Someone asked me the other day how as a small business owner (aka: I only eat what I kill) and father of 3, I'm able to stay calm in spite of the Corona-tine.
(Corona + Quarantine, get it?)
Whatever your thoughts are about the "Novel Coronavirus," the cultural/societal response has had a serious impact on small business owners, with thousands of brick-and-mortar stores being forced to close their doors (and thousands more pulling out massive loans to cover the shortfall, which they, unfortunately, might not be able to afford unless the debt is "forgiven" because even "low" usurious interest has a nasty habit of destroying what it touches…but that's a topic for another time).
So I think the real question is:
How can you and I stay calm, cool, and collected....or as Kipling wrote: "keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" during these turbulent times?
Here's what I believe:
An affordance is anything that helps you along your way; that moves you in the direction of your aim; that affords you an opportunity to make progress toward your goals.
These are affordances.
An obstacle, conversely, is anything that blocks your path. That gets in the way of your goals. That keeps you confused, frozen, or distracted.
Some affordances are obvious (the aforementioned shovel, water, and family)...
Some obstacles are obvious (anything that restricts access to, or removes, the aforementioned shovel, water, and family)...
No line at Chipotle = affordance.
Getting featured on a massive SiriusXM radio station and blowing the lid off a brand new product launch = a much bigger, much more significant affordance.
The store down the street "runs out" of toilet paper = obstacle.
Experiencing a reality where you're one handshake-from-a-stranger away from death = a much, MUCH bigger obstacle.
So logically, it makes sense that you would want more affordances (ideally the really good ones) and fewer obstacles in your life (especially the really bad ones).
If you're following my line of reasoning thus far, then it follows that the most significant affordance is that which affords you MORE affordances.
(meta, I know)
For example, the electricity that feeds your devices and machines might be considered a "greater affordance" if those things are then used in the pursuit of your goals (with your aim set squarely on your goal).
Or your BELIEF that you can (and will) achieve your goals, no matter what obstacles pop up. This deep-rooted belief itself can be an affordance that creates more affordances (one that opens invisible doors as you take consistent, daily action).
And it also follows that the greatest obstacle is that which creates more obstacles; like a Black Swan event that closes the door to your business (and cuts you off from your network)...or the belief that you're a product of circumstance, that you got the short end of the stick, and that there's nothing you can do about it (aka: victim mentality).
Here's where I'm going with this:
Not only are "things" and "beliefs" obstacles or affordances...
Knowing what's around the corner can save you time, money, and energy.
However, that's only if the information is correct, relevant, and pertinent.
If the information is incorrect, not relevant, or impertinent, "knowing" said information could actually COST YOU time, money, and energy.
(and if the information is malicious, well, then it could cost you everything, and the phrase "ignorance is bliss" becomes even more true)
In the physical world - the certifiable real world that's right in front of you (the one at your fingertips, that you can touch and manipulate) - most of us can figure out what is an affordance or an obstacle from a simple glance (and maybe a step or two around the object and a swivel of the head).
You see the traffic jam and you get it. Obstacle.
You see the strawberries growing and the clear water from the spring flowing and you get it. Affordance.
But when you're "online" looking at "the world" through the black mirror in your pocket, discerning between affordance and obstacle becomes a lot more complicated.
That's because information presented through a screen can be framed, molded, and manipulated to be given the appearance of value, when in fact, it's an illusion; just ask anyone who bought a ticket to The Fyre Festival, or cheered on Theranos, or thought Bernie Madoff was really onto something with his unorthodox accounting methods.
So don't treat it like it is.
Be discerning about what you let in. Shut off any inputs that distract you from your aim. Fearlessly exclude anything that does not help you toward your goals.
That includes the fearbate.
It's true, people will stop asking you out for drinks...but then all the bars are closed now anyway, aren't they?
Get to work, my friend, and continue to fight the good fight.
And, of course, stay frosty.
References: - James Gibson's "The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception." - John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China" - "The Fear Economy"
Started, finished, and shipped from 7,000 feet elevation with my feet planted firmly on the ground | Writing time: 4.5 hrs | Soundtrack: silence (still trending)
Since its founding in 2009, Uber has grown to be valued at more than $18 billion.
