An Even Keel :: A personal branding blog from Scott Kuehl

Desperation vs. Inspiration: How do you take the leap?

I was exchanging emails with a colleague the other day.
Smart woman. MBA. A communicator. Years of job experience.

She is contemplating "going out on her own."
Starting her own business. Hanging her own shingle.
Or at the very least, maybe changing her job focus to a different industry.
And then going out on her own. Someday.

Probably.

Probably not tomorrow.
But maybe soon.
Maybe.
Definitely maybe.
Definitely getting the itch.

Yep. Definitely.

She's done all the math.
She's run the scenarios.
She's played the game out in her head several times.
But she's still... not... quite... sure... Scotty...  (you're supposed to say that like Captain Kirk would.)

Her closing line to me...

"How do you take the leap?"

That question got me to thinking.
It got me thinking about all the "key" decisions I've made in my life up to this point.
Did I have "reasons" for NOT making those key decisions earlier than I had made them? Or were my reasons really excuses, and I was putting off my success?

Or... did the decision simply need time to move from desperation into inspiration?

We've all made key decisions.... from "Who am I going to ask to Prom?" to "Where am I going to go to college?" to "What are we going to name our baby?" (And hopefully you were able to make those decisions in that order.)

"Should I quit my job and start a business?" certainly sits right up there with all of the previous.

It's been twelve years since I quit my job and started a business in a city of 3 million people.
And it's been one year since I made a decision to sell that same business and move to a more micropolitan community of around 20,000 people. Looking back, the decision was absolutely the right one. But one year ago, I wasn't sure if I should do it. Why?

Fear of the unknown.

What I'm beginning to realize is this: The unknown will always be just that. The unknown.
So what's the point in fearing it?

We're not guaranteed that we're going to wake up tomorrow, let alone if we're going to be able to make our mortgage payment if we quit our job and try to start a business.

Life is not guaranteed. Life is about taking chances. And what not everyone realizes is this: NOT taking a chance is sometimes the biggest chance you can take.

Because if you're not moving forward, well, I don't even have to finish that cliche.

People change because of inspiration or desperation. There will always be a reason NOT to "go for it."
But hopefully, one day you wake up and suddenly the "things" that seemed like "reasons" will seem like "excuses."

Life is short. (Okay, I'm done with the cliches.)

So, back to my colleagues question:
How do you take the leap?

By running as hard and as fast as you can at it.... and then you jump!

Keep it even,
Scott Kuehl

Creating a high-performing culture? First, move beyond motivation.

We've all been to them.

Those rah-rah motivational workshops that get you and your teams all pumped up. People are fired up. Work is good. Heck, work is... GREAT! The teams leave engaged. Ready to set record sales, ready to provide unparalleled service, ready to change the world.

The workshop ends.

Two weeks later, the first big crisis pops up. And what happens?
The magic is gone. The collaborative spirit disintegrates. And the new playbook that felt so great in practice, gets thrown out the window at crunch time.

Worse yet, everyone becomes resentful about why they can't replicate the esprit de corps of the workshop. Next thing you know, the entire organization feels like they're livin' in a van down by the river. (Apologies to the late, great Chris Farley.)

Executive leaders: Why does this happen? How do you keep the magic? How do you keep people engaged?

Erik Gabrielson, GABE Company, brought over a dozen C-level executives together last night in St. Paul, MN, to talk about this situation. He and Scott Coady, (Institute for Embodied Wisdom) teamed up to give a revitalizing lesson in learning and leadership within organizations.

It was an energizing take on how to achieve exceptional results from a culture of learning, trust and authenticity; versus one of bravado, fear, and, well... simply trying too hard and forcing progress.

The principles and philosophies of Gabrielson and Coady have no regard for size of organization. Start-up or global enterprise -- it doesn't matter. Because ultimately, as Coady says, "It's all about the people."

If you're a C-level exec that understands your organization will only thrive if your people are empowered to thrive within it, the philosophy is worth considering.

And from my own organizational philosophy, once your people are able to align their values, strengths and aspirations -- aka their own personal brand -- behind your organizational vision, you'll never again have to worry about "that motivation you paid for" wearing off. It's already within them.

Keep it even,
Scott Kuehl

Where will your impact be this year?

I love New Year's Day.

It's such an opportunity for a fresh start. Personal development leader Chris Widener sent out an email a few days ago... yes, back in 2007 :-) He sums up nicely the aspirational thoughts that come once the humming of Auld Lang Syne is done.

You can go here for the whole thing, and here's an excerpt...

