Liz Mills, A Short Story

 Liz Mills
"We cannot afford to forget any experience, not even the most painful."
~~Dag Hammaskjold

"Will you remember me when you're famous? I know you won't."

"How could I forget you? I can't even imagine it." Steve Lawrence had been showing Liz his sketchbooks when she said this. She saw an unusual strength in his work, and a unique style that transcended what was trendy and fashionable. For a young art student, he had been incredibly prolific.

"Someday you'll be famous and I'll be just one more girl who foolishly threw herself at your feet," she said.

He laughed. He had enjoyed her immensely. She was delightful, funny, thoughtful, profound, and incomparably sensual. He affirmed it repeatedly. He would never forget Liz.

The following semester, when Liz dropped out of the university and went to Mexico, Steve became involved with Stephanie Bond with whom he remained involved for two years until he met Gloria, which wrecked things with Stephanie, but that was O.K., until Gloria went off with his friend Chuck. For a while, after graduating he dated several girls at once until he moved in with Marianne, whom he later married.

Over the years his career path was equally circuitous. Political activist, social worker, kitchen help, janitorial work and a cabinet manufacturing position all helped pay his bills until he got plugged in at the ad agency. He had no idea how much those disjointed experiences would so profoundly contribute to shaping his worldview and contribute to his future success. 

From time to time during those curious career twsts he'd recall to mind something Liz had said. “Art doesn’t change the world by force—it changes the people who eventually do.” Throughout his various paths he never stopped exploring the possibilities of line art, how to evoke emotion and connect with human hearts. 

Timing played a role as well. Minneapolis agencies had just begun to get the attention they deserved and his was spotlighted frequently as a national trendsetter. Awards followed, along with much success, including a Clio for his inspirational health care campaign, 

At this time, again, something Liz said had risen up from some dormant place in his sub-conscience. “The most enduring impact is not made by those who accumulate wealth, but by those who reshape how others see.” It was a defining element in his career. He'd never pursued success for the money or fame, but rather as a vehicle for opening minds. She had nailed it before he ever realized it.

In his twilight years he received numerous lifetime achievement awards for his creative work and accolades from around the globe for his "World Peace Through the Arts" initiative. Two presidents entertained him in the White House and as an ultimate grace he was nominated for, and received, the Nobel Peace Prize.

Success in art, business and global statesmanship... what more could any man want? Yet there was something else he wished for. He wished.... he wished somehow, that he could find Liz Mills and tell her that, indeed, he had never forgotten her. 

In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech he famously said, “Art whispers truths that success alone cannot afford to say out loud.”  

There were chuckles when he told the little anecdote about Liz Mills, and several reporters included the story in their account of the speech. Newswire services picked it up as well. On social media people debated the merits of the story, whether there really had been a Liz Mills, or whether it was simply a metaphor for youthful aspirations and long lost dreams.

A search was undertaken, initiated by several friends, as a surprise for his eightieth birthday. They scoured every database conceivable. There was a difficulty in that she may have married and had someone else's name. Nevertheless... in hope, the search was undertaken.

Liz Mills, the bold, vivacious Liz Mills of his youth, the real flesh and blood Liz Mills, now living in a nursing home -- having been placed there by her family -- was blankly watching television the evening Steve Lawrence and the Nobel Peace Prize were being discussed. Celebrities and scholars debated the merits of Steve's achievements, two endorsing and two assaulting. A brief snippet of Lawrence's acceptance speech was also aired, including the anecdote about Liz Mills.

Liz smiled and turned to a nurse who, standing nearby, was also listening. "Isn't that funny? My name is Liz Mills, too.”

"Did you know him?" the nurse asked.

"No, I never knew anyone by that name," Liz said. "I'm sure I'd remember someone like that."

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The Power of Anticipation: Unlocking Greatness in Sports, Business, and Life

About 15 years ago I spent some time thinking about the attributes of greatness in athletes. Is there a common denominator in great hitters, great infielders, great goalies in soccer or hockey, great quarterbacks in football and great race car drivers. And is there a way to apply this attribute to the way we run our own businesses so that they, too, rise above the herd and exhibit greatness?

