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21 ways to get (really) good at writing
1. You get (really) good at writing by writing a lot. 2. You get (really) good at writing by being willing to suck at the beginning. 3. You get (really) good at writing by reading good writing. 4. You get (really) good at writing by reading bad writing. 5. You get (really) good at writing by studying the architecture of pages. 6. You get (really) good at writing sharing…
Be the bulls-eye, not the arrow
We live in a My Culture. Here’s why. Because of the exponential growth of Internet, humans now have instant access to infinite amounts of information. This creates a hyperspeed, infinite-choice society where people are BOMBARDED by thousands of marketing messages on a daily basis. Which makes customers’ patience dwindle. Which reduces attention span to about six seconds. Which ultimately means: customers are going to get WHAT they want, WHEN…
13 Steps to Entertaining an Idea
Ideas are your major source of income. As such, you need to become a MASTER of entertaining those ideas. Aristotle once said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Note the distinction. He’s talking about being objective. Being open. Brainstorming. Considering the possibility that an idea MIGHT be good. Or, that it might suck. You won’t know until…
On being unarguable
I was walking down the Las Vegas Strip one day when I saw the coolest t-shirt of all time. A teenager was wearing it. The front was emblazoned with the New York Yankees logo. Right above it in big, bold letters, it said: DO THE MATH. It took me a second, but eventually I figured it out. See, you can talk all you want about how much you hate…
13 signs that your idea probably isn’t that good
1. Your idea probably isn’t that good … If everybody loves it. 2. Your idea probably isn’t that good … If nobody wants to steal it. 3. Your idea probably isn’t that good … If you can easily duplicate it. 4. Your idea probably isn’t that good … If you don’t have them at hello. 5. Your idea probably isn’t that good … If you can’t explain it to…
How to (not) exist
If you can’t define your product … it doesn’t exist. Because a confused mind never buys. If you don’t have a unique product … it doesn’t exist. Because a choice-saturated mind never buys. If it doesn’t exist on the Internet … it doesn’t exist. Not just a web-SITE; a web-PRESENCE. Octopus, not earthworm. If you can’t Google it … it doesn’t exist. What happens when someone googles your name?…
Insist on being yourself
I was once forbidden from entering into a dance club because I was wearing my nametag. Another time I got kicked out of a fancy restaurant for wearing my nametag. And a few years ago, I dated a girl who was so uncomfortable with my nametag that she stopped going out with me. I know. Ridiculous. But hey, that’s cool. Those are the types of people and places I…
Be willing to suck in the beginning
I’ve been writing books since I was 21. But, I didn’t find my true author’s voice until I was about 25. It comes with the territory. Whether you’re a rock star, a artist or a business owner, you’ve got to “get the shanks out.” LESSON LEARNED: be willing to suck in the beginning. Dare to do it badly. Seek progress, not perfection. Spend some time paying (or playing) your…
Make your mind your friend
1. Hang with it. Keep daily appointments with yourself. Clear it. Set aside time to just think. Encourage your mind to get better by doing creativity exercises. 2. Feed it. Read more books; watch less TV. Go for more walks. Exercise rhythmically for 30 minutes a day to flood it with endorphins and expand its idea-generating prowess. Have regular conversations with super-smart, creative people. 3. Listen to it. Figure…
2,500 days and counting…
Today is day 2,500! Man, that’s almost seven years. Wow, what a ride it’s been so far! Can’t wait to see what the next 2,500 days brings! Anyway, I’ve been saving this post for just the right occasion… * * * * Last night I asked my friend Maria, “What was the major contributor to your success?” She told me that when she married a man from a different…