yann girard - rethinking the now

Live your dreams while you're still alive...

Don't be that person that only talks about doing stuff, but never does.

That only listens, but never talks.

That only reads, but never writes.

That only follows, but never leads.

That only watches, but never plays...

Very unlikely...

Most of the things seem very unlikely.

But pretty much all of the things you've achieved so far, were once very unlikely...

That high school degree that seemed almost impossible and so far out of reach on your first day of school.

That university degree.

That job.

That career.

Or that marriage.

They all seemed very unlikely at first.

Until they didn't...

You don't have to be smart.

You just have to be willing to do a lot of stupid things, until one of them turns out to be a smart thing...

That's what most people are going to say.

It's not good enough.

Fast enough.

Nice enough. 

Smart enough.

Detailed enough...

Fortunately, you don't have to care about what most people are going to say.

You just have to care about what some people are going to say.

Choose them wisely...

Why not?

Instead of working a job you don't really like and spending all of that money on stuff you don't really need, just because you feel like you "deserve it", why not start spending more of your time doing things you actually really enjoy doing, just because you "deserve it"?

Remember that...

Your best stories, the ones you'll be remember for the rest of your life, are rarely the ones where everything goes right.

As a matter of fact, it's usually the ones where pretty much everything goes wrong.

At least at first.

Until at one point it all starts to work out.

Until it all starts to make sense.

Sometimes because of pure luck.

Sometimes because of hard work.

Sometimes because of patience.

Sometimes because of perseverance.

And sometimes because of committment.

Those are the best stories.

Those are the stories worth telling...

The best way...

The best way to protect your ideas is to start working on them before someone else will...

Don't wait for good ideas.

Because most ideas aren't initially any good.

Or convincing.

Or earthshattering.

Initially, most ideas are pretty bad.

Or even outlandish.

It's the work, the people and the execution that turn a seemingly bad idea into a good idea.

So don't wait for a good idea.

And instead, start with a bad idea.

And put in the work.

And see what happens...

It'll take care of the rest...

You probably don't need more time.

Or resources.

Or money.

Or knowledge.

Or contacts.

Or experience.

Or confidence.

Or skills.

You probably just need to commit.

Because over time, your commitment will automatically take care of the rest...

Start now...

Because in the long run, the long runs will keep getting shorter and shorter...

In the long run...

Being happy is all about what you're doing when you're sad.

Just like being satisfied is all about what you're doing when you're not satisfied.

And just like being successful is all about what you're doing when you're not successful.

In the long run, it's all about the systems you put in place, so that when things aren't going according to plan (which they never do!), you quickly figure out a way to bounce back...

The type of advice we want

Is simple advice.

Advice that works.

That's easy to understand.

And easy to execute.

Advice that goes along with the things we already believe in.

That's the type of advice we want.

And that's the type of advice we usually get.

The only problem is that this kind of advice rarely works.

Because the advice we want (and get), is rarely the advice we really need...

That's what makes it so difficult...

Our whole lives we were taught the difference between right answers and wrong answers.

Right answers are allowed to move on to the next phase, whereas wrong answers are being punished.

So whenever we know the right answer 100% for sure, we raise our hands.

And whenever we don't, we don't raise our hands.

Unfortunately, outside of school, there is no way of knowing anything 100% for sure.

And the only way to find the right answer is by trial and error.

By giving as many different answers as possible that usually turn out to be wrong , until you've found the right answer....

 

Do you?

Today it's not so much about "can I do this?" anymore and instead it's all about "do I have the guts to do this?"... Do you?

It's the worst thing you can do...

Waiting for her to call back.

Waiting for them to hire you.

Waiting for that promotion.

Waiting for things to happen.

Waiting creates fear.

And worries.

And anxieties.

So whatever you do, keep moving.

And never stop moving...

Because you can't have both...

If you're looking for validation, you can't be very innovative.

Because the more innovative you are, the higher your chances that the majority of the people will reject you.

At least at first.

Simply because people hate change.

And innovation is all about change.

On the other hand, if you're looking for validation, all you'd have to do, is the stuff that's always been done.

The stuff that people already know.

And are familiar with.

So, what do you want?

Because you can't have both.

And then act accordngly...

The best investment

If you don't know how to get customers, then it doesn't really matter how much more you're going to decrease your prices.

Or how many more features you're going to add.

So instead of decreasing prices or adding even more features, try to put your energy and resources into figuring out how you can get clients, how you can get the word out there and how you can get your ideas to spread.

This is probably the best investment of your time, energy and resources you can ever make.

No matter whether you already have a product or are just thinking about creating one...

None of the above...

You can talk about the future.

Think about the future.

Or discuss the future.

But there's only one thing that will ever shape the future.

And it's none of the above...

What's possible

Almost everything is possible. While at the same time almost none of it is realistic. At least not right now. So don't start with what's realistic today. And instead, start with what's possible. And you'll automatically keep expanding what's realistic. Step by step. Day by day. Bit by bit...