It's one of the fastest growing startups in the world.
Here's what that looks like, relative to other major tech startups (and their billions in value):
If you're not familiar with Uber, they're a ride-sharing company that allows people to easily grab a ride in most major cities across the United States (and abroad - I used an Uber in Amsterdam just a couple weeks ago).
But unlike a traditional taxi cab service that has a ton of overhead (the vehicles themselves, the structures to park and service the vehicles, the union workers, etc.), Uber simply uses technology and software to connect the dots between the owner of a car who wants to make some extra money and the the person who wants a simple, clean, painless ride to the airport.
Great idea, sure, but that doesn't explain the rapid growth rate.
What does begin to explain it is Uber's clever marketing and viral referral program...
(more…)
On Monday, November 11th, I’m launching a new book about collaboration.
I’ll be using a platform known as Publishizer.com to crowdfund the book.
Publishizer is a lot like Kickstarter, but for books.
If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a crowdfunding platform that allows artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and creators of all types to pre-sell their idea before they build it.
Crowdfunding is powerful because it allows creators to put an idea out into the world, and if our happy readers like it, they can choose to support us and help us bring our ideas to life.
The benefit to the creator is obvious: no more spending months or years working on a project just to find out nobody cares.
With crowdfunding, we know immediately if this is a project worth pursuing.
But crowdfunding on a platform like Publishizer doesn’t just benefit the creator. (more…)
How can you turn an idea into a business:
That’s what Jon Nastor, ex-punk rocker turned entrepreneur and founder of Velocitypage.com, wanted to know.
And for the past 12 years, Jon has been actively answering this question.
Here’s a direct quote from Jon’s Clarity.fm consulting page:
I have been an entrepreneur for 12 years and full-time online for 3. I have built, from the ground up, 6 different SaaS products --- all with zero technical ability. I have built multiple businesses from zero to $45k/month+ recurring revenues, with no debt and no financing.
How is this possible, though?
Conventional wisdom tells us we need to master the skill or trade we want to make a profession out of, or that we need lots of money or financing to build something profitably.
But here’s Jon, a person who self admits to having “zero” technical ability, yet he’s started multiple businesses with no debt or financing.
What is Jon doing differently that allows him to succeed where so many others fail? (more…)
I get asked questions every day about starting, finishing, and shipping things.
Let’s be honest: I bring this on myself.
Not only do I write about these topics, but I ask everyone I meet or who joins The Resistance to tell me what they’re struggling with (and how I can help).
The nature of this is that some questions come up again and again.
I find they fit a certain trend.
So today, I want to talk about the second most common question I get asked (right behind “why are you so handsome?” - a question that has no human answer):
First, the question:
Tom, I want to [place description of doing something here, like: write book, sell more kitten mittens, etc.], but I don’t have [place description of excuse here, like: an audience, money, connections, platform, etc.]. What do I do?
Now, the solution is actually pretty obvious: go build or create the thing you’re lacking (audience, money, whatever), then do the thing you want.
Thing is, though, this advice is about as useful as telling a diabetic to stop consuming so much sugar.
Great thought, but the obvious isn’t what we need. If that were the case, the problem would be solved already.
Case closed. We won. Let’s go home.
No, most humans are great at recognizing what needs changing (whether in diet, business, relationships, or life). What we’re not so great at is implementing the changes necessary to succeed.
So what we DON’T need is someone reiterating the problem and telling us a solution.
What we DO need is a framework to facilitate success: a process to help us make change; a template to help us ship our project (or lower our cholesterol).
So if you’re stuck, confused, depressed, exhausted, or ready to throw in the towel (or already have), here’s what you need to do.
(more…)
In 2014, I collaborated on and launched a premium mastermind program.
What started as just an idea several months prior culminated in a launch that brought in $40,000+ allowing us to fund our startup operation without a loan or investors.
In part 1, I wrote about “The Open Loop Product Development Framework” - a process I use to thrash an idea until it’s clear.
What exactly needs clarity?
