The Sun Rises Today

Are you asking why?

Tim Jahn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:22:35 +0000

If only 0.1% of people are opening your email newsletters, ask why.
If your SEO guru is recommending higher keyword density, ask why.
If you're wondering why your mass marketing approach isn't working, ask why.
If sales are up this month after being down for 6 months, ask why.
If people are spreading the word about your business, ask why.

Are you asking why?

Are you in need of a revolution?

Tim Jahn — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Over 200 years ago, a group of people stood up and declared they were going to change things. Sitting around and staying quiet was not an option. The status quo would be no more.

They took a huge risk in swimming against the current. But with determination, strength, and a community built around a common goal, they ignited a revolution.

Are you in need of a revolution?

Do you have anything to lose?

Tim Jahn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:26:41 +0000

Most folks are afraid to take risks because they fear losing everything. They fear ending up with less than they started with.

While this is a valid fear, it's a limiting one. You could cabash your whole project simply by being afraid of something that may not even happen.

Next time, act like you have nothing to lose. If you have nothing to lose, you have nothing to be afraid of.

And then you're free to change the world.

Are you pretending to be me?

Tim Jahn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Be wrong.
Be right.
Be confused.
Be confident.
Be scared.
Be unwavering.
Be flabbergasted.
Be fun.
Be serious.
Be intelligent.
Be ditzy.
Be unbelievable.
Be completely believable.

Be you.

Are you ignoring your biggest fans?

Tim Jahn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

We wanted to win meet and greet passes to meet our favorite bands. When the festival's radio station sponsor had games at their tent, we were there, ready to win. We were cheering, excited, ready to play.

We listened to the radio station almost the entire three hour drive up to the festival. We listened to the station while we were driving around town. We told other people to come to the radio station's tent to play the games.

But the radio station's promotions team ignored us. Even when the crowd was us and a handful of other people, the promotions team passed over us. They didn't seem to care how enthusiastic we were about them.

Are you ignoring your biggest fans?

How do you become new, original, and louder than everyone else?

Tim Jahn — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

It's really easy to say what everybody else is saying. And upon first glance, it works pretty well. As long as you're shouting the same things as everyone else on the wagon, you'll have plenty of people listening.

If you're across the field on your own wagon shouting something completely new and original, you'll have even more people listening. Because they're sick of hearing the same old.

Of course, it's not that simple. If the people on the other wagon are shouting louder than you, nobody will hear you. While original content will surely attract attention, the loudest content will attract the most attention.

So how do you become new, original, and louder than everyone else?

Are you slamming on the brakes every two blocks?

Tim Jahn — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:22:25 +0000

I had a really nice bus driver the other day. He was friendly, cheerful, and helpful. I smiled to myself as I was reminded how even in an organization known for not caring, one person who does can make a difference.

Then he started slamming on the brakes at every stop. Every two blocks, SLAM!

I stopped smiling for the rest of the ride.

Are you slamming on the brakes every two blocks?

Are you the first to honk?

Tim Jahn — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

When you're the first one to honk in traffic, everybody notices and looks. But once everybody starts honking, nobody can tell whether or not you're in there. Your honk sounds just like everybody elses.

Once traffic starts moving again, everybody is excited to be on their way. Honking at the end of it all just to be heard makes you looks desperate and unsure.

Are you the first to honk?

Are you the best, worst, or somewhere in between?

Tim Jahn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

All the news stations are #1 in town. All the sightseeing tours offer the best views. All the grocery stores have the lowest prices on fruit. All the car dealerships have the lowest financing available anywhere, ever.

Except they don't. Because they can't all be the best or have the lowest prices or offer the best selection. In order for there to be a best, there has to be a worst. And folks in between.

So stop lying.

Are you the best? Or are you the worst? Or are you in between?

Do you believe everything you hear?

Tim Jahn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

You're hiking in a dense forest and there's a large leaf lying on the ground a few feet in front of you. You heard from someone once that such large leaves usually cover very deep holes. The group behind you says all the large leaves they've ever encountered have been safe to walk across.

Do you walk across the leaf?

Everybody is telling you what to do. They're the expert, they have the results, they know what you should be doing.

But do they really? They might. Their advice might make you a millionaire. It might make you an idiot.

The difference is the degree to which you question. Do you accept everything you see and hear as true? Or do you actively question what's going on and learn from it?