Posts Tagged ‘Relate’
What Am I Lying To Myself About?
This passage is from Nathaniel Branden's The Art of Living Consciously. When we evade the truth about those we deal with, for fear of disturbing the relationship, we set ourselves up for inevitable suffering. If I am honest with myself about someone's shortcomings but choose to go on dealing with him or her because of other benefits, and therefore do not complain or express shock if the shortcomings express themselves, I amnot engaged in evasion or self-deception. I am in effect taking a calculated risk based on what amounts to a cost-benefit analysis. But if I choose not to be conscious of plainly apparent dangers 0r if I deny or rationalize my spouse's abusiveness, pretend not to see evidence of infidelity, or, in business, if I make myself oblivious to the shortcomings of a deal because I want so much for the project to work - then I am inviting the pain and disappointment I will experience. I have forfeited the right to cry "betrayal." I have disarmed myself, and by my cooperation I have signaled my partner that his or her behavior is acceptable and there is no need or reason to change. ++++ Branden's book has impacted my life; I recommend that you buy a copy. --Dave Charbonneau
Dearest Manymoon…
I love FUN people. Folks who believe in the value they create tend toward an easy-to-be-around attitude that often involves a bit of relaxed humor. I started writing a letter to Manymoon, an online project management service. They have a free service and a fee-based level of service, and I (currently) had the need to go back to free. As I started typing, it occurred to me that this sounded much like a "Dear John" letter, so I went with it. What's really great about this isn't my letter, nor the response I got back - tho those are funny - but that the company representative (owner?) responded to me in like-kind. Not with a form-letter, but with a letter that not only addressed my concerns, but addressed them in a "language" he knew I would understand. (BTW, form-letters are fine, but I try to add a bit of personality to any form letters I send out). On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 9:12 PM, Dave Charbonneau <appliedprosperity@gmail.com> wrote: Dearest Manymoon: Hi, it's me. After singing your praises to thousands, I'm afraid I need to downgrade my service to a level of FREE. No, no... it's not you, it's me. I just need some time for myself. Actually, yes. It IS because of my wife. We won't be taking on the number of clients we were at one time planning. Please don't make this harder than it already is. Wha... no, I.... Look, you KNEW I was married when we started this together; and I think you also knew I wasn't ever going to leave her. That said, I need us to end our service agreement. Oh, Manymoon. I will always have a special place in my heart for you. Of course we can still be friends. Maybe in the future... I know. I love you too. "Have A Nice Dave." :) --Dave Charbonneau, Funny Head www.FunnySaysWhat.com The Response: Dear Dave:We were hoping, planning, dreaming, of a long future together. We knew you were married, and.. well, we knew that it wouldn't be a problem. In fact, we designed Manymoon to be able to work around these relationship issues... but apparently, there are other forces that have, sadly, but some distance between us. Well, since we still love you, we will tell you that can downgrade your account in Paypal by using the following this procedure: Let us know if you have any other questions... and we will take you back anytime. Thanks - Michael Manoochehri Manymoon Customer Service Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elward-photography/ / CC BY 2.0 http://manymoon.com
2010 called; it asked for Relatability.
Found an article on adding your personal "voice" to one's website. I thought it a great lesson on communications in general. Here is part of what I read: ++++ (For the full article and other Stoney deGeyter articles, go HERE.) Developing your voice Before you start developing your web content you first need to determine what kind of voice you want your site to have and how you'll ultimately deploy it. A voice can really be anything: Humorous Serious Whimsical Snarky Flowery Thoughtful Brutally honest Down to earth Chances are good that your mind started speaking to you in each voice as you read the bullet point above. If not, read through it again and let your mind convert the words into examples in your mind. Just by reading the words you can really see how these voices can really come through with well-written content. You just need to decide what voice it is that will fit best with your company and your audience. You may think that your industry is limited to just one voice, but it all really depends on how well you sell it. Let's create some quick examples: Humorous: Our car batteries are durable, long-lasting and deliver enough power to start any vehicle in the harshest winter environment. Your escape from the in-law's is guaranteed every season of year. Serious: Our car batteries are durable, long-lasting and deliver enough power to start any vehicle in the harshest winter environment. You're guaranteed to get power to your vehicle when you need it most. Whimsical: You want a durable, long-lasting battery? Yeah, we got that. There is no natural force in the world that'll keep our batteries from doing their job. When you need power, we deliver. Snarky: When headed to the in-law's you want to be equipped with one of the most powerful car batteries money can buy. Come hell or high water, you're getting out of there alive! Flowery: Our car batteries are designed to withstand whatever forces of nature that heaven above (or you know who below) can throw at it. When you turn that key, you're vehicle will roar to life without so much as a cough or sputter. Thoughtful: Let's face it, batteries only fail at the worst possible time, in the worst possible location. We've built reliability into all of our car batteries so they deliver the power you need when you need it to get you to where you would rather be. Brutally honest: Your boss is a jerk, your wife can be a nag and your friends act like idiots. Everybody needs an escape. Where you escape to is up to you, but how is up to us. Our car batteries are durable, long-lasting and deliver enough power to start any vehicle any time any where. We're ready to go when you are. Down to earth: We know that you can find cheaper car batteries from those other guys. We're not competing on price, we're competing on quality. Our batteries are durable, long-lasting and deliver enough power to start any vehicle in the harshest winter environment. Can you really put a [...]
