A day in the life

Concentrate on God

February 4, 2013 by wesleydonehue

You don’t have to look far these days to see the name of God being used in an ill-contrived lesson. People use the name of God, for what appears to be, all the wrong reasons. The biggest thing that I’ve noticed is that not only has our nation appeared to be moving away from God, but Christians – the very ones who tout that God is our savior – are moving further away from God as well. It seems like a provocative statement, but I firmly believe it to be the truth.

Preach Love, Not Hate

It used to be that when people preached God, they preached love and acceptance. Now they are using the word of God and his existence to preach hate. Hate those who are not the same, Hate those who do not believe what you believe, Hate those who denounce God… it goes on and on and on.

Why is there so much hate in the world? What does it solve? The truth is it solves absolutely nothing at all. So why do Americans, and the rest of the world for that matter, continue to preach hate?

Increasing Frustrations

As a Republican political consultant, I’ve become increasingly frustrated by the hate that is consistently thrown towards other human beings. The Republican party isn’t going to grow itself by telling people why they aren’t good enough to be Republicans or even worse, outlining why they aren’t good people.

To make matters worse, it’s not just in politics. I’m also frustrated with the members of the church who seem to make it their mission to focus more on who they hate, versus actually practicing the love of God.

The truth is actually quite simple: We are not going to succeed in spreading God’s word through heat-filled rhetoric. That only turns people off and serves to prove that we are hypocrites. On that note I might add, the world is full of hypocrites, and yes, some go to church. Even though I try to avoid hypocrisy, I still ultimately fail. Know that hypocrisy is a human trait but not a trait of God… concentrate on Him.

Filed Under: A day in the life, Faith

Quit trying to be like Everyone Else

February 1, 2013 by wesleydonehue

There’s no doubt that many people try to fit in with what they think is popular at the time. Whether you buy the fashion trends, try to become more like people who seem to have everything or just try to change yourself to be more like the “norm,” you are doing yourself a disservice. Why spend all of that effort trying to be more like someone else, when you can take the same amount of time and value yourself for who you are. Uniqueness is a trait that you do not see everywhere, so screw trying to fit in. Be yourself, and that is what will set you on the path to success.

No Guarantees

Even if you do succeed in trying to be like others, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted. Stop competing with others and focus more on your own unique talents and skill set.

Basically what I am trying to say is that too many people are trying to be just like everyone else, thinking that they will fit in. In the end, all you are really doing is denying who you are. Instead of questioning your identity, embrace it.

Be a Disruption

Those who take the opportunity to embrace who they are will likely achieve more. Think about some of the most popular names we know today – Martin Luther King, our founding fathers – George Washington, et al. These people have taken the liberty of stepping outside of the comfort zone and instead of trying to fit in decided that they could get further by disrupting what we know. Martin Luther King fought for freedom and equality for all, our founding fathers fought for freedom from the British empire.

If you think of the world of technology, you’ll think of people like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, innovators in the field of technology who instead of going with the mainstream, wanted to create something bigger, something better. Facebook is regularly used by millions, the iPhone, iPad and iPod are regularly sought after. They took a chance and it worked out for them. With the right amount of determination, it can work out for you too, you just have to be yourself.

To quote Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

- Wesley Donehue

Filed Under: A day in the life, Being Better

Concentrate on Relationships

January 11, 2013 by wesleydonehue

Relationships are very important and we will inevitably begin new ones throughout our lives. Whether these relationships are personal or business in nature, there are surefire rules that will help you create and foster successful endeavors.

Rule #1: Invest in People

In business, there are two guidelines – hire slowly, fire quickly. You want to take your time and make sure you find the best person suited to the job you are hiring for, but after that you need to make sure that the employee is going to do the job. Repeated lack of performance is an excellent reason to get rid of employees and the reason is simple. Mitt Romney had it right when he said that corporations are people. Your entire business is about people and your business is only as good as the people you hire.

