I am a sponge. I believe everything and everyone is presented for me to learn something.
Yesterday’s Super Bowl reminded me that there is no such thing as a good or bad decision, just whether it was the right decision for the moment. Sean Payton’s decisions to go for it on 4th and goal and do an on-side kick made a statement – he was behind his players. They were the right decisions for the moment. On the other hand, Tracy Porter’s interception in the fourth quarter, to paraphrase Malcolm Gladwell, is a testament that the willingness to take the greatest risk (and reap the greatest reward) is, at heart, instinctive.
The analogy for your creative business: there are times when your decisions set the tone for how you want yourself, your art an your business to be represented. And then there are times when you have to risk everything and live with the consequences.
Then there is Seth Godin’s new book, The Linchpin. His unyielding desire for all of us to make ourselves indispensible is reason enough to stop everything you are doing and read the book.
Wrap Seth and the Super Bowl with the new series, Undercover Boss, and it comes to me: the joy is doing the work, not the result; being an artist as much as creating art. If a Waste Management customer can come out and hug her garbage woman, a port-a-potty cleaner can radiate happiness and a woman can work four jobs in devotion to her family, then the purpose is not what it is that you are doing, but your intention behind the effort.
The humanity (i.e., the art) behind any endeavor is what will carry you and your creative business forward. Everyone is scared of something and the more you run from it, the more it becomes ingrained in you, your art and your creative business. However, if you do what you do from a place of conviction, you will give your employees and your clients the chance to embrace (and be irrationally loyal to) the art you create with and for them. Circumstance presents opportunities for decisions, it does not dictate them.
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Nice analogy. Well said.
Love it Sean! That episode of Undercover Boss really reminded me to take a step back and appreciate and value time spent with our clients. To remind ourselves of all the reasons we started our businesses but so often lose sight of in the day to day stresses. I’d love to hear how that company changes and see an update in six months.
Very well said, Sean. I absolutely believe in doing things from conviction. All too often there are forces that try to sway you or lower your standards. It’s in these times that it is important to remember what you stand for and follow through. A truly inspiring post.
I loved this article and everything about it. I couldn’t believe the superbowl when Payton tossed that interception…ugh. But it is what was meant to be. Both QB’s played with conviction and that’s all that mattered. In the end, I was so happy for New Orleans because the city embraces that team like no other. Even Obama agreed in his interview with Kaiey Couric that the spirit of the city has persevered a great tragedy. Now let’s uncover the genius behind that new show Undercover Boss….absolute great marketing for the person who got the spot immediately following the superbowl. It was all everyone was talking about by the watercooler the next day. Needless to say, this does make you take a step back and work with conviction and fire in everything you do….even the day to day admin tasks that are part of our creative businesses.
sean – great post! your higher level of thinking makes me happy! I need to tell you that I sent a quote to our entire team last night from your words…you can claim it as your new famous quote – a new motto for us – “do what you do from a place of conviction” – powerful words for a daily basis. Have a great one today!
“The humanity (i.e., the art) behind any endeavor is what will carry you and your creative business forward.”
It’s all about intention. Always.