MacGetIT

Just had a discussion with a software engineer that stated the younger generation of college kids, and to a larger extent, people in general are having difficulty with their thinking processes. Namely, the difference between critical thinking and cynical thinking.

Critical thinking is where you analyze a problem and determine a solution using cause and effect of various processes. You take “no sides” of an issue and move forward with what’s best toward a vision of what’s possible.

Cynical thinking is where you lack or do not take into consideration various aspects of a problem and consider all of the alternatives to come to a logical and appropriate answer to a problem. A contemptuous or mocking attitude of various ideas or solution. Henry Ford told his engineers to work on an eight cylinder engine and they stated it could not be done. He said work on it until you solve it. It took them over a year, but they did it.

To often those in “political circles”, and we’re not just talking liberal versus conservative, but we also need to include businesses in this, both start-up and Fortune 500 companies, swap the definition of cynical and critical to fit their purposes. What is critical becomes cynical and visa versa.

So, which thinking do you have?

Hi all,

I’m not going to post today but I thought I’d give you a chance to tell your story about using a Mac in your startup. Tell the truth and keep it clean, ’cause we all want to hear how you’re doing.

Kevin

There’s a great post over at another blog that discusses pricing your products and services. The post “6 Things They Mean When Say They Have No Money” is a great article about how you view yourself and your customers.

In the book “Think and Grow Rich” Napoleon Hill states, “I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice, therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all who it affects.”

There’s the answer.

When you work for someone else there is a tendency to want to ensure that you are motivated to do the work. But as an entrepreneur how do you keep yourself motivated? As an entrepreneur how will you keep others motivated?

If you have ever taken a look at the TED.com and their presentations of new ideas you’re bound to see some that change current viewpoints. Dan Pink spoke at TED.com about the science of motivations and gives a glimmer of hope of for those involved with motivating others. What’s the premise?

Stick and carrot intrinsic and extrinsic punishments and rewards DO NOT WORK in most of today’s business environments! Dan Pink’s answer: autonomy, mastery, purpose to being more productive.

“Gentleman, enlisted men may be entitled to morale problems, but officers are not.  I expect all officers in this department to take care of their own morale.  No one is taking care of my morale.” General George Marshall about leadership.

So, you’re a leader, get motivated and motivate others.

If you have seen Mint.com you’ll know that it’s a great little web site/iPhone application that allows you to keep track of all of your finances from one location. Read the story here about how it was done.

Many high powered venture capitalists said “NO!” but a higher risk super angel investor said “Yes!” because they saw the pain point of customers was greater than the obstacles to overcome.

As was reported, the upstart Mint.com actually startled Intuit and they were threatened with legal action, but was taken by most as bullying of the David and Goliath type.

If you have a good idea, pursue it!!

I can’t say much more than this, but it is so true.

Fail like you mean it.

People only see the success, not the work that is involved.

Have you given your best today? Are you going to give your best today? When will you give your best today?

Self imposed limitations is not giving your best.

Death Crawl

What are your thoughts?

If you want to stay in business, here’s the secret for most of the businesses out there. If you don’t see it, think about it:

“Sell” to your customer’s customer.

That’s it. If you get it, run with it, if you don’t, think about it some more.

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling