Focus Buddy, Focus..

Last week I exposed my plans of changing Flick around a bit. I'm going to start by narrowing the focus.

I realized that I'm covering a wide range of subjects. However, constantly leaping from one topic to the next is a sure way to lose touch with the real objective of the blog, as well as a great system for boring the audience. This is not my goal.

My goal is to learn and teach entrepreneurship.

Because this is a wide topic itself, there may still be some bouncing around. However, the main theme shall be contained within the subject of Young Entrepreneurship. I hope you like it.

The ADD Entrepreneur And Other Stories About Never Focusing

Here's a photo of my brain.. Basically.

I realized something about my brain that's so evident on my blog: The amount of focus of both is nearly zilch. I've covered topics ranging from being a good employee to my experiences in getting a job in North Dakota. Flick has been bouncing around to various subjects, successfully displaying no underlying objectives. Something must change. I think it's my responsibility to do so.

Here's what's I plan on doing: Create some structure, convey a clear message, focus on the message, implement a theme, and redesign the site.

Flick is off to a good start with well over a thousand hits so far. Now is a good time for change. Enjoy!

What's It Worth?

I was thinking. It's always an interesting time when I think. During my thinking episode, I thought a thought. It went like this: "How do I add value? In all my doings in business, work, and school, where do i add the value I can add?" Another thought: why does adding value matter?

I came to this conclusion: Adding value in all walks of life is part of being different. It's part of being weird. It's part of challenging the status quo. That's what this blog is about.

I came up with a few suggestions for adding value at work, the first of which is this: Go the extra mile. Always. The surest way to provide value for an employer is to do more than you're told. Go above and beyond. Make it a habit.

Second, don't fall into the perilous Not-my-job Syndrome. This kills. Don't be bound by a job description. Just get over it and clean up the mess.

Lastly, keep your chin up. This is huge for fellow employees, your employer, and the customers. If I may quote Zig Ziglar, "Its your attitude, not your aptitude which determines your altitude."

Try out my theory and let me know how it worked for you.

Home

Monday morning found me in the observatory car on the Amtrak line, the Empire Builder. I decided that a great way to begin a week is to watch the sun rise over the Columbia River Gorge while munching on a four dollar breakfast of Frosted Flakes.

The train is a great way to travel, but I noticed many points in which Amtrak could improve their operation. I understand their Theory of Customer Service Apathy: "People are going to ride our train anyways because we're cheaper than flying or driving, why bother improving?" This is a somewhat revolting ideology, in my opinion. In my mind, Amtrak could raise the price of every ticket by $10, and more than pay for a staff member to be on board strictly to clean up garbage, scrub the bathrooms, vacuum the carpets, and change light bulbs. This would result in a far more pleasant experience for the customers and the staff, which wouldn't be half-bad.

This is from an outsider's perspective. I don't know how they work their operation. Maybe I just had the train with the least customer-minded staff.

Don't get me wrong, I still suggest the train as a way to travel. $140 from Williston to Vancouver. Not bad.

A sharp blast from the train horn mounted atop the engine signaled our arrival. We pulled into the Vancouver train station at 9:25 am.

I'm home, and the adventure is about to begin.

Something That Scares You

I know, I know.. It's a video blogpost, and I'm in North Dakota. Don't ask me how I shot, edited, uploaded, and posted a video blogpost while in the forsaken town of Tioga, ND.

This is about overcoming fear. It's a little motivational clip that might just prompt you to do something that scares you today. Or you can just sit there, ignore my message, and not do something.

Do something, my friend.

Here I am..

I'm back into civilization. Somewhat.

Actually, I'm sitting in a travel trailer in Montana. Not civilization.

Here's an update on me:

I got to Montana last Wednesday, and, after six hours of sleep, I headed up to Williston, North Dakota with some of the buddies to look for a job. Myself and my traveling partner Nik started our trek at Wal-Mart, and applied at each place of business we walked by.

Forty five minutes later, we found ourselves being interviewed in a cluttered office in the lower story of the local Napa Auto Parts. Ten minutes later, we both had a job, starting the next morning.

We were pretty pumped. In fact, we still are.

We're working forty hour weeks. We get up at 5:00 am, pack a lunch (this is frugal and really smart), and head up to work. We have a fifty minute drive to work, and we go through a time-change on the way. It makes it interesting.

