The truth sets us free.
And freedom leads us to attention.
And attention leads us to awareness.
And awareness leads us to appreciation.
And appreciation leads us full circle to gratitude.
And what more could we ask for?
Careful going all in on a trend that you think will never go away.
Trends can’t set you free. They can only set you out on a chase.
#Netscape
#Blockbuster
#JerrySpringer
#DippinDots
#MySpace
#MP3Player
#KrispyKreme
#Napster
#JNCO vs. #Gibaud
#NowYouKnowMyAge
If you’re looking for some reading this summer, here’s a few books I’ve read this year and would recommend. Enjoy.
On Looking
Alexandria Horowitz gives us all an elbowing nudge as a reminder of what we look over, look around, miss, and miss out on. You’ll see what I mean when you read her words.
Moonwalking With Einstein
You didn’t know there were such thing as mental athletes did you? This one takes some time and focus, but it’s a lovely peek into how our memory works (or how much we think we know at this time about the plumbing of the mind).
The Wisdom of Insecurity
Here’s the CliffsNotes: Anxiety is too much future in your presence and guilt and shame is too much past in your presence. Now > Then and There.
The Everything Store
A very interesting look behind the walls of a relentless company and relentless man, Jeff Bezos. They leave an empty seat in every corporate meeting as symbol of the customer being in the meeting and having a say. Love that.
Leonard da Vinci: Flights of the Mind
I left this book with two thoughts: 1) Genius is much more organic than we’ve been told and sold that it is. 2) Art is a three-way fight between man, mind, and soul.
The Innovator’s Dilemma
From here on out, here’s the winning business model: Where there’s peace, disturb it.
Memos from the Chairman
I’ll read this again and again. It’s hilarious and drills home the appreciation of the dollar, paper clips, and turning off the lights when you leave a room.
Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Brilliance
This book has probably moved into my top 20 list and is the perfect read for anyone that is about to graduate from school, looking to start something, take a chance, or go after a dream.
…isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be.
On the flipside, something beautiful unfolds when we ponder what will be the the necessary solutions and answers for the questions that will be asked of those that we serve tomorrow and in the days to come.
We have moved from an economy of standardized tests to one powered by the pop quiz.
Ears.
Eyes.
Be ready.
You may have the right product or the right idea and you may even have a scenario for what you perceive to be as the right place, but if it isn’t the right time for the person on the other side of the exchange, chances are there will not be an exchange.
And that’s ok.
So the proper focus and goals for our days should not be to maneuver scripts and dialogues to get people from a place of not being to buy to being ready to buy, but simply to love, serve, and clothe our relationships in The Golden Rule.
You can’t create the right time for people buy something or buy into you, but you can love and serve in the meantime until the time is right for them.
If you’ve done so, rest assured, the knock at the door will come soon.
A purchase is the byproduct of trust and trust is the byproduct of love and service.
Here’s the deal…there isn’t an hour, moment, or day where love and service aren’t welcomed. For such things, it’s always the right place and the right time.
Your excellence.
Your par performance.
Your excitement.
Your pity party.
Your outlook.
Your look inward.
Your encouragement.
Your discouragement.
Your belief.
Your disbelief.
Your pursuit of goals.
Your contentment.
These are just a few of the things we can’t wash our hands of, so be careful who you shakes hands with.
Chances are you were given disbelief by someone before you consistently spoke it to yourself.
On the flip side, look at where excellence is found in your life, and you probably can trace it back to a time where you were around someone who, well…sneezed excellence.
Ashton.Gustafson 