Visual: Vimeo.com
When people refer to a standard, question it. When people refer to the past as a standard, ignore it.
Of course, be prepared for the dusty gem, “History repeats itself.” Yea, if you follow the standards of the past it does. Something to consider: Once you stop reliving the ways of the past, you lessen the chances of “history repeating.” That means, spend your days learning, discovering, and trying new things. Take chances and strive to create something new.
Ask yourself, “What can I give this world that it does not already have?” One sure way to avoid repeating history is by making history.
I am feeling so much excitement and gratitude about ProjectSHINE’s latest offering. It’s a creative collaboration between Joe Longo Photography and Tracey’s Academy of Dance called, “Capturing The Dance.”
The message: shine YOUR light and see BEAUTY
(Joe Longo)
visual: blog.bobbyrettew.com
Not too long ago, I vlogged (is that a rea word yet?) about how a company’s culture can affect the interest of it’s employees to be social on behalf of the company. Checking in ala Foursquare, sharing company Facebook posts, or Tweeting it up about the latest cool happening at the workplace.
So, if you find yourself having to ask or coax your employees to like your page or tweet at ya…ummm…yea…culture problem.
Lots of businesses still don’t get it. They try to use social media as an arm of their old-school marketing strategy or limit the resources so much, their networks resemble outdated e-billboards. And it all comes down to caring. The more you care about your customers, your message, your authenticity, the better the experience will be…for everyone. 
I’m no expert, but I do have oodles of respect for people like Gary Vaynerchuk, Brian Solis, Seth Godin, and Hugh MacLeod – just to name a few. Oh, and if you haven’t heard of them…yea…that’s a HUGE part of your problem.
Stop ruining social media. Start caring about it.
If you were given the freedom to set up your work routine so it best suited you for success, what would you change? Would you change anything?
I ask those questions a lot. The most common answers include: “That would never happen.” and “I just want to punch in and punch out without anyone bothering me.” and “More money.” and “More time off.” It is rare someone will ponder for a moment and then respond with creative ideas, non-traditional approaches, result-focused plans, or even hint at a more balanced life.
visual: hwaw.com
In my experience, employers have been fearful and even voiced their strong reservations about the concepts I suggest about how people work. That is expected. When people confuse freedom with chaos, it takes some time to understand the true culture shift – from control to support. However, when it is the employees who show a lack of interest in creating change, that is when it is most challenging. Without employees belief in the possibility of change, the culture will stagnate.
So, though your manager may be uber strict and your company culture stuck in the 1950′s, if given the opportunity to make changes….would you?
I like people. And I love to hear the unique stories everyone has to share. I also believe the more we discover about each other, the more we can understand each other.
I reached out to Amber O’Donnell, photographer, and asked her these 3 questions.
Amber
MB: What are three words you would use to describe you?
AO: Powerful. Unique. Rainbow warrior.
MB: Why is the world fortunate to have you in it?
AO: I feel my energy is powerful, sometimes out of control but working on that. I spread positivity and bring out (try to) the positivity in others, therefore the world is fortunate to have me spreading laughter, even in the most retched of times.
MB: What is your favorite quote or saying?
AO: “Who can say?”
Now you know a little more about Amber. I hope to chat with YOU soon.
Work should be the driver, the motivation, the inspiration, and yes, the reward. Between employees who take jobs for every reason but the work and employers who focus on everything but the work, realizing this can be difficult. Hell, it can be soul crushing.
visual: theinspirationroom.com
This is why I believe education must be the first step in the hiring process. During one’s education, students should be challenged to think about the world. They should be encouraged to discover what their talents and gifts are and how such things can affect the world. Students need to be given time, resources, and inspiration to realize their authenticity rather than be conformed to fit some hiring standard.
How organizations establish its culture (rules, policies, processes, structure, etc) needs to become more fluid and adaptable. To continue believing one-size-fits-all is not only inaccurate, but also may be limiting the potential of hiring some truly special people. Orgs should be recruiting people to “do great work” not “work at a great place.” Giving people freedom to discover how their talents can deliver organizational objectives can be transformative.
Check out this great article about “hiring for attitude and training for skills.”
We are surprised by kindness. We are impressed by people who selflessly do good for others. We talk about caring as if it’s this mythical experience only felt under the most unique circumstances.
We can all do better. We can create a more positive relationship, community, and world by doing more of those things. Imagine good as the norm.
The return for being kind, doing good, caring for others, and sharing love is more kindness, more good, more caring, and more love.
This moment is a great time to start doing more…
visual: simplereminders.com
For people of small towns, I have some questions.
visual: isthatyourchild.com
How many years will you spend desperately clinging to yesteryear?
How many people must leave and not return?
How many new ideas with regard to culture, jobs, and leisure will you dismiss?
How many times will you do the same old thing?
How many youth will you ignore?
How many times will you choose familiarity over vision?
What’s the number before you make a change?
Updates // Subscribe RSS feed
to receive updates.