Scott Perry's Blog, page 56

Of Shame and Sufficiency

Shame is an invitation you do not have to accept.

There is no shame in sufficiency.

You can’t advance any endeavor without making mistakes. Getting things "right" involves going through a lot of "wrong."

And some of those "wrong" choices come with a heaping helping of regret. And when regret appears, you can be sure that shame is following close behind.

But here's the thing, when shame comes to visit, you don't have to extend it an invitation to stay for a week or even overnight. You’re not required to ask shame to lunch or tea.

Don't draw the shades and lock the door. That only encourages shame to hang around. And shame is very patient and extremely persistent.

Instead, meet shame at the door and thank it.

"Thank you, Shame, for coming by. Your presence indicates I have work to do. A mistake to own, an apology and amends to make. Sitting with you, for even a minute, will only get in the way of the important work I must do. So, thanks again for stopping by, I'm quite sure I'll be seeing you again."

Then practice the 4 Rs of an intentional, healing, and meaningful apology: recognize that you're wrong, take responsibility, express your regret, do what you can to make it right. Then move on to what's next.

Mistakes are inevitable. Shame is a choice.

You are sufficient even as you strive.�

Keep flying higher!

Scott

BTW, this post is taken from my recently published Amazon title, Endeavor: Cultivate Excellence While Making a Difference.

Creatives Break Things

Creatives break things. It comes with the job. Things are as they are, and then the creative brings forth something new. Suddenly what was is no longer what is.

It so often happens at the micro level that you simply stop taking note. But sometimes the change is so profound that everyone notices.

Everyone used to have a phone hanging on their kitchen wall. Now no one does.

Voting was a white man's privilege. Now we agree that it's everyone's.

You were born a non-walker and non-talker. Now you do both without a thought.

The status quo appears immutable. But your creative capacity is a powerful lever. 

What are you ready to break? What will you make that's better?

Keep flying higher!

Scott

The Rise of the Virtue Vampire

Many ancient philosophical and religious traditions speak to the importance of virtue. The ancient Cynics said it was all that was required to live "the good life." The Stoics said it was "sufficient." As a kid, I learned the Catechism of the Catholic Church which instructed that a firm disposition to do "the good," was required to get to heaven.

My experience is that the Stoics got it right. Virtue is its own reward and sufficient for a life lived well. Your mileage may vary.

Whatever your relationship with virtue,  virtue matters. It matters a lot. Pursuing excellence as a human being means cultivating the content of your character for its own sake.

Of course, nurturing virtue also means extending compassion and justice to others. In fact, you enhance yourself most when you elevate the lives of others.

But is there a downside to virtue? The current display of "virtue signaling" by politicians, social justice warriors, and social media users seems to indicate that the answer to that question is a loud and clear, "Yes!"

In the hands of these "virtue vampires," expressing their "goodness" is simply a tool for unearned status gain. Whether raising themselves by shaming others or simply grandstanding, the virtue vampires are doing immense harm.

It's most visible at elite academic institutions, but it's everywhere. You can find saintly imposters in the office, on the athletic field, and right next store. Media outlets of all types are infested with them.

The rise of the virtue vampire is not an apocalypse or even an epidemic. But it's a serious problem. Virtue vampires are causing harm not only to the "innocents" they shame and attack but to the public dialogue and are on obstacle to cultural progress.

Here's the thing about vampires though, they flee or turn to dust when exposed to sunlight. Want to help end the rise of the virtue vampires? Don't hide from them, stand up and call them out.

Keep flying higher!

Scott

The Fog of Craft

Tactics are so numerous in the digital age. Analytics, metrics, ads, boosts, 7-step systems, hacks, tricks, etc. abound. And they're soooo bloody seductive!

So are the many invitations to develop technique. Blogs, books, YouTube videos, online courses, and famous successful people promising to "show you the way."

"The fog of craft." Getting lost in the weeds of tactics and technique. Stuck in the "just in case" learning cycle. Sinking in the quicksand of minutiae.

What's the antidote?

Stop succumbing to the seduction of "easy" and "later." Replace it with the power of "do" and "now."

Set a small goal. Develop a strategy. Choose the one smallest step you can imagine to make progress toward that goal. Align your goal, strategy, and tactic with your values, talents, and tribe. Then, go.

Progress is made by leaning into the work and learning through the process of try and test. Reflect and iterate. Rinse and repeat.

Keep flying higher!

