The Freedom Advantage

When we work for someone else, the question that rules our world is:

“Who’s going to let me?”

When we work for ourselves, the question that rules our
world is:

“Who’s going to stop me?”

That’s the draw. That’s the biggest advantage to self-employment. That’s why forty-one million people in this country work for
themselves.

It’s not a financial thing — it’s a freedom thing.

Freedom in a physical sense, meaning we can do whatever we
want, wherever we want, with whomever we want, whenever we want, for as long as
we want.

Freedom in a mental sense, meaning we can empty our mind of
all the pointless,

bureaucratic noise that blocks our ability to thrive and
execute what matters.

Freedom in a creative sense, meaning we can give ourselves
permission to test out all those crazy, stupid, irrational ideas without
somebody jailing our spirit.

Freedom in a vocational sense, meaning we can focus our
efforts on doing the few things that we do better than anyone and outsource or
eliminate the rest.

Freedom in a spiritual sense, meaning we can align our
actions with our higher purpose and do great work that validates our existence
on a daily basis.

And make no mistake: When we go out on our own and take the
road less traveled, it’s no walk in the park. None of us can escape the inevitable self-motivation,
self-doubt and self-isolation that comes with the territory of hiring yourself.

But to have the freedom to stop wondering “Who’s going
to stop me?” and start asking, “Who’s going to let me?” is well worth
the cost.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What have you declined this week?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “21 Things I Learned While Spying on Myself,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

What happens when you wear a nametag all day, every day, for 4000+ days?

Strangers make fun of you, mostly.

Check out Scott’s comic strip, Adventures in Nametagging!

Are You The Customer You’d Want To Have?

Nobody knows how to be good customer anymore.

We’ve
learned everything there is to know about acting hospitable, establishing
comfort, building trust, anticipating needs, communicating messages, creating memories,
fixing problems, managing interactions, exceeding expectations, collecting
feedback, extending generosity and earning loyalty.

But
when the tables are turned, when we’re the ones being served, we suck.

Entitlement
trumps respect, impatience trumps appreciation, rudeness trumps understanding
and greed trumps civility. Who has time to be a good customer? Just fix it for
me. Just bring it to me. Just do what I say. I’m a very busy man and I haven’t
got all day. I am the customer, and you are here to serve me.

This
has got to stop.

The
minute we become customers, we have a certain set of responsibilities:

Pay those who serve you.Instead of trying to a squeeze
out a deal, honor their market value, pay them what they’re worth and let them
do their work. That way, you’ll get the best possible result.

Inform those who serve you.Instead of doing everything
your way, give them the information they need, the way they want it, when they
ask for it. That way, you make their job easier.

Educate those who serve you.Instead of expecting them to
read your mind, give them your expectations, make your needs clear and your
intentions obvious. That way, you won’t be surprised by the result.

Trust those who serve you.Instead of buying a dog and barking for it,give them your idea, let them
run with it and meet them on the finish line later. That way, you give them autonomy
to do what you hired them to do.

Protect those who serve you. Instead of draining resources
and wasting time, make up your mind, own your decisions and respect the
implications of those decisions. That way, they can just get on with the job.

Liberate those who serve you. Instead of arguing about what’s
possible, respect whatever hiccups in the system arise, let them do their job and
understand that they probably know the best solution. That way, nobody has to
get upset.

Thank those who serve you.Instead of getting what you
want and getting on with your life, give people three seconds of your time,
look them in the eye and show them genuine appreciation. That way, they’ll know
the work they do, matters.

Highlight those who serve you. Instead of rendering people
anonymous, be a stand for their greatness by praising them in front of those
who matter. That way, they’ll receive the recognition they deserve.

That’s
how to be a good customer.

And the
key is, we don’t do it to get better service. We don’t do it to run up the
numbers on the karmic scoreboard. We do it because it’s the right thing to do.
It’s the right way to treat people.

