Manage resistance and move forward. We need you.

A mishmash of inbox inspiration this week from three of my favorites (Havi, Seth, and Hugh):

1. Managing Resistance

Did you know it was possible to make a living drawing pictures on the backs of business cards? Well, neither did Hugh MacLeod when he started, but through a combination of talent, vision, and perserverance, he’s managed to do just that (and more).

Hugh’s lesson: No one really knows if their great idea will work and since great ideas usually involve change (to yourself, to others, to their perceptions of you), they almost always inspire resistance — that’s human nature.

Good ideas come with a heavy burden. Which is why so few people have them. So few people can handle it.

_{You can find more from Hugh on his blog, his daily cartoon newsletter, or on Twitter (@gapingvoid).}

2. Keep moving forward.

If you’re familiar with Seth Godin, you know that he’s big on getting stuff “shipped” — getting your product released into the wild without suffering through the endless machinations required to make it “perfect” first. Well, today’s post continues that theme.

The good news is that fewer good ideas get killed for feeling too risky.
The bad news is that sometimes we trade in the important for the trivial.
The punchline is that some artificial pop might be required. Just because it’s easy to ship doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push yourself. The art is in ignoring the fear that pushes you to polish too much…

So, you have your great idea, right? Now, do something with it.

Anything.

No matter how small.

You’ve overcome (or avoided) the resistance from family, friends, business associates… Now overcome that part of yourself that wants to make it “perfect.”

Guess what, it will never be perfect. But, it will be shipped.

And once it’s shipped, you start to grow.

You learn, refine, and develop. Each step forward (or back), bringing you closer to making your great idea a reality.

_{For more Seth, check out his blog or head to your nearest library or bookstore (seriously, the guy’s written a ton of books.)}

3. We need you.

That’s really what it comes down to.

The world needs your great ideas. They need you to find a way to turn those ideas into something and get it out into the world so they can find it.

I’ll end this post with a recent quote from Havi that really resonated with me:

You have spent your life accumulating the ideas, information and experience that have made you who you are. You are not serving anyone by keeping yourself small.
Of course it’s scary. Of course you are allowed to have the fear. Just remember: keeping yourself small is not helping anyone; it’s only struggling with your path.
There are people in this world who need exactly what you have. They need your gifts as those gifts are right now. And they are actively looking for you.
They are wondering where on earth the person is who can give them the thing that you have to give. It’s not fair to them that you’re in hiding.
You don’t need to shout from the rooftops, you don’t need to accost anyone or sell to anyone. All you need to do is put up a light so that the people who are looking for you can be drawn to you.
You don’t need to shine your light for everyone. You just agree to shine for the right people. But if you don’t turn on the light, the people who need you can’t find you.
It’s not about claiming that you’re better than anyone else. It’s just about letting your light have a place too.

_{For more about Havi (and her sidekick sideduck, Selma), visit them at fluentself.com. She’s @havi on Twitter.}

Hugh on Hugh, polymaths and living the dream (accmanpro.com)
remember who you are: seth godin (gapingvoid.com)

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One of the perks of my day job is that vendors occasionally stop by to drum up sales with the age-old tactic of “if I bring food, people will show up.” This could mean a coffee cart (no thanks, I don’t drink coffee), a smoothie bar (well, a fruit-flavored-cold-sugary-drink, at least), or an omelet bar (my favorite).

Every few weeks, one of these portable breakfast cooks shows up and starts flipping omelets. Most times, the omelets are fine. Good ingredients, made to order, served hot, and free (at least for us). But occasionally, my favorite omelet chef makes an appearance.

She wears a chef’s jacket. Her ingredients always seem a little higher quality and maybe a little fresher. She pays attention to each omelet and, you know what? They taste better!

In Seth Godin‘s latest book, Linchpin^*, he proposes that the factory model of interchangeable products (and people) with it’s relentless focus on driving down costs is being replaced by a new model where “artists” generate the real value by making visceral connections and taking actions that move people.

Those cooks who show up, follow the recipe, pour their eggs out of a carton, and play it safe… they’re factory workers. They’re competing for pennies – making their product (and the experience) cheaper and interchangeable. They’ll be replaced as soon as someone comes along and offers the same product for “just a little bit less.”

But the omelet chef, the one who makes custom breakfasts for her guests… well, she’s an artist. She’s given a gift – above and beyond the cost of the eggs or price of her time – a better meal, a real connection, a beautiful experience. Who are you going to call the next time you’re catering a breakfast?

What do you think?

Are you a factory worker, or an artist?

What are you doing to bring your art to your work today?

_{*Not an affiliate link. Thanks, Colorado.}

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seth godin