SethMathers.com

March 2018

What question can you ask on Facebook to generate over 450 comments and culminates with a neighborhood in your house for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato bisque?

Dear

Recently in a neighborhood Facebook group, I posted the following question. Tavia and I frequently discuss this wonderful neighborhood and the hidden talents many of you have. I am always surprised to hear about new adventures or small businesses. So give it up, what are you hiding? What should I know about?

I didn’t post the question for the purpose of writing about it. I posted the question because what I said at the beginning of that question is true! I live in an awesome neighborhood! We have lived here for a little over a year and I am always in awe when I hear of the talents, skills, jobs, businesses, and side hustles my neighbors take part in. It is truly amazing and I love living surrounded by so many talented and skilled people.

I must admit I did ask the question for one selfish reason. I wanted to know what people in my neighborhood had or were hiding. Since that question was posted to the neighborhood Facebook group there are over 450 replies to either the question or responses that were given within the thread. 450! Seeing the responses solidified an idea that I had been thinking about for a few months.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Said by multiple people including motivational author Jim Rohn and author/podcast host/Lifehacker Tim Ferriss. Who said it first? I don’t know and I don’t think it matters. This idea comes from the law of averages where the result of any given situation will be the average of all the outcomes. I don’t think it is a coincidence that there is such a high concentration of talented people in my neighborhood but this is the first I have ever noticed such a high concentration. I don’t believe that my neighbors are only spending time with other people in the neighborhood. I think they are just drawn to other talented and like-minded people. I think they are feeding each other in a way that encourages the acquisition and/or the continual development of knowledge, skills, and talents.

“Your network is your net worth.”

Another quote said by multiple people including Tim Ferriss. Before you think I’m going to talk to any of you about selling Amway, I’m not. I can’t speak for all of the people who have used this quote or those that will use this quote in the future. When I think of someone’s net worth it doesn’t always mean how much money they possess in this case how much you or I possess. I think about the knowledge they have and what knowledge they can pass on to you. What talents they have and are willing to share. What expertise they have actively sought out and nourished. Who we choose to have in our lives can truly be priceless.

If any of those quotes interest you, Google them. There are a lot of articles, books, videos, podcasts, and blog posts dedicated to those ideas from people much more eloquent than myself. A book that I have read that goes along with those quotes is Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives – How Your Friend’s Friends’ Friends Affect Everything You Feel, Think, and Do by Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler. It talks how our social networks (not Facebook, but who you know and who they know) affect our lives in a wide range of topics such as political views, weight loss, smoking, and sexual health. It is a pretty interesting read. I would encourage you to check it out from your library or snag it off of Amazon.

While I am not about to speak in front of a group of people, that still terrifies me, tools like Facebook and Instagram have helped me come out of my shell. Facebook and Instagram have allowed me to get to know my neighbors and even some of you more than I would have otherwise. I would encourage you, especially if you are more on the reserved side to use whatever tools you have available as a way to find your voice. You can learn a lot of about yourself and those around you.

I’m sure you’d like to know about some of the talented people I live around. In my neighborhood, we have a custom home builder, an amateur bodybuilder, multiple full-time blogger/Instagram influencers, furniture dealer, multiple Etsy shop owners, food enthusiasts, computer programmers, budding YouTubers, nurses, garden enthusiasts, artists, many business owners, photographers, an inventor, hairdressers, wood turners, cake decorators, dressmakers, preschool teachers and more! Just all around kickass people. I could go on. There were over 450 comments in this thread. I’m glad I live here. I am truly in awe of all the talent that surrounds me. 

As for me, I shared that I dabble in a few things including an infatuation with grilled cheese sandwiches. I shared a photo and in less than 7 days Tavia and I organized our first ever grilled cheese and tomato bisque open house. In two hours we had over 80 people come to our house for dinner. It was crazy and we loved it! With the help of our awesome friends and neighbors, we were able to collect money for a family that had some unexpected expenses. It was awesome to help lighten their burden a little bit. Over the last few weeks, we have had people ask about a repeat event. It is in the works! More info will come soon.

Many of you have hidden talents, skills, jobs, businesses, and side hustles that I don’t know about. Please let me know what you are hiding so that I can share it with others here in this newsletter. You are just as amazing, or I wouldn’t be sending you these letters. I’m sure others would like to know how amazing you are. Don’t be shy, let it out!

Sincerely,

Seth Mathers

P.S. As always, I would love to hear from you! If this is the first time you have received one of my letters you can find the past issues at sethmathers.com as well as my other musings.

P.S.S. I have also started an email newsletter. If you would like to receive that in your inbox let me know I’ll add you to that list. You don’t want to miss out!