Earlier tonight I decided to watch a keynote by Gary Vaynerchuk that I like to watch often as a source of motivation. I’ve watched this presentation when I’m tired in the middle of the night; when I miss being home while I’m 10,000 miles away from my fiance; when I’ve been stressed out before with projects; or when I’m busy trying to crush it and just want that extra little shove.
If you haven’t seen this keynote before, take the 15 minutes to watch it. If you have seen it before, then watch it again. Then, instead of just moving on to the next blog post, or next meeting, or next tweet, stop. Yes, stop. Stop and think about if you’re doing what you really love. I know I am. I work extremely hard but I’m having more fun with Chris Brogan and Colin Browning over on our pirate ship of New Marketing Labs, than I can explain. I love running my steakhouse with my best friend, Joseph Gionfriddo.
Think about if you spend all day (or at least most of your day) focused. Focused on executing on your goals. Focused on killing it today. Focused on killing it in 2009. If you’re not, if you slow down for even a 1/2 second, then your competition is going to pass you by. Ok, maybe they won’t fly by you for just taking a break for a 1/2 second. Or will they? Are you willing to take that risk? Are you ok with that? If you are then that’s cool. But, I’m not. I want to be producing content, coming up with new ideas for the steakhouse; working on client projects, working on New Marketing Labs events, experimenting with tools, having meaningful conversations and developing strategy/vision all the time. When I’m relaxing, I’m mulling over new ideas in my head. I’m always analyzing, thinking of what’s next, and focused on what my goals are. When most people are watching tv and getting a good night’s sleep, I’m trying to stay that extra step ahead.
What motivates you to stay focused and kill it every day? Is it a video, a book, a quote, or someone in your life?
Crazy. You’re the third person this week who’s told me to watch this video.
Love the message of this post. It’s something that resonates strongly with me right now as I’m sitting here in bed with my MacBook Pro on my lap, contemplating *big* things, and “what’s next”.
For some reason, I always find I do my best thinking AFTER midnight. While people are getting a good night’s sleep and having dreams, I’m up trying to find ways to make mine come true. And it’s always nice to read posts like this that I usually intercept around this time of day.
Thanks for this little slice of inspiration at 2 AM.
Thank you Justin for the great post…second time I have watched this video and now more fired up than ever!
What keeps me motivated? To do the thing that everyone “thinks” is impossible and to help others connect and find a way to DO the impossible. You get one shot in this thing called life and having the confidence to focus and turn off the noise is how you get the most out of it.
My favorite quote? “Confidence is not granted by others but comes from within.” A mentor, Kathy Walker told me that and everyday I find it, use it and ultimately succeed because of it.
Thanks for sharing and cheers to you and New Marketing Labs to making the impossible possible. — Lisa @lqualls4444
The first time I watched this, I sat and nodded – a lot. The second time, I stood up and paced around my office jumping up and down saying ‘yes Yes YES”!
Do what you love, do what you believe in – passon and patience – love that.
Gary is real. Gary is right. Kill it, crush it, anytime after NOW!
Thanks for sharing.
km
Kneale Mann’s last blog post..You Want Inspiration? Here’s Plenty…
justin, i think you were speaking directly to me! i try to convey this message to everyone i know. thanks for the video! i definitely co-sign with your work ethic and philosophy.
p.s. thanks for ‘staying ahead’ it keeps your readers ahead as well!
It’s a fine line. Yes, I want to kill it at everything I do but I’m also realistic enough to know that won’t happen. Finding the thing you have passion for and knowledge about is a more realistic approach than trying to kill it in everything we do.
And as David Mullen’s recent post shows, no matter how much we want to excel and be focused at what we do, there are always more important things in life:
http://davidwmullen.com/2009/02/12/marketing-doesnt-matter-that-much-in-the-grand-scheme/
Be focused, but don’t lose focus of the truly important things.
Danny Brown’s last blog post..Little Green Men
I definitely agree with you about not losing focus on the things or people that are truly important. It really helps when those that surround you are supportive of what you’re trying to accomplish. You make sure you take time for those people even if that means having to change your schedule sometimes, etc.
@matt thank you so much! I’m glad to hear that you liked the post and will try to continue “staying ahead”
@Kneale I know how you feel. I’ve watched the video a bunch of times and every time it feels like the first. There are a lot of things you can learn from Gary and it is all worth holding on to, reviewing, inspecting and realizing that it’s much deeper than it appears on the surface.
@Lisa go get ‘em and kill it this week!
@Alexa I agree, the video is great. It’s funny, my best posts always come after midnight. They’re always the ones with the most discussion and traffic.
Hey Louis-
Thanks for naming my blogs as one of the ones to watch, it is truly humbling. I hope that you and your readers that come over to visit will continue to enjoy
-Justin
This comment was originally posted on http://www.louisgray.com/live)“>louisgray.com
Louis, I just got back from traveling this past week and saw you linked to my blog. That’s very nice of you to give me and others such exposure. Thank you very much for the kind consideration.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.louisgray.com/live)“>louisgray.com
For those that attended #smb12 – here is the @garyvee keynote I mentioned from Web2…oh and a post about being focused -http://bit.ly/Iq1zP
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Howdy Louis,
Based on your closing paragraph, I sent you an email regarding Toluu…just wondering if you got that or if I might have sent it to the wrong person.
If you did get it but have been really busy, I totally understand. Kindly ignore this ping.
Thanks!
This comment was originally posted on http://www.louisgray.com/live)“>louisgray.com
Scott, you should have received your invite to Toluu. Enjoy!
This comment was originally posted on http://www.louisgray.com/live)“>louisgray.com
Rock on, thanks Louis! Appreciate the hookup.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.louisgray.com/live)“>louisgray.com
It's a fine line. Yes, I want to kill it at everything I do but I'm also realistic enough to know that won't happen. Finding the thing you have passion for and knowledge about is a more realistic approach than trying to kill it in everything we do. club penguin cheats