Be the
customer you’d want to have.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

How could you be a better customer?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “46 Types of Marketing,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

My job is to help companies make their mission more than a statement, using limited edition social artifacts.

Want to download your free workbook for The Brandtag Strategic Planning Crusade?


Meet Scott’s client from Nestle Purina at www.brandtag.org!

Why I’m Not As Successful As I Could Be

I’m not as successful as I could be.

But instead of blaming my professional situation on
economic, cultural or industry forces, I recently reflected on themental
obstacles that have been holding me back.

And I’m not looking for help, feedback, sympathy or advice. I just thought I’d
share, in the hopes that these liabilities serve as a mirror for your own.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I’d rather be
heard than paid.
Since I’m more of an artist than a businessperson, I’m
more concerned with getting my work out into the world than getting money into
my bank account. And because this model has always produced enough income to
support my lifestyle, underwrite my addictions and keep the business alive, why
stop now? The only problem is, this outlook cripples my earning capacity. I feel
guilty about demanding compensation for my work.I feel physical pain when
I’m forced to assign monetary value to my intellectual property. So I’ve
conditioned the marketplace to expect my work as a gift, not a product. They’re
aware of me, but I don’t have command over them. And once you’ve given the milkaway for free, it’s hard to go back charge for the cow.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I’m once
bitten, twice shy
. The last time I got really successful, I ended up in
the hospital for a week with a tube in my chest. According to my doctor, I didn’t
possess the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wherewithal to handle my newfound
success and its accompanying stress and expectation. So my left lung collapsed.
That was six years ago. Since then, since the body has such a long memory,
part of me is still afraid of getting successful again because I don’t want my
other lung to collapse. Once you’ve seen a ghost, you’re always afraid of the
dark.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I’m more
afraid of success than failure.
If I get exactly what I want, I might
realize it’s not enough. I might become a victim of my own success. I might
discover it’s not what I actually wanted all along. I might mishandle the
changes success brings into my life. I might stop taking the creative risks
that made me successful in the first place. I might succeed and miss my
emotional goal of expected failure. Or I might fail to live up to the
expectations and reputation attached to my success. Either way, these egoic
assumptions keep me from succeeding in spite of myself. It’s textbook
self-sabotage. I’drather fail because it’s familiar. I’d
rather dream from a distance because it’s safer.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I lack an
overriding sense of urgency.
When I started my company, I had no debt to
cover, no spouse to support, no kids to feed, no community responsibilities to
fulfill and no social obligations to juggle. If I didn’t make a sale, nobody’s
life suffered except my own. If I didn’t bring in new business, the repercussions
were nominal. Meanwhile, my friends with looming mortgage payments and
recurring pediatrician bills were scrambling to close deals, lest their
families doubt their breadwinning abilities. By never installing acute sales
pressure early on, my life situation made me less hungry, made it too easy not
to care and made success less crucial.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I never needed
to be pedal.
For the first decade of my career, business just came to me. I
never cold called or mass marketed. I simplydid a great job and
waited for the phone to ring. And this lasted for a while, but ultimately, it
was an unsustainable business model that made me complacent and passive. Later,
when the economy tanked, I was forced to decide if my product was a
necessity or a nicety. I had to determine if my past prosperity was of genuine
value, or just brilliant timing and intelligent leverage. Just because you’re riding
a bicycle downhill doesn’t mean your legs are strong.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I’m a devout
idealist.
I don’t play to win, I play to keep the game going. I’m not
competitive, I’m not confrontational, I not a hunter, I don’t have the killer
instinct and I’m not a closer. I’m a quirky, sensitive, romantic, pacifist
performer. I just want to make art, make people laugh and change the world.
Unfortunately, that’s not the most profitable personality type for running an
enterprise. Idealism is valuable to the extent that you don’t let it compromise
your financial future. I swear, it seems like the more I care about something,
the harder it is to get paid for it. So Ifollow my passion to
the detriment of my own financial stability. Yay! Another opportunity
not to get paid for something.

