Category: Inspiration

“The past is a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there.” – Jim Hall

Jim Hall was a pioneer in Jazz Guitar who checked out this week after 85 years on the planet.  He quietly influenced a couple generations of guitarists.  If there was such a thing as a Level 5 musician (Good To Great), Jim would be the prototype.  He knew how to play in the spaces so other band members could stand out and when it was his turn to be out front, it was always with great respect for the listener, the instrument and the music.

The thing about Jim was that he never rested on his past success.  He was always experimenting with what came next; constantly evolving and innovating… pivoting.

Musicians are some of the best entrepreneurs I know.  A perfect combination of the pursuit of a passion with the need to share it with the world.

Thanks for the music Jim!

 

Blogging Gazzelle is published daily by Shawn Carson

“What’s the use of a good quotation if you can’t change it?” – Doctor Who

Happy 50th to all the Whovians out there.

This quote nails the core ideology of Blogging Gazelle.  Sometimes a good quote inspires something completely different and fresh.  Sometimes it brings everyone together.

Quotes are to be shared and borrowed and passed along.  They help define the narrative of life.

Meanwhile, “I need a map of Florida, a pot of coffee with 12 cups and a red fez.”

 

 

Blogging Gazelle is published daily by Shawn Carson

 

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

I wonder how many actually find out why…

Regardless the motivation; be it philanthropy or greed, religious inspiration or just plain good ‘ole capitalism, it’s the entrepreneurial spirt that turns ideas into the reality of availability to others.  It’s about solving problems for other people.

When you find out why you were born, then go find a way to make it happen.  Go make meaning!

 

 

BloggingGazell is published daily by Shawn Carson

“You can make employees be satisfactory but you can’t make them be excellent. That is their choice.” – Adrian Gostick

This is the problem I have always had with incentives and performance evaluation systems.  As soon as you write down a performance objective, you set a standard and you tend to get exactly that; no more no less.  And no matter how high you set the standards, they become the focus rather than the organization’s mission. This is the essence of bureaucracy.

When the incentives involve pay, there is rarely upside.  Usually it’s a disincentive when people don’t get what they expect.

People have to choose to be excellent.

It comes down to Jim Collin’s Hedgehog Concept and a culture that communicates it like a constant drum beat.  You have to measure what fuels the organization’s economic engine and center everyone’s attention on achieving it.

Those that don’t believe need to leave.

 

Blogging Gazelle is published daily by Shawn Carson

“Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.” – Barry Switzer

Interesting for a football coach to use a baseball metaphor…

The world has plenty of those who live off someone else’s effort.  This is not dependent on economic status either.

Most entrepreneurs have to figure out how to create value with little or no resources.  In the end, it’s probably a better scenario.  But if you happen to be blessed with the resources of others, be it family wealth, friends and family, venture capital or even government grants, know that these resources were entrusted to you for the purpose of creating value.  Don’t squander it.

No one owes you success.  It can’t bestowed or inherited.  It must be earned.  A step up is a blessing.

“I’m often wrong but I’m never in doubt.” – Scott Case

From the inception of your great idea, you have to put together a really good story and become a really good story teller.  Great story tellers make us believe in the story.  This is fundamental and why we start with it in every accelerator course we do.

Early on, there are hundreds of unknowns and there’s a ton of risk.  These things don’t make for a really inspiring story.  That’s where passion and belief come in.  Let’s face it; you are ALWAYS selling which means you are always telling your story, even when you don’t feel like it and even when you get overwhelmed with all the obstacles.

It’s ok to share your passion.  It shows your confidence and your belief in your idea.  It’s what gets you the next meeting.  It’s what makes people want to hear more.  It makes people want to join your cause.  I want to be around people who inspire me.

“If your work is successful, it generates more work: as a result, the concept of ‘finishing your work’ is a contradiction in terms.” – Atchity

There are two converse adages: “No one on their deathbed ever wished they spent one more day at work”, and “If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Entrepreneurship can take it’s toll.  There’s no way to get everything done on time and the work is never done.  There’s never enough money.  Being your own boss doesn’t mean you get more time off.

I think that’s why Guy Kawasaki talks about “making meaning”.  If it’s just about money, check your motives.  The odds are against the multimillion dollar exit.  Better to make a difference.