If you’re out in public and your mobile rings and you recognise the number: smile broadly and answer the call (even if you don’t really have time or want to talk to them).
Although it’s rare, perhaps just a few times every year or so, the person calling has spotted you from across the street, and your reaction will live on in their minds for years to come.
“Do not ever write for radio. Ever.”
This was Neil Young’s advice to a young Jewel (before her music career took off) as she was feeling the pressure to switch from being true to her self, to some manufactured version for her record company.
Sometimes I wonder if the modern business equivalent could be: “Do not ever write for LinkedIn. Ever.”
Realised today that I started my blog just over 20 years ago.
Here’s my first blog post (27 June 2004):
Except for the slightly colder winter we’re in now, I could write this exact post today. So much has changed in that time, and yet the foundations are still the same.
And I am very thankful.
I’m pretty sure most people who use the word ‘modalities’ in a sentence don’t know what it means.
Exhibit A: this post you are currently reading
I was listening to Pivot last weekend and a passing comment (around the 3:18 mark: Spotify link) from Scott caught my ear. Scott was discussing recent shows and podcasts he’s been on, describing his nerves before some, and how enjoyable others are. Regarding his chat with Chris Wallace he noted how he’s a great interview and ‘he sets people up for success’. I really like...
In December I mentioned preparing for a fast start in 2024. And what a fast start it has been. I can’t remember a January being this busy, right from the first week, in a long, long time. It’s a good sign. Or at least I’ve decided to take it that way – you can choose your own outlook for the year ahead. Depending on which PR release you read it’s either going to be a terrible year, or a...
I’m enjoying Shane Parish’s new book: Clear Thinking
This quip has inspired me to be a flip-flopper this year:
Always fun to read the headlines and analysis of where the job market is headed:
Mass layoffs are coming in 2024 (Newsweek)
92% of employers expect more layoffs in 2024 (ebn)
More than half of US companies plan to increase hiring in the first half of 2024 (Robert Half)
70.5% expect an increase in hiring needs (Randstad)
Pick your preferred outlook.
This got me thinking…
How do you show empathy (and understand how a person is feeling) versus falling into the trap of projecting (and assuming the person is feeling what you are feeling)?
I suspect most people focus too much on the side effects of doing something, versus the side effects of not doing anything. For example: The side effects of vaccines (eg 2 out 100,000 get heart side effects from COVID vaccines, versus the side effects of not getting vaccinated – you can ‘do your own research‘ on this one) The side effects of exercising (injuries, muscle tears...