Jul/090
a little, a lot
One of the first things I teach my new students is the “a little, a lot” rule.
I suggest reading their college textbooks a little, a lot. Read small amounts frequently. The reasoning is simple: to stay focused, to remain productive, and to retain more.
I believe this philosophy also applies to the larger palette of life.
Here are 5 favorite ”a little, a lot” suggestions to be the most persuasive, productive, and principle-centered person you can be:
1) Note a little, notice a lot. Awareness that “sees” the big picture as well as the small details prevails.
2) Demand a little, deliver a lot. Quietly and consistently kicking butt produces short-term gains and achieves long-term goals.
3) Learn a little, about a lot. Those knowing a little about a lot know how to harness and lead those who know a lot about a little.
4) Mold a little, model a lot. Less force=more effect. Show how instead of shoving it down.
5) Speak a little, say a lot. Use a minority of words to produce a majority of meaning.
Employ a little, benefit a lot.
©2009 Tom Leu
Jun/090
amot#41
It’s easy to motivate, but much harder to inspire. Motivation is exciting, often short-lived, and tells you what and how… True inspiration is encouraging, often long-lasting, and teaches you what and why… Aspire to Inspire!
©2009 Tom Leu
Aug/080
the longest journey
True contentment and serenity are matters of the heart. We 
cannot think them into place; try as we might. Everyone needs to make some changes from time to time to cure what ails us. Genuine change begins in the mind but has to travel down to the heart to have lasting impact. The behavior follows the thinking. It’s been said that the longest journey is the 18 inches between the head and the heart. Intellectual knowledge turned into emotional wisdom is where real progress and breakthroughs are made. It’s not enough to know it; we have to experience it for it to be real to us.
©2008 Tom Leu
May/080
whatever it is…
Whatever it is that makes you happy; trips your trigger; brings you joy and excitement; puts a smile on your face; energizes you; makes your heart beat faster; makes your soul sing; makes you feel alive…
Whatever it is…
Do that.
Do it today, do it tomorrow, and keep doing it like there is no tomorrow.
©2008 Tom Leu
May/080
communication breakdown
It matters little how good you are at your art, business, or craft; if your communication skills lack, your business productivity will suffer. Whether you realize it or not, first impressions count, while second impressions define.
Especially with any business interaction, you are wise to convey to people that you are at least as interested in them as they are in you. Usually, you have to appear more interested in them. Otherwise, you risk leaving people feeling flat or put off by you. We are all our own favorite subject. And awareness and action around this precept is paramount to long-term success in any field. The circumstances of the interaction also matter. Are you being approached, or are you doing the approaching? It’s important to understand the different communication nuances that different situations require.
Your ability to competently manage relationships and successfully interact with others is arguably the single greatest asset you possess. An inability to communicate effectively in all kinds of situations minimizes the impact of your other skills, and ultimately the level of your success. Recognize where your communication breaksdown and resolve to seek out solutions to do something about it today! Nobody benefits more than you do in the long run.
©2008 Tom Leu
May/082
rich in personality
There’s a fine line between doing what you love… doing what you’re good at… and paying the bills. The ”happiest” and most “successful” folks out there have found this elusive balance. It’s a goal toward which we all should strive. Of course, it’s way easier said than done.
In a recent newsletter, Michael Laskow, the founder of TAXI (a great company helping unsigned bands and musicians make money with their music) had this to say to his independent-musician subscribers:
“Do you want to make money making music, or are the journey and the validation you feel enough to slake your thirst?”
“What IS Indie? Cooler sounding than ‘unsigned,’ or a commitment to a life of starving artist excuses? Making money, enjoying the journey and feeling validated aren’t mutually exclusive. You can be something more than a starving artist if you’re not already.”
“I hope I find you at the intersection of Money Street and Validation Avenue.”
There’s something romantic and attractive about starving artists and struggling entreprenuers who are rich in personality but low on dough. The twisted allure of this lifestyle comes from enduring being revered and rejected at the same time. For those in this category, “success” really comes down to contenment during the journey. If you have it, money becomes a by-product of the pursuit.
So here’s the challenge whether you’re a musician, a model, or a mechanic… 1) Make sure your passion is also your true talent. 2) Be realistic about your situation - are your endeavors merely a hobby or supposed to be making your house payment? 3) Be honest about #1 and #2. 4) Be honest about #1 and #2 and #3.
©2008 Tom Leu
May/080
under a rock?
Here’s some great advice from David Hooper of Kathode Ray Music:
Elbert Hubbard said, “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“That’s good advice. If you look me (Hooper) up in Google or elsewhere, you’ll see there are plenty of people who think I’m full of it. So what?”
“When you touch enough people, somebody is going to be pissed. And a lot of the time, the problem isn’t you, it’s them.”
“So just ignore those folks who think (you) suck. You can’t please everybody. And if you try, you’ll please nobody.”
I thought this was good stuff to take to heart, especially for those who “put it out there,” refusing to live under a rock their whole life…
I’d like to leave you with another great quote that really resonates with me…
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
©2008 Tom Leu
Apr/080
simplicity
It takes a certain amount of self-control to remain simple. A lot of people tend to complicate their lives by reaching for lofty internal expectations while often buckling to shallow external situations. They then attempt to medicate and soothe the resulting disappointment by setting up more distractions disguised as “to-do’s.”
©2008 Tom Leu
Apr/080
searching
There is a distinct and obvious difference in purpose and intensity when one is searching for something versus simply looking for something. A person looks for things they’ve lost whereas one searches for something they’ve yet to find. Looking is to retrieve and is largely external. Searching is to discover and is largely internal. We have to inside to really find that which we’re searching for.
©2008 Tom Leu
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Tom Leu is a writer, speaker, photographer, and teacher with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. Tom's RockStar Way™ brand uncovers the extraordinary "images" within music, marketing & motivation.
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