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For my Business Communications class, I’ve been asked to write about the “Greatest lesson learned from someone else,” so here it goes…
Wait! One lesson is not enough, let’s make it 3!
1. Effort is massively underrated
This one comes from Gary Vaynerchuk, bestselling author and super-star entrepreneur. These 4 words have changed my life is so many ways: from getting a job at HootSuite to rocking 3 speaking gigs this March. So thanks, Gary!
2. Good design is good business
Said by IBM’s ex-president Thomas Watson. In everything I do, I feel the pressure of this principle. It makes me go to Starbacks and open my Mac, and write in my Moleskine. It makes me never settle for low-quality results.
3. Money, career, fame… whatever. That’s all fine and good, but the bottom line is that there is one thing—just one—that really matters. Being fucking awesome.
Coming from another bestselling author, Julien Smith, this advice has already been built into my DNA, yet reading these lines helped it manifest like never before. Awesome!
The most common excuse for failure I’ve heard is that people don’t change. Bullshit!
People do change. Every second, every day, every month, every year. People change a little all the time and dramatically due to some major events.
The only thing you need in order to change yourself is wanting it badly enough. If you think that your laziness is on your way to success, change! Don’t say “that’s just how I am.” If you are not satisfied with yourself, you can do better.
I lost 30 pounds 3 years ago, because I got tired of being overweight. Unfortunately, this change had also turned me into an asshole. Luckily though, I fell in love soon after that, which caused me to change again to a good guy.
Since I came to Canada, I’ve changed a lot too. I adopted values of gift giving and selflessness, which were quite uncommon to me.
If there is anything about you that you’re not happy about, change yourself. You can. I believe in you. If you need help, ask for it. But do not, please, do not leave everything the way it is. You deserve better.
And don’t wait for the new year, Monday, tomorrow or even dinner. Start the change this very second.
Good luck!
Here’s a quastion: What are the 3 things you’ve done today to make your life better?
Did you read a couple of pages in that textbook? Did you run a few miles? Did you write a blog post? Did you pay your tuition? Did you meet someone important? Did you help someone in need?
If you can’t name 3 such things by the end of each day, you’re not doing a good enough job to become successful.
So what are you things for today?
Are you a fan of resolutions? I’m not. I believe in continuous goal-setting. But just for fun I decided to make an alphabetical list of my goals for 2011. Maybe, you should do the same.
Without further due, here’s my list:
A - assume less, listen more
B - build and improve this blog
C - Chris Brogan, meet
D - develop better studying habits
E - English, master
F - fight laziness
G - Gary Vaynerchuk, meet
H - help more people than I’ve helped in 2010
I - improve relationships with my parents
J - join a marketers’ association
K - keep being awesome
L - lose 10 pounds and keep it that way
M - meet someone truly amazing
N - notes (music), learn how to read
O - obey this resolution
P - post guest posts to some top-of-the-line blogs
Q - quit watching so many tv-shows
R - raise, get
S - speak in public about branding
T - turn 22, hopefully
U - utilize video content more effectively
V - visit New York
W - write a book
X - forget about her
Y - because
Z - come up with a task for “z” next year
So what’s yours?
…if it has anything to do with cats, super heros, movie stars or donuts.
…if it has your date of birth or registration in it.
…if you feel a bit embarrassed telling it to someone important.
…if you don’t like it.
…if you can’t remember it.
…if you can’t easily spell it over the phone.
…if it’s too long to fit on a business card or a billboard (depending on your ego).
…if it’s not on Gmail.
…if it is on Hotmail.
Struggling with coming up with a unique but good address?
Consider these types:
One rule that always applies: set up an address that you could use your whole life if needed and then use it and only it. Always. Everywhere.
Questions?
This semester is almost over. The next one is not far away with all new group projects and presentations. So…
This is my master list of resources to make your next classroom presentation more awesome than a unicorn with a rainbow-coloured pupils. And those things are very awesome.
9 Big, Bold Designer PowerPoint Templates
28 Creative PowerPoint and Keynote Presentation Designs
10 Premium Professional PowerPoint Themes and Backgrounds
8 Stunning PowerPoint Templates: The Spring Line!
17 Awesome PowerPoint & Keynote Presentation Templates
40+ Awesome Keynote and PowerPoint Templates and Resources
Rock Your Presentation with the Right Tools and Apps
Everything I Know About Presentations, I Learned in Theatre School
The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint
A Design Philosophy for Effective Presentations
How to Make Your Memos More Memorable
PowerPoint Revolution: 21st Century Design
Stop Being Nervous About Public Speaking
What is good PowerPoint design?
PowerPoint Designs that Executives Love (But Shouldn’t)
How to Insert YouTube Videos in PowerPoint
Top 10 Powerpoint Resume Presentations on Slideshare
Top 10 Coolest PowerPoint Slideshows on Slideshare
Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!)
Keynote for Mac OS
PowerPoint for Windows SCKS
Enjoy and share with others. Also add your links in the comments below.
P.S. Special thanks to the guys at Envato for being so amazing.
