• Today’s challenge.

    Posted on May 27th, 2010 by and currently 5 commenting.

    So I can’t really explain why, but Google’s Jim Lecinski talk at The School of WOM about how Google builds it’s brand with WOM has been on rolling around in my mind since yesterday. You can see it here.

    He made the point that everyone loves a challenge. And it’s true when you think about it. We humans are a bit competitive, aren’t we?

    Yesterday in the airport I realized that about three months ago I picked up this habit of cussing like a drunken sailor. Seriously, not sure where that came from but I was telling Dodds and challenging myself to stop.

    It was pretty funny. Every time I said a cuss word, Dodds would just repeat it under his breath. It helped.

    So far this morning, I am 100% cuss free.

    Anyway. I thought I would toss out a challenge to our readers today. Inspired by Cordell really. He and I were doing a little welcome home “one liner email exchange” as we often do and he said the most compelling one liner ever:

    It would be great if for one day, for everyone, anytime you said something mean or nice about someone else, angels whispered in your ear something mean or nice someone in the world was saying about you.

    Hmmmm. Hmmmm.

    How’s that for a word of mouth idea?

    Anyway. Here’s your challenge from me today. Come on, play. Why not?

    Today I challenge you to go the entire day without saying anything mean or snarky about another person. Online and offline.

    Try instead to channel that lack of commenting into a moment of understanding. Let’s go. Let me know if your day is worse or better for the wear.

    OR for those of you with a bit more time on your hands or perhaps a little less self control, take the google search story challenge and create a video.… and share it with us.

  • http://www.brainsonfire.com Justin

    I love this challenge, and I thank you for reminding us to think before we speak.

    There are so many times that people upset or frustrate me. I’m usually pretty good at staying friendly, composed and patient, but a lot of times I end up venting to someone else in frustration… and they’re not always hearing kind words.

    Well, from here on out, they will be.

  • Shannon

    In an effort to try and tone down my snarkism and silence my own inner drunken sailor, I’ve lately been practicing “forgiveness yelling.” I’ll have to tell you about it sometime…super cathartic! :-)

  • John L

    Either Pema Chödrön or Charlotte Joko Beck suggested a practice of not talking about anyone who is not present. The idea here is not just to avoid saying mean things, but to avoid all gossip and focus on the present moment.

  • http://brainsonfire.com Robbin

    Oh. John. You are someone I love.

    Shannon. You have to share with SOON.

    OXOXOX

  • http://www.GoInfield.com Doug Naegele

    Parallel to this idea….

    A while back, someone suggested people replace the word ‘but’ with ‘and’ when talking to clients, coworkers, or others. For example.

    “I like your idea about putting the bike in the photo, but I wonder if that’s too expensive”
    “I like your idea about putting the bike in the photo and I wonder if that’s too expensive”

    The but is code for “That whole idea is bad” and the and seems to say “I like your idea except for this part”.

    I’ve noticed it makes a big difference sometimes.