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I had Lunch with Seth Godin and This is What he Taught Me

September 15, 2014 by Stacey 53 Comments

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur and marketing guru. He encourages people to think outside the box. To eschew the restraints of society and authority, and be creative in your endeavours.

As we all know, I’m not particularly creative. I also rarely think outside the box. Not because I don’t want to, but because it doesn’t come naturally to me.

So when I had lunch with 500 other people in Seth’s presence last week, I was intrigued about what Mr Godin could bring that I already didn’t know I should be doing.

Seth is a great speaker. If you haven’t seen him, you should. He really is pretty motivating, but not in a cheesy way. In a way that validates the choices you’re making, the dreams you want to get off the ground.

While he was speaking, we each had a little bingo card to cross off words as he said them. The first to get a row could yell bingo and get a free book. Being the competitive little brat that I am meant I paid more attention than I probably normally would have as I usually have a short attention span and my brain wanders off a lot. Sandwiches. But a couple of things stood out to me.

The first was to stay on my current path. While Seth speaks marketing, and in terms of selling goods or ideas, I have to revert that back to blogging. Because, like it or not, that has somehow become my actual job now. So in a sense, what I’m “selling” is me. And I’m a complete wanker. But some people get a kick out of it, and as I evolve, so does my blog. That definitely means that people unfollow or unlike or whatever as they realise I’m not a hippie preaching about natural living (I think the name Veggie Mama confuses people), or my sailor mouth offends some, or they don’t have small children any more and can’t relate, or they are upset I don’t post as many recipes as I used to now that I only do one a week.

I don’t mind the unfollows, I’m a rabid unfollower. We all go through different phases in life and fall in and out of love with things. I’m more than happy for people to fall out of love with me, or cull their input so they can go out and live their actual lives. As Seth said, you don’t want to be for everyone. The makers of Harley Davidson motorbikes don’t create bikes for all people, they create bikes for certain kinds of people. Don’t like Harley Davidson motorbikes? That’s ok. They’re not for you.

I’m not for you.

Ok maybe not you, because you’re here reading (hi!) but I’m not for everyone. I don’t want to be. And Seth says that’s OK (thanks, Seth!).

The other thing he mentioned that stood out to me is something I’ve long believed but of course, he could put it into a snappy phrase and I spend half a day trying to explain what I mean. He was talking about the levels of photography skill, and said that lots of people can produce beautiful photos. Some can produce photos that others don’t think are attractive (but that’s ok, it’s not for them). But everyone has access to the same camera.

If you don’t take that literally (please don’t, I can’t bear explaining this to you once you tell me some people can’t afford cameras), everyone has access to their ability to make their own agenda. As a result of the choices you make, of the jobs you take, of the people you meet, of your personal motivation. Everyone has the ability to do different things with that. I like to make my life the way I want it wherever possible. And yes, that sometimes means doing stuff I don’t like (remind me to tell you about that one time I worked cleaning colonoscopes to earn a living) to get to stuff I do like (travelling). Some people stop at doing stuff they don’t like and refuse to do it. But that usually means they never get to the stuff they really want to do. That’s not for me.

Mr Godin gave me permission that day to continue the way I was going. To go slowly because I’m not for everyone, and there’s no doubt that’s the long way round. But to do it how I want to because though everyone might have access to a blogging platform, what comes out on the other side is what you make it.

Seth Godin No Free Lunch

When I rocked up to get my book signed, I told him I almost won the bingo, but was pipped at the post. He asked my name and turned around. He walked over to the book table and signed the same poster prize the winner had received, so he also taught me trying but not winning is sometimes good enough. People like that you care enough to try hard. And when I asked him if we could take a picture he almost wasn’t going to, even though he liked my gumption enough to give me a poster. There was a lot of people still waiting, and his time was running out. At that point, if I was him, I would have said yes because I have remnants of the People Pleasing disease and I still find it hard to say no. He found it easy. I need to work on that.

But I got my photo anyway. And I did it myyyyyyy waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy.

Seth Godin SelfieWhat ‘wrong’ thing are you going to choose to do today? What will people say you’re ‘wasting time’ on? What will you be ‘blamed’ for? Go and do it!

 

Filed Under: Blogging, Life

Previous Post: « Apparently High School Girls Haven’t Changed Since I Was One
Next Post: That’s what’s going on »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mrs Woog says

    September 15, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    It is so true what you say about unfollowers. I most certainly am not everyones cup of tea! Great post love xx

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      You’re my glass of Villa Maria, tho x

      Reply
  2. Hugzilla says

    September 15, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    I have more unfollowers than I do followers, ‘cos that’s how I roll.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      It’s rewarding being an acquired taste 😉

      Reply
  3. Ngaire Stirling says

    September 15, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    OMG!!! I LOVE YOU AND HIM!!!!! HURRAH!!!!
    hahaha- sorry- total envy – great post- and I agree SMALL is the NEW big. I have a new blog beginning and this has totally inspired the right direction- thanks stacey!!

