May 22nd, 2007
Seth Godin, the dip
Early this morning, 6:30 am to be exact, I arrived at Maggiano’s “Little Italy’” restaurant. Seth Godin a best selling author,entrepreneur and agent of change was speaking in downtown Chicago.There were close to 1000 people investing 50 dollars a person to hear Seth’s wisdom. I was surprised by the ages of the audience and the gentleman next to me and I estimated the median age to be 45 years old. I had pictured a younger crowd. Mr Godin did not appear to be a young man but to use the description as brilliant marketeer is not an exaggeration.
I saw about a dozen blacksinbusiness at this event. I met and sat close to a very bright man and black blogger, Oldude. Oldude is a big Seth fan. Godin worked the room and introduced himself to me and in a short period provided me some information that could help my business develope. He was down to earth, friendly with a dry sense of humor. I am glad I went and urge you to check out Seth.
The question to ask yourself, why not be the best? if you cannot be the best, are you willing to quit and find something new you can be the best at? Our school systems are set up to make us average so we can work for someone who wants to be the best. Trying to be like everyone else is a formula for mediocrity. we are all capable of great things, do not worry about fitting in. Is your vision strong enough so when you hit a dip you can continue. If th dip causes you to lose your vision ,it is better to quit.
In sports we called it “hitting the wall,” many times if we could move pass the psychological barriers, and still have the will to win, a second wind would appear. When you felt there was no hope, you could find a way. That is the essence of Seth’s talk. What do you think?
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Jim, what a great post - since I admire Seth and yet have never heard him speak.
One line make me sad in your post — since I know that schools and college do not have to make people mediocre — and yet they do.
That’s true but is also sad cause it does not have to be that way.
What do you think a solution could be to inspire schools and colleges to draw from more brainpower in all learners?
I’d love to hear your ideas on that one, Jim.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:59 pm
We do need to take time to reflect to see if we measure up to see if we are yet the person we really want to be. I haven’t yet arrived, but the adventure of the path I’m on is worth the journey. How about you Jim?
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Hi Ellen, what a great question for a former elementary education major, like myself. I believe in individualized instruction with behaviour modification using postive reinforcement. Let’s have children compete with only them selves and inspiring each to be the best they can be. Most schools want to test kids first, so they can label them. Kinda of smart,average and kinda of dumb. The children deliver what is expected of them and the teachers teach to that level. the average and kinda dumd kids do not strive for more because their level of learning is predetermind.Let’s do a better job understanding the needs of each and every kid and how to excite them to learn more this year than any year prior and grade according to individual performanc not group.
Managers in the corporate world should use the same strategy, most teachers and managers excell at determining what is wrong. Most of us and the same for children react better to being told what is right.
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Robyn, every day of my life, I hit a dip or the wall. Every day I get back up. It may not be your fault that you get knocked down but it is your responsibility to get back up. I will continue to be knocked down but over time I have made progress. Seth’s point is to be willing to feel the pain and if you find the pain is not worth it find something that is worth it to you