Permission to do the right thing

So last night I got a chance (along with 500 other folks) to listen to Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com )speak at an event sponsored by the So Cal Action Sports Network. It was eye opening, mind reeling and empowering, but in a very pragmatic way. If you’re not familiar with who Seth is, check out his blog or any of his dozen books. I’ve heard him referred to as a visionary, futurist, free thinker, whatever. And I agree with all of those things, but not in the “hearts & flowers, rainbows and unicorns” way. Simply in a real world, gut check fashion. For me last night’s event was more like a trip to the eye doctor- things are just more in focus.

Seth talked about a lot of different ideas- about being a “genius”, about being an “artist”, about how the world really has changed and about doing what matters. That’s where I got the gut check. Do something that matters, make a difference, be bold, take a chance. You don’t have to run out and be The Mahatma Gandhi tomorrow- you’re NEVER going to be! But you can make a difference in your own life and in those around you.

One of my all-time favorite movies is Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing”. (Oh crap, here Beau goes on his soap box again!) Partially because it reminds me of a portion of my childhood, partially because I love Lee’s style of filmmaking, but primarily because of Ossie Davis’ character  and dialogue.  In speaking to a neighborhood kid he says “Doctor, always do the right thing”. Ton of bricks the first time I heard that. My mom used to say basically the same thing to me growing up, but to hear it like that was when I actually heard it. To me it meant, whether you’re the popular one or the outcast by the decisions you make doesn’t really matter, as long as you do the right thing you’ve made a difference.

Trying to make a difference and a change in your life may (and most probably will!) lead to failure, at least once and probably multiple times. But it doesn’t mean that YOU are a failure and you should quit trying. That’s, as Seth puts it, the “lizard brain” talking. When I first became a single dad, I tortured my kids by trying to cook, time & time again. My failures were the stuff of legend. But the one time they actually said “Yay Dad, you didn’t burn the spaghetti!” was worth every bit of the failure. Now I’m a top-notch Mac & Cheese cook!

The lizard brain mentaily is also what keeps us from succeeding at work, and with the new focus I gained from last night, I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow the numerous failures to refrain me from trying. I’m giving myself, my company and most importanly you, the permission to do the right thing.

Beau