Conflict and Cash

Scenario One 

I decided that Pinterest might be a good platform for my consulting business MARGIN.  So I added a board I named, “FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR.”     

On my personal boards my pins consist of things I liked or objects of desire. 

But with the entrepreneurial board I pin consciously because the pin is meant to share useful information.  Curated from corners of the web I attempt to pin material that is inspiring, profit-generating, motivating, problem-solving, strategy building and at the same time, visually entertaining.    

On the other hand I have a friend who is the queen of the “repin.”  Never leaving Pinterest to find board content - if she’s not seeing it on Pinterest already you won't see it on her boards.  Her effort is minimal, but she is quickly gaining momentum and her following is rapidly mounting.     

Scenario Two

I’m involved in a 13-week webinar supported by a nationally known nonprofit association.  Our instructor who owns her own consultancy is excellent as she plows through tons of information and online marketing concepts. 

Last week we spent a good amount of time discussing blog posts.  During that discussion she said something that had my full attention.    

She said we all get stymied occasionally when it comes to post topics.  Her suggestion was to find a relevant online article.  Copy and paste it as your blog entry while giving full credit to the original source. 

Next edit the article by giving it a new title and subtitles that enhance or optimize your website.  Add your name, address and phone number (nap) at the end of the post.  Blog post finished.  Done in less time than it takes to let your fingers find the home keys and create that snazzy new optimized title.   

Confusion/Conclusion

I’ll admit to being just a little confused and disillusioned.  I’m looking for balance. . .and I'm not sure I'm finding it.   

Surely there’s value in the repin; you're sharing information with a new group of friends who possibly couldn't find the info on their own.  But never to take the journey beyond the site in search of fresh content doesn’t feel right either. 

The same goes for the cut-and-paste blog post.  Certainly there’s room for borrowing and sharing content, but I thought the whole notion of a blog was a platform for original thought. 

I know an artist with a form of Muscular Dystrophy who still pushes through the stiffness in her hands to create her striking black-and-white illustrations.   

With razor-sharp scissors, and an eye focused on perfection, my barber takes an hour trimming my hair making certain I leave with a perfectly sculpted afro.  

I know bakers who talk all day about whether they should use Mexican or Madagascar vanilla in their delicious, from scratch, cupcakes. 

And I know results-driven consultants who work tirelessly to deliver original product that gives clients innovative, solid strategies. 

Are these craftspeople relics?  Is it all about the shortcut; has the scenic route been oversold so much so that it’s lost its value?   

I suppose it drills down to a personal inventory.  How do I want to make a living?  What values and beliefs supervise our behavior and become our guiding light?      

As usual there’s no right and wrong.  And for certain on this one I don’t know the answers.   I'm just asking the questions. 

   

Getting Rich is Easy

I travelled back to Austin late last Wednesday after a week-long trip that combined responsibility with a little relaxation. 

On Thursday I unpacked my suitcase and attempted to readjust to the screaming, oppressive moist heat of July in Austin.  In the late afternoon I was so totally wiped out I fell asleep in my desk chair almost slamming my head into the computer.  Decided it was time for full surrender so I took a two-hour sofa nap. 

By Friday I'd beaten the heat and the fatigue and was back to my early morning exercise routine.

But something else was going on and I could feel it gnawing around my emotional edges.  A dull flat feeling was starting as an internal whisper.   I know from experience if left to idle these random downer feelings will quickly develop into a full-fledged existential crisis and a real confidence killer.   

It was time to change the state of my inner entrepreneur.    

In my younger years I used to coddle these negative feelings by feeding them big doses of “victim talk” and washing it all down with cups of extra-hot Earl Grey tea.  Now I take charge by becoming my own “tough love” coach. 

Here’s my prescription for squashing the funk and getting back to feeling fine.  And the good news is it takes just a little time to make a world of emotional difference.

1.  Shift your focus by listening to your favorite motivational speaker.  Even though I love people like Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, the late Jim Rohn and the phenomenal Les Brown – the “who” really doesn't make a difference as long as they inspire you[1].       

2.  For times like these have at your disposal a stimulating, encouraging prayer, meditation, verse, or poem that you read aloud as many times as you need to.  You'll start feeling the feeling.

3.  Movement and posture seem to be important to the process.  Sit up straight.  Stand up tall.  Go for a short walk/run/bike/swim. 

But there’s a key to changing your emotional state. . .YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT!  

The motivational speaker Jim Rohn does this funny thing when referring to getting things done, making money, or living the life you desire. 

He’s says it’s easy to do it.  But it’s also easy not to do it.  The things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. 

I mention this because it’s easy to change your state.  It’s also easy not to change your state.  It’s easy to feel vibrant, full of expectation, excited about spotting possibilities and seizing opportunities. 

On the other hand it’s also easy to feel victimized, disappointed and confused.  And it’s even easier to stay in that energy while you attempt to “figure out the problem.”     

Vibrant and alive versus confused and depressed.

You decide which “easy” you want to live. 

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[1] Have to give a shout out to Tony however – he talks a lot about changing your emotional state.