sunday life: in which Seth Godin gives me a gift
This week I give gifts
There’s this thing I do in cab queues at airports. I don’t find it weird. Although you might. When I get to the front of the queue I sing out to the crowd to ask if anyone would like to share a cab to Bondi (which is where I live). Or Downtown (when I visit New York). Or Rundle Mall (when I find myself that way). At first people are affronted by such an invasion of “stranger distance”. But then they soften. Especially when I offer to pay.
Of course, the practice is efficient (it shortens the cab queue for all concerned), and saves carbon emissions in it’s own modest way. But mostly I do it because it feels good. And a bit daring. And, golly, if this world doesn’t need an injection of daring from time to time!
Seth Godin does the same. Seth is one of the most prolific marketing experts in the world. He’s written 100-plus books, invented genius online businesses well ahead of the curve, has a blog following of 500,000 and is responsible for terms such as “permission marketing”, “idea viruses” and “purple cows”. And, truthfully, I think he’s the most authentically impressive person I’ve ever interviewed. And not just because he shares my penchant for cab queue bombing.
Anyway, on Tuesday night Seth tells me from New York that this odd cab queue behaviour is about creating art. And that it’s the new secret to success.
In his new book Linchpin (which can buy from my site…scroll to the right and down) Seth argues the workforce has changed radically and that it’s not enough to be a lemming employee any more. Lemmings are dispensable, as evidenced by the mass sackings of finance types across America in the past few years. Now, the only way to truly succeed and be remarkable is to create art. Not (necessarily) the pastels and parchment variety. Art, says Seth, is simply a gift that changes the recipient. It’s a generous act that sees you “lean into life”, like an aerial skier leans to travel further.
This is Seth
It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Art is when a waiter gives great service. Because she cares. Art is not following the manual. It’s Susan Boyle ignoring the cynics and fronting up and singing. It’s smiling at the courier. It’s writing a book when there’s no guarantee of it being published.
A true gift is given without expectation of a reward. Although, they invariably become their own reward. Which is hard to fathom, so let me explain it with an anecdote. Last Saturday night, Seth attended the opening of Shepard Fairey’s art exhibition in Manhattan. Fairey created the now-iconic Obama Hope poster. He gave away 500,000 of the posters – at his own expense – during the US election campaign. He had no idea how it would be received. He just gave anyway. But as a result he’s become one of the most influential artists in America. Seth tells me a 4000-strong crowd attended the show and his work sells for $US30,000 a pop.
Fairey’s generosity made him remarkable. And, thus, indispensable. Any artist could’ve created that poster. The difference is Fairey fronted up, he gave, he leaned into life and took a risk. As Steve Jobs famously said, “Real Artists Ship”. That is, they deliver.
So how do we start giving gifts? How do we become remarkable? “The aim is to elevate connecting and sharing to the same level as breathing or eating lunch every day,” he says. By which he means, we start giving and then give some more and eventually it becomes a way of life. Seth walks his talk. He makes money from public speaking and his books. Then he spends the rest of his time giving freely. He intentionally doesn’t monetise his blog or any online webinars he gives and he expends a lot of energy connecting and helping people. I can vouch for this personally.
And so Seth tells me to spend a day giving unconditional gifts. Which I do. On Thursday I gave a pair of shoes to my neighbour that I was going to sell on ebay (which would’ve cost me more than their worth in time). I told a stranger she looked hot. And I abandoned chasing the woman who sideswiped my car for a replacement rear-vision mirror (after all, she’d generously left a note admitting to it).
You know what? It felt free, and expansive. Leaning in, letting go and not caring about being reciprocated felt natural and in tune with the creative process. It also felt more than a little bit daring.
I like the cab queue idea, not sure if I’d try it at 3am leaving the clubs,. but perhaps in daylight
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I love this blog, thanks Sarah. It’s the many little things that count. I adore little quiet actions and contributions that touch our everyday life… those that not acknowledged (immediately or ever) or publicised but make us smile and enlighten us… put a mini cupcake on a colleague’s desk… slide a note in aunt’s hand moment before departing… hang a pack of lunch at friend’s picket fences… or just smile… It helps.
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Sarah Wilson I salute you! Have just read your column – it is always the first thing I read – you are one inspirational human being. If only it were an infectious pandemic, the world would be a better place.
They say ‘Share your knowledge, it is a way to achieve immortality’ I think you also achieve it through good deeds. Keep up your intelligent informative articles, we should all try to ‘aspire to inspire before we expire’
Sincerely, ilse
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Hi Sarah, I loved today’s column! I’m inspired, this week I am going to give art and smiles and compliments, plus declutter my home and give great un-needed things away too! I am sure I will think of more things along the way! Thankyou and looking forward to next Sunday! Shae xo
P.S. I’m posting this on facebook in hope you will inspire my friends too!
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I love the idea of this!
It might take a little while to get used to reaching out to strangers, but I’m sure the rewards are big and can create so much happiness!
The world needs this!
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This was a great post – in fact, so great I am about to retweet it.
A great mindset to start a new week!
Cat
@theabcblog
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Ah the cab thing is GREAT! There are too many lemmings in the world, best to have these generous quirks and live a little! Amen.
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I know that I say this nearly every week, but this is my favourite column of yours Sarah (I have read each and every one!) I feel so inspired, thank you x
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May 26th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
yeah, quite a few people liked this one…x
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Another brilliant article Sarah, just love your posts. Giving and helping others unconditionally is the best kept secret to a wonderful life. Nothing else brings me greater joy.
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loved this week Sarah.
in the words of Ned Flanders “kindly deeds done for free.”
But really S this round peg in the square hole syndrome is persisting I see.You’ll be tagged subversive by the hard line capitalists.
You’re fridge door obviously doesn’t have an Ayn Rand portrait on it.
THANK LOVE FOR ABUNDANT GENEROSITY.( and ofcourse your voice inprint Sarah.)
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Love this. Made me think it’s very much what Jono Fisher is trying to do with his new movement.
http://www.wakeupsydney.com.au/
When you join you are sent out a free set of kindness cards to inspire you to reach out a give a little bit, sort of like paying it forward. Changing the world one bit of art(kindness/generosity) at a time! Beautiful stuff..
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May 26th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Yep, Jono’s stuff is amazing. I chatted to him this week!
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Didn’t Someone once say “Its more blessed to Give than to Receive” or some such? Maybe this is why……
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Well said Sarah! There’s a whole heap that we could all do and every bit counts. We’re one big community afterall.
A great inspiration for the week ahead.
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I enjoy reading your weekly columns Sarah. So many of these ideas are amazingly simple, yet are practised by so few. It would be great if these sorts of ideas could be included in our schools’ programmes, not to mention in our homes, so that from a young age these practices become habitual. The more we think about ourselves, the more limited our lives become.
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sounds like a loving kindness meditation
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[...] Marketing guru Seth Godin. We chatted about giving art as a gift. The guy is very much the real deal. There are a lot of [...]
I’ve just come across this post and when I scrolled down and Seth popped into view, I got the surprise of my life – what a beautiful, beautiful face he has! That shining, clear, holy light of generosity and wisdom lit up my afternoon. Ha! Just so great!
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