Roger's World...

People's Favorite Topic...

People love to talk about themselves. And as someone that loves people, I like to think of myself as one who asks questions and engages people on what they want to talk about. Except tonight I was told that I talk about myself.  A lot, apparently.

Wow.  It's a tough thing to hear, given the fact that people love to talk about themselves. And I'm lucky that there's someone that knows there is a safe space to communicate what she's seeing/hearing.

So how does someone grow from this?  By being present to the situation/conversation and not feeling the need to fill gaps.  It's going to be a great lesson in humility, patience, and listening.  Gratitude abounds for my friend that has shared this viewpoint.  And the question begs: "Is there not a safe space for communication between other friends to allow them to let me know this?"  So much richness...  :)

So let's all step back and check in to see if it's all about 'us', or all about 'them'.  It might mean the world of difference to all those we relate to.

Out of my head...

Sometimes, when there's a lot going on in our lives, we get inside our heads a bit to much, and get out of the flow. This happened to me last week on a couple of gigs I was doing here in Palm Springs with the John Stanley King Band.

I wasn't focused entirely on the music, and was allowing other things to influence me while I was playing.  This is a very selfish way to act.  I forgot one of the oldest lessons that all pro musicians preach: "Leave your stuff off the bandstand".

Last night however, I was totally immersed, present, and confident. The band sounded great, adding credence to the other old saying: "A band is only as good (or great) as it's drummer".  It felt great for me, the other guys - John and Rob - and the customers at the gig. Even Bill or bartender/friend/supporter suggested that they give me a new nickname: Thor! 

So hopefully, as we go about our days and weeks, we'll remember to stop being selfish, get out of our heads, and be fully immersed, present, and confident.

Thinking... and Writing...

It was recommended that I read a couple of books - E-Myth Mastery by Michael Gerber, and Thinking For A Change, by John C. Maxwell.  They're having a great impact on what's been happening in my head lately, and the premise of each compliment the other very well.

E-Myth has been helping me to understand how to work 'on' my business - the Vision, the Plan, the Objectives.  Writing it down.  Thinking For A Change has been helpful to remember not how to think, but what to think about - the power of a focused mind. Applying that process to my E-Myth lessons has really help to clarify where I want my biz to go, what its focus is and could be, and to, very importantly, write it down!

I've been involved with several start-ups over the years.  Some have done well (for awhile), others have not.  What they all have in common is that none of them had a Business Plan that was alive, impassioned, and most importantly: believed.  The challenge was that the plan was often a static document - one that was only for people that thought a plan was needed - not because they were passionate about the biz or about the plan.  This is my distinction.  The lesson is learned...now it's being put into practice.

So if any of you are starting a biz, or own one now, I highly recommend each of these books.  They'll help you as they're helping me, and the thousands of others that have followed the steps.

Have fun!  Be a little crazy!! But write it down, let it breath and grow...  and let me know how it's going!

Thank you Sandy King, and Marco Sangiorgi for suggesting them...