originality

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Rush Limbaugh

Talk about a controversial figure. Forget that he has rabid fans and harsh opponents, because Rush is far more than that. He has people who cannot stand him yet agree with his views, and people who love his personality yet disagree with him on so many levels.

His willingness to stand for what he believes in is what has brought him his success. He is has the most-listened to radio show in the USA. He released a pair of #1 best-selling books in the 90's. It's the kind of success so many dream about.

It also stands in his way of some things in life.

Rush was dropped from a group of investors looking to buy the St. Louis Rams NFL franchise. On the surface it makes little sense. Limbaugh was a minority investor, not the leader of the group, and would not have much power over the Rams.Read more

As TechCrunch’s TC50 conference wrapped up the buzz was about how weak this year’s group of companies were. The judges, the writers, and everyone in attendance was wondering, “Where were the earth changing companies?”

TechCrunch made post after post asking this very question. Top to bottom, they wrote about how unimpressed their panel of judges were over this year’s crop.

Which leads me to ask TechCrunch one thing: uh, why didn’t you pick better companies?

There’s nothing respectable about pointing out how bored the judges were over your fifty chosen finalists. You picked them, remember? You’re the reason they were on stage strutting their stuff. Every step of the way you stomped on them. Were you hoping people would forget YOU are the sole reason these particular 50 companies were on stage presenting?Read more

Ever had to fly by the seat of your pants?

Winging it, or taking action without preparing for the situation you’re in, is both fascinating and frightening. In amazing moments, winging it will open up doors no one knew existed. Other times you will mishandle what you’re doing and it will blow up in your face, knocking you back 20 feet before your head smacks the ground and you utter a few choice curse words as you begin to get up and try to pick shrapnel out of your leg.

So why is winging it both great and able to create a near-death experience? Can’t we say “yes” or “no” to winging it?

Think of a situation (or three) where winging it was the difference between topping the world and mediocrity. Find any similarities, any constant factors? There are two to consider if winging it is an option or a path to disaster.Read more

What would you rather be, a person of great experience or a person with endless creativity?

I’m going with creative on this one. Give me original ideas over a book of facts any day.

The title of this blog is from a Paul Arden book, It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be. Paul Arden had a fantastic mind for marketing and advertising. The first half of the book I mentioned focuses on the how and why of creating ideas before going into business advice. It’s a fast read and he makes some fantastic points on originality and creativity.Read more