Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

I just learned of Blog Day from one of the blogs I follow Awake @ the Wheel, By Jonathan Fields. Blog Day comes with an assignment to share five new blogs which I find interesting. You are in luck since I read over 50 regularly.

If you think in terms Blog Day being a birthday, Expert in the Rough is merely a fetus at this point with less than 4 months since conception. Thankfully I have been reading a number of blogs for some time now and can share with you five that I truly enjoy and anticipate each new post.

I must admit this feels a little cheesy and “manufactured viral” but isn’t that what blogging is all about anyway?

Here are my favorites:

1. Seth’s Blog – Seth Godin is the master I have not read a better blog.  Seth has a laser clear vision of intersection of life and marketing.  No nuance is missed by this man.
2. Awake @ The Wheel – Jonathan Fields covers career, entrepreneurship and life in a manner which makes me feel comfortable.  You can tell he is comfortable with himself and his message.
3. join me on the path – Patty Craft is a dear friend.  She is a cancer survivor and a wonderful writer.  Patty is a big part of my writing since she was editor for my e-newsletter What’s Up With That.  Her expertise as a writer and editor gave me the confidence to share my voice.  Her personal stories and insights on her blog carry great meaning to me, knowing her battle with cancer gives great perspective to life’s simple pleasures.
4. Insights for Consciously Creating a Very Cool Life – Drew Rozell is a fabulous writer.  I have known Drew for over 8 years.  I can honestly say the man is perfectly aligned with his desires.  He writes with truth from experience and is the “Biggest Secret” in the personal development industry.  Drew teaches a practical approach to the Laws of Attraction.
5. Conversation Agent – Valeria Maltoni has great insights into new media and the conversation.  Old media is one way and new media is all about the conversation.  She even takes it a step further and asks the question what are the results of the conversation.

My Favorite Pet Peeves….a redundant statement of favorite peeves, could it be?  A sickening list of things that bother me so much that I actually list them as my “Pet Peeves.”

Have you ever really stopped to think about what a “Pet Peeve” is?  A list of your favorite peeves.  I say that is just plain stupid but “There is gold in those hills.”

Sales and marketing experts advise that people have two primary buying motivations, Pain and Pleasure. That is the gold.  Address peoples “Pet Peeves” and you cover both their buying motivations.  Their Favorite pain in the rear is your ticket to the promise land.

Expert in the Rough Tip:

Create a list of Pet Peeves for your industry or passion.  Consult your customers or potential customer as to what their Pet Peeves are in regards to your industry.  Become the expert on the solutions around these peeves.

What does Burger King and “The Universe” have in common?

I know it’s a question for the ages and its answer is not “Fire-Grilled” meat.

Burger King has a motto and it’s “Have it your Way!”, which I believe is shared motto with “The Universe.”

My father teaches a personal development seminar and he often touches on the topic of what he calls “Universal Leftovers.”  Universal Leftovers are what you get when you don’t decide what you want for your life.  It’s a state of unconsciousness and often leads to a life of “victimhood.”  It’s really hard to have it your way if you never decide what you want.

cheese burger

He tees this topic up by asking the question.  If you go to Burger King and when the cashier requests your order you simply do nothing, “What are the chances of getting what you want?”  The clerk will ask, “How can I help you,” you just stare or posssibly say I don’t know.  The clerk says what would you like and you simply stare with no response, but the truth is you want a “Wopper”  but you fail to ask for it.  In fact you might want a Wopper with cheese.  With no answer what are the chances of you getting it your way.  By saying what you want do you raise the chances of getting what you want?  There is a chance the cashier might offer you a Wopper, but the cashier might also offer you a fish sandwich.  Whatever the offer, you raise your odds by actually verbalizing what you want.

The truth is life is a lot like ordering a cheeseburger or a chicken sandwich there is no right choice just a preference or a feeling.

The key is actually having the courage to “Have it Your Way!”

Wopper with Cheese or Universal Leftovers, it’s your choice.

I'm A'Scared!

“Are you “A’scared?”

This is one of my favorite taunts and lessons from one of my bosses.

He usually presents it to me when I find myself all worked up making a mountain out of mole hill.  It usually revolves around things I have no control over and will run its course in due time but yes “Damn It” I am “A’scared.”

• I am scared of failing
• I am scared of confrontation
• I am scared of hurting somebodies feelings
• I am scared I don’t have what it takes
• I am scared I am not interesting
• I am scared I won’t ever be a huge success
• I am scared of a bunch of things

When you were a kid were you:

• Scared of the Dark
• Scared of Adults
• Scared of Heights
• Scared of Girls/Boys
• Scared of Big Dogs
• Scared of Spiders
• Scared of Riding the Bus

As an adult have you overcome most of these fears?

As a kid how did you overcome these fears?  Did an adult show you the truth?  Did repetition create comfort?  Did you face your fears head on and learn most of them are made up in your head?

What I am learning about myself and others is we often stall out in life because we are scared or as my boss taunts me “A’scared.”

What I love about the word “A’scared” is it’s so childish that it’s silly. Next time you feel a little stuck in life, ask yourself am I just “A-scared?”

You might find yourself feeling silly and moving on with your life.

One of my favorite TV shows is “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.” What is cool about his show is he brings on everyday people who are trying to make it big in business, doing what they love.

Donny uses his connections to bring high profile guests on the show to share their wisdom with these budding entrepreneurs and it’s obvious Donny has a great passion for helping others.

Donny himself is a successful author and business person but he has decided it’s important to give back.  I am sure he makes some great money hosting the show but if you get a chance to watch you will know he is genuine and loves what he does.

Two big secrets in life are:

Do what you love & teach what you love.

Do these two things and you will love life.

