Tuesday, August 29, 2006

It's not about the nametag

4:47 AM , , , , 11 comments

On January 14th, 2005, my friend Andy was drunk.

Not wasted. Not tipsy. And not belligerent, but drunk enough that he did not care if his words hurt my feelings.

“Scott, face it,” he started, “The whole nametag thing is cool. Nobody can deny that. But come on. You already wrote a book about it. So what next? Nothing! It’s like, you have nowhere to go.”

Interesting. I listened on.

“I am not trying to rain on your parade,” he slurred, “but the thing is: there is really nothing unique about wearing a nametag. Anybody could have done that. And there is nothing unique about your book. Anybody could have written that.”

Wow. For being drunk at 4:00 AM during the final hours of a bachelor party, Andy sure gave me something to think about!

In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I stayed up all night replaying our conversation in my head. Did not get a wink of sleep. And those five words kept chiming like church bells:

Anybody could have done that.
Anybody could have done that.
Anybody could have done that.

I never told anyone about that conversation.

Maybe because I did not know the answer.
Maybe because I was ashamed.
Maybe because I was afraid.

Either way, it did not resurface until about a year later.

I had just returned to St. Louis after a giving a speech at WOMMA in Orlando. My Dad and I sat down to dinner. We were talking about the growth of my business, writing books, giving speeches and the like.

And in this almost eerie, yet proud tone that only a father could project, he said, “Scott,” with a nod and a smile, “It’s not about the nametag.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not about the nametag…” he laughed.

“…because anybody could have done that.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, you’ve been at this thing going on six years now. Think about everything that happened: the books, the speeches, the interviews and the change you’ve brought about to yours and other people’s lives; everything that’s evolved since the day you first stuck that nametag on your shirt. Pretty remarkable, doncha think!?”

“Yeah, I…I guess it is,” I nodded.

“You see, the fact that you wear a nametag is not what’s brilliant. The brilliant thing is what you’ve done with it.”

And at that exact moment, I knew Andy was both right AND wrong.

Why he was right: sure, maybe my original idea was not unique. Anybody could have slapped on a nametag every day. Hell, they did that in Seinfeld.

But what WAS unique was what that idea had turned into.

Why he was wrong: Andy said that after my first book, I had nowhere to go.

This could not have been farther than the truth. In fact, it was the opposite: I had everywhere to go! And I still do! And I can’t wait to get there!

Folks, the lesson is simple:

It’s not your idea; but what your idea BECOMES that matters.

(Well, that, AND, "always ignore the drunken ramblings of your friends at 4 AM.")

LET ME ASK YA THIS...
What was the best idea you had in the past year? What did it become?

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That Guy with the Nametag

Are you That Guy?

Find out in Scott's latest book at www.hellomynameisscott.com!

11 comments:

Scott, I don't know the exact date, but I remember the call. I own a training company. We now have over 300 people in our area that have taken the course I offer. The call sounded like this, "How much do I have to pay to join Certified Networker?" I thought this person was asking about a class, and I told him the tuition amount. His comment back was, "No, I just want to be part of that community." It was then that I realized that I was no longer selling training, but selling the exclusiveness of a well-trained, helpful group of business people.

The other aspect is that anyone else could have done it, but they didn't. You did. A big part of it is just getting of your rear end and getting it done. The first step is always the hardest.

Scott, I appreciate getting credit for making a simple observation, but the "what you do with it" was fascinating to sit back and watch! I would like your fans and supporters to know that it didn't happen overnight, but that it evolved slowly with gruelling 24 hour a day research, committment, creativity, passion and a little bit of luck (check out Richard Wisemans book "The Luck Factor")! You have earned every morsel of your success! Your professionalism and fame humble me.

Yeah, and out of I don't know how many volunteers (200-300?) we've had here at Minds Eye since I've been here, we've only had just one author/speaker/ that guy with the nametag. I still think its about the 25 year old who gets up on the stage and blows away both the 85 year old grandmas, the 50ish businessman and the college age kids with just one speech. (by the way, I'm a fan too!)

"It's not about the nametag." Great post Scott. Thanks for sharing.

Someone said to me that "ideas without action is just imagination." I think you took that quote further that "ideas with action are dreams come true!"

Scott - the fact that you EXECUTED this idea is really all that matters! For that, you are genius! It's not about the nametag, it's all about YOU and your ability to EXECUTE! Well done!

Before I even finished reading the post, I thought to myself..."It's about ACTION!" Sure "anybody could" do lots of things. The difference between people like you and others is that you have an idea and you ACT on it! And hopefully, the very fact that you ACT on it inspires others to ACT on their ideas! Unfortunately, many won't or they will just become resentful of your success. But some will....and that's why it's important to become successful...so that others can see that if they ACT, they too can become successful!

On that note, I've got to stop procrastinating, take ACTION, get back to my laptop and finish my book proposal!

Great Post!
Am I the only one who sees the parallels to Lance Armstrong and his book, "It's not about the Bike"? Scott's arena is not cycling, it is approachability and he has certainly won at least won one (maybe two or three) equivalents of the Tour de France !

Keep up the good work !
Dave Wheeler

Wow, thanks Dave. You know, I thought about Lance's book and knew there was certainly a connection there, although I wouldn't compare myself to him.

Lance is the greatest athelete in the history of the world. (Sorry Tiger and Mohammed). What he's done is impossible.

I don't think nametagging is quite up to snuff - especially since I didn't overcome three types of cancer!

But still, thanks ;)

Scott,

I'm inspired by your post, because my passion is organizing large groups of people to go on cultural outings -- everything from walking tours to ballet to theater, etc. -- that people here in New York City can do every day of the week, but somehow never get around to doing.

Like wearing your nametag, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to organize these events, but time, effort, creativity, caring about other people, and luck.

Your posts mean a lot to me,
Sheryl
Culture for the Non-Cultured Meetup
http://culturecircle.meetup.com/3/

Post a Comment