Rule #2: Eliminate the Drama

Leave the drama to the soap operas and people who believe they are soap opera characters can be left behind as well. There is far too much drama in this world and it achieves absolutely nothing. It is important to surround yourself with people who want to be more. If you want to be more religious, you would surround yourself with good, religious people. If you aim to be more successful in your business or innovation, you have to surround yourself with people who live to change the world. This is why I spend quite a lot of time in San Francisco where the atmosphere is positive and focused on necessary change.

Rule #3: Focus on those Closest to you

Those of you who have been following me know that I have made it a point to include “Elizabeth time” in my schedule, and there is good reason for this. Fostering the relationships that are nearest and dearest to your heart is good for you. It helps you to grow as a person, and as a couple, or as a family. These are the relationships that will sustain you, more so than business relationships and they should be a significant part of your life.

You are judged by the company you keep, and I firmly believe this. As such, I’ll leave you with these quotes:

“Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

“He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” Proverbs 13: 20

Filed Under: A day in the life, Being Better, Travel

How to act on that overwhelming to-do list

December 27, 2012 by wesleydonehue

When reading this blog, please don’t mistake me for being one of those guys who believes he knows everything. I don’t. Hell, I barely know anything. I have, however, taken it upon myself to learn some things, specifically how to solve problems in the most efficient way possible. Some people call that “lifehacking,” a term I have come to accept.

This weekend a friend came to me with a problem I found myself having last year. I was so overwhelmed with so much on my to-do list that I actually became stagnant. My whole life became stagnant. By having so much to do, I actually got nothing done. Instead of scratching off items, I stared at Facebook, got into Twitter fights and obsessed over gossip blogs.

Doesn’t sound like the path to success, does it?

I knew I had to get over this hump in the most time-efficient and cost-effective manner possible. In order to help my friend with her current problem, I’m sharing I did:

1. I wrote every single to-do item down a piece of paper.
2. Taking a second piece of paper, I broke each item down into achievable milestones. Milestones are those sub-to-do items that must be done to scratch off the to-do item.

Let’s pause here for a second to explain the difference.

For you, the to-do item might be “sell the house.” Imagine how many things must be done to scratch that big boy off. For me, the to-do item was “launch website for client X.”

The milestones to accomplish that to-do item were:

- sketch website concept
- mock up wireframes
- have client approve a wireframe
- design website
- have client approve design
- sketch out functionality
- develop website
- write content
- handle server/domain/emails
- have client approve content
- launch donation platform
- launch CRM
- launch email system
- paste content and connect social networks, CRM, donation platform and email system
- handle SEO
(and about 20 other items)

3. I then decided which of those items had to be handled by me and which ones I could give to staff (delegated milestones). During my busiest times, such as campaign season, I never do things myself that can be handled by someone else. I follow Pareto’s Principle (80% of your productivity comes from 20% of your work, so eliminate the 80%, concentrate on the 20%, and maximize productivity and profit). For example, during election years I always pay someone to handle my lawn work. Sure, it takes a chunk out of my wallet, but I can make that money back ten-fold by doing my company work for two hours rather than cutting the grass.

For me, that looked like this:

Launch website for client X

- sketch website concept – ME
- mock up wireframes – ADAM
- have client approve a wireframe – JOEL
- design website – ADAM
- have client approve design – JOEL
- sketch out functionality – ME
- develop website – BRIAN
- write content – JOEL
- handle server/domain/emails – ADAM
- have client approve content – JOEL
- launch donation platform – JONATHAN
- launch CRM – JONATHAN
- launch email system – JONATHAN
- paste content and connect social networks, CRM, donation platform and email system – ADAM
- handle SEO – JONATHAN

4. I then prioritized each to do item by writing them down on a third piece of paper, listing all milestones below them.

5. Next, I listed all my milestones on a fourth piece of paper and all my delegated milestones on a fifth piece of paper, both in order of priority.

6. I then assign a due date to each milestone. This is extremely important. Without concrete due dates, both you and your delegates will put work off.

7. I put all milestones into a system that can monitor and send reminders of milestones. I use Basecamp and have for years.

It is important to note that I do not separate my work and personal to-dos and milestones. That’s because the two are so intertwined as is the case for most business owners.

Through this method I was able to lifehack my way past stagnation and the to-do items started falling off my list.

