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Why I Colored My Hair

I did the unthinkable. I colored my hair. I mean in all transparency I have been doing it for a number of years to hide the gray, but yesterday, I went almost blonde.

I know many of you are thinking " He must be having a midlife crisis and that very well be the case. I even had calls from some of my friends and clients asking what was I doing to my brand. I mean I've built this "super classy, executive grown and sexy brand."

Now, In the beginning it was great to portray this image. Well, the real crisis for me is that most of my life I have been imprisoned by the "brand". I always thought about the brand before I made any moves. Now, don't get me wrong, I still believe that your personal brand is important.

Here is the kicker. The revelation if you will. I realized, that "I am" the brand. In other words, my personal brand has to align with me, and not me align with the brand.

I was sitting with my team a few days ago, and I started asking the question, Who Are We and What Do We Do? What is Our Vision? I mean, I knew who I was last year but this is a new company with a new direction.

After much deliberation we came up the vision statement. The Vision of ByrdOlogy is... Disrupt The STATUS QUO!!!

Well, that has been pounding in the belly for the last week. Disrupt the STATUS QUO. So that is what I did. I disrupted my status quo. I stepped out on a limb.

How can I disrupt the status quo for my clients, if I am not willing to try something totally different and out of my own comfort zone. You know what - It feels phenomenal out here on the outside of my comfort zone. I am creating more. I have a different view of my company and life.

While I am not advocating you coloring your hair, I am advocating that you push yourself. Push yourself to look at things from a different perspective. More importantly, I am advocating that you not allow yourself to be the Status Quo.

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9 EASY-TO-STEAL HABITS OF THE SUPER SUCCESSFUL

WE WISH THERE WAS A HANDBOOK FOR SUCCESS, BUT THERE ISN'T. HERE'S THE NEXT BEST THING: A LIST OF WAYS YOU CAN REALIZE YOUR DREAMS--AND BE A MORE PRODUCTIVE PERSON IN THE PROCESS.

Wouldn't it be great if success was simple?

But it isn't.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer for success in work and life, but we will do our best to steer you in the right direction.

Here's a list of helpful habits of some highly successful--and wildly productive--people to get your started. On your mark, get set, and...

GET UP INSANELY EARLY

It sounds scary, we know, but consider what would happen if instead of watching reruns of bad movies at night, you went to bed at a reasonable hour, thus allowing yourself to wake up early and be SUPER productive?

Waking up before anybody else allows you to work out the logistics of the day to come, track your time, and (most importantly) unplug for a few hours.

Take Paul Dejoe, who gets up at 4 a.m. (you heard that right) for maximum productivity:

What I was depriving myself from was time in the day where there was no pressure and no expectations. For the same reasons that I felt most creative on Saturday mornings and on planes, 4 a.m. has become a place of productive peace. That feeling is why I love what I do. I don't need a vacation. I don't need to step away. I just need a couple hours a day before anyone else is up.

After all, the early bird catches the worm--and much more, apparently.

KEEP PROMISES, NO MATTER HOW SMALL

Talk is cheap and meaningful customer relationships are built on promises. Same goes for your personal life, right?

Well, maybe.

Success is built on mutually trusting relationships with just about everybody. If you say you're going to walk the office dog? Well, you'd best walk the office dog.

LEARN HOW TO TELL STORIES

You want to be successful in life, but you don't have a job, or you're looking for a new one. The first step to nail that dream job? Learn how to tell a great story--starting with your interview.

Big companies know storytelling is the secret weapon to "branding." Why? Because people don't fall in love with data dumps and PowerPoint slides--they are moved by emotions.

And for those looking to be in charge, the best--and most memorable--way to make an impact and stick in people's minds is to ditch the small talk, and learn how to unspool meaningful narratives.

Want to get started? Here's how, straight from a master of improv.

See the rest on Fast Company Click Here

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GoodBye Time Warner Cable ( Why I Shut off My Cable)

Yes I did it. I finally turned off the cable in our house. Why you asked? Well it was a myriad of reasons. And I will list them.

  1. The family really doesn't watch that much TV- it usually watches us;
  2. I felt the need to study and read more (miss that reading);
  3. We have Netflix.com subscription (takes care of movies and some series )
  4. We have  Hulu.com and Youtube.com;
  5. This will force me write more without distractions;
  6. Youngest son grades have been slipping. (See above - less distractions);
  7. The cable bill was topping $200.00 a month- Money can be invested elsewhere for better return;
  8. Hoping it will promote more family time;
  9. Hoping it will promote more family conversation; and
  10. WE JUST NEED A CHANGE.

I think we as a people have created too many "got to have" necessities. I have been for the last few years simplifying my life. Getting rid of some of the constant distractions. This will give us a time to be creative with out talking heads and people yelling at us all the time.  Well, we will see how this experiment goes. I will keep you posted.  What have you cut out of life in the last year or so?  Tell us what and why.

J. Richard Byrd

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TOP Productivity Apps for Busy Leaders

FREE REPORT: Download my TOP Productivity Apps for Busy Leaders …

Easy to use, highly-effective and straight to the point apps - these are the ones I use everyday to run my successful business.

Efficiency is the name of the game. Check It Out... Click on this post and download the report — it’s totally FREE!

[button href="https://www.jrichardbyrd.com/productivityapps" primary="true" centered="true"]Download Now[/button]

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Lesson Number Three: You Have to Swing to Get a Hit

It was little Joey's first season in Little League Majors. He was only 10, but he was facing pitchers two years older and 20 pounds heavier than he was, and it showed. Being a smart, if not big, kid, he figured he'd play it safe. He knew that even though they were much more experienced than he was, many of the pitchers couldn't throw consistent strikes. If he just stood there and didn't swing, maybe he'd get lucky and get walked.

