Tag Archives: goals



Crafted Curated Words.

June 1st, 2011

It’s time for another experiment, not that I’ve ever stopped, but one which I’d love for you guys to take part in.

As most of you know, I’m a massive Kiva evangelist, the concept just works on every level. Simply read my past posts.

One of my goals this year is to get $10,000 usd into my Kiva account. And to invest that in micro finance loans around the world. It’s something I really really believe in and see it as a form of everyday achievable philanthropy.

I will hit that goal – but I’d like to offer you guys the opportunity to help me (and in turn those I loan to).

One idea was to sell words.

That’s right sell words.

Mind you, not just any words.

Words that have been formed from thousands of hours of work, research, reading & experience.

Words that are curated to have maximum impact.

Not words for everyday people. But words that will have impact for the right person.

Words that once understood will create change. I won’t explain. I’ll create the spark. You finish the journey and fill in the dots.

Tomorrow I’ll share the first curated collection.


Making enemies

September 9th, 2010

It’s not the goal, it’s more of a by-product of achieving a goal.

Kind of like when Toyota was pronounced the #1 car manufacturer in the world, the CEO was quoting as saying it wasn’t the goal but a by-product of their focus on innovation etc.

Think about this when you see someone is seemingly against you – are they really?


Welcome to 2010 – Year of Opportunity

January 10th, 2010

I’ve had a great start to the year, some time off in Auckland and back home in Queenstown.  It’s been (and still is a beautiful summer).  Here’s a shot from our picnic we had yesterday in St Heliers.

Picnic at St Heliers lookout

2009 was a year of turmoil (good & bad) but significant change.  2010 marks the year (and decade) to capitalise on these opportunities and I see many people already doing that.  I’ve had a bit of a discussion on the two main trends I see this year in Marketing – watch my first radio show of the year below:

Update: (working youtube link)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIaCKXn12pI

I wish you all the best, you can look forward to my second book later this year (taking time off next month to wrap it up), title still in progress.  Also some changes to the blog, international speaking (I might need your help there!) and a few other surprises.  To a remarkable year!

-Ben


The delicate balance between thinking and doing

September 15th, 2009

Between working on your business versus working in your business.

It’s the same with your career, idea or goal.  There are always elements of getting the job done versus the oversight view figuring out new ways of doing things.

Now this is the delicate balance between the two, how much do you do of each? Some people resign to do all the doing and others to do all the thinking… either or isn’t that hard (nor inferior).  Whatever keeps you happy.

But for those that need to do both (case in point small business owner) how do you strike the balance? I haven’t found a solid rule but my personal guideline (as it is for all goals) is today better than yesterday? Am I little bit closer to my goal? Each day I want to inch closer.

For all those small changes really add up.

At the least I need to do a little bit each and every day working on my business versus in it.  Some days I hit the sweet spot others I miss it.  As long as it is a bit better and I am increasing momentum I’m happy.

To be honest even that’s not easy to get that little bit each and every day what I can share is that over time it gets easier.  Hang in there, focus on the vision, keep chipping away at it.


Zoom in on what you're good at

September 7th, 2009

It’s easy for someone to say you should be doing blogging, or tweeting or vlogging…

You can’t.

You see you ought to zoom in on what you’re good at.

If you’re not good at writing – don’t write.

If you’re not good in front of the camera – don’t do it.

No time for tweeting – don’t do it.

There is ZERO value in using a tool if you don’t do it well.  Let me repeat that – zero value.  If you’re in the space you need to own it.

It’s the same old business principle, 80/20 analysis of what you’re good at, then push that button and keep pressing it.  That’s the smartest form of leverage.


Just see what happens

July 12th, 2009

Do not stress, the downside is not nearly as bad you think, just give it a go and see what happens.


The Big Hump

July 8th, 2009

The first time you do something it’s hard.  The second and third time it gets easier.

The problem is as you repeat something the effectiveness wears off.

The first time someone does something remarkable everyone talks about it, the second time a little bit and the third time so so.

Really it is a race to be first.  The cool thing is that anybody can be first at something.  And that is remarkable.


The Reverse Long Tail

June 30th, 2009

When you are doing something new, unprecedented or remarkable you encounter the reverse long tail.

reverse-long-tail

Each of your actions have what seem to be small consequences, however over the long run things begin to snowball and consequences increase.

Hence why…. perseverance is genius.

(Orig Picture by Hay Kranen / PD. Modified by Ben Young.)


Expectation Management

June 25th, 2009

It’s like greasing the tyres of a relationship.

If well greased it should be a smooth ride.

If not conflict arises.

It’s not hard either, talk to all parties involved, listen, then adjust accordingly so everyone knows each others expectations.

A little work here will help create amazing results 😉


Patience & Consistency

June 9th, 2009

Patience is a virtue.  Even better Patience & Consistency are a killer duo.

If you are patient in achieving your goals paired with consistency in execution you are sure to reach the pinacle.

You see anyone can do anything now (and they do) if you want to dominate your field of interest, be patient and consistent.  Keep turning up time after time.

For consistency creates momentum, reliability, reinforcement.  It creates results.

If these aren’t something you are good at – start working on it.  Now.


Patience is a virtue

May 12th, 2009

Please stop freaking out that things aren’t happening as fast as you want.

Just be patient.  Keep plugging away.  Even though it takes twice as long as you thought it is just as (if not more) rewarding.

Often things don’t happen as quickly, rather than stress, keep walking and maintain your momentum.  For patience is a virtue.


You can get going in the wrong gear – but it's bloody hard!

May 11th, 2009

I remember fondly my first motorbike experience – a family friend put it in gear for me and told me how to release the clutch and turn the accelerator.  I immediately raced off and bailed in a ditch.  No problem got on again and off I went.

From then though it was up to me.  I knew what to do – I just had to do it.

But you know what? I tried for weeks and weeks and weeks to get the knack of it, I couldn’t for the sake of me take off, I would always stall.  It frustrated me that I couldn’t get it right.  Finally I got the knack of it and managed to coerce it into action – after what must have been hundreds of attempts.

A few months later, I found the problem, guess what it was? I was in the wrong gear, 1 up from neutral was 2nd gear, not first.  First was 1 down.  That’ s why it would always die on me.  I was in the WRONG gear!

Lesson learnt – you can get going in the wrong gear – but it’s bloody hard.

For whatever goal you are seeking, have you checked the gear you are in?  If you just swap gears, you can probably get there much much faster (and not make it so hard on yourself).  

If you’re not sure what gear you should be in, ask those that have fulfilled the goal already, often they can get you into the right gear within seconds.


In the muck

April 14th, 2009

Just before you reach your goal, there is a state of chaos, where lots of things are on the go, you’re never sure if you will make it, but you keep pushing through, incredibly you do.  Return back to normal.  Wake up two weeks later again to find yourself doing it again.  Face it, it’s reality.  If your in the muck now, keep at it, all those baby steps add up.



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