Lend that Positive Energy!

Having a positive attitude is such a powerful force to have behind you. It is essential in order to lead a happy, successful and fun filled life. Positive energy attracts other positive energy so the more you give out, the more you will take in. Practicing this mentality lends itself not only to you, but to all those around you. It's contagious, inspiring and it's all the momentum you need to guide you along your journey of success. (Remember, success isn't a destination, but a journey!)

Here are some easy ways to spread (and attract) positive energy:

Smile- Really! Smile at strangers, yourself walking down the street, even animals you see in the park. Smiling is the easiest way to show how happy of a person you are, and bonus points when you get one back :)

Listen- Ask people around you how their day is going, how their life is going, really listen and show empathy...and if time allows, lend them a positive response!

Perform a simple act of kindness- Go out of your way to do something nice for someone else. Hold a door, pick up the umbrella they dropped or offer a helping hand in whatever they are doing. A little bit goes a long way!

Give a genuine compliment- Let someone know how great of a job they are doing, how they inspire you or how wonderful they look! There's no better way to cheer up someone's day then to give them a genuine compliment.

Offer encouragement- Encourage your friend, neighbor or co-worker in whatever they are doing. Tell them how great their idea is, offer positive advice and make sure they know that you believe in them!

Now imagine, if you went around all day every day performing these simple tasks of spreading positive energy. You smile at everyone, tell them how great they look, really listen when they talk, lend a helping hand and encourage them, I think you would be surprised at how good this would make you feel. I dare YOU! THERE!, reading this blog, to pick one day, any day this week or next and practice these things for the entire day. It doesn't matter if you are at home alone (you can pick up the phone right?), at work, school, wherever you are, just try it! Notice how happy it makes you feel...ahhh Life is GOOD, love it!

Yes master!

You are a master. That's right, YOU RIGHT THERE, YOU have complete control to guide and master your journey through life in any which way you please. It's an art really. You can choose to be skinny or chunky, educated or smart, fun or even boring. The way in which you direct your thoughts, energy and actions takes you along a custom path (designed by yourself) to create a beautiful piece of art, your life. True there may be some bumps, bruises and you may even get lost along the way (in fact I guarantee you will!) but it's always up to you to pick it back up and continue on your way. Be a master of your dream, not a slave to it!

What has society taught us?

For centuries society has taught us how to be the exact opposite of what society really needs. From the beginning especially in school we are taught to fit in, not question authority, use number two pencils, study, memorize, do good on tests (OR ELSE!!), participate in extra activities and follow directions. We are taught that if we work hard, keep our heads down and show up on time we will get a pay check and be living the American Dream. Well guess what, the American Dream is over, or at least it has changed drastically. The world no longer needs a bunch of people who are mediocre rule followers who all fit in and try to buy things in order to be just like each other. Those would be called factory workers and that was okay centuries ago but not today.

What the world needs today are people who challenge authority, who think outside the box, who can see the reality of today and describe a different tomorrow. The world needs people that are creative, innovative and passionate. If you want to be a "good employee/student/etc" and are fine with that then go ahead, show up on time, do what you're told and don't question processes. Be a mediocre rule follower. If you want to be a great! indispensable! irreplaceable! REMARKABLE person then you need to be able to think outside the box. You need to question processes, look for brighter and innovative solutions to find the best possible answer. Opportunity comes by changing the game, changing the interaction and changing the course, not by following the rules.

It's so unfortunate that society has set up a system where students are mass produced and come out with the degrees from schools based on this concept. Even worse there is a hierarchy that chooses which degrees are better then others and which are more valuable then others. The truth is the value is in the person, in their passion, energy, awareness, humanness and able to connect with others, not in how well we're able to be mediocre rule followers. A business full of innovators and creative individuals where they are allowed to think as they want making up the rules as they go is far more productive then a business full of factory workers showing up, following rules and fitting in.