Aaron Rogers, Creative Commons
Photo by Mike Morbeck

Let’s start with football. One chapter in Brian Billick’s More Than A Game addresses the challenge of picking first round draft picks during the football draft, and in particular the near impossibility of predicting whether a quarterback will succeed in the pros after an outstanding college career. A full fifty percent of all first round picked quarterbacks fail to live up to their potential. Why is this? At time I was writing this in 2009 I'd been watching Aaron Rogers of the Green Bay Packers who was having another stellar season. What was Rogers doing that lesser quarterbacks were not?  

In baseball, what made Derek Jeter a superstar? It wasn’t just charisma. How did a great hitter like Albert Pujols snag a ten-year contract worth more than a quarter billion dollars. How about goalkeepers in soccer, or the National Hockey League? What do the best do that the rest do not? What about champion race car drivers? At the NASCAR level they all have to be good. Is there a quality that sets the best apart from the rest?

 

There are undoubtedly many qualities that contribute to success, but one in particular that seems especially common to all is the ability to anticipate. Alertness, focus, anticipation. Here’s an excerpt from a blog called Axon Potential which deals with the mindset of athletes. 

Based on athletes’ reports and technology that tracks their eye movements, we know that athletes anticipate what’s coming next by focusing only on the most relevant cues in an opponents’ movement pattern. And that this skill changes and becomes refined with training. The eyes of novices are all over the place, whereas athletes’ focus is much more targeted and economical. Across a number of different sports, expert athletes demonstrate similar “visual search strategies”. Their eyes focus on fewer targets, jump around less, and they stay focused for longer periods of time than do the eyes of novices.

This is a fascinating concept because in a world filled with a gazillion pieces of information flying at us from all directions, how do we process it all? The key for Aaron Rogers when he faces down eleven defenders has more to do with which information not to process, and identifying the right cues so as to obtain the most effective result. Crowd noise and stunt maneuvers by defensive linemen are all distractions. Perhaps the success in a scoring touchdown pass revolves around what he sees in a single linebacker’s eyes.

Goalkeepers in soccer and hockey operate in high-stakes, high-speed environments where anticipation is critical. A soccer goalkeeper facing a penalty kick or a hockey goalie stopping a slapshot must predict the shooter’s intent based on subtle cues—body position, head tilt, or stick angle. The best goalkeepers don’t just react; they anticipate, positioning themselves a fraction of a second ahead of the play. Their refined visual search strategies allow them to focus on these cues while ignoring irrelevant distractions, such as crowd noise or feints, resulting in more consistent saves.

In NASCAR, where all drivers are skilled and cars are closely matched, anticipation is what separates the champions from the rest. Elite drivers anticipate track conditions, competitors’ moves, and even split-second changes in aerodynamics. They read the race’s flow—knowing when to draft, pass, or conserve fuel—by focusing on critical cues like a rival’s line or tire wear. Like other athletes, their ability to process only the most relevant information in a high-speed, high-pressure environment gives them an edge.

The concept of anticipation as a critical attribute of greatness in athletes across various sports but has relevance for our own lives far outside the arena. The principle of anticipation, as seen in elite athletes, has profound applications in business. Just as athletes filter out noise to focus on critical cues, business leaders must navigate a world overflowing with data, market trends, and competing priorities. The ability to anticipate—whether it’s market shifts, customer needs, or competitive moves—can elevate a business above the herd.

In practice, this means developing a disciplined focus on the most relevant signals. For example, a CEO might anticipate industry trends by focusing on emerging customer behaviors rather than getting lost in short-term financial metrics. A startup founder could prioritize a few key performance indicators (KPIs) that predict long-term growth, ignoring less impactful data. Like Aaron Rodgers ignoring crowd noise, business leaders must filter out distractions—such as media hype or irrelevant industry fads—to make strategic decisions. 

