Fear List

1.) Calling people (I do this but it puts a knot in my stomach – Thankfully I have been working with someone who handles this very well and is a great encouragement!)

2.) Folding clothes (not afraid just hate the tediousness) (I am getting used to doing this! Got a pretty good system as a matter of fact!)

3.) Plumbing

4.) the chance of having my own children (I really repent of this fear, If God wants me to be a dad then he will give me the strength)

5.) Not being able to do a job well

6.) Being seen as too mean (If you know me I do seem the shy and easygoing type which is why I rarely act as aggressive when I need to)

7.) my car breaking down

8.) Driving a long distance

9.) Changing the oil (definitely not afraid of putting in oil but the changing part is what I need to learn)

10.) fixing a flat (No really afraid but I admit I am often unprepared)

11.) riding a bike

12.) Singing ( I want my wife to teach me – I admire her talent and patience)

13.) Playing an instrument (Piano) – ( I want my wife to teach me – I admire her talent and patience)

14.) Listening

15.) Witnessing to others about my faith in God (I do this some and I know I am not alone in this fear. Maybe I have seen too many bad examples)

16.) Comforting people who are grieving

17.) Visiting nursing homes and hospitals (I have have been working on visiting more regularly)

18.) Giving Blood (I have done this since I wrote this and planning on doing it on a regular basis when I am eligible – BTW I am A-)

19.) Confronting family about tough issues – politics, religion, other relationships (This is extremely hard but I realize if I give the impression I agree with people when I don’t then I’m just lying to them and myself)

20.) learning the rules of sports (I have never been a sports fan because some reason I had a hard time wanting to learn the rules of games like Football in particular)

21.) Fear of serving in a dangerous environment – (the military would have been good for me but I never even attempted to join because I was afraid I would get killed and go to war.)

22.) Fear of letting those I care about fail. Am I trying to spoil friends and family back? I need to realize that love means being there for someone as they try to live their best and not try to control them.

23.) Visiting a cemetery (One of these occasions is where I had my first major panic attack)

24.) Selling

25.) Forsaking pride to do what it takes to earn a living. (This may be tied into the selling and calling people fear)

26.) Charging what I am really worth instead of worry people will not want to pay me ( I have been way to humble and fearful in this area)

27.) Swimming in deep water

Now, the question is – Do you have your own “Fear List”? What are you doing about it? How can you help me become Patrick 2.0 ? How can I help you become “You 2.0″? Are your fears keeping you from excelling in business and your personal life? Are a lot of you fears irrational?

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Recently I had the chance to observe some friends who have gotten into the habit of using and organizing coupons to the fullest while grocery shopping. My friends not only saved money but was able to get so many groceries that they have had to give items away. A few times they even “made money” on a few items. For them it was an act of necessity when it came to feeding a family and having some income challenges. One thing that opened my eyes was how organized they were to the point of carrying folders with coupons organized not only by the type of item but also by the price and how quickly they could calculate savings without a computer (other than their own brains). I even observed some parallel processing as they cut multiple coupons out at once.

I myself have been challenged with having to do a great many tasks I haven’t done before. I would be overwhelmed by the stacks of papers on my desk, household projects and juggling work projects to the point these tasks seemed impossible for one man. Often I have been afraid of taking on certain tasks and either differed them or dumped them on others. The whole list of irrational fears I have had is enough for another post but I’m working on clearing out those “bugs and memory leaks” in my own life.

Some of these “brain applications” I am working one include ideas and principles found in the book, “The 4-Hour Workweek,” Getting Things Done and the 43 Folders Concept and finally I recently discovered that a technique I have been using to help me focus on my work actually has a name and is called, The Pomodoro Technique (working on a task in a short amount of time with rests built in). Yes, you will find these disciplines have software tools designed for them but those are just tools and will not be used unless there is the commitment and mindset.

What are some of your favorite “brain applications?” What are the menus items and icons in front of you in terms of physical objects, reminders, etc. That keep you on track and disciplined? This business is focused on creating multimedia content for your web site but what tools and disciplines do you use or think about using to help you be consistent and creative? Are creativity exercises one of your brain applications? Don’t feel like you are the creative type? Try this, use ideas in a book like Thinkertoys and combine them with the time focused discipline of the Pomodoro Technique. You will be amazed.

