In order to contribute in society, you have to spread something. For instance, people in different industries spread different products/services/information.
- Restaurants: Food, health, nutrition (or not)
- Banks & Financial Centers: Peace of mind, wealth, advice
- Fitness clubs: Health, wellness, self-confidence
- Schools: Education, ideas, self-confidence
- Google & Yahoo: Information, news
- Retail Centers: Products, clothes
- Entertainment: Trends, ideas, sex, fashion
Here is the deal though, there are countless people and companies trying to do the same things, not to mention competition overseas! Is this daunting? Depends on how you look at it. My hope is that it drives you to create better products, listen to your customers, tell your story, and create relationships. No competition means no incentive to do any of those things. So can you be unhappy about the unfairness of it all, or you can get to work on kicking their butts. You have freedom that they do not. You are an unstoppable force of creativity and personal art! They have a board of directors, middle management, and policies. You don’t.
My hope is to spread ideas and build relationships. To create belief in people and the gifts they naturally posses, and to help us see that what the world needs out of you is to be who you were created to be. Ideas and personal worth can never be outsourced, they are what makes a person unique! I want people to see how their own stories play in to the rich tapestry that is the story of this world.
Speaking of story, I would encourage you to contemplate the type of story that your life has been playing recently. At different times in our life’s story, we can be the hero, the villain, a supporting actor, but hopefully not an extra. We all have a story to tell, an idea or belief to spread. Simply by living and interacting, you have a voice and an influence. Use them well.
I also want you to think about how your work tells it’s story and connects with customers. Presently, there seem to be limitless options to what we can buy, where we can eat, and who we do business with.
Guess what?
The product or service you provide is not at the top of the list.
And neither is price.
Sometimes, I drive to 70 miles (one-way) to shop at Trader Joe’s. I pay $14 a pound for Dynamite Coffee. I drive across town, wait in line, and happily pay $10 for Huevos Rancheros and a biscuit at Sunny Point Cafe. And no, all my purchases are not food related!
Product and price are important, of course. You can’t charge an obscenely high price (well, usually), or make a bad product, and certainly not both.
What is important is the story you share with people, how you connect with them and provide a reason beyond price and product. Because there are plenty of businesses that offer similar products and services for less. They are in America and overseas. If you are in an industry that is threatened by overseas outsourcing, you should really pay attention. People want to feel a part of your story, that they are in on a secret, and that you care about them.
This is true in your family, with your friends, at work, and with the random people you are around each day. Your story, your art, your love, these traits cannot be outsourced or replicated, because they are uniquely YOU.
So, are you spreading joy, health, and love? Or something else?
Let’s start with today.
This post was influenced by a few authors and bloggers, which I would like to share with you.
- Seth Godin – Read his blog for free, or any of his books (like Poke the Box), and get on board with the Domino Project.
- Jeff Goins – I already wrote about Jeff. But you should check him out, he’s pretty awesome.
- Daniel Pink – His book A Whole New Mind was very important for me, wish I had read it during college!
- Jon Gordon – I’ve read a few of his books, favorites are Training Camp and The No Complaining Rule. Great reads on positive thinking and the impact of your attitude on others.