"The minute that you understand that you
can poke life ... that you can change it, you can mold it ... that's maybe the
most important thing."
I never really knew much about Steve Jobs until after his death. I know he was an amazing visionary, but since his death he has become more of a guide for me.
How can I poke life? What can I do to change the world, to mold it?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Fahrenheit 451
In this marvelous look into a future, Faber, an old man who is a retired English professor and friend to Montag, says "Those who don't build must burn. It's as old as history and juvenile delinquents."
Those who aren't creating are destroying? What is your interpretation of this? I've heard the quote, "If you're not growing, you're dieing." Is this similar to that?
The platform or mantra that I have is "To Help People Create." This is my goal and this quote is another good argument for helping people understand their innate need for self-expression and working with their hands to create permanence in their lives.
Those who aren't creating are destroying? What is your interpretation of this? I've heard the quote, "If you're not growing, you're dieing." Is this similar to that?
The platform or mantra that I have is "To Help People Create." This is my goal and this quote is another good argument for helping people understand their innate need for self-expression and working with their hands to create permanence in their lives.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Compound Effect
Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, wrote The Compound Effect about how small things done consistently over time have big outcomes.
This effect is more powerful if large groups of people are doing the same thing.
THink of Angry Birds. In roughly 3 years people around the world have played and accumulated 200,000 years of the simple game. Your 15 minutes, my 5, his 90, add up to big results.
Opening weekend box office receipts tally $50-$100 million. My $7, your $15.
150 less calories in our daily diet adds up.
Small inexpensive products purchased and consumed by groups and tribes combine for great profits, markets and niches. Think Silly Bandz, soda, chap stick.
Is there a product or service I can create that people will use in small ways and large numbers?
This effect is more powerful if large groups of people are doing the same thing.
THink of Angry Birds. In roughly 3 years people around the world have played and accumulated 200,000 years of the simple game. Your 15 minutes, my 5, his 90, add up to big results.
Opening weekend box office receipts tally $50-$100 million. My $7, your $15.
150 less calories in our daily diet adds up.
Small inexpensive products purchased and consumed by groups and tribes combine for great profits, markets and niches. Think Silly Bandz, soda, chap stick.
Is there a product or service I can create that people will use in small ways and large numbers?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
National Debt vs. Deficit Questions
What is the difference between the national debt and the budget deficit?
How is each created and paid off?
What are the problems of having a natl debt and budget deficit?
What is being done about them and by whom?
How is each created and paid off?
What are the problems of having a natl debt and budget deficit?
What is being done about them and by whom?
ADD #1
Attention!! Deficit Disorder!!
Though the federal budget deficit is shrinking slowly, at what rate of decrease is enough to see a significant positive change? What dollar amount is good for my children? What % is it decreasing at now and why?
More to come.
Though the federal budget deficit is shrinking slowly, at what rate of decrease is enough to see a significant positive change? What dollar amount is good for my children? What % is it decreasing at now and why?
More to come.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Too Big To Know
T. S. Eliot wrote :
Where is the life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
Signals abound that information is everywhere. That a kid in Africa with a smart phone has access to more information than the US President did 10 years ago. Pretty amazing, and potentially pretty dangerous. Dangerous for those who, as Seth Godin says, want to be revolutionaries. The fact is, Seth points out, that we all say we want to be, but few of us act on it.
Where is the life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
Signals abound that information is everywhere. That a kid in Africa with a smart phone has access to more information than the US President did 10 years ago. Pretty amazing, and potentially pretty dangerous. Dangerous for those who, as Seth Godin says, want to be revolutionaries. The fact is, Seth points out, that we all say we want to be, but few of us act on it.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Escape It or Face It?
Escapism is overtaking our lives. Running to food, shopping, TV,
video games alcohol and drugs and the internet. But can we run
forever?
Even criminals on the run will express relief when they are caught. At some point we must turn and face the things we are running from. When the average American watches 5.5 hours of TV a day and movies make millions in opening weekends, we have little emotion, energy or desire to tackle new things. We have little money or resources to invest in ourselves or families.
