The Icarus Deception – Work is Art

The process of doing what you were meant to do can be frightening, and that is why its accomplishment is so rewarding.

For one thing, you just may fail. In fact, honing your skills into a viable practice requires that you fail, because the perspective gained from failures and challenges leads to creating your best work.

Seth Godin calls the practice of delivering your best work creating your art.

You may not think of yourself as an artist, and that is largely because society has conditioned you to believe that greatness is what others accomplish – rock stars, accomplished athletes, and other celebrities.

Yet, each of us is a rock star in our own right when we face the fear of doing the work that we know we have to do. The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin is a new book that will show you how.

What you most fear is what you must accomplish.

Our fears are indications of what is important to us, what we deeply believe is within our capabilities for making a contribution to this world. This is precisely why your original contribution can be considered nothing less than art.

You Have Permission to Create Your Art

Working with the perspective of elevating your efforts to the level of art is something even those who are artists in a traditional sense can benefit from. Society conditions us to believe that success comes from learning to draw within the lines – that only leads to mediocrity.

The Icarus Decepton will change that by giving you permission to go where you need to go to do what you need to do. It encourages you to use your gifts to accomplish what no other is capable of, and therefore, what the world needs.

Seth defines art not as a product, but an attitude – one that leads to investing in things that give you a chance to stand out and make a difference. There is risk in that, which is why it works, and also why it involves facing fears.

From the moment you open the The Icarus Deception you realize this book is an example of its suggested methods. Accompanying it is a bookmark (see photo above) that is designed to encourage you take the risk of sharing your art – right now.

You are instructed to describe your art on the bookmark and then place it within another copy of The Icarus Deception at your local bookstore. Can you face the fear of taking the unorthodox act of sharing your art with complete strangers?

Me too.

Are You Ready to Accept the Gift?

I read portions of The Icarus Deception the past couple of weeks with no big breakthroughs. Then I picked it up yesterday after a particularly challenging presentation that nevertheless happened to go well.

This time it gave me a new perspective on success – that winning isn’t everything. I considered why I’ll often work hard to give my audiences what I think they want when I should instead be giving them what nobody else on this planet can offer them.

Instead of taking the traditional route, The Icarus Deception will indeed give you permission to find your best path, the one that will enable you to truly discover your work is art.

Most of us are waiting for others to give us permission when they buy us or hire us. That’s a product of conditioning – it’s how we were brought up, educated, and trained.

Instead of waiting, isn’t it better to just pick yourself? That’s how most successful businesses and projects start.

Following a traditional path can only lead to ordinary results that go unnoticed. Hard work is just not enough anymore, especially in an economy where most of us are already working harder than ever.

Instead of working hard just to impress the boss or customer, work to liberate your talent, expertise, and experience to elevate your work to art.

There has never been a better time to practice your art. Digital social media is increasingly connecting everyone on this planet, thereby providing abundant opportunities for the brave, creative, and relentless among us.

Does that describe you?

About the Author:  Jeff Korhan, MBA, is the author of Built-In Social: Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business and host of This Old New Business podcast.

He helps mainstream businesses adapt their traditional growth practices to a digital world. Connect with Jeff on LinkedInTwitterFacebook, and Google+

 

The Art of Questions for Engaging a Facebook Community

Social engagement is the result of a number of activities, including listening, offering suggestions and other assistance, and asking good questions.

When these actions are executed well, the natural result is engagement in the form likes, shares, and comments that serve to build your Facebook community.

Sharing interesting, useful, or entertaining content is essential for encouraging engagement. This is best accomplished on Facebook with a photo or video with a short message and a call to action.

Is it any wonder that 300 million photos are posted on Facebook every day!

Most people seem to understand this aspect of Facebook engagement, but then they fall short with the most important step – the call to action.

Questions are the essential calls to action that encourage engagement and community building.

When you skillfully ask the right questions, an engaging dialogue among community members readily ensues. Here are 5 considerations for making that happen.

#1 – Everyone Wants to Be Right

Agreement and controversy will both encourage engagement, but when it comes to building a community of fans around your business, keeping everything friendly and upbeat is obviously to your benefit.

Research has proven that most people are fishing for agreement when they ask a question on Facebook. They simply want to be right.

We all have different opinions and naturally believe we are in the right, but when it comes to building a community, always be mindful of creating a forum that honors the diverse opinions of your community.

Skilled community managers understand Facebook is for showing off.

Feed that desire and you will build better support for you and your business.

#2 – Leading Questions are Safe

Leading questions are safe because they broadcast the desired response. This may not create a stimulating conversation, but it keeps the playground safe and encourages plenty of likes and comments.

Leading questions are typically those that can be answered with a yes or no response. Here are some examples.

  • Look at these adorable shoes. Should I buy them?
  • Wouldn’t you love to have a cozy retreat like this in your back yard?
  • I think it’s time to get the best family tent and go for a vacation, what do you think?

Questions that tend to encourage a positive response also generate positive comments and engagement.

#3 – Loaded Questions are Dangerous

Loaded questions are those that appear to be asking for feedback but in reality are fishing for agreement or favorable disagreement. A classic example is – Does this make me look fat?

The reason loaded questions are dangerous is some people will speak their mind and derail or completely shut-down the conversation.

I recently encountered a loaded question that had two parts – a leading question and a loaded question. I acknowledged that part of it was loaded and answered it honestly – big mistake. Fortunately, one of the community members came to my rescue.

Even the best of us mess up in an attempt to provide what we believe to be helpful feedback. Don’t do it.

If your friend really wants your honest feedback they will send you an email and get it privately.

#4 – The Best Questions Have No Right Answer

What are good questions? The best questions are those for which there is no right or wrong answer.

Here are a few Facebook questions that attracted a very high level of engagement.

  • Is this a garden or a landscape?
  • What is your pet peeve? (Not a great question but one with no right answer)
  • What was your favorite subject in school?

Always make the focus of your question about the overall event of a photo or story, not a particular person.

This avoids putting anyone in the spotlight that may not want to be there, thereby minimizing the possibility of errant comments that someone may take exception to.

#5 – The Last Word

Questions generate a string of comments, and that opens the door for pushing a personal opinion that feeds ones ego. Avoid this one-upmanship, and don’t be afraid to step in and diffuse it. It often comes in the form of a subtle counterattack to have the last word – “just saying.”

Let it go, or redirect the conversation whenever possible.

Avoiding the need to be right allows positive conversations to breathe and negative ones to die.

What’s one of your favorite questions to ask your Facebook community?

Leave a comment below – and share this with your community.

Until next time, Jeff

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