5 things that can trash your CANpaign

One of the most entertaining parts of this project is the looks of astonishment that my team is met with when we tell people about our mission. (If you want to impress anyone, just drop the number of 1.2 million (of anything) and watch their reaction unfold!) However, the more I thought about it, the more these people's surprise reaction ended up surprising me. The right mentality can always make a substantial impact, even to the caliber of Cans for Kili, and should not be a surprise in my opinion. I get giddy thinking about the impact people could make by pursuing their dreams and all I want to do is break down the barriers for them to reach it! Unfortunately, I must avoid doing so because their journey is not my battle to fight nor would it be rewarding if it were smooth. I can, however, offer tips for consideration when you go to transform your own vision into a reality.

Here are my top 5:

1. Know why it wouldn’t work.

The biggest misconception people have about my optimism is that it comes from a place of never thinking of the negatives. This couldn’t be more wrong. Much like how confidence comes from being vulnerable, success in pursuing your dreams often relies on knowing how they could fail. Listen to your critics! They are telling you what will stop you down the road. This is the greatest information you can receive because once you have that, you will know exactly what success will take and can therefore ensure it down the road.

2. Be the weakest link.

Antarctica: Going to the most desolate place on Earth was a good trip. Surrounding myself with some of the most inspiring people on Earth made it a great one.

It is as much as an ego stroke as it is your demise if you establish yourself as the smartest, most experienced team member of your tribe. Being the best in the room at everything may sound appealing but I warn you, with great power comes great responsibility. If you are the smartest in the room, you are putting the burden of all the work on yourself. Building a team better than you is one of the most difficult things to do because it can feel embarrassing to identify your weaknesses and build a team that is strong in those areas. This comes with a lot of admitting others are right, but I can tell you from experience, building a team in the areas you are weak is liberating. We have way more quality social media and I have way less stress because Colleen offered to be in her happy place by taking over marketing.

3. Ruthlessly Prioritize.

“Ruthless prioritization” is an expression I ripped off my very sage brother, Stephen Zerfas. I love the aggression it places ensuring your focusing at the right things at the right time. There are a million tasks that will come up in any scheme and here’s a news flash: they ALL have to get done. This is why prioritization must be ruthless. You have to see the difference between important tasks and urgent tasks and address them accordingly. The moment you focus on too many small tasks that seem flashy or important tasks that don’t actually have to get completed right away, is the moment progress will stall or stop completely.

4. Make the ask.

IU Habitat for Humanity: we were able to build an entire home for a qualified family as a result of making the ask.

This is such a big component that it has two parts:

1. So many of my friends see asking for things as an imposition rather that an invitation and it can be. You should always, always appreciate the sacrifices people inevitably make to help you and craft requests accordingly. However, do not forget that your dream is an invitation. Bringing others along with you can be just as rewarding for them as it is for you. You would not say “I won’t invite Susie to the party because she is too busy.” You would want her to know that you want her there. So you invite her and let her say no. The same is true with your dream because my friend, your dream is a party.

2. By not asking, you are limiting your dream. No one ever achieved their dream alone. You need help to get there and so you must learn to ask for it. Do not assume that others do not want to or cannot help you. Moreover, do not limit others by assume they will only help you to a certain extent. If you need $100, ask for $100 even if you think they will only give you $10. They when they give you $50, you will be ecstatic.

5. Be the energy (10x over).

As Benjamin Zander says in his book The Art of Possibilities, “always remember Rule #6: don’t take yourself so d**n seriously.” This could not be more true when it comes to realizing dreams. Remember, the journey to your dream is a birthday, not a funeral. In many ways, working towards it will be the hardest thing you have ever done, but also the most rewarding and fun. You are giving all of yourself and your team and partners are generously contributing so make sure they feel the party! You must be the energy 10x over because it is on your inspiration that they are feeding. The energy with which you deliver your mission will be conveyed with half the energy by the next person who shares it, so make sure you have enough to go around!

The Little 500: our underdog success story was a result of every member having an obscene amount of fun with our dream.

Now what’s stopping you? Write it in the comments and I am sure we can find a way around your barricade.

Take Action,

The Schemer

P.S.

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