Can we get out of debt, fix up our home, or buy inspirational and educational material to help our families?
Turn and face what we are escaping.
Even criminals on the run will express relief when they are caught. At some point we must turn and face the things we are running from. When the average American watches 5.5 hours of TV a day and movies make millions in opening weekends, we have little emotion, energy or desire to tackle new things. We have little money or resources to invest in ourselves or families.
Can we get out of debt, fix up our home, or buy inspirational and educational material to help our families?
Turn and face what we are escaping.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Forgotten Technology
In this day of re-purposing and up-cycling, what forgotten technologies are there that could be re-imagined for today's use? There's sure to be lists of forgotten inventions, innovations and discoveries that could be used today. Someone somewhere built a trinket, a device, a contraption that could have value today in a new arena that was not even around when it was first created. Where are these forgotten technologies? How can they be found and what can they be used for?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Getting started
Many authors are tackling the subject of momentum and how to start a new endeavor.
Guy Kawasaki says "The hardest thing about getting started is getting started."
Darren Hardy calls it "Big Mo", the momentum you need to get going.
Simon Sinek believes that you can't lead or create something without knowing why you are doing it. The what and the how will follow if your why is clear and important enough.
If you wait until you are ready, you've waited too long.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
Get a shot of your daily TED by listening to Simon Sinek teach the why of leadership.
Guy Kawasaki says "The hardest thing about getting started is getting started."
Darren Hardy calls it "Big Mo", the momentum you need to get going.
Simon Sinek believes that you can't lead or create something without knowing why you are doing it. The what and the how will follow if your why is clear and important enough.
If you wait until you are ready, you've waited too long.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Cotton fields and sweat shops
Stephen J. Gould said-
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweat shops."
What other areas are genius and talent being wasted? The weight of this comment is huge when you think about broken systems like education, foster care and adoption. Foster care and adoption are only half broken, along with our court system. How many migrant farm workers today have ideas but no access to move them?
Access to me is easy, but for a migrant farm worker it's most likely out of reach.
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweat shops."
What other areas are genius and talent being wasted? The weight of this comment is huge when you think about broken systems like education, foster care and adoption. Foster care and adoption are only half broken, along with our court system. How many migrant farm workers today have ideas but no access to move them?
Access to me is easy, but for a migrant farm worker it's most likely out of reach.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Imagineering Way
In this great book from the staff at Disney, Imagineer Anne Tryba says, "When you create, you are essentially reinventing who you are and what you are believe yourself capable of accomplishing. There is a kind of courage that has to be mustered before embarking on any creative endeavor, no matter how large or small."
We as humans have an innate need to create. When those creative needs are stifled, we are off balance and searching for something that is inside us.
We as humans have an innate need to create. When those creative needs are stifled, we are off balance and searching for something that is inside us.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Traditions
It's interesting to think about what we do out of tradition:
Freud said "come back next week" and since then, therapy has been once a week meeting.
180 days of school, summer break. Done out of necessity generations ago and followed today when it is a non-competitive model.
8 hour work day that is inefficient, not challenging and often does not meet the needs of the worker or the industry the worker serves.
Many of these models are broken, and in the connection generation many broken models are getting fixed.
What do we do in our business, home and family and personal lives out of tradition? "Because that's how we've always done it."
Freud said "come back next week" and since then, therapy has been once a week meeting.
180 days of school, summer break. Done out of necessity generations ago and followed today when it is a non-competitive model.
8 hour work day that is inefficient, not challenging and often does not meet the needs of the worker or the industry the worker serves.
Many of these models are broken, and in the connection generation many broken models are getting fixed.
What do we do in our business, home and family and personal lives out of tradition? "Because that's how we've always done it."
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Forward Thinkers
Our brains evolved from front to back. "The back is the wanting part, the front is the restraint part. And they are both with us all the time." Roy Baumeister said.