Scott

Reflection & Inflection 2018

I don't often dwell on the past. But I am reflecting on 2018 today and the inflection points that inform and inspire what's coming in 2019 for Creative On Purpose.

Here's a few highlights from 2018:

The project formerly known as The Stoic Guitarist and The Stoic Creative was rebranded Creative On Purpose. Seth Godin voiced enthusiastic approval !
A chance conversation with Michael Bungay Stanier inspired a pivot helping make Creative On Purpose a viable and sustainable enterprise.
I accepted the invitation to coach in Seth Godin's online programs, The Marketing Seminar (enrolling now), and The Bootstrapper's Workshop.
I wrote and released a new Amazon bestseller, Endeavor: Cultivate Excellence While Making a Difference .
I appeared on several podcasts and broadcasts.

The vision for 2019:

Help 1000 fellow travellers develop their potential, deliver on their promise, and enhance the lives of others through the Creative On Purpose Mastermind and Creative On Purpose Personal Consulting Program .
Script and deliver a speaking gig once/month.
Craft a Creative On Purpose online course that makes a difference for 1000 additional fellow travelers.

As with any aspiration, I am stepping into "what's next" with intention and integrity. As I engage and employ my curiosity and courage, I am paying attention to unanticipated opportunities and possibilities.

What's next for you in the new year? Whatever it is, I hope we can continue to keep flying higher together!

Scott

3 Crucial Lessons Learned in 2018 to Help You Endeavor Better in 2019

Many conversations in 2018 informed and inspired my journey to develop myself through enhancing the lives of others. Each helped me develop and deliver my greatest endeavor so far. 

These three had the biggest impact in helping me cultivate a greater sense of peace and prosperity, even when encountering “challenge opportunities,” as I sought to endeavor better. 

“Make the world better by making better things.” — Seth Godin

“Engineer the smallest possible step.” - Marie Schacht

“If you are a force for good in this world, get your sh*t together around how you fund that.” - Michael Bungay Stanier

Hope something here helps you fly higher while making a difference in 2019!

Scott

Life Without FOMO: The Virtues of "Missing Out"

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), is a relic of our prehistoric brain that has outlived its necessity and utility.

When we scuttled about the planet as just another species trying to get enough to eat without being eaten, FOMO was very real. Miss out on a meal when they come with dangerous infrequency could mean starvation and even death.

Miss out on a text, an email, or an online offer and you probably won't even notice. In fact, you may be better off.

Being intentional about where you spend your valuable time and attention and what you spend it on doesn't induce fear. It's empowering. It cultivates temperance and taste. It develops character and will.

Make better choices and make a better future.

Keep flying higher!

Scott

BTW, if you decide it's worth your valuable time and attention, Endeavor: Cultivate Excellence While Making a Difference is on sale for $0.99 today only.

Scott Perry - Podcast and Broadcast Appearances

Here are the broadcasts and podcasts I appeared on in 2018 and early 2019:

Catch the Next Wave.
The Power of Investing in People.
Stay Creative.
Thriverz.
Studio Time.
People Like Us.
Musical Lives.
School of Connection.
Parent Pump Radio.
Mindgasm.

Scott Perry 2018 Podcast and Broadcast Appearances

Here are the broadcasts and podcasts I appeared on in 2018:

May 2nd I spoke with Andrew Meintzer on Mindgasm.
June 20th I spoke with Jaueline Huynh on Parent Pump Radio.
August 3rd I spoke with Rana Olk on School of Connection.
October 29th I spoke with Covington Doan on People Like Us.
November 11th I spoke with Matthew Carey on Studio Time.
December 3rd I spoke with Candice Czaplak on Thriverz.
December 12th I spoke with David Bourne on Stay Creative.

Generosity

Generosity is the expression of kindness, understanding, and selflessness. It’s an inherent impulse born of our social nature. This primal quality explains why giving and helping makes you feel good and why being selfish and stingy feels terrible. As with gratitude, there is good science supporting the assertion that generosity also boosts your health and happiness.

Generosity requires the recognition of others and therefore cultivates empathy and compassion. It leads to a feeling of “oneness” with others which enhances the experience and emotional health of both the giver and receiver.

Developing your generous nature enables you to move beyond need and desire. Generosity helps you recognize that you are, and already have, “enough.” You already possess an abundance of gifts. These gifts only have meaning through developing and sharing them.

Generosity creates bonds, encourages collaboration, and fuels reciprocity.

Be generous.

Scott

This is an excerpt from the book, Endeavor: Cultivate Excellence While Making a Difference.