First:
For our next book, we will read Seth Godin's short book entitled The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick).
Here is the man talking about the dip. If you haven't had the great opportunity to listen to him, enjoy.
It's a trip.
Please leave two observations below reacting to this short clip.
Next:
Choose one of these prompts to write a short (no need for more than 2 pages) expository essay on (due Thursday).
* Write about something you failed at.
* Write about something you quit.
* Write about something you stuck with, but now you really wish you'd have quit.
* Why do you think quitting gets such a bad rap in our society?
* What are the benefits of quitting?
I love Godin's comments about mediocrity. It reminds me of the line from Shawn Achor: "Normal is merely average." We already know that Thomas Friedman has declared, "Average is over." Now we know that"mediocrity is for losers."
ReplyDeleteNow this doesn't mean that we can't be average at certain things. But what you really love or want to excel at, why settle for average?
I don't want to be an average teacher, an average husband, an average father, an average speaker, an average scholar, an average writer . . .
So why settle?
The key is learning what to strategically quit.
In order to put all that I do into teaching, there are many things I've quit. I quit (sadly) running six miles every day. I quit video games. I quit reading fiction.
Now, I'd love to reintroduce some of those things back into my life. But that means I have to find room. That means quitting something else.
I also love Godin's quote "There isn't just one dip."
ReplyDeleteThen he mentions all the things Steve Jobs introduced that changed the world.
The key here is simple: successful people in our world - whether they be in business (Donald Trump) in science (Dr. Hannah B. Gay) in art (Frank Gehry) in writing (JK Rowling) or in leadership (Mr. Zutz) - don't strive to be one hit wonders.
They simply move on to the next dip or the next challenge.
I think we have done a poor job of educating or showing our young scholars that once a hurdle is cleared, it's time to relax and savor our success. The hard truth it that is the exact time we should be focusing on the next hurdle and working toward clearing it.
As Godin put it, "in skiing the object is not to get one run in. The goal is to have a lot of good runs before the sun goes down."
How many good runs do you have in you?
I really like the example he used with Google and Yahoo. Google clearly dominates the field when it comes to searching via the internet. Other websites such as Yahoo, MSN, or Ask.com throw a bunch news, weather, or other statistics that distract you from your searching. Even though the results can nearly be identical, Google focuses on that single aspect of searching and because of that they own the search engine industry.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that I liked was that "there isn't just one dip." I can relate that to running. Whenever I have a bad race I am angry and work my hardest to improve. I identify the problems that I can fix, whether it is more stretching, a healthier diet, or just working harder. Then once I improve, there is always someone better than me and that institutes a new challenge for me to overcome.
Excellent realization. And a runner isn't always about competition. Sometimes it's just to get a solid workout in before it rains, right? Life is all about the dips. The sooner we all realize that and embrace that, the better off we will be. But too many people (I bet you know a few if you start to think about it) live their lives trying to avoid the dips. Sad.
Delete1. His blog was successful due to his specialization. Seth Godin didn't care about the stats. If he was distracted by other methods such as Twitter, Facebook, and other methods of social networking, HIS blog would not be where it is.
ReplyDelete2. A dip will always occur. Not in our school parking lot with the big loud trucks, but with anything we do. Yes, I can dedicate my life to getting better at hitting a little yellow ball, but no matter what there will be a 10 year old girl out there that can beat me 6-0 6-0. Losing to an eighth grader last year at state taught me the lesson of what my priorities should be. Time to move on and find something productive to do :)
#2 is awesome. You have to share that in class tomorrow. I wish others had similar epiphanies to that!
Delete1. My favorite thing that Seth Godin said was about his blog. He has the 12th most popular blog and it doesn't even phase him for a second. The fact that he has a Ton of followers isn't what's important to him. Obviously he thinks its great, but he doesn't focus on how many people follow him at all. The only thing he focuses on is inspiring others by being himself. That's pretty awesome.
ReplyDelete2. The other thing Seth Godin said that really made an impression was the truth about "mediocrity." You wouldn't want an average meal, so why would you want to be an average person? Only talented people fret about mediocrity. If you have the potential to be great, why settle for so much less. Seth Godin says to be the greatest person you can and strive for excellence. Mediocrity is for losers.
"Normal is merely average" - Shawn Achor
Delete"Average if officially over" - Thomas Friedman
"Mediocrity is for losers" - SG
1. My favorite part, the part the got my atention, was when he was talking about medocrity. Everyone is always saying, "You're such an over achiever. Why would you do that extra work?" and I am over here like, "I want a job; I want to be the first pick. I am creating opportunies for myself" I hate when people tell me that because, yes, it is more work, but it has always paid off. I'm not trying to impress somebody half of the time, I am doing it for myself, and it just so happens that I stand out.