Improvement thru Improv
I've wanted to take a course on improvisation (improv) for a long time. Finally took that opportunity by registering with The Upfront Theatre in Bellingham, Washington. One of the things that stands out to me is the "philosophy" I was introduced to (that's sorta my thing, I suppose: looking beyond the surface of things into the meta). Some of the basics: Everything you are given is an offering to you. Your role is to accept all offering with gratitude, to make the giver of the offering look good, and to improve upon that offering. There are many other elements of improv that can be studied and argued as a philosophical premise. Clearing one's head, trusting one's creativity, etc. There are courses offered in many cities across America; and typically at a relatively low cost. I'm on the lookout for joining or creating some online improv games. If you know of any, or are interested in joining such a group, please email me at Dave@SelfEnterpriser.com. "Have A Nice Dave." :) --Dave Charbonneau
How I use Twitter: A Conversation on Skype
Rick Says: When you get time I need help with twitter Dave Charbonneau says: I'm here. Rick Says: I am now but are you still there? Dave Charbonneau says: Hi. Rick Says: How are things Dave Charbonneau says: I'm good. Feel a bit like hurling; but I'm good. How're you?' Rick Says: well Rick Says: so how do I get a lot more followers on twitter Dave Charbonneau says: Um... Dave Charbonneau says: There's a cupla ways. Dave Charbonneau says: First, get a foundation to build upon. What are you using it for. What info are you wanting to get out there. Grab hold of a twitter philosophy. Dave Charbonneau says: I recommend NOT to think of Twitter as an outlet for spreading the word about something; and instead to see it as a conduit for CONNECTING with ppl who have similar interests. Dave Charbonneau says: Everybody hates spam and holds disdain for spammers. Good thing abt spammers = if you provide great value, you look intelligent and get LOYAL followers; these are ppl who share your stuff with others. Dave Charbonneau says: Have you read that Crush It book? Rick Says: NO Rick Says: did Dave Charbonneau says: Okay. That's a great place to gain that philosophy (everything begins w/philosophy). Rick Says: Then I shall read it Dave Charbonneau says: Next, hang on and I'll get you...
CORE Value
One of the identifying traits of a Self-Enterpriser is the presence of Core Value. This is from the perspective of creating a business with enjoy-ability of life as the objective, rather than How do I make a buck? Bringing in dollars is important, but to the Self-Enterpriser, How do I make happiness? is the first question. From there, How do I use the answer to that question in order to create value for others? is the next question. Followed by, How do I exchange this value with others for dollars? The Self-Enterpriser, then, has a need to identify what they value the most, at their core. In other words: Forget about an idea lasting in the marketplace, will it last with YOU? In today's world, we can each express ourselves with few restrictions. As well, there are others who will relate to our expressions. By being true to ourselves (i.e. true to our inner Paula Abdul) we can begin to form our own Tribe. Then we can learn how to create and exchange value based on who we are. This is why I say Self-Enterprisers live a spectacular life: We identify what makes us happy, then we choose to live in that world every day, as much as we want to. What are your Core Values? Comments? Questions? Compliments? Suggestions? You know you can always email me at Dave@SelfEnterpriser.com. "Have A Nice Dave." :) --Dave C.