Moreover, anticipation in business involves preparing for multiple scenarios. Just as  goalkeepers position themselves before a shot, businesses can use predictive analytics or scenario planning to stay ahead of disruptions. For instance, companies that anticipated the rise of e-commerce or remote work before 2020 gained a competitive edge. By focusing on the right cues—customer preferences, technological advancements, or economic indicators—businesses can position themselves for greater success, much like elite athletes.

In our personal lives, anticipation can transform how we approach challenges and opportunities. Just as athletes focus on what matters most, individuals can achieve greater success by prioritizing meaningful goals and filtering out distractions. For example, in a world of constant notifications and social media noise, anticipation means identifying what truly aligns with your values and tuning out the rest. This might mean setting boundaries, like limiting screen time, to focus on high-impact activities, such as learning a new skill or deepening connections.

Anticipation also applies to emotional and mental resilience. By recognizing early signs of stress or burnout—subtle cues like irritability or fatigue—you can take proactive steps, such as practicing mindfulness or adjusting workloads, before problems escalate. Like a NASCAR driver reading the track, anticipating life’s challenges allows you to navigate them with greater control and confidence.

Ultimately, the ability to anticipate is a learnable skill that requires practice, reflection, and discipline. By training ourselves to focus on the most relevant cues in our environment—whether in sports, business, or life—we can rise above the ordinary and achieve greatness. Just as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Jeter, or a champion goalkeeper hones their craft through targeted focus, we can cultivate anticipation to make smarter decisions, seize opportunities, and lead extraordinary lives.

Where's the focus of your life right now? 

Crafting Your Destiny: How Your Inner Spark Shapes Your Life’s Path

"Strong conviction of one's calling has always seemed to me to be the greatest element in a successful career." ~ Paul Tournier, Escape from Loneliness

Man with an Imperative

Life is the process of finding out who we really are. Simultaneously, life is the process of creating who we will be.

In the realm of career, Tournier observes here that a sense of calling assists us in remaining focused, rather than diverted and dilluted, thus enabling us to become more likely to achieve success.

How does this sense of calling emerge? Why do some have it and others do not? For some it may be innate. For others, it is a series of false starts, much like the explorations of a mouse in a maze. Why some give up seeking and others maintain a relentless pursuit is likewise a mystery.

I believe that the messages we tell ourselves have a strong influence on our life decisions. For this reason it makes a difference who we listen to, who we read, who we hang with. If we surround ourselves with people who suggest that change is futile, that striving to "make a mark" is useless and absurd, we will smother the spark inside us that is striving toward a better hope, a better life, and a better world for our children.

Today's message: Keep pressing on. Find your calling, and never give up.

It's a Horatio Alger Story

I've never read a Horatio Alger story, but I've heard the expression all my life. The expression refers to a classic rags-to-riches narrative, where someone overcomes poverty, hardship, or adversity through hard work, determination, and moral virtue to achieve success. 

The author of this series of books was Horatio Alger Jr., a 19th-century American author who wrote over 100 popular novels, mostly for young boys, featuring protagonists who rise from humble beginnings to middle-class respectability. As you can see from the titles here, the stories tend to emphasize self-reliance, perseverance, and luck—like being in the right place at the right time or meeting a benefactor. The reason Alger is not included in lists of "Great American Authors" is that all his books followed the same formula. Though he never tired of producing them, sales tapered off as the stories grew stale and predictable. 

What's funny is how well-known the expression is, whereas I doubt that I have ever actually met anyone who has read a Horatio Alger story. The phrase is commonly used to describe real-life success stories that mirror the archetype. Nowadays some would say the idealism expressed in these stories is dated, as Alger’s tales reflect a simpler, more moralistic view of success that doesn’t always align with modern complexities or cynicism. (Again, I admit to not having read any of the stories and base what I do know on personal speculation and a lecture I heard several years back about American bestsellers.)

For what it's worth, if your interest is piqued by this brief intro, you can find some of the originals, pictured above, at Chester Creek Books & Antiques here in Duluth.

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Here are some quotes attributed to this 19th century author.

--Success does not mean the absence of failure; it means the attainment of ultimate objectives.