    Reply
    • Ngaire Stirling says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:19 pm

      ha- I realise now how lame I just sounded :/

      Reply
      • Veggie Mama says

        September 15, 2014 at 12:28 pm

        HAHAHAAH! He is inspiring you AND HE’S NOT EVEN HERE. he’s like Jebus.

        Reply
  4. Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says

    September 15, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    I needed this. I’ve been contemplating a name change to my blog because I’ve evolved like you mentioned with yours – I’m no longer knocked up or abroad. Very much the opposite actually. My content is something else. Some people question why I keep the title and it’s made me contemplate too but after reading this… I reckon it might be ok. I’m just not for them. I’ll keep going on my path. Ta xxx

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Oh if you’d asked my I’d totally have told you to change! People adapt! People might even like it. And new people will come! And you’ll even get a shot of motivation because you’ve made a big change to be more representative of yourself. What you might lose in the fallout is minor. Go for it!

      Reply
      • Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says

        September 15, 2014 at 12:36 pm

        Hmmm thanks. I’ll file that!

        Reply
        • Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says

          September 15, 2014 at 12:39 pm

          Changing it to what is also the next problem. I’m brainless.

          Reply
          • Veggie Mama says

            September 15, 2014 at 9:06 pm

            Haha don’t ask me I’m as creative as a brown sock.

            Reply
  5. Peachy Keen Mumma says

    September 15, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    I loved reading this! Especially reading what he wrote out on initiating. Showing initiative can be scary, man! I just wrote a friend asking her if I could write a post on our communication this past weekend. I thought maybe it would make her upset. BUT she said yes! Scary initiative. Now I can get cracking on tomorrow’s post. YES! Lot’s of goodies for me to think on, Stacey. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Hey, good for you! You won’t know if you don’t try, right? Even if it sounds weird! Think of the guy who invented the frisbee, for goodness sake.

      Reply
      • Peachy Keen Mumma says

        September 16, 2014 at 9:41 am

        haha! Or the Condom. The consequences of getting that wrong… hole-y moly

        Reply
        • Veggie Mama says

          September 19, 2014 at 4:09 pm

          Hole-y indeed!

          Reply
  6. Cheryl @blissandmayhem says

    September 15, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    This is exactly the post that i needed to read TODAY! Thank you thank you thank you.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      GO GET ‘EM, TIGER!

      Reply
  7. Jo (down to earth mother) says

    September 15, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    Thanks heaps for sharing the wisdom Stacey. RE growing slowly: I kinda believe the world only gives you what it knows you’re ready for and if you’re impatient and pushy with it, it mucks up the juju, know what I mean? That’s what I tell myself when I get impatient with slow growth anyway!
    The wrong thing I did today was spend hours slaving over a guest post on a topic no-one wants to talk about. It feels great! x

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      yeah, stop messing with the juju! I love it when you talk about stuff nobody wants to know! I still think of you when I buy a doll, remembering how worried you were about plastic fumes and whatnot, haha x

      Reply
      • Jo (down to earth mother) says

        September 17, 2014 at 8:05 pm

        Aw thanks luv… shopping with me is class-A boring, FYI! If I have that much angst over a doll, imagine what I’m like in the grocery store!

        Reply
        • Veggie Mama says

          September 19, 2014 at 4:09 pm

          Blood pressure through the roof.

          Reply
  8. Katie Forsythe says

    September 15, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    He said no and yet you got the photo… go you! Great post – I too welcome unfollowers. If you’re not digging me, please don’t stay!

    Reply
    • WBacte825 says

      September 15, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      I Juśť goť Paid<-$7500 BY WORKING PART TIME OFF OF a LAP-TOPB­­­­­­­­Y G­­­­­­­­­­­­OOG­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­L­­­­­E­­­­­­­­­­­­­.I­ A­­M ­­­­­­­­­M­­A­­K­­­­I­N­­­G ­­­­­­­­­A GO­­OD ­­­­­­­­­ SA­­LA­­RYfr­­­om ­­­­­­­­­h­­.o­­m­e ­­­­­­­­­$­­5­5­0­ 0­­­­­­­­­-­­­­­­­­­$­­7000/w­­­­­e­e­k..L­­­ast Thursday I got a BRAND NEW BM­­­W SINCE G ETTING a chEck for $647­­­4 this – 4 wEEks paSt.I beg­­­an this 8-monthS ago and imm­­­ediately waS bringing home at lea­­­St $97 peSdr hour. I wo­­­rk thr­­­ough this link, go to tech tab for work det­­­ail­­­1 ………………

      googal.coM/5/3..

      Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Hah he wanted to say no but he couldn’t! He did tell me to hurry though 😉

      Reply
  9. Johanna says

    September 15, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    What a great post – just enough wisdom, a whole lotta sass and a great message (or two). What more to say? Loved it!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Gotta have the sass. That’s mandatory.

      Reply
  10. Chantelle : Fat Mum Slim says

    September 15, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    I love this post. So much that Imma gonna save it and read it again and again. I need to drum it into my head.

    Spank you.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      You don’t need to, I’ll be spouting it daily for life.

      Reply
  11. Serena Faber Nelson says

    September 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Awesome post!

    I fell into the trap of wanting EVERYONE to love me for a while, then like your post articulates so well – I realised one day I don’t need to be everyone’s cup of tea.

    The funny thing was once I embraced ‘the crazy dog lady’ within, everything became a lot more easier and enjoyable xx

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      When I was younger, I wanted everyone to like me (because no-one did). I was pretty shithouse at all of it, and had no guts to not care. It’s so fucking liberating just being yourself and finding people who like that, rather than being everything to everyone and hating it all.

      Reply
  12. GetawayGuru says

    September 15, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    I had breakfast with Seth (and a 1000 or so others) and loved it. No photo though! Lots of head nodding and ‘yes that’s me’. Loved his ‘people like us’ – loved his story telling. Such a great morning. Sounds like a great lunch too!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      I had a ball! He was so interesting.

      Reply
  13. Laney Galligan says

    September 15, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    “It’s not for you” – so powerful and validating!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      I can still hear the way he said it. So good!

      Reply
  14. Kirsty Rice 4kids20suitcases says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I didn’t get to see Seth (there’s only so many Aussie trips a girl can get away with), but I was following Kelly Exeter’s feed while she went along. Seth provided the biggest *sorry for the Oprah reference* aha moment with his comment about “the tired”. I wrote about it on another site yesterday. LOVED IT. Apologies for the link, no pressure to visit, but scared if I try to explain it I’ll end up writing the post in its entirety in this comment box. 🙂 http://bloggingme.net/why-bloggers-need-bloggers/

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      Oh god, totally! The tired! He has such a knack for summing up internet-related issues so half of us are going ‘OHHHHHHH!’ That’s how I feel! (ps never apologise for a link, I trust you!)

      Reply
  15. Reannon @shewhorambles says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    Man I do wrong stuff all the time. I can’t help it it’s just who I am. I struggle to keep my mouth shut. Like the time I told a group of mums they should go buy vibrators & have fun with their husbands instead of lying to them & then heard them talking about excluding me from their next get together because ” that ” kind of stuff just isn’t ok. Instead of letting those woman make me feel like I was some kind of weirdo & stop speaking my mind ( even if it is just utter shit) I just found people who are ok with me as I am. It’s the same with blogging. I’m straight up about who I am, the way I speak & think so people can decide then & there if they are ok with that. If they aren’t then move along.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      You would make me laugh til I cried. At first I would probably be taken aback, and then I’d laugh my ass off.

      Reply
      • Reannon @shewhorambles says

        September 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

        I’m always good for a laugh. Even if it is inappropriate, actually ESPECIALLY when it’s inappropriate ha!

        Reply
  16. Lilybett and Boy says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:34 am

    Is it just me or does that caricature of him look like the Monopoly guy?

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 19, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      I definitely thought that!

      Reply
  17. Nat Carter says

    September 17, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    You are my kinda girl! I’m not for you is so freaking empowering

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 19, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      it’s the best thing I could possibly say! That and “free cheese!”

      Reply
      • Nat Carter says

        September 19, 2014 at 4:21 pm

        Please can I have free cheeseeeee!

        Reply
  18. Danimezza says

    September 17, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I needed to read this xx

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 19, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      I’m pleased. I hope it helps x

      Reply
  19. Sonia@ LIfe Love and Hiccups says

    September 18, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    I feel like we should all chest bump or something. Freaking awesome inspiring stuff!! xx

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 19, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      Ha I’ll bump yo chest anytime, guuurl x

      Reply
  20. bron@babyspace says

    September 19, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    yes, seth! would love to hear him sometime. and is this the best pic or what?!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      September 22, 2014 at 11:56 am

      Ha! he was great about it.

      Reply
  21. Nicole - Seeking Victory says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    I love this. Especially the camera analogy. I just bought the bloody camera, eight months of researching and saving because I really wanted a damn fine camera. I made it my priority. It’s nice when you realise you already know some of what the clever people are teaching 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. On My Nightstand - The Veggie Mama says:
    September 25, 2014 at 5:28 am

    […] Icarus Deception was a spontaneous purchase at the Seth Godin lunch. I expect I will be jumping from the windows shouting things like “rules are for sissies and […]

    Reply

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