Adam Street's Blog
The spiritual and practical path to freedom to do your art

Coaching and the Elephant in the room

I remember when I wanted to start coaching.  I thought…

I’m good with relationships, communication, and helping people solve problems. 

Did I mention I am a fantastic listener?

But sooner or later I had to acknowledge the elephant in the room.  I had no idea how or where to start. 

Do I make a website?  Buy ads?  Annoy my friends with calls and emails like I just started selling Amway?

Years ago I would have done like Hermione Granger from Harry Potter and marched to the library—straight away!  Or to Google.…  But now that I’m older and wiser I’d say go to the “library” AND hire an expert.  

A lot of people talk about how CEOs make on average 200x more than the average American worker.  And this is due partly because they average reading 5 books a month.  This is true.  

You know what CEO’s also do?  They hire experts and consultants.  They network with other CEOs and attend about 8 seminars a year.  

I love books and the great ones are priceless but nothing compares to talking to a human being who understands where you are and can solve your problem in less than an hour.  

That’s the CEO playbook.  Learn from it.

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Adam

Adding flair, Jennifer Anniston style

The movie Office Space has so many hilarious moments.  One of my favorite scenes is when Joanna (Jennifer Aniston) gets lectured by her manager Stan for not having enough “flair”.  

Flair is little buttons and trinkets on their uniform.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you can see the scene here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vdcw415OcQ  

Here’s how their conversation went down:

Stan, Chotchkie’s Manager : Fifteen is the minimum, okay? It’s up to you whether or not you just want to do the bare minimum or…

Joanna : Okay. So you… you want me to wear more?

Stan, Chotchkie’s Manager : People can get a cheeseburger anywhere, okay? They come to Chotchkie’s for the atmosphere and the attitude. Okay? That’s what the flair’s about. It’s about fun. 

Joanna : Yeah. Okay. So more then, yeah?

Yaas, more flair Joanna!  

And the same is true for you too!  People can get your “hamburger” from anywhere.  The flair you bring to the party is what sets you apart.  

Jesse Cole who owns a minor league baseball team and more than one yellow tuxedo (cause you’d think one would be enough), said this in his book Find Your Yellow Tux.

“We have a responsibility to entertain our customers.  If you’re all about selling and nothing more, you’re going to lose out eventually.”  

Think about this…

How can you add more flair to your emails?  To the atmosphere you create?

Your processes…and your procedures?

To add more flair to your email  marketing subscribe to my daily email tips at https://adamstreet.net .

Adam “flair” Street

The first step to writing better emails

I was at the farmers market by my house, waiting to check out.  The lady directly ahead of me kept tinkering with her cell phone.  She’s lazily putting her stuff on the conveyor belt and I’m trying not to get frustrated. 

I look left.  I look right.  Yup. This lane is still probably the fastest option out.  

She finally starts moving forward with her items.  She’s not quick about it and I imagine she’d do it a lot faster if she stopped fiddling around with her phone.

Is she texting?  Is she on Facebook?  Who knows.  I wish she could get it together though because I’d really like to get outta here with my “two things”.  

Who is this lady?  She is most of the people that are looking at your emails (and social posts too for that matter).

We want to believe that our readers are at home opening our emails with undivided attention and discernment.  This was true in the 90’s maybe but that was a LONG time ago.  

Now when your list is reading your emails they’re in line at the bank, grocery store, or at the gym.  Or worse they’re ‘reading’ while they’re texting and watching YouTube.  Or driving!!!

Your first step to writing better emails is understanding that the people who will read them are more ADHD than Hammy from the movie Over The Hedge.  Hammy is loving and adorable but a tough nut to crack with average emails.

Better to put in the work using a little flash and Blockbuster Storytelling to capture Hammy’s focus than to make believe your reader is some unicorn that’s giving your email her undivided attention.

To learn how to write captivating emails (even for ‘Hammy’s’ at the grocery store), subscribe to my newsletter at https://adamstreet.net for daily emails.

Adam

Labor Day on purpose

Yesterday me and my mom were discussing Labor Day and phone calls.  I explained to her why I can only be reached by phone about 20-60 minutes a day.  

When I work I don’t answer the phone.  

When I’m not working I’m relaxing, so I don’t answer the phone. 

When I’m with my kids I’m being a dad and I don’t answer my phone.  

If I’m eating, I can’t be talking.  So you guessed it, I don’t answer my phone.

I enjoy talking.  I enjoy working (hell, I’m writing this on Labor Day) but I don’t enjoy multi-tasking and not giving a task or client my all.

But this doesn’t happen on accident.  It’s all done on purpose and with intention.

I hope you enjoy your Labor Day on purpose and however you see fit.

Make it the best,

Adam

Trapped in the Matrix of Imposter Syndrome

Yesterday this new coach was talking about getting her business going.  Ideally she was having a bit of Imposter Syndrome.  

Ah yes, I remember those days.  When I started I thought I had to be as good Denis Waitley or Mark Victor Hansen or why even bother…  Luckily, that ship has sailed!  

Like in the Matrix, I consider those red pill/blue pill moments.  Take the red pill and learn how to be a better coach, marketer, and entrepreneur or take the blue pill and live my life like Servpro, ‘like it never happened.’ 

Luckily I unknowingly applied what Richard Koch talks about in his book Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It.  

Koch says we all must have self-belief for success.  Some folks start out with it and some of us have to develop it.  If you’re lacking in it he recommends:

  • Searching for transforming experiences. 
  • Attract well-deserved praise; develop a breakthrough achievement
  • Narrow your focus until your work is unique and you’ve defined your destination 

Even something as simple as positive feedback from others makes a difference. 

Steve Jobs was adopted.  His adopted parents made it clear to him that “we specifically picked you out.”  From that moment on Jobs’ posture was, ‘I’m special.’

And that is my posture.  We are special!  Just like Neo, Just like Luke Skywalker.  Every day we have the option of taking the blue pill but we don’t.  We take the red pill to live our hopes and dreams to the fullest knowing there will be ups and downs. 

“Magic is believing in yourself.  If you can do that, you can make anything happen.” —Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

To learn how to stand out and connect with your clients using e-mail marketing go here and start receiving my free daily e-mails:  https://adamstreet.net

Adam

P.S.  If you’re not familiar with red pill/blue pill… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_pill_and_blue_pill