Adventures in Nametagging: Thieves, Yogis and Silver Suits

“Acts of friendliness in moments of anonymity.”

That’s why I wear a nametag:

To invite people to join me, to remind the world that face to face is making a comeback and to create spontaneous moments of authentic human interaction infused with a spirit of humor, playfulness and connection.

And if a picture is worth a thousand words, a nametag is worth a thousand stories.

Here are my most recent adventures:DAY 3,842. Today a guy at the coffee shop noticed my nametag. He jokingly asked me if my name was Scott, and I said yes. Then he asked me if I could watch his stuff while he went to the bathroom. I said yes again. Isn’t it amazing how much more we trust someone once we know their name? Maybe I’ll give his wallet back.

DAY 3,843. Today a guy in the yoga locker room noticed my nametag, smiled and asked, “Scott, are you going to the conference, or coming from the conference?” And I told him, “Both.” Maybe that’s all life is. One big, never-ending conference.

DAY 3,844. Today I was in downtown Manhattan when a man in a silver suit deliberately interrupted his phone call to remind me that I was still wearing my nametag. I thanked him and continued walking. Moments like these restore my faith in humanity. I find it reassuring to know that in our hyperspeed, always-on culture, people will still go out of their way to help a stranger in need.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What was your best nametag related adventure?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “8 Ways to Move Quickly on New Opportunities,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author, Speaker, Publisher, Artist, Mentor
[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.
Now booking for 2011-2012!

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Adventures in Nametagging: Airplanes & Alcohol

“Acts of friendliness in moments of anonymity.”

That’s why I wear a nametag:

To invite people to join me, to remind the world that face to face is making a comeback and to create spontaneous moments of authentic human interaction infused with a spirit of humor, playfulness and connection.

And if a picture is worth a thousand words, a nametag is worth a thousand stories.

Here are my most recent adventures:DAY 3,819: Today my flight attendant noticed my nametag and said, “I wish all my passengers wore nametags – that way I wouldn’t have to say sir!” The crazy part is, there are still people who call me sir. Even when my name is staring right back at them. I always wonder if they’re being polite or just oblivious.

DAY 3,820: Today the woman sitting across the isle from me skipped right past the introduction and said, “I just wanted to say that I think the nametag thing is brilliant. Everyone should wear them. Great idea.” It’s amazing: Some people just get it faster than others.

DAY 3,839: Today my girlfriend and I walked passed an outdoor pub. A woman wearing sunglasses that were too big for her face noticed us. And in one of those voices that was audible enough to hear, but not directed to us personally, she said: “Hey look! Scott is wearing a nametag so when his girlfriend gets drunk, she won’t forget his name.” Very funny. But while this kind of story happens a lot, it doesn’t really bother me. Drunk people get the laugh once – I get the laugh forever.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What was your best nametag related adventure?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “8 Ways to Move Quickly on New Opportunities,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author, Speaker, Publisher, Artist, Mentor
[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.
Now booking for 2011-2012!

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Don’t leave it in the green room

WARNING: Over rehearsing may cause you to leave some of your best stuff in the green room.

Sure, you can rehearse a little bit.

So you prepare. Go over stuff. Try a few things out. Practice here and there.

But you never over rehearse.

Save THAT steam for the stage.

Reserve your best juices, your strongest emotions and your most gorgeous extemporizations for the main event. The real deal. The big game. The showdown.

Otherwise, your brilliance will bellow in vain, quietly smacking against a brick wall with nobody to appreciate its splendor but you, the housekeeping lady and (possibly) the guy in the next room over desperately trying to get some sleep. (And even he isn’t really listening to you.)

No, you’d better call it a night. Reserve your truest ruminations for their ideal venue.

Don’t waste them on green room, or in some cases, the Holiday Inn.

Because once they come pouring out of your heart and through your lips, they may never resurface again.

And that’s just not fair to your Muse.

She’s worked too hard.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Where are you accidentally wasting your best stuff?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “234 Things I’ve Learned about Writing, Delivering and Marketing Speeches,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Grow Creative Ears, Part 2

In the first post of this series, we explored a list of things, forces, people and situations to “actively listen to” so you could grow your creative practice.

Next, let’s work counter-intuitively. Here’s a list of six things (NOT) to listen to for maximizing creative output:

1. Don’t listen to that evil little devil of procrastination.
Because resistance hath slain an endless list of would-be artists.
And in the words of Edison, “I start where other men leave off.”

SO, THINK: Are you creating what wants to be created?

