Good morning, Tuesday. I have lots to soldier through today but wanted to get this out to you and you and you.
Maybe I'm just becoming wise in my old age, but lots of people have been talking to me lately about not being terribly happy in this thing called life. Much of it has to do with career, some of it has to do with wanting more out of a relationship, and some still are frustrated by how a vegan diet and a six day exercise routine don't guarantee a body like Gisele. Though I don't hole any magic key to help solve any of the above, I can only draw from my own worldview, oh and Starbucks of course.
I have not yet read Howard Schultz's new book, but am dying to. Howard is the founder of Starbucks, arguably one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Most likely, wherever you are reading this, there is a Starbucks nearby, waiting for you to plop down some cash and drink something delicious, that has somehow become familiar and comforting. Ordering drinks at Starbucks has a shorthand to it- we all know what we like and how we like it. So why is life so very different than that?
My bigger point in this admittedly strange analogy is what I've heard Schultz talk about in many interviews hyping his book. He talked about the company being so focused on global growth and caffeinated domination, that they lost their way. They forgot who they were, they forgot what they had to offer in terms of a product, and they were no longer in line with their values. I find this an astute observation for not only business, but for life. If we are all so focused on the "get" and how to get richer, thinner, and more "successful" in all avenues of our existence on this planet, we stop seeing who we are, and chances are, we're pretty good to begin with, so why push so hard to make ourselves bigger, better, richer? Now I'm not at all saying to not focus on getting some things you want, but only if it is not at the expense of who you are. Don't be with someone who doesn't allow you to be you, don't work for someone that doesn't allow you to be you, and stop reading magazines and listening to people who tell you you are not good just how you are.
If we are all so focused on some notion of what we think success is, too often we lose our way in life and feel deeply unhappy. I have said on this blog and in life that we are all at our most brilliant as children- when we are free of our self judgement and the judgement of others. If you are really struggling, go back to that place and think about what you wanted, way before all of this "global expansion" of the mind took over. I have learned in my own life to be happy with who I am, to stop pushing so damn hard to be something else other than me, and note that although I may not be built like Gisele or rich like Oprah, I'm cool.
And that's why Starbucks will probably regain a larger footing going forward- they're focusing on their core offer of community and products that people want to eat and drink. It's who they are and where they're headed and that's that. My point here is that bigger isn't always better, thinner isn't always happier, and focusing on anything other than who you are, deep down, is pointless. By the way, Schultz left the brand and came back to make it better, because he couldn't stand what had happened to something he believed in so deeply. If you have left your own brand in pursuit of something else, revisit it, and run it again. Sure we have to adapt and change in life, but you must always come back to who you are- it does not mean don't focus on personal growth, but stop looking for other things to give you that, because you're probably not having much fun doing it. Remember what your values are and what you believe in and what your inner kid says- and I guarantee, much like Starbucks, you will be poised for a turnaround. That's all I've got today, children- and that's indeed what is up and up and up in the 305. Much love. XO
PS- here is a link to an article about Schultz that I find infinitely interesting. Check it out and think about life in terms of his experience with business- there are some shocking parallels:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/managing/morning-manager/to...