Bring your passion to your work

My brother, David James Hansen, is a lot of things. He is a talented graphic designer, a gifted barbeque-teer, and probably the number 1 guy you want at your next party. Seriously, I once saw him unscrew an IBC root beer with his belly button. Recently, he gave me some amazing and terrifying advice.

We were talking about work, career, and life, when he said, "You don't find work that matches your passion. You bring your passion to your work." In other words, passion comes from the inside out, not the outside in. You are responsible for your own passion, not your circumstances, not your surroundings, not your job, not your boss, not your husband/wife. You can be a passionate CEO or a passionate DMV clerk or a passionate stay at home mom/dad or a passionate barista, because it's your choice. If you find no passion in your work, you have no one to blame but yourself. That's the terrifying part.

The strange thing is, everyone is passionate about something, but it's rarely their work.  It's hard to be passionate about our work, even though it's the thing we spend the majority of our waking hours doing. When we think about the things we are passionate about, we often think about our significant other, kids, political views, or mostly our hobbies. It's easy to be passionate about hobbies, because they are choice-based activities.

If you knew me, you would know that one of my most passionate hobbies is comic book characters. It's nerdy, but I don't care (for you, just insert NFL, cars, gardening, etc). I buy comic books and movie tickets for every super hero flick. I listen to podcasts and read articles to stay up on the latest news. I am never late for a movie opening.  I build communities around myself of other super hero fans. I even try to convince as many people as I can to like Super Heroes as much as I do.

Let's break this down, because I choose to bring my passion to my hobby, I regularly:

• Invest in content related materials
• Attend meetings and events without being late
• Build and lead communities of like-minded people
• Engage in professional development
• Enthusiastically sell to customers

It's pretty easy to see, if it were were my "job," I would be on the fast-track to success. Unfortunately, it's not, and it never will be. Most people's hobbies will never be their "job." However, we need to find a way to bring our passion to our work, in the same way we bring it to our hobbies. 

The question you should be asking is, "how do I choose to bring my passion to my work?" I think step one is to make what you do important. In his blog, Seth Godin (you can find it here) wrote, "I'm not sure that anyone has a calling. I think, instead, our culture creates situations where passionate people find a place where they can make an impact. When what you do is something that you make important, it doesn't matter so much what you do." Find something about your work that you think is important, whether it's making a product that people want/need, helping someone, making someone's day better, or solving a problem. There is something there. I know it.

You should've been at Japp's tonight

Something amazing happened tonight.

Japp's in OTR hosted Northside Distilling Co for their Craft Distiller's Night. Chris Courts, the head distiller, represented Northside, along with his partner Michael Marcagi and their trusty Whiskey Still used to make their product. As I am sure is often the case at Japp's, it was a crowded night.

People were packed in at the bar, tables, and standing in any open space. Yelling over the crowd and banging on a glass, Japp's owner, Molly, got everyone's attention to introduce Chris. With all eyes on him, he took the stage. Speaking loud enough to drown out the ambient bar noise, he said, "Thanks for being here. I am going to talk to you about Northside Distilling Co and our product, but before I do, I would like to introduce myself and tell you why I do what I do. Is that ok?" Immediately, half the bar got up and walked out.

I was shocked, embarrassed, and humiliated, and I wasn't the one on stage. I can't imagine how Chris felt. Being vulnerable, standing out, or putting yourself out there only to be flat out rejected is literally some people's worst nightmare. I am sure there is a phobia named for this. Everyone has that school-aged kid living inside of us who is afraid of being laughed at. It seemed like the night was over, but then that amazing thing happened that I was talking about earlier.

Chris shared anyway! He didn't pack up and go home, he didn't cut down his talk, and he didn't even speed it up to get off stage faster. He took a breath, shook it off, and moved forward. Chris taught us an important lesson: If you try to please everyone, you will please no one. Instead, do what you think is important, and you will please a few, and they are the ones who matter.

This was the best thing that happened in OTR tonight. For the people who decided to stay, we received a gift. We learned the core values that have shaped Chris and the distillery he works for. We heard how his grandfather's wisdom guided him during a time of confusion. We got to taste the whiskey that he passionately made with his own hands, and we heard how Chris is changing the city one bottle at a time.

I think we need more people doing what Chris did tonight. People who are less concerned with "conforming" to the crowd and more concerned with doing something important and sharing it with the world.

The Abundance Worldview from Cats

If more people were like my cat, Bobo, they would be happier, more fulfilled, and more successful; but sadly most people are like my cat Charlie Girl. 