"What I believe sets the successful apart is that they don't just live the average life. They don't just pass time. They make an impact. They have something compelling in their life that drives them - something that gives them an answer when they are asked that question: What in the world are you doing?

I'm helping children.
I'm creating a business that supports many families.
I lead a church.
I am defending our liberties.
I am raising great children.
I'm teaching others to improve their lives.
I help people have fun.
I create memories for people.

In other words, successful people always come down to this: I make an impact and help other people by (fill in your purpose here).

What in the world are you doing?"

What a great question to ask on January 1, 2008.
And every day thereafter.

May this year be your best year ever.

Keep it even,
Scott Kuehl

Just Quit It. Being a quitter can be good for your personal brand.

I just finished Seth Godin's little gem, The Dip.
A little book that teaches you when to quit (and when to stick.)

According to Godin, what separates superstars from everyone else is their ability to escape dead ends quickly while staying focused and motivated when it really counts.

This short read (80pgs) made me reconsider those ringing words that we've all heard since kindergarten, "Winners never quit. And quitters never win." I'd always considered that a sound, noble observation.

After reading The Dip, I now consider it just noble.

Godin brings some refreshing and simple common sense to those of us (all of us) who have plenty to do and only so much time to do it. He challenges us to be the best in the world at something. He maintains that we all have something at which we are astonishing. One of the takeaways: Pick your battles.

If we don't have the guts, stick-to-it-ive-ness, talent or heart to get through The Dip, he offers very bold and simple advice, "Don't start."

All this talk of quitting sounds so harsh. Still, Godin brings a very positive tone to what could be a solely negative topic. The Dip is a great little book. Upon finishing it, I found myself immediately looking for something I could go and "quit."

For now, this post will have to suffice. 

Keep it even,

Scott Kuehl

The secret recipe that really isn't: Personal branding = being yourself

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. (My excuse: I've been working on a new web site and offerings from my brand consulting firm, BrandResolve. While the excuse is lame, the new site and services are not.)

Anyway, I have a trio of inspirational quotes that have been milling around on my desktop for quite a while. In a happy accident, these three little darlings came together today and made for some sweet inspiration.

I wanted to share a taste...

"Opportunity never knocks; it is within you."
- Denis Waitley

"You can make an audience see nearly anything, if you yourself believe in it."
- Mary Renault

"It’s never too late to be what you could have been."
- George Eliot

Mmmmmm... delish.

To me, these three quotes combined are sooooo much about the recipe of personal branding.

• Personal branding is about opportunity.
• Personal branding is about believing in yourself.
• Personal branding is about achieving your potential.

It's about doing what comes naturally, but also letting others know that for which you stand.
It's about following that to which you are drawn.
It's about giving yourself permission to.... be your "self!"

What ISN'T personal branding?
Personal branding is not about putting on a face. It's not about manufacturing something that isn't real. It's not about pretending to be someone else.

As branding guru, William Arruda, states in his blog,

"Perhaps the biggest misconception about personal branding is the belief that it means ‘creating’ an image. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. All successful branding is based in authenticity - that is - what’s true and genuine and unique about you. Brands are uncovered, not fabricated. The myth that branding is about spin or packaging and image management needs to be replaced by the truth that ‘you can’t be someone you are not."

People are no different than companies. With respect to public and peer perceptions as well as first impressions, whether we choose to manage our brand or not, we have one.

Are you aware of your personal brand? Is there anything you're holding back? How much further would you be in your personal, professional and financial success if you brought your entire self -- your entire personal brand -- to this world?

And the amazing thing is, all you have to do is be yourself.
How simple of a recipe is that?

Keep it even,
Scott Kuehl

What is The American Dream?

A while back, personal development leader Chris Widener sent out a request for a short essay. He asked the 90-some thousand folks on his email list for their interpretation of The American Dream. I believe we are so blessed to be in this great land of endless opportunity. What follows are my thoughts on living the dream...

The American Dream is about your dream.

It’s about your purpose.

It’s about having the courage to uncover and communicate who you really are.

It’s about discovering what makes you “tick,” and then fearlessly showing society and the marketplace what you bring to the table.

When you’re living the American Dream, it’s because you’ve made a conscious decision to realize your potential.

You feel a completeness in your heart when you accomplish something.

This is because you inherently understand it was YOURS to accomplish.

The American Dream is about confidently, joyously and unapologetically bringing your unique and authentic “self” to this world.

It’s about discovering how to pay your gifts forward.

And most important, it’s about acting on that magnificent discovery.

If you are doing these things, you are living the American Dream.

And you’re inspiring others to do the same.

Keep it even,
Scott Kuehl