Wisdom Roundup #3

Hi John,

a ton of insight in one small space–spiced with humor, laced
with vivid analogies, and the clues or reminders we all need in
this complex world.

thanks is not enough, cause this was gold!

Bob Beverley

P.S. As a psychotherapist, I sometimes ask myself “Why do I read so much marketing stuff?” And the answer is all over your post above. Marketing experts often have profound life insights, as
do therapists, only the writing of the marketer (esp. people of your quality) are usually far more succinct, colorful, eye
catching, and memorable, with way less jargon and academic meandering.

Never a “bad” post! I always enjoy reading what you have to say! Always some gold nuggets that resonate in an “I get it” kinda way!
Thanks.

This is great. Especially the part about “blindly rejecting the Other” which is very timely right now – and very easy to do – considering the political situation in the US. Thanks for posting!

Oh, man does this ring true…

“The world is divided into 3 groups: Those who know what they’re doing and do it well.

Those who don’t know what they’re doing, but figure it out.

And those who refuse to acknowledge they are incompetent maroons, yet insist on being in control.”

So many great tidbits of advice here, John. Thanks!

I enjoy reading your stuff so much that instead of casually reading I’ve actually typed out the last few posts as I’m reading them. I think I may have just used YOUR words to convince my own self to buy the SWS.

Good post, thanks:)

I learned a lot so far from your writings… also from the Gary Halbert letters, and a few select others.

Seems like you guys with the “old school” copy-tactics have got it down…

…I can get those “aha moments” where things just start to make sense while reading your words.

I remember when I bought your
“Kick ass copywriting secrets of a marketing rebel” book. It was like drinking from a fire hydrant. So much totally resonated with me, but I had to take my time, I had to read it several times, and still didn’t get everything.

Anyways, I dig your emails and posts

Matt

I’m lovin’ your little time trick and getting an extra day each week! Hahahaha

Hi John,

I really appreciate that you keep writing for those who are willing (or ready) to use the advice and clues.

Thanks.

Thanks for being that crazy helpful uncle with all the good advice. I’m going to drop this note here, since I am unable to comment on your FB stuff, ’cause we aren’t friends. Since you’ve been gathering your FB stuff here, I want to call attention to your recent post about writing our own obituaries. And few people “liked” it. I already assume you realize fear of death is the Real Thing. And everyone can see it directly behind the unwillingness to write a will. But sometimes fear of death drives those catastrophic business decisions that we made out of fear of failure. So what to do? In business techniques, there’s such a thing as identifying the worst outcome you will accept, and another thing called risk mitigation. Those won’t get you anywhere with the fear of death.
Enter Zen. Hundreds of years ago, Japanese warriors would use Zen to accept and contemplate their own death, not so they would make foolish mistakes on the field, but so they could avoid those foolish mistakes by remaining calm and clear headed in the thick of battle.
I’ve read enough of your stuff to get an idea that your invitation to write our own obituaries probably had two intentions: 1. to pull our future forward by writing out goals, and 2. to make a dent in the fear of death. That’s actually a nice sugar coated way to do it.

FWIW. I thought I’d share an executive summary of the Zen method. Maybe you can make something useful of it. This assumes the ability to actually sit still and quiet your mind.
1. Sit and quiet your mind.
2. Consider the fear of death. How does it make you feel? Feel it.
3. Now, completely welcome the fear of death. Feel it. Remain silent and sit.
4. Now, welcome death. Remain silent and sit.
5. Notice that you didn’t die. Remain silent and sit.
6. Eventually, you finish and get up.
A few episodes of that, and now I’n ready to write that obituary. And I’ll put some stuff in there that I haven’t accomplished, yet.

Is “cheers” inappropriate for such a downer topic?

–Bob
(I am not a Zen expert, I learned this from someone else.)

Ah, you got me! Can’t resist science or productivity!

Here we go…

“Today is Friday!”

Oops, it’s actually Friday.

“Today is Saturday!!!”

Hey! I already feel a little guilty for not having “earned” the weekend!

Thank you, John! I will play with this newfound time freedom, and try to make the most of my early weekend (or get a lot done to justify its existence)!

Didn’t know you were so 5D 😀

(Neck-deep in a “woo-woo” niche at the moment. Everyone on our list is so *enthused* and I guess it rubs off! You presentation might be a little “masculine” for them, so… I am glad I can serve as a filter and help distribute these gems to the next gen! You rock, John!!!)

Andy

Hey John,

I’ve been sitting at my desk nodding furiously to myself at your first point.

After all, it’s my single biggest pet-hate. And it’s made me feel better knowing it’s not just my work clients change; it happens to the great John Carlton, too!

Like you said, imagine stopping a dentist midway through drilling your tooth and telling him he’s doing it wrong? Madness.

(Although I’ve just realized it might be difficult to tell him anything with a drill stuffed in your mouth… Moving on…)

It’s an interesting point you make about introverts.

I’d describe myself as an “extroverted-introvert.”

Other people think I’m as extroverted as they come. When I’m out, I love mingling and talking with people.

However, I’m most happy in my own company either reading or writing. In all honesty, I’ve had to learn the social aspect of things. I can’t say I’m naturally comfortable with it, but, as you say, the world tends to bully introverts in most other categories bar writing.

Which is why I thought it was important to “learn” the extrovert way of life.

Anyway, fantastic read John. And gave me a good laugh, too.

Cheers,

Tom Andrews