I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough. – Marissa Mayer
Two things I’m not ready to do:
– Grow a moustache.
– Make videos for this site.
As for the first of these, I still have too many uncomfortable memories of half-groomed 70’s mustaches and bad bed-head college hair. The scruffy facial sandpaper look from the 1990’s always chaffed against my ‘80’s preppy upbringing. I’m a descendent of Alex P. Keaton. (If you know that reference, so are you….)
The 2nd, making videos, is something that’s coming, though I’m still not a fan. I have a great face for radio. More on videos another day.
Back to mustaches.
This month is Movember, when this mustache-growing men’s movement reminds righteous dudes to take their health seriously. It’s a real concern. Men die younger not because of that fact that they’re hereditarily predisposed to kick the bucket sooner. Nope. We just don’t take care of ourselves. It’s a macho thing. I’ll be okay. Maybe I’ll run right after I finish this six pack.
While I won’t be growing one, we need more Movembers. I know too many unhealthy men. According to the Center for Disease Control, 12.5 percent of men are in only “fair” or “poor” health. A more telling statistic? More than one third of all men are obese.
Too many guys put themselves behind everything else in their lives.
There’s another reason we need Movember, though. I think it’s empowering to saddle up to a cause beyond your own self.
Jump In!
I’ve never been a joiner. It’s hard. You probably aren’t either.
But do yourself a big, honkin’ favor:
Jump headlong into a movement. Live. Examine yourself in a different way. More than anything, forget about your little first world problems and tackle a bigger, more difficult task like cancer, arthritis, or mental health issues.
What Movember are you jumping into this month?
It’s Worth It
I’ve begun my yearly re-read of A Christmas Carol, where some dude named Ebenezer Scrooge comes to realize that helping others means as much to him as it does to others. Get off Scrooge island and join a community.
You’ll be surprised to find that your new project will dispel a myth that I’ve seen too often in business. People think: If I spend time giving, that means less for me.
“Charity begins at home” is a great excuse for doing absolutely nothing for your community.
I learned early in my career that giving could also help you in very selfish ways. One client worked with the Arthritis Foundation. I didn’t have any deep feelings toward any charity, so I thought that, to secure some big donors, I would try to get involved a little bit.
What an amazing experience.
Before I knew it, I was fighting knees deep in an incredibly worthwhile campaign. Arthritis is a huge problem for many people. I don’t expect the government to step in and help….so I tried to help raise money to find better solutions.
At the same time I met many wealthy individuals. Some became clients. However, I was no longer focused on my business. I was wholly invested in this community. It actually turned out that as I spent more time “away from the business” I was also taking care of business but bringing along a lot of good people with very real problems. My business blossomed as did my satisfaction with myself and my role in helping lend a hand.
Are you involved in a Movember movement of your own?
Let’s talk about your passion projects below. Give us your sales pitch! Maybe someone who doesn’t yet have a cause (as I didn’t) will latch onto your own personal mission.
How About A Contest!
To celebrate Movember, I’m teaming up with a few other bloggers and offering you a chance to win a $50 shave certificate to the Dollar Shave Club, an awesome service to use when you’re celebrating a successful Movember.
Photos: Mustached Dudes – Neon Tommy; Jingle Bell Run – chucka_nc
Movember sounds good. 🙂 It’s really nice to know that there are still people like you that willing to help the community. Good job!
Over the past few years I’ve volunteered as a financial coach for low-income city residents. Some of the most fulfilling work I’ve done, and it really is a great way to feel more connected with your community. It can be way too easy to stay insulated.
I actually just started with Dollar Shave Club about 2 months ago. I have a thin beard (I know, surprising given how manly I am), so I signed up for the 2 blade but just upgraded to the 4 blade. Should get that one soon. We’ll see if I can handle it.
I’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes. I think financial knowledge would also be extremely helpful but often isn’t taught.
This time of year always makes me think if I’m giving back enough for some reason! But, that’s probably a good thing. I agree about men’s health issues. Greg avoids the doctor like the plague. I’ve had to force him to go before =(
My “movement” for forever has been helping to the families of third world countries, that don’t have the benefit of a welfare system and have incredibly open corrupt governments who are content to let hundreds of thousands of children and adults starve to death when other countries are gladly sending food their way. Thanks much, to all out there working to help others. It’s what makes this world and its troubles worth living in.
I am helping a few students in my village, in hopes that they will come back one day and put an awesome business in the village to help it grow. It is a long shot but at least it is local.
I’d grow a mustache for Movember if I could. I could also get a side gig at the circus, so it would be a win win. I try to do something every month. My latest thing has been bringing food to the food bank. We’ll also buy gifts for foster kids this Christmas. That’s really the only time I’d buy exactly whatever someone wants, name brand and all. Kids in foster care should have one time a year when they get to be like everyone else.