[stylist] 3 Keys To Business Success./Re: new writing prompt

Fri Feb 3 17:26:59 UTC 2012

Thanks guys. I'd thought similar and was 
considering dropping out a couple larger chunks 
for the overall balance between 
experience/business perspective, and also for 
word count too. It's too long. . Like they say in 
songwriting, if you think something is off, it 
probably is so just deal with it up front.

Very helpful. I've been putting this thing 
together in small chunks of time, utilizing a bit of a former  blog  post.

Thanks much.

Brad

On 2/3/2012  11:17 AM Jacqueline Williams said...
>Brad,
>I tend to agree with Donna's comments. The first part, while pertinent to
>the "keys" theme, is much better as a personal story, while the second
>"three keys" stands alone as a guide for anyone facing a job market, or
>almost any performance toward a goal. Each would have its own market.
>It is creative and well written in both aspects.
>Jackie
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Brad Dunsé
>Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:44 PM
>To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>Subject: [stylist] 3 Keys To Business Success./Re: new writing prompt
>
>This is intended as a casual conversational
>newsletter type piece, mixing light-hearted situation with business
>concepts.
>
>3 Keys to jingle on your keychain of business Success
>
>
>
>Have you ever had a pivotal moment? One of those
>moments like, “Hey, I just signed a 1-year
>membership to a health club. Now I’m going to
>have to do some mental exercises to excuse away
>why I can’t work out. Gee, I hope that won’t be too difficult.” Ha. Ha.
>
>
>
>I had a pivotal moment last winter. I’d checked
>the clock and thought, “yeah I’ve got time for a
>quick bowl of oatmeal before heading out this
>morning.” I microed some water, tossed in the
>fixin’s, and let it steep on the counter. A kiss
>goodbye from my wife as she left warmed the
>weather guy's statement of it being the coldest morning that winter.
>
>
>
>Poking my head outside, I found the frozen
>nostril test read 15 below 
that’s subzero for
>all you folks not in the Twin Cities--
>Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area. “Better go start the truck,” I moped.
>
>
>
>Snabbing my truck keys, patting my pup on the
>head with an, “I’ll be right back pal,“ then
>shutting the door on my way out; an immediate
>thought came to mind, something like, “Did I
>just? 
 Oh no I didn’t. Oh yes I did! I just locked the door when I shut
>it!”
>
>
>
>Writer’s note: In case you weren’t paying
>attention? That would be the pivotal moment right there.
>
>
>
>Faster than Clint Eastwood’s cheroot clenched
>pistol draw, I made for a quick jab to the left
>front pocket, no keys! In one fluid move 
 a slam
>to the right front chest pocket of my
>cover-alls--which would have impressed even Chuck
>Norris. Rats! No keys there either
 and no cell
>phone! My wife had just left, and could have come
>back to let me in 
 that is 
 if I remembered to slip my cell in my pocket.
>
>
>
>To continue my “Dance of External
>Disappointment,” if I recall the moves correctly.
>Let’s see now, it was
 tighten fists, flap lips
>in various unrecognizable contorts, blend in a
>burst of vocal expression of self-disgust,
>followed by a disgraceful delivery of the “heel knock” technique.
>
>
>
>For those unfamiliar with that particular skilled
>technique, that would be an animated alternate
>forward crash of your heels in a childish tantrum.
>
>
>
>Rounding out the choreographed diatribe, was a
>simultaneous wielding of the arms ,with an ugly
>spasm-like twist of the torso. And the big finale
>
 the irritated rooster strut, otherwise seen as a jerking head of rage.
>
>
>
>Can you hear the judges now? “9.9, 9.7, 9.8,”
>folks tossing flowers at me while screaming as I
>walk away with the Gold Medal in the “Childlike
>Behavior by an Adult” competition?
>
>
>
>I’d thought I heard the neighbors squinting out
>their front window saying “Wow honey. Get a load
>of this. Brad’s doing some sort of Moshercise,
>Turbo Slam or something out in his driveway. In
>the dead of winter no less? Oh I see now, he’s in
>insulated cover-alls. Hmmm that must add a level of difficulty to the