I'm practicing laundry, cooking, working, shopping, and a bunch of other activities that I'm not totally accustom to. That's okay though, cause this stuff might come in handy some time.

That's a little bit to let you catch up on my activities.

More to come!

Charged

If you've never taken the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, I'd suggest you do so. It's an excellent tool that helps pinpoint who you are as an individual. At the end of the questionnaire, your personality type is identified, and you can read the results for your personality type. It's a little creepy how much they know about everyone.

If you'd like to take the test, sift your way through this website: meyersbriggs.org

The reason I bring this up is because, today I was again reminded of who I am, and, in specific, what charges me:

I detailed a car this morning. I visited, negotiated, and enjoyed the company of the owner. I left feeling charged.

I had two interviews this afternoon (more on that later). I gave one and I received one. I left both feeling charged.

As an extrovert, people charge me. (Apparently the Energizer Bunny is an extrovert; he's always charged. Actually, it's a different kind of charge, I believe; charged with battery.)

That which charges you should be what you spend most of your time doing.

I don't believe this should be used as an excuse for hanging out in the comfort zone. After all, not much gets done in the comfort zone.

Do what charges you.

Anticipations

In my anticipations of the upcoming adventure, I'm reminded again of the old adage: "Anything worth having is worth waiting for."

I'm not over-the-top-seven-year-old excited about my trip, but I am looking forward to it. I always look forward to trips, cause I'm the type that loves to travel. I love flying, I enjoy driving, the train was fun, and boats are great. I have yet to try a magic carpet (although it is on my list of awesome ways to die). I've always been a travel-lover. From the age of ten, I wished to be a commercial airline pilot. I bought a kid's sized pilot's cap for $22.00 when I was eleven. (It's funny how $22.00 can make an eleven year-old feel like a million bucks.) It doesn't really fit me anymore, but it reminds me about all the good times I had as a kid, anxiously waiting for the day when I could learn to fly.

Now I'm that age. I don't really want to be a pilot anymore. Hmm... Could it be that, if we got our way, we would miss out on what is actually in store for us? Yeah.

There's a note on the fridge at my house that says, "The heaviest part of sorrow is looking forward to tomorrow."

Trust in Him to provide. And live like you were dying.

The Hairy Adventures of a Young Entrepreneur

Well folks, I'm going on a trip. I'm heading to Montana next week.

Yeah. Montana. One of those "filler" states that takes up space between the Northwest and the other important parts of the US (Like the UP, eh?). 

Once, in mid-March, Montana once experienced 77 degrees. During another March, it hit -20 degrees. I'm not super good at math, but that's a 97 degree difference.

I'm glad I'm not a girl. I'd have to pack clothes for cold, clothes for hot, clothes for rain, snow, sleet, and sun. Hats to keep the sun out of my eyes. Hats to keep my ears warm. Gloves, flip-flops, sunglasses, tank-tops, tall socks, short socks, coats, pants, shorts, and snow pants. Wow. Yeah. Glad I'm not a girl.

I'm a guy. Therefore, I'll be taking two socks, a pair of jeans, two shirts, and.. Ahem. Well, briefs.

Okay, I'm exaggerating.

Seriously though, it's going to be an adventure.

My original thought was to prepare a bunch of videos and blog-posts and periodically post them throughout my trip for your enjoyment. Then I had another idea: I could bring a video camera and record the highlights of my adventure for you to watch when I get back.

I'd like to do something like this so you can partake in my adventure along with me. It'll be fun. And cold. Or hot.

I Rose to the Occasion

Here's this week's video. It's about getting a raise. Enjoy!

(Again, I must point out the amazing thumbnail that YouTube arbitrarily chose.)

Introduction to Video Blogging - BLOG 101

This is the first edition to my video blog. Bear with me; I'm learning this stuff right now. Future videos will have purpose, value, humor, and not be near as cheesy as this one (hopefully).

This video is somewhat random and was recorded in the middle of the night, which explains why I'm whispering.

Thanks for checking it out. Oh, you gotta love the preview screenshot before you start the clip. It's truly awesome.

Weird Fear

I've talked a bunch about the resistance, or the soldier. Basically, I've talked about fear.