We found Charlie Girl in the wild when a stray cat had kittens. When I first saw Charlie, she was fighting off her siblings to finish off a dead bird head. For her, everyday was a fight for survival. She not only had to fight off predators, but she had to compete with her siblings to get enough food. Charlie Girl's life was one of scarcity. She saw the world as a limited, dangerous, and harsh place, and she never lost that perspective. Even after years of living indoors, she stole food even though there was plenty, fought others even though there was no danger, and would constantly overeat to the point of obesity even though meals were consistently delivered. 

Bobo's life, on the other hand, was one of abundance. We found Bobo when a neighbor's cat had kittens. We found him safely nestled in cardboard box with his mom and siblings. The moment he was weened, he was welcomed into our house. He lived inside his whole life. He had a cupboard full of food, a bed, and catnip toys. There was no competition, no risk, no danger. He saw the world as plentiful, safe, and calm place. 

The Abundance Worldview says, "There are limitless opportunities and potential for growth, therefore there is no risk. I can not only survive, but thrive! Being partnered with others increases the growth and opportunities I will see. I can be generous with my time, energy, and ideas without fear of someone taking advantage of me. Additionally, the more I freely give my time, energy, and ideas the more the everybody benefits. Generosity is the best strategy."

The Scarcity Worldview says, "Everyday is a fight for survival. There are a limited amount of time, energy, and ideas, so the more I share, the less I have. I have to constantly be on the lookout of someone taking advantage of me. Someone is going to lose, and it's not going to be me. Generosity might just get you killed."

Abundance vs. Scarcity Questions:

• How do you feel when someone else succeeds or is recognized for his/her accomplishments?
• How do you react when you feel under appreciated?
• What scares you most about freely giving your time, energy, or ideas?

A Tribute to the Linchpin

In the book, Linchpin, Seth Godin describes the value of being indispensable in your work. If you are not remarkable at your job, then you are a disposable cog, easily replaced. You must be the Linchpin, a valuable, irreplaceable person who does more than just his/her "job." He/She has responsibilities that are vital to the organization. Pursue being a Linchpin by going above and beyond your job description and doing your work in a way that is unique, remarkable, and specific to you. In addition to job security, Linchpins earn more, enjoy their jobs, and are more fulfilled by their work.

Sounds great for employees, but they are not the only beneficiaries of this pursuit. In a great twist of irony, when individuals step up and decide to become Linchpins, organizations benefit as well. Jim Collins, in his book How the Mighty Fall, explains that an essential piece of building a great and enduring enterprise is self-managed and self-motivated people who accept and seek out increasingly more responsibilities. In other words, companies with teams of Linchpins will always beat companies with teams of disposable cogs. It is the ultimate Win-Win!

Seth Godin goes on to describe 7 ways people can become Linchpins within an organization:

1. Provide a unique interface between members of the organization
2. Delivering unique creativity
3. Managing a situation or organization of great complexity
4. Leading customers
5. Inspiring staff
6. Providing deep domain knowledge
7. Possessing a unique talent

Here a are a few questions for you to reflect on:

1. Which of these are you currently doing in your enterprise?
• If the answer is none, then you are in TROUBLE. If someone else can do your job just like you, then quit simply "doing your job" and start gaining some responsibilities.
2. Which of these are missing in your enterprise?
• There's your opening!! Fill it quick and become indispensable!!
3. Which of these can you grow in?
• Good News! You can have more than one. Gaining multiple responsibilities is best way to grow in your Linchpin-ness.

Which email do you like more?

I am writing an email for our Summer marketing push, and I need your help! Below you will find two different email templates I have written. The email is going to Principals and Guidance Counselors asking them to promote our Summer courses.

I don't know if you saw my post about how to write effective emails, but if you missed it, you can check it out HERE.

Can you tell me in the comments which email you think is better? Thanks!

Email 1:

I don’t know how you feel about the school year ending, but I am excited to finish the school year strong, so I can get a break, spend some time with family, and get my toes in some warm sand.

Before we break, I am spreading the word about TorchPrep’s Summer Intensive Program. It is the perfect way for students to end the year right, with a higher ACT score!

These courses are extremely popular. Spots are limited, and the courses sell out every year. Attached you will find our Email/Newsletter and Flyer.

Can you please pass this along to your parents and students?

Let’s finish strong with more score increases! Thanks for all your help.

Email 2:

TorchPrep’s Summer Intensive Program is here!

The last day of school is right around the corner, and before we break out the flip-flops and sunblock, let’s give students get one last chance to achieve a higher ACT score.

Attached you will find our Email/Newsletter and Flyer. Can you please pass this along to your parents and students?

