I grew up in a red carpet Baptist church, and — today — am reminded of a little nursery-rhyme song I learned when I was a toddler.
“Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See.
Oh Be Careful Little EARS What You Hear.”
I’m reminded of this song after trying to find the webpage of this copy-writing / web designing / all around creative guru for a client of mine. I tried to find it — for competitive analysis only — and it was gone.
Like, totally gone.
A few of said guru’s lasts posts were back in September of this year. Now, this is a person who was very visible. SUPPOSEDLY had some rockin’ hot business and was going to teach YOU how to create the same. Her language was sickeningly cutesy. Irritating if you ask me, and completely lacking ANY real substance at all. Always cute. Never ever (ever) meaningful. Never impactful. But always cute.
I know people who spent thousands and thousands of dollars with this guru. Loved her. But regretted the purchase. Because when the hype died down, there was very little left.
And now, she’s nowhere to be found.
Oh be careful little ears what you hear — and (more importantly) what you BELIEVE.
This guru sold FUN. Business play dates. Business play mates. Lots of ideas. Lots of focus on creativity for creativity’s sake. It must have been an easy sell for a while there. Frankly, I was shocked at who I knew went to her.
Either way, today — she’s another casualty on the battlefield of business. There’s an important lesson to be learned there. Longevity counts in business. ESPECIALLY if you’re depending on that business to help you build your business. You want to know that they’ve made it through some lean times… that they have a solid base… that they’ve achieved (for real) what YOU want to achieve… that they know how to get going when the going gets tough… that they (and their strategies) are battle-tested. Creative theory is fun. But WARNING: it’ll cost you more than you planned on spending and keep you stuck longer than you planned on staying.
Bottom line: HYPE is easy to manufacture. True, lasting success… not so easy. Listen, I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer. And I know I often present some tough pills to swallow… but it’s time we man and woman up if we are to do what we’re here to do. No time for fluff and hype and b.s. I’m not here to play. I’m here to produce. To provide. To encourage. To empower. And to equip.
I can play and be cutesy on my own time.
P.S. Rest in peace, said guru’s business. I’ll miss the comic relief you provided and passed off as business know how. =)
Well, I looked up the song:
So be careful little eyes, what you see.
Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little mouth what you say…
Be careful little hands, what you touch…
Be careful little feet, where you go…
I’m not into “gurus,” I’m into partnerships that support me achieving the results I desire in my biz. I think business is about results AND processes. For me, when “results and processes” are BOTH present, my business does its best. There have been times when I’ve been so focused on results that my clients didn’t have fun along the way…and there have been times when I’ve been so focused on processes, that results suffered…so I’ve learned what works best for me and it is BOTH.
And for Hype, well I’m not into Hype or Fluff or drama. It wrecks havoc with my nervous system 🙂
Your post had me laughing out loud Michelle. I appreciate your snarky take on the subject. I think it’s so important for us really put on our blinders and concentrate on our businesses. It is so easy to see someone else’s success and/or lack of and have that warp our own definitions of success, especially if we’ve taken our time getting rich!
Oh my goodness – you just HAVE to tell us!! Send us all private messages or something, we collectively promise not to tell!!
You are so right on every level. And the fact that this person has disappeared is not a bit surprising. Hype IS easy to manufacture, and if the person’s portfolio doesn’t represent some quality work, they will not last long anyway.
I believe it is all about relationships, trust, and not what the latest craze (hype) is….