2. Don’t listen to inspiration ONLY.
Because it often comes unannounced.
And in the words of Tchaikovsky, “A self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavoring to meet it halfway, we easily become indirect and apathetic.”

SO, THINK: Are you inspired or disciplined?

3. Don’t listen to your conditioned mind.
Because it’s just telling your ego the story it wants to hear.
And in the words of Eckhart Tolle, “Don’t ask your mind permission to enjoy what you do.”

SO, THINK: Are you letting your unconscious mind get in the way?

4. Don’t listen to people who tell you to stop singing so loud.
Because their imagination can’t encompass what it is that you want to do.
And in the words of Neitzche, “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn’t hear the music.”

SO, THINK: Whom are you allowing to murder your creative nature?

5. Don’t listen to what everyone else is doing.
Because it’s more fun to ask how YOU can do it, instead of asking how it’s BEEN done.
And in the words of Napoleon Hill, “Listen to the music that stirs in your heart.”

SO, THINK: How often does perfection keep you from starting?

6. Don’t listen to self-appointed criticizers.
Because there’s not a single museum in the word displaying a statue of a critic.
And in the words of James Hubbel, “Art is learning how to be quiet.”

SO, THINK: How can you “fight back with your art” instead of getting defensive?

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What do you (not) listen to?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “101 People (not) to Listen to,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Still haven’t finished that book you started in 1997?

Bummer. Perhaps I could help on a more personal, one-on-one basis.

Rent Scott’s Brain today!


Grow Creative Ears, Part 1

You’re a creative professional.
You make a living off your ideas.
Your ideas are your major source of income.

So, naturally, you want to have as many ideas as possible, right?

Absolutely.

The challenge, of course, is getting those ideas to come to you.

Which sounds like a lot of work, but it’s really not.

Because all you have to do is open your ears.

AFTER ALL: Creativity the ultimate form of active listening.

In this first post of the three-post series, we’re going to explore a list of six things to listen to in your creative practice:

1. Listen to your muse.
Because she’s doing most of the work.
And in the words of Erich Fromm, “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.”

SO, THINK: Are you willing to surrender comfort and control?

2. Listen to the situation.
Because the solution is already there.
And in the words of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, “Participate as fully as possibly in the world around you. You shape your life by deciding to pay attention to it. It is the direction of your attention and its intensity that will determines what you accomplish and how well.”

SO, THINK: Are you softening your eyes?

3. Listen to other people.
Because they will spark your creative juices.
And in the words of Andrew Finlayson, “Successful people know a universe of people they can ask for help.”

SO, THINK: How would a left brainer, a fool or a cynic approach this problem?

4. Listen to your innermost desires.
Because they know what’s best for you.
And in the words of Chet Raymo, “Let us worship the spine and its tingle.”

SO, THINK: Are you releasing the music that is in you?

5. Listen to the consistencies in your life.
Because they don’t lie.
And in the words of Emerson, “We should learn to detect and watch the gleam of light which flashes across our own minds.”

SO, THINK: Are you a hunter of patterns?

6. Listen to what the world is trying to tell you.
Because life leaves clues.
And in the words of Buckminster Fuller, “Intuition is cosmic fishing, you feel a nibble and then you’ve got to hook the fish.”

SO, THINK: Are you creating what wants to be created?

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Are you growing creative ears?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “49 Ways to become an Idea Powerhouse,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

What if everybody DID wear nametags?

After 2,807 days, I (still) don’t think EVERYONE should wear nametags.

However.

Sometimes, it IS kind of fun to reminisce about all my experiences (positive AND negative) and wonder, “Well, what if everybody DID wear nametags?”

So, here’s what I think.

I guess I’m the most qualified person in the world to answer this question…

If everybody in the world wore nametags:

1. People would be nicer to each other. Because it’s easier to make fun of someone when you don’t know anything about them.

2. People would hold each other accountable. For example, “Excuse me, Steve, but were you going to pay for those jump drives you just stuffed in your jacket pocket?”

3. People would hold themselves accountable. “Dang it, I better not go into that strip club. One of my employees might recognize me,” the CEO thinks.

4. People wouldn’t litter as much. “Hey honey! Today I saw your boss, Ted, dump his ashtray in the river!”

5. People would be more willing to give to the homeless. Because they wouldn’t be “the homeless” anymore. They would be human beings. With names. Just like us.