- Wesley Donehue

Filed Under: A day in the life

Develop the Courage to Step Outside your Comfort Zone

December 20, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Our comfort zones are our safe place, and venturing outside of this comfort zone is enough to create discomfort, anxiety and sometimes, even full blown panic attacks. Despite this, it is necessary to do; otherwise you will never go anywhere.

Growing up Poor

I’m very open about my past as a child; I come from a poor background in which I never ventured out of the south. To even put gas in the tank of our car, we had to dig deep in the cushions of the couch and hope that we found some quarters, otherwise there was no going anywhere – not that we ever went far anyway.
Now, that I’m older and more successful, not only have I ventured out of the south, I’ve traveled around the world. You can only imagine how uncomfortable it is for me having been confined to the south for my entire childhood – to arrive at the Istanbul Airport and try to flag down a Turkish taxi driver – it definitely requires a bit of stepping out of my comfort zone.

Sucking it Up

I also experience some level of discomfort in my business as well. When it comes to negotiating contracts and business deals, there is no doubt that I often feel out of my element. This is also true when it comes to having to fire someone, these all rank under the category of being the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Inevitably, I suck it up and do it because it is essential for me to grow and thrive – both as a person and as a business.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is that anything new – or anything that we dread – is going to cause quite a bit of discomfort, but it is up to us as individuals to overcome this discomfort and propel ourselves forward.
It’s also known as growth, growing beyond our initial comfort zones and developing new ones at the same time.

Filed Under: A day in the life

How (and why) I’m cleaning up my social networks

December 3, 2012 by wesleydonehue

I may have unfriended you on Facebook. Don’t take it personally. It’s not that I don’t like you. I’m sure you are a fantastic human being. But how can I like you when I don’t even know you?

The truth is that my social networks have become too cluttered. I did the polite thing and accepted every Facebook friend and followed back every Twitter follower. But now I can’t tell what’s what. I can’t see what my real friends are up to. I can’t get good news that I actually want to read.

This past election cycle got absolutely out of control. I’m as frustrated as most conservatives, but I’m not a hater nor a conspiracy theorist. Though I think his policies are terrible, I don’t think President Obama is actively “trying” to ruin our nation. I don’t think Democrats are bad people. And I certainly don’t think that the majority of our elected Republicans are RINOs. I just disagree with the liberals and moderate Republicans. I doubt President Obama is a bad person. He’s just dead wrong.

All to say, the hate-filled rhetoric in my Facebook and Twitter streams has gotten insane. We aren’t going to fix our nation by yelling at each other. Republicans aren’t going to take back the White House, US Senate, governorships and many other offices by telling people that they aren’t “real Republicans.”

I didn’t mean for this post to turn into a political argument. I’m just telling you that my Facebook and Twitter streams are making my blood boil and I’m doing something about it. More specifically, here’s what I”m doing.

Facebook – I’m using Facebook for my personal life. Here I will keep up with my past and current acquaintances and friends. If I don’t know you, I probably won’t friend you up. You are more than welcome to subscribe to my feed. If you want to keep up with my business ventures on Facebook, please like the Donehue Direct page at www.facebook.com/donehuedirect

Twitter – I will be using Twitter for more business related items. I will tweet out a lot of political and tech news. I will be getting in many less Twitter fights. I will be unfollowing all the trolls and anyone who tweets more hate than solutions.

Other – I’m still using LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and a few other networks. LinkedIn is all business. Google+ is still something I need to start using more. And yes, I’m a guy who loves Pinterest. My brain just isn’t big enough to remember all these cool things I find online. Pinterest is a fantastic place to house them.

Our nation needs people searching for compromises and solutions. I hope you will be pushing those compromises to the right, but that doesn’t mean we can just let our nation fall over a “cliff” like Greece. As for our Republican Party, I’ll be the guy using technology to bring people into the fold, not using it to tell people why they aren’t good enough to be one of us.

Peace!

- Wesley Donehue

Filed Under: A day in the life

Catching up

October 18, 2012 by wesleydonehue

It’s been a while so I’m just catching you up on what’s going on.

Today I spoke at a SC Chamber event and was asked “what’s your number one tip for businesses looking to market online?” Here’s my answer.

