The hardest person to be honest with is ourselves. Not because we lack the ability to tell the truth, but because we are deeply attached to what we already know. Our collected knowledge—our beliefs, habits, and justifications—is how we navigate the world. We cherish it. We protect it. And that makes self-honesty far more difficultContinue reading “Honesty”
Author Archives: David Shirley
All Roads Lead to Consistency
What gets done consistently gets done. Things need to get done. Big and small. Each little thing contributes to the big thing we want. If something needs to get done, it needs to be worked on. There’s no escaping it. It can be avoided, put off, or shoved in a drawer. The longer we wait,Continue reading “All Roads Lead to Consistency”
The Point of Blogs
The point of blogs is to write in them. The point of writing in them is to think. To imagine what can be. And, of course, will you read my blog? Not unless I write in it. Often.
What’s Your Story?
When we are born, our minds are clean slates. By two years old, a story begins to take shape, guiding our interactions with the world. This story forms the essence of our identity, influencing how we perceive ourselves and others. During childhood, our story becomes more complex and detailed. We internalize values, beliefs, and expectationsContinue reading “What’s Your Story?”
Brand building is connecting with the audience through a consistent and resonant story
I’m working with an Amazon business coach, and since we started, he has always said I’m “doing it right” because I’m “building a brand.” At the beginning of our partnership, I would have smiled and said, “You’re right.” But now, a year later, I’m not falling for it. Am I using a logo in mostContinue reading “Brand building is connecting with the audience through a consistent and resonant story”
Focus on 20% to Get to 80%
The Pareto Principle also called the 80/20 rule, is named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, and sociologist. Pareto made a pivotal observation in 1896 that in Italy, approximately 80% of the land was owned by 20% of the population. In 1951, Joseph M. Juran recognized that The Pareto Principle could be applied to variousContinue reading “Focus on 20% to Get to 80%”
Our Story
Our story is non-fiction. It didn’t really happen. Our story is a collection of experiences. What we believe to be true is a creation of our imagination. We can change what we believe at any time. To suit what’s most important for us. This so-called reality is not reality. Because millions of other people willContinue reading “Our Story”
Be Different
Seth Godin doesn’t like businesses to make average stuff for average people. He wants people to make something remarkable for some one. I get it now. In 2014, I didn’t get it. Here’s the back story: I opened a CrossFit gym in my hometown of Upland, California. To no surprise, it was named CrossFit Upland—myContinue reading “Be Different”
WHY
Why do we do what we do? It’s important to have a decent answer to this question. Progress, improvement, and creating value can be accelerated if we know why we do what we do. Why is that? Because when we know why we do something, our message and voice become focused and clear. And peopleContinue reading “WHY”
Make Your Own Game
Sports are a zero-sum game. Sports have rules that say a side must lose so the other can win. Life is not a sport. Life is a positive-sum game. Someone doesn’t have to lose for you to win. We can all win. Life has laws and cultural and social norms, but it doesn’t have rules.Continue reading “Make Your Own Game”
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