Category: books

Podcast Of The Week: Maria Bamford Is Back (New Book + Conan)

Maria Bamford’s You Are A Comedy Special was my top non-business business book of 2020.  Her new book, Sure I’ll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere is out now so she’s doing some book promo spots. Her interview on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend didn’t disappoint. This … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Maria Bamford Is Back (New Book + Conan) →

Progress Over Perfection

In Steve Willison’s book, Prospering,* he keeps coming back to the expression, Progress over perfection.  So simple, so important.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to keep moving forward.  And it will keep moving forward with or without you.  So maybe you want to roll with it.  https://youtu.be/9TlBTPITo1I?si=nzAUZhZY9xixoJg6 *Prospering is one of … Continue reading Progress Over Perfection →

Sunday Music: Jawbreaker’s Limited Abilities On Unlimited Enthusiasm

Dan Ozzi’s book, SELLOUT: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007), is so much more than a trip down memory lane for an 80’s/90’s alternative music fan.  There’s generational theory here, and I’m not sure which book I want to relate it too, but there is a parallel version of … Continue reading Sunday Music: Jawbreaker’s Limited Abilities On Unlimited Enthusiasm →

The Time I Got A High School Paper Extension In A Bar: The Fourth Turning (But Not In The Way You Think)

2-minute version first, 13-minute version below for those interested (and I’m disclaiming this for you sticklers!) I once got a high school term paper extension in a bar. It’s a great story. Partly because it’s just funny, and partly because it highlights what I view as one of the most valuable skills a person can … Continue reading The Time I Got A High School Paper Extension In A Bar: The Fourth Turning (But Not In The Way You Think) →

What’s Best For Your Customers Is… (Business Building Advice From Derek Sivers)

I’ve been arguing with a vendor over a nickel-and-diming type fee that they think we should just pass on to the end customers.  They’re not (completely) wrong. They have an understandable logic behind their decision and I can see why they’re pushing for it. Hrumph. Adult real worldy stuff, blah blah blah.  But I also … Continue reading What’s Best For Your Customers Is… (Business Building Advice From Derek Sivers) →

Podcast Of The Week: Rick Rubin And Rory Sutherland

How many times have I talked about Rick Rubin? Click here. One of my favorite producers of all time. The guy knows how to LISTEN. What about Rory Sutherland? Click here. One of my favorite marketers. Modern David Ogilvy. And a source of so much behavioral economics and evolutionary psychology - I so adore him. … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Rick Rubin And Rory Sutherland →

Stuck? The 7-Step “Unstuck Yourself” List (Via MBS)

A big idea and then “the seven questions Michael Bungay Stanier uses to get unstuck.” I’m preserving these here because when I’m facing too many choices OR can’t quite seem to get moving on what’s next, reading this list makes me feel like someone just loosened the lid on the ol’ pickle jar brain: Stuck … Continue reading Stuck? The 7-Step “Unstuck Yourself” List (Via MBS) →

What Does My Work Need Here (Asimov Edition)

You know all the ideas people have for you? And the sneaking suspicions you have about your own work?  Sometimes you need to listen.  Other times you need to put it all aside, And just do the work.  Think, make, ship.  Nothing happens without that last step.  On to the next one. Isaac Asimov almost … Continue reading What Does My Work Need Here (Asimov Edition) →

Using Motivational Interviewing In Service Jobs

How do you help people do things they want to do but aren’t yet doing?  Any “services” job is in the business of creating perceived value through actions. If you create more value than you cost, or at least the perception of it, you have a successful services-based practice.  But there’s this weird gap every … Continue reading Using Motivational Interviewing In Service Jobs →