Two of my favorite entrepreneurs in the world are Amit Gupta of Photojojo fame and Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity.

A while back, Amit authored the fantastic Photojojo book and took on cancer for himself and thousands of others (an absolute hero).

This past week, Chris gave the world a fantastic gift when he published The $100 Startup. It may be one of the more important business books you’ll read in our times.

I’ve read it personally and think it’s one of the most elegant, accessible, inspiring and clear articulation of what is possible for upstarts. It’s one of those “every once in a while…” books that gives you the chance to change everything.

That is of course, if you get it and read it and put it to work.

Chris also happens to be my guest this week on Fast Track Coaching. I hope you’ll join us. Get your free ticket here.

Order your copy of $100 Startup here.

Better Together…

- Dane

I think we’d be smart as professional photographers to learn all we can from the new music industry.

Despite those who’ve declared music dead, I’d say that – based on results – their industry is actually in resurrection mode right in front of our eyes. I think musicians are also in front of photographers by a good bit since digital commoditized them first.

Might there be something we could learn about how they are reinventing their ecosystem?

This past weekend I had the chance to hang out at Coachella (ah-mazing by the way) – perhaps the front edge of live music (it’s a music festival with about a dozen live and several other highly interactive music related activities going on simultaneously in a massive open field) and a great environment to observe what could be our future, if we choose it.

So, here is what struck me this weekend…

First, in the music industry (just like the photography industry), standouts are (still) standouts.

What I mean by that is the real talent are working harder than ever and are getting rewarded for it. Those that just “call it in” no matter how skilled they are musically are talked about in the crowd as arrogant and irrelevant.

Application: how hard are you (am I) at giving the entirety of our profession our A-Game? Seems that’s the first thing. If we want a shot, we better be giving it all we got.

Second, the best musicians (just like photographers) are head down working at their craft AND their platform now more than ever. And they sure seem to be getting rewarded for it.

Application: If you were to measure your time, how “head-down” are you (am I) these days? More concerned with drama online or getting busy creating? Focus seems key.

Third, consumers will pay to be moved emotionally and to get access to talent. Do even some rough and conservative math at a place like Coachella and it becomes immediately evident people are getting compensated.

Application:Creating a great experience (in their case music, performance and brand… in our case photographs, customer service and brand) and then embedding that experience in real products (in their case souvenirs, t-shirts, merchandise and music – downloable AND analog… in our case prints, albums and photographs – downloadable AND printed) are mutually critical.

Finally, finding internal integrity is the trump card that makes talent, talented. My hunch is the same is true for anyone who creates for a living.

Application: Are you in alignment with what you are made to do (am I)? If not, I think we’d be wise to take pause, re-calibrate and go again.

What does your hunch tell you?

Normal.

When you decide to be a runner there are a couple things you should not be surprised by as you actually get into the game… that is, when you get beyond the buying of the shoes, the picturing the finish line, the dream of being in shape. Here are a couple that came up for me this morning…

The first mile is almost always rough.

Quick start followed by feeling great (for a moment) followed by plehm, gasping, wanting to quit and slight irritations like earphones falling out, aches, pains or many other excuse to stop quick. No problem if you throw in the towel. Go for that coffee! Just know that you’ve transitioned from being a runner to being a latte drinker.

Ankles twist.

Some twists are serious. Some aren’t. Regardless of the severity it’s probably wise to stop, breathe, assess, make a decision on what you’re committed to relative to the obstacle that has come your way and find a way to keep going. It’s no problem if you cut your pace in half. It is a problem if you could keep going but call a cab to take you for the latte instead.

Hills.

Speaking of slowing down, that’s what “up hill” will do. Honestly though, real runners tend to relish hills. They’re the place where you can create separation from the competition the easiest. It’s also where people quit most often. It’s the wall that those who find a way through are rewarded for. What do you do when the hill shows up? It might just be opportunity knocking.

Rhythm.

I think the best part and least talked about benefit about becoming a runner isn’t the finish line at all. It’s the rhythm, the zone, the chance to align your cadence with your heart beat. It’s the one foot in front of another again and again (and again) and finding a sync with your soul. And it only comes to those who log the miles. And the fastest track I know to get that feeling is to hit the road right yesterday.

To complain about the challenges connected with any of these things just isn’t very helpful as a runner (or entrepreneur). To anticipate them is probably best… in fact, I say the hard parts are actually just markers indicating you’re heading in the right direction.

You are what you focus on.

This is good news actually… only tragedy is if you don’t take responsibility for what you choose to attend to.

So, whether you’re focusing on challenges in front of you, anxiety, obstacles, things you’re grateful for, visions of the future you’re dreaming of or taking action on the one thing needed to get you closer to making that vision a reality… you get to decide the things your mind nurtures and ultimately grows.

Not everyone believes this of course. Some think that the mind gets to go wherever it wants. And it will if you let it. Taking thoughts captive though is a power humans uniquely have. It’s just a muscle rarely exercised.

When you find yourself in conversations (with yourself or with others) that aren’t resourceful, feel the freedom to interrupt. The new perspective you choose to take just might redirect your entire trajectory.