What if we can choose which part of our brain to use? Can we choose to be forward thinkers? This phrase usually applies to leaders or mentors, but what if it's as simple as intentionally deciding to use that part of our brain? The wanting part is what drives consumption and gratification. Our culture, society and world could use more restraint.
Do an experiment for a moment. Close your eyes and meditate a few seconds. Can you identify where your thoughts are? Are your neck and shoulder muscles tight? Where are your eyes looking? Is your forehead crinkled up or smooth? Can you change those muscles and move your thoughts to the font part of your brain?
More to come as I get my questions answered.
What if we can choose which part of our brain to use? Can we choose to be forward thinkers? This phrase usually applies to leaders or mentors, but what if it's as simple as intentionally deciding to use that part of our brain? The wanting part is what drives consumption and gratification. Our culture, society and world could use more restraint.
Do an experiment for a moment. Close your eyes and meditate a few seconds. Can you identify where your thoughts are? Are your neck and shoulder muscles tight? Where are your eyes looking? Is your forehead crinkled up or smooth? Can you change those muscles and move your thoughts to the font part of your brain?
More to come as I get my questions answered.
Friday, March 9, 2012
It's too easy
What if an apple a day IS really all it takes to keep the doctor away?! I heard Jim Rohn ask this question today on one of his seminar cassettes.
That would be too easy, we'd tell ourselves. We look for the big solution, when often the small steps that lead to the big solution are under our nose. We look for the miracle, the breakthrough, the new science or technology.
Often all we need to do is listen to ourselves, our muse and the collected wisdom of those who have gone before us and those experts who are teaching us today.
That would be too easy, we'd tell ourselves. We look for the big solution, when often the small steps that lead to the big solution are under our nose. We look for the miracle, the breakthrough, the new science or technology.
Often all we need to do is listen to ourselves, our muse and the collected wisdom of those who have gone before us and those experts who are teaching us today.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Quiet
Today the caravan led me to the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
The book came last night and I've only just started it, but from the very beginning it is valuable.
I have always thought of myself as an introvert, but I was always in conflict with myself over the way I need to be as a husband and father and teacher and coach versus the way I think I am. I am learning that it's OK to be quiet and reflective.
I live in my head and I always thought that was a negative thing. I need more introspection about my place in a fast, talkative world. I am learning to be OK with myself as I learn who I am.
The book came last night and I've only just started it, but from the very beginning it is valuable.
I have always thought of myself as an introvert, but I was always in conflict with myself over the way I need to be as a husband and father and teacher and coach versus the way I think I am. I am learning that it's OK to be quiet and reflective.
I live in my head and I always thought that was a negative thing. I need more introspection about my place in a fast, talkative world. I am learning to be OK with myself as I learn who I am.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Trade Convenience for Permanence
I'll take permanence over convenience any day. Cassettes from my youth, 8 tracks and vinyl records I've collected as a teenager are permanent. Even if it means bulk. The front seat, back seat and trunk of my car are usually filled with CD's and books.
The bulk is both the problem and the solution.
I know I could download all of those books and CD's to my iPad or Kindle, but what am I losing in those few seconds it takes Amazon's Whispernet to download?
I am losing my connection to others. I lose an artifact from my history. I lose a story. Or I lose the opportunity to create a story and add a little to my history.
The bulk is both the problem and the solution.
I know I could download all of those books and CD's to my iPad or Kindle, but what am I losing in those few seconds it takes Amazon's Whispernet to download?
I am losing my connection to others. I lose an artifact from my history. I lose a story. Or I lose the opportunity to create a story and add a little to my history.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Credit Economy
We are living in a time of credit dependency. Not only do we rely on credit to fund our homes, business, vacations and clothes, we rely on credit to prop up our egos.
The trouble with the credit economy is that we are too concerned with who gets it.
In our workplaces, teams and homes, how much attention do we pay to the quality of the task versus the attention and credit given for accomplishing it?
The credit economy requires us to do more with less and not give any thought to who gets the credit.
The trouble with the credit economy is that we are too concerned with who gets it.