ReplyDelete2. This goes along with my second observation. He does not look at his stats. We spend so much time focusing on what others think. We push ourselves to be what we think everyone else wants us to be. My grandma is always telling me I need to add all these majors to my degree because they go along with what I already want to do. That's great and all, but this isn't her degree, it is mine. It is my life, that I get to plan, that I have to live. It is not hers. Do things for yourself, not others, and ultimiately, you become you and you find yourself.
Well put. It doesn't hurt to look at different majors or consider them, but ultimately you only have so much time and so much energy so much attention. I think Godin would say there isn't such a thing as 'too much work' when it comes to doing what is important or good for you.
DeleteLooking at things as 'too much work' leads to mediocrity. And as Godin puts it so well, "mediocrity is for losers."
1. Seth hit the nail right on the head when he talked about the average carpet cleaner. We as a society never want anything average. Teachers don't want to teach all of the average students, nobody wants an average cell phone, and nobody wants an average car. It seems like everything has to be above and beyond average.
ReplyDelete2. I wish I had Godin's drive. If my blog was the 12th most popular in the world, I would be pumped. Godin just wants to make it his own and not make it like everybody else's blog. His uniqueness is what makes it popular
I can't wait to see what you think about some of the things Godin has to say about being driven. What he does, he would say, isn't anything really remarkable. It's not something we all couldn't do if we decided to do. That's remarkable.
DeleteWith that forewarning, here's a bootsrapper's/marketer's/enterpreneur's/fast-rising executive's effort diet. Go through the list and decide whether each item is worth it. Or make up your own diet. Effort is a choice, so at least make it on purpose.
1. Delete 120 minutes a day of "spare time" from your life. This can include watching TV, reading a newspaper, commuting, wasting time in social networks, and going to meetings. Up to you.
2. Spend the 120 minutes doing this instead:
* Exercise for 30 minutes.
* Read relevant nonfiction (trade magazines, journals, business books, blogs, etc).
* Send three thank-you notes.
* Learn new digital techniques (spreadsheet macros, Firefox shortcuts, productivity tools, graphic
design, HTML coding)
* Volunteer
* Blog for five minutes about something you learned.
* Give a speech once a month about something you don't currently know a lot about.
3. Spend at least one weekend day doing absolutely nothing but being with people you love.
4. For one year, spend money on only the things you absolutely need to get by. Save the rest of your
money. Relentlessly.
If you somehow pulled this off, then six months from now, you would be the fittest, best-rested, most intelligent, best-funded, and most motivated person in your office or your field. You would know how to do things that other people don't, you'd have a wider network, and you'd be more focused.
It's entirely possible that this effort won't be sufficient and you will continue to need better luck. But it's a lot more likely that you'l get luck, I bet.
1. I liked how he starts. Saying that no one WANTS to be average or have average things. We want to be better than the person next to us. He points out that if we had a position open and five applicants, we wouldn't pick the average one. We would pick the best one! He also says that we never would recommend an average carpet salesmen. Same thing! No one wants average anymore.
ReplyDelete2. I like how he tied the average stuff in with the being unique stuff. How the successful people are the ones that strive to be excellent. They don't just stop after one dip, they go seek more! The more dips you have been through, the more you can better yourself. His blog is not like any others, because he made it his own. He didn't listen to other people and got twitter, or do videos, or whatever else. He stuck to this one thing, and now he is great at it. Number 12 in the world is pretty good! Because he didn't have all those other distractions, from trying to please others, he was able to focus on what he wanted to do.
3. I don't know if this counts, but I couldn't stop observing his forehead wrinkles. Hahahahhahahaha
I didn't notice the wrinkles! Ha ha. Great points about being average.
DeleteThink of this - if teachers could select their own students for an 'all star' class, which students would make it? Why?
I bet they'd look for remarkable features about each student (at least I know I would). I'd look for the students who don't just get good grades or 'do school.' I'd look for the students who are great at discussing and having debates or who can apply what we read to the real world.
In doing this, I'd be looking for one made each of my students stand out. That's the importance of standing out.
1. I really liked the part about Google and Yahoo. Goole is the clear winner in terms of search engines. Yahoo and MSN throw in a bunch of weather, sports, finance, and celebrity gossip when you are just searching for one thing. Google is one of the last real search engines.
ReplyDelete2. I also really like the part about mediocrity. If you wouldn't like a present to be mediocre, why would you be a mediocre person? If you have the ability to be amazing at something, why wouldn't you? Don't settle for anything less than the best.
You hit the nail on the head with the Google example. Some might do it 'better' than Google (and by that I mean offer more information or search options or other features), but for a simple search, nothing beats Google. I mean it's even become a verb now! Great point.