6. People wouldn’t commit as many crimes. Ever tried to rob a 7-11 with a nametag on? (I actually had a dream about that one time. And Tommy Lee Jones totally arrested me. Weird. )

7. The Police would solve crimes a lot quicker. Because victims, bystanders and security cameras would be able to remember and identify their perpetrators. “Sir, do you recall what the gunman looked like?” asks the detective. “Um, not really, but I DO know his name was Randy Harrison.” “Oh. Well, thanks! Case closed!”

8. People would have less anonymity and privacy. Which could lead to boundary violations and stalkers. (Both of which I’ve had. Not fun.)

9. People would stop cutting in lines. Imagine 100 people yelling, “Stacy is a cutter! Stacy is a cutter!” Awk-ward.

10. People wouldn’t start as many fights. I only say this because, in my experience, it’s a lot harder to beat the crap out of a stranger if he’s wearing a nametag – even though people have still beat me up for doing so 😉

11. People wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about forgetting names. And EVERYBODY, no matter how old they are, forgets names.

12. People would feel more comfortable around each other. Because (now) they don’t have to worry about remembering names.

13. People wouldn’t avoid approaching someone they “sort of” know. Because they could just say, “Oh yeah, that’s Margie! I remember her. Thank God for that nametag, huh? I’m gonna go say hi.” Conflict creates avoidance.

14. People with Alzheimer’s wouldn’t feel so bad. Take THAT, memory loss!

15. People could honorably address each other by their names. As opposed to snapping their fingers, waving their hands, poking their shoulder or use any other form of rude, demeaning come-here gesture.

16. People wouldn’t have to fake friendliness. No need to call each other by those annoying name-substitutes like dude, buddy, partner, sport, feller, sweetheart, baby, hot stuff or HEY, DUMBASS!

17. People would be more honest. I just think it’s harder to lie to someone when you’re wearing a nametag. Just my experience.

18. People would be more likely to start conversations with strangers. I know I’ve met about 150,000 of them!

19. People would have more self-esteem. Because they would be addressed, approached and recognized more often and in a more personal way. And people create their identities based on how people respond to them.

20. People wouldn’t be able to give fake names. Which may or may not be a good thing, depending on which person is hitting on you.

21. People would DELIVER better service. Because it’s easier to offer bad service to someone you don’t know. And conversely, it’s easier to offer good service to someone you DO know. Not to mention the familiarity factor, since wearing a nametag expedites your familiarity in the eyes of the service provider, turning you into an instant regular in their minds. And we all know what happens to regulars when they walk in the room: “Hey Norm!”

22. People would tip better. Because service would be better.

23. People would make more money. Because people would tip better.

24. People would feel closer to each other in general. See, the greatest power of knowing someone’s name is that it reduces the social distance between you and that person. Physically AND emotionally. When you know someone’s name, you’re immediately closer to that person.

25. People wouldn’t have to depend on alcohol or smoking as their (only) methods of socialization. Instead of saying, “Can I buy you a drink?” “Shots?” or “You got a light you sexy mama?” people could just use each other’s names. Gosh, imagine that.

26. People wouldn’t have to use cheesy pick up lines. Instead of saying, “So, are you waiting for anyone in particular or just me?” single people could get more creative with their approaches by saying something like, “So, is Sven a Norwegian name?”

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What do you think would happen if everybody wore nametags?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “101 Life Lessons Learned from Wearing a Nametag 24-7,” send an email to me, and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

What’s YOUR approach?

Join The Nametag Forums! Share stories, best practices and connect with a like-minded community of business professionals who stick themselves out there!

Adventures in Nametagging: KC Style

OK, so, this HAS to be on my list called:

“Top Ten Things That Have Ever Happened After One Of My Speeches”

Rick, the president of the KC CVB, came right up to my book table, ripped open his shirt and showed me HIS nametag tattoo.

Zoinks!

Thanks for making my week, Rick.

Man. After 2,787 days, I thought I was the only one. So much for being original!

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen an audience member do?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Go to Kansas City. Those guys ROCK!

Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.

Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!

Stop using the word “try”

People who use the word “try” a lot usually don’ t accomplish much.

YODA WAS RIGHT: “There is no try. Only do, and do not.”

So, instead of “trying,” consider modifying your vocabulary with these substitutes:

1. I am…
2. I will…
3. I intend to…
4. My goal is to…
5. I’ll give it my best…
6. I’m getting better at…
7. I did the best I could…
8. I will make an effort to…
9. I’m making progress on…

REMEMBER: The more often you use the word “try,” the less progress you actually make.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How often do you use the word “try”?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Stop trying, start doing.

