ATLANTA, GA -- Today was not my best day, performance-wise. Nothing really bad happened and I'm not bummed out. But for no particular reason I simply felt like my timing was off. Maybe this has happened to you if you are in sales -- or are a job candidate. Your conversations seem forced. You're trying too hard.
Conversations get that "forced" feeling when you are too busy thinking about what you are going to say rather than listening to what is being said. If you are getting ahead of yourself in a conversation, rest assured that you are already way ahead of the person with whom you are communicating.
People can tell when they're being tuned out, even if they never mention it. Later they might say to their friends "That guy seems self-absorbed ..." or "That guy is full of himself." And they're right to say that.
So I know what needs to happen. My reputation wasn't built in one day. Nor will it be destroyed in one day -- and neither will yours. I simply need to ask good questions tomorrow and listen critically to the answers. It's not rocket surgery. It's empathy, and it's central to a meaningful existence.
The Five O'clock Epiphany
As I sat in the 5pm carpool line to pick up my kid from school, I reflected on my scatter-brained, low-octane day. And I considered the risks of self-employment. "What if tomorrow is the same? What if ...?"
Then I had a moment of clarity: Statistically speaking, even on my worst day I am more experienced and more passionate and more focused than the average marketing recruiter. The key word here is "average" -- and I never said "talented."
So just by showing up, there's a good chance that I'm going to be no worse than average. "Shoot to get hot; shoot to stay hot," as Larry Bird once said. In fact, the only way I can fail is to simply not show up at all.
That's right. If I stop trying and pack it all in, then I fail. Otherwise, I'll fair no worse than any of my less experienced, less passionate, and less focused competitors. It has nothing to do with talent. It has everything to do with showing up and giving it my best shot, for God's sake.
It seemed to make sense tonight when a candidate new to the job search called me to apologize for blowing a phone screen. His confidence was shaken. "What if the next one is the same?" he asked.
Funny you should ask. See you tomorrow.
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