--To err is human, to forgive divine.

--So long as there is life, hope is never absent.

--There is nothing more powerful than honesty, and nothing more valuable than integrity.

--The surest way to achieve success is to act as if it was already within your grasp.

--There is no royal road to learning; it comes only through persevering effort, hard work, and constant self-improvement.

--Opportunities don't happen. You create them.

--The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

--Your destiny is not determined by your circumstances, but by your choices.

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Timeless Lessons from Aesop's Fable about The Fox & the Grapes

Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash

A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed ready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth watered as he gazed longingly at them.

The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump for it. The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. So he walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, only to fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain. Finally, he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.

"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself out to get a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."

And off he walked very, very scornfully.

There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

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I've been listening to a series of lectures called "No Excuses Existentialism" from the Great Courses Series. In one of Professor Robert C. Solomon's lectures about Sartre he noted how the Nobel Prize winner made use of this particular fable to underscore its relevance for people in the 20th century, which is what prompted me to share it here.

The fable has had a variety of applications and interpretations across different disciplines, much like the four blind men who try to describe an elephant. Here are some observations from philosophy, psychology, and the success motivation field.

From Philosophy:

Existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre offered an insightful interpretation of "The Fox and the Grapes." In his perspective, the fox's reaction to the unreachable grapes symbolizes the concept of "bad faith." Sartre argued that humans often engage in bad faith by denying their freedom and responsibility, choosing to adopt false ideas or excuses rather than confront difficult situations. The fox's dismissal of the grapes he can't reach is akin to individuals denying their potential and agency, blaming external circumstances instead of taking action. I think here of the proverb, "The lazy man says, 'There's a lion in the streets.'" (Prov. 26:13)    

From Psychology:

In psychology, "The Fox and the Grapes" can be associated with the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. When the fox fails to attain the grapes, he justifies his disappointment by convincing himself that the grapes were sour and undesirable. This cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience conflicting beliefs or emotions. In real-life situations, people may downplay their desires or rationalize their failures to reduce the discomfort of unfulfilled goals.

From Success Motivation:

According to some, the fable also offers insights into the success motivation field. It teaches the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks. Instead of giving up after failing to reach the grapes, successful individuals maintain their determination, learn from their experiences, and continue striving towards their goals. The idea is, "Persist and you will succeed."

Except the reality is, the fox failed. For a variety of reasons. He can't carry a ladder or climb a tree. He didn't own a cell phone so he can't phone a friend.

Owning up to one's limitations is a key part of this fable. Knowing when to move on is a key part of success. On Wall Street there's a saying in this regard: "Don't throw good money after bad." The same might apply to one's time as well. 

The story is also a warning against sour grapes mentality, where people belittle or devalue something they desire but cannot obtain. Nearly everyone involved at an early age in sports -- baseball, soccer, trank & field, football, etc.-- comes to a fork in the road where they must reflect on the reality that they will likely not make it to the Big Leagues, or be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. How we handle this is a reflection on our character. 

Yes, I dreamed of being a Big League ballplayer, but it was apparent that I had shortcomings. Nevertheless, I learned a lot of good lessons from my years in Little League and on through high school. These experiences gave me insights about teamwork, the importance of practice and sacrifice, as well as life.

A sour grapes attitude can lead to a root of bitterness and a sense of victimhood. Successful individuals avoid this trap by accepting the reality of their situation, focusing on personal growth, and adapting their strategies to achieve their aspirations. 

In reflecting on this tale I find myself wanting to take a deeper dive into more of Aesop's fables... as time permits.

Here's another fable by Aesop that I've written about. The moral of this story has been a favorite of mine for ages. Who Will Bell the Cat? A Fable of Aesop That Still Speaks Today

Grapes photo: Creative Commons. © Vyacheslav Argenberg, 

The Butler Who Folds His Hands Spills No Tea

In 2018 I published an article in which I shared 9 Maxims Which Carried Me Through a Career in Corporate America. While preparing a speech this week about leadership (which I delivered Thursday evening) for our Toastmasters group, I drew upon several of those life lessons. I had so many things I wanted to say that I deleted this from the speech lest it take too much of my allotted time. 

