You can have fresh beans, grind them daily, filter them perfectly and still not enjoy the coffee.  You have to be willing to pour.

For leaders the “Pour” is one of the most important steps in the process of influence.  Fresh ideas processed and filtered through the daily grind still must be shared with others.  Author Seth Godin calls it shipping.

He contends that shipping is full of risk and danger.  He writes, “Every time you raise your hand, send an email, launch a product or make a suggestion, you’re exposing yourself to criticism. Not just criticism, but the negative consequences that come with wasting money, annoying someone in power or making a fool of yourself.  It’s no wonder we’re afraid to ship.”

But “pouring” (shipping) must be consistently done if influence is to occur.

Each of you have great ability.  Yet some of you are holding back because of fear.  Why not decide to start pouring?

It will look different for everyone, but that is okay.  Your art doesn’t have to be a page out of the renaissance, it just needs to be you.

What is the place where you need to pour?  Is it to write, paint, compose, teach, encourage, speak, create, sculpt?  For those who are afraid of musical instruments and paint brushes, you can always just start a blog like I did.

I suspect you have huge potential to make art in some area of your life.  If you will commit to pouring a little every day it will make a difference in someone else’s life.

i2i,

Randy

What is one thing you need to pour (produce or ship) before the month is over?

repost from 8.19.10