Why am I not as successful as I could be?

Because I have childhood
issues with money.
Since I came from an affluent family, I was often
embarrassed by, ridiculed for and taken advantage of for having a lot of money.
But I never wanted to be known as the rich kid,so I did whatever I could tomake
up for the fact that I was born privileged. From pretending to be middle
class to romanticizing about blue-collar jobs to acting excessively generous,I concealed
my wealth whenever possible. And it worked. Nobody knew. Except me.Fast
forward to adulthood, I’ve spent the past decade struggling to close
sales because I hate asking for money. Because deep down, every time I make a
dollar, I feel like I don’t deserve it. And you’ll never be rich if money isn’t
important to you.

Anyway, those are my issues. That’s why I’m not as successful as I could be. Thanks for listening. I’m
working on them.

For now, I hope they sparked reflection on the metal obstacles in
your own career.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

Why are you not as successful as you could be?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “153 Quotations to Inspire Your Success,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

HELLO, my name is Host!

Did
you know you could hire Scott as your emcee, mobile host, roving
reporter or on camera talent for your organization’s next event?

Watch sample footage of his hosting work here!

Isn’t Amazing How Much Energy We Invest In Procrastination?

I’ve been doing yoga for five years.

It’s changed my life physically, socially, emotionally,
spiritually and mentally. I’ve met some of the coolest people in the world who
have become dear friends. And I’ve become a member of a global a community, a
center of belonging, unlike any other in the world.

And yet, I will find every excuse not to go to class.

I’m too tired. I’m too stressed. I’m not hydrated. I’m still
sore from yesterday. I don’t have any clean clothes. I didn’t eat breakfast. I haven’t
taken my morning dump yet. It’s raining outside. I have a lot going on today. I’m
not feeling especially flexible. And I think I pulled something last class. Plus I really
need a massage. Screw it, I’ll just go tomorrow. I have to catch up on sleep
anyway. And I should really wait until I buy a better outfit. Plus, it’s not
like I can afford more classes. And I’m too full from lunch. And I can’t stand
the Wednesday night teacher’s annoying voice. And I don’t want to deal with
traffic. It’s too nice outside. Besides, I hit the cheese plate too hard last
night and I’m afraid I’ll fart. I’ll just practice at home. I’d never make
there on time anyway. Look, I’ve already practiced three times this week. That’s
enough. I really just need some rest. I just got back in town last night. I
drank way too Diet Dr. Pepper on vacation. And I’m pretty sure I’m coming down
with something and don’t want to get anybody sick.

That’s what runs through my head.

The way I see it, if I can just pile the excuses high
enough, that should be enough to rationalize my way out of going to class. If I
can just outsmart myself to the point of inaction, I can skip yoga and spend
the rest of the day congratulating myself for making such a mature, rational
and thoughtful decision.

Isn’t amazing how much energy we invest in procrastination?
Isn’t amazing what lengths we will go to in order to avoid doing something we
don’t want to do?

In fact, we have a running joke at our studio:

The first posture is
getting there.

Forget touching your head to your knee. If you can overcome
all the mental garbage that stands in the way of walking through the door,
you’re already a winner.

In yoga, in life, in anything, motion organizes and creates
order. As my friend Ed says, it is by motion that all things tend to their
equilibrium and find their place in the universe. And unrelenting motion is
what helps conspire towards some unifying geometrical situation.

Which reminds me, I need to go hydrate.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What is your favorite way to procrastinate?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “35 Ways to Leverage Your Next Media Appearance,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

Yes, I do more than just wear a nametag all day.

My enterprise is actually quite robust. I add value to my clients in several cool ways.

Explore the myriad ways you, your people and your organization can leverage my talents.

The Nametag Manifesto Chosen as SlideShare’s Top Presentation of The Day!

The Nametag Manifesto was chosen as one of SlideShare’s Top Presentations of The Day! 