Who knows Donny might be calling you to be on the next episode of The Big Idea.

Have you ever given yourself permission to write a rough draft for your life?

Instead of creating goals, create drafts.  They are more flexible and allow for more creativity.

Drafts are guides which lead to goals and results.

Momentum Monday Assignment:

Write a rough draft of 10 things you could do in the next 6 months to spice up your life.

Don’t censor, just draft.  A draft is a place to dream.  Most of us quit dreaming when we graduate from High School or College.

Let me know if you feel less pressure when you call it a draft versus a plan?

Béla Károlyi is not only a fabulous gymnastic coach, he is also a great example of how to manage your “Expert” opinion.

Pete Blackshaw recently posted about how Béla Károlyi had nearly surpassed Bob Costas with media and blog mentions.  Now this may not seem significant but Costas easily has 10 times the exposure as Károlyi during the Olympics but people are interested in Károlyi.

Of course Béla Károlyi is a loved gymnastics hero and has trained the best of the best but I believe there is one reason and one reason alone for his popularity right now.  He is willing to speak his mind and be politically incorrect.  During this years Olympics there has been numerous gymnastic events where the Chinese competitors have won gold medals with questionable judging.

Many commentators are willing to allude to such scenarious but Béla Károlyi has been adamant and clear in his convictions.  He does not sugar coat his opinion he says it like it is.  His remarks about the Chinese being “half-people,” are a bit off color, but you must he adds some spice to an Olympics that otherwise feels over commercialized and hyped.

I suggest when it comes to your blog or your opinion you do as Béla Károlyi does and say it like it is.

No need for sugar coating in this world.  The internet and media is crowded.  Those who speak, write and communicate with conviction will stand out.

Don’t be a “Half-Blogger.”

Timothy Ferriss the author of “The 4-Hour Workweek” makes his case for and provides a blueprint for a luxury lifestyle with just 4 hours of work a week.

His book touts: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich.

Sounds good to me.

The Book also comes with a Warning:  DO NOT READ THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU WANT TO QUIT YOUR DAY JOB.

My goal for this article is not to share the “hows” of his book but to ask you to place a bet.

A bet to follow your dreams and live the unreasonable life you always wanted to live.

I can already see your arms folding, but do read on.

Ferris covers various concepts and strategies to creating a 4 hour work week which delivers his
results aforementioned.

All of his strategies have merit, most are eccentric and I will share my two favorite.

First you need to be unreasonable. Our entire economy is centered around trading time for money.   You would be silly to consider any other plan, but that is exactly why this book is so powerful.  So many of us have been misinformed about how to create wealth.  A job is not the only answer.  “Passive or Automated” income streams are ready and available.  The internet is the truly the golden egg.  FYI, the internet is just the vehicle, not the answer.

The second is start with the end in mind. If you build a business that revolves around trading time for money you are almost guaranteed you will not be able to convert it to a 4 hour work week model.  Don’t even start unless the model is created with 4 hours of work in mind.

Since I know most of the population is completely reasonable I have a reasonable challenge for you.

Most of you will not follow the concepts presented in the book and therefore will never get the opportunity
to experience true luxury lifestyle. 

Here is my request.

Buy Timothy Ferriss’ book.  Read it and embrace it.

Don’t quit your day job, don’t tell your boss you are going to work from home, don’t hire a virtual assistant for penny’s on the dollar american and don’t even think about taking any chances.

Now that I have made it completely safe for you, are you willing to wager 4 hours a week?

Do allocate 4 hours a week creating your 4-Hour Workweek business.  It’s only 4 hours give it a try.

Do you have the GUTS to take a 4 hour a week chance?

Oh wait, you are already taking a 40 hour plus chance, this will be easy!

Resources:

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

The Blog of Timothy Ferriss

If you want to make a great movie “Show Me The Money” is a good mantra, but if you are looking to start a business Guy Kawasaki, famed venture capitalist and former Apple Brand Evangelist will demand that you “Show Me (him) the Meaning.”

I was watching a Google Video of Guy Kawasaki over the weekend where he presented his Top Ten list for budding entrepreneurs.  Number one on his list was “What is the Meaning.”  Not how much money can I make or how will I make money, but the meaning, the benefits or how you will change the world.

While I was watching this video I realized, I don’t believe I have ever mentioned making money on my blog.

I just want to clarify a few things.  My belief is follow your heart, provide something of value and the money MIGHT follow.  Many people will tell you otherwise.  In fact Marsha Sinetar has a book titled “Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow.”

I think the books title is a slippery slope.  We all have the ability to have subconscious agendas and by tagging on to the end of affirmation such as “Do What You Love” you subconsciously are looking for a payout.

I say “Do What You Love” because you love it.

I believe that has Meaning!

Momentum Monday Assignment:

Make a Top Ten List of what you love.

Extra Credit: Be sure you have all ten items on your calendar in the next 30 days.

The world according to the movie Dumb and Dumber:

Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) wanting to date Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly)

Lloyd: The least you could do is level with me. What are my chances?

Mary: Not good.

Lloyd: You mean like one out of a hundred?

Mary: More like one out of a million.

Lloyd: So you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance.

Sometimes we all need a little encouragement when starting a new adventure.

Today I submitted my blog to be included in the branding section of Alltop an up and coming blog aggregater.   Alltop describes itself as the as a “digital magazine rack” for the Internet.  It categorizes popular blogs by topic.  The cool thing about Alltop is the listings are hand submitted by a real person.

A real person included my blog, I am so excited!  Of course I sent them an email and a bribe with an Alltop banner on my blog and asked for them to include me on Alltop.

Hence, not only do I have a chance but they like me.

You can see me at the bottom of the branding section on Alltop, which if you read about Alltop is actually the top.

Alltop Listing