I want to leave a trail. I want to be missed.

This is what I came away from the interview by Marie Forleo with Seth Godin, who I am a great admirer of.  He is honest, humble, intelligent, funny and most of all inspiring to me.

Some of my favourite take aways from the show:

• If not this moment, then when (to chose to do what you love, to pursue a dream, to take a risk, to speak up). We wait.
• We have challenges we can sign up for and emotions we can experience. That is life, not waiting for a certain calling or passion. We wait.
• Big or better isn’t the point, it’s the interaction that is most important. Does this interaction leave a trail that I’m proud of? (should be the way we look at whether to take on something)
• Blogging is a great way to observe the world and provide your “thoughtful examination of your world”. Write the way you talk. You never have talkers block. (I waited before because I wasn’t ready, it wasn’t perfect, I was afraid, and have started pressing the buzzer more often like with this post)
• Flip what you don’t like or agree with so you can see the other side, and see if what you think is true. He gives the example of thinking the internet was a terrible idea when it was first presented to him.
• Ship! We are afraid to ship. We need to press the buzzer before we’re ready. (I am afraid and I have been pressing the buzzer lately and shipping anyway)
• Use your time wisely. Reduce your time with things that are not helping you. For Seth, he doesn’t watch TV or do meetings.
• Focus and commit to what is important to you. You don’t have time for everything and everyone. You have finite resources and time. Be a meaningful specific vs. a wandering generality. This is response to Marie’s comment on feeling overwhelmed at times with all that she has on her plate.
• Fear is always there. (ah that fear thing, I wrote about that yesterday)
• If you fail, remember it’s not about you, treat it as if you’re playing monopoly, it’s just a game. Failing is important in succeeding. (it’s so hard coming from am Asian background and having a mother who was so hard on me, but I am failing more and the hard part is not feeling bad or guilty about it)
• In your work, make it permission based (he created permission based marketing). Have people look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and they would miss you when you’re not there. (think that’s what I did with the creation of the restaurant, and I hope with other ventures I take on like my writing)
• Matter to some people. You will never matter to everyone. (good one, I hope I matter to some, to make a difference)

In response, I decided to share the interview and my thoughts. There you go world and Seth Godin! I’m pressing the button!

Love, Caroline xo

Also published on Medium.