Recently, I was the victim of a four hour meeting. And to make matters worse – it was a Sunday morning four hour meeting. A meeting that still feels unfinished. The plan was to sit down with this sorta seasoned business guy I know, and go over the current media kit for theyellowzine.com, my zine.
Seasoned Business Dude is a lawyer with plenty of seasoned business advice to give, and I entered the meeting with gratitude for his offering. I also entered the meeting with hopes to “finally” get down to business. I was meeting with him in order to get the contract he promised to draw up for our potential sponsors. The contract that would help us lock-in that sponsorship. Then, I’d hoped maybe to be able to eat breakfast with my family, or something Sundayish.
There was no contract. Seasoned Dude had a problemo with my media kit. He considered it small–minded. But, he didn’t say that. Instead he pitched his own idea. A good one. I listened for a long time. I began to understand that he did not understand where I was coming from. I began to get discouraged about breakfast.
My stomach made embarrassing growling noises as I tried to explain my motto of focusing on my audience. His ideas were very broad and could be used for my company IF they were to be tweaked and given focus. He wasn’t hearing it. And one thing lead to another and he couldn’t draw up the contract because the media kits did not reflect his ideas.
The bottom line is that he had his own agenda. And, it’s probable that he intended on helping me. But, I wasted a Sunday morning with somebody who refused to listen. Somebody who refused to put small differences behind and actually come up with a contract that could help my company seal some money making deals.
We’ve really got to learn to read people well enough that we don’t allow ourselves to be involved in un-productive scenarios. At least not for four hours. We cannot please everybody, and everyone isn’t going to love our ideas. Mr. Seasoned actually believes that I cannot SEE the big picture on things, simply because I choose to focus on my goals step by step.
Mr. Season doesn’t even realize that I’m running with his great idea. And simultaneously running with my own. Starting a business is about making connections, living your dreams, organizing your ideas, and selling yourself. It is about selling your self and your ideas. And, if it’s a huge struggle to make your point – or if you feel forced to defend your ideas with associates – perhaps they are not such great associates.
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Right on, Gina! I face the same issues all the time, especially running Mind Petals. Everybody has their own ideas to “improve” upon my ideas but at the end of the day, they really don’t see my vision like I do. I guess it’s human nature to feel that “I am always right” and “you are wrong, buddy.” My advice: just take it in, absorb the good, and dispense the bad. Rock on!