The Magic Hat ( a.k.a. ‘The Satzuma Principle’)

An esteemed colleague of mine recently sent me an article entitled, “The Lesson of Satzuma” about a company that differentiated itself by NOT doing too much. Sound skewy? Not really….the author of the article – Guy Kawasaki – goes on to say that:

Satzuma illustrates three important skills for small businesses:

• Do one thing well. A small business has to do one thing well. It cannot be all things to all people for two reasons: first, it’s hard to do many things well. Second, it’s hard to communicate that you do many things well.
• Make it a fun thing. Picture this: you’re pushing and shoving 100,000 of your closest friends to see the latest OLED TV, and you stumble upon a booth with USB missile launchers and aquariums. Who would not at least smile, if not stop, to learn more?
• Think different. I didn’t search every square foot of CES* to find other USB missile launchers, but there was a sea of iPhone and iPod case manufacturers that I zipped past. It’s much better to be the one USB-fun-device company than the umpteenth iPhone accessory company.

*Article written after Kawasaki’s recent visit to Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Great advice for a small business, but even better advice if we take it one step further – applying it to one’s own skill set and portrait of life. While it is certainly admirable to be a proverbial “jack of all trades,” we must remember one thing: you can only wear one hat at a time. Multiple hats simply will not balance nor fit on your head at once, so why would adopting multiple personal or professional identities work?

Of course, we all have multiple roles in our lives (perhaps you are a parent, caretaker, business person, etc.). We have to function not only amidst, but also in harmony with, those varied mindsets or risk feeling very uncentered all day, every day. That is reality, plain and simple. But finding your proverbial place of zen or snug fitting hat does NOT mean to function in a place where there are no other skill sets needed; in fact, it may mean bringing your greatest strength and passion to whatever role you are playing in that moment. In a perfect world, we would all find that skill which brings us the most joy and peace, and focus only on it, permitting it not only to define us but to inspire others.

However, unlike the small business Satzuma, people cannot always choose one singular attribute to advertise and operate upon. Life may simply not allow that luxury and it would be unrealistic to expect that it would. So, instead, set out to first find that strength that –when exercised – leaves you energized and at peace; then, try to approach any task you must undertake with a dash of that zen-like quality that is your own. You will not only enjoy what you’re doing more, but your contribution to and impact on others will be greater. Think of it like a magic hat, which when worn, casts a spell on both you and those around you, dispersing positive energy and making a difference. All because you know what matters to you and choose to implement it in all that you do.

Regardless of what you do, we all have a hat that fits our head perfectly… Part of life is finding that perfect fit, even if you don’t or cannot wear it every day. But when you do find it, therein lies your most important focus and perhaps part of the reason you were placed here on Earth.

If you have the time today, or even this week, take a moment and try the following exercise:

1. STOP trying to do the things in your business or life for which you have no passion
2. STOP wearing all the hats in your business, family life or relationship
3. STOP doing the things or the dealing with the people which drain you instead of energizing you
4. START surrounding yourself with those who share your mindset and mentors who guide you to your goals
5. START focusing on doing the things ONLY YOU can do best
6. START identifying the areas of your personal relationships, business, professional activities which allow you to wear your magic hat, and FOCUS your energies there!

What is YOUR magic hat?

Wishing You Success,
Natalya