Yes, it may seem safer to hire a group of employees who will do as they are told but it is far more productive to hire those who truly stand out, are passionate and driven. Happiness comes from relationships and human connection. If you have a company where people are allowed to break the rules and rewarded for being creative their inner artist will thrive, they will connect and there will be positive connection and happiness all around you. If you have strict rules, punish those who question processes and dilute creative ideas with order and structure there will be less human connection, less passion and work will NOT be a happy place. Allow, reward and be what society needs to prosper. Passion. Drive. Energy. Awareness and Creativity. Innovative thinkers, not mediocre rule followers

Quitting is for Winners

Quitting isn't always fun. It's not always glamorous or easy or even the right thing to do. Sometimes though, it is the number one best and most exciting thing TO DO. All our lives we are told "quitting is for losers", but really think about where you would be right now if you didn't quit something along the way. If you never quit that job as a server at Pizza Hut, or if you never quit thinking there were monsters under the bed. The truth is that quitting is an excellent strategy and the only way that you can move on to bigger, better or even just different things. It is the what, when and how of quitting that you need to really understand.

Take this for example, right after Nathan graduated from college he was hired at an accounting firm with great benefits, generous salary and amazing people. He loved his job but soon after realized that there was no where for him to advance in the company. He started thinking, how am I going to grow as a person if I can't grow in the company? After much contemplation, he decided the only way to bigger and better things was to quit. He didn't want to go marching into his boss's office, a proud college graduate now being deemed a "quitter". He didn't want to let everyone else down at the firm but it was the only way he could see out, so he quit. It wasn't fun and it definitely wasn't easy, in fact he was scared out of his mind. Nathan soon after returned to school, furthered his education and now owns and operates a very successful and growing accounting firm. All because he knew when to quit!

I'm not saying yes YOU go quit your job right now, but think definitely about it. Does it make sense? Will it lead you to where you want to go? Maybe it's just a transition. If not then perhaps you need to think about a "quitting strategy" to get you where you need to be. You can apply this to all different aspects of your life. You can quit all kinds of things like eating junk food, smoking, being lazy, or having a poor attitude. In the words of Seth Godin,

"Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other."

Now get out there and start quitting!!

Consumers Unite: The Power of the People

In a world of unlimited choices, instant communication and access to information with the click of a mouse, the voice and power of the consumer has never been so profound. Thanks to the internet, consumers are able to to ban together, voice their opinions and make informed decisions. Online communities are giving the little people power over big companies and organizations.

Take Yelp for example, there are thousands if not millions of "yelpers" who rate everything they do from concert venues to spas, restaurants to gyms. Business owners, THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. Market research and self improvement is right at the tip of your fingers! No more focus groups or surveys, simply find out what people are saying about you and your competitors online. These online communities are making it easier for consumers to tell businesses what they like (or don't like) and in return it's easier for the businesses to provide value to their consumers. Power to the little people!!!

Passing time on the train...

The train is a great place to turn down time into productive time. Instead of listening to music, day dreaming or sleeping, why not pick up a book and start learning? If you calculate all the time you spend waiting for the train, being on the train and making transfers it really adds up. If you're feeling like there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything you need to do well start utilizing your time on the train! Recently I've been sure to always have a book with me. On the list now is Entrepreneurship for Dummies. I've come up with at least 10 business ideas this week just from reading on the train, my poor roommates will never hear the end of it. I recommend using your daily commute to read or be productive in some way rather then have it be time wasted. Happy commuting!

My EUREKA! moment

Yesterday was a typical busy day... I was running late as usual (I tend to do this to myself often) ran out and down my fourth floor walk up, got to the train station swiped my card and the good old INSUFFICIENT FUNDS showed up. UGH, how dare it! I went to buy a new metro card, naturally the machine wasn't working, and then finally it did and by the time I got it, swiped, ran down to the train it was just closing it's doors and leaving, typical. Wait wait wait for the next train, go to work, blah blah blah. Now here is where the good stuff happens.

It unexpectedly starts raining and everyone everywhere is running around using whatever they have to shield themselves from the rain. Being an entrepreneur at heart I find opportunity where there's a problem. No one has umbrellas, they are getting wet and this is a problem. What if umbrellas were conveniently available when people needed them? What if they were cheap, disposable and easily accessible? EUREKA! I've got it! Do you?