Buddies

A guy needs buddies....he needs an entourage of sorts....not some guys, not a few guys, ALL guys.

Sometimes as men we can get into this mode of thinking that says we can do it alone, the "Soldier Boy" mentality that drives many of us to succeed. As I read through "Tribes" by Seth Godin, I am reminded that all good groups of buddies are tribes! Not only that but that group can continually keep you challenged and sharpened.

The group that surrounds you says something about the person you are:

• Would they sacrifice for you?
  
• Would they help you when you were really down?
  
• Would they jump in the car with you for a road trip at the last minute?
  
• Would they make sure you "went for it" more often?

Life will consistently remind us that we need people and the more time we spend with each other the better off we will be....I have been pretty fortunate in this regard. I am part of and have quite the entourage, some of that entourage was in town for an event for our BBQ Sauce business (www.heffys.com) this last weekend and another one and I are headed to go snowboarding for the weekend (which I had to be bribed to go on!!).

I was challenged and sharpened in each outing....we had (and will have) some great times. The stories will be retold, exaggerated and retold again.

The point: take some time with your buddies and get out to do something. Its amazing how much they can strengthen, challenge and sharpen you.

A guy needs buddies....he needs an entourage of sorts....not some guys, not a few guys, ALL guys.

The Hardest Part is Getting Started

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to work for a guy who had some of the most diverse experience I have ever seen. His working world took him to the UK, Australia and Hong Kong to name a few. He had been a professor at a college and a VP and a major Fortune 50 company in addition to nearly everything you could think of in-between.

He had this fantastic world view that I had not encountered, entrenched in beliefs that were created by real experiences. He relayed those in great stories and one-liners. I soaked up the knowledge as much as I could, we developed a friendship. I consider him a mentor, I look to him for advice and even if he is not directly giving me direction, the experience I had with him then I still pull from to this day.

"The hardest part is getting started", he would resound. I always took it literally, however another implication was highlighted this week as I am trying to decide on a name for a new business I am starting.

Sometimes we can make things too difficult, we can get stuck on the nuances of business instead of actually doing (starting) business. The "hardest part", is actually getting outside, making a call, launching the site (even if its not perfect), going to that meeting or any other manner of action. Once you are in motion its much easier to course correct, but sometimes we can get stuck parked and planning for far too long.

http://entrepreneurshipweekusa.com/

Can you say Animoto?

Today, its all about how you "share life" with your friends and family. So much so that nearly all generations are snapping digital pictures and have been for years.... now more than ever their snaps are going straight onto their favorite social network.

Over the last year or so the trend has begun to shift again, its not good enough to just share pics. You have to have them loaded immediately and if your really cool you edit the pics and/or video in a collaboration with great music and fancy effects then post that for all your friends and family.

I love technology, and learn new programs by playing with them (yeah I'm still a boy at heart)....but I am also always up for an easy way to make myself look good! Enter: ANIMOTO, a new(er) company that makes editing professional quality video super easy....

So go share some more life and look a little better in the process, you secret is safe with me!

Community is Key

I began a new book (Tribes, Seth Godin) last week that really came into focus this morning.

On Wednesday mornings I meet with a small group of very diverse guys called the "Men of Action". This group ranges from ages 30 to 70+ all with varied backgrounds. We have topics we discuss and are there as a part support / part discussion group. We meet at this old diner (circa 1961) that is the quintessential "middle" America meeting place.

As I expected our leader devoted this weeks discussion to the election. Like many Americans' most of us had stayed up watching a very historical election and lamenting or celebrating some of the results. It wasn't completely surprising that there were differing opinions, but what became evident was the fact that this "tribe" of men were committed to helping each other and the country move forward.

They are optimistic....
They are genuine....
They are connected....

Most of them understand this by experience, through hard fought lessons that taught them that with help, real change can happen. They are doing life together, by trading stories on how things used to be, how far we have come and how we can help each other get through whatever life gives us.

I couldn't help but think of this book on "tribes" by Godin as I sat there this morning. He describes the fact that with technology its much easier to connect and build "fans" of our products, causes and endeavors. But we can never replace real community. Face-to-face interaction, story swappin, talking politics over coffee kind of community is the key to anyones' and everyones' success.

Tomorrow, take out the iPod and talk to a few people as you get your morning coffee. Grab a few friends and meet with them every week, join a small group at your church or get connected in some way. Life is no fun to do alone, the key is community!