17/260 Why you should stop being usual

It might be the first week back at work, but I have simultaneously watched every Alien film - in order - at the same time. If you ever wanted an awesome female character, man, Ripley is it.

I tell you that, because I wanted to add a gif from Alien 3. And, um, couldn’t do it, because (1) Substack isn’t that sophisticated, and (2) I couldn’t find one.

It’s a moment where, in the midst of this dark, insane situation, one of the characters realises just how messed up it is. In response, he stands there and ejects,

Fuck!

And it’s hilarious.

It’s a moment that breaks tension so perfectly. It reflects exactly what the audience is thinking. And it’s yelped so innocently that it is genuinely, belly-laughingly funny. It’s one of those pure moments that are so rare in film, that inspire an unexpected, genuine, rolling-on-the-floor mirth.

It’s a lesson we can all take, I think. We spend so much time in srs bsns (serious business) that we forget that some of the most engaging things we do are unexpected or funny.

The other night when I was out on a walk around my neighbourhood, it occurred to me that extremely few people are willing to take a genuine risk, in business.

By that, I mean that they don’t:

• just be themselves

• be funny

• do things that are unexpected.

Instead, they:

• do what they think they should be doing

• try to always be ‘that amazing place’ in the eyes of their customers and prospects

• do the same thing as everyone else, so nobody calls them out.

Even I’ve been guilty of doing that.

This year, I decided, fuck it. Life’s too short.

It’s for that reason that if you’re on my Daily Tips email list, you’ll find the most opinionated, blunt material that I think I’ve ever published. If you’re reading the Pixie’s blogs, you’ll see the same thing.

This week saw the kick-off of the most focused sales campaign I’ve ever rolled out, and lo and behold we’ve had our best week ever.

Being yourself pays off.

Surprising people, and breaking the tension of staid, same-old business, pays off.

Who knows. You might even get a full belly-laugh in response. ;)

Enjoy your week this week!
~ Leticia