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http://www.spinningsilkmultimedia.com/core

We are however running special on this for the month of Sept and after that it will be regular price until further notice.

http://www.spinningsilkmultimedia.com/doing-what-i-love-media-editing-and-a-sept-2009-special/

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• Administrative help so I can focus on the technicalities of my work – I can’t afford and employee but someone looking for experience and a reference would be ideal or maybe you are another business person who excels in that area and would be willing to barter work.
• Used Electronic Equipment – How many of you have upgraded to new digital cameras (both still and video) and the old stuff is just sitting around collecting dust? Would you be willing to barter for some multimedia editing expertise or would you just like to help get a business jump started? How about old computers? A business can often use one for testing or obtain the hard drives for extra storage needs.
• Office space – Does your company have office space that is not being used? Just sitting there empty? Have you ever considered giving a self-employed person some space to use in exchange for occasional services?
• Gifting a subscription to an Internet service they could use to profit from – I would love a subscription to smugmug, extending my Flickr Pro account and Apple Mobile Me account, Squarespace account, etc.
• Use of technology you own but don’t use frequently why not let a trusted business person use it an become a greater expert.
• Food! Yes, often a self-employed person will “work for food.” Talk business and get a tax write off but also enjoy the conversation and get to know the person or small business better.
• Got a paid conference or seminar? Invite fellow business people who may be in financial stress to either give a presentation, provide a service like setting up, recording the event, etc. as payment of for food, etc.
• Trade training – perhaps the two of you need help and guidance in different areas.
• Books, got books just collecting dust? Think your small business friend could use them?

I know my biggest needs right now are not funding for the next big idea but rather support so I can do what I excel at. Sometimes I have had to turn down work not because I didn’t have the skills to do it but lacked equipment, storage space or the time. While I am asking for help myself how many of you have similar needs? Could I help you. We have all heard about “stimulating the economy” by buying stuff but in tough time some of our businesses have a hard time producing stuff and providing service. How much more can our economy be stimulated by encouraging and empowering the self-employed and small business owners? Consider helping us achieve our goals faster and maybe we can start hiring sooner than later.

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One think in the article really stood out and maybe it was because one of the words was in all caps but also because the concept was so radical. In reality we have two lists, one is often unwritten. A “have to do” list and a “want to do” list. We well write down things like; Fold the clothes, call potential client, work on video project, update web site but how often do we dare to write a list that says;

1. Check e-mail every 10 min
2. Visit Facebook to see what friends and family are up to
3. Make extra trips to the kitchen for “a snack”

No, of course not! Two reasons; 1.) We don’t have to put those in writing as they come all to easy – ingrained habits and 2.) If we do we fear looking very foolish and yet those things get “sandwiched in” between the lines of our written to do list. Consider doing the following -

1. turn some of the activities that distract for your list of things you have to do into negatives (at least during the time you need to work on your actual written list for example – Don’t check e-mail or social networking sites during certain hours or however long it takes to actually work on your list.
2. Put such items at the bottom of your list in terms of priority. Don’t eat snacks if you really don’t have to. Getting a little afternoon energy is fine. Don’t risk your health or mental alertness but is a fitness item part of your to do list? Consider a short walk around the block or organizing a stack of papers a higher priority than that afternoon treat.

You may have seen in previous posts where I have been developing the habit of setting a timer to work on certain tasks that need to be done. This does two things. 1.) It keeps me focused on the task at hand so I am not tempted to drift over to those “invisible to do items” (distractions) and it’s game of sorts. Naturally I am a very laid back person most of the time but if I am under any kind of pressure be it real or just “gaming myself” my productivity skyrockets.

Work on making those “invisible” items visible. Maybe a good to do list for all of us would be to make a list of those things we are in a habit of doing that distracts us from this list we are working on? Have you done such an exercise? Do you use the timer/alarm clock method to motivate you? Love to hear your thoughts.

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1. Dapper Dan Pomade
2. Cosmo Kramer’s Coffee Table book about coffee tables that turns into a little coffee table.
3. A sonic screwdriver – the versitile tool The Doctor uses on Doctor Who
4. Dharma Branded Food Products – As seem on Lost (They seem to have a long shelf life)
5. Telephones that know who you are calling without dialing (I know you have seen someone in a movie or TV show just pick up the phone and just start talking!)

What fictional products would you buy if made available? They would have to work and be real none of this replica stuff or “homage to”.