Filed Under: A day in the life

Happy 4th

July 4, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 335 – Happy 4th of July! I’m taking a few days off so there will be very little blogging. Elizabeth and I are out at the in-laws’ spot on Lake Murray. No wi-fi. Just the water, the sun and a big ole’ bottle of Kraken that must be taken down.

Let me tell you what screams America. Waking up in the morning to a deposition subpoena from the United State Department of Justice. AAGGGHHHH!!! I haven’t blogged about my deposition two weeks ago and I don’t plan to. I’m just a little annoyed that I have to give a second one. Was the Voter ID battle worth it? Well, we didn’t get it cleared by Justice and now we have to sit through depositions. Still, we must secure our elections. Everything depends on secure elections. Our entire nation depends on secure elections. And today we celebrate this great nation.

Enough blogging. Here’s yesterday’s WACH Fox version of Pub Politics. We are taking the week off from the blog. We will be back next week.

Filed Under: A day in the life

In my campaign bag

June 1, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 302 – My homie Zach Lamb emailed me asking what are some must carry tools on the campaign trail. Here are the things that I always have on me.

Hope this helps, Zach. Go win some races.

- Wesley

Filed Under: A day in the life, Political Shots, Travel

Calling a Truce with Representative Brady

May 30, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 300 – So, it seems that I’ve stepped in it again. State Representative Joan Brady has her back up, all upset that I bashed her on WACH Fox last night. In particular, she is angry that the SC Democratic Party used my video clip in a fundraising email. She’s going nuts and calling everyone who will listen.

I get it. She’s angry. I bashed her on a news segment that aired in her district. I guess I would be a little mad too. Okay, I would be REAL mad.

Here’s the deal… I was wrong to bash a Republican the way I did given that she has a tough general election. To my defense, I thought she had a tough primary election and not a general election. That’s obvious from watching the video above. Even Phil corrected me during the segment.

I truly believe that nearly any Republican would be better than Brady, but she is better than a Democrat.

Quoting his father, Senator Peeler said from the Senate floor last week ““don’t embarrass me in public and then go behind a tree and apologize.” He’s right. But I’m not going to apologize to Representative Brady. Since I made my comments in public, I will now publicly call a truce with Representative Brady.

I would apologize to her, but I don’t think that’s necessary because I was asked my opinion and I gave it honestly while being factually accurate. I do, however, apologize publicly to Speaker Bobby Harrell and Majority Leader Kenny Bingham. They are working hard to keep this seat for our party and I’m pissed that my words are hurting their effort.

I’m also pissed the the SC Democratic Party quoted me as the Director of the SC Senate Republican Caucus. First off, that’s factually incorrect. Mark Harmon is the Director. Secondly, when I speak on Pub Politics I do not do so as a consultant for the Caucus. I am a consultant for numerous campaigns and organizations. When I speak on Pub Politics, I do so as Wesley Donehue alone and not a spokesman for anyone. I have made that clear over and over and over again. To quote me as the Caucus Director was both factually and intellectually dishonest on Amanda Loveday’s part.

It makes sense that Brady is angry that the “Caucus Director” attacked her. But here’s the deal folks… I attacked her for attacking Republicans. She said that our Republican Governor should be investigated by our Republican Attorney General. I mean, come on…WTF is that? She wants to call me out for attacking a Republican house member while she goes after our Republican Governor and puts our Republican Attorney General in a pretty screwed up spot!?!? Talk about hypofriggincritical!!

I’m hoping this issue dies today. Representative Brady, I’m willing to call a truce, if you are.

Filed Under: A day in the life, Political Shots

16 flights in 14 days

May 3, 2012 by wesleydonehue

A quick THANK YOU to you amazing people who have given me such positive feedback since my last few Man Project posts.

- Wesley Donehue

Filed Under: A day in the life

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

February 23, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 202 – It’s my wife’s 30th birthday. Yeah, she’s freaking out because her twenties are over. I’m sure I’m going to get yelled at for telling you that she’s freaking out. Or for telling you that she’s 30. Oh well, if it weren’t that it would be something else.

