10.01.06
Do Good Guys and Gals Finish Last?
Here’s a snapshot of things that happen around the `ol homestead, here in Oregon.
You’re familiar with the term “good guys finish last,” right?
Well, my boy was at a teen function of some sort awhile back, and was asked to dance by a, well, let’s just say by a less than virtuous young lady.
In the presense of others, she said that if he’d dance with her she would show him certain parts of her anatomy and perform things on him that, believe it or not, make me blush to think about, let alone describe.
So I won’t.
This was in mixed company and she’s only 15 years old!
My son (who makes me proud just about every day) politely refused her advances, not because he felt he was any better than her, but rather because he understands the value of long-term relationships, and getting to know someone before doing anything serious with them.
Upon receiving his polite rejection, she venomously asked him if he was some goody-2-shoes loser, to which he smiled and said that yes, he was a good guy, but no loser.
(Back in my day, that goody-two-shoes line might have worked. I am merely mortal;^/ Besides, I’ve been able to take what I knew of my own weaknesses from the past, and turn them into strengths in my boy.)
When he told me what had happened, I realized how blessed I was to have a young man who has actually listened to me over the years.
We talked about the way some people put down good guys by saying things like “good guys finish last.”
I created a little on-the-spot parable about a shepherd and his flock.
(Don’t laugh just yet, there’s lots of good material to be found studying sheep;-)
Anyway. We talked about this good shepherd who was tending his flock, and how he leads them from pasture to pasture, always on the guard for their welfare.
The shepherd is always the last one through the gate, and while the flock munches down on the new grass, he secures the gate and proceeds to walk the fenceline looking for weak points and signs of wolves.
He places the safety and comfort of the fold above his own needs, and only when everything is secure does he let his guard down long enough to feed himself.
So what in blue blazes does this have to do with writing good copy?
Quite a bit, actually.
The words you use to convey your thoughts can have a powerful impact on others, and that’s a tremendous responsibility.
Once you have gained the trust of your flock (your readers) you’ll continue to walk the fenceline, watch for wolves, and make sure you’re leading them into safe pastures.
Even though you may be the good guy (or gal) who goes through the gate last, they’ll follow you anywhere you may lead, because they trust you.
So even though good guys and gals may finish last…
Guess who owns the flock?
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Well, that’s it for a lazy afternoon in the country.
Hope you have a glorious day!
Dave Franzwa
ps ~ This is a message I sent to my Life-Blood list. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, the above is just a sampling of how I relate everyday life to marketing.
If you’d like to take Life-Blood for a test-drive (free), check it out at:
Life-Blood of Your Business
I’ve been working on a couple of projects, one specifically for my Life-Blood list.
I was hoping to get at least some of it off to them earlier, but around here, family stuff just sort of happens (thankfully).
For a little more insight on what I’m up to, do get on that list, especially if you consider yourself a good guy or gal ;^)
Hope to see ya there,
Dave Franzwa
pps ~ If you know anyone who would gain by being on this list, feel free to pass this message along, or send them to this link:
http://workathomesupertips.com/wordpress/2006/09/12/life-blood-of-business/
and let them sign up for themselves, if they like.
ppps ~ I almost forgot, in reference to the little chat I had with my son, I just wanted to say, there’s a big difference between a goody-two-shoes and good guys (or gals).
We haven’t raised any of our kids (3 of `em) to come across as moralistically superior to anyboby else. They just tend to have higher goals (and grades, brag, brag;-) and don’t mind standing up for what they believe is right.
Nuff said?
Dave