Author: Paul Singh

Here’s how I spend no more than 30 seconds a day keeping in touch with everyone I know:

I set a daily reminder (I use Remember the Milk) to email atleast one person from my contact list every single day. It takes 30 seconds to pick someone at random and fire off a quick email to say hello.

Here’s an email I shot off just a few days ago:

Subject: Saying hello & mastering the iPhone keyboard

Hey Ben,

Hope all is well and that you had a great time in Costa Rica. (From the look of the pictures on your blog, it sure looks like you did!)

I dropped into a post today that reminded me of the brief conversation we had about mastering the iPhone keyboard, thought I’d pass it along: http://blog.crankingwidgets.com/2008/06/12/iphone-keyboard-mastery/

In any case, just wanted to say hello. I appreciated your time on the phone a few weeks ago – if there’s anything I can do to return the favor, please let me know.

Ok, so now you know how I do it, so let me give you one more tip: Do your recipient a favor. (See how I passed along a blog post that was relevant to our conversation from a few weeks ago?) As they say, it’s better to give than to receive. Consider each favor an emotional deposit. When it’s time to call in a favor of your own (whether it be help finding a new job or an industry expert that you might need some insight from), you’ll thank me.

“So, what changed?”

It was simple really: I realized that the majority of the successful people I knew relied on paper. PAPER! Not the latest iPhone. Not the latest GTD tool. Not the latest whatchamacallit. Just plain old paper.

“What’s the big deal with paper?”

First, go pick up a copy of Todoodlist and you will quickly see what I mean. It’s an easy read, you’ll get a few good chuckles and it includes a number of practical tips that I was able to use immediately. (One of the best things about it is the 30 day refund policy – so you have absolutely no excuse not to buy it. Just return if you really don’t get anything out of it.)

As I’ve said before, learning just one new idea from a book is the best way to spend $20 today.

“What system do you use?”

Here are my tools of choice:

1. Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Ball Pen
2. Parker Gel Ink Inserts
3. Moleskine Ruled Notebook

That’s it – three simple things that won’t go out of style tomorrow, won’t break the bank and never, ever need to be charged up.

So what do you do?

I’ve been running a masonry construction business on the side for years now. Every Spring, I run in to a number of contractors, both returning from last year and new guys entering the business – they all think the same thing: “I’m going to grow my business overnight. All I have to do is lower my prices and get more customers!” The really funny part of this that many other contractors will then jump on the bandwagon and say something like, “No way. I’m going to lower my prices to make sure that doesn’t happen!” This is when I fall over laughing.

The point of this is that there just isn’t any benefit to comparing yourself to others:

1. What worked for them isn’t always going to work for you.
2. You probably don’t see the full picture – the other guy is probably dealing with the same problems as you.

In fact, [comparing yourself to others may be suffocating your success][1]:

The problem is that most people will tell you the “how it works” of their success, but leave out the all important “why it works.” The “how” of the story will get you some results. But trying to copy the how without the why is about as effective as building a radio out of coconuts and expecting treasures to fall from the sky.

The key is to understand what you’re great at, create the opportunity and then take advantage of it. It’s really that simple.

In our case, we simply don’t lower prices anymore. In fact, we raise them year over year *and find ways to add more value *at little or no cost to us. (Think white papers, brochures and other information products that don’t cost us much. Tie that in with great customer service and we’re damn near unbeatable.) Sure, we could probably gain more volume with lower prices but it just isn’t worth it. I’d much rather have the new guys fight over the cheap customers and save the good stuff for myself.

So, quit worrying about what the other guy is doing and focus on exploiting what you’re already good at. It’s really that simple.

1. Select the strategy: Looking for an underserved market.
2. **Connect to customers: **The social network as idea collector.
3. **Generate ideas: **Brain-storming done right.
4. **Select an idea: **Time to separate the good from the great.
5. Prototype and test: Bring on the customers.
6. **Go to market: **Cookies versus cookie dough.
7. **Adjust for growth: **The process evolves.

One of my favorite lines from the article applies not only to companies but to you and me as well:

It’s not about brilliance. Valuable new ideas are the product of hard work and smart, disciplined processes.

So you’re finally here. After 4 years of tailgating, beer pong and skipping class you’ve decided to join the working ranks. Congratulations! Now all you have to do is nail that job interview and get your first REAL job. Wait, isn’t there a 7-year plan?

Read on for the six tips you need to know:

1. **Know the Company. ** Spend time reading about the company in news and pouring over their website. Know their business and how you want to fit in. You don’t want to be in an interview with General Electric and have the interviewer tell you they make airplane engines. You should know this. If you are going for a business position read the company’s latest financial statements. Showing you are knowledgeable about their operation is a sure fire way to impress a recruiter.
2. Have Some Answers. You don’t know what questions to expect, but you can make predictions. The internet is full of example interview questions – you have no excuses anymore. Take the time to prepare answers and practice saying them out loud. Even if you don’t get the exact same questions, you’ll have a framework and the confidence to provide intelligent answers.
3. Practice Makes Perfect. So Shady Mortgage Inc. has offered you an interview to be sub-prime mortgage salesman. Don’t blow it off! Even if it’s not your dream job go to the interview for practice. It will help you rehearse for that important job interview. Take the opportunity to build your interviewing skills. (Tip: If you don’t have any interviews before the “big one” practice with friends or family. You know smart people – they can help. Run through questions, get feedback and nail down your routine.)
4. STAR. No, this isn’t an opportunity for you to rock out in the interview. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Results. Interviewers will throw out questions like, “Tell me about a time you worked in a group and had to show leadership skills to achieve a deadline?” That’s a tough question to answer on the spot. But before you start sweating and saying “um” take a deep breath and use the STAR method. Describe a real situation that occurred. You led a project in your Accounting class with the kid who snored in class – you know this! Talk about the situation, what you were expected to accomplish, what actions you took and how it resulted in an A grade.
5. **Have a Conversation. **Don’t let the interview be one-sided! Remember, the recruiter isn’t just looking at your answers, but how well you might fit with the organization. It’s not a police investigation, so be personable! Don’t let the questions lead the conversation, but rather keep a casual flow with the interview. Having awkward silences between questions and answers is not what you want to be remembered for.
6. Ask Questions. This interview is an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and your potential role. Write down some questions about things you’re curious about. Don’t be shy to speak up, especially when asked. Asking intelligent questions shows the Interviewer you are engaged, curious and a critical thinker. I’ve had co-worker’s who interview tell me that when they ask “do you have any questions?” is when the real interview beings.
7. **Be Professional. **Wear a business suit. Arrive on time. Shake hands and smile. Don’t talk about the keg stand you did last weekend. You’re trying to become a professional, so act like one.