It’s currently showcased on their homepage, but you can also view the slide show below for eternity.

Great way to start the weekend. In the email I received, they explained that it waschosen from the thousands of presentations uploaded to
SlideShare everyday from across the world. Awesome!

You can download The Nametag Manifesto, in full, for free, right now, here. You can download The Nametag Manifesto as a high resolution infographic here.

Either way, share www.nametagmanifesto.com with someone you love. It makes people friendlier.

Here’s the slide show itself:

The Nametag Manifesto

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your manifesto?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “7 Ways to Out Leverage Your Competition,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

My job is to help companies make their mission more than a statement, using limited edition social artifacts.

Want to download your free workbook for The Brandtag Strategic Planning Crusade?


Meet Scott’s client from Nestle Purina at www.brandtag.org!

Download a Shareable Copy of Scott Ginsberg’s “The Nametag Manifesto” and Infographic Now!

“Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.”

That’s
my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe. My
name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand
days. And
after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four
continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant
experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a
dozen books in the process, I believe, with all my heart, that the
societal implications of wearing nametags could change everything.

This is my manifesto.

You can download The Nametag Manifesto, in full, for free, right now, here. You can download The Nametag Manifesto as a high resolution infographic here. You can download the slide show here. Or, click on a chapter below and start reading.

Either way, share www.nametagmanifesto.com with someone you love. It makes people friendlier.

Chapter 1 — The End of Strangers

Chapter 2 — The End of Exclusion

Chapter 3 — The End of Anonymity

Chapter 4 — The End of Commoditization

Chapter 5 — The End of Social Conflict

Chapter 6 — The End of Dishonesty

Chapter 7 — The End of Hesitation

Chapter 8 — The End of Disengagement

Chapter 9 — The End of Incivility

Chapter 10 — The End of Cultural Barriers

Chapter 11 — The End of Disconnectedness

Chapter 12 — The End of Selfishness

Chapter 13 — The End of Neglect

Chapter 14 — The End of Mass Formality

Chapter 15 — The End of Hierarchy

Chapter 16 — The End of Entitlement

Chapter 17 — The End of Insecurity

Chapter 18 — The End of Discrimination

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your manifesto?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “7 Ways to Out Leverage Your Competition,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

My job is to help companies make their mission more than a statement, using limited edition social artifacts.

Want to download your free workbook for The Brandtag Strategic Planning Crusade?


Meet Scott’s client from Nestle Purina at www.brandtag.org!

The Nametag Manifesto — Chapter 14: The End of Mass Formality

[ View the infographic! ]

“Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.”

That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe.

My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days.

And
after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four
continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant
experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a
dozen books in the process, I believe, with all my heart, that the
societal implications of wearing nametags could change everything.

This is my manifesto: 
14. The End of Mass Formality

If everybody wears
nametags, personal is the new professional.

Instead of allowing the feeling of formality to keep us from
communicating fully and freely, now we can address each other personally. As
people.

Not as objects, integers, trophies, machines, categories,
dollar signs, commodities, abstract entities, means to an end, bloodless
statistical entities or impersonal facets of production. People.

We talk friendly. We talk how people talk. We ante up the emotional
temperature instead of sacrificing interpersonal value on the altar of
professionalism. Nametags make this moment, right now, a more humane, pleasant
passing of time. And it helps us forget about the fact that eventually, we are all
going to die.

If everybody wears
nametags, no more impersonalness, no more outdated formalities and no more
robotic communication.

# # #

You can read The Nametag Manifesto, in full, for free, right now, here. 

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your manifesto?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “7 Ways to Out Leverage Your Competition,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

My job is to help companies make their mission more than a statement, using limited edition social artifacts.

Want to download your free workbook for The Brandtag Strategic Planning Crusade?


Meet Scott’s client from Nestle Purina at www.brandtag.org!

There Will Always Be Another Excuse Not to Create

Any excuse to not create is dangerous.