Fear is killer. It stops us from accomplishing great things. It keeps us from many goals we set. It provides an escape route in tough situations. However, we have no one to blame but ourselves when fear overtakes us. After all, it's our fear, right?

Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his Inaugural Address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He put it well (I suppose he had to; he was the President).

Mark Twain said this about fear: "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear."

Bill Cosby (who happened to be hilarious) said: "In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."

These are quotes from some of the most inspirational, knowledgeable, and respected men of American history. I think they had a few good things to say.

I challenge you to go out this week and do something you fear. It could be talking to a stranger, hiking that hill, taking that test, or speaking to an audience. Do something different, weird, or scary. I bet you'll learn something. I'd love to hear how it goes for you!

Share your story down below in the comment section!

More on the Soldier

I explained in an earlier post about the two parts of our brain: the daemon and the resistance. Here's a bit more on the resistance, cause I feel that it's vital to pursuing ideas and putting plans into action.

First, I had a run-in with the soldier this week. A big one. So big that he almost beat me in an intense face-off.

Last week at this time, myself and two of my buds began planning an open forum event to educate attendees on the stances of the four remaining Republican presidential candidates. It really was a big project for us three to take on, and we didn't realize that until we were half-way through the preparation. We had slide-shows to make, candidates to read up on, representatives to call, people to contact, buildings to rent, and nerves to calm. On Monday, at ten o'clock, I called it off in my brain, and began making preparations to close it up. After all, we only had fifteen people coming, according to the RSVP list (Don't ask me what RSVP stands for).

By eleven, I had got a hold of my buddies. One said yes, let's call it off. The other one said no. We conquered the soldier and continued with the event. By one that afternoon, two representatives agreed to come and talk about Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. That eased the burden. After that, everything else fell into place. With the help of several other friends, we pulled it off with a record attendance of forty five (ish).

I was reminded again of what the soldier is here for: to protect. Mainly from embarrassment, shame, and low self-esteem. It turns out, the soldier has no perception of reality, and distorts every point to the extreme. Had we canceled the event, the genius part of the brain would still be screaming: "You could've done that, made a huge difference, and swung the election!" The soldier would be congratulating me on saving face.

The genius is the one that needs to be let out more often. He makes things happen. The soldier should be on guard duty.

SCORE!

Yeah, they're awesome. My meeting with the SCORE advisor was great. It really is what they make it out to be. It's free, professional consulting for business owners. That's cool.

I met with Bill, who spent forty(ish) years in the insurance industry as a risk management specialist. He was very helpful in bringing forth a perspective that is easily over-looked amongst the zeal of the young entrepreneur: the risk factor. If you're diving into a new project, there's often potential for a large payout. Being focused on that is good, but the risk can't be swept under the rug.

It turns out, there's risk everywhere. If you don't like risk, stay in bed. You might get bedsores though, and that's risky too. The people who take the big risks are the ones who receive the payout. The ones that are exceptionally risky often are exceptionally successful. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Steve Jobs wouldn't have been successes if they hadn't taken risks. If they hadn't challenged the status quo. If they hadn't been different, they would've been the same as everyone else.

Yeah, it's risky to be different. In my opinion, it's worth it.

Oh yeah. SCORE is great. Double thumbs up, guys.

I have a meeting this afternoon. I'm meeting with a SCORE counselor to ask some questions regarding this blog, my car detailing company, Eclipse, and get a second opinion on some of the other projects I'm currently involved with.

If you haven't heard of the Service Corps Of Retired Executives, I recommend doing a little research on them; it seems like an excellent organization. Check out their website: score.org. They seem to have a great program. For those of you in the Vancouver area, there's a chapter at Clark College. Just sign up for an appointment, and you'll get a confirmation email shortly.

Before I brag it up too much, I'll go check it out and see what it's all about. I'll be sure to bring a report back for you.

Goodness in Books

Good books are good.

As Seth Godin says in Linchpin (the third from the top), "It's not an accident that successful people read more books."

Read on, my friends!

The Genius and the Soldier

I was reading in Seth Godin's book Linchpin (an excellent read) about our brain, and I learned something fascinating. Our brain is made up of two parts: The Daemon and the Resistance. In an nutshell, the daemon where all our great ideas come from. It's what make us unique and special. It the source of love, kindness, and generosity. It's what makes each of us a genius. The resistance is the other part; the part that does everything it can to keep the daemon quiet. The resistance is afraid. It's the soldier that keeps us safe. And it invents issues, problems, and illnesses to keep us from tapping into our daemon. That's interesting.