When things go wrong...

The only real interaction that most people will have with your brand (apart from the product itself), is when things go wrong.

And when things go wrong, they will usually end up speaking to the people who get paid the least.

People who are trained to solve as many problems as possible, as quickly as possible.

So either those people are the best trained people in the world, or you setup a system where 99.9% of the cases will be decided in favor of your clients.

Because at the end of the day, the best customer is a happy customer that will also remain your customer.

And that's worth more than almost every complaint or problem your customers might have...

 

Especially the good ones...

The problem when you're trying to avoid disappointment is that you're most likely also going to end up avoiding surprises.

And not just the bad ones.

But also the good ones.

Especially the good ones...

Break a habit, make a habit

Just because you're used to doing things in a certain way, doesn't mean that you don't have any other choice.

As a matter of fact, if you're used to doing things in a certain way, you can also get used to doing things in another way.

So it's usually your habits that are holding you back.

And not the lack of choices...

It's never the small things...

Whenever small things seem to be the problem, it's usually the big problems that are starting to shine through.

So stop focusing on the small problems and try to figure out what the real problems are.

And then try to solve them.

Because if you wait for too long, then one day, the big problems will be what you'll be talking about.

And when that happens, it's usually already too late...

Getting the job...

"I finally got a new job, so I can start working again."

Guess what?

We can now all work without having a job.

We don't have to wait for jobs anymore.

Here's the thing...

We've all been given the tools for it.

So that we don't have to wait to "finally be able to work again"...

Today, it's easier than ever before to work without having a job.

You can work on learning new skills.

Or you can work on your new website.

Or your new blog.

Or your new book. 

Or your new YouTube channel.

Or your new piece of art.

Or your portfolio.

It doesn't matter.

What matters is that we don't have to wait for jobs anymore.

Because by doing the work and by showing up when you don't have to show up, is precisely how you get those jobs.

Those jobs that will in the end help you to pay those bills...

Opportunities...

Opportunities never really present themselves as opportunities.

And instead, they're usually disguised as discomfort, inconveniences, threats, risks, uncertainties and improbabilities.

That's what makes it so easy to miss them.

And so hard to seize them...

Believing in yourself

If you don't truly believe in the things you do, you'll never be able to truly believe in yourself.

So if you want to be more confident, then just start doing more of the things you truly believe in.

And less of the things you don't believe in.

But don't rush it...

Getting paid to learn

Getting paid for something you've just learned, is a great way to master it.

Just like teaching it to someone else is.

Because it forces you to think about a whole lot of things you would otherwise not even have paid attention to.

It forces you to deliver professional work.

To be able to answer your student's questions.

Or your new client's questions.

So if you're serious about learning something new, try teaching it to someone who really wants to learn it.

Or if you don't like teaching, then try to find someone who's willing to pay you for your new skill.

It won't be much and you'd have to start at the bottom, as you're not a professional yet, but you'd essentially get paid for getting better at it...

I can do so much more than "this"...

If that's really the case, then go out there and prove it...

What it's all about...

It's not about how good you are.

Or how smart you are.

Or how talented you are.

Or how skilled you are.

At the end of the day, it's all about how many times you'll be able to bounce back

Paying attention

Most people only show up when they have something to sell.

To show.

Or to say.

But the problem is that when you wait so long, then nobody will know who you are.

And when nobody knows who you are, then not a whole lot is going to happen.

Nobody ist going to buy.

To listen.

Or to pay attention.

That's why you always have to show up way before you have to show up...

To build up trust.

A reputation.

And to be known for something

So that once you're ready, people will be ready.

To buy.

To listen.

And to pay attention...

Seizing opportunities

The easiest way to seize as many opportunities as possible is when you have no other choice than to seize those opportunities. 

And the less you really have to seize those opportunities, the more of those opportunities you'll end up not seizing...

It's that simple. But as always, not easy...

Pete says it'll work...

Pete says you can go on stage and give a talk if you're not a professional speaker.

Pete says you can start writing a blog if you're not an expert on the topic.

Pete says you can get a good job if you don't have a university degree.

Pete says you can write a book if you don't have a publisher.

Pete says you can just go over and talk to her.

Pete says you're good enough.

Now who's this Pete?

He's Jim's brother. 

And you shoud listen to him...

The comfortable truth...

... is usually a good excuse...

"I didn't do it because no one told me to."

"I didn't do it because I didn't know how to."

"I didn't do it because I wasn't sure if it's going to work out."

The comfortable truth lets us off the hook.

The uncomfortable truth, on the other hand puts us on the hook.

Unfortunately, growth, opportunities and change only happen on the hook...

Perfect is nice.

Perfect feels good.

It feels safe.

It protects us from mistakes.

And failure.

Perfect is the best thing out there.

