good reminders

considering what i've been through the past few weeks/months, reading these two are good reminders why i'm doing what i'm doing.

There are two kinds of people in the world . . .



Those who make your life easier —
and those who make it harder.

Those whose presence helps you perform better —
and those whose presence makes you do worse.


Those concerned about doing the work —
and those concerned about getting the credit.


Those who leave you feeling up —
and those who leave you feeling down.


Those who simplify —
and those who complicate.


Those who listen when others are talking —
and those who wait when others are talking.


Those who give —
and those who take.

Those who last —
and those who fade.



Which are you?

source: Daniel Pink
 

The goal, no matter what you sell, is to be seen as irreplaceable, essential and priceless. If you are all three, then you have pricing power. When the price charged is up to you, when you have the power to set the price, there is a line out the door and you can use pricing as a signaling mechanism, not merely a way to make a living.

Of course, the realization of what it takes to create value might break your heart, because it means you have to specialize, take risks, create art, leave a positive impact and adopt generosity in all you do. It means you have to develop extraordinary expertise and that you are almost always hanging way out of the boat, about to fall out.

source: Seth Godin.

I've been slacking.  protecting my heart.  hovering around the general.  avoiding risks.  avoiding creating anything lasting.  self-centered. 
 
and i don't want to let this become the trend for 2011. time to make some adjustments.