Seth Godin - "The work you get to do."

Insight and inspiration for flying higher in the difference only you can make from guests who have appeared on Creative on Purpose Live.

This week's wisdom comes from a conversation with Seth Godin, bestselling author and founder of the altMBA and Akimbo Workshops. Tune into this entire conversation here.

[SETH] Something shifted for me, probably the third year I was a book packager. So it must have been '87 or '88, and I came to the conclusion that this was something I get to do not something I have to do.

Because I knew I could make a living as a bank teller. I knew I could make a living. I got a freelance gig to tide me doing a twenty-page spreadsheet for a series of nursing homes that were being acquired. I knew I could do that and not starve to death.

So... I'm sorry, that's the local fire department. If I was going to do this I should take the posture of "Wow. What a privilege." I get to mail out a book proposal, and maybe, just maybe, someone will buy it. I get to write something on my blog, and maybe, just maybe, someone will read it.

But I'm writing it because I get to write it, not because someone's gonna get to read it.

And over time, that habit became priceless to me.

And I write the blog every day mostly for me. I'm thrilled when it resonates with someone but I love that I have the chance to do it. And having that attitude takes all the pressure off the other person. And now I'm giving them the freedom to make the decision they want to make.

So if someone comes to me and says, "I've read a thousand of your blog post but never read your books." I'm like, "Fine." That's okay because I'm not here to sell books. I'm here to change minds.

Seth delivered a powerful reminder about gratitude and work worth doing. How are you expressing gratitude for the work you get to do today?

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at Creative on Purpose.

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