DeleteThe thing that really stuck out to me was that he said "You don't have to like my blog." That is true about everything each individual does. If in everything you do you try to please everyone, then it is not your own work. It's bits and pieces of other people as well. The point is to create your own projects and feel good to know it came from your own thoughts. I just liked how he said that it is his blog, not theirs.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how he said he isn't into the statistics of his blog. That shows that he is genuine about his reasons for creating his blog. Too many people today only do things because it will make them look good, that's a problem. Like he said, he does this to help other people, and the email's showing that people appreciate his blog are what get him out of bed. He isn't only doing it for himself or because it looks good, but for the happiness it brings other people.
Being liked isn't vital. After all, if you devote all of your energy to being liked, you're sure to anger someone else. You just can't win. So Godin argues that you should just cut your loses and work to please yourself or do what you want.
DeleteIn terms of writing, to connect this to class, that's where I find students often do their best writing. They're not trying to please me (that almost always produces bad writing). Instead, they are just writing for themselves. When they do this the voice is always genuine and clear. And I love that about student writing.
As for your second point, my former advisor in college loves to golf. Despite working at it, he's horrible. Whenever he can get someone to golf with him, which rarely happens because he's so bad, they always remark about how terrible he is. But he doesn't care. He doesn't spend time trying to live up their expectations or to lower his score. He just loves to tee off and hit the ball. He isn't worried about looking foolish. He just loves to take his stress out on the course. And he loves doing it.
1. I like the example of using Google to represent a company's ability to stand out from their competitors. Google is always innovating by creating new services and products such as Google glass. They show that when companies are always trying to move forward, they can go to the top.
ReplyDelete2. The way he makes sure not to focus on becoming popular is really great. He makes the blog for himself and feels that if he is helping other people with it, that is just a bonus to him. Some people seem to focus too much energy on being popular and don't try to get better in other regards. Its like in the book Freakonomics when they talk about some black cultures not encouraging kids when they do well in school due to it making them seem like they are "acting white." His ability to just focus on working for himself rather than other people is very inspirational.
Great point with Google. Everything about them screams 'remarkable' and 'unique.' Like apple (by today's standards the first version of iTunes or even the iPod, were jokes. Google isn't afraid to fail or to quit what they don't think is working (just look at the uproar that is going on over Google's decision to stop Reader). The key is that Google is willing to do things differently (just look at some of their amazing logos over the years) and you'll see why. Great connection.
DeleteWhat makes his blog so good is it his own and he doesn't try to be like everyone else. To be successful at something a person needs to avoid focusing on everything else and just focus on that one thing. Olympic athletes are a perfect example of this, they have one dream that they focus on and then they go accomplish it.
ReplyDeleteThis really got me reflecting on my own life, I'm involved in a ton of activities. I think this is my greatest downfall because I'm trying to do a million different things but they're all just average when I complete them. If I just focused on one thing I could truly create something great: quality over quantity.
Blake,
DeleteYou'll have plenty of time in college to focus on that one thing. And it's a good thing to learn now.
1. I like how he explains that people aren't going to pick the mediocre choice. But if you think about it, if everyone is avoiding the "mediocre" choice than they are going to pick greater choices, but then someone else is going to chose and even better choice than that one and eventually the idea of "mediocre" is going to be changed--I think a good example of showing this is evolution of technology.
ReplyDelete2. While listening to this and his short mention on what to do as a businessman, all I could think about was Enchantment. Now that I have read that book, I am constantly recognizing ways it is reflected in my life today and this is yet another one of those moments.
Bring your first point up in class tomorrow. That needs more discussion. Many people (including Don Tapscott, who we will look at later) believe raising the 'average' or 'mediocre' standard would be a great thing. Kind of like if the average ACT score went from 20 to 26.
DeleteAnd as for #2 - it's all about connecting the dots (not collecting them). Great connection.
1. I find it interesting that Seth Godin says he doesn't care how many people visit his blog. All he wants is that his blog stays his. It struck me as cool that he doesn't care what other people think, he just wants to stay the way he is. If he is not popular, its ok with him.
ReplyDelete2. I also liked the way he describes how people and companies can be successful. They don't have to conform to what other people or companies are doing, they just have to stick out, be unique, and be memorable. I have never thought about success before this way and I found it very insightful.
Godin would argue that in this incredibly connected (Friedman would say "flat") world the only way to truly stand out and get noticed is not to try and be another Wal-Mart or Target. Instead, the way to stand out is to be a local business that is super-specialized (this is what Godin means by the world being both bigger than ever and smaller than ever), such as the Two Fools winery or the local wood carver who sells his bear statues at art festivals and on ebay).
Delete1. It think a great downfall to society in this age is that we accept medocrity. Like Godin says you cannot strive to be mediocre, because then you go no where. Society wants the easy way out. Godin is telling us to not just do something to get it done but make it the best you can.
ReplyDelete2. I also think they way Godin handles his blog is spot on. That you don't need to have the newest, best or most expensive thing to be known. It is about people believing in your work and then telling others about you. The most original is going to be the one that sticks out not the most flashy.