“I never invite idiots to my house.” – Elizabeth Montagu, Born Oct. 2, 1718. I’m not saying they don’t squeak in from time to time, but I try to run this “cult” community of ours as an idiot-free environment. And I’ve tried to create products and content at my own level, rather than aiming at… Read More →
Become Skilled at Winging It, and Outshine Every Over-Scripted Try-Hard in Your Niche
“Reciting lines is hard; making stuff up is much, much easier.” – Zach Galifianakis, Born Oct. 1, 1969. The most valuable skill you can start developing now is performing. As in, being comfortable on stage or on camera. And that can be intimidating. I hated it. It was scary when I was first starting out…. Read More →
People’s Persistent Problem: Too Much Practice, Not Enough Playing
“I think it’s a fallacy that the harder you practice the better you get. You only get better by playing.” – Buddy Rich, Born Sep. 30, 1917. The time for practice is over. The time for getting ready is done. You’re ready, so start working. Don’t just write, finish. Don’t just finish, publish. Don’t just… Read More →
Get the Audience FIRST and Then 99% of Your “What Do I Sell People” Questions Get Answered For You
“If we all tried to make other people’s paths easy, our own feet would have a smooth even place to walk on.” – Myrtle Reed, Born Sep. 27, 1874. This really is the fastest and easiest way I know to get into business – especially online. Find or create an audience, and serve them what… Read More →
Stuff You Choose Today Must Bear Fruit in the Future (Or Else Don’t Waste Time)
“I started doing ’30 Rock’ and started writing ‘Mystery Team’ at the beginning of that. While I was doing ‘Mystery Team,’ I started practicing stand-up. While I was doing stand up, I got ‘Community.’ It’s like I planted trees six years ago, and now they have fruit.” – Donald Glover, Born Sep. 25, 1983. Here… Read More →
Mashup Your Core Topic With Everything Else That Is Cool (And People Will Love It And Beg For More)
“The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.” – Horace Walpole, Born Sep. 24, 1717. This is also a decent philosophy for thinking about your core content that you will use to build an audience around. You choose your central, main topic. And then… Read More →
The Difference Between Worthless Information and Valuable Knowledge Is…
“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” – Sydney J. Harris, Born Sep. 14, 1917. A lot of people who market things on the internet care about having a “content strategy” as a way to draw prospective customers… Read More →
How to Limit Yourself to Turn “Too Many Good Ideas” Into Actual Output
“The river flows at its own sweet will, but the flood is bound in the two banks. If it were not thus bound, its freedom would be wasted.” – Vinoba Bhave, Born Sep. 11, 1895. You’re creative. You’re smart. You’re talented. You’re skilled. So what? Who cares? What does that DO for anyone? You or… Read More →
Worry Less About Being Unique, Just Focus on Being Good (By Just Doing Good)
“Don’t try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.” – Arthur Freed, Born Sept. 9, 1894. I don’t know that I agree exactly with this. Being different can definitely be valuable. But I don’t think you have to worry about being unique or special in that way when you’re starting… Read More →
How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome Forever: Kick It In the Jim-Jams and Bolt Past It
“I think it’s healthy for a person to be nervous. It means you care – that you work hard and want to give a great performance. You just have to channel that nervous energy into the show.” – Beyoncé Knowles, Born Sep. 4, 1981. When I mentor people or consult with them, I frequently hear… Read More →