Life is full of surprises – particularly if you choose to be surprised.
Last Sunday afternoon I was invited to attend a gathering of aged rockers reviving their passion for the instrumental music of the sixties. It was so cool to watch a bunch of seventy – something musicians demonstrating who could sound like ‘The Shadows’, and could play ‘Apache’ the best. Nostalgically, I completely related to these ‘weekend warriors’, clad in yesterday’s clothes, happily reliving past glories of their youth, and while I had the urge to bring out my vintage 1962 Fender guitar, I wisely decided to sit back and enjoy the memories.
Much to my surprise, a twelve-year-old boy took the stage, strapped on his Fender guitar like a young Hank Marvin, and with all the confidence and technique of Clapton and Hendrix, played ‘Apache’ with an attitude of freshness that blew everyone away.
Showing no sign of peer pressure and with the cool innocence of youth, the new kid on the block showed the room how this 25 year evergreen hit song should be played in today’s world.
In the contest to improve, I constantly continue to review unexpected surprises in my life and I got thinking about this insightful experience.
Why do we humans persist in doing things the same way and get stuck in a ‘pattern of nothingness’? Why is it difficult to adapt to change and miss the opportunity to find our niche by taking something good and making it better – seeing through fresh eyes what it is you do best, then doing it better than anyone else.
Here are some metaphors that capture the message to this story – ‘Bullisms’ that can be found throughout my latest book, Take the bull by the horns’. Go to www.barrybull.com
Do –a-bull
Technique is not an asset that carries a staggering price tag. You just have to work at it.
Adapt-a-bull
Adapt or die. Create change before you become a victim of it.
Create-a-bull
Create, don’t compete – innovate don’t imitate.
Evolve-a-bull
All form of success whether personal or business has times of triumph. The conundrum is to know what to do when that time has passed.
Win-a-bull
Passion and talent are a winning combination. When heart and skill meet – it is the ‘tie that binds’
Sale-a-bull
It’s not what you sell-it’s how you sell it.
All of these topics and much more will be included in my Brisbane book launch breakfast presentation for Terri Cooper Networking, Wednesday August 27th at the Broncos Leagues Club.