James Altucher is a writer, podcaster, and wonderfully strange entrepreneur. I read his books, listen to his podcast, and he makes me think about a lot of stuff related to business, marketing, and life.
There are two words that sum up his philosophy, choose yourself.
He is well-known for his best-selling book Choose Yourself that has a core message about work, jobs, and marketing.
The world is changing. Markets have crashed. Jobs have disappeared. Industries have been disrupted and are being remade before our eyes. Everything we aspired to for “security,” everything we thought was “safe,” no longer is: College. Employment. Retirement. Government. It’s all crumbling down. In every part of society, the middlemen are being pushed out of the picture. No longer is someone coming to hire you, to invest in your company, to sign you, to pick you. It’s on you to make the most important decision in your life: Choose Yourself.
I have gleaned lots of marketing ideas and insights from learning from his perspective and experiences. But the singular message he preaches is choose yourself.
- You no longer have to wait to become a TV personality chosen by a network. (YouTube)
- You no longer have to wait to become a writer (start a blog)
- You no longer have to wait to share your viewpoints on the radio (start a podcast)
- You no longer need anyone’s permission to start a company (Get started online)
Permission Granted
If you are waiting for permission or your turn, life can easily pass you by. There are fewer barriers to moving forward to get started on your dreams.
Job security is a joke, a thing of the past. One day you feel secured, addicted to the W2 and then along comes what is conveniently called a RIF (reduction in force) when the economy takes a downturn. Companies will talk about loyalty until it has an impact on their bottom line. With a job, you have very little control over your fate and destiny.
When I get the chance to speak at Universities to students, I tell them to choose themselves.
- What did you love to do when you were a kid? What happened to that passion?
- What do you love to do that may have market potential where you see other’s succeeding.
- What community would you like to serve and how could you bring something of value to them?
- If you could speak to your future self, what would you say about that chance you didn’t take, that risks you avoided when you were younger?
- Would your eulogy move you or feel like you never choose yourself?
Make a Choice
James is incredibly curious and his interviews with a range of “doers” stimulates and expands my horizons. Listening to his questions to authors, entrepreneurs and a host of stimulating people is like pouring gasoline while sparks are flying all around. He is counterintuitive in his thinking while also being incredibly direct and fierce in challenging the status quo.
I also love how he challenges himself to try things he fears. This past year, he decided to do stand up comedy in clubs in NY because he wanted to see if he could do something that scared him silly. Last year his sold his home and lived in AirBnBs only and eliminated all his possessions to just what he could carry in a small suitcase. Crazy, perhaps. But he is living the life he chose.
James doesn’t write self-help books – he leads a self-help life.
Marketing Consultant
When I left my corporate job about two years ago, I made one choice. I determined that I no longer needed or wanted a job with one employer.
Instead, I could bring my creativity, ideas, and imagination to work for several companies. I’m fortunate to have earned enough credibility throughout my career that I could create a business in the form that I choose. I am very lucky but I also have worked incredibly hard to get to this point today.
I organized my business so I could live the life I want, do the things I love and be helpful to businesses that can benefit from my experiences in marketing.
As I love to tell people I coach, here is the steering wheel. Now you drive.
I am so thankful that I chose myself.
How about you? Who are you going to choose as you make that next leap into the future?
Since I was a teenager, I have always been passionate about creative endeavors. I worked for years as a photographer, an entrepreneur and a successful marketing executive in both B2C and B2B. Could my skills be helpful to your business that can’t afford a full-time CMO or VP of marketing? Let’s talk. Text me at 919 720 0995 or email me at jeffslater@themarketingsage.com
Photo by Nigel Tadyanehondo on Unsplash