The deal is, if we're going to do anything out of the ordinary, challenge the status quo, or put great plans into action, we need to get past the resistance. The minute we have an idea, the resistance will spout out a thousand reasons why it's not a good idea. (You may have experienced this phenomenon this morning while you were snuggled under your warm comforter, totally not wanting to get up.) However, unless you're still in bed, you got past the resistance. It's possible to get past it; it just takes training.

We need to recognize the resistance when we see it. There are tell-tale signs of it's presence when we have thoughts of fear, anger, pain, or failure. When these things come around, we need to douse the resistance and move on. Notice that I've been saying "get past the resistance." It is something we have to get past. We can't eliminate it (unless we hack off half of our brain), but we can overcome it.

I'll talk a little more about the resistance later on this week. Until then, get over failure. Get over the comfort of fitting in. Get over the status quo. Then, let your brain work.

You're a genius.

You are what you...

I was reminded of an important phenomenon yesterday: You are who you hang out with. You also are what you eat, read, watch, think about, and do.

If you don't like the way some of these are going, it's up to you to change it. No one else will change it for you.

I've been told many times to surround myself with people smarter than myself, and when I do, I always learn something. I suggest you try it out for yourself. In doing this, however, we have to be very discerning in choosing who we learn from. Teaching styles alone can shape the way we think and act. Find a few trustworthy people with a mentor attitude, tell them what you hope to gain from your relationship, and you're set up. Anyone worth listening to will be happy to take you under their wing.

Occasionally you'll find yourself questioning your mentor's advice or viewpoint. This isn't a cause for alarm, it's just a good time for you to seek out a second or third opinion.

This seems obvious at best. It is. However, I'm the kind of guy that needs reminders. Often. I trust I'm not the only one in this big world that does.

Who are you hanging out with?

Enjoy Today, Plan for Tomorrow

Last night, a good buddy of mine asked me a question that got me thinking. I suggest you ask yourself the same thing. (You might as well buy stock in paper and pen companies for all the writing I'm asking you to do).

In so many words he asked, "What's your reasoning behind where you are today?"
That's a great question. It begs several others questions like, "why am I here?", "is this where I want to be?", and "what choices am I making today that will impact my future?"

I have had a reason for every one of my decisions, good or bad. The choices I've made in these decisions make me who I am today. The decisions and experiences I've encountered along the way have led me to my not-fully-developed-passion for entrepreneurship, my love for business, and helping others. I can't change my past. In many cases, I wouldn't. However, I can care enough today to make decisions that are better for the future.

So often we get caught up in one of the three tenses: past, present, or future. We dwell on the days of yesteryear, we freak out about today, or we dread or yearn for the future. This is a horrendous way to plow through life. I'm convinced that a healthy balance of these three is key to reaching your full potential in business, as well as other walks of life. Remembering the past (sometimes referred to as history), is a good thing; history repeats itself. What worked once may work again, and already-made mistakes don't need to be made twice. Knowing where we are today is also important, because it allows us to enjoy today, as well as plan for the future.

I'm a Christian, and I can't get away from what the Bible says about the subject: "Take no thought for the morrow," and "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." I don't believe this is implying that we shouldn't plan. Rather, don't worry about tomorrow. Trust the One who is in control.

Man plans but God decides.

That being said, plan ahead.

What About Passion?

I've been reminded several times over the last few days of the importance of passion (and I'm not referring to the fruit.)

In a previous post, I touched briefly on passion; my passion for business and entrepreneurship. I'll go a bit more in depth on the subject, because it's vital to being a successful entrepreneur, business owner, or employee.

Passion is defined as "any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate." From another source, passion is a "strong and barely controllable emotion" In so many words, your life's passion is that which you love. Or hate, for that matter. "Hate?" you say? Yes, hate. For example, I have an unbearable disdain for poor customer service; especially endless phone transfers from one department to the next (Ahem, Home Depot, are you paying attention?). My hatred for such lame service may fuel my desire to provide top-of-the-line customer service to all those I come in contact with. Maybe I answer my phone on the second ring every time; perhaps I send a small gift with every product I sell. All of this because poor customer service is the bane of my existence.


