My name is Colin and I am a math confidence coach from Poole, England. I spend much of my life helping people get over their math anxiety and realise that it doesn’t bite, nobody dies if you get it wrong, and that it’s not as bad as you think. I help people through their math stuck, like NaNoWriMo helps me get over my writing stuck and my dad’s needlessly violent shove helped me get over my singing stuck. One thing I still have – and I think most people do – is the “asking for help” stuck. And I have an idea of how to help us all get over it.
To explain it, I am going to enlist the services of a mysterious man called V.
A Cinematic Sidetrack
It is part of the unwritten British constitution that any article written in the first week of November must mention fireworks, Guy Fawkes and/or V for Vendetta. For fear of upsetting our despotic, totalitarian leaders [Censor’s note: The UK isn’t really a totalitarian state], I must comply with a sidetrack into the plot of V. If you’ve not seen the movie or read the graphic novel, I can spoil the plot for you as follows: V rescues a girl, Evey, from the secret police. Evey then helps V overthrow the government, since one good turn deserves another.
This got me thinking about the original meaning of vendetta. Originally, it’s from the islands of Sicily and Corsica where there was a tradition of honor killing. Any time there was a fight, there would be a vengeful reprisal, followed by retaliation for that, and before long everyone was attempting to murder everyone else.
Not nice, and definitely not very Customer Love.
But there’s a flip side to that. What if, instead of inflicting revenge for bad actions, we over-reacted to good ones? What if we visited more help upon others than we receive? Wouldn’t it be a vendetta of virtue, where instead of the seething hate that comes with a regular vendetta, we all end up blissfully happy?
This is my pay-it-forward, Customer Love challenge for November: For every bit of help I receive, to give out two.
There are several beautiful things about this. First, it makes asking for help an unselfish act. Sure, I’m getting something out of it, but at the same time I’m giving more help than I receive.
Second, there are 107 people (as of November 5th) in the Customer Love Challenge – all with unique talents, skills, resources and styles. If there’s something you find easy, the odds are there’s someone here who finds it hard – and vice versa. I guarantee we’ll get more done working together than we will working individually.
For instance, I put this in the comments the other day:
“This time around, I have a more specific offer for Customer Love people: if there’s something number-related that’s holding you back, I’ll help you out – we can talk over Skype and figure out what’s in the way.
For instance, you might be scared of checking your analytics. You might be struggling to get your pixels to add up. You might be struggling to count up all the new sales you have from your last customer love product. Whatever it is, I’m here to help you out and work through the problem with you. Just drop me a tweet (I’m @icecolbeveridge) and we’ll set something up.”
There are things I could use help with, too: I want to enroll more students and help more people get on top of math. I would love to hear your ideas and enlist your help implementing them.
I invite you to join me in this pay-it-forward scheme, if only to see how much Customer Love we can spread in four short weeks.
So, in the comments below, I’d like you to tell everyone:
- What you find easy and would be happy to help with (it doesn’t have to be big – it could just be listening to someone for a few minutes. It can be big if you want, though!)
- What you find hard and would like help with. Be audacious! Even if someone can’t help you with everything, maybe someone can help you get started.
Ask each other for help. Then help other people. And see how good it feels.
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LaVonne Ellis, LaVonne Ellis. LaVonne Ellis said: Day 5: V for Vendetta of Virtue – http://is.gd/gJTFo #customerlove […]
[…] Day 5: V for Vendetta of Virtue […]
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Colin, I *love* this idea! And I love your perspective about seeing how much love we can spread in 4 weeks…that’s why I joined this challenge. To hang around with people who think like you do!
Thanks, Patty! I could _definitely_ use your help getting me in the mindframe to market myself effectively. Anything I can do for you?
Wow, I love this idea too. AWESOME.
I can help anyone get unstuck, and my creative coaching is awesome for that. I’m normally $149 an hour, but I’ll give a 50% discount to anybody who yells #CUSTOMERLOVE at me.
And for free? I can give anyone a virtual hug any time, and remind them how awesome they are.
Yay for more Customer Love generosity! Thanks, Rachael 🙂
First, that is the best sum up of V for Vendetta, I have ever seen! I might have to put that movie into the DVD player while I’m cleaning house this afternoon.
