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Change the World: Solve a Problem about Problems

October 1, 2007 by Liz

It’s a Problem

I’ve been looking at the problems I’ve faced down, moved around, and crawled over. Something stands out as more interesting than their causes or how they were solved.

Every time a problem arose, I argued for it. I had to prove it was a problem.

In my effort to define what was going on I would tell someone about what a problem it was.

People would talk about solutions. I would think, “You need to know why this REALLY IS A PROBLEM.” I needed the listener to see that before I could move on.

Now it dawns on me that I’m the one who wasn’t seeing. What useful reason could I give for convincing someone (and myself) that what I faced was a problem? Isn’t that just a way to make the situation look and feel worse before I take it on? I can’t imagine how such a habit must have colored my response.

I want future irritations, change of plans, and issues to be on notice. I’m no longer advocating for you to be promoted to problems. You’ll be staying little things from this moment on.

I quit arguing on behalf of problems. I’m getting on to the solving part instead.

More time, clearer mind, less stress . . .

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Question 65: You've Always Had It EASY! RIGHT?!!!

September 30, 2007 by Liz

Opportunity Knocking

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . . .

You moved away from your hometown after college. Only 20% of your graduating class did. You’re online and you have your own business. You’re enjoying some success — every bit of which you’ve worked your tail off to achieve.

You return home for a reunion. Always thinking, you arrange a few meetings with possible new clients while you’re there. When a high school friend hears you’re coming, he asks whether he might hire you to give him some advice on a new venture he’s considering. You agree (at a slight discount for secrets shared and times spent.)

The day of that meeting arrives.

The guy has a grand idea that actually has potential. It could turn into something special. He’s identified a genuine need. You’re certain because it’s in your same industry. You start thinking it would make a nice “sister” business. You’re picturing clients you might refer for his service.

Then you ask a few questions and the situation gets sticky.

The problem is that your friend is in dreamland. He has no real plan. He wants to put out a shingle and expects customers by the hundreds (maybe thousands), all over the nation to lay their trust and their money down. He has no goals, no funding, no market projection, and no way to get his message out or a message to send.

When you gently try to explain this reality, his answer is “You’ve always had it easy! You’re afraid of a little competition.”

Now you’ve invested billable time in a bad situation and you have a client meeting in the morning with someone he knows.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Serendipitous Dots

September 30, 2007 by Liz

Connecting dots with The Idea Dude

Serendipity

Definitely one of my favorite words

… desirable discoveries by accident. (as defined by Dictionary.com)

Writing for “Connecting the dots..” is entirely driven by serendipity. There is no plan, just a gentle meandering through the blogosphere and going wherever the words will blow me. Of course, it comes with an element of fear, like going on a world tour with just a backpack and no known destination. What will Vern say next? Usually I have no clue…

Liz is intentionally serendipitous. You’re only a stranger once! she always remind us. I suspect if she was the captain on the Starship Enterprise, we would regularly hear her say…

Permission to engage!

That was the message I got from Richard, the ‘Company Doctor’, When you go to a networking or marketing type event, the ONLY purpose you have is to â€œorganize a cup of coffee”. It is asking for permission to engage, to explore syngergies of minds and souls.

Speaking of coffee, head on over to the other side of Liz and listen to her describe serendipity waiting to happen. Actually, I was blown away by the way she described the girl. …she was a photograph waiting to happen. I wish I wrote that!

Just yesterday I walked out of Starbucks and caught the eye of someone. In that split second, it felt like there was a real connection. I know because I spent the rest of the day wondering why I didn’t say anything. Lost serendipity, methinks. I’m sure you’ve encountered moments like that.

Of course, serendipitous moments are most likely to happen, the more you allow the world to touch you. For example, taking the subway train every day instead of driving is more serendipitous as OmegaMom found out. She recounts her joy of finding a busker who could touch her with beautiful music. She is indeed wistful for those days of serendipitous music providing a sound track for my city life.

Hmm, I think I need to slow down my frenetic life enough so serendipity can find me

May the dots be with you!

Vern, The Idea Dude

Click here to see more dots we connected

Desperado: The 7 Payoffs of Making Your Blogging Relationships Suck

September 30, 2007 by Liz

Freedom

The message from Kristen King came three days ago. It was cryptic. All it said was “I just tagged you for a meme on bad blogging habits.” I followed the link on how to make your blog suck. Hmmm. This was serious.