In our workplaces, teams and homes, how much attention do we pay to the quality of the task versus the attention and credit given for accomplishing it?
The credit economy requires us to do more with less and not give any thought to who gets the credit.
Monday, March 5, 2012
What you do proves what you believe
Just finished watching Simon Sinek's TED talk. I learned about him from the EntreLeadership podcast. Here are some takeaways from the talk:
1. What you do serves as proof of what you believe.
2. People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
3. Money is a result, not a purpose.
4. The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.
5. The Golden Circle-Why, How, What- Believe and explain and market in that order.
As I start some of my endeavors, I will be sure to take this to heart. Thanks Simon
1. What you do serves as proof of what you believe.
2. People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
3. Money is a result, not a purpose.
4. The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.
5. The Golden Circle-Why, How, What- Believe and explain and market in that order.
As I start some of my endeavors, I will be sure to take this to heart. Thanks Simon
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Punctuation
Let's eat grandma.
Let's eat, grandma.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention! Deficit disorder!
That punctuation mark makes all the difference!
We do have a deficit disorder that threatens to bring more mayhem than the Allstate agent. I'm not a preacher of doom, but the deficit disorder represents all that needs to be changed in our lives.
More to come on the pitfalls of the unlimited, extra large and immediate culture we live in.
Let's eat, grandma.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention! Deficit disorder!
That punctuation mark makes all the difference!
We do have a deficit disorder that threatens to bring more mayhem than the Allstate agent. I'm not a preacher of doom, but the deficit disorder represents all that needs to be changed in our lives.
More to come on the pitfalls of the unlimited, extra large and immediate culture we live in.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Replace
Every day in class I teach the idea of replacing the old with the new, the bad with the good and the harmful with the healthy. We talk at length about what they did to get in trouble and what they could replace it with. What hobbies, interests, goals and dreams have they lost touch with that could be replacements for what they did to get into trouble?
Darren Hardy discusses this idea in The Compound Effect. He posits that it's the little things done consistently over time that make the biggest difference. Replacing the soda or coffee with water, the tasty treat with a healthy snack. I remember seeing a quote on Pinterest that said "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." Too true.
So what can you and I replace? Maybe it's not as huge as a drug addiction or a devastating coping strategy. Maybe it's not replacing friends who are a negative influence. Maybe it is. Now I try to ask myself if I am replacing the unhealthy for the healthy, the endless for the limited and the super sized for the reasonable.
Darren Hardy discusses this idea in The Compound Effect. He posits that it's the little things done consistently over time that make the biggest difference. Replacing the soda or coffee with water, the tasty treat with a healthy snack. I remember seeing a quote on Pinterest that said "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." Too true.
So what can you and I replace? Maybe it's not as huge as a drug addiction or a devastating coping strategy. Maybe it's not replacing friends who are a negative influence. Maybe it is. Now I try to ask myself if I am replacing the unhealthy for the healthy, the endless for the limited and the super sized for the reasonable.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Myself last
I have always prided myself for putting myself last. I've often looked down on friends who occupy themselves with themselves. My dad used to eat a meal a day at the soup kitchen to not take food from his family. I thought that was the way to be a dad.
A few days ago I had my 10 year old daughter in the car with me and we slid off the road in an ice storm. I've needed new tires for months, but put it off as I also needed to fix my wife's car, my roof, had a new baby and many other demands on our limited financial resources. As I slid off the road and nearly into a canal, I realized that those tires represented all that I had chosen not to balance and take care of. My needs are also my families needs. They need new tires to be safe, not just me.
What I thought was selfishness was really putting off the necessary and a lack of prioritizing. What are you not getting done that needs to be? What could take a few minutes or dollars and save time or money, or a life? What could you replace to free up resources? What are you not noticing the importance of, like my bald tires?