What a wonderful idea! I love it. I can help people two ways:
I’m a spiritual director, so anyone who wants to talk about their relationship to Godde/Divine and their work, can send me a tweet (@shawnaatteberry) to set a time to talk. Some of us grew up with the lie that whatever Godde called us to do we would hate, but we just had to buck it up and obey. It never entered our mind that Godde might want us to do what we’re good at and love to do. So if you’re having trouble reconciling being called to do what you love to do with your spiritual life, I would be more than happy to help you sort it out. I can also help if you have depression. I have clinical depression and being entrepeneur who bucks the system and works at home alone can get to the mentally-healthy person, and can really knock you flat if you have a form of depression. I’ve find a few tricks to help that I would be happy to share. And I am more than happy to just listen (and not offer any advice) if that’s what you need. Again just send off a tweet to @shawnaatteberry to arrange a time.
The second thing I would like to offer is writing/editing help. I’ve been a writer for most of my life and worked as an editor for 8 years. If you need help with your writing, send me a tweet, and we’ll get together.
I am so looking forward to this month!
Hey, Shawna! I’m often in need of a little anti-depressive chat, I’ll take you up on that next time!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wow. I loved the movie synopsis. I suspect you’re good at more than numbers. Or is it just that great, cheeky totatalitarian humor?
Anywho – what can I offer? I have an uncanny ability to see precisely where a secret stream of income may be hiding…really. usually within a 15 minute chat or email back and forth I can say “holy bejeebers Batman! You should package that wisdom and put a price tag on it — people will pay for it!”
Amazing how many people go, “huh! never thought of that!” so, if you’re thinking that a little extra stream of income might be nice, but you don’t have ANYTHING worthwhile in that beautiful noggin of yours, tweet me @pegkd and we’ll have a go.
What do I need help with? To be honest, housecleaning. I have two chow-mix dogs and my floors are full of tumbleweeds…. what else? I think I could use a good talking to about dialogue in fiction. As NaNoWriMo is sort of kicking my arse. Or maybe I just need a good synopsis….
Hello, Peggie!
I think a Customer Love housekeeping service would (so to speak) clean up!
I’d be glad to swap your income insights for NaNo wisdom/encouragement/help! (I’m hoping to make it five from six this year. I have all kinds of dirty tricks 🙂 )
Thanks for inviting me to ask for help. It is truly one of the most difficult things, and since I prefer to do the difficult before the easy, I’ll ask for help (and @pegkd inspired my comment). I have a brand new website over which I have complete control ready to launch this month, I have steeped myself in ittybiz marketing, minimalist business lit, I’ve got the self-discipline, I just don’t know where to focus it! I’ve gotten to the point that I recognize that I am stuck: I don’t need more information, I need to figure out what my potential income streams are and I don’t think I can do it by myself.
Things I can offer: I am great at clearing clutter–physical and verbal, organizing spaces- . rooms or thoughts, encouraging people to live their dreams. I have organized small businesses for people by setting up systems: computer, accounting, communication, aligning mission with methods. I facilitate group discussions of difficult topics (in fact, I have a hard time not pointing out the elephant in the room). And I have created urban gardens that produce a lot of food, and I know how to cook really well. Oh, I feel so scattered writing this list!
Thanks for your help and suggestions, and please let me know if anything I offered resonated with you.
Alyson, wow! You sound like the kind of person every ittybiz needs!
I’d love to pick your brain about how I can declutter myself and my business! I’ll drop you an email to see if we can set up a time 🙂
Isn’t it ironic how it is so hard to see what comes easily to us as something that someone else might need and want?!? I can’t wait to work together!
I can definitely help with dialogue, Peggie. It’s something I’ve been told I’m particularly good at. 🙂
Gosh, what can I contribute…
I love writing fantasy horror. So if you want to have someone do a back and forth on a story or dialogue. I’m on the opposite side of the world (EST +12) so if you’re ever stuck in the middle of the night, I am your gal!
Just DM me or @ message me at @flipnfreelance
Colin – you’re on. I’ll dm you some times or we can email back and forth! let me know! (this is your fifth year finishing? You are my new hero!) (just don’t tell that guy over at heroic destiny – -he may send a unicorn, or a monster truck after me!)
Yay! I think you’re allowed more than one hero 🙂
I believe you’re in Virginia, so (after this weekend) five hours behind me – bedtime for me is about 6pm your time.
Anyone interested in writing advice? Or maybe there’s some people out there with multiple passions who need help with productivity or organization? (That site is http://www.multipassionateproductivity.com, if you want to check my background.) Send me a specific question, and I’ll do free 15 minute consults for the month of November. I’m writteninsight on twitter or writteninsight at gmail dot com.