It HAS been a while since I’ve promoted blogging for desperadoes. Kristen King’s post is spectacular, but making your blog suck might not be enough — stalwart friends and fans might still bother you. So, let me explain the payoffs of making your relationships suck too.

Desperado: The 7 Payoffs of Making Your Blogging Relationships Suck

I’m all about relationships, but I also have room for other points of view. If you’re a desperado, who needs no one. I can help you enjoy the payoffs of riding through the blogosphere alone. Here’s what to do.

Make everything about your goals. Bloggers talk about how to be better, faster, achieve things less expensively. Don’t waste time on the conversation. Put things into action. You know where you’re going.
If you focus on where you’re riding, you’ll be in known every town you ride into.

Steer clear of social networks. That’s where information gets passed on. How could other bloggers’ research and wisdom possibly be of use to you? You’re something that has nothing to do with them.
Avoid them, you’ll have more time for your own thoughts, ideas, and plans.

Know it’s lonely at the top. If you wanted to be with the group learners, you wouldn’t be a loner. Right? You’re a thought leader let them learn by watching you.
Save time on research and won’t have to read or listen to anyone.

Have hard rules and stick to them. Bloggers have WAY MORE personality than any desperado could possibly need. Stand out by standing up without moving.
Believe me, the blogosphere will notice.

Pay no attention. Ignore them. Bloggers see and report everything. They even add new insights and thinking. It can be distracting.
Avoid what the blogosphere is doing, your ideas will perfectly and purely your own.

Only interact with folks who count. Do the math and figure out an algorithm, a game, a list for gathering links that requires no conversation. It’s business to keep your distance. Focus only on the folks who do something you need to get ahead.
If you don’t talk to the talkers, they can’t ask you for anything.

Don’t let them see you smile until . . . well, not then either. If you respond, you’ll have to manage a relationship. Sartre said. “Hell is other people.” Keep your gig solo.
Freedom!

Desperado, when you strike out on your own, the payoffs can be more than you might ever expect. So, go for it and . . . um, er, . . . and the blogosphere might wish you well if you keep on going. . . .

Of course, I’ll miss you and wonder whether the Eagles were right . . .

Your prison is walking through this world all alone.

But then I’d never hang out by a campfire alone.

On the other hand, some of my best friends do.

Oh, never mind.

To the Desperado in every one of us: Happy Sunday!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Thanks to Week 101 SOBs!

September 29, 2007 by Liz

Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

Let me introduce the bloggers
who have earned this official badge of achievement,

and the right to call themselves
Successful Blog SOBs.

I invite them to take a badge home to display on their blogs.

They take the conversation to their readers,
contribute great ideas, challenge us, make us better, and make our businesses stronger.

I thank all of our SOBs for thinking what we say is worth passing on.
Good conversation shared can only improve the blogging community.

Should anyone question this SOB button’s validity, send him or her directly to me. This award comes with a full “Liz said so” guarantee. It is endorsed by Kings of the Hemispheres, Martin and Michael, and backed by my brothers, Angelo and Pasquale.

Want to become an SOB?

If you’re an SO-Wanna-B, you can see the whole list of SOBs and learn how to be one by visiting the SOB Hall of Fame– A-Z Directory . Click the link or visit the What IS an SOB?! page in the sidebar.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Change the World: Are You Coming?

September 29, 2007 by Liz

No Explosives Needed

On the road to our dream destination,

we’re bound to find a few detours and breathing blockades

who seem dead-set on bringing us down.

It’s good to know that when someone knocks us over

or tries to set a match to our plans,

that we can pick ourselves up and kick a little water to put out the flame.

Because the sky and the water belong to everyone

and the sun doesn’t belong just to me

So, are you coming along for the ride of your life?

We’re getting out our crayons.

We’ve got all of the creativity we need.

We know what beautiful looks like — what to make and what to keep.

—

We’re going to change the world.

Wait and see.

______________
If you’re ready to change the world, send me your thoughts in a guest post. Feel free to take the gorgeous Change the World image up there that Sandy designed back to your blog. Or help yourself to this one.

Email me about what you’re doing or what we might do. Let’s change the world one bit at a time together. Together it can’t take forever.