Up & to the Right

It all starts with a growth mindset. Even as a child, I was experimental – and that is precisely how I learn. As a voracious reader, I’m always looking for ideas to try to improve both personally and professionally. Everything is about incremental improvements, so either you win or you learn. Years ago, at a ConversionXL conference, a presenter explained that there are three possible outcomes to an experiment: win, lose or inconclusive. The latter is the one we try to avoid!

Growth Mindset

I read at least 2 books a month. If you see me walking to lunch, I have on headphones (listening to an audiobook), and in my hands is a regular book. Aside from reading books, I read Lifehacker regularly, listen to podcasts and try lots of activities, from sketching to photography to website development. Never stop learning.

Experiments

We create a hypothesis, test, measure, and adapt. Obviously split testing on websites is an easy place to use this method, but I also try this with activities like sports and cooking. Iteration almost always leads to improvements.

AIDA

Attention | Interest | Desire | Action – I have practiced this methodology on dozens of projects. Hint: it works. When it comes to building a business, there’s a natural funnel and a way to guide prospects through it. I’ve blogged about it repeatedly, used it extensively, and continue to believe in it.

Influences

Ah, heroes. I have a few to share here, to give you an idea of where I get my inspiration…

• Don Norman
  The Godfather of UX

• Guy Kawasaki
  The Artist of Startups (and Marketing)

• Oren Klaff
  The Oracle of Pitching

• Greg McKeown
  The Wizard of Focus

• Steven Kotler
  The Leader of the Flow Movement

• Ed Catmull
  The Master of Creativity