A few days ago I had my 10 year old daughter in the car with me and we slid off the road in an ice storm. I've needed new tires for months, but put it off as I also needed to fix my wife's car, my roof, had a new baby and many other demands on our limited financial resources. As I slid off the road and nearly into a canal, I realized that those tires represented all that I had chosen not to balance and take care of. My needs are also my families needs. They need new tires to be safe, not just me.
What I thought was selfishness was really putting off the necessary and a lack of prioritizing. What are you not getting done that needs to be? What could take a few minutes or dollars and save time or money, or a life? What could you replace to free up resources? What are you not noticing the importance of, like my bald tires?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Test your beliefs
A student of mine had an important insight a few days ago. I'll call her Lacey. I teach at a juvenile detention center school and Lacey is a girl who has had some challenges in her young life. Lacey has a 2 year old daughter who she misses greatly and wants to be with. This daughter is her motivation to change her life.
Our students often get caught up in only seeing what they want to see and defending the reasons they are in detention. Marijuana is a big issue, with students having tunnel vision in their defense of it and their ability to choose and be independent. Lacey asked a fellow student if he would introduce marijuana to his child at a young age and teach his child how to use it. The student said no, of course he wouldn't. Lacey then told the student that he did not believe in marijuana then. Lacey then related how she used to cut herself as a coping strategy. She struggled with this behavior, occasionally going back to it in times of depression or stress. A counselor asked her once if she would give a blade to her young child and teach the child how to do it and do it together. A stunned Lacey answered no, she loved her daughter and wanted only the best for her. The counselor said that if she wouldn't teach her child a certain behavior, then she did not believe in it herself and knew it was wrong. As she related this story, Lacey said that from that time on, her test of whether something was good for her or not was to ask if she would allow her child to do it or teach it to her child.
I think about this in my own life. Would I have my child eat the junk food I eat? Would I let my child view the movies and TV shows I watch? Would I introduce them to a website? Would I sit next to them and teach them how to do things that hurt their mind, body or spirit? Would I teach or introduce them to habits, entertainment, media, language and behaviors I choose? I love my kids more than I love myself and I treat them better than I treat myself. It's too easy to excuse a behavior with a negative consequence for me, but if it's harmful to my kids I'd be quick to protect them. Why not protect myself too?
Our students often get caught up in only seeing what they want to see and defending the reasons they are in detention. Marijuana is a big issue, with students having tunnel vision in their defense of it and their ability to choose and be independent. Lacey asked a fellow student if he would introduce marijuana to his child at a young age and teach his child how to use it. The student said no, of course he wouldn't. Lacey then told the student that he did not believe in marijuana then. Lacey then related how she used to cut herself as a coping strategy. She struggled with this behavior, occasionally going back to it in times of depression or stress. A counselor asked her once if she would give a blade to her young child and teach the child how to do it and do it together. A stunned Lacey answered no, she loved her daughter and wanted only the best for her. The counselor said that if she wouldn't teach her child a certain behavior, then she did not believe in it herself and knew it was wrong. As she related this story, Lacey said that from that time on, her test of whether something was good for her or not was to ask if she would allow her child to do it or teach it to her child.
I think about this in my own life. Would I have my child eat the junk food I eat? Would I let my child view the movies and TV shows I watch? Would I introduce them to a website? Would I sit next to them and teach them how to do things that hurt their mind, body or spirit? Would I teach or introduce them to habits, entertainment, media, language and behaviors I choose? I love my kids more than I love myself and I treat them better than I treat myself. It's too easy to excuse a behavior with a negative consequence for me, but if it's harmful to my kids I'd be quick to protect them. Why not protect myself too?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Stop Stealing Dreams
Seth Godin's latest manifesto. Seth is a great thinker and writer and this time it's about education. So much has changed in the last 30 years, but education has not. Our delivery system is the same as always. I have lots of technology in my classroom, with access to anything on the internet, but my content is the same and student motivation and success is not getting any better. Read Seth's message and pass it on. Be a sneezer, spread a message of change and educational revolution.
http://www.squidoo.com/stop-stealing-dreams
http://www.squidoo.com/stop-stealing-dreams
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