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Balancing Act: The Newsletter (No. 224, April 2018) BALANCING ACT: BLENDING LIFE, WORK, AND RELATIONSHIPS® Balancing Act® is our registered trademark. You are encouraged to share the contents with others with appropriate attribution. Please use the ® whenever the phrase "Balancing Act" is used in connection with this newsletter or our workshops. Balancing act is in four sections this month: 1. Improving Your Day 2. Musings 3. The Human Condition: Resilience 4. ORTIYKMWOYBNT-O Department FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! YOU CAN FIND ME HERE: AND FIND ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RockStarOfConsulting Free consulting newsletter: The Million Dollar Consulting® Mindset: Listen to my new, free Podcast Series on iTunes or on ContrarianConsulting.com: The Uncomfortable Truth 
There was a psychological marketing study done years ago where 100 customers of Dunkin’ Donuts had their coffee paid for if they would patronize Starbucks for a solid month, while 100 Starbucks people had their coffee paid over at Dunkin’ Donuts. The point of the experiment was to see how many people from each group would join the other tribe permanently after the month was over and they were paying for their own coffee again. Not one person deserted to the other side on either side. The Starbucks people found Dunkin’ Donuts somewhat plebian, with plain countertops, utilitarian fixtures, no WiFi, and too much noise. The Dunkin’ Donuts people reported being terribly uncomfortable in a Starbucks environment in which they felt like they were intruding in someone else’s living room. They felt the surroundings were too quiet, too solemn, too precious. They didn’t find all of the confusing choices and language (“vente”) appealing. My colleague, Seth Godin, whose work I greatly respect, often speaks of “tribes” (whereas I speak of “communities”). I find tribes to be exclusionary, and communities to be inclusive. In this experiment, we can see two separate tribes, with their respective beliefs, totems, and customs. And the lesson here is this: If you want to expand your market and grow, don’t assume you can simply steal customers from competitors. If you’re selling wrenches, people may just want the cheapest, but they may also ask for a brand (e.g., Craftsman). But to what degree are Apple customers likely to switch to Samsung? Brand loyalty and brand experiences usually trump price differences and other incentives. My message to you here is this: We can all attempt to influence, cajole, and persuade. And there is no zealot like the converted (just ask St. Paul). But you are unlikely to win any arguments or persuade many people who have joined a political or social “tribe.” There are still people who believe in the Loch Ness Monster, even though the most explicable photo was exposed as a hoax on the perpetrator’s death bed. That tribe will not disband, no matter what the evidence is to the contrary. Choose your fights. Some people are willing to be convinced. But, many won’t abandon their tribal beliefs. Of course, in blind taste tests, no one can really differentiate between most coffees or most wines, or regular chicken and “free range” chicken, despite the prices. But that’s another story… 
Steven Hawking recently passed away at 76, having been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at 21 and told he had two years to live. I actually read his book, A Brief History of Time, and probably understood about 25% of it. There are people in my global communities who are dealing with grave illnesses, horrible losses, and painful decisions. I’ve known people who were bankrupt and who are quite successful today. I find it highly useful to consider my ills and grief and disappointments in light of what others are going through. When my twin granddaughters were born prematurely, just two weeks on the side of viable, I received letters and support from all over the world from parents and grandparents whose children survived such a birth. Richard Citrin and I wrote a book called The Resilience Advantage. You’d have to agree, I think, that Stephen Hawking was somewhat resilient! But so are people all around you who choose to overcome, bounce back, and persevere instead of becoming a perpetual “victim” or bemoaning their fate. We can simply “claim” or adopt resilience. We don’t need training programs or therapy, though they can help. It’s important to have a support structure and friendly ears. But, basically, we simply need to admit that “this, too, shall pass.” That applies to grievous loss, and most certainly to events like fender-benders, lost jewelry, a missed plane connection, and spilled wine. Hawking didn’t see any limitation to creating great work. He was in pain at times, but that didn’t matter. We’re all in pain at times, some minor, some severe, some brief, some long-term. We can’t escape the pain. But suffering is voluntary. 
I was rehearsing a keynote I was to give to the employees of the Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey many years ago. As I wandered the stage and the crew checked lighting and sound, I said into my live mike, “Why on Earth are there monitors flush with the stage? Whose design is this? If I’m not careful, I could put my foot right through one of the screens.” A disembodied voice from the booth called out, “Those are for Mr. Sinatra, who’s singing here tonight. His lyrics scroll on the screens so he doesn't forget them.” “Hell of a great idea!” I quickly yelled. 
Having problems viewing this email, click here. © Alan Weiss 2018 |
Balancing Act® is our registered trademark. You are encouraged to share the contents with others with appropriate attribution. Please use the ® whenever the phrase "Balancing Act" is used in connection with this newsletter or our workshops.
See Writing on the Wall, featuring Koufax the Wonder Dog.
If you ask for money, you’re like to get advice. But if you ask for advice, you’re likely to get money. Alan Weiss |
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