Your Individuality Is Your Opportunity

Many business and career guidance gurus preach about keeping business and pleasure separate.

Today, I will show you why that is bad advice, especially if you want to remain open to opportunities and be more future-proof.

Luck Surface Area

Earlier this week, I was reading about the concept of Luck Surface Area in the book “Mastering Uncertainty.”

It is the idea that when you openly share all your nonwork-related interests, passions, and hobbies along with your business side, you become more memorable and make it more likely to attract people who want to work with you.

I’ll let the author explain the rest…

So next time you’re out in the wild, and someone asks you what you do; throw in that you are learning to play guitar or finally getting around to restoring that ‘77 Pontiac Trans Am.

It could be worth tens of thousands of dollars and result in working with some of the best types of people to work with, friends.

Like it has for me…

Who Knew?

Little did I know, but I had been doing this all along.

Here are a few concrete examples in my life of when this happened

Back in 2018, I received a Google Ads lead from a web developer.

He saw my profile on Upwork, Googled me, and asked if I could help his clients.

Later, when I asked why he chose me, he said it was because he saw that I used to run a fantasy football blog and podcast. He, being a huge NFL fan, figured I would be too. He would rather work with someone who isn’t all business every time we talk.

Who knew that sharing my geeky love for the NFL would result in a business relationship that has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars?

But it did.

PLUS, I get a monthly, geekily enjoyable deep discussion on the state of our teams. (In case you’re an NFL geek too and wondering, he’s an Eagles fan, and I’m a Vikings fan).

Here’s another, more recent example.

Fast forward to this week when a new friend of mine, Samantha Postman, reached out to tell me she mentioned me in her YouTube video.

I met Samantha on Twitter because we are both geeky about entrepreneurship and personal development.

Again, sharing my geeky love for all things entrepreneurship resulted in yet another good friend to enjoy working with and a shout-out that could result in helping my business,

Here’s the video, which fits perfectly into this discussion.

If you’ve been reading my stuff for a while, you’ll know the topic of this video is a glaring example of Samantha, and I’s mutual interests.

There you go…

From now on, when someone asks, you can tell them what you do for work AND for pleasure because it will increase your luck surface area.

And the larger your luck surface area, the more opportunity you’ll have.

Always remember, your individuality is your opportunity.

And now for some music…

Best Of Both Worlds

I was listening to an interview with Sammy Hagar on the Steve O podcast (here’s a link, great listen).

Sammy followed his early individuality to build a successful solo career. This led him to a huge opportunity via a long-time friendship with producer Ted Templeman.

He met Ted during his time in the band Montrose. Ted eventually would produce his solo albums. Ted also produced the first six Van Halen albums.

So, when one of the best bands in the world needed a singer, he had the connection and the availability.

And music isn’t Sammy’s only gig. He’s also a very successful businessman and philanthropist. He built and sold a Tequila brand for $97 million and has a restaurant chain that gives 100% of the profits to charity.

Business and pleasure; the best of both worlds.

Like the song.

Here’s a live version of Sammy-era Van Halen performing “Best Of Both Worlds.”

It’s an energizing way to close out this post. I chose the live version because the energy is intoxicating. They are clearly having a great time which always makes for an excellent performance.

Press play.

And there ya go.

Talk to you next week when I may have some exciting news.

Have a good one,

Corey

Before you go… If you’re new here, subscribe now so you don’t have to try and remember to stop back this Sunday when I send out more info like this.