So, what about your passion? How do you go about finding it? How do you know for sure? What do you do then? These are questions that need to be answered for each individual. 


The best way to find your passion is summed up in two words: Do something. It doesn't matter what you do; just do something. Take action. Make something happen. When you do, you're bound to find out what you like and what you don't like about the project. The "project" may be something as simple as making dinner for some elders, or painting a room in your house. You may find out that you love cooking, or serving, or painting. 


Pull out a sheet of paper and a cool pen, and answer a few questions about yourself:

• What do I think, talk, or read about often?
• What gets me excited?
• When am I most unafraid of failure?
• What would I do for free?

The answers to these questions should bring you much closer to what you're truly passionate about.

Translating your passion into cash flow is a different story, but certainly achievable in many instances. (It's difficult to do if your passion is studying the migratory habits of the bombardier beetle, but it's not entirely impossible.)

Finding your passion may not come overnight; it may take weeks or months. The important thing is to not give up.


Now do something.

The First of my Goals

My main objective for Flick is for it to be a conveyor. A place where you can come to get pertinent information. I set up a contact page so you can email in with questions you have. You'll find the link on the sidebar.

This may come as a surprise to you, but it turns out, I don't know it all. However, I am willing and able to learn, as well as teach. When you as young entrepreneurs, seasoned business people, and curious minds need a solid answer, don't hesitate to ask. That's what I want to be here for.

Replies to your questions will be via email, phone calls, lunch, formal meetings, or presentations. Pick your favorite.

You need to know where I'm learning my stuff. I've learned a ton by plunging into my own business, Eclipse Mobile Detail. (Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/EclipseMobileDetail) I've learned about the first stages of business: sketching a business plan, marketing, sales (yes, even cold calling), partnerships, funding, customer relations, and a host of other things. I have a large networking team: A bundle of small business owners, recent entrepreneurs, previous college instructors, and business veterans from a myriad of industries fill my contact list as credible sources of reliable info. (I'll cover networking in depth in the future; it's an excellent thing.)

That's the first of my goals (more on goals later). For now, as so many of the successes I know have told me: "Plan your work and work your plan."

The Name

So, because you're curious about the name I chose, I'm writing a quick note to explain it.

Here's a picture: In a far away land, not at all like your own, is some tall, red cliffs. I like the looks of these cliffs. They are majestic, mystical, and a wonder to behold. In my minds eye, there are hundreds of young potential entrepreneurs perched on the edge, their legs dangling precariously, their hang-gliders strapped to their backs. They are so close to jumping. So close to letting go of the security of the solid ground. Yet, without a bit of coaxing, they're afraid to move a muscle. Someone needs to show them it can be done. Someone needs to be there to encourage them, help them, and show them how it works. Someone needs to give them a hard flick on the back of the neck.

I'm the Flick.

It's a weird analogy, but I think it works.

The security of the solid ground for today's young people is often school, a current job, or a lack of motivation. I believe there are many people today who are yearning for a flick in the neck. They're wishing someone would give them a just a little more confidence so they can work toward their goal of being an entrepreneur. Many haven't yet found the passion of being in business. Still more are afraid to take the first step. Some need a sounding board to bounce ideas off of.

I strive to be that guy. The guy that helps, educates (and learns), and motivates. It's my passion.
 I love it.

Flick, The Blog

My heartiest congratulations for successfully navigating your way to my blog!

In these first few days, you can expect the blog setup to change (perhaps quite dramatically). Do not be alarmed, harmed, or disarmed. Instead, enjoy the new look.

I plan to post twice a week. If it's more than that, consider yourself lucky. Any less, and you can assume I'm dead.

This blog is interesting. It's not the status quo. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Some of the subjects to be covered will be:

• All things business
• Young entrepreneurship
• Being different
• Speaking, motivating, and taking action

Other subjects are bound to come up, but the everyday post will consist of something related to the list above.

I'm going to be posting pictures, videos, other articles, and links to good material. I won't clutter your life with useless paraphernalia. That's what facebook is for.

Flick is free. For now. Don't count on it being that way forever.

This week I will be posting several times to get the ball rolling. You need to know what the goals are for Flick, where I plan to take it, and what the world is with the name.

Thanks for checking in!