Cube0021 – Means to an End

Sun Tzu was a Chinese military strategist who wrote a book titled Art of War. The ideas within this book have been adapted or used directly in the business and success world, with numerous titled adapted to help different groups.

The History Channel recently reaired a two-hour program titled Art of War where Richard A Gabriel spoke on the difference between means and ends.

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0021focus-on-the-end-goal.mp3]
[mp3 – 4:48] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

 

Starting Questions:

  1. How do you keep focused on your goals?
  2. What is the equivalent to a battle for you?
  3. Do all the advisers around you have the same mindset, skillset, or perspective?
  4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

 

 

Cube0022 – Coloring Sheep

Ever had someone attempt to manage you through fear? Have you done this to others?

In his book titled Tribes, Seth Godin dubs this Sheepwalking. A good portion of this cube can be found on his site; here is a highlight:

Step one is to give the problem a name. Done. Step two is for anyone who sees themself in this mirror to realize that you can always stop. You can always claim the career you deserve merely by refusing to walk down the same path as everyone else just because everyone else is already doing it.

The biggest step, though, comes from anyone who teaches or hires. And that’s to embrace non-sheep behavior, to reward it and cherish it. As we’ve seen just about everywhere there’s been growth lately, that’s where the good stuff happens.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0022coloring-sheep.mp3]
[mp3 – 5:31] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. Do you try to encourage people to sheepwalk or to be creative?
  2. Do you trust your team, especially those who report to you? How can you improve the level of trust?
  3. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube0023 – Genius of the And

Have you ever been involved in an organization that had an internal conflict, like in a non-profit the fund-raising vs program people?

Jim Collins shows how to build an enduring great company in Built To Last. Built to Last is recommend only after his later book Good To Great; Cube4 – The Good View came from that Good To Great.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0023genius-of-the-and.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:18] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. What seemingly Conflicting goals do you have?
  2. Have you seen a group, business, or organization do a great job  with “And”?
  3. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube24 – How to Produce

Before you achieve your goal, there are steps you need to take, but the hardest is often the first.

 

Andy Traub on Business Tech Weekly 71 speaks about him asking, taking the initiative, and producing a product in an hour and a half that will help others.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0024how-to-produce.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:57] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. When has been a situation where you were scared to do something, did it & was thrilled with the results?
  2. What do you have that others value enough to pay you for?
  3. What step have you been avoiding that you need to take today?
  4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube25 – How to Succeed

In the 1950’s Earl Nightingale created a record of him sharing The Strangest Secret. He talks of success, and how 5% of people achieve success, defined as progressive realization of a worthy ideal.

 

When you like a Cube, press the “Share This” button of the system you use the most [below].

 

Here is part of that recording for you to use:

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. How often do your show the opposite of courage?
  2. How do you become financially independent?
  3. How do you set goals?
  4. Why do people with goals achieve more?
  5. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube26 – Do Your Best

James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio dives into the serious business of entertainment. An industry, like many others, is not an exact science & people are just trying to find a great path to their goals. This cube features James Lipton interviewing Conan O’Brian in 2009, before he replaced Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

Conan mixes humor, wisdom, and experience into an interview great for anyone.

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0026do-your-best.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:43] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. When you discover that someone else is human (does not know everything) how does that effect you?
  2. How many stories of other people have you discovered in the last week? month? year?
  3. How do you work to improve your production? How does Conan?
  4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube27 – Find The Right Price

Middlemen are often condemned in our society. Are you a middleman? Should you use more middlemen in your life?

This cube features a story by Russ Roberts & Mike Munger in the EconTalk episode titled Munger on Middlemen.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0027find-the-right-price.mp3]
[mp3 – 8:10] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. How do you value your time?
  2. If you act in good faith & someone purchases something from you for more than you would … is that a win-win?
  3. Who are you a middleman to? Should you become a middleman to someone?
  4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube28 – When Blocked You

When a group of people comes upon a obstical and overcomes it, there are at least two stories to tell. This cube from TWIg 80 features two tracks, one on technology developed to help people communicate, and one of people trying to stop communication & how the world has changed.

TWIg 80 was recorded on February 2nd 2011 – after the start of the issues in Egypt, but a while before anything in Libya.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0028when-blocked-you.mp3]
[mp3 – 8:26] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. What do you do when you encounter a failpoint, or blockage in your path?
  2. Has technology allowed you to communicate with more people? How?
  3. What are some systems you could bring together to achieve your goals?
  4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Cube29 – Freedom System

 

Most people dream of freedom. If you “own” a business, or are not an employee, there is a high change one of your reasons why is because you want the freedom or to avoid the lack of freedom you would have as an employee.

However

What happens if you discover that you don’t own a business, but rather own a job?

This cube comes from the second part of the book Rich Dad; Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki  titled Cashflow Quadrant.

 

It begins with a quick explanation of the Cashflow Quadrant, the E, S, B, & I. Followed by the main clip talking about the differences between being Self-Employed and a Business Owner. Finally a key to gaining long term financial wealth, no matter which of the four quadrants you primarily make money.

 

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0029freedom-system.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:43] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

  1. … … What came to your mind as you listened?
  2. How free are you?
  3. What do you plan on changing?

Cube30 – Short Term vs Long Term Thinking

We who are striving to build something great are optimists, and encouraged by good results. Paul Winkler, the investor coach,  talks with a caller to The Investor Coaching Show about when someone presents you an offer that seems great, but involves paying you to purchase or invest.

 

Then the conversation gets into how we react to positive results.

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0030short-term-vs-long-term.mp3]
[mp3 – 8:38] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

What was the best point, or thought that crossed your mind as you listened?