Ok, I’m kidding. Unlike what I perceive as most wives, mine does not yell at me very often. When she does, I deserve it. I’m totally willing to admit that. Truthfully, I’m a very frustrating individual. I annoy myself, so I know I annoy the crap out of her. I don’t know how she puts up with me.

I love my wife. I always have. I knew as soon as I met her that I was going to marry her. We weren’t even dating and I told her that. Yeah, it freaked her out. That’s probably one of the reasons she didn’t talk to me for a few years. But I look what happened. I was right!

Anyway, right now Elizabeth and I are on a Delta flight on the way to Vegas to celebrate her 30th and our 7th Anniversary. Tomorrow we visit the Grand Canyon. Saturday we hit up the strip. Sunday we watch the Daytona 500, do some shopping and hang out with our dear friends Jacklyn and Kyle Bressette.

Vegas, here we come.

Filed Under: A day in the life

Front row with The Avetts

February 13, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 192 – Not a lot of blogging today. I’m sick as heck. And no, I’m not hung over. I know that’s what you are thinking after posting pics from The Avett Brothers concert last night.

Ok, drinking may have something to do with it, but I’ll say again – I am not hung over. I think the alcohol on top of the extreme work and little sleep has just slaughtered my immune system. Today I feel like complete butt so I’m staying in the bed.

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Filed Under: A day in the life

Accept God’s gift of rest

February 10, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 189 – God gave us Sunday as a day of rest because we need it. It was a gift. And we should accept it.

I have not been. I don’t think anyone on the Donehue Direct team has accepted it. That’s a problem.

The entire office is sick. We’ve run our bodies into the ground. I can’t believe that Renee and Jonathan are still awake. Perhaps its because they are younger than me, or because they don’t bounce around to legislative parties on Tuesdays and Wendesdays, but they still have gas in the tank. I do not.

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Filed Under: A day in the life, Being Better

Lying with dogs, getting fleas

February 8, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 187 – Another Pub Politics is in the history books. Episode 90. Just ten more until our big 100th episode blow-out. It will be epic. EPIC!

You’ve always heard – when you lie down with dogs, you are going to get fleas.

Speaking to Bierbaur’s class

January 31, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 179 – The times they are a’changing.

Today I had the opportunity to speak to Charle Bierbauer’s class at the University of South Carolina. It was an honor for me. Charles Bierbauer is someone anyone could admire for his career accomplishments and his expertise. For years, he was CNN’s senior Washington correspondent. He’s a regular on Cspan, CNN, and all sorts of other mainstream media. Coming to his class and being able to share what I’ve learned was awesome.

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Filed Under: A day in the life

Is a picture worth a thousands words?

January 22, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 170 – If so, this picture is worth the thousands words I would have written today.

Wesley Donehue

PS – Dream big. Work bigger.

Filed Under: A day in the life

A sucky E-Day

January 21, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 169 – Whew…I’m tired, yet cannot sleep. I just got back from a drinking session with some reporter friends. I leave for San Francisco in just a few hours to lay out the first cornerstones for our new office there. I’m so excited. It is the heart of technology, a new side of politics, and generally it’s a world away from Columbia. I’m gonna bring the two together and make big things happen.

I’m leaving Columbia on an extremely sour note. Election day…well, it sucked. I was expected to be in 20 different places at 0 different times, and little aggravating factors just made it generally something I don’t care to repeat. All of this was done with a pool of water in my car, by the way. If you haven’t seen it, check out how I was scammed by some thieves for a faulty window job. It wasn’t pleasant to deal with, and I will be keeping updates on that issue. Those guys suck and I can’t say it enough.

Yeah, check out the ongoing damage being done to my car. Those…ah, not even gonna say it…with so much drama in the CAE…It’s kinda hard:

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Filed Under: A day in the life

Save time with The Email Game

January 19, 2012 by wesleydonehue

Day 167 – Another short blog. We are in Charleston today for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference and presidential debate. The city is buzzing with reporters and political action. There ain’t a whole lot better than Charleston and politics. We are having a blast.

My buddy and chief competitor Vincent Harris is in town, and Jonathan and I are crashing with our new employee Patrick, who I will announce you to later next week.