Many folks, really read into what other people think and say about them.
Whilst your reputation is critically important for success, there is an element of what they know about you. Do you advertise certain fact? Do you correct people immediately?
It’s not a matter of you correcting people – but it’s a matter of you knowing how much you want to disclose. How much it matters. It’s not for someone to say, ignore them all – that’s not entirely practical. But it is up to you, how much content you want to share…
Whatever you enjoy doing… do it! (And there can be monetisable opportunities). But do it with some passion also. I’ll explore in another blog post of mine about a book I recently finished called, Tuesday’s with Morrie. Great book.
But for today’s Friday Thought… it’s from Gary V, and he puts it quite simply…
So the book continues and fair play to Arnold… it’s a decent read!
A relatively short chapter but nevertheless, a very important one. As you can guess, it was all about selling. Not selling yourself as such – but there is an element of that, but selling what you represent, what you stand for and included in that, your vision.
So the story Arnold tells is about body building. Again, you’ll have to read the book to learn about his story.
For me… what I took away was the element that people may or may not fully understand your vision. Understand what you stand for. Understand clearly where you want to get to.
This is where the sell, sell, sell part comes in.
Depending on what you’re doing. How you’re doing it. And the amount of success you’re having, you have to sell yourself, your trade, your work… whatever it is that you do. And sell it in a way that people want more!
I remember when I was at Kodak, and I wanted to become a chartered engineer. So I had to fill in forms, do lots of work etc… but I wasn’t selling myself. And I remember clearly my mentor at the time saying… ‘Bal, you have to write I did… not we’. That’s stuck with me since. I’m very clear and intentional that if I do something.. then I did it. Not just to get the applauds but if it goes wrong, then the buck stops with me… and my team is not to blame. Yes there’s times where it’s a team effort so it’s a ‘we’.
Have a look at your vision… work through the chapters and now, tell me honestly, are you able to sell it?
If you want to make it in life – you’ve got to work hard.
What comes easy…. goes easy. But when you work super hard for something, you know it’s going to stay with you.
Before I joined the graduate programme for Kodak – I received some really good advice. It was…’make as many mistakes as you can when you’re young because a) people will forgive you and b) you’ll learn. When you’re older… people aren’t as forgiving’.
Awesome advice.
And I made a fair few mistakes – but most importantly, learnt from them. But you’ll only make those mistakes if you’re working. In the book, Arnold talks about working your ass off.
How many of us can seriously say we work super hard on particular topics and subjects?
I remember… when I was at Coca-Cola, I did a Kaizen activity (if you don’t know what that is – I’ll let you google it). It was a week long event, we had people fly in from all over Europe, USA, etc… The preperation was intense, the Kaizen week was even more intense… and then post event, there were so many actions. I remember leaving home super early to get to the office that week and then coming home really late every day. Everyone used to work from home on Friday – but there I was, with one or two others, and the cleaners late Friday typing up notes and sorting out the flipcharts and post-it notes. I worked my ass off for that Kaizen event… and it paid dividends. The senior leadership noticed, It was in the newsletter… but more importantly, we saved something like 80 hours of processing time, halved the number of process errors, etc… It was a huge win!
It really is about working your ass off to be the best. To be really good at what you enjoy. What you do and more importantly, when you are working your ass off on something you enjoy – it’s fun! That late Friday in the office, I was enjoying it! Myself along with the other two folk (and the cleaners) had some music going in the office, and we were enjoying it!
In the book… Arnold talks about 24 hours. I use this alot also when people ask me, how do you find the time to do everything.
You have 24 hours in a day
Let’s say you work for 8. And then, you may sleep for 8. That leaves you with 8 hours.
Now, for example… you’ve got to commute to work, you may spend time with family, eating etc… (Arnold breaks this alot better in the book than what I have in this blog)… so let’s say, all that takes about 4 hours.
You’re left with 4 hours free a day. Let’s put 2 hours aside for catching up on things, traffic perhaps, and other stuff which you may not account for.
In a day – you can easily have, around 2 hours free. What are you doing with those 2 hours?
Most are mindlessly scrolling through social media. Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. Check your screen time on your phone. How much time in a day or week do you spend doing that.
Be more productive.
So today’s thought is… work your ass off. Seriously, work hard and achieve something special. Those 2 hours a day, you could easily start going to the gym and improve your health. You could even just walk for an hour a day – imagine the health benefits of that. You could start a new hobby… Anything. Just pick something, for which you have passion for and work your ass off.
So I’m going to continue through the chapters of the book I’m reading that’s been written by Arnold.
Today’s thought centres around…
Chapter 2 was great!
Recently, I was on a call with my mentor. We were having a chat and he stopped and said, Bal… you need to think bigger.
I was like – what do you mean bigger… He said, you’re thinking too small! It was like he’d read this chapter before we’d had our conversation! (He hadn’t by the way!)
We think next steps. Baby steps sometimes – which can be ok. But what is the bigger picture?
In the vision board – how big did you go? Some people say they want to write a book. That’s great. But do you want it to be a ‘best seller’? Or just another book? You got to think big. Bigger than what you’re thinking. If you’re aspiring to be an actor, do you want to act in a few films or act and win awards? Oscars?
This chapter in Arnold’s book really made me think – that you have to think big. Think big and bold. Not just want you’re going to achieve in a few years (whilst short term planning is important) you have to think bigger… 10 years. 15 years. 20 years. What is it that you want to achieve? What kind of legacy do you want to build?