>workout”.
>
>
>
>So, there I stood in the driveway, the pup
>staring at me through the front door glass with a
>tongue dangling toothy grin. I couldn’t tell if
>the toothy grin was just a sympathetic expression
>of a canine panting in despair of its owner’s
>predicament, or more like “Brad? That hot oatmeal
>on the counter right over there? That’s mine. Yeeaaah baby!”
>
>
>
>I was thankful for my intuitive fluke of slipping
>my cover-alls on before going out, and didn’t
>jump out there in the usual sweat pants and
>T-shirt with moccasin type slippers. That would
>have made for a new Olympic event called “The
>Half-Naked Shivering 40 Meter Dash to the
>Neighbors House” which I most certainly would have won.
>
>
>
>So how important is remembering your house keys
>when heading out for the day? Pretty dang important at 15-degrees below
>zero.
>
>
>
>Come to think of it, there are a few important
>keys you need to remember heading out to your
>business day, every day, or get the big chill.
>
>
>
>Key#1: Have a positive attitude and believe you
>can do it. How important is it you believe you
>can get out there and get the difficult jobs done? Pretty darn important.
>
>
>
>One thing I’ve learned, no one will ever believe
>in your ability to be successful as much as you
>will need. OK yes, there are those around you
>that see your potential and offer support, but if
>you don’t see it, or play it down with excuse,
>they’ll eventually stop. No one wants to
>continually smack the encouragement ball to the
>outfield and drag you to first base.
>
>
>
>It’s your own belief that counts because you’re
>the one out in the trenches. And you know? You
>really can do it if you just get after it. Just
>about everything in this world is a teachable
>skill, and despite what it might appear, we’re
>all learning everyday so you’re not alone. Simply
>believe in yourself, your ability to learn what
>needs learning and do what needs doing. Just go
>for it and don’t forget to have fun along the way!
>
>
>
>Key #2: Get going and actually do something.
>Isn’t it funny how once we decide to do
>something, we’re always expected to take action
>on it? Whose idea was that anyway?
>
>
>
>That doesn’t mean endless answering of emails,
>rabbit trailing down YouTube lane, checking with
>your neighbor if he brought back the rake he
>borrowed last fall so you don’t accidentally step
>on the business end of it bonking yourself in the forehead with the handle.
>
>
>
>It means prioritizing your goals, provided you’ve
>made them, and account for your time. You’re the
>boss, it’s up to you to give yourself performance
>reviews, and your boss can get a bit tough. Focus
>on your tasks, don’t’ procrastinate, you’ll
>“loose end” yourself to a point of overwhelm.
>
>
>
>Key #3: Balance the view. When you’ve forgotten
>the second key on your keychain, don’t spend all
>your time looking in the rear-view mirror for it
>or constantly reminding yourself of all those mistakes you left behind.
>
>
>
>Learn from them yes, but hey, there’s a reason
>the windshield is larger than the rear view
>mirror. Spending valuable time squinting at that
>mirror only leads to not paying attention to the
>things coming at you through that big clear glassy thing with the wipers on
>it.
>
>
>
>Basically, glance at your past to learn from it,
>and spend the majority of your time looking at
>what’s ahead. In case you need a blunt reminder?
>
That would be your immediate future, and you’re
>the one behind the wheel driving straight into it whether you like it or
>not.
>
>
>
>One final item before I go. Does anyone have a
>spare brick and know the rough cost of a window
>replacement? I forgot to put on my cover-alls,
>you know 
 the ones the dog has in her teeth
>staring out the window at me, with the cellphone
>and keys in the front left pocket?
>
>
>
>Brad Dunsé
>
>"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." --John Wayne
>
>http://www.braddunsemusic.com
>
>http://www.facebook.com/braddunse
>
>http://www.twitter.com/braddunse
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Brad Dunsé

"Write like you mean it and sing like nobody's watching." --Ben Wakeman

http://www.braddunsemusic.com

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