I have started reading "The Dream Society" by Rolf Jensen. Six pages in and its amazing. The message so far has been tremendously revealing and as far as I can tell, true. Jensen communicates that we are leaving the Information Era and entering the Imagination Era.
In the Imagination Era, it is no longer the company with the right product or the best market research, companies with the best stories will win. Its no longer the product but the story behind the product that will drive its success. Think organic eggs. We are paying companies to be inefficient (more space for chickens), why? Because we like the idea (read idea as 'story'). These eggs we are buying are not commodity products any longer, they are stories, stories of us helping the chickens live better lives. Will we ever see this chickens or even go near a farm, not likely, but our imaginations can picture the happy little chickens with more room.
While the story behind a product will drive its success, its also applies to people as well. Nobody cares anymore what material goods you posses. Owning a Porsche on a micro level is fun, on a macro level, nobody gives a shit. What matters is your story. What you possess on the inside and what you have experienced are worth far more than what you have. So...whats your story?
So often we are in a race to get the material things that we forget that it's now the stories that will get us there (stories drive us to the material possessions). Stories are experience and people will pay for experience. Look at the next five years of your life and ask yourself, whats my story going to be?
Nasty link below to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Society-Information-Imagination-Transform/dp/0071379681/ref=sr_1_1/102-7583050-6720922?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175739892&sr=8-1
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
If your not pissed off then you dont care!
I got pissed off last week. Really pissed off.
Takes a lot to get me there too! Mess with my work, my family or my health and I get mad. I have made a concentrated effort to take swearing out of my vocabulary (can express myself better) but I more than made up for the past few months. So why did I get so mad? All came down to someone being late for a very important meeting.
This person was bringing some crucial stuff and was late. It was the turning point for the whole deal and we almost messed it up. The time that I didn't spend swearing was spent trying to think of an excuse. There were none, my pants were down.
Fortunately it worked out well, albeit barely. We got the contract and our revenue is going up. But what if hadn't worked out? It all would have came down to this person being late (unnecessarily too!).
Looking back, I kinda wish I hadn't sworn or yelled as much. But the more I think about it, the more I don't mind. Lots was on the line, I had the right. Maybe it wasn't so bad that some of the employees (and bosses) saw me getting mad. Emotion is passion and I had lots of both. Sometimes it pays not to be in control and steady.
The lesson I learnt: Use being pissed off very cautiously (once quarterly). Be steady and in control the rest of the time. Don't let be being pissed off get in the way of your effectiveness and do your best to get mad at the situation, not the person.
And the advice from my mom, use the "next time" rule. Tell the person that screwed up what would be better for next time. The past is the past, help them learn from it.
Takes a lot to get me there too! Mess with my work, my family or my health and I get mad. I have made a concentrated effort to take swearing out of my vocabulary (can express myself better) but I more than made up for the past few months. So why did I get so mad? All came down to someone being late for a very important meeting.
This person was bringing some crucial stuff and was late. It was the turning point for the whole deal and we almost messed it up. The time that I didn't spend swearing was spent trying to think of an excuse. There were none, my pants were down.
Fortunately it worked out well, albeit barely. We got the contract and our revenue is going up. But what if hadn't worked out? It all would have came down to this person being late (unnecessarily too!).
Looking back, I kinda wish I hadn't sworn or yelled as much. But the more I think about it, the more I don't mind. Lots was on the line, I had the right. Maybe it wasn't so bad that some of the employees (and bosses) saw me getting mad. Emotion is passion and I had lots of both. Sometimes it pays not to be in control and steady.
The lesson I learnt: Use being pissed off very cautiously (once quarterly). Be steady and in control the rest of the time. Don't let be being pissed off get in the way of your effectiveness and do your best to get mad at the situation, not the person.
And the advice from my mom, use the "next time" rule. Tell the person that screwed up what would be better for next time. The past is the past, help them learn from it.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Desire Not Discipline
It is desire I seek, not discipline.
I have never understood the connection between these word siblings. In trying to wake up early, go to the gym or stop at that drink-before-drunk I tried forcing discipline upon myself. This was simplistic thinking, thinking in one-stage and not understanding the complexity of the human mind. We are desire based creatures and we must use this as a base for understanding any action.
Why could I not wake up early? Because I didn't have enough discipline? No. I simply did not have enough desire. Same goes for any action that requires consistent effort and focus of thought, desire is the starting point. Desire is the message behind every goal setting book ever written.
I have read that one cannot maintain a high level of self-discipline long enough to even get through one day (I have tried, its hard). However, if discipline is not forced through denial of desires but rather in accordance with desires it stops being a challenge.
Look to strengthen your desires, not your discipline. The discipline will come.
I have never understood the connection between these word siblings. In trying to wake up early, go to the gym or stop at that drink-before-drunk I tried forcing discipline upon myself. This was simplistic thinking, thinking in one-stage and not understanding the complexity of the human mind. We are desire based creatures and we must use this as a base for understanding any action.
