University study reported that 15% of the reason for a person’s success is due to technical skill and knowledge, and 85% of the reason originates from that person’s personal skill; attitude, enthusiasm, self-discipline, smile, tone of voice, desire, and ambition.
This is why candidates with the best qualifications on paper frequently do not get the job. But what an opportunity to bypass those with perhaps more experience and better credentials. Take advantage of this insight to make yourself a top candidate. Maximize your “human capital.”
A couple of years ago I recommended looking at Seth Godin’s book, Purple Cow. Seth is a radical marketing guy who makes the case that black, white, and brown cows don’t get our attention – but a Purple Cow; now that would make us look. He uses this same thinking in helping you look at your business and career – how can you make it remarkable? Here’s a followup book for Purple Cowreaders titled 99 Cows. Here’s the entire book with the 99 ideas ready for you to adopt, use and profit from. The book is free, and yes, I have his permission to give it to you. One idea here could transform your level of success:
You probably know that I promote reading good books as the quickest way to transform your success. We are told that only 1 in 7 college graduates ever goes into a bookstore. If you read one book a year, you’re in the top 3%. The Associated Press tells us one in four adults read no books at all in the past year. If you’re in that category don’t expect your level of success to change this year – or next year. Okay, maybe you listen to audio books – that’s cool. But be absorbing the content of great books.
And let me know which idea released your remarkable success.
Welcome to 48 Days radio where each week I look through the submitted questions and then blast through as many as possible right here to give you the unique tools for your own success.
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I feel like a spittoon….
I am considering venturing of into my own business, but want to safeguard my finances in the beginning stages. How Much money should I have saved for an emergency fund for my family, and how much money should I have available to dedicate to the business.
Dan, I LOVE your show, and, thanks to you, I am doing insurance sales to seniors now, which I COMPLETELY LOVE!! When I sit down with a prospect, I am in my zone, and I love selling face to face. A BIG part of where I should be getting leads is from cold calling, but I STINK at cold calling. Other than "just do it", what advice can you give me to get over my reluctance to cold call?
I feel like a spittoon, envying the vases. “God is the potter, and you are the clay, be happy with how He made you.” What do you have to say to women who have been thwarted by their complacent husbands? At 48 years old, I’ve lost my faith, my hope, and frankly, don’t care if I lose my marriage.
I am sure you have read my story before. 40 years old I have 7 children and I have never made more than 27K my entire life. I would LOVE to be able to combine what you do with what Dave Ramsey does for his listeners and readers. I am not sure where to get started or how to begin or how to pay the bills and such.
A relative of mine has been talking for years about a "family recipe" that is a miraculous cure for poison oak/ivy that greatly speeds up the healing process. I'm trying to assist him into locating info to help him along the way. In order to actually produce/market this type of product - what do you suggest as first steps? Any recommended reading specific to patents such as this?
How do I go about finding corporate sponsorship to fund some of the projects I'd like to do? They include collections of stories of recent immigrants to the US; interviews with non-Americans about their view of and experiences in the US; and video series on different cultures, whether regional US cultures or overseas cultures.
**************************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
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Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? Is fear holding you back? These are common issues with the hundreds of people that contact us each month looking for a new start. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages to launch you into the next successful season of your life: Coaching with Dan
**************************** Oct 8-10th, 2009 - Suwanee, GA
Speak It Forward – Boot Camp
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At 48Days.net you’ll see over 3800 other excited people who have ideas – and plans for their accomplishment. If you want your life to be different this year, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost – just lots of people who are committed to helping each other succeed.
***************************** Job Illness – You may have “chronic mahjobbis crappus” – line from a recent Dilbert comic. Anyone else experiencing this newly diagnosed ailment?
***************************** Are you ready to move past fear?
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. What's the best environment for you to live out your "calling?" You can find out here.
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
