Posts Tagged ‘write’

Falling in Love with Writing Again

Posted on: April 9th, 2013 by Geoff Livingston 38 Comments

8612045212_0f57b008b0
In its purest form, writing offers artistic value to our world, inspiring people, making them think, debating ideas, and challenging norms, even in marketing. The creative side of the profession, the part that speaks to the soul, demands better than a top five list or a mechanical landing page.

A blog post should contribute a small nugget to a professional’s life. An essay should revolve around an idea and debate its merits, pros and cons and leave the reader spinning with their own interpretations. A book should leave a reader enchanted with dream and vision.

And by books, I’m not talking the trade books many of us bloggers tout as our professional mantras, rather books of grander scale and intent. For example, a novel that offers societal commentary. Or even a great history or nonfiction accounting of some facet of life or place.

Writers achieve full potential when they touch others, catalyzing minds with ideas, conviction and passion. That requires effort and thought on the part of the crafts(wo)men.
(more…)

Business Resolutions for 2013

Posted on: December 31st, 2012 by Geoff Livingston 12 Comments

Dawn  and the Washington Monument

A new year is upon us, and like many others I have a few resolutions for my business and online life.

In addition to discussing the environment more frequently, here are some of my goals:

Less Travel

Philly During the Day B&W

Last year was my worst travel year since 2009, doubling my normal road time. This travel was in large part to support Marketing in the Round. By my calculations, I traveled at least one day a week 60% of the year, and from March until December it was more than 80%.

The impact on my family and personal exhaustion was significant.

(more…)

Redlining

Posted on: November 16th, 2012 by Geoff Livingston 24 Comments

Vroom Vroom! =D
Image by Fawzan Hasan

Sometimes work and life demands that we push ourselves to the limit, that we run at such a high speed our human engines cross the red line. Yet if we do it too long, we lose effectiveness and eventually burn out.

Redline refers to operating across the line of demarcation on your car’s tachometer. When a tachometer shows engine speed in the red, it means you are running too hard, possibly causing damage to the components themselves or other parts of the engine.

I’ve been redlining it for far too long, due to a variety of reasons and choices.

For example, for the past two and a half years I’ve been writing, traveling and promoting two business books AND this blog, in addition to my normal business activities. In direct conflict with these activities, I value being present for my daughter first. So I end up sacrificing personal time and sleep.

All of these activities produced a great increase in yield, yet a the same time it’s time to ease back on the throttle a bit. The peanut butter only spreads so thin.

(more…)