I'd first heard the expression in one of advertising guru David Ogilvy's books. If I remember correctly he was discussing the manner in which we manage creatives. Creating fresh ideas day in and day out is a challenge, and hitting it out of the park doesn't happen with every swing of the bat. (Unless you're Joe Hardy.(1) There are risks involved in aiming for the exceptional. Risk means there's a possibility of failure. The best way to kill a creative team is to never allow a whiff. 

There's always risk involved in any creative venture. Not every idea works. The best way to eliminate risk-taking is to do nothing. If you do nothing, you will never make a mistake. This is a business in which the competition for eyeballs is fierce. Creating something memorable and effective is no easy task. 

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When we focus on punishing mistakes rather than rewarding initiative, we turn motivated students and workers into demotivated sheep. This is what prompted me to develop an alternative method of grading writing assignments when we were homeschooling our children. You can read my ideas on grading here.

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Those ideas came from painful experiences I had in school (even though I tended to be an A student) and also from a workshop I attended for soccer coaches back in the 1990s. In the workshop Buzz Lagos, head coach of the Minnesota Thunder pro soccer team, taught of various games that our kids could play, by which they would develop as players. Ball control, passing and teamwork would develop as they played these various competitive skirmishes. 

During the Q&A afterwards, one of my fellow coaches asked an important question. "Sir, what skill level should my ten-year-olds be at?" That is, what are the benchmarks or milestones they should be at for the various stages at their age levels? How deft should their ball handling be? How strong and accurate their kicking?

Coach Lagos replied, "Don't even think about it. Only one thing is important, that they enjoy the game." 

When we are kids we do what we love and we get better at it. I'm not sure that parents, teachers and coaches can create these passions, but I am absolutely persuaded that we can quench them. 

The same can be true in the workplace. I believe most people want to do a good job, until years of mismanagement and abuse have corrupted this motivation. How we manage people can foster or frustrate their desire to excel. Once ruined, employees spend more time thinking about how to avoid punishment instead of focusing on the mission.

Do our employees know what the mission of the company is and how they fit into it? Are they--like players on a football team--playing in the right positions? Have they been properly trained? Is the value of their contribution recognized? Do you praise publicly and criticize privately? 

It's often easier to know the right things to do than to do them. Unless we try, however, we'll end up being the same old rat stuck in the same old maze. If you're a teacher or leader, and you're not seeing a spark in your students' or employees' eyes, it may be time to re-assess, and learn some new tricks.

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Related Links
How to Teach Writing: A Soccer Coach Handed Me the Key
9 Maxims That Carried Me Through Three Decades in Corporate America

Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash 

(1) Joe Hardy was hero for Washington in the musical Damn Yankees.

Self-Talk and Success: An Insight about J.J. Watt and Leadership

Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

"Success isn't owned, it's leased. And rent is due every day." –J.J. Watt

When John Lennon said, "It's all in your mind, you know," I think he was on to something. There's ample evidence to support the notion that the real battles in life are fought on an inner playing field. Are the messages we feed ourselves self-limiting, or empowering?

Transition Life Coach Yana Stockman's talk this past December revolved around this self-same theme. After offering a prescription for overcoming our self-defeating behaviors she closed with this quote from Zig Ziglar: "You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness."

This is why J.J. Watt's quote above is so very powerful. He's not sharing some sage advice for the purpose of motivating a faceless public. It struck me that this is his message to himself, a flashing billboard at the core of his being that keeps J.J. Watt motivated when he's pushing through another  pain threshold while "paying rent."

What sacrifices are you making on a daily basis to achieve your higher calling?

The surprising thing is discovering how invigorating a "big goal" can be. It's not just a cool saying. Watt's self-talk became the fuel that sealed his commitment and fostered the self-discipline that put him up there with the great ones.

* * * *

For what it's worth, here are some of the saying that motivated me and undergirded my own career in advertising, PR and marketing: 9 Maxims That Carried Me Through Three Decades in Corporate America.

