Specialization is for insects - or important skills everyone should try
Selling is interesting to me because of who you become through learning to ask for what you want. And, like selling, there are a handful of important life skills that everyone should try.
While these activities are useful, they are also meta-skills, with application beyond the specific activities themselves.
Surfing
Practice failing
Surfing comes with a lot of failure. You miss most of the waves that you try for. Failing to ask someone on a date or failing to sell your first product can feel mortifying - so much so that most people don’t try.
Practice failing by chasing waves.
You can’t fight the ocean
In a significant car crash, drunk drivers sometimes walk away uninjured because they don't tense up. Don’t drive drunk or surf drunk, but that same quality of letting go is useful in the ocean.
When you get swept off your board and caught in the “washing machine” of rough surf, the only thing to do is to let go.
In business and in life, some things are outside of your control.
Respect
The ocean is vast. And there’s no better way to recognize your insignificance than by sitting on a surfboard.
When life feels overwhelming, it is useful to reflect how insignificant we all are. (And then get back to work!)
Several years ago, I wrote an article about learning to surf. You can read that here.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Physical chess
Chess trains you to think strategically and plan several steps ahead. Brazilian jiu jitsu does, too. While it doesn't look like much to people with no experience, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a good form of both physical and strategic training.
Aggression
We're all confronted with aggression. And there are times when being aggressive – going after what you want – is useful. It is helpful to not be intimidated by other people’s aggressive behavior, to channel your own and use it to your advantage.
Jiu-jitsu is a good way to practice channeling that aggression.
Every fight ends on the ground
The stereotype of a bar room brawl consisting of punching and kicking is more Hollywood than reality. There's a common phrase in martial arts that every fight ends up on the ground. And since most fights end up on the ground, it is useful to know how to begin there.
Ask questions
Asking questions as thinking
I once heard Tony Robbins say, “Thinking is the process of asking and answering questions.” There are no right and wrong questions, but there are questions that are more useful for a specific outcome. In asking and answering questions, you train yourself to think more clearly.
Talking under pressure
Whether you are on a first date, applying for a job, or talking someone down off a bridge, it is useful to be able to talk persuasively under pressure.
The only way to train for this unpredictable environment is to practice. And the best time to practice thinking on your feet is before the stakes are high.
Job interviews
There's no better training for a job interview than asking questions. Most people are passive participants in an interview process. If you're able to turn the tables and make an interview interesting and informative for the person conducting the interview, you’re more likely to succeed.
Manage People
Leadership
We think about leadership as a noun; something people are or aren’t. Actually, leadership is a verb; something to be practiced.
To manage people well you are, by definition, leading them. Learn to lead by practicing management.
Learning to follow
Following is as important as skill as leading. A good leader is also a good follower; they share power and allow other voices to be heard.
The goal of managing people is to help them learn and grow. In managing people, you have to listen, support, and follow their lead.
Practice taking action
Bystander apathy – the tendency for people to stand passively by on the assumption that someone else will take action – is insidious.
The best way to combat bystander apathy is to remember this tendency and take action.
The world needs more leaders; people willing to take courageous action.
Learn to sell
Courage
The definition of courage is taking action despite your fear or uncertainty.
Since most of us are afraid to ask people to buy what we're selling, selling is an act of courage.
Advocacy
The world needs more people who are willing to advocate for what they believe, and able to do so in a way that brings other people along.
Sales is a way to practice advocating for what you believe and enrolling other people in those beliefs.
We need more sales people
Selling is a form of leadership. In asking somebody to purchase, you are asking them to buy into your beliefs, product, or service.
In a world that is increasingly fraught and divisive, selling brings people together.
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Homework
What is a skill you already practice, which is a meta-learning skill?
Spend five minutes writing out the 3-5 secondary skills that your practice helps develop.
Just by writing out the benefits, you'll be more aware of them.
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3 Things I’ve Loved This Week
Quote I Love: Specialization is for insects
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love
Nick Gray came up with a hilarious idea, which he posted on Twitter: “I want to do a blind date and go to Tokyo next weekend. If you’re a woman with a passport who likes sushi and Japanese food and can ride a bike in a big city… let’s go. I’ll pay for everything but in return you have to film stupid videos of me for my socials.”
Women could apply after reading this Google doc. The response on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive. Here is his latest update and these photos from Tokyo are just too sweet.
Something I’m trying: Television fast
I'm trying something new: a television fast.
I've noticed that I watch television when I'm lonely. And while movies and shows are rewarding in the moment, they don't leave me feeling more fulfilled.
For the month of May, I am not going to watch any movies or shows. I’m also aggressively limiting my screen time on Instagram and Facebook, which are my preferred social media distractions.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
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Support Snafu
This newsletter is free and I don’t run ads, but I do spend dozens of hours researching and writing about selling each week. Here’s how you can support Snafu.
30-day sales course - The course is coming out in May! Each day for a month, you'll receive an email with a short video, an article, and homework. The course also comes with a money-back guarantee. Join the waitlist here!
Attend Responsive Conference - We are hosting an immersive 2-day conference this September in Oakland, CA. This is my one big event of the year and I'd love to see you there!
Books by Robin - I've published two books - so far! If you’re interested in learning to do a handstand, check out How to Do a Handstand. If you’re building a company or want to improve your company’s culture, read Responsive: What It Takes to Create a Thriving Organization.
Thanks for your consideration!
Until next week,
Robin
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