Anonymous Distributor

Seth Godin isn’t always pleased with how many items are marketed these days. He says, “Sometimes, the thing that’s done to market something makes it worse.” He labels it “The Naked Corn Paradox.”

“The corn at the local supermarket is already husked, because it looks better, sells better, but tastes worse.

“And stereo speakers are designed with extra bass, so they’ll demo better, sell better, but sound worse.

“The market isn’t always ‘right,’ if right means that it knows how to get what it wants in the long run. Too often, we are confused, or misled, or part of a herd headed in the wrong direction.

“It’s almost impossible to bring the mass market to its senses, to insist that you know better. What you can do, though, is find discerning and alert individuals who will take the time to understand. And then, if you’re good and patient and lucky, they’ll tell others.

“Which is why, over the last 30 years, farmers markets and other entities have slowly grown in influence.

“Because happy customers tell stories about remarkable products and services.”

*****************************************************************************

Steve Tobak, in an Inc. magazine article, had some good advice about the rewards of risk taking in your business.

He said, “I don’t know about you, but after more than half a century on this planet and thirty-something years in the business world, I can honestly say that all the pivotal events in my life happened when I let go and took a risk. In business, as in life, the best advice I can give anyone is to embrace the chaos. Take risks. Big ones.

“Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that taking chances is all there is to success and happiness. You also have to follow through and get things done. You have to be willing to compete and fight to win. You have to take responsibility for your actions. And you have to face your fears and learn from your mistakes.

“Indeed, there’s a lot to the business of life that is in your control, but in my experience, the major make-or-break events always involve letting go, giving up the illusion of control, and embracing the chaos. Any successful entrepreneur will tell you that’s true.

Advertisement


“Runaway product successes are never planned. You can’t predict which websites, apps or TV shows will go viral. And dozens of venture capitalists will tell you you’re crazy before one sees the real potential of your disruptive technology or concept and writes you a check.

“How do you know which risks to take, which chaotic rides to jump on, which random events to see through? If it feels right, do it. If it works out, if you accomplish something good, it’ll boost your self confidence. If it doesn’t work out and you learn from it, that’ll give you strength. And through it all, you’ll gain experience, insight and perspective.

“These days, it seems that everyone who wants to get ahead is some sort of information junkie. Everyone wants to be more productive, effective, optimized. That’s okay for a little fine-tuning, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. In this world, control is an illusion. How you respond to random events is far more important.”

*****************************************************************************

Harvey Mackay says, “We can draw the greatest inspiration for positive attitude adjustments from those who seem to have the greatest obstacles to overcome.”

El Capitan is a granite wall in California’s Yosemite National Park that shoots 3,700 feet (two-thirds of a mile) straight into the air.

Mark Wellman is the only paraplegic in the world to have climbed El Capitan. It takes good rock climbers four days. It took Mark nine days.

When Mark reached the top, journalists asked him how he did it.

Mark’s reply: “I never thought of it as two-thirds of a mile. I thought of it as 7,000 six-inch climbs.”

Now that is positive thinking at its best.

****************************************************************************************

Contact the Anonymous Distributor at anonymous.distributor@gmail.com or read his blog at www.anonymousdistributor.blogspot.com.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also
Close