The Positive Persuasion

As projects get tackled left and right, I continue to find new opportunities to STRETCH myself and connect to new experiences. It got me thinking about college and what I learned while achieving my finance degree. Fund managers, investors, and financial planners all talk about diversifying your assets to achieve a better, and less risky return. While this is sound advice in the financial sector, it’s also brilliant advice in your everyday endeavors.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Take a look at the world around you. Everything is changing, and people are being asked to know more, do more, and learn more. What a perfect way to take advantage of the Jack of All Trades persona you already possess! Don’t kid yourself, you know a lot more than you’re letting on. No matter what you do, or what your area of expertise, you’ve most likely got a hobby or a passion for something completely unrelated. It’s time to throw that into your everyday mix!

One of the biggest secrets to success, in business or personal relationships, is a diversified skill set. A perfect example is Peter. Peter is a sound engineer, but fresh out of college, he wasn’t equipped with the experience to jump into the greatest studio and make his name known. Along comes this open opportunity to work for one of the biggest studios in all of California. He headed down there, resume and mixes in tow, in an effort to land his dream job. There was an incredibly competitive crowd trying to make themselves stand out for the job when he arrived. Peter got his chance, and when asked what else he could bring to the studio, he wasn’t sure what to say. The giant aquarium behind the control room chairs suddenly caught his eye.

“I know how to care for the aquarium. I’ve had exotic fish in all different types and sizes of tanks since I was 8, and I could make sure your set up is well cared for.”

He was hired that afternoon. Peter put what may have otherwise been an overlooked skill on the table, and it paid off. The world is a competitive place, and anything you can do to differentiate yourself can prove advantageous. Just the other day I was working on a server for one of my IT clients (another business I own), and I took a moment to reflect on how I got there. I landed this doctor’s account because I was there for an adjustment one day, and his computers were giving him trouble. I stepped up and fixed his issue without a second thought. The following week we wrote a contract, and I’ve been managing his servers and machines since 2007.

It’s all about diversifying your skills. Learn as much as you can about as much as you can! Doors are opening every day to opportunities of a lifetime, but if you’re too focused on only one facet of your skills, you may miss it! So here’s today’s lesson:

Make a short list of your skills. These will include your specialty, and what you know a fair amount about or enjoy. Now add the topics or activities you’re interested in, even if you know nothing about them right now. Your task now, should you choose to accept it, Mr. Phelps, is to begin learning and delving into the things that interest you! Join online groups or clubs that share your passion and enthusiasm! Not only is it free to get involved online, but the friends you make in these circles may need your help with a project, just as you may need theirs!

Life is all about experience! Go out and experience more of it! Share it! Learn about the experiences of others! Grow, connect, and see what doors miraculously open before you!

Peace, Love, and a Million Successes to you!

Blake

P.S. The Mr. Phelps, in case anyone was confused, is in reference to Mission: Impossible. Sometimes I like to throw movie quotes in for fun.

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