The Basics

As we begin making headway into the new year its always good to re-focus and get back on track (or stay on track for that matter).  

One thing to always remember is to focus on the basics.  We often get off course, sidetracked or get caught up in "other stuff" that simply doesn't matter or doesn't contribute to the end goal or bottom line. 

A few things to not forget.

1. At the core remember who you are.  What you do is irrelevant.  That can change from month to month or year to year.  But who you are remains the same.

2. Focus on your strengths and what you do well. Trying to do everything under the sun will only diminish your ability to do something well.  Know what you do well and focus on that.

3. Remember to say thank you.  People want to feel appreciated. Its a basic human need - to feel that we matter - even if it is in a small seemingly insignificant way.  Tell someone thank you for something today. Its amazing what these two words can do for you when said with sincerity.

4. Take time to relax and chill out.  Being distressed adds nothing of value to your life.  It makes you sick.  Brings on depression and can keep you from moving on ward and upward.  If you have problems, which is likely,  that's a reality that never goes away.  Take an hour or two to not think about it and enjoy a hilarious movie on netflix!

5. Get some sleep.  We sleep for a reason.  The body needs it. Laying down and enjoying la la land for a good few hours does wonders for you!

6. Practice,  Practice, Practice.  You can shoot for the moon, the stars and the next constellation all day long but if you don't practice whatever it is that you do daily - you'll never be great at it.  Whether its practicing hitting golf balls, making presentations, or playing your electric guitar, you have to practice to be the best at what you do.

See differently

Ok. . . close your eyes and visualize a sunset over a beach. What did you see?  How detailed was your image? Did you see a shimmering orb falling below the seas surface in the distance with its reflection bouncing off the ocean?  Maybe you saw palm trees gently swaying in the breeze as seagulls flocked overhead with crashing waves at your feet as you hold the hands of a loved one. 

Now imagine you're on the surface of Saturn.  What does a sunset look like there? Is the sun smaller?  Is there a sun at all?  Is the surface a desolate and rocky surface with frozen lakes and icy glaciers shimmering in the starlight with small canyons dotting the landscape?

How difficult was it to imagine the sunset here vs. a sunset on Saturn?

Your ability to conjure up these images is telling in how your brain works and how vivid your imagination is - which is vital when trying to summon new ideas.

The ability to see things in a unique way or imagine what you have never seen before can prove to be an invaluable asset.  It allows for unique ideas, different concepts and creative ways in how to approach challenges that lay before us. 

Often times when a challenge arises in the office people are asked for solutions. How differently can you see the situation that will allow you to conjure up multiple scenarios that bring potential answers to the problem?

This is a great example of visionaries (i.e. Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison)  They simply see/saw things differently.  When most people can't see a new possibility they do - and they make it happen.  This is the difference between someone who is good at what they do and someone who is great - which brings to mind a conversation I was jus having last night with a good friend of mine who works for a major television network and is pushing for a new pilot. 

She was having a conversation with her boss and she said that as part of the package she would, within the first season, get Barack Obama on the show and her boss's response was "you can't do that".  "That would be impossible to do".  Obviously my friend sees things differently than her boss does.  I know my friend.  If she says she can do it.  She can do it.   

Being able to see the world differently is a valuable asset to have - because at the end of the day the world opens up to you in unique ways and the possibilities become endless.

The Curious Case of. . .Inspiration

I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button this past weekend and all I could say was WOW! Now some may disagree but so goes opinions in tastes for movies. I have been thinking about this movie for the past 3 days. . .

The movie hit on numerous themes: love, dreams, passion, time, opportunities, the possibilities, and relationships to name a handful that come immediately to mind. Now looking at these ideas I can't help but to keep in mind how these are the same things that drive entrepreneurs, or new business ventures or a new idea that will "change the world".

In the movie Brad Pitt plays a character who ages backwards and as a result of this has a very uniqe perspective on the world. One of the scenes opens with a reading of a diary written by Benjamin Button that says "I was born under unusual circumstances. . .," and this lays the premise of the unique and extraordinary life that will be led by this individual.

As I watched the movie and reveled in the exquisite cinematography, the powerful score, the intriguing storyline and the emotional ups and downs of each character, I couldn't help but to compare how this movie reflected the reality of life: the only thing that remains the same is change.

With numerous messages in the movie, one stood out and seem to be pervasive throughout the film. The idea that life has a way of taking its own path, sometimes a backwards one, and we do have choices in how we travel it.

During one part of the movie Pitt's Benjamin says in a voice over that "you can change or you can stay the same. There are no rules to this thing."

As I watched this nearly three hour cinematic tale I couldn't help but think of my own ups and downs in life, particularly as an entrepreneur. The love, dreams, passion, opportunities, possibilities, and relationships that have lived and died as I pushed to bring ongoing life to my business, have meant the world to me in ways I am not sure that I could ever explain in words. 

