Focusing on the Journey and the Destination … Together
On yesterday's Indie Business Radio Show, dozens of Indie Business owners joined me to talk with Andrew Sherman, author of Road Rules: Be the Truck, Not the Squirrel. Andrew talked with us about his book, which covers 12 of his "essential" rules for planning, navigating and enjoying the road of life and business. The audio stream and MP3 downloads will be available in a day or so, but in the meantime, I want to share some of the highlights with you.
First, a little about Andrew, an attorney at Jones Day. While I have never met him in person, I consider him a valued and trusted business colleague. I first heard of Andrew while doing research for my first radio show back in 2005. At the time, I had a small law practice and was looking for an attorney to talk with my listeners about the importance of trademarks. Andrew appeared as my guest on the show for the first time on March 20, 2006, just 5 months after the show launched. Andrew is serious about his life and his work, both of which encompass a "giving back" component that is hard to miss. Once again, yesterday, he didn't disappoint. Here's a taste of what you missed if you weren'tt able tot join us.
1. The Importance of Sharing
We talked about how today's technological advances, especially social networks, have made it possible for us to be successful in new ways by allowing us to share the road of business in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. As Andrew talked, everyone in the chat room with me was proving his point by encouraging and lifting each other up. Some people, especially "Leanne" (not her real name) chatted about how good it feels to know that she's not the only mom struggling with some of the same challenges associated with wearing all the hats in her business. Leanne's comments, coupled with the replies of encouragement and uplift from others in the chat room made a difference for all of us.
2. Moms In Business, Be Encouraged!
Andrew shared from his own personal experiences about the challenges of managing his own successful business and career as an attorney and speaker. He has two high school aged children, and his accomplishments as a business and family man are numerous. When we touched upon the topic of managing our home and business lives, the chat room lit up with conversation among listeners about how difficult that can be, especially for mothers.
All of us were particularly encouraged when Andrew pointed out the benefits our children automatically enjoy when they observe us in the role of mom business owner. He encouraged us to recognize that our creation of profitable ventures that make substantial contributions to the family's bottom line will reap benefits in our childrens' lives for years to come. This is an especially importance message to me and to my husband since we work together in this business.
While I already knew that, the honest truth is that sometimes, I need to hear it from someone else. Andrew pointed out reason after reason for all of us to be proud of our accomplishments as women, mothers and Indie Business leaders, and that felt really good!
3. Vroom! Vroom!
When I first heard the title of Andrew's book, the picture that immediately came into my head was of a huge 18-wheeler running over a poor defenseless squirrel. Andrew shared that one of the titles originally considered, though not terribly seriously, for the book was "Road Kill." That title was dropped as an option for obvious reasons.
Andrew pointed out that being a truck in business is not about running other people off the road or smashing them into tiny grease spots on the road. Instead, it's about focusing, much like a truck and its driver do, on a particular destination and then moving with confidence, courage and determination toward that destination.
Some of Andrew's other rules cover topics like the benefits of having a clear windshield (#3), being willing to travel the "back roads" (#7) and the importance of a navigational system (#6).
You can learn more about Andrew and his new book, and purchase your own copy, at his website.
Question: What do you think of the topics we discussed? Does thinking of yourself as a truck help you create a clear picture of where you want to go in your Indie Business, and how you will get there?
