When all is lost - The moment of highest leverage - Seth Godin (Tue 12 Mar 2013)

Keep Moving Forward (*) - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum - Boston (Mon 22 Aug 2011)
Seth Godin (*) writes about what I think is about Letting Go (*) when all seems lost and pointless:

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, don’t waste it.

You’ve already won (or you’ve already lost). Right now, you can choose to do what’s in your heart, you can bring your real work to the world, instead of a lesser version, a version you think the market wants. After all, what do you have to lose?

When it feels like it’s hopeless or when it appears to be a lock, why not?

So you bring your true self to the work, your unadulterated effort, without negative self-talk and the sanding off of the interesting edges. Instead of compromise, you bring us vision.

Of course, when we see that reality, the kamiwaza of what you’re able to do when you’re not second guessing or giving up, the odds of transformation go way up. In fact, you haven't already lost, because your magical, vulnerable work changes everything.

You won’t get this chance again soon (unless you choose to). So go.

via The moment of highest leverage (*) by Seth Godin (*).

I experienced this in Prague (*) and the lead up campaign in which we lost Jenny (*).

Somehow,just 4 days after we farewelled Jenny (*) and 10 days off training, I "pulled" the best water trial of my career and found myself one of the top ranked paddlers in the Australian Masters Mixed Team, a first (and only time) for me. A week later I would come down with the flu and a nasty sinus infection which lead to me having a 10 day break from paddling and at one stage I thought the campaign was all over for me, as I could not "shake" the infection. As it was I should have had a bit more of a break, but I did not want it "toss it in"

In this time off, I lost my usual seat in the boat and after a bit of "soul searching", I forgave all, including myself (mostly) and just decided to let go (*) of everything and just go with it.

Had the time of my life and this little snippet of wisdom from Seth resonates most when I think of that Prague (*) Campaign just under 4 years ago now.

I tried to explain some this here (*) and here (*) a long time ago, but I like what Seth has written here.

I hope Seth will one day write more about how to accept the result of rare moments like these (but I suspect that this is the "winning" way of responding to Seth's post), something which has not been easy and I struggle with even to do this day (and maybe the reason I wrote this unplanned and unexpected post).

On Activity - Seth Godin (Thu 30 Sep 2015)

that would be me and I was probably too young to be walking - less than one for sure - seen a colour version of this somewhere and I am dressed in a nice light yellow outfit for the portrait - definitely put a smile on my face - my Aunt Erica's hand writing. From a photo album Erica gave to her Mother on her 80th Birthday in 1993 - Goulburn (1960)

Seth Godin on being Active:

More important than the output, though, is the act itself. The act of doing it every day. When you commit to a practice, you will certainly have days when you don't feel like it, when you believe it's not your best work, when the muse deserts you. But, when you keep your commitment, the muse returns. When you keep your commitment, the work happens.

It doesn't matter if anyone reads it, buys it, sponsors it or shares it. It matters that you show up.

Show up, sit down and type. (Or paint [or photograph]).

via Susdat by Seth Godin.

Had many days like this here and in life, particularly these last few years. The mere act of showing up has got me through. Congrats Seth on your 6000th post. I was inspired to start blogging on your 3000th post back in Feb 2009.

We all need people to talk us up when we feel like all is lost, pointless or without purpose - sometimes it just has to be ourselves to do the talking. Seth and a few other bloggers have helped me here online, but there are a few in my life that have done the same thing. Thanks ..

On the Journey - Seth Godin (Fri 02 May 2014)

Pacific Dragons - 2014 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Fri 18 Apr 2014)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Giving (*):

In the infinite game (*), though, something completely different is going on. In the infinite game, the point is to keep playing, not to win (*). In the infinite game, the journey (*) is all there is. And so, players in an infinite game never stop giving so they can take. [..]

You certainly know people who play this game, you may well have been touched (*) by them, inspired (*) by them and taught (*) by them. The wrong question to ask is, "but how do they win?" The right way to understand it is, "but is it worth playing?"

via The short game, the long game and the infinite game (*) by Seth Godin (*).

I see people like this in my club (*) and as is always the case, Seth is ever so right in his observations on life. And I know, by these experiences in my club (*), exactly what he means.

If You Want To - Seth Godin (Tue 19 Jul 2016)

I want to .. I am .. - Library / Glebe (Wed 20 Jul 2016)

Seth Godin on If You Want To:

anyone with a $300 laptop can use the very same tools as the people at the top of just about any industry. [..]

If you want to learn, do research, make a ruckus... your local library has access to the same tools as you'll find in a skyscraper in a big company.

via The very same software by Seth Godin.

I've realised this for a long time and now I have the opportunity to make something of it here at the Glebe Library. Really making some great progress with everything that Seth mentions in his post - The very same software - and I am excited about what I am creating.

On Fear and Creativity - Seth Godin (Mon 23 Nov 2015)

Untitled - La Perouse (Mon 07 Sep 2015)

Seth Godin on Fear and Creativity:

fear is a necessary part of actually being productive in doing creative work

via Is productive the same as busy? by Seth Godin.

Learning - Seth Godin (Tue 21 Mar 2017)

Untitled - Chippen Lane / Chippendale (Sat 25 Mar 2017)

Seth Godin on Learning:

Learn something new and difficult and valuable. Learn it today and continue learning it tomorrow.

via Three simple and difficult steps by Seth Godin.