These courses are extremely popular. Spots are limited, and the courses sell out every year.

Let’s finish strong with more score increases! Thanks for all your help.

Who is your Sage?

Who made you who you are today? Who taught you the core values that define you as a person? Who is your Sage?

Identifying my Sage was easily the most valuable lesson I have learned in the past year. The amount of personal and professional growth that have come as a result has been incredible. It has better shaped me as a person, and telling stories about my Sage has become the sharpest tool in my professional tool belt. I am making more connections, getting more sales, and enjoying myself more in the process!

I learned this lesson at a 2-day training called, BrainTrust Neuroselling, where I learned how to use Neuroscience to improve my communication and sales skills. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that, neurologically, humans connect, partner, build relationships, and buy stuff from people we both like and trust. Additionally, we like and trust people who exhibit Genuine Humility. That's the magic formula.

Geniune Humility

Genuine Humility is the key to being both liked and trusted, and therefore the key to success. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but Ricky Bobby lied to us when he said, "If you're not first, you're last!" It's more like, "if you put yourself last, you're first". Truly, when we value others greater than ourselves, put other interests above our own, or submit ourselves to a greater purpose, we grow more, gain more, and achieve higher success. Not only is this true personally, but professionally as well.

Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great: Why some companies make the leap--and others don't, says that every single great company has a Level 5 leader at the helm. A Level 5 leader is defined as a person who possess the paradoxical blend personal humility and professional will. Without a doubt, professional success is intrinsically connected to Genuine Humility.

Tell a story about your Sage!

Identifying your Sage and telling his/her story is the best way to exude Genuine Humility. No person is an island. We all have parents, friends, teachers, coaches, bosses, etc who have poured into us and made us who we are today. Acknowledging this fact, especially in the in the presence of others, is the the most effective way to be both liked and trusted. Everyone should have 2 or 3 solid Sage stories on the ready and use them often.

Reflection Questions:

• Who is your Sage?
• What did he/she teach you?

One of my sage stories:

One of the most influential people in my life is my step-dad, Bill. When I was 13 years old, Bill taught me to the importance of hard work. One summer Bill told me that in exchange for my hard work, he would give me $500. Because $500 was more money than I could imagine, I was ecstatic over the proposition. He said that he would give me $500 when I earned 500 points. I eagerly asked, “How do I earn points?!” He said, “1 point is earned with 1 hour of work.” I didn’t realize at the time that he had devised an elaborate scheme to pay me $1/hr for hard manual labor, but I didn't care. I would work everyday mowing grass, landscaping, or hauling rocks until my hands were bleeding with blisters trying to earn as many points as I could. At the end of each day, I would ask Bill, "How many points did I earn today?" He would say, "Good work. You earned 10 points today." I kept a notebook by my bed to keep track of all my points. It took me all summer, but I earned my points and got my $500. It felt so good to get my reward, but what I learned in the process was way more valuable. Bill taught me that nothing is impossible if you are willing to work hard.

Writing Emails the Aziz Ansari Way

Aziz Ansari is a brilliant comedian, actor, and social commentator. I have been his fan since his days on the TV show Parks and Recreation, but recently This American Life did a story about his stage act, and my love for him reached an all-time high.

He and a sociologist named, Eric Klinenburg have been traveling around doing a show that examines modern dating relationships, namely the role texting plays in their development. They interview people on stage about their relationships and gather data on what kind of text messages build or destroy relationships. Their findings state that in order for text messages to build a relationship, they must be Personal, Funny, and have a Specific Call to Action.

This has become my checklist for writing emails. Before I click Send, I always check:

Is it Personal?: Do you share anything about yourself? Are you vulnerable?
Humans are driven by empathy and a need to connect to others, EVEN IF they are communicating via text or email.

Is it Funny?: Will this make the person to laugh or smile? Are you positive?
When people laugh, they lower their guard and loosen up.

Is there a Specific Call to Action?: Why are are you reaching out? What's the point? Where is this going?
There must be a purpose to your communication.

Listen to the This American Life story here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/559/captains-log?act=2

Below is a sample email I wrote using this method: 

It's that time of year again...back to school time!!! For me, this season always brings back memories of brown paper book covers, the smell of pencil shavings (do kids even use wooden pencils anymore?), and my Batman backpack.

I am excited to share with you our Fall Boot Camp offerings to prepare your students for the Sept & Oct ACT tests. Attached you will find our Email/Newsletter and Flyer. 

Can you please pass this along to your Junior and Senior parents and students?

I am so excited to make this the best school year yet by boosting ACT scores!! Thanks for all your help.