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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.

My friend Ramit told me a story about how he’d been consistently turned down for scholarships back in college. When he made the effort to start smiling more often during the interviews, he immediately saw positive results (and was able to land a few scholarships in no time).

Small gains in the things you deem important, consistently and over a long period of time, are the cornerstone of what will get you ahead.

What small steps can you start taking today? If you’re unsure, email me – I’d be happy to brainstorm a few ideas with you.

1. Have a Plan. Alright, this sounds really simple.* It is.* The hardest part is finding the motivation to put it on paper. Start by putting together a simple timeline – all you need is two dates:
   1. When are you going to leave your current job?
   2. When do you plan to start your new job?
2. **Narrow Your Focus. **Hopefully in your first job, you had the opportunity to experience new things, build on your strengths and find things that interest you. Instead of applying for every job out there, be picky. Find and pursue roles that excite you. If you want to get into Finance but you were a Medieval History major – give it a shot. Your experience, talent and confidence will speak volumes about you.
3. **Call Your Friends. **Wait, what? Just like you, your friends have been out there busting their butts for the past few years. You might have friends in different fields and companies all over the world. Your network is much bigger than you think. Network with the people that know you best and those that can sell your strengths!
4. Don’t Forget the Internet. I know Monster.com and all its derivatives can be cumbersome to use and hit-or-miss. But you never know where opportunity is hiding. Put your brand new resume out there and see who bites. I know from experience that some of the best opportunities can fall into your lap from where you least expect it.
5. Don’t be Afraid. You’re smart, young, talented and ambitious. You’ve probably thought of a million reasons why you shouldn’t quit and how it will lead to disastrous results. It won’t. If you think you can’t find something – you will. You might think the getting rejected is the worst thing that can happen to you, but it’s not. It’s far worse to accept fate and stagnate at a young age. This period in your career is a time to learn new things, develop yourself and find what really motivates you. Find the right opportunity and take it!

Now, about that girlfriend that wants to get married… maybe next time.

In the words of Calvin Coolidge:

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Most successful people will tell you that they “failed” many times along the way. The difference between them and the people who are struggling to get by is that the highly successful picked themselves up and tried again. And again. And again.

Dale Carnegie noted that, “The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.”

So ask yourself this: Do you want to be successful or mediocre?

Here’s what you can do now: After you’ve thought deeply about a big idea you can execute, and you’ve verified just how sleepy your competition is, don’t let anyone talk you out of charging ahead. Pursuing big ideas requires persistence. So don’t give up when things don’t go exactly as planned – stay the course and you will see (big) results!

I’m going to share the rules of the road that summer interns should live and breathe – follow them and you’ll save yourself some embarrassment and start impressing your new coworkers. Get to it:

1. Observe first—then speak. You’re an intern for a reason. Do I really need to explain this further?
2. Aim high. You’ve got a real job now. While the rest of your friends fold clothes at the latest department store, you’re starting your professional career. Go you.
3. Introduce yourself to others. That’s right: I don’t know you and I probably deleted the email announcing your arrival. Make the most of your bathroom breaks, copy machine runs and TPS reportdeliveries – say hello to people on the way.
4. Set goals. You’re going to report on Project XYZ every Monday. While you’re at it, you’ll be reporting on Project ABC every Wednesday. You get the idea -** **become the always-gets-things-done kid. Listen, there’ll be plenty of grunt work; get that done, efficiently and professionally, then focus on the real reason you’re here.
5. Ask for work. There’s nothing greater than an intern that asks to get involved in projects. Sure, do the work that your boss assigns you but don’t be shy when you hear about a project that interests you.
6. Attend every meeting. Every. Single. One. While you’re at it, go to every lunch that you’re invited to. (Best practice: If invited for a date, don’t go.) It’s the best way to learn how a business works. There’s no better way to learn about office politics, decision making, interpersonal communication and management hierarchies.
7. Come prepared to work, well rested, and ready. Seriously, no one cares that you were out, like, drinking and, like, hanging out with hotties. You’re working with professionals now, start acting like one.
8. Make friends with everyone, equally. Sure, make a list of everyone you’re dying to meet and go knock on their doors; if they’re not in their offices, pop them an e-mailed hello. Don’t discriminate: the new employee that no one knows might be the one to tip you off about a job opening next year.
9. Get over yourself. An internship is an opportunity. You were good enough to get hired, so give yourself a pat on the back but now it’s time gain experience. Be a sponge. Take every assignment. Attend every event. Who cares if you look like an ass? This isn’t the time to play it cool.
10. Figure out who the ‘stars’ are and do what they do. This is the most important tip – memorize it. These people have done all the hard work for you, all you need to do is mimic them. What could be easier?

Remember: You’re going to get ahead by working your ass off and showing up for everything.

That’s it – now get back to work. Someday, when you’re my new boss, please don’t forget that I helped you succeed in your first internship. So work hard and have a great summer. Now go get me a coffee, intern!