I’m not ready. I can’t find the time. I don’t know what I’m doing. I have
nothing to say. I’m not good enough yet. I don’t have the right tools. I’m
afraid of revealing too much. I’m scared my parents will see it. I’m sure my ex
will hear about it. I know my friends will laugh at it.

Even if every one of those things is true, they’re still not good enough reasons
not to create. Especially since it’s impossible to fail at self-expression. When
we tell our story, we’re always successful, even if we’re not successful.

I recently got email from a reader
whose concern wasn’t about finding the time, but losing the time. She was
afraid to create because it would take time away from work, family and other
life obligations.

Who says we can’t do both? Why all the
compartmentalization? Seems to me, there’s time for it all. Even if we only
create in small spurts, that still counts.

Because no matter how good we are, no matter how successful
we get, there will always be another excuse not to create. There will always be
a chorus of voices trying to bury our music, trying to keep us from becoming
what we are.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What have you avoided creating this week?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “12 Secrets of Supremely Successful Writers,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

Do you need an expert who tells you what to do, or a mentor who lets you tell yourself what to do?

“After investing in your mentoring program, I’ve become centered on
who I am and what I have to offer. Now, I am attracting clients I want
to work with. Life is great and I just wanted to thank you from the
bottom of my heart.” —-Melanie Jatsek, Diet Busters

Rent Scott’s Brain today for 2 hours, 30 days or 3 months!

Are Your Obsessions Societally Useful?

[ Buy prints to inspire your office! ]

I had no intention of turning my personality disorder into a career.

Consider my resume:

“Obsessive compulsive anal retentive control
freak attention whore who over-thinks everything and has zero patience, no
social filter, limited work experience and no organizational skills who can’t
follow simple directions, can’t share, doesn’t work well with others and has
serious identity issues.”

Get that man a corner office.

But that’s what happens when you hire yourself. You have no choice but to
leverage your limitations. You play the ball where it lies and make the most of
what you’ve got. Otherwise you go out of business.

This approach has served me well. By
creatively channeling my liabilities, by making good use of everything that I
am, I’ve made money, made a difference and made a name for myself, while having
a lot of fun in the process. Everything I got made fun of for, I now get paid
for.

I wonder what the world would look like if more people embraced the entirety of
their personalities, not just their strengths.

Perhaps our obsessions could become
societally useful.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What personality disorders could you leverage?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “11 Ways to Out Market Your Competitors,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg


That Guy with the Nametag


Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting


[email protected]



Never the same speech twice. Customized for your audience. Impossible to walk away uninspired.

Now booking for 2012-2013.

Watch clips of The Nametag Guy in action here!

Are You a Consumer or a Creator?

There’s never been an easier time to consume.

We have more choices, more ways to obtain those choices and
more devices with which to enjoy those choices. Plus, throw in the power of
free, and those numbers multiply exponentially.

On the other hand, there’s never been a better time to
create.

We have few barriers to entry, fewer restrictions on what we
can publish and fewer limitations on how and where we can share it. We can give away every book we’ve ever written, for free, no strings. Plus, throw
in the power of permission, and those numbers shrink exponentially.

Lately, I’ve grown bored with consumption. I’ve read enough
books, seen enough shows and inhaled enough ideas to last me for a lifetime.

Which doesn’t mean I plan to stop, just switch gears.

Now, I’d rather write a book than read one. Now, I’d rather
publish a podcast than listen to public radio. Now, I’d rather have the mic in
my hand than a drink in my lap.

And I couldn’t be happier.

Life is short. Consumption can wait. For now, I’d rather go
out into world and seek adventure beyond my limited imagination.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What did you write today?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “17 Behaviors to Avoid for Effective Listening,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

How boring is your company’s online training?

For
dozens of free video learning modules on sales, frontline service,
entrepreneurship and marketing, spend a few minutes or a few hours
growing your brain and growing your wallet.

Tune in to www.nametagTV.com!

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