What I got rid of today.

In my opinion, hooey.

The book: a marketing book about how the “measurement of the brain” can lead to better marketing results.

The science: in my opinion, a load of hooey. The science is, suffice it to say, highly suspect.

The issue: even if we could do this, should we? Have we as marketers, as Americans,…so bought into our greed that we would attempt to manipulate the brain chemistry of consumers to get them to behave the way we want to?

If you’ll excuse me, I’ve come to my own opinion about this. We, all of us, in our daily lives should be contributing to POSITIVE things happening in the world…GOOD and GREAT experiences delivered to the people who buy our company’s goods and services.

Not simply the wanton manipulation of people for financial gain.

There are those who will object to this. But, I say…if your product or service doesn’t actually enhance the lives of people, then maybe you should invest in improving it — rather than in manipulating brain chemistry.

That is all.

(He climbs off soapbox.)

Just a book...reminding me of what's important.

If there’s one thing the RID project has taught me, it’s to get RID of the items that aren’t in my long-term interest. Focusing on the stuff I HAVEN’T RID…the stuff that will be part of my life moving forward…has given me focus, and allows me to enjoy everyday.

So…short post today…I’m going to go enjoy the day now.

The search for peace.

RIDding a book on Zen is the most zen thing I think I’ve ever done.

This project has been very Zen-like for me in so many ways. The loss of attachment to the things RIDded has made me calmer, happier, and of course,….lighter.

I’d recommend a RID project to anyone who even has an inkling that it might be helpful or illuminating to them.

It certainly has been for me.

Oh, and…T minus 37 days. The RID project? Nearing its conclusion.

Lesson 1: Never call anyone an idiot.

I actually think this might be the only religion that wouldn’t object to this title.

I have a high regard for the Buddhist way of thinking. I think there’s a lot to be said about a spirituality that:

1) has respect for other traditions,

2) checks in with self regarding the feeling of right and wrong, and

3) attempts to stay in the present, rather than being future- or past-focused.

So, today as I RID this book I purchased 5+ years ago; I release my attachments to it…and to the feelings I had when I originally purchased it.

Kind of the “middle way,” doncha think?

A good read, really.

Someone who used to work with me gave me this book. It’s a compilation of tips about how the people who explored Antarctica, Everest, etc. planned for, recruited for, and enabled their journeys.

I wasn’t sure really what I’d get out of the book…but I took it on a recent plane ride, and the answer is…a lot. It is chock full of great advice about how to build a team, how to improve morale, how to coalesce around a vision, etc.

In fact, I dare say it’s the best management book I ever read.

So today, as I cast it on the RID pile for someone else to glean insights from, I remind myself to stay open-minded.

You never know where the next good idea is going to come from.

Just was never going to get to it.

For awhile there, everyone was talking about this book.

On building bridges with your rivals, and getting the best thoughts/ideas out of them.

I felt out of the loop. And I was going to read it someday. I really was.

Only it turns out…maybe I wasn’t.

So, today….after years of this languishing on my bookshelf…I’m RIDding it. And embracing a “rival” thought for me…sometimes, it’s ok to be a bit “out of the loop” on what everyone’s taking about.

Today, I give myself that permission.