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

Enjoy this post?

If so, perhaps I could help on a more personal, one-on-one basis.

Rent Scott’s Brain today!


I just can’t help but to…

It’s not about “marketing.”
It’s not about “branding.”
It’s not about “PR.”

It’s about IDENTITY.

Much better word.

It comes from the Latin identere, which means “over and over.”

So, when you’re trying to pinpoint your unique value – as an entrepreneur, as creative professional, as a PERSON – you need to discover your defaults.

The stuff you just DO.
The stuff you can’t NOT do.
The stuff you can’t HELP but to do.

Over and over.

That’s identity.

It’s what famed psychologist Erik Erickson described identity as, “The uniqueness and individuality that makes a person distinct from others.”

Here’s a set of questions to help you unlock yours:

1. When you work, what is the one thing you can’t NOT do?
2. When you meet someone, what is the one thing you CAN’T HELP but do?
3. When you create your art, what is the one thing you JUST do?
4. When you listen to someone, what is the one thing you CAN’T HELP but do?
5. When you start your typical day what is the one thing you JUST do?
6. When you go about your day, what is it that you CAN’T HELP but to BE?

IN SHORT: What is it … that’s just, SO you?

That’s identity. That’s who you are.

And it is a GIFT. Possibly the greatest gift in the world.

So, your duty is to uncover it, re-gift it, and use it to serve others.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What is it that you can’t help but to do?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “16 Questions to Uncover Your Natural-Born Expertise,” send an email to me and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
[email protected]

What’s YOUR approach?

Join The Nametag Forums! Share stories, best practices and connect with a like-minded community of business professionals who stick themselves out there!

9 Ways to become THEE Expert on Just about ANYTHING

1. The sculpture is inside the stone. Don’t just decide to “become” THEE expert on (x). Instead, figure out what you are inherently the expert ON; then position yourself as such.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: What do you know that people would pay money for?

2. Is it WHAT you know, or WHOM you know? Ultimately, the only think you can really be an expert on is yourself. Your experiences. You philosophy. Your unique lens or filter through which you view and process the world.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: If everybody did exactly what you said, what would the world look like?

3. YOU. That’s what people want. That’s what people are attracted to. That’s what people will gladly pay money for: Who you are as a person. Not your “topic,” but the way you think. THAT’s your expertise.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: Are you influencing people through what you know or WHO you are?

4. Perception isn’t just reality – it’s everything! See, it doesn’t matter if you’re the expert. It only matters if you’re the PERCEIVED expert. The obvious expert. The first person that comes to mind. The best positioned person in the minds of your customers, your colleagues and ESPECIALLY the media.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: What does someone have to google to get your name to come up first?

5. Zzzzzzz… OK, so, you’re the expert, right? Big deal. The real question is: Is your expertise relevant? Is it worthwhile? Is it marketable? Is it controversial? And do people even care? See, your challenge is to make your expertise a slice of a slice. A fresh take on an old idea.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: Is your expertise boring?

6. PhD, schmee-h-d. The word “expert” comes from the Latin xperiri, which means, “experience.” So, you don’t need a bunch of fancy degrees or an intimidating job title to be an expert. You need experiences, constant and intelligent reflection upon those experiences, and a platform where you can share what you learned. NOTE: Not what you’ve DONE, but what you’ve LEARNED.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: Are you an expert at learning from your experiences?

7. If you don’t write it down, it never happened. Writing is the basis of all wealth. And if you aren’t writing SOMETHING every single day, it’s going to be near impossible for you to become an expert. So, whether you use blogging, journaling or message boards, take advantage of any available platform to share your expertise.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: What did you write today?

8. UNEED2READ. Whatever topic you’re an expert on, I sure hope you’re read every book (or at least a few hundred books) written about that topic. Period. Experts are readers. Experts are learners. Experts are aware of what the other experts say.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: What did you read today?

9. Access to your smarts. Pretend you’re a consultant. Or a therapist. Or a life coach. Or any other type of listening based, advice-giving professional. And, your first EVER client should be walking into your office any minute now.

SO, ASK YOURSELF: If someone was going to pay you $1000 an hour, what are the questions they’ve got to ask you to get their money’s worth?

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
And what makes YOU the expert?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For a list called, “16 Questions to Uncover Your Natural-Born Expertise,” send an email to [email protected] and I’ll send you the list for free!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
www.nametagTV.com

Always about approachability.

Never the same speech twice.

Hire The Nametag Guy for your next meeting!!

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