His first time up to bat, it worked. After three balls and two strikes, the pitcher threw a fourth ball for a walk. He was on base, and he even managed to score a run when the kid behind him hit a home run.

His strategy worked so well, he decided to try it again the next time he was up. This time, he made it to a full count again, but the sixth pitch was a called strike, and he walked back to the dugout for an out. Still, he was one for two for getting on base.

The next inning was about the same -- he stood there as three straight strikes went right by him. He was out again. Still, scoring one run in his first Major League game wasn't too bad -- was it?

After the game, the coach went over everyone’s batting average. Joey was a little surprised when the coach read his name aloud and said, “Zero.” Zero? How could you have a “zero” batting average? Hadn’t he scored a run? His coach saw the confusion and hurt on his face, and after the treats had been handed out, he pulled the little boy aside. “Coach,” said Joey. “I don’t understand. How do I have zero?”

The coach put his arm around Joey’s small shoulders and leaned in close. “Son, you have to swing to get a hit.”

You have to swing to get a hit. Those words reverberated in Joey’s brain. Maybe it wasn’t enough to get on base just because the pitcher threw balls. Maybe he did have to take a risk to get in the game.

You know how the story ends – the next game, Joey went in there swinging. Over the course of the season, he hit some, he got out some, he missed some. But he never forgot his coach’s wise words: You’ve got to swing to get a hit.

The same is true in business. Sure, you can score every once in a while because your competition is so bad that customers will choose anything else. But to really be a superstar and make something happen, you’ve got to get a hit. And to get a hit, you have to swing. It’s as simple as that.

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Why I Use a Content Creation Calendar

As the owner of a small business, with a small team of employees, I am often interrupted from my pre-planned schedule. Having a content creation schedule allows me to stay on track even when my daily schedule goes off track.

For example this morning, I went into my office with all intentions of completing my work load. Well, as luck would have it, I receive a phone call, pertaining to a family emergency. While an emergency, it did not require I leave immediately to take care of it. But it was an emergency enough that it threw off my game plan.

If you are like me, I am sometimes so programmed in my head for what I am going to do and complete in a given time. When I am thrown off that game plan, I find myself just floating in the wind. Well this is what happened on today. My mind was so consumed with the information I had received, that I just sat there looking at a blank screen wondering what I was supposed to do.

This is where the content calendar plays its biggest part. With one glance at the calendar I could see that today I am supposed to create 5 blogs on 5 subjects. That was enough to get the ball rolling and get my day back on track. Not only did it get me back to writing, but the writing eased my mind. That truly saved my day.

Are You Using a Content Creation Calendar and if so please share.

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Lessons from My Grandfather

Dear Clients and Friends,

As many of you know my grandfather has been in hospice for about 6 weeks now. In fact for many of those weeks we moved our offices to the hospice to take care of him. On last Tuesday morning he transitioned to glory. My grandfather Olin Clark was an integral part of my life. Many times the only man and role model I had growing up. For the first third of my life I remember spending every Saturday night as his house bouncing on his knee. He taught me how to skin a rabbit, clean fish, and even got me to eat possum (one time only). Boy he liked to eat.

After we moved away, I remember coming back home and cooking him fried green tomatoes. When my grandfather came to live with my family about 10 years ago, it was then I learned some of my life's most valuable lessons. I will share a few with you.

Continue reading "Lessons from My Grandfather"

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Have One Last Summer Fling

The beauty of being an entrepreneur is that you are in control of your own destiny. But that can make it really, really difficult to take time away from the computer or office to let your hair down, relax, and have some fun. If you're like most entrepreneurs, you travel with an iPhone in one hand and a laptop in the other, and even when you should be relaxing, you're responding to emails and checking statistics.

That level of dedication to your work is commendable, but it's also dangerous. If you never slack off, you're in danger of burning out, losing perspective, or alienating the people in your life, none of which is helpful for long-term success. The lazy, crazy days of summer are a perfect time to get in one last fling before school starts and business picks up again.

Can't get away for a week-long retreat? Never fear. Here are some ways to enjoy a mini-fling:

Turn off the cell phone. The smallest move you can make with the biggest impact is simply unplugging yourself. Take mealtime off, at a minimum, particularly when you are dining with friends or family. Carving out a few periods during your day when you can relax completely will have untold benefits on your relationship, as well as your stress level.

Do something different. With tough economic times, everyone has been touting the benefits of “staycations,” when you enjoyed all the attractions your immediate vicinity has to offer without getting on a plane or staying in a hotel. Continue in that vein by visiting a local park or museum, or trying a new restaurant you've never visited. Even venturing down a different street or checking out a new grocery store can have benefits in terms of opening your eyes and enhancing your creativity.
Make a new friend. If most of your personal interactions take place around answering your door to the UPS man, you need to expand your social circle. Make it a goal to create a new relationship, work-wise or otherwise. Attend a meet-up in your area, join an online networking group, or just chat up an interesting looking person at the dog park. People matter, and they can be your biggest source of pleasure and refreshment.

Cross something off your bucket list. Always wanted to jet ski? Dreamed for years of speaking French? Have a soft spot for authentic Indonesian cuisine? Pick one of your life goals (preferably one that has nothing to do with your work) and get started. Realizing that there is more to life than your computer will energize you and make your work all the more effective.

You may not be able to take off to Baja in a VW bus with a surfboard strapped to the top, but you can still enjoy these last days of summer. Life's short; enjoy it.