Front Line Marketing

Where does it start? To accomplish something, what does it take? You’ll often hear that it takes hard work. If that is so, then how do you know what to work hard on? You’ll also often hear that being busy doesn’t mean you’re being productive.

Maybe it’s, Do what you love. Not sure what that is or how to find it then follow your passion. But maybe you don’t have a passion or you have many things you’re passionate about. In either case it creates stress.

So where does it start?

The answer lies in curiosity. Follow your curiosity. Become aware of where your attention goes. What is it you think about. Where do you like to be? What do you find yourself doing? As much as possible guard yourself from doing things that you think you are supposed to do and instead notice where you feel your best.

We need you in this world. We need you doing what you do best. Follow your curiosity and you will never be bored and you will always add value.

Disney boldly promotes itself as the happiest place on earth. They do this knowing full well that they are expensive, have lots of visitors from all over the world have no control over the weather or the stamina of children. They make this claim even employing thousands of cast members from all walks of life and personality types.

How do they do it and in the vast majority of cases make it true?

They focus everyone and therefore everything they do using intention and attention. They intend to make Disney the happiest place on earth for every visitor and they focus their attention on making sure their thoughts, words and deeds manifest that intention.

Become clear on what you intend for your business and for your life. It will be a simple statement and it will be true to you. This is important. If you pick what you “think” you should rather than “what” you should, the intention of your business will not be honest and you will waver.

Now focus your attention on taking actions that are congruent and support that intention.

Soon you too along with all your employees will be able to state simply the reason for the business and they will be able to demonstrate that intent in what they do.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.”

Last night I had a dinner date with a friend. She arrived twenty minutes after our scheduled meeting time frustrated and frazzled. Her son, Ryan, had (once again) made her late because he didn’t have his stuff ready for soccer practice on time. I listened and sympathized as she vented about her constant battles with him to be more organized and manage his time more efficiently. Then, I asked one simple question, “Now, tell me something Ryan does really, really well.” She smiled and gave my hand an affectionate squeeze. She knew what I was doing and it didn’t take her long to reply: “he can always, always make me laugh.” Credit to VIA Institute

We choose our perspective in every day and in every moment of that day. And as the above story illustrates, when you find yourself living in a perspective of blame and negative judgement of people, job or self, seek that person or place or action that will allow you to pull up a different perspective, a more positive outlook. It's what we see that matters. It's what we choose that creates.