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Tag: intention

The difference between an amateur and a professional

An amateur hopes a goal will happen. The professional sets a goal then works backwards.

An amateur cuts with words. Professionals look for ways to raise their own game while lifting others alongside them.

An amateur relies on hope. The professional acts and demonstrates results.

The amateur seeks attention. The professional graciously accepts accolades, then continues to focus on the work.

An amateur always plays victim. The professional acknowledges missteps and learns from mistakes.

Amateurs operate from a scarcity mentality. Professionals are generous.

An amateur puts in a little work and expects instant results. The professional plays the long game, day in and day out, sometimes without pay, knowing that rewards will come.

An amateur is impatient, reactive, and compulsive. Professionals ground themselves, reflect, and listen.

Amateurs alienate themselves. True professionals know the value and importance of relationships.

An amateur speaks of people. The professional would rather work, plan, dream, and create.

Amateurs fail to set boundaries and struggle to ask for their worth. Professionals are kind, but firm, and aren’t afraid to ask for what they need.

An amateur rarely has routine. Professionals schedule days with intention.

To learn more about becoming a professional, I recommend Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro. This free ebook is also a great place to start if you’re looking to turn amateur habits into professional ones.

Give thanks

The ability to show and express gratitude is one of the greatest gifts we can give to another. Gratitude is a powerful tool, one that can shift perspectives and brighten a dreary worldview in an instant.
A dear friend in Nepal once told me, “It is always possible to look up and see who is above you. People driving cars. The airplanes. My father said we have to also look down. There is someone wanting what you have.”
Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite celebrations for that reason: The gift of reflection, of simple joys, of quiet thanks shared with friends and loved ones.
To search for blessings during the toughest moments requires diligence and responsibility but also practice. Today’s a great day to start.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Want to have meaningful conversations at your Thanksgiving dinner table but not sure where to begin? Check out Seth Godin’s Thanksgiving Reader.

Intentional spaces, event planning, and work that matters

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Will Bachman on his podcast Umbrex. We talk about my dinners in New York, my work with Seth Godin, and what I’m doing now in Nepal.

Listen here.

Consider this your friendly reminder that it is never too late to start.

Want to leave a lasting impression? Do this.

People want to be snapped out of their reverie. They want something different, something new. They want the unexpected to happen.

And this is why most people’s faces are tucked into their devices, mindlessly scrolling. They are searching for meaning. They want to find something that makes them feel. Anything — A photo, a comment, a message, a piece of news that makes their pulse quicken and heart skip.

What if I told you that you could be that pulse-quickener? That this is where your strongest and biggest power lives: Your ability to be somebody’s unexpected.

You could be the moment that brightens someone’s day.

This doesn’t have to be a huge, grandiose gesture. You don’t need extra time or effort. A simple hello. A thoughtful email. A friendly phone call. A message of encouragement.

Here are five more tangible ideas:

  • Walk across the room and compliment a stranger.
  • Pick up your phone and call a distant friend.
  • Order and send lunch to a colleague.
  • Leave flowers in your office.
  • Hide a note for someone to find.

Though these small moments may feel risky, a place where you open yourself up to the world, a position of vulnerability, it is in those exact places where the unforgettable lies.

Time to rest

With expectations from work and family, one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is deciding when to push and when to rest.

Drawing lines and setting boundaries can be difficult with so many demands, yet rest can be an asset to your schedule and goals, providing the inspiration and stamina needed to finish tough projects and tackle new challenges.

Rest days aren’t just for athletes. Pay close attention to your mind and emotional states throughout the day. Aside from feeling tired or sluggish, your body will tell you when it is craving extra TLC.

Any time you create for rejuvenation and relaxation will come back to you tenfold. Your body and mind will thank you, and your work and relationships will benefit from the added spark you bring back with you. Enjoy.

When there isn’t a spark

When your heart no longer flutters in your relationship, at work, or for a project, you have a decision:

1.) Walk away

2) Dig in

If you choose Option 1, take time to consider what went well about the experience. What aspects were enjoyable? What attracted you in the first place?

For Option 2, make sure there’s an upswing. How is the situation serving you and helping expand your skillset? What goals are you working toward?

Rekindling takes time and effort but can be just as rewarding as finding new passions.