If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
by Vicky H
This week has been a roller coaster.
The high moments have been like mountains and the low moments have been… well at the other end.
As I’m reviewing this week, I am reminded of all the things and events I am thankful for. Those special, sparkly individuals in my life who encourage me daily, whose support gives me strength, and who when I see the glass is half empty, they remind me of the glass half full-isms.
So here we go, my week and only the good stuff!
Meeting Jason Fried Of 37signals
I have always been intrigued by entrepreneurs who have started their own successful companies, when I attended the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference 2007 and heard Jason Fried of 37signals speak, I knew at that moment, that exact moment, that he had to come to MATC and speak to our students.
A little over one year later, I’m sitting in an outdoor cafe with Jason Fried and Melissa Pierce who is the producer of the “Life In Perpetual Beta” movie. We’re having a drink, talking casually, and watching Jason eat a turkey sandwich before speaking.
Mike Rohde of Rohdesign’s sketch notes were created from the event, which I think are closer to informal art. There are many more in his flickr album, but this one is my favorite. Note: Full presentation is in these archives, choose the September 24th event.
Filming Life In Perpetual Beta
Melissa had already taped the first part of their interview and she had driven up from Chicago to Milwaukee with Jason to tape the second part.
“I’m making this documentary about listening to your authentic self, unleashing your creativity, and living in the moment, every moment. A film about the same kinds of things my clients struggle with. A documentary told by everyday people.”
I Think I Had An Achievement IQ Moment?
I’m reading this wonderful book “Achievement IQ Moments” by Stanely F. Bronstein. The book is being officially released sometime this month in October 2008, but I was lucky enough to get one of the prerelease copies.
I was reading again and thinking about what I had read, noted, and typed not more than 5 hours ago. This is word for word; copy & paste from my electronic notes.
“The new book Achievement IQ Moments is an uplifting collection of 50 extraordinary true stories. Amazing people who have overcome the life shattering personal obstacles in their lives, turning them into their own moments of personal triumph!
Each individual abstract is between 3 to 6 pages long and begins with a quote. The title for chapter one is “Time to Think” and is preceded by the following quote.
“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is” – Author Unknown
As I have been reading through each chapter, I have found it beneficial to take an extra minute to repeat both the chapter title and quote in my mind. By doing this, I have been reprocessing the title and quote (before reading the chapter), adding my initial thoughts and perception as I try to relate it to my own life before I read the chapter.
What Is Achievement IQ?
a.chieve.ment iqn - A measure of a person’s or organization’s ability to (i) recognize details of opportunities most others do not see, thus pulling themselves IN A POSITION of readiness (ii) put themselves IN A POSITION to attract opportunities (iii) POSITION THEMSELVES to be ready to take advantage of these opportunities once they do come their way; and (iv) then take action upon these opportunities in a manner that most others would not, thus putting themselves IN A POSITION to be more successful than most.
The Laws Of Positioning
After completing the first leg of my tour in Hawaii, I returned to Arizona and interviewed a few people locally. One of them and I started discussing the “Laws of Attraction,” which are a major part of the popular movement known as “The Secret.”
During our discussion, we agreed that, while we thought the laws of attraction are very important, there was something missing. I wasn’t totally sure what it was, but it started the wheels turning in my mind.
Returning to my office, I started thinking some more. I went through notes from my previous books, and then it struck me what was missing - Positioning! The most successful people not only recognize opportunities and act upon them, but they actually put themselves in a position to have opportunities come their way, and to be ready to act upon them swiftly once they do.
Epiphany
How could I feel pessimistic when I am surrounded by such creative, intelligent, optimistic people? And then I realized what I’ve been slowly realizing for the last 6 months… I can’t.
It feels great to be driving the car not being a passenger.
As I head towards the next road, sharp curve, slight bend or one way street, I am confident that I am headed in the right direction.
I have a map, I have a purpose, I don’t know exactly where I’m going but I am the one choosing the direction for me.
Melissa’s trailer is awesome! When I first heard she was making the movie I was totally PISSED OFF. - That’s a clue to me that I’m not walking my own path and jealous of the path another is taking. Tapping into creativity and making an awesome, unusual, exciting life from it is one of my passions. - And I love to help others get there as well. The more I stay on my path the happier I am for other people and their creative project.
You GO Girl!
(That’s a shout out to Vicky and Melissa!)
Love this quote:
“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is” – Author Unknown
Vicky, you’re right up there with all the vibrant people you listed.
Melissa’s trailer is awesome! When I first heard she was making the movie I was totally PISSED OFF. - That’s a clue to me that I’m not walking my own path and jealous of the path another is taking. Tapping into creativity and making an awesome, unusual, exciting life from it is one of my passions. - And I love to help others get there as well. The more I stay on my path the happier I am for other people and their creative project.
You GO Girl!
(That’s a shout out to Vicky and Melissa!)