But you probably can't afford it...

Trial & error

To be able to work smart, you've gotta work hard first.

Because that's the only way to figure out what's the smart thing to do and what's the dumb thing to do.

Which, in most cases, boils down to trial and error...

first steps...

First steps lead to new things.

To new ideas.

To new solutions.

And to innovation.

They ultimately lead to followers.

Who will then do many more first steps.

Which will then lead to even more first steps.

But taking those first few steps is hard.

And scary.

But usually worth it...

So when was the last time you did some first steps?

Good ideas and bad ideas

You've gotta put out your good ideas and your bad ideas.

Because many times, bad ideas turn out to be good ideas.

And good ideas turn out to be bad ideas.

And the only way to know which is which, is to put them out there.

There really is no other way...

You can always...

You can always focus on the people who have it easier than you.

With more money than you.

More contacts than you.

More experience than you.

More confidence than you.

More skills than you.

More time than you.

Or you can just focus on making progress instead....

That's why they are so valuable.

These days, there are a few things that can't be solved by throwing money at them:

Patience, perseverance, discipline and keeping your promises.

Which is why they are so rare.

And valuable...

Little bits

A little bit every single day will lead to many little bits over time, that will then add up to one big bit (or hit)...

Creating the future...

Diversity in thoughts.

In ideas.

In backgrounds.

In people.

And in culture.

Diversity creates the future.

Destroys the present.

And preserves the past.

Diversity is the past.

The present.

And the future...

The future, the past and the present

When you let people who are directly or indirectly benefiting from the status quo decide about how the future is going to look like, then that future is going to look a lot like the past and the present...

The best way to learn sales.

Is to put out a product or service and try to sell it.

Maybe you don't have any tangible skills to create a product.

Maybe the only thing you can do is to write.

Then write a book and try to figure out how to sell it.

(That's what I did back in 2013).

Maybe the only thing you know about are stocks.

Then start a website about stocks.

And offer paid video courses.

Or subscriptions.

Or do workshops about the things you know.

You don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Just repurpose and repackage something you already know.

And then try to sell it.

That's the best way to learn sales.

Because you're quickly going to learn that the majority of the things you thought were going to work, actually don't work at all.

And that's when you have to get creative.

And look for new ways.

And new ideas.

And things that really work.

If you want to learn about sales, put something out there.

And don't join a company because you think you're going to learn soemthing about sales.

Because you won't...

Don't wait until you have something important to say.

To show.

To read.

To do.

Or to sell.

Because if you wait until then, then no one is going to listen.

To watch.

To read.

Or to buy your stuff.

That's why you've gotta start showing up way before you have something important to say.

To show.

To read.

To do.

Or to sell.

So that once you do have something really important, then people will already trust you enough to listen, to watch, to read and to buy your stuff...

Mastery

No one really cares about your first steps.

As a matter of fact, nobody will even see them.

Or read them.

Or watch them.

Or listen to them.

That's why they don't have to be perfect.

But you have to do them. 

And then you've gotta keep doing them.

And basically never ever stop again...

Fruits

Low hanging fruits will help you to get enough energy, so that you can keep climbing that tree all the way to the top where there's less competition and the tree's best fruits can be found.

But you've gotta make sure that those low hanging fruits don't turn into your main strategy.

Because those low hanging fruits will be gone sooner rather than later.

And if you feast on those low hanging fruits for too long, you won't have enough time, energy and resources anymore to find something new...

A successful offer

The best time to start marketing your new book, is before you even started writing that book.

Just like the best time to start marketing your new service, is before you even know what that service is going to be.

Or that product.

Or your company.

Or your art...

At the end of the day, it's always about this one thing.

It's about trust.

And you get that trust by building a community first.

And you don't even need a product or service to build that community.

But you need a community and its trust to be able to build a successful offer...

Factory workers...

Back in the days we were all factory workers.

And today, everybody either seems to be a millionaire, a successful entrepreneur, a bestselling author or a genius.

But the truth is, most of us are still factory workers.

It's just that the Internet doesn't amplify factory workers.

It amplifies the millionaires, the billionaires, the successful entrepreneurs, the bestselling authors and the genius.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't try.

Or give up.

Or that it's impossible.

It means that we sometimes have to be more realistic.

And patient.

It means that we have to keep putting in the work.

Probably for a lot longer than we ever thought possible...

P.S. Even though today's factories look slightly different from what they looked like back then, what's going on inside of them is still very similar...

Very convincing...

Before you'll be able to convince anyone else, you've gotta convince yourself first...

The time is now.

If you wait for things to get better, when things actually do get better, you'll be busy making sure that things stay that way.

And if you wait for all the drama to disappear, then, when it finally disappears, you'll be busy trying to avoid all future drama and won't start anything new anymore that could lead to any future drame.

That's why there'll never be a better time to start than now.

The time is now.

It always is...