I thought I would take a quick minute to mention that I am involved in a book reading mastermind group with some of my colleagues on the John Maxwell Team.
We are reading and discussing our way through no less than 12 books this year and I provide a review every Wednesday of the current content we are discussing.
Last weekend, my wife and I flew to Honolulu to visit our son, do a little creative work and get in some good relaxation by hiking through the beautiful terrain on the island. On the flight over I read Mark Sanborn’s “The Fred Factor” and got better that half way through the sequel, “Fred 2.0.”
This will be the first of three posts on Fred 2.0. For those looking to read Fred 2.0, I would suggest reading the original first. You really need to know the story behind Fred to appreciate what Sanborn delivers in 2.0.
Sanborn gives a pretty good summary of the book with the subtitle, “New Ideas On How To Keep Delivering Extraordinary Results.”
In a nutshell, the original Fred was Sanborn’s postman, and Fred went over and above to be more than just ordinary. Fred’s commitment to “going the extra mile,” was Sanborn’s inspiration for the first book.
In 2.0, Sanborn takes a deeper look at the four basic Fred principles:
- Everybody makes a difference.
- It is all built on relationship.
- You can add value to everything you do.
- You can reinvent yourself continually.
Through these three posts, I will give a key thought from each of the books’ 15 chapters.
NORMAL IS OVERRATED
Being normal is the easy way to get through life. It is living in your comfort zone. It is the place that requires little extra effort. Being extraordinary is a choice. No one can make that choice but you. When was the last time you got to the end of the day and said to yourself , “That was a great day, I was absolutely normal!”?
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FRED?
Numerous people questioned that Fred actually existed. He does. It’s funny … since reading about Fred, Michelle and I have tried to identify the Freds in our lives and more importantly when we were Fred. Fred is around us everywhere – we just need to see him and be him.
IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT SERVICE
As Sanborn states “The Fred philosophy is built on timeless values like personal responsibility, authentic relationships, and respect for others. It is, in essence, a mind-set that looks for and seizes opportunities to turn the ordinary into extraordinary”.
START WITH COMMITMENT
Sanborn brings clarity to being a “Fred” by discussing the three characteristics of committed people.
- Committed people are generally happy.
- Committed people are clear about what they do and why they do it.
- Committed people have goals.
WORK WITH PASSION
Sanborn gives a great definition of passion, “an intense, compelling emotion; a strong feeling; a desire for something.” If you want to be a Fred, you better be passionate about what you are doing.
As much as we all, at times, desire to live a normal, ordinary and simple life, there still remains a need to do something that we can be remembered for.
My question for the day; “What ordinary thing in your life can you make extraordinary and how will you do it?”
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 5/8/13 photo courtesy of michaelhyatt.com
Ok, added to my reading list. Boy, it’s getting to be a long list. I wonder if I should give it to my postman?
Great idea Dan. Then again, if he is not a Fred, he might take it the wrong way. Let me know how that turns out!
still busy as always, you put real meaning behind be all you can be
Thanks Dennis. I just try to have more fun doing it now!
I will read both Fred books – sounds like ‘must reads’to me. My dad was a Fred. Really. Fred Weil Jr. was an extraordinary man, always clear about what he did and why he did it, and personal responsibility, authentic relationships, and respect for others were his core values. He looked for, and seized opportunities to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. I’m blessed that Freds have consistently shown up in my life. My husband of 40 years is certainly another ‘Fred’ – though this time his name is Bob!
It’s really true that Freds have shown up in my life: My grandfather was Fred, my uncle was Fred, my father in law was Fred, my brother in law is Fred – really! All named Fred, and all extraordinary men! I’ve never met a Fred I didn’t like!
Thanks for the support and the great story Susan. I hope your Fred success continues!!
Thanks for sharing this with us Barry! I can’t wait to pick it up!
Thanks Terri. You won’t be disappointed!