At the end of that article is a link to Colin Powell'a powerful Leadership Primer, a downloadable PDF.

Related Links
A Visit with Transition Life Coach Yana Stockman

Villanova Championship Teaches a Principle of Success: There Is Always Risk Involved

Anyone who watched the 2018 NCAA Basketball championships saw a mighty Villanova make mincemeat of its opponents with volumes of 3-point shots from outside the arc. In its showdown with Kansas in the semi-final last Saturday Villanova set a new record for 3-pointers by two minutes into the second half, and they kept on shooting them. They set a new record for three point goals for a season as well.

In Monday's championship game it was a different story though. Against Michigan, eight of their first nine shots were whiffs. Their 3-point game had chilled and Villanova fans began biting their nails.

No worry. This didn't stop their efforts to shoot the long ball, and despite the failed shots they continued to attempt these longer shots, making the necessary adjustments to recover their magic. And here's the lesson. Success is directly proportional to one’s willingness to accept the possibility of failure. If we can’t allow the possibility of failure, we will freeze and never succeed because we are no longer moving toward a goal rather we are moving toward safety. Fear paralyzes confidence. Confidence is an essential ingredient in success.

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In my article Increasing the Odds of Success I wrote, "In short, risk is part of business; there are no sure things. Wall Street does not always lead to Easy Street. Nor does an Internet retail strategy always lead to Internet riches. As Robert Burns noted in his ode to a mouse, 'The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.'"

Risk, by definition, means exposure to danger. This applies not only to soldiers in the battlefield, but also to businesses, as well as the people in these businesses, all the way down to those ground-level grunts who actually do the heavy lifting.

U.S. Grant -- National Archives

Great leaders like General U.S. Grant knew how important those front line foot soldiers were. That is why he sometimes got as close to his troops as possible so he could assess their morale and readiness for another fight. On one occasion, before the Battle of Vicksburg, he parked his horse at the end of a very narrow bridge and watched his men walk across. He had been done his share of front line work in the Mexican War and wanted his men to see he identified with them.

He also knew the importance of initiative. Decisive action is the responsibility of leaders. It's one of the reasons General Patton would get so annoyed with Britain's General Montgomery, whom he called Monty. For Patton, "A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow." Why, because tomorrow never comes. Because of our tendency to overthink things that "perfect plan" never comes.

The Latin proverb "Fortune favors the bold" has been adopted by military leaders throughout history. Boldness involves a willingness to take risks. If there was no risk involved, by definition it would hardly be a bold action or maneuver.

And so it was that Villanova kept at it, shooting those long ball hoops with an almost excessive exuberance, bold and beautiful. 'Twas a season to cherish that produced a championship as well.

* * * *

“The greatest risk to man is not that he aims too high and misses, but that he aims too low and hits.” ― Michaelangelo

Two 1938 British Ads and What They Mean

Having devoted more than three decades to a career in advertising, you might think I'd tire of it, but the truth is that I find the advertising game endlessly fascinating. Advertising is essentially getting the right message to the right people at the right time. It involves many variables, but especially psychology. It's about meaningful and effective communication. By effective I mean it generates a desired action.  

What I like about it is that I sit in an office in the upper midwest but try to impact peoples' behavior all across North America, without ever leaving my office -- except to go to meetings. That's an oversimplification, of course, but it does reflect one aspect of the marketing game. (Proper pricing, quality products, customer support and execution are also important variables in a company's success.)

All this to say that although the advent of the digital age and social media have added new variables to the marketing life, at the end of the day it's the same game: people who are sitting in various places and spaces around the country attempting to influence the behavior of people they will probably never meet.

(As soon as I wrote that I realized that now even this has changed, as it is very possible to meet our customers in a virtual way now, preferably through a shout out than a one-star Yelp review.)

