Comedian Mitch Hedberg once said that escalators can never break—it can only become stairs.
Even when things are not working optimally, we can still fulfill a purpose.
Back in the late 70s, Sony was trying to develop a product for people to help pass the time on flights.
When the engineers got together and developed what would eventually be the Walkman, they were able to add a record button on it for no cost.
But Chairman Akio Morita asked them to remove the record button.
Why?
It didn’t cost anything. It was because he didn’t want the consumer to confuse what this device was actually for. By actually lowering the device capabilities Sony was able to maximize a certain type of behavior.
Not every tool is meant for every job. Keep things as simple as necessary and not any simpler.
Says no one.
If you care about a project, you are always looking for ways to make it better.
The question is What do you choose to care a lot about?
When we choose to be mindful about something, that shift is sufficient in moving mountains.
Everyone in the room has a story. A story they are telling themselves. A story about the people around them.
On top of that, you have an ego that gets in the way. Too much pleasing of the boss. Too much wondering what the other person will think if I truly speak my mind.
So, don’t seduce yourself into thinking you can tailor your message to fit the narratives of everyone in the room.
Instead, share what you have. Share what you believe.
And let the chips fall.
If the idea doesn’t resonate with this group, there’s always another.
Many people are finding themselves filing for unemployment for the first time.
High school seniors will be graduating online.
Some are sick.
Others have to go to work and put their health on the line.
Your back may be against the wall but keep going.
Be patient with the process.
It will be over. Eventually. And you will have a story to tell.
Sports, videogames, Facebook, drugs, alcohol, pornography…
These things we love, do they love us back?
Writers before COVID-19 were writing.
During social distancing, they are writing.
During quarantine, they are writing.
And after this passes, they’ll still be writing.
Writers are writing no matter what the circumstances are. Of course, we are not just talking about writing. What we are really talking about here is passion.
Too often, we think we need to find our passion before we can begin doing great work. No. Instead, do great work and be passionate.
It isn’t hidden, there is no passion left around for someone to pick up. Regardless of what the work is, you’re passionate.
Passionate people find a way to amplify and share their talents. That’s why some are using this time to get really good at something while others are wasting time on TikTok.
It’s not about the writing (or painting or composing), its about sharing your passion.
If you took the writing away, you still have a passionate person. Passionate people find a way to do great things. The medium doesn’t matter. It never did.
Let’s be clear, what this actually means because too often we mix up this idea that we have to take care of ourselves before you can help others.
Taking care of yourself means getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, praying, meditating, creating something, socializing.
What taking care of yourself doesn’t mean is that you have to obtain a certain lifestyle, acquire certain artifacts or status before making the world a better place.
It’s quite a paradox really:
The more you help, the more you think you have. The less you help, the less you think you have.
Here’s the thing, donating isn’t necessarily going to make you richer in your checking account but it will certainly make you feel like it.
In the end, it is how we feel once we volunteer our time, talents and resources. The question isn’t whether you can help others out amidst a pandemic but rather Will you have the courage to stand up?
You have more than enough to get started. Lift where you stand.
What is your instincts anyway?
Sea turtles will automatically move towards the ocean when they are born. Babies cry when they are hungry.
A lot of these instincts come from the amygdala. The two small almond shape nuclei on the back of your skull that attaches to the spinal cord.
It’s quick, it’s fast and it’s angry.
Instincts are great to have when you are running from sabertooth tigers or for ducking when someone yells fore or for swerving out of the way to avoid a crash.
Make no mistake, having and using your instincts is a good thing. It is what has kept us alive for centuries.
Except…
We can’t actually trust our instincts. Our instincts are wrong most of the time. If we need a quick knee jerk reaction—for sure. For everything else, when it comes to critical thinking, we are far better off making decisions when our instincts are not in the driver seat.
So, when deciding to correct someone on Facebook for spreading fake news or how to respond when the boss calls to ask how are things at home or when your teen is struggling with homework assignments…
Wait for your instincts to pass before making a decision.
We can’t ignore them but we can certainly trust our decisions over what the impulses want us to do.
Samuel Pierpont Langley was commissioned by the government to develop the first airplane. He had all the financial backing and press anyone could ever want to create a new invention.
And despite all those resources, it still didn’t work.
Here’s the thing:
Without restraints, we don’t know how to define a story
Restraints help us find the guardrails. And without guardrails, we just have a difficult time picking a place to begin.
That’s because the world is full of choices. An infinite amount of combinations.
Yet, despite what critics might say, two brothers from Dayton still found a way to do the impossible without all the resources at their disposal.
Even during a global pandemic and global recession looming, now is as good as time as any to launch your next project. Let the critics keep underestimating whatever it is you can do and don’t let a few closed doors keep you down.