That’s all there is to it – now get out there and kick some ass.

Have more useful tips? Drop them in the comments below.

A post over at Self Made Chick nails the idea (I’ve added the emphasis):

But I think that chasing “millions” of dollars may be one of the reasons why many people never even make $1 online. Instead of focusing on the few ways to make millions of dollars online, perhaps it is more profitable to pursue one of the millions of ways to make hundreds or thousands of dollars online.

I think that with gurus tossing around huge million dollar sales figures, many of us have developed a mindset that if something isn’t going to make millions of dollars that it’s not worth pursuing. $3,000 may not be a million dollars, but it’s nothing to scoff at. A few thousand dollars can greatly enhance the quality of your life. $3,000 can buy:

• A 10% down payment on a 2008 128I RWD 2-Dr Coupe L6
• A 7 day Mediterranean cruise for 2 with a balcony view
• A semester of in-state college tuition in many states
• A 42″ flat screen TV and complete surround sound system
• Freedom from $3,000 worth of credit card debt

A friend of mine has been talking about opening up his own bar for years. The funny thing is that if you ask him why he hasn’t done it yet, he’ll say, “Well, there’s just not enough money in it. I want to make millions!” Oh really? Let me get this straight: once you’ve got it running, brought on a bartenders to cover the bar, hired a manager, you won’t be able to work on other things while bringing in a small profit?

Maybe a bar is a bad example, but the point is that you should just get started. It’s really that simple.

Our comfort zones can be the greatest enemy to our potential.

How many times have you caught yourself making excuses for not trying new things? You rationalize that you don’t have enough time to read a best-selling book that will save you time (and money) in the long run. “But Paul,” you say, “I just don’t have any time – I’m just too busy.” (Generally, you’ll say this to me right after you’ve told me about how awesome the parties were last weekend.)The other day, I was listening to a friend complain (for the hundredth time) about his crappy job. He said he’s constantly stressed out and feels that he isn’t getting paid what he deserves. So I asked if he’d considered finding a new job. His response? “I haven’t updated my resume since I started here. Besides, by the time I get home from work, I’m too exhausted to think about

anything.”

Talk about fear of change! All I’m hearing coming out of his mouth are excuses. This guy is so afraid of the unknown that he would rather be miserable every day in a situation that is familiar to him than risk making a change that could possibly lead to career nirvana.

The worst part is that he’s not alone. I bet we all know at least 10 people that are wasting their lives away because they’re too afraid to go after opportunities that could bring them true happiness.

I know what you’re thinking: “Paul, what if I try my hardest and still fail miserably?”

You keep trying, that’s what happens. You go at it from a different angle. You get yourself a goal buddy.

It’s much easier to hold onto what we have now than to risk losing it all by venturing into the unknown. But if you’re clutching your security blanket with one hand, you won’t be able to grasp your full potential.

Here’s what you can do now: Identify one aspect of your life that’s making you unhappy. What are your excuses (ahem, reasons) for staying in that situation? Start looking at these as barriers. Your job is to learn the difference between an artificial barrier and a real one. Here’s an example:

• Artificial Barrier: “I need money to fund my next project. I can’t do anything without money.” (Laugh at yourself for actually letting this hold you back.)
• Real Barrier: “My family is important to me, they’ll never understand that I need to work on my new idea for an extra hour every day.”

If you’ve got a real barrier in your way, start brainstorming ways to overcome it. In the example above, I’d sit down with my family and have a talk. If they know what you’re going to be working on, I doubt they’ll have any trouble giving you an extra hour every day. (Better yet, they may offer to help.)

I’ve heard that before.

Here’s the thing though – find all the negative people you know and ask them about their attitudes. You’ll notice that they never view themselves as negative people.

What I’ve noticed is that negative people tend to adopt a defeatist mindset while positive people focus on creating opportunities. It’s also interesting to note that you don’t see a whole lot of successful people with a negative outlook on life. People who are focused on the negative almost always find a way to talk themselves out of pursuing interesting opportunities.

For a moment, let’s pretend that I’m going to give you a business idea that you think is great. Which response are you more likely to have?

Response “A”: “Starting a new business is too expensive. I have a mortgage, a car payment, blah blah blah. I can’t afford to shell out any additional money right now for start-up costs. I certainly don’t want to give up any of the fun money I stash away for entertainment and boozing!”
Response “B”: “Guess I’ll cut out my morning latte and a few meals out each week for a while to free up money in my budget. Small sacrifices now will be well worth it after I’ve put in the hard work and can watch my new idea grow.”

Now, which response is more likely to get you ahead?

If you find that you tend to lean toward the negative, don’t beat yourself up. Change your attitude up – start focusing on creating opportunities for yourself and the rest will take care of itself.