* * * * 

Out in my garage I have a large bound volume of all the London Times newspapers of 1938. I've been doing some drawings and paintings on some, and occasionally just reading the stories contained there. This weekend a couple of advertisements captured my attention. The first was this one above for BOURN-VITA. The ad is essentially a story. It's a story about a man who got a well-paying job because of this product which enabled him to get a good night's sleep. The punch line of the story is, "Bourn-Vita tonight makes tomorrow just right."

Here are a few items of note. First, stories continue to be an effective way to connect with people. Of what do many books of the Bible consist? Much of the Old Testament is the history of Israel, as conveyed by the stories of its patriarchs and peoples, and the lessons they teach. Stories not only convey information, they make it memorable. 

Second, the story is about some guy with significant responsibilities who just got a promotion. Success! And what was his secret? The ad copy wants us to believe it was because he is able to sleep at night and not anxiously fretting.  

It's probably true that a person who hasn't slept in months and is on the verge of a nervous breakdown would not be the best person for this promotion. But to imply that the guy is competent and capable because he knows how to get a good night's rest feels like a stretch. It's kind of a twist on the old adage about sleeping your way to the top.

As for sleeping your way to the top, there's a weird suggestiveness in the copy where it says, "And remember, the night is more important than the day."

After World War II my grandfather got this kind of promotion to supervisor of the Packard Plant in Warren, Ohio. The Packard was a luxury car that in its day rivaled the best Detroit had to offer. It's my understanding that he achieved this position by being responsible, a hard worker and eminently likeable. I don believe ht "made it" by his ability to get a good night's sleep.

So who is the target audience for this ad? People who are less successful? People who have trouble sleeping? 

Notice how the last line in the ad also uses a poetic device to make it memorable. It may be that to make it even more memorable it was accompanied by a radio jingle. If you're  Baby Boomer you undoubtedly still remember the tune to the jingle, "Winston tastes good like a cigaret should."

And what is this Secret to Success? According to Wikipedia: "Bournvita, previously called Bourn-vita, is a brand of malted and chocolate malt drink mixes sold in Europe and North America, as well as India, Nepal, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Benin and Togo, and manufactured by Cadbury. Bournvita was developed in England in the late 1920s and was marketed as a health food. The original recipe included full-cream milk, fresh eggs, malt and chocolate. It was first manufactured and sold in Australia in 1933. Bournvita was discontinued in the UK market in 2008. The drink was named by Cadbury which was derived from Bournville, the model village which is the site of the Cadbury factory (Bourn + Vita). It was first sold in India in 1948, the same year Cadbury India was established."

Interesting. It's a chocolate drink that not only has health benefits but also, according to the ad, has career benefits.

* * * *

The second ad that I found interesting on this same page addressed the problem of flatulence. According to Wikipedia: Flatulence is defined in the medical literature as "flatus expelled through the anus" or the "quality or state of being flatulent", which is defined in turn as "marked by or affected with gases generated in the intestine or stomach; likely to cause digestive flatulence". The root of these words is from the Latin flatus – "a blowing, a breaking wind".

This ad caught my attention because I don't recall even once having seen an ad addressing the problem of flatulence? Have you? The subject matter is so unusual that it nearly leaves me speechless.

And what is the product they're selling here? It's Milk of Magnesia. In the ad we see it in tablet form, a product my mom gave us in liquid form for stomach disorders. It had a chalky consistency if I remember correctly.

The thought that I had when I read this ad was, how did the problem of tooting, breaking wind or whatever you want to call it, become so taboo that we never talk about it? Is this a cultural phenomenon specific to the U.S.? The Brits had ads like this one that spoke very directly to the matter. Or at least they used to.

Let's call this a wrap.

Everybody ready to see the show this afternoon? Five hours, 19 minutes until first contact in Oregon. Forecast in Duluth: Cloudy.

Make the most of it.

Increasing the Odds of Success: Putting SEO In Perspective

Peter Bernstein, in his bestseller Against the Gods, the Remarkable Story of Risk, stated that no matter what the venture, whether managing a family or managing nations, risk is a factor that must be taken into consideration. No one can infallibly predict success, because there are always variables beyond our control. “Even with thousands of facts," wrote Bernstien, "the track record of experts proves that their estimates of the probabilities of final outcomes are open to doubt and uncertainty.”

