Chase “your” dreams
A few months ago I found myself having a coffee in town on a Saturday morning chatting with an old school buddy who I hadn’t see in thirty years. We had connected on LinkedIn and it was as if those thirty years had disappeared in a flash.
I always thought he was “sound”, one of the good guys and in truth not a whole pile had changed – both of us had done a lot of living in between but we were essentially the same two school mates – we had a good laugh recalling stories about our teachers and football matches we had played in. I had a photo of our “winning” team in some school tournament and there we were the two of us in our red kit!
Both of us have done well in our varied careers and he was in the early stages of a new online project – by the end of the conversation he asked if I wanted to come on board with the project utilising our expertise on some type of a shareholding arrangement. In a few years the plan was to sell the business and we would all make good money. Hmmm ….sounded good.
After this me met a few times and got down to business and delved into the nitty gritty of his project and our involvement in it.
While his project was really interesting to my surprise I found myself not being as enthusiastic as he was about it. Why was this I was asking myself?
Like every great “driver” he was pushing me for our plans and input. I did this of course but I discovered his project wasn’t my No.1 priority. My clients and our own projects motivate me and this project just wasn’t having the impact that I was expecting.
It wasn’t a client and it wasn’t “my” project.
My buddy needs more than 1,000% from me and everyone else involved in the project for it to be a success. I realise this more than anyone.
Before we damaged our friendship we gracefully concluded our arrangement and that was cool with both of us. We’ll meet again for coffee soon – probably in about another 30 years!
It’s important that we spend our time chasing our own dreams.
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Fuzion are a Marketing and PR firm with offices in Dublin and Cork
Tags: Fuzion, Fuzion PR, Greg Canty
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
November 19, 2012 at 6:52 pm |
Reblogged this on claredotcom and commented:
this is so very true, at least for me it is… I find unless a project really and truly engages me either in my own core values, passions, interests or area of expertise it’s difficult to give that extra effort you would to one of your own projects or goals.
November 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm |
So true Clare – thanks for the feedback
November 20, 2012 at 1:59 am |
Interesting post Greg. It makes you think whether sometimes it isn’t better to walk away from a piece of business – if it isn’t going to be right for you or the other person. And you might always be able to refer the business to someone else – win win!
By the way, I like the way your blogs aren’t always out and out success stories. Makes me take them a lot more seriously.
November 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm |
thanks Fergal for the feedback – plenty of tears along the way !
November 21, 2012 at 4:36 pm |
As Always another good one Greg! I’ve recently walked away from a similar situation in which a particular project sounded amazing, but on close scrutiny again it needed 1000% but probably from me more then anyone else, and like you, I thought, no, i’m happy with the work i’m doing,!!
As a by the way, I also agree with Fergal’s point, your blogs are very real life events and it makes for realistic reading, and stories I certainly identify with 🙂
November 21, 2012 at 7:09 pm |
thanks for the positive feedback and for reading …this work “stuff” can be tricky at times!
November 22, 2012 at 3:34 am
I think, if you’re getting it right 80% of the time you’ve probably found the magic formula 😉
November 22, 2012 at 7:41 am
a great point Fergal – 80% is probably a great score to achieve
November 23, 2012 at 11:01 am
Some days it’s 80% and others it’s more like -10%!
December 3, 2012 at 7:18 pm |
Reblogged this on Van Nuys Offices.
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