An uphill battle…both ways…through three feet of snow…

Since the invention of the wheel, man has been on a search for perpetual motion.  Hybrid vehicles capturing the energy from braking to recharge the batteries is an example of trying to have our energetic ‘cake and eat it too’.

Scientists say it isn’t achieveable, but I like the idea of moving as close to it as possible.  My favorite part about remarkability is that it has a virtuous feedback loop like the hybrid braking mechanism.

The more purpose you inject into your life, the more you share it, the more value you deliver…the more support you will get in return.  When you become known for standing for something that will enhance the lives of others, support begins to find you.  Opportunities seem to appear almost out of nowhere.

Studying and coaching remarkability provides me with the opportunity to see this at work every day and it doesn’t cease to amaze and humble me.  Contrary to many stories in the evening news; people really do care, they’d really prefer to be loyal, and they really do want to be a part of making the world a better place.

Running a business that is devoid of personal meaning can feel like trying to get the unwilling to do the impossible.  Every day can feel like an uphill battle.  “Uphill battle!”  How many times have you heard that?  Uphill is hard and war is even harder.  WOW!  That statement says a lot about how much we have come to accept that life and business are anything but a perpetual motion devices.

Running a remarkable business can feel like having a tailwind compared to an ‘uphill battle’ because the unwilling become willing, and the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

Stop Stealing Dreams

Seth Godin is one of many remarkable people who have played a role in helping me to rediscover my dream.  We are in violent agreement on many, many topics, not the least of which is education.

Seth has generously published a 30,000 word manifesto that’s a part of the answer to; “What should we do about education?”

He is asking all of us to read it and share it.  I hope that you will find the time to check it out and pass it along.

by the way you can read it on your Kindle or iPad.

Remarkable journies never end

Today my friend John is saying good bye to his Dad, Ed Savickas.  Ed was a remarkable man.  I don’t believe that I have ever met a more gentle, authentic or purposeful soul.

Ed grew up in poor section of Worcester, MA and became a shining example of the American Dream.  He created his own business, settled in a peaceful town and raised a wonderful son.  Ed was successful for sure, and stories like this are not uncommon for the World War II generation.

But Ed’s story is worthy of remarking about because of the genuine way in which he served others.  Every interaction with Ed was uplifting and full of wisdom.  Ed stands out among hundreds of adults in my youth not because of what he built or had, but because of who he was.  Ed served first, he was an example first, and success just came along for the ride.

Ed will be remembered for the stories, meaning and love that he shared, and his remarkable journey will carry on in the actions of the friends and family that he inspired throughout his remarkable life.

Thank you Mr. Savickas.

http://paganomedia.com/videos/savickas_boys_club/

Remarkable is like your child’s cry in a crowd

With all the noise in today’s media infested world it’s dang hard to stand out.  Even if you have the money to make me laugh at your commercial during the Super Bowl it’s unlikely that you will capture my heart, trust, and loyalty.

There has only ever been one way to truly attract followers and keep them; Meaning.  We respond to people who stand for something bigger than what they sell.  We trust people who stand for something bigger than what they sell.

In fact we prefer people who ‘sell us’ what they stand for instead of their product or service.  We just happen to support their business as a byproduct.

Being remarkable is about standing for something that engages your audience first and proving it through your service.

I believe that Coach Glassman, creator of Crossfit, cares about redefining fitness and me getting more fit because he has designed Crossfit to actually make it happen.  He could put up a glossy site and sell all kinds of crap, but he stays focused on the implementation of true fitness.  He is loyal to his cause and Crossfit is the manifestation of it.

In the new economy, remarkable alignment is a competitive necessity.  The world is saturated with claims, we’re filtering it all out and seeking proof.  And proof sticks out like the sound of your child in a crowd.