Flashy, flashy...and flashy
Off to Blogher 2008 with some flashy, funky business cards...In the meantime, I'm reposting an article I originally submitted to www.alexshalman.com. Enjoy!
7 Reasons for Finding the Big Kid in You +1 Bonus
Have you ever been around kids either at a park, the mall, a soccer game and the person you're with voiced something along the lines of "Must be so nice to be so carefree and have no worries" or "At least they don't have a mortgage to pay for" or "I wish I was young again".
Be careful of this person. They have grown up. Chances are they are letting Life control them vs taking an active role and controlling their own life. Not only can you have as much fun as kids, you should be. Otherwise, you're missing out.
Sometimes it takes watching kids play to remind us of the Big Kid in all of us.
Here's 7 lessons kids can teach us and why they're important.
1. Laugh - Watch kids and you'll see they always have a big smile on their face. Why? Because they're having too much fun to think about the things that aren't good. If something isn't making them happy; simple, they change and move on to something else. They're too curious to allow themselves to get stuck. Kids are a great example of living in the moment. When we think too much about the past or worry to much about the future we stop living. Find something that makes you happy now.
2. Speak freely - The most fun part of talking to kids is the things that come out of their mouths. You never know what crazy things they'll say. Of course, in the workplace and as adults, there are limits but we should strive to be honest and straightforward. Have an opinion, and don't be afraid to express it -- within reason. We all know people who should have an "edit button". Find a balance.
3. Magical Thinking: Kids have a way of seeing and expressing things that Adults miss. A good example is the classic question "Is the glass half full, or is it half empty?" Ask a kid, and he may say "I don't know, I only drink bottled water." Or the little girl at the airport I saw a couple weeks ago. Her balloon had become untied from her wrist and floated to the airport ceiling. She asked "Dad, can you get my balloon please?" He said "Honey, I can't it's too high..." She responded, "Dad...step on your tippy toes...!" Kids aren't limited by their surroundings. Or by what they see. They think creatively. As Taco Bell says "Think outside the bun."
4. Be spontaneous - Mix it up and break free of your routine. My mother used to say "If you're bored, you're being boring". Get up off the couch, and do something! As kids we weren't allowed to watch TV. It didn't matter. We were too busy running around and inventing games. Same holds true for your work or relationships. Change it up. Ride your bike to work or make a list of the 3 Top Reasons you love your girlfriend/boyfriend and leave it on their car. Be sure and sign your name.
5. Take naps - If you can't take a nap, take breaks. Research has proven we are much more efficient when we take small breaks. Breaks refresh our minds. You may even surprise yourself by thinking of the answer to your problem while you're "breaking". On the other hand, taking lunch at your desk won't get your work done any faster and, besides, no one wants to smell your leftover tuna melt. Instead, get outside and take a walk. Read a book or magazine in an empty conference room. Take a nap in your car. Or, if you're really sneaky, go on-line and read Alex's latest post.
6. Don't take yourself so seriously - This one doesn't need much explanation. It's simple. No one wants to play with Mr. Perm-a-scowl.
7. Play - Look around. All the top earners are having the most fun. Look at Jay Leno or Ellen or John Chow. Check out the "How to get a Girlfriend" series Alex has started over at John Chow. Clearly, these guys are having fun -- and passing it along to YOU, their readers. And they're making money on-line doing it! Remember when you love what you do, it's no longer work. Feeling blocked? Start something. Take up cooking, start a blog, or upload a crazy video of yourself to Youtube and send it to your friends. Action brings clarity. Start doing something and the rest will come. Above all, have fun!
THE BONUS REASON:
8. Ask for money - Yes, I'm serious. Actually, it's not the money part that's important but the asking. You don't hear a kid say "Can I maybe have some money?" He speaks with conviction. "Mom, can I have some money now. Pleassse!!!!" Have that same conviction. Sell yourself. Today's world demands that you stand up and be heard. Just be sure there's a reason WHY we should be listening. Selling is playing creatively.
Final Thoughts:
Life is constantly sending us lessons. The next time you're at a restaurant and you get annoyed because the kid next to you is acting up, don't get upset.
He's probably having more fun than you. Perhaps, you need to order the chocolate brownie dessert and smear some on your face, too!
Play on!
-- PAPA