“The Open Loop Product Development Framework” allows us to systematically find this clarity as we thrash and build out a basic (but useable) business plan.
The fundamental principle of “The Open Loop Product Development Framework” is this:
Great ideas don’t matter without great execution.
At this point, you have a clear idea of:
Now we need to focus on turning this basic outline into a shippable product.
This means:
In next weeks blog post, I’ll explain in more detail how to build a product wireframe you can sell on proof of concept alone (as well as how to sell it). Today, I want to focus on building everything around your offer - the stuff that determines if your product or service ends up a success or failure.
In other words: how to create a sales funnel.
I had a conversation with a friend the other day. We were talking about her situation and what her 5 year goals were.
The response: “to be self-employed with a healthy, cashflowing business.”
“What’s stopping you?” I asked.
“My biggest reservation to becoming an entrepreneur is money. Current funds are limited, and I’m not sure the steps I need to take to make money in the beginning. I mean, I get how it’s done in concept, but I don’t know how to get there, and I’m scared of losing everything.” [bolded for emphasis]
This is not an uncommon feeling.
So many people understand – at a conceptual level – how business works: sell something for profit (i.e. for more than you paid for it).
Yet the practical steps to get there are confusing. And the thought of “not making it” or “losing it all” is terrifying.
So what is a driven, motivated person to do?
On 16 October, 1890, in a small farm off the windswept southern coast of Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, the leader of the Irish Revolution was born: Michael Collins.
Of course, no one could predict this at the time, but like all history, it now seems inexorable.
The youngest of 8 kids, Collins didn’t grow up with a lot of money, but what his family lacked financially his parents made up for with an intense focus on education (it would come to serve him well in the future).
At the turn of the 20th century, when Collins was in his teens studying hard and working a full-time job, hoping for a better life, Irish-British relations were hitting a tipping point.
For hundreds of years prior, the Irish faced subjugation and enslavement at the hands of the British (in fact, the first slaves sent to America were Irish).
At the same time, Irish nationalism was on the rise with underground national pride movements happening around the country.
Collins found himself swept up in the movement at a very young age.
Eventually, he became its leader.
From 1917 to 1921, Collins organized, managed, and led an outnumbered, out-financed, and outgunned revolutionary force against the strongest empire in the world.
And, against all odds...
He won.
Last month I got an email from a friend. After 6 months of hustle, she's throwing in the towel.
Why?
I felt bad. I hate seeing people fail.
I hate it even more when a project fails that hasn't been properly validated in the marketplace.
In my friend's case, she had only tried one option. It didn't work, so she closed it down.
Surely there must be another way...
Granted, not all projects are worthwhile. Some simply aren't economically viable.
Others might be able to sustain themselves through whatever means (force, trust fund, etc.), but to what end (the excruciatingly slow death of the postal service comes to mind)?
But the reality is: you can't know whether a project is worthwhile from the first failure (not if you want to eventually build something that lasts).
So I told my friend that she shouldn't shut down just yet. Instead, she should pivot.
Of all the cruel punishments the Greek gods bestowed on humans (and one another), the punishment of Sisyphus has to be the worst.
Sisyphus was the king of Ephyra and the son of Aelius (ruler of the winds and son of Poseidon...the guy has some serious lineage behind him).
He was also a prideful, deceitful, murderous ruler; not only was he a chronic liar (deceiving both gods and humans), but he killed travelers and visitors for fun in his own kingdom.
Basically, Sisyphus was a real prick.
Apparently, after one too many deceitful and murderous acts, Zeus decided enough was enough and condemned Sisyphus to an eternal punishment. Except this wasn’t any old punishment. Zeus crafted something uniquely horrible for Sisyphus.
Zeus condemned Sisyphus to push a large bolder up a steep hill.
Difficult for sure, but not the worst thing in the world (or underworld), right?…
Except, like all good Greek myths, there was a catch.
Zeus enchanted the bolder.
Anytime Sisyphus came close to the top of the hill with the bolder, it would slip through his hands, rolling all the way back down to the bottom.
No matter how Sisyphus approached the challenge, his effort was futile.
An eternity of useless, infuriating effort with no payoff.
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