Do you have a passion, a dream or a destination that you are shooting for in life? Well if you've been contemplating one, or two or three that have temporarily stalled. . .go check out Mr. Benjamin Button and get that inspiration back.

Goodbye '08!

It's been an incredible year to say the least!  I have learned so much that I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the incredible experiences I have had this year!

So what I've done is created a quick snapshop of a few top 5 lists of people, places and things that have had significant impact on my life over this past year.

Top 5 books

1.  A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

2.  Zag by Marty Neumeier

3.  The Long Tail by Chris Anderson

4.  Made To Stick by Dan and Chip Heath

5.  Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds

Honorable mentions - Blink by Malcom Gladwell, the Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley, and The Medici Effect by Frans Johannsen.

Top 5 Fast Company Articles 

1.  April - The Brand Called Obama

2.  May  - Ning's Infinite Ambition

3.  October- Moooi Fabulous

4.  September - The Iron Chancellor

5.  October - Rewriting the Creative Mind

Top 5 music artists I discovered this year (that kept me groovin' in my office until the weee hours of the night)

1.  Santogold

2.  The Rapture

3.  Battles

4.  Game Rebellion

5.  Izza Kizza

 Honorable mention - The Knux, The Archie Branson Outfit, and The Carps

Top 5 accidental internet discoveries (that rock)

1.  Behance

2.  Vator TV

3.  The Chicago Convergence

4.  Gemini Division

5.  Springwise

Top 5 Coolest Sites

1.  Schematic

2.  Zune Arts

3.  Razorfish

4.  Puma

5.  Cutting Edge

Top 5 business lessons learned

1.  Just because you can easily do it doesn't mean its easy to do.

2.  Have a team of mentors that can help guide you through unchartered territory.

3.  Don't get frustrated.  Find the lesson to be learned and move forward.

4.  The devil is in the details.

5.  Know what you do and know how to communicate it.

Top 5 ideas you should NOT forget in '09

1.  In pushing your venture/enterprise forward you cannot follow traditional business doctrine.

2.  Thinking outside the box is dead.

3.  The future of business is at the intersection of design and brands

4.  You can be creative all day. . .but if you have no discipline and drive, retire right now.

5.  Know your purpose. Determine your vision. Build your future.

 See you next year!!

From point A to point B

I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine the other day.  She (Rakiyt Zakari) is the founder and head designer of the original david clothing line. Probably one of the most creative and forward thinking designers in the fashion world today. 

We were talking about how to be successful. How to be on top of your game and how to push the envelope in terms of creating and marketing your product or service and how to spread your message to the world. 

Well one of the ideas that came up was the idea of pushing your own personal boundaries.  How to think, be and explore at the edge of your competence.  In talking to her about this one of the ideas we both concluded on is that as you strive to grow your business and/or grow as an entrepreneur, artist, designer, etc. you have to have mentors.  In order to successfully go from point a to point b which would entail the pushing of new ideas, the exploration of innovative solutions and doing what you haven't previously done before, you have to seek guidance and help.  You can't do it by yourself. 

Often when pushing beyond your own personal limits you get into unchartered territory. Without the proper assistance it can be the difference between crashing and burning or pushing your venture successfully to the next level (I personally prefer the latter). 

Firstly - this would require you to admit that you don't know everything and you have weaknesses that someone else can assist you with - now this is easier said than done.  If I had a dollar for everytime I came across people who didn't think they needed help, didn't know they should seek help or were simply oblivious to the fact that help is ALWAYS needed, then I would have retired a millionaire years ago.

Secondly - you have to be able to seek out individuals who have your best interest at heart. That means being authentic yourself and coming to the table without hidden agendas and ulterior motives.  When you do this and you are sincere in your actions, you will attract like energy.  Serious business people love to help driven and passionate individuals who are dedicated to their craft. If they see that your main goal is to give something to the world that is either needed, wanted or desired (and they see you are extremely serious about it) then that makes things sooo much easier for you.

Thirdly - you need assistance from mentors who are savvy and have business acumen.  I repeat. You need assistance from mentors who are savvy and have business acumen.  Nothing is worse than getting advice from someone who is reckless in advice giving and has no idea about how to execute on ideas and navigate scenarios and situations effectively.  So be extremely careful when seeking guidance.  Often times simply check it with your gut feeling.  If it doesn't sound or feel right in the pit of your stomach, kick that advice to the curb.

Putting yourself in new situations in which you don't quite know how to navigate, is what will make you better, allow you to grow and put you ahead of the curve.  You'll make mistakes along the way, but as long as you learn valuable lessons from them then they were worth making.  In the end as the tried and true saying goes "nothing venture, nothing gained".