What problem did I solve?
Well, how do you know you are solving a problem? Easy – people want it.
Seth Godin wrote an excellent post on the subject, and in it, he gives a simple test: tell ten people.
If you tell ten people, and more people hear about it, well, I guess you are solving a problem.
If it dies on the vine, you have work to do either:
or
Either way, get back to work.
Resist the urge to “sound smart.”
To “sound smart” or to use the right words, even when you don’t know the context, is easy.
No one gets in trouble for “sounding smart.”
That is what makes the allure hard to ignore. It is much easier for us to use the “right” words, even when we don’t know what we are talking about, than admit we are ignorant.
It’s ok to admit your ignorance.
The moment you do, you signal that you trust the person across from you.
Then, magic can happen.
Take a crazy idea and take it seriously – Jason Mowatt
Whenever I used to hear this from Jason I used to nod, think it was cool and let it pass.
Now, I see it for the genius it really is.
What makes that statement so powerful is that it factors in some great points about executing.
He is great at what he does…and, if you happen to love karaoke, well…he made this.
Chris Guillebeau makes a great point here.
Embrace the Wow.
A lot of that anger and cynicism that people give to people doing good work usually exists because people are scared. We have to discount it because there is that underlying fear that makes us feel like we can’t do that.
A perfect post for a Monday. Enjoy. And remember that snarkiness is the opposition of progress.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 