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the second in a series of “tasting” organized by Orange Coat, a local web design company. The event was held at a local restaurant, The Lazy Goat. On the surface you may be wondering why a web design company is hosting “tasting” seminars but their mission is one to help people get over saying the following statement, “I don’t know what I like but I will when I see it.” or as the case may be, taste it.

The previous tasting event was held at the headquarters of a local coffee company, Liquid Highway. In both events I learned how to describe the taste of various forms of the same thing. Coffee and Tomatoes so far.

What’s the point? An exercise in communication for one thing. I noticed at both events the majority of attendees were fellow creative professionals, most in the web/new media field. It’s often a challenge to communicate with clients and for clients to communicate with creative professionals on the precise nature of their content or design of a web site, print project, video or audio production.

Yesterday I tasted about 6 different tomatoes and was amazed at the difference. One was lightly fruity like a melon, another tasted smokey/beefy, and yet another almost like a lime. A great exercise in being descriptive as possible and also slowing down to really know that you just can’t say a tomato tastes like a tomato.

How is your business or product unique? To people just see or taste a “tomato” or can you describe what you do or provide in a more unique way?

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As you may know I have been transitioning the company from being primarily a web design and development company to focusing the content clients need to distribute on the web. In the past few weeks I have helped a local technology networking group by posting content to their web site, working behind the scenes to get their official podcast off the ground and providing my photography services at their events which can be seen here.

Another great opportunity has been working with a local non-profit group called, The Caleb Group by producing videos of the principal organizer who shares his analysis of current films. Those short reviews can be seen on our YouTube channel.

Finally this past week as a result of doing work for the above mentioned organization I was asked to film a seminar being help at a local church on personality types and ministry. I hope to have the project posted soon.

In the past week I have really come to learn the one area of working on what i love to do, media editing. Editing photos in post production, compiling sounds files for podcasts, editing video and of course writing for them web in the form of blog posts.

I’m in the process of transferring most current web clients to a web hosting an design company that does that work full-time so I can concentrate on doing what I love and excel at it. I could literally spend all day in media editing programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, iMovie, Final Cut, blog editors like Ecto, Sound Studio, Garageband, etc.

You may already be aware that I have been offering a summer donation special (which is in effect until Sept. 21st) that covers value gained from this blog, public speaking, consulting over coffee and small audio, video and photography editing jobs but I am also announcing a 1/3 off deal for the month of September on the following new media editing services;

Blogging

Daily Business blogging Service – We will post to your web site every day during a 5 day business week – $79 a week or save over 20% by paying for a year up front at $3,000 . This is the most expensive route but also the most effective in terms of bringing in repeat visitors and increasing search engine rankings. (Sept 2009 Special – $1,980 for a year paid upfront)

Weekly + Special Announcement Service – We will post one regular article plus any special annoucments you have during that time as well like a sale, change in leadership, new products or services, security notices, etc. – $25 a week or save over 20% by paying $1,000 up front for the year. (Sept. 2009 Special – $660 for a year paid upfront)

Photography

Event Photography – $500 per event. ($4,800 paid up front will secure our services for a year) Travel expenses will be added to locations outside our current area of Greenville/Upstate,SC(Sept. 2009 Special – $3000 for a year paid upfront)

Business Showcase – $250 per day of our service on site. ($2,400 paid up front will secure our services for a year) Includes photography, setup, post processing and providing photos sutible for both web and print.(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,500 for a year paid upfront)

On site Auditing – $250 per audit ($2,400 paid up front will secure our services for a year) – Do you have location in the Greenville, SC where you need photographic proof of work done? We have done work for advertising companies and are available for real estate, landscaping and similar site work. If you require reports to be filled out this is included in the price.(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,500 for a year paid upfront)

E-Commerce Photography – $250 per session ($2,400 paid up front will secure our services for a year) Do you have a online web store with products that need to be photographed and updated on a frequent basis with professional looking photos that are in focus, lit properly, etc? (Sept. 2009 Special – $1,500 for a year paid upfront)

Short Video

Pre-scripted Ready to go Talking Head sessions $200 per session (Secure our services by prepaying $1,900 for year in advance and saving more than 20% (can have multiple recordings within a 2 hour period) includes time and basic editing. The yearly rate includes 1 two hour session a month.
(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,200 for a year paid upfront)

Classroom/Seminar Recording – $500 per session (secure our services by prepaying $4,800 for a year – 1 session a month) includes time and basic editing.
(Sept. 2009 Special – $3,000 for a year paid upfront)