That’s really generous, Kirsten – I’m really blown away by what people are offering! I was expecting it to be me and the tumbleweeds.
I’ll think of a question and take you up on that!
Hello all, room for one more who’s a bit late?
In the spirit of offering help I am good for WordPress theme help, small graphics, proof-reading and layout if you’ve got an eBook or something and I’m also working on giving newsletters a come back, so if you’re thinking of one, let’s talk.
I’m also a good listener and sounding board if you need that.
As for me, Colin I’d love help with analytics. Why did I never think of you before?
Rachael, a free virtual hug would be great 🙂
Peggie I’d love a chat with you – I never see the obvious! I just don’t know what to offer you in return, but maybe we can find something. 🙂
Of course there’s room for one more! There’s always plenty of room at Customer Love 🙂
I’ll gladly help try to figure out your analytics, Ryah – I’m no expert, but I learn fast 🙂
I think part of the beauty of pay-it-forward is that it’s not simply “I’ll help you if you help me,” it can be “if you help me, I’ll help two other people.” Of course, it’s always nice to help back if you can!
I love the idea and although I haven’t signed up to the challenge I don’t see why I can’t join in with the principle:
I can help with:
– Number-based issues (much like Colin), and any other maths related problems you may find yourself facing. I too offer maths tuition, largely aimed at secondary school students, but I’m happy to help anybody if I can and I’ll provide specific support, tips & encouragement for free to anyone who contacts me electronically, either by leaving a comment on my maths blog (http://mathsqs.blogspot.com), tweeting at me (@TeaKayB) or sending an email to tom@flyingcoloursmaths.co.uk . Anyone who wants a full session with me in real life (local to Kettering in Northants, UK) can have it for half price if they quote #customerlove at me.
– Anything you’ve wondered about the sky above our heads- space, stars, planets, galaxies, black holes and any other astronomy related themes (and I include anything vaguely sci-fi in that, including time travel and the like!) you can ask at Blogstronomy (http://blogstronomy.blogspot.com) This is free all the time- I do it for fun! There’s a form to fill in on the site if you have a question, or you can tweet at me as above.
– I quite like finding things out, so if you have a question of any variety- those almost inconsequential questions that pop into your head and start with “I wonder what/why/where/who/how/when…”- it may well interest me to have a go at finding an answer. I can’t guarantee anything, but it can’t hurt to try.
I need help with:
– I want to leave my job, but I don’t know what to do instead. I’m a teacher, and although I like ‘teaching’ (see my first ‘I can help’ point above!), my job actually involves very little of it, with my time largely being occupied by behaviour management (including the filling in and sending of related forms and emails), ticking boxes and jumping through hoops. I have various financial commitments that I need to honour, so money is a consideration, but how much disposable income I am left with after paying these is becoming less of an issue as time goes on (because the trade-off is more and more worth it the more I come to dislike my job).
– I want my astronomy question answering blog (linked to above) to be a bit more active, with a bit more interaction with readers: I want to attract more people who are interested and have questions to which I can provide the answers. I’m not making any money from it (I do it because I love the subject and I know there are others out there who do as well) so I’m not prepared to spend any money on it. I have decent feedback from those who do read it, but they’re largely friends and family!
Welcome, Tom! You’re definitely in the right place for escaping-the-rat-race advice 🙂 Also, probably, for biggifying the blog.
Hey Tom! Welcome! I gave up trying to find my place in the rat race in 2009 and bestowed myself with the title of Consultant. Work followed, but not exactly what kept me energized. I continue to define my niche. What I most enjoy is having conversations with people who are looking to create more authentic lives for themselves: to heed the call to adventure and embark on the hero’s journey. I am good at asking questions, listening and helping people hear their own answers. I’ll copy this offer in a an email to you, and if you’re interested, we’ll go from there!
Alyson
Oh Colin you rock. This love vendetta thing is a great idea. I’m just about to pick the winner for my customerlove free about page rewrite giveaway thingy, and I’m trying to figure out what lovely thing I can do next. If anyone has any suggestions, or things they would kinda like, or need, or whatever, hit me up. I do words. Have a look at my site and you’ll see xxx
Thanks, Eleanor! And thanks for sharing the love with your competition 🙂
Personally, I think my front page could be about 20 times awesomer and I’d love help getting it right.
Anything I could do for you?