— Why would I learn that? Will I get paid more?
I’ve heard these questions a lot of times. Indeed, why would you spend time learning about something that doesn’t have a direct impact on your future salary? Why would you read that book, if it doesn’t have answers to the questions on hand? Why would you meet these people, if they have no connection to your industry? Why? Why? Why? Be-fucking-cause!
First of all, things change: your questions on hand change, your job evolves, you change too. Something that doesn’t seem beneficial today may be critical tomorrow.
When learning HTML back in 2005, I had no idea how influential this knowledge would be. But when the right time came, this interest became a foundation for my freelancing job and, later, my social media obsession.
The same is true for networking or anything else.
Do I have any idea when Psychology 101 or Politics 110 will come handy? Not at all, but I still study them. And meanwhile, they are already altering my perception of the world by helping understand better how things work.
You have probably experienced this yourself. You learn something new, and it changes how you view the world.
For example, after taking an advertising course, all commercials start making sense. Or after learning to play the guitar, you start hearing strumming patterns and classic blues leaks.
The more you know the more you can do; the better judgments you make; the smarter alternatives you see; the more successful you become.
Smart people are also fun to talk to. I love chatting with someone I meet beyond the classic “what brings you here?” and “what do you do?” Why not talk about sports, religion, space invasions?
When you have something to share and you are interesting to talk to, people will seek you company. While if you are a boring dumb-ass… well, you’re just a boring dumb-ass.
Be curious. Learn beyond your curriculum. Decide for yourself what to learn and then learn it. Here are some things I’m trying out right now:
Anything you’ve learned recently or want to check out? Share in the comments!
What are your goals?
I remember how a psychologist would come to my class and ask this question. According to her, people are much more successful, if they have their goals written down, than those who don’t have goals at all or even have them but not on paper.
I never took her words seriously. But later, when reading many business books, I stumbled upon this advice a few times more. And so, I decided to try.
My life changed.
I don’t know how, but having goals in writing (on my creative wall) is so effective!
First of all, it feels good every time I accomplish something. Secondly, I’m always on top with what I’m doing and know how it influences my future.
Last Sunday, I wrote about The Stairway Concept of Living in my newsletter. If you missed it, subscribe for free, and I’ll send you a copy.
Combining The Stairway Concept with clear and meaningful goal-setting gives incredible results. In fact, that’s exactly what’s made my 2010 so great with all the networking, jobs, etc.
Here are a few goals from my list. Maybe, you’ll find them appealing:
Short-term:
Long-term:
Top goal: Work as a project manager at a remarkable branding agency.
The above goals keep me up at night. These goals push me forward when I feel like giving up. These goals make me climb another step every day.
Think about yours. Can you state them clearly? Can you put a quantitate measure and a deadline? Are they achievable? Is that what you really want?
Here are a few more questions to consider:
Wanna help others? Share your non-secret goals in the comments, and let’s talk!
In 2010, there is absolutely no excuse not to have cool personal brand identity. There is no excuse to have a boring black and white resume typed in Times New Roman. There is no excuse to not have business cards.
This post will put an end to bad design in your life, even if your are terrible at it (like I am). So if you are still planning on making excuses, you better stop reading now.
So, you don’t have a business card? You want one, but you don’t have the skills to design it and those templates at the office supply retail store don’t look sexy at all? There is a simple solution.
Or you want a good high-quality resume that will speak for itself, but MS Word doesn’t make life any easier? There is a simple solution to that too.
Welcome to GraphicRiver!
This very cool website is an open market where designers can sell their work for a good price, and consumers can choose one of the hundreds of great templates.
Surf the site and find the design that suits you. $5 for a business card or resume? It’s like buying a latte at Starbucks, but you will be able to drink it for many years to come!
There is nothing bad about getting a template, if you’re not a designer. Believe me, you will be ahead of the majority of your classmates and even professionals!
Every time I give my business card to someone, I see an amazed face. People don’t expect you to have a well-designed card, or any card at all for that matter.
Prove them wrong!
For your resumes, go to any printing store and just print them on high-quality paper. Please, don’t use your home printer, unless it’s some high-end piece of machinery :-).
For you business cards, check out Moo.com or some other service like that. You will get your cards delivered to your door fast and in cool packaging. No extra effort required, and at 35 cents per card, there is no reason not to buy.
Well-designed resume and business cards can help you score a better job. They also help you stand out from the crowd and brand yourself. People will think so much more of you, if you don’t mumble, “Hm… uh… I don’t have a card, sorry…”
Spending money on identity design is an investment, not an expense. And it will have a great return, if you use it right (I’ll tell you how later).
Let’s do the math:
Does it make any sense not to invest in your identity design, especially with all the awesome tools available?
You heard me, there are no excuses anymore!
If you don’t go and get yourself a bunch of cool cards and resumes, there is nothing I can do to help you. If you don’t do it, you might as well just stop reading this blog at all and stop dreaming about becoming successful too.
If you need advice, ask me. If you don’t care enough to make this change in your life, you can give up right now. I hope we understood each other ;-).