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28 Ways to Challenge People’s Assumptions
Some people are full of BS. Some people make assumptions. Some people are nothing but talk. Some people speak without thinking. Some people use invalidated, vague, baseless arguments to prove their points. Your job is to challenge them. To (not) blindly accept everything people say. To spot hidden assumptions and avoid mindless acceptance. You do this for two reasons: 1. YOU gain clarity on their motives, intentions and beliefs….
Everything you do should lead to something else you do
The most important TWO WORDS in your entrepreneurial lexicon are: What’s next? Because everything you do should lead to something else you do. Everything you do should: Set yourself UP. Set yourself APART. Set yourself AHEAD. So, in order to do so, I suggest asking these Leverage Questions. Let’s take a look: 1. What else can be made from this? The key to leverage is to look at something…
Being More Parodyable = Being More Profitable
Ask yourself three questions: 1. When was the last time someone parodied you? 2. When was the last time someone parodied your idea? 3. When was the last time someone parodied your company? If your answer is, “Never,” then that should tell your something. Kind of reminds us of the old saying, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” See, if people aren’t at least TALKING about you –…
15 random thoughts and the people who inspired me think them
This week I’m back in good ol’ Cincinnati, working with my friends over at The Hyatt Regency. It’s always good to be back. Reminds me of college. Things like Skyline and WEBN bring back fond memories. Sigh… Anyway, today I wanted to try something a little different: a bunch of random thoughts PLUS the “thought inspiration” behind each one. Just in case you were wondering where I come up…
8 Ways to Avoid Conversational Narcissism
Forget yourself and submit to the other person. That’s the BIG challenge of listening. To check your ego. To relinquish you agendas. To suspend your preoccupation. Unfortunately, it’s dangerously easy for people to fall into the trap of Conversational Narcissism. Especially when they’re too busy. Too busy trying to contribute. Too busy trying to prove themselves. Too busy trying impose their own agenda. Too busy trying to take ownership…
38 (More) Ways to Grow Bigger Ears
What’s the secret to Growing Bigger Ears? THREE WORDS: Constant, visual reinforcement. So, here’s what you do. 1. Grab a few sticky notes and a Sharpie. 2. Start brainstorming a list of your biggest listening challenges, i.e., “Pause three seconds before answering a question,” or “Don’t ask ‘Why?’ ask, ‘What or How?’” 3. Summarize, symbolize and shorten those ideas into memorable soundbites. 4. Post them around your office, by…
37 Things (Not) to Do This Year
1. Don’t accuse, inform. 2. Don’t exist, live. 3. Don’t hear, listen. 4. Don’t hype. Appear. 5. Don’t inform, form. 6. Don’t jump, pause. 7. Don’t listen, understand. 8. Don’t look, observe. 9. Don’t memorize, prepare. 10. Don’t perform, satisfy. 11. Don’t read, observe. 12. Don’t sell, solve. 13. Don’t solve, dissolve. 14. Don’t talk, do. 15. Don’t think, react. 16. Don’t think, reflect. 17. Don’t touch, feel. 18….
Is this an intentional action or an incidental consequence?
When faced with any task, endeavor or project, two questions need to be asked: 1. What needs to be done intentionally? 2. What do I hope will happen incidentally? First, let’s explore the word “intentional.” It comes from the Latin intendere, which means, “To direct one’s attention.” So, it’s the action you take first, along with the attitude you maintain while taking it. And, in many cases, that which…
If you don’t quote yourself, nobody else will
So, you’re pretty smart. And you’ve said some pretty smart things. But you didn’t write them down, did you? Which means you don’t (regularly) quote yourself, do you? BIG mistake. LESSON LEARNED: If want other people to quote YOU, you need to quote yourself first. Because if you don’t quote yourself, nobody else will. Don’t worry. It doesn’t make you an egomaniac. It just means that, as a creative…
22 Ways to Make Negative Thinking Work for You
Inasmuch as positive thinking is a healthy, creative and productive approach to life, there IS something to be said about being the (occasional) Negative Nelly. Wow. That was REALLY cheesy. Negative Nelly. I sound like Ned Flanders. Whatever. Flanders rules. Anyway, Negative Thinking – despite its bad rap – CAN have positive attributes. When used and timed correctly. Because… Posing occasional questions underscored with doubt and skepticism is a…