Why could I not wake up early? Because I didn't have enough discipline? No. I simply did not have enough desire. Same goes for any action that requires consistent effort and focus of thought, desire is the starting point. Desire is the message behind every goal setting book ever written.
I have read that one cannot maintain a high level of self-discipline long enough to even get through one day (I have tried, its hard). However, if discipline is not forced through denial of desires but rather in accordance with desires it stops being a challenge.
Look to strengthen your desires, not your discipline. The discipline will come.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Express Yourself Through Action
A popular movie out right now is mysteriously named "The Secret". This movie has been endorsed by both my mother and Oprah as well as supported by selling millions of copies. The main message of the movie is that you must picture in your mind that which you desire in order for it to come into your life. And while this message is true, it is missing and understates a crucial part of the path to individual success and/or fulfillment. That is that you must take action after you have created this vivid picture. Too many viewers of The Secret will leave believing that if they picture (and this may be confused with daydreaming!) what they want, it will become a part of their life.
If I picture a Ferrari all day long, I will certainly not attain a Ferrari anytime in my life, albeit that I may have the chance or two to drive one. However, if I visual a Ferrari as the results of achievement elsewhere, it's quite likely that this will drive me to attain the Ferrari. There is a crucial difference here that, I believe, will be lost on a portion of the audience. To visual what material items you want is only the first step, you must next visualize a path, then take action on that path.
It should be noted that this action does not necessarily have to be a giant step or a grand enlightenment, rather use what knowledge you currently possess and move towards your goal. As many cliches are true, so is this one, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...
If I picture a Ferrari all day long, I will certainly not attain a Ferrari anytime in my life, albeit that I may have the chance or two to drive one. However, if I visual a Ferrari as the results of achievement elsewhere, it's quite likely that this will drive me to attain the Ferrari. There is a crucial difference here that, I believe, will be lost on a portion of the audience. To visual what material items you want is only the first step, you must next visualize a path, then take action on that path.
It should be noted that this action does not necessarily have to be a giant step or a grand enlightenment, rather use what knowledge you currently possess and move towards your goal. As many cliches are true, so is this one, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
We Are a Message
In this blog I have written a lot about purpose and meaning in our lives. But the question that arises is what purpose do we choose? Is my purpose to be a great parent, a runner of marathons or do I have to end world hunger? As well, are each of these exclusives, can we only have one purpose? The answer can be seen in past great leaders, whether spiritual, political or other, as they have always embodied one single message. Ghandi is peaceful resistance, Churchill is courage in the face of adversity, King is equal rights for all.
While each of these leaders embodied one single message they accomplished much. Ghandi for instance sought to end British rule of India. However, to accomplish this feat he had to master many obstacles - with purposes or goals at the end - before he could accomplish this. He accomplished much on the way to his single purpose.
The answer to question of what is our purpose requires personal specifics. I believe that to truly accomplish change in the world, we must have one overriding purpose, one ultimate aim that we will dedicate our lives too. However, on the way to this one purpose, we can accomplish many things. Ghandi knew that he must first master his mind before he could force the British to leave India. If he had said that his purpose was simply to master himself he would have held back a great deed to the world.
In choosing your purpose, find that one thing, but see other goals that can be reached in order to build toward your main purpose. In my life I choose to be a great father, great child, learner of truth, among many other accomplishments yet I must also choose what my message will be, what my main purpose will be. When I look upon a crowd what one line will come to their minds?
While each of these leaders embodied one single message they accomplished much. Ghandi for instance sought to end British rule of India. However, to accomplish this feat he had to master many obstacles - with purposes or goals at the end - before he could accomplish this. He accomplished much on the way to his single purpose.
The answer to question of what is our purpose requires personal specifics. I believe that to truly accomplish change in the world, we must have one overriding purpose, one ultimate aim that we will dedicate our lives too. However, on the way to this one purpose, we can accomplish many things. Ghandi knew that he must first master his mind before he could force the British to leave India. If he had said that his purpose was simply to master himself he would have held back a great deed to the world.
In choosing your purpose, find that one thing, but see other goals that can be reached in order to build toward your main purpose. In my life I choose to be a great father, great child, learner of truth, among many other accomplishments yet I must also choose what my message will be, what my main purpose will be. When I look upon a crowd what one line will come to their minds?
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Lesson of the Moth
Of the few memories that are perpetually recalled in my mind, one is The Lesson of The Moth by Don Marquis. This is a story of a conversation between the narrator and a moth, in which the moth is trying desperately to fry himself on a electric light bulb. Given the craziness of this, and the ensuing question, "why?" The moth responds that he would rather live in beauty for a moment than to never know beauty.
This kind of want is scarce in our modern lives. As we are now free of the necessities of survival, no longer needing to hunt, even farm, our food, we are open to the ultimate choice in life. The choice between beauty or a dull gray absence. To seek beauty or to walk randomly down the paths of life. However, as the moth relates, living in this dull gray existence that knows no success or defeat, is simply no way to live. He would rather have the extreme desire for beauty and pay the price.
