George Angus, Tumblemoose Writer

The inspiration for this post about FISH! and writing comes from my dear friend Rachel over at AverageGalDotCom.  She wrote a post about customer service and it reminded me of this fantastic program that’s out there.  The program centers around work culture, but I think that FISH! can be applied to our writing, with great results.

It’s a toss-up

Have you ever been to Pikes Market in Seattle?  If so, you know the most famous “attraction” is the fish market where the mongers spend the day throwing fish.  At first blush, you would have to think that lifting and cutting smelly old dead fish would be kind of a crappy job.  And you know what?  It could be.  It’s not rocket science, figuring out what makes that market fly – it’s attitude.

That market was the inspiration for an entire corporate culture movement called FISH! from a company called Charthouse.  Do me a favor will ya?  Take a minute to just head on over there and have a quick peek.  I’ll wait.

Are you back?

Ok, good.  There’s a lot of stuff out there about attitude and it’s importance in just about everything we do.  FISH! takes a little different stand and incorporates some real gems into their program.  I implemented the program when I worked in the customs clearance section at FedEx in Anchorage.  Talk about a high stress job!  We were the folks who had the privilege of calling up the FedEx customer who was waiting for a crucial shipment from Asia and tell them that their shipment was being held by US Customs.  And oh, by the way, I need to fax you some government forms to complete.  Yikes.  If there was ever a place that needed FISH!

The program was a success and we actually had a great time.

What does FISH! smell like?

There are four main philosophies that comprise the program:

• Be There – From the website: “To “be there” for another person has a powerful effect. Think about how good it feels when someone gives you her or his undivided attention, focusing on your needs and feelings. Now think about how it feels when someone with whom you are “interacting” barely looks at you. Too often we listen like we are in a debate: Our minds are focused only on gathering information for the brilliant comeback we are determined to make. But it’s difficult to hear what another person is saying if our minds are stuck on what we want to hear. Being truly present means suspending judgment while you’re listening.”
• Play – This quote says it all: ““play” speaks to that kid we all still have deep inside of us. That person who never hesitated to ask “Why?” or “How come?” That person who looked at the world creatively and openly. And who never hesitated to see the humor in it all.“
• Make Their Day – Just like it says.  Do you want a loyal customer for life?  Do something to make their day.  Make them feel so good about their interaction with you that ehy will only come to you for their needs and they will tell every one they know of their experience.
• Choose Your Attitude – There is only one person who can decide your attitude at any given moment – YOU!  You can decide to be in a bad mood or a great mood.  You can decide to be obtuse or helpful.  It’s your choice – no one else can choose it for you

Here’s the question I have for you:

Does your writing smell like fish?

I hope it does.  If it doesn’t then it doesn’t take too much effort to turn things around.  Let’s look at the four practices and how they can relate to your writing:

You can be there in your writing by having a focused vision in your mind of your ideal reader.  Seriously craft an image of that person.  Keep them in your minds eye as you draft your words.  Keep your focus on your reader, as it should be.  Listen to the feedback that your customers and commenters give.  Let that drive your focus.

I love to play.  Nothing makes me prouder than getting off a “good one” in my writing.  Nothing will turn people off more than dry, humorless writing.  You are a person with unique quirks and idiosyncracies.  To the extent possible, let them shine.  Show folks that your last post was not computer generated.

The best way for you to incorporate “make their day” is to give a special gift in your words.  Make your writing so spot-on, so intriguing, so captchuring that your reader will think about what you wrote all day.  Make it so captivating that they can’t wait to share it with their friends.  This is not so monumental a task if you just be yourself and keep it real.

A great way to move forward in your writing and overcome blockage is by choosing your attitude.  If you approach the keyboard with dread and negative thoughts, guess what?  You’re going to get negative stuff back and you are going to be exactly where you did not want to be.  Choose to have an upbeat attitude about what you write.  Pissed off negative ranting is not going to make it.  This is true especially if the ranting is going on in your head.  Do you need to get something off your chest?  Hit the Caps Lock key and have at it until you’ve disgorged the bile.  Wipe your brow and move on.

I hope that you really look into the FISH philosophy.  It’s great stuff.  If you get the chance to watch the video, it could be a life changer for you.