In short, risk is part of business; there are no sure things. Wall Street does not always lead to Easy Street. Nor does an Internet retail strategy always lead to Internet riches. As Robert Burns noted in his ode to a mouse, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Nevertheless, we also know from experience that the very opposite is also true. Attempt nothing, and nothing you will achieve. In light of this latter equation, efforts at Search Engine Optimization are not optional but necessary.

This past month a friend of mine who runs a specialized online retail music business lamented that despite efforts at click-through links and banner ads, he had not found himself making any money despite the traffic brought in.

I observed, “Your lack of success might well have been your website's inability to easily and quickly lead to a purchase decision. Another failing may be that the traffic generated was too general and not specific enough.” In other words, SEO and other mechanisms for bringing in web traffic are only one piece of a larger strategic marketing plan.

He replied that he’d not thought of that.

The wonderful thing about the net is that we can measure everything. The hard data we gather helps us fine tune our efforts. By continually improving our systems, we generate more revenue with the same amount of effort (greater efficiency). Banner ads, pay per click ads on search engines, Google Adwords are all tactics, though none guarantee sales.

All that said, one sure way to be unsuccessful is to have no traffic at all because no one can find you. SEO is one tool among many that we use to minimize risk and increase odds of success.

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This article was originally published in Internet Retailer circa 2004.

Smarts or Persistence: Which Is More Important When It Comes To Success?

Over the years I've heard a variation of the saying, "Is it better to be lucky or smart?" It's probably a false dichotomy when we set it up in such a black and white manner. Nevertheless, a lot of success does seem to come more from being fortuitous, from being in the right place at the right time.

This week I was talking with a co-worker about technology and how I've learned something from watching IT people. When they don't know something, they just Google it. And when that doesn;t work, they Google that. They find answers by drilling down through forums and other places where answers to problems are found. In short, they have learned to be persistent.

In contrast, this co-worker said, many people bail as soon as the first thing doesn't work. Are you that way?

The funny thing is, he acknowledged that though he is fearless in this technology arena, he's observed that when working on cars he's exactly the same as his wife with computers. He is afraid to he'll break something so he leaves his engine problem to others.

Smarts or persistence. Which one is the most valuable and problem-solving?

Years ago I heard a multi-millionaire entrepreneur give a talk about his career and the secret of his success. Essentially it boiled down to persistence. He'd always had an entrepreneurial bent, and very early on started a business which ultimately went nowhere. He didn't like the idea of working for others and tried something else. And something else. His fifth business proved very successful, but it was in a technology area that shifted fairly quickly. More new businesses followed until he found one that incorporated everything he'd learned from all his failures. After 28 failures he became very successful, and wealthy. He also enjoyed being his own boss.

The new thought I had after thinking about my friend's story about persistence was this: can the same lesson be applied to relationships? When people encounter problems or discord in their marriages or relationships, do they tend to give up too soon?

Perhaps "smarts" is over-rated. What we need to succeed in business, in relationships, in life, is persistence.

Research seems to support this hypothesis. A 2014 Fast Company article by Vivian Giang opens with this statement: "Studies show smart people shy away from challenges because they fear failure. But those with grit choose to push themselves by working hard." The author cites a series of studies of fifth graders by Carol S. Dweck. Part of the logic behind what they discovered was that the smartest kids in the room preferred success over failure so they chose easier tasks when given the choice. The children accustomed to failure were not afraid to try harder tests because failure did not diminish their sense of self worth.

In the end, "Dweck’s research teaches us an important lesson about success: Smarts can only take you so far. The rest of the way is paved by grit and determination." That is, persistence.

Thomas Edison's achievements are well known, but one of his most famous quotes was about persistence. "I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

At this point I could share a hundred quotes about success, failure and persistence, but will close with this one: “Do not fear failure, but rather fear not trying.” ― Roy T. Bennett

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I recently added a page on my website featuring things I've written. If you're looking for something new to read, check out Eds-Books.com.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Get into it.