Go Ahead, Sell Your Soul

When the world looks at you it sees one person; when you look at yourself you see another.

The odd difference between the two faces can be traced back to a time when you were still a toddler playing in the sand.

Planning my armies escape

You saw yourself as a daring knight, building cities in the sand and armies out of toy soldiers. The world around you saw only a young child, silly in his adolescent ways.

“What army of Indians?” said Dad. “Those you see coming over the hill by the thousands. We don’t have much time!” you replied.

 “Alright son.” Dad said. “Just make sure you wash up before dinner, you don’t want your mother to see this mess.”

“But Dad, it’s easy to see. Just look.” you whimpered.

Maybe dad had forgotten about this business of adventures.

In James Thurber’s book, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” he explains of Walter Mitty who, in the space of a single afternoon, is the commander of a navy hydroplane, a life-saving surgeon, an expert marksman, and an intrepid army captain. Walter Mitty isn’t crazy. He just has trouble convincing the outside world of who he is inside.

Who among us never played cops and robbers, astronaut, kings and queens or cowboys?

Just like the little kid you were playing in the sand, each of us has a secret life, and it’s silly to pretend our outward choices are not influenced by the people we are inside.

If we insist on being mature we can tell the little kid to grow up and abandon his childish dreams.

But if we were to sell our product and make two customers happy, we will speak not to a frail little child and an insecure son.

We will eloquently address the needs of a chivalrous knight and an intrepid army captain.

 This is called “advertising.”

 There are two worlds: the world that we can measure with line and rule, and the world that we feel with our hearts and imagination. – Leigh Hun

- Martin

If at first you don’t succeed, try a few more times.

 In the early 1800’s nine Irishmen were arrested and charged with treason against Her Majesty, the Queen. They were sentenced to death.

As the judge is about to pronounce their sentence, he asked if there is anything the accused would like to say. One of the men, Thomas Meager, steps forward and speaks out. “My Lord, this is our first offence. If you will go easy on us this once, we promise to try harder next time. And next time – WE WON’T GET CAUGHT!”

The insulted and infuriated judge sentences them to be hanged by the neck.

When the world cries out in protest, Queen Victoria commutes their sentences to banishment for life into the wilderness of Australia.

In 1874, Queen Victoria is astounded to learn that one of the men, Charles Duffy, is the newly elected Prime Minister of Australia. The same man she banished there twenty-five years ago.

 After locating the other eight men she found that every single one of them has taken on a high position of authority and leadership, such as politicians, brigadier generals, governors and attorney generals.

Is it merely a coincidence that all nine of these men have risen to positions of prominence?

Or is it what happens to people who have the courage of their convictions?

I believe the latter.

Is there anything in your life that causes you to feel the passion of these men?

Is there anything that will make you speak to the judge the way Thomas Meager did?

Now I don’t endorse any form of disrespect towards the government; I am speaking of the value of passion.

If there is nothing you are willing to die for, you have little for which to live. He who would lose his life will find it.

As Aesop said, “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.”

 -Martin

Need A Push?

When last did you push your car?

Using every inch of your body while bursting at the seams just to get the car to move. Thinking to yourself: “I’m not sure I can do this.”

Then all of a sudden the car starts to shift and inch, then another inch, and before you know it you’re pushing just hard enough to keep the car rolling as you trot along behind it. What started as a mild case of self-doubt turned into a severe case of self-confidence.

Launching a marketing campaign is just like pushing a car. There are laws in this universe that cannot be cheated and they apply to all areas of our lives.

One of these is the law of inertia, defined as “the tendency of all objects and matter in the universe to stay still if still, or, if moving, to go on moving in the same direction.”

Your car won’t begin to roll the moment you push it, neither will it stop the moment you stop pushing it. Inertia might be your enemy at first but quickly turns into your ally.

Momentum is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t come easily (or cheap).

Likewise, marketing doesn’t begin to work as quickly as you would like, but it also doesn’t quit working until long after it has been abandoned.

Where are you now?

Trotting behind your car, giving it the occasional nudge to help it along? Or are you still pushing with all your might trying to get it moving?

If you ever find yourself pushing and straining, call me. I’ve been waiting my whole life for the chance to help you push your car.

 -Martin

Change your ‘POINT OF VIEW’

Think about the following mathematical equation for a moment.

5 + 5 + 5 = 550

This equation would be correct with the addition of a single straight line. And it doesn’t involve changing the equals sign. Before you go on reading, think about it for a minute.

Okay, time’s up. Did you get it? Like most problems the solution is pretty obvious but you need to change your perspective.

If you look at any problem from a different perspective you will find other solutions you once did not notice.

It’s like when a friend gives you advice (let’s assume the right kind) and you just don’t want to accept it. It’s not that your friend is wrong; it’s just that he’s not seeing the problem from your perspective. And that is sometimes the only barrier in the way of a solution.

We should all think about our biggest challenge from an outsider’s perspective. What would they notice if they weren’t caught up in all the complexities of the challenge? That’s probably your answer.

Too many times people do the same things expecting different results, and that happens to be the definition of Crazy!

The answer you are looking for can only be seen from a new perspective.

Change it.

5 + 5 4 5 = 550

“It isn’t that they can’t see the solution.

It is that they can’t see the problem.”

G. K. Chesterton

- Martin

Mind Solutions?

MIND Solutions?

Too many times people are looking for an inspirational code for life. A personal development model or a template for behaviour, communications & relationships.

For a long time I’ve been researching different methods & techniques to harness my mind and live from the inside out. As many people might experience that is a lifelong commitment and journey.

I’ve come to believe that any problematic thought has its answer in a very simplistic solution not consisting of too many bullets or step by step programs.

Here are a few of my favourites that has worked wonders for me:

1. To be impeccable with your word
    – Words are powerful things. Powerful enough to send countries to war.
      So why speak harsh words towards others or yourself if the energy of them is so great?

2. Don’t take it personally
 - Here’s a little secret. Everything people do is about them and their own reality & perception of life.  Approval comes from within.

3. Don’t assume
     – They say the biggest mistake anyone could make is to assume. ASK questions, express what you really want and   communicate clearly. You will avoid 99% of all misunderstandings and future drama.

4. Give it your all
    - We never regret the things we do, only the things we don’t do! Avoid self-judgement and regret through acting on your intuition and following through.
These are simple truths with great power.

Leave your best mind solutions comments below, and let’s help each build a healthy, positive mind habits.