To us, our flame is our purpose, its what we want so badly we would give our lives for it. This is beauty. I asked myself this, is there something, a cause, that I would give my life for? Is there something I want so badly as this moth? The narrator says steals the word out of the questioners thoughts, "I wish there was something I wanted, As badly as he wanted to fry himself."
On Brighter note (pardon the pun): Fortunately, we have the choice to live or die for our purpose. The questions above are meant to assist in developing, not only a purpose, but the corresponding values and desires. Without want, there can be no purpose. Without values, we will wander off course. See future post, Chief Definite Aim.
The Lesson of the Moth:
http://www.donmarquis.com/readingroom/archybooks/moth.html
This kind of want is scarce in our modern lives. As we are now free of the necessities of survival, no longer needing to hunt, even farm, our food, we are open to the ultimate choice in life. The choice between beauty or a dull gray absence. To seek beauty or to walk randomly down the paths of life. However, as the moth relates, living in this dull gray existence that knows no success or defeat, is simply no way to live. He would rather have the extreme desire for beauty and pay the price.
To us, our flame is our purpose, its what we want so badly we would give our lives for it. This is beauty. I asked myself this, is there something, a cause, that I would give my life for? Is there something I want so badly as this moth? The narrator says steals the word out of the questioners thoughts, "I wish there was something I wanted, As badly as he wanted to fry himself."
On Brighter note (pardon the pun): Fortunately, we have the choice to live or die for our purpose. The questions above are meant to assist in developing, not only a purpose, but the corresponding values and desires. Without want, there can be no purpose. Without values, we will wander off course. See future post, Chief Definite Aim.
The Lesson of the Moth:
http://www.donmarquis.com/readingroom/archybooks/moth.html
Friday, March 2, 2007
Inner Coordination of Truth
I recall a passage written by a secretary of Ghandi that stated why he was able to speak for hours on end with no preparation or notes. He said:
"You don't understand. You don't understand Gandhi. You see, what he thinks is what he feels. What he feels is what he says. And what he says is what he does. What Gandhi thinks, what he feels, what he says, and what he does are all the same. He does not need notes. You and I think things, that sometimes may be different than what we feel. What we say depends on who's listening. What we do depends on who's watching. It is not so with him. He needs no notes."
This is one of the most powerful quotes of the twentieth century. Within this quote lies the key to harmony and success. Leadership studies have shown that the quality most desired of leaders is honesty. We all fear that we are in a zero-sum game in which any information we give to the 'other side' will put us at a disadvantage. This is not so.
I am discovering as my life proceeds that I am not in a fight with the outside world or the situation that I find myself in but rather a fight with that which lies within my own mind. It is the demons of habits long ingrained, fears steadily reinforced and untrue truths justified that are my true enemies.
Given an understanding of this battle within us all, we must give credit to those around us. As unquantifiable and unexplainable as it is, we can always sense someone that is not in harmony with themselves. The other side of these people are those that are in harmony with their thoughts and actions. Their sense of inner power and depth lends itself to others. These are the Dr Kings, Ghandi's and Churchill's of the past, the mirrors of future leaders.
It seems that great power can only be achieved by this coordination of the mind, body and soul. Or, simply, what we think, do and feel. Just as a team will often achieve more than an individual, the organized, coordinated effort your inner self will lead to greater success.
"You don't understand. You don't understand Gandhi. You see, what he thinks is what he feels. What he feels is what he says. And what he says is what he does. What Gandhi thinks, what he feels, what he says, and what he does are all the same. He does not need notes. You and I think things, that sometimes may be different than what we feel. What we say depends on who's listening. What we do depends on who's watching. It is not so with him. He needs no notes."
This is one of the most powerful quotes of the twentieth century. Within this quote lies the key to harmony and success. Leadership studies have shown that the quality most desired of leaders is honesty. We all fear that we are in a zero-sum game in which any information we give to the 'other side' will put us at a disadvantage. This is not so.
I am discovering as my life proceeds that I am not in a fight with the outside world or the situation that I find myself in but rather a fight with that which lies within my own mind. It is the demons of habits long ingrained, fears steadily reinforced and untrue truths justified that are my true enemies.
Given an understanding of this battle within us all, we must give credit to those around us. As unquantifiable and unexplainable as it is, we can always sense someone that is not in harmony with themselves. The other side of these people are those that are in harmony with their thoughts and actions. Their sense of inner power and depth lends itself to others. These are the Dr Kings, Ghandi's and Churchill's of the past, the mirrors of future leaders.
It seems that great power can only be achieved by this coordination of the mind, body and soul. Or, simply, what we think, do and feel. Just as a team will often achieve more than an individual, the organized, coordinated effort your inner self will lead to greater success.
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