Csaba Toth's Blog

Unique

In the past few weeks I have developed a great – and fun – habit.

I call it “In search of Wow”.

(Yeah, reading Tom Peters can mess with your mind in a highly positive way).

It goes like this: anything I find extraordinary and cool – be it a product, service, sound, feeling, behavior or person – I observe for a few moments and then I jot down my thoughts in my “Ideas” Moleskine.   

A few days ago I was sitting on the tram leaving from work (oh, I’m working as a communications professional by the way). At one stop a truly magnificent girl got on the tram and sat down right in front of me. I was really stunned by her beauty but the real thing – that Wow moment – happened a minute later.

See, the girl had short black hair and she was dressed as kind of a punk. This got me really thinking because – as my “logic” went – with such beauty I could have imagined her in anything but in black punk clothes. Serendipitously another girl was standing right next to her – a very cute blonde in tight clothes. I thought, damn, this beautiful black haired girl sitting in front of me should be dressing like the girl standing next to her.

And then it just hit me. I got my Moleskine out and jotted down these words.

 

Unique

A girl.

Our perception says she should be on one side.

Instead she chose to be on the other side.

 

It’s a shame she got off the tram before I finished.

Quote of a Lifetime

"75 percent of your income depends on your communication skills."

- Earl Nightingale

 

Personal note:

Communication skills = speaking + listening (!!) + presenting + influencing

Quote of a lifetime

“Young man, make your name worth something!”

- Andrew Carnegie

 

It applies to all of us. Girls and guys alike.

The essence of entrepreneurship

Last night I was standing on our balcony soaking wet as a fierce and devastating storm was passing through. And I was smiling.

It was extraordinary… it was a whole new experience, a clear revelation.

It was the very essence of entrepreneurship.

 

The storm came very late in the evening. Heavy, pitch-black clouds filled the sky; the cold and strong wind immediately conquered the promise of another mild night. The air was different. It was full of energy, full of… change.

As I stepped out to the balcony I could see people hurrying home because they were not expecting the storm. Not such a devastating force. Not tonight. They were not ready.

I could hear the thunders – far away at first then coming ever closer. And it made me shiver. I knew this was no ordinary storm. Those thunders were carrying a message loud and clear: I’m coming and if I arrive all hell will break lose. I will declare victory no matter what! Dare standing in my way and I will crush you and I will sweep you away!

I couldn’t help myself but stay there and experience this magnificent force. I felt excitement, and fear, and courage at the same time. There was a part of me that said: “Flee! Go back to your room! It’s not safe out here!” I couldn’t care less. I wanted to be part of this, I wanted to experience this devastating force in its true nature.

I really have no words for the experience. The chain of thunderbolts lighting up the mountains… the wind and the heavy rain… the feelings… no words really.

I was standing there and couldn’t help but think that true entrepreneurship must be like this.

When you embrace change.

When you break all the rules and sweep away the lukewarm conventions.

When you strike like no other.

When you have passion and power. When you have the power to inflame passion and desire in others.

When you are not just another storm.

When you are extraordinary.

And you just can't wait for the time when all hell breaks loose.

(Kudos to Bob Ingraham for the magnificent picture! Thank you Bob!)