Doing the best I can - Seth Godin (Thu 14 Aug 2014)

Doing his everything - Sacre-Coeur / Montmartre / Paris (Aug 2005)
Seth Godin (*) writes on Doing our Best (*):

Doing the best I can

...is actually not the same as, "doing everything I can."

When we tell people we're doing the best we can, we're actually saying, "I'm doing the best I'm comfortable doing."

As you've probably discovered, great work makes us uncomfortable.

via Doing the best I can (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Life Purpose - Seth Godin (Thu 14 Feb 2013)

A few 30x20 inch prints of some of my recent favourites - Alexandria (Jan 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes on finding a foundation for our Life Purpose (*):

When we find our own foundation and are supported in our work by those around us, we can get back to first principles, to realizing our own dreams and making our own art by supporting others first and always.

via Open, generous and connected (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Progress - Seth Godin (Sun 23 Mar 2014)

Untitled - Trigor / Croatia (Thu 01 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Progress (*), maybe:

It's almost always easier to roll something back (*) a little than it is to push it forward (*).

via Compromise, design and the literal edges (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Understanding - Seth Godin (Sat 22 Feb 2014)

Street Portrait - George Street / Sydney (Nov 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes:

It doesn't matter if you're right (*), it matters if you are understood (*).

via Should you teach the world a new word? (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On being Afraid - Seth Godin (Sun 10 Nov 2013)

Untitled - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes On being Afraid (*):

The [..] lie is that we're not afraid.

We're afraid.

Afraid to lead, to make a ruckus, to convene. Afraid to be vulnerable, to be called out, to be seen as a fraud.

The connection economy isn't based on steel or rails or buildings [or any relationship, really]. It's built on trust (*) and hope (*) and passion (*).

The future (*) belongs to those that care and those that believe (*).

via The first lie (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Fear - Seth Godin (Wed 04 Dec 2013)

A bit of a balancing act - Shadow - Alexandria (Wed 04 Dec 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Embracing Fear (*):

It's okay to be nervous (*). Instead of fighting (*) that anxiety (*), dance (*) with it. Welcome it. Relish it. It's a sign (*) you're on to something. [..] This is important after all.

When we welcome a feeling like this, when we embrace (*) it and actually look forward (*) to it, the feeling (*) doesn't get louder and more debilitating (*). It softens, softens to the point where we can work with it.

Use your fear (*) like fuel (*).

via Trash talking important work (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Getting There - Seth Godin (Fri 15 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Lisbon (Thu 15 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes Getting There (*):

Is first place the only way to get to where you're going?

via Your arms race (*) by Seth Godin (*).

A very good question.

On Confidence - Seth Godin (Sun 16 Mar 2014)

Street Portrait - Haymarket (Fri 14 Mar 2014)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Confidence (*):

Effective confidence comes from within, it's not the result of external events. [..] The confident leader points us to the places we want (and need) to go.

You succeed because you've chosen to be confident. It's not really useful to require yourself to be successful before you're able to become confident.

via Confidence is a choice, not a symptom (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Boundaries - Seth Godin (Tue 23 Aug 2014)

Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) [*] - Lisbon (Tue 13 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes Inspiration (*):

the world keeps getting smaller and ideas and connection are the currencies that matter, not atoms or molecules.

via Smaller and smaller (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Discovery - Seth Godin (Sat 05 Apr 2014)

Sky, Horizon and Water - somewhere off the Sydney Coast (will hVe to look through the archive to discover where and when)

Seth Godin on Discovery:

Discovery is what happens when the universe helps you encounter something you didn't even know you were looking for.

via Search vs. discovery by Seth Godin

On Persistence and Tenacity - Seth Godin (Sat 02 Nov 2013)

Water - Ferry between Hvar and Split (Wed 31 Jul 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes on Persistence (*) and Tenacity (*):

Persistence (*) is doing something again and again until it works. [..]

Tenacity (*) is using new data to make new decisions to find new pathways to find new ways to achieve a goal when the old ways didn't work.

via Tenacity is not the same as persistence (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Self Esteem - Seth Godin (Wed 02 Jul 2014)

Untitled - Ultimo (Apr 2014)
Seth Godin (*) writes Self Estem (*):

Self esteem [..] becomes a choice.

It's up to you.

via It's called self esteem (*) by Seth Godin (*).

What's it for? - On Purpose and Change - Seth Godin (Tue 15 Jan 2013)

What's it for? - Dibbs Lane / Alexandria (Mon 14 Jan 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Purpose (*):

Being clear about what we're doing and why is the first step in doing it better.

If you're not happy about the honest answer to this question, make substantial changes until you are.

via What's it for? (*) by Seth Godin (*).

To make Change happen - Seth Godin (Fri 08 Nov 2013)

Self Portrait - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Change (*):

To make a change (*) happen.

 [..]

Change (*), of course, opens doors (*), it creates possibilities (*) and it's fraught with danger (*) and apparent risk (*).

 Much easier to deny this than it is to embrace (*) it. [..]

But you won't. Because the change (*) matters.

via Every presentation worth doing has just one purpose (*) by Seth Godin (*).