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A Different PPM
April 12, 2016
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For the radio industry, there are three little letters that seemingly cause the most anxiety among general managers, programmers, and air talent alike.
PPM.
For a technology that was supposed to bring unprecedented accuracy, stability, and integrity to the ratings process upon its rollout nearly ten years ago, we seemingly have more questions than answers about its reliability. Last year's Voltaire controversy called into question whether or not the software can even detect listening in certain formats. Meanwhile, some high profile allegations of ratings distortion have proven that the overall system is still imperfect.
The reality is that there are elements of the ratings system that the radio industry simply cannot control. But what if there was a different "PPM" that you could influence right now? What if this version could create massive benefits for both your radio station and your personal life? I'm talking about this:
Passionate
Pursuit of your
Mission.More simply put, "Are you connected to your purpose?"
It's amazing how when you are aligned with your mission, a lot of problems go away. When you are living with a higher level of purpose, you experience higher levels of success. Depression and anxiety seem to lift. You create a healthier body and mind. You become a person who shows up in the world each day with confidence, eager to give to others, rather than expecting to "get." Companies that have a laser like focus on their mission seem to have the happiest employees and most loyal consumers.
So why do both brands and individuals struggle on the path to finding their purpose? You hear the phrase used all the time, but do you even know what it means?
One of the best definitions comes from Mastin Kipp, who says purpose "is an emotion that you cultivate within yourself and then share with the world in the form of service to others."
It's important to note that purpose is not a goal. It's a feeling. You don't strive to make a million dollars because you like to collect paper. You do it to feel an emotion, which in this case is freedom. Through cultivating that freedom, you can serve the world in a bigger way. Mark Zuckerburg and Bill Gates are perfect examples of people who embody this.
Once could argue that this is where the radio industry has missed the mark. We have spent 15+ years making increased profit our purpose, when in fact, that is simply a result that would come naturally from serving others. In our case, the local communities that we broadcast to. That is, and always has been the mission that made the industry important to listeners.
The second important distinction is that purpose needs to come from within, not through seeking external validation. During the consolidation era, broadcasters were in a race to buy the most stations, searching for significance by amassing the most transmitters, as if they were playing Monopoly.
But this isn't just about Corporate America. We are guilty of this in our personal lives as well. We believe that the next big job title, the next relationship, or the bigger house will finally make us feel "whole."
Because what we focus our attention on will always expand in our life, we will inevitably achieve that goal. We will obtain that shiny new object and feel the momentary satisfaction. But the high is only temporary. Eventually, we just end up back at square one because the goal we set was an effort to seek fulfillment outside of ourselves. This never leads to lasting joy.
When I started my self-development journey, I realized that the emotion that drove me the most was connection. Unfortunately, I was going about finding it the wrong way. I was focused on trying to make other people like me, even if it meant compromising my authentic self to do it. I spent years cultivating a snarky on-air and online persona, thinking that making people laugh would bring me a sense of connection. In personal relationships, I put other people's needs before my own, to the point of feeling depleted. I was seeking to find connection externally.
The turning point in my life was when I was able to cultivate that sense of connection with my true self. When I gave up on trying to be what I thought others expected me to be and started being who I truly was, the shift happened. By developing a strong sense of connection to myself first and foremost, I'm able to fully live my purpose by serving others and helping clients get to the core of who they are and what they really want.
So try it out this week. Instead of obsessing over the portable people meter, which you can never control, try to fix the things that you can change. Are you connected to the other "PPM?" Is your radio station passionately pursuing its mission? Is your brand serving others?
What about you? Are you truly living your purpose? Or are you living someone else's vision for your life?
If the answer is no, there is always time to make a new decision.
I am proud to say that I've helped people in 5 countries step into their power and connect with their purpose. Are you ready to make a change? Email dan@creativesoulcoaching.net to schedule a FREE, 25-Minute Clarity Session. And don't forget to sign up at www.creativesoulcoaching.net for FREE weekly self-development emails.
Also, I am thrilled to announce that I've joined RadioAnimal Media Strategies as an Associate Consultant. We are committed to helping radio stations reconnect to their purpose, creating compelling content to serve their local listeners. Email me and let me know how we can help your brand!
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