Sample. Travel. Normal. Family.

Shampoo companies get it.

They make something for every level of loyalty.

The sample size that basically comes in a ketchup packet, or in a teeny tiny bottle.  It is conveniently (or inconveniently) good for about one and a half washes.  Get’s the job done in a pinch.

The travel size is next.  There’s some commitment on your part at this point.  It says you’re going to use this shampoo probably a ten times when you’re on the road.  It’s an easy to pack size, fits nicely in your toiletry bag (or I guess some people call them dob kits?).

Normal size means you’re into the shampoo.  You like the way it smells.  The logo/bottling makes you believe your hair is gonna get REALLY clean.  This bottle sits in your shower, it’s used often, and when you run out you probably buy another, because why would you want to switch when this shampoo does such a good job?

Family size means you never want to be without this shampoo (and probably also means you like saving a couple bucks when you buy five gallons at a time).  Not only do you use this shampoo, but your entire household is committed to this product for cleaning hair.  A family size bottle usually comes with some type of buy one get one free situation, so this stuff is going to be a staple in your bathroom for many months to come.

What’s your sample size?

What’s your travel size?

What’s your normal size?

What’s your family size?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Make Up Your Mind...Tomorrow

Indecisiveness and procrastination are joined at the hip. They’re twins.  Where one is, the other is.

And delayed decision is different than indecisiveness

Delaying decision means you’re going to get new information in the next hour, day, week that will help you make a better decision.

Indecisiveness means you’re have all the information you’re going to have, but won’t decide.

Which leads to procrastination.

Which leads to indecisiveness.

This happens all the time with artists.  Do you want this show? Are you going to sign that contract? Do you want to work with this agent?  Are you going to write a song today?

The delay (hours, days weeks, years) that usually precedes these questions getting answered isn’t because you’re furiously gathering information to help you make a better decision.

It’s because you’re buddies with indecisiveness and procrastination.

Time to make up your mind and trade up for the next round of decision making.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Humans Going and Doing

Humans love going to watch other humans do things.

Sometimes you are the one going and sometimes you are the one doing.

But this relationship is the essence of our everyday.

If no one is doing, no one is going.

If no one is going…people will still be doing, but just not as much, because no one is going.

People are going because of what other people are doing.

What are you doing?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Networking

Networking is hard when you’re in the business of finding people who can help you rather than finding people you can help.

Networking is hard when you believe you only have so much to give so you have to be veeeeeeery skeptical of people, making sure to give it to the right ones, not the wrong ones.

Networking is hard when it’s been since 2nd grade that you’ve said hello to an absolute stranger for no other reason than human connection.

Networking is hard when you’re afraid you’ll come off as a…

Networking is hard when you don’t actually care about the other people in the room.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to initiate.

Networking is hard when “you’ll just see what happens”.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to express a need.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to meet a need.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

A Little More VMA

I was trying to figure out on Sunday night what part of culture the VMA’s was trying to represent.

I couldn’t figure it out.  I gave up trying.

I thought maybe I’m just out of touch with popular music.

But….there are lots of new bands and artists who have hundreds of millions of streams and views and were not mentioned even once on Sunday night.  Some artists you have heard of and some you haven’t.  Artists selling out clubs, theaters and arenas.  Artists that I listen to and you listen to.

I’m in touch. And you probably are too.  Even if Miley and the shock brigade make us feel otherwise.

But even as I’m writing this I can’t help but feel something pretty distinct…

I feel like talking about the VMA’s a mere two days after they’ve aired, that I’m talking about old news.

All that flash, all those stars, all the money and bravado and possibilities and it already feels like old news.  Soulless old news.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

MTV :: VMA

I’ll go ahead and bypass most of my razor sharp hatred and critique for what went on at the VMA’s last night and tell you this about the music industry…

There’s room for you.

There’s room to be great.  Spots are available.

There’s room for artists who take the time to become leaders.  We have not reached capacity on that.

There’s room for great songs. No one is complaining there are too many.

There’s room for giving a great speech.  We have had a shortage the last 50 years.

There’s room for genuine gratitude.  For most of the VMA winners, that was the first time they’d said “thank you” all year.

There’s room for your voice.  Rapping, singing, scatting, in-tune, off pitch…it’s all on the radio and the VMA’s, and making careers.

The music business has plenty of room for the things that are scarce…the things that can’t be bought or faked.

There was a lot of buying and faking last night.  Lot’s of smoke, hype and under delivery.

It was pretty depressing.

But the hope gleaned from it all is simple…

There’s room for you.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com