I recently finished the book, ‘psychology of money’. Great read! I’ll talk about that another day. But one thing that it talks about is, compund interest. How over long period of times, your money will grow – and grow and grow. Don’t look short term. Think long term. I’ve done something similar, where about 15 years ago – I opened a savings account. And I put in £100 per month. It’s one of these that is a shares savings account (for those in the UK – Stocks and Shares ISA). Now, it’s grown. Every 4 or 5 years, I check it and see how it’s doing, do I need to change anything but in all honesty – I’ve just let it grow! Now when I opened it, I jokingly called it my ‘Lamborghini Fund’. I thought one day, I might have enough to put a deposit on a Lamborghini. Priorities have changed since then – but you know what give it some more time… and I won’t be far off! That was me thinking big then!! Then I was driving a 8 year old VW Golf diesel – but I was thinking big about a Lamborghini.
So to wrap up today’s Friday Thought… don’t think small. Think big… think huge! And dare to dream because you need to chase those dreams… as they will become reality one day.
Yes.. it’s back! My Friday Thought is back!! And I’m taking some inspiration from a book I’m currently reading…
I got the book at Christmas – and wasn’t sure how good it’d be. But honestly, reading the first chapter – love it.
There’s a sense of honesty (Arnold uses words he would normally say.. like bullsh*t etc..), transparency and openness. I think, these elements make the book a great read.
And so to my Friday Thought… it’s on the first chapter of the book…
I won’t share my full story here about my vision – but in the book, Arnold talks about having a vision. I’m not going to relay everything Arnold says – you have to buy the book and read it – but in all honesty, it’s very true with some great examples from him.
You have to have a vision of what you want to be, where you are going and where you want to be.
For me, when growing up – I loved cars. Had a poster of a Ferrari F40 on my wall. Loved them. When I went to university, in my first year, I studied Automotive Engineering. But a chance encounter with a Professor, said there’s more opportunities for me if I did something like Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering… and so I switched and I think that was the right thing to do because then I got my first job at Kodak.
I’ve never had a vision board as such, always looked at cars (which is one of my passions) and thought, would love to drive that one day. Not necessarily own… but definitely drive.
Even from a career perspective… I’ve always wanted to be in a particular position and have a particular title (I’ll share more about what this is/was in another blog post!)
So how do you have a clear vision… well, a vision board might help! And rather than me explain it, I thought… why not have Lily Singh explain it to you…
So my Friday Thought is…. inspired from Arnold…. Have a Clear Vision.
I know… it’s been a while! I appreciate your understanding! But more importantly… where is 2024 going?! March already!!!!
I am trying to blog more – sharing more of my thoughts on technology, people and processes… all are important in today’s world. And for today’s friday thought, it’s very much around vibes.
I do often look and feel for vibes… good or bad. And when you get good vibes… Enjoy!
You should too… look out for vibes. Feel the vibes.
Vibes are important because it’s a form of communication that can be so powerful, it leaves you with thoughts, memories and/or experiences.
What is a Vibe? (the below is taken from the Cambridge Dictionary)
The mood of a place, situation, person, etc. and the way that they make you feel:
Recently I’ve been watching Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.
This isn’t my normal Friday Thought.
I saw the panorama documentary on BBc1 many years ago – 2015 I think it was. When watching it then, I thought to myself – wow. They haven’t really got to grips with the technology that’s been rolled out. Hope something is done.
It’s the hope that kills us.
January 2024, and there’s an ITV drama about the whole Post Office scandal. And there’s two things I’d like to explore –
Why has it taken a TV drama serialised on true events to wake the nation up to a disgraced organisation and the events that took place?
Why did the technology not be stopped?
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office is available to watch on ITV1
Let’s look at the first one – the TV programme.
We know, that you can read something – but our attention spans are not what they used to be. You can see something, like pictures, videos, documentaries, etc… and alot of it you’ll notice, appreciate and get to know.
It’s when it’s brought to a ‘real-life’ drama, that it sinks in. When you see emotions on the people – that’s when it hits.
Emotions you can’t really get through text.
Emotions you can’t really get through a documentary.
Emotions you can get whilst watching a drama based on true events.
And it’s when these emotions hit us, then there’s outrage. And it’s the outrage that is currently occuring. It shouldn’t have taken a TV drama…
Secondly, there was so much money invested in the computer system – hence they didn’t stop. But… that to oneside, the human element is what took over. Greed.
It’s unbelievable that an organisation such as the Post Office could carry out such behaviours. No one thought to look at the trends, the data and moreso, the people that have served their communities. Instead, each one was told… it’s just you. When it clearly wasn’t.
Everything comes from the top. The behaviours, the attitudes and the way people act. So many homes and families were destroyed.
Not to discuss now, but will be on a future blog… is the Post Office fit to continue?
Well, hope the first week of the new year has been good.
For me… it’s been busy! I was at Guru Nanak’s Mission on Monday – a local charity where I help cook for the homeless and vulnerable. Then work has been busy.. working till late. Last night, I was on a call with folks from my UEFA C course.
BUT… I did manage to, eat well (kind of), get some exercise in, read my new book and do some studying (I’m doing a course with Cornell University – called Leadership lessons from Ancient Rome).
You have to make sure you schedule these in… if not, then you’ll get tired very quickly and not be able to focus on the right things.
Show me your daily wins… maybe we can share them on social media and tag folks for encouragement.