Product Showcase – $200 per product. (Secure our services by prepaying $1,900 for year in advance and saving more than 20%) This is best used for special showcase items. We recommend one “special” a month. Including the product we recommend showing it’s use (where appropriate), title graphics, etc.
(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,200 for a year paid upfront)

Service Showcase – $200 per session (Secure our services by prepaying $1,900 for year in advance and saving more than 20%)
(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,200 for a year paid upfront)

Audio Editing

Classroom/Seminar Recording/podcasts – $100 per month (secure our services by prepaying $950 for a year – 4 sessions a month) includes time and basic editing. This is just the recording and/or editing service. Price does not include distribution costs.
(Sept. 2009 Special – $600 for a year paid upfront)  

Sermon distribution and audio announcements – $50 per weekly session. (Secure our services by prepaying $2000 for year in advance and saving more than 20%) This is best used for special showcase items. We recommend one “special” a month. Including the product we recommend showing it’s use (where appropriate), title graphics, etc.
(Sept. 2009 Special – $1,300 for a year paid upfront)  

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I have been in the process of selling off our web hosting and design business to Utopianet.com after an agreement that we made earlier this year. This week I am in the process of transferring sites that have agreed to continue their web hosting and design services with them. If any customers don’t feel this is a good match for them please let me know and we can work on finding the best solution for you.

I’m currently doing some part time administrative and media work for The GSA Technology Council, video recording and editing for the Caleb Group and Billboard Auditing for Caroll Media Services. I continue to pursue a full-time position with another company in order to bring a steady income, insurance and other needs that can’t currently be meet in this company during this time of transition. I believe some good opportunities are starting to present themselves. I continue to be available for new media mentoring and instructional services and well as content creation like photography, business blogging, etc.

On the personal front I can’t stress enough how important it is to communicate with others about areas of concern. One great temptation of business people is to put a positive “spin” on everything or to try to do everything yourself. I am committed to our company name in terms of creating beautiful things or creating an environment where beauty can prosper however I am also committing to getting out of my shell as a business person and family man by being open and not being afraid to ask for help (Yes, as I man I am realizing I need to stop and ask for directions more than I do!)

I am also realizing these are tough times for a lot of people and how important it his to stand with others be it family, friends or business associates. To often we want to stand apart in our pride but not only are we lying to others but also to ourselves. What are your struggles? Are you using tough times to grow and deal with mistakes or are you just saying things are fine? Remember, innovation, creativity and progress never happen with we perceive and acknowledge things are “fine.” Real change happens when you realize it needs to happen and that you have made mistakes. I have shared recent mistakes to not only keep a record but also to encourage others not to fall into the same habits or temptations. I seek to develop habits and processes that will grow business and family. What have you and your business been struggling with lately? What tough decisions have you had to make like changing your focus, selling stuff, etc?

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1.) The Yellow pages – Have not received a single call or sale. Money continues to flow out for no good reason

2.) Advertising in magazines and newspapers – looking over my receipts probably wasted over $1000 on ads that did not generate any revenue. Not saying it’s bad to advertise in print but I admit the drive to advertise was more of a matter of pride, trying to keep up with the joneses, etc.

3.) Overdoing the food bill at coffee shops and resteraunts I went to for lunch meeting. I admit it I was shocked at how much I spent at coffee shops for “fancy coffee” I could have done just fine with $2.00 regular cup of coffee but instead spent more on a special cup or an extra snack. although I have less of an issue spending a little extra at a coffee shop where I get free wireless and work than I do going to a networking meeting and to put it bluntly making my stomach happier than my sales goals. I should have just order water and salad a lot more. You may think I am being overfrugal but over time those receipts can add up.

4.) Unfocused Networking – Networking is one the best ways for a small business person to spread the word but without a plan you can end up speaking to the same people over and over again, paying for memberships that don’t produce results. Neither of these things are bad byt you have to have a plan and focus.

5.) Trying to be all things to all people – A have learned that not only did I dump a lot of stress on myself with these “new ideas” but also those I worked with. It’s just plain foolish for a two person business to act like a 20+ employee company.

I am sharing all these things to let others know I am learning from my mistakes as I revaluate both my personal and business decisions. I also have a heart for seeing other businesses and individuals succeed and not make the same mistakes. What have you learned?

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