“My real life helped me sell a lot of records.” – Christopher Wallace, Born May 21, 1972. In this age where “authenticity” is a buzzword, lots of brand wonks will tell you that what you need to do is just be yourself. Wrong, friendo. That skips a step. Step 1: Be awesome. Step 2: Be …
“I’m not famous; I am simply very well-known to certain people. Famous is something different.” – Anton Corbijn, Born May 20, 1955. Many seek fame when they get into this game. Some because they truly desire fame for its own sake. But many do only because they think it’s somehow required to succeed. But really, …
How To Become An Influential Micro-celebrity (And Make Macro-money) Read More »
“An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.” – Edward de Bono, Born May 19, 1933. If you want to be perceived as an expert in your field, the way to do it is not by actually accomplishing things …
People Will Buy Ways To Work Faster So Invent Some Shortcuts To Sell Read More »
“If your mind is empty, it is ready for anything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.” – Shunryu Suzuki, Born May 18, 1904. One of the big mistakes a lot of new consultants and beginning freelance service providers make is to overplay their hand. The prospect …
Expertise Is Knowing What To Leave Out, Instead Of What Is Possible To Add In Read More »
“Guitar solos, to me, should be a really articulate way to make fun of guitar solos.” – Josh Homme, Born May 17, 1963. Dear little baby gurus. Let me tell you what the most valuable thing is when it comes to making yourself into a lasting – even generational – personality, loved and admired by …
The Secret To Lasting Relevance Is Letting Yourself Be The Punchline Periodically Read More »
“People need a narrative, and if there isn’t one on offer, they make one up.” – Jean Hanff Korelitz, Born May 16, 1961. In a world without humans, stuff just happens. Nothing means anything. Nothing foretells anything. Nothing is destined or fated. Nothing is deserved. Nothing is earned. There’s physics and luck. That’s all. But …
If You Don’t Provide A Story, The Reader Will Imagine Their Own (And They’re Bad At It) Read More »
“Emotion creates reality, reality demands action.” – Brian Eno, Born May 15, 1948. This is a really elegant way to explain the connection between emotion and behavior. If you can sufficiently tap into someone’s strong emotions, you can then use those to distort their perceptions and beliefs, and thus alter their subjective reality. Once you …
Change a Person’s Belief By Using Their Emotions Against Them Read More »
“Books are like a mirror. If an ass looks in, you can’t expect an angel to look out.” – B. C. Forbes, Born May 14, 1880. Sure, studying is good. But that book or video or course that is the hot new thing to buy? That’s not gonna change you. You’re not going to magically …
Study Without Execution Is invisible And Intangible And Does Nothing For Anyone Read More »
“We’re the country of movie stars because the stars, like ourselves, represent a kind of extended infantilism, beauties waiting for the big chance.” – Jerome Charyn, Born May 13, 1937. This is real similar to how Steinbeck said no one considers themselves poor. We all fancy ourselves as temporarily dispossessed millionaires. But this is a …
People Want to Be “Discovered” So Promise To Make Your Prospect Into A Star Read More »
“I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.” – Florence Nightingale, Born May 12, 1820. This quote can be taken as kind of funny – since for us, making words out of feelings IS the action that brings results. But let’s say that Flo …
Productivity Hack: Shut Your Yap And Move Your Hands Instead Read More »
