CFRA radio personality, Shelley McLean, host of On Target Ottawa, recently interviewed me about my book. To hear that brief conversation, just click on the radio.
Ideas? Suggestions, Questions? Please leave a comment.
April 6, 2010
Is that what I sound like?
Ideas? Suggestions, Questions? Please leave a comment.
February 23, 2010
A song, a voice, a contest
There’s a line in Dylan’s It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
That goes, “Money doesn’t talk, it swears.”
Though I was seventeen when I first heard it—and I haven’t heard it in ten, maybe thirteen, years—it came to me this morning.
Does that happen to you? Awaking to snippets of songs jangling in your head?
No?
Well, anyway…
The lyrics came to me, I guess, because of this post.
This post about another type of voice.
Not a singing one, this one.
More a foreboding one.
Dire, maybe. Pleading, even.
It’s a voice that, I believe, we all heard growing up.
And, it’s a voice we may have adopted now, perhaps as we address our children.
It’s a voice about money.
It’s a voice cementing our beliefs about money.
And it’s a phrase that, because we heard it from such a young age, we just accepted as true.
You know what I mean?
A mantra spoken over and over, often as an epilogue to a financial request.
“Waddya think, money grows on trees?”
“What am I, made of money?”
Or, one of my favourites,
“Yes they might have money, but are they happy?”
If you chuckled as at any of that, it’s likely because you heard the voice too.
But, have you ever paused to consider the impact of that voice? Of those words?
I sometimes do it with friends, family—or clients, even.
Especially when they confide about their business’s dismal (or surprisingly, at times, uncomfortably lavish) financial state.
I ask them to remember that voice, recall its warning—in heavy, apprehensive tones—about the role of money.
And I then ask whether they still believe the voice (most do).
(Which, by the way, is another, important, reason I keep saying that it’s not about the money, but, rather, the discernment—the perception—of money).
You can make a game of it too.
Sit with friends and compare those voices.
See what comes out.
Then, later, laugh about it.
Shake your head.
But remember; those voices—and the words they relayed—are embedded. Deep down.
And many times, they still carry influence.
Leaving you to wonder why you can’t stop from picking up every penny lying by the wet, dirty curb… (A penny saved is a penny earned…. Look after the pennies and the dollars will look after themselves).
Or what compelled you to buy both an iPhone and an iPod Touch… (Oh you, money’s always burning a hole in your pocket).
Well, anyway…
Here’s what I’d like to do.
Have a contest.
I’ll give away a free book (my book, The Net Present Value of Life—in case you’re wondering) to the person who posts the funniest, or most thought-provoking, comment about money. It’s ideally something you heard while growing up. Maybe something a parent said when you asked for money. Or a line a family member recited over and over. Or maybe something you, quite simply, overheard. Please remember, as best you can, to put your reply in context.
Oh yes, the rules:
i) Contest starts today and ends on March 5, 2010 at 5:00PM (Eastern Canada time, GMT -5)
ii) Contest open to all residents of Canada, USA, UK and Europe with an easily accessible postal address
iii) Prize to be delivered to the lucky winner via regular parcel post (delivery could take a few weeks)
iii) Lucky winner agrees to be identified (name and city/country of residence) in a blogpost, or other social media
iv) Lucky winner also agrees their comment may, at my discretion, be used in a blogpost or other social media
v) Contest is completely subjective and winning entry is selected by yours truly, based on the entry that makes me laugh the hardest, or gets me to ruminate the most
vi) There is but one winning entry. No prizes for runners up, or runners of runners up…
Is that okay? Fair enough?
Good luck.
February 3, 2010
What’s it about anyway?
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned being asked why I wrote The Net Present Value of Life.
However, the question I hear more regularly is, “What’s the book about?”
A simple enough question, of course. But one that I, somehow, find curious—and troubling.
Maybe it’s because I’m not a pro at these types of things, but I often find myself stumbling and balking, and having difficulty in providing a succinct, to-the-point response—what the experts call my elevator speech.
And it’s doubly difficult if my intention is to be, not only, succinct but interesting too.
But the question always comes up, “What’s the book about?”
A simple question, yes. But I over-think it, and end up wondering…
Should I be literal and tell the story about a frustrated, disillusioned 40 year-old businessman and the much older, not to mention infinitely wiser, Englishwoman who befriends him?
Should I be editorial and provide a verbal synopsis, complete with plot, characterization, conflict and resolution?
Or should I be philosophical and talk about the book’s attempt to reframe society’s perception of success, purpose, happiness—not to mention the book’s views on business, money and retirement?
I mean, what does it mean when someone asks, “So, what’s the book about?”
And how do I answer that in less than 30 seconds, without boring the questioner to tears?
Acchh, this writing gig is not as easy as it looks…
I need practice. Lots of it, probably.
And so, if you don’t mind, allow me a few passes at the question…
Q: “What’s the book about?”
A: The book describes a frustrated man, forty-two, who’s fed up with his job, regrets his career choice, and wants to find his true calling. He; however, doesn’t really know what his true calling is and, even if he knew that, he‘d still have no clue where to begin. One day he meets a woman who gives him the answers he needs. The only thing is he doesn’t like her answers (they conflict with his hard-coded business-biased principles and beliefs). And, to make it worse, he soon discovers that this enigmatic Englishwoman has an even more mysterious past. Who the hell is she anyway?
How’s that sound? Great? A little compelling? Total yawn?
Let me try again.
Q: “What’s the book about?”
A: The book is an entertaining allegory about careers, business and life in the 21st century. It describes a host of off-beat characters, including a a mysterious Englishwoman, a frustrated businessman, a brown-nosing coworker and a greedy, corrupt corporate wheeler-dealer. On one level, then, the book makes for an absorbing—even funny—read. On another level though, it calls into question—and subjects to scrutiny—all those premises that we in western society accept as true. Beliefs about careers, purpose, money, retirement and, of course, the key to a happy life.
How about that? Does that draw you in?
Alright then, one more time…
Q: “What’s the book about?”
A: Oh man, it’s great. You’ll love it, especially if you have to work for a living. You should buy it. It’s great!
Well, that last one, at least, was succinct…
January 9, 2010
A book trailer
If a picture is worth a thousand words
What is the worth of that which people once called moving pictures?
I hope you’ll tell me
Here is a brief book trailer
I look forward to your comments
