The life that matters 11/11/2009
Michael Josephson has penned a fantastic poem about purposeful living which became very relevant to me in the last year. I wish I had that perspective when I started my first business, so the best I can do is learn it and pass it along ;) Enjoy. ------ Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. --- Michael Josephson Add Comment Leading without leading 11/05/2009
From TED comes this video about leadership and it's brilliant parallel with conducting an orchestra. From the youtube description 'An orchestra conductor faces the ultimate leadership challenge: creating perfect harmony without saying a word. In this charming talk, Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders.' It runs the gamut of leadership styles and how they all can be seen in conducting orchestras. The video also makes us question our own leadership style: - Does leading necessarily require control ? - Do we tell our own stories or help others tell their story ? Can others develop their skill under our leadership or can they just apply it ? - Is there a purpose in our leadership or is it a technique we are applying ? - Can we create the processes and the structure to allow others feel and be free to express themselves ? ... And what I believe is the most important question : Are we having fun ? The difference maker : Fun 10/15/2009
When Guy Laliberté, founder of the Cirque Du Soleil, met with the remaining Beatles to pitch the concept of 'Love' - a show that would integrate their songs in a most creative format - he used only three words. After years of trying to get his idea through, now sitting in front of them, he had the chance of the lifetime to convince them. The normal reaction would have been to elaborate fantastic concepts to wow The Beatles. But he just used three words that were powerful enough to move them: Let's have fun. The Fun Theory is a web site that tries to get ordinary people change habits by making the alternative habit a fun one. Here is an example of getting people to use the stairs instead of the escalator. Fun. It's the unique value proposition. The vocation of entrepreneurs 09/03/2009
This video beautifully describes the reason why I believe Entrepreneurship to be one of the greatest career vocations one can aspire to. Quite simply: they can change the world. The essence of Values 08/17/2009
Values can be used for many things. A regular reader of this blog asked me why I focused so much attention on Values. Values helps you know who you are, Values helps you accept who you are, Values helps you be who you are. Values make me think less about the 'What do you do' question and more about the 'Why you do what you do and how I can help you be successful and meet our personal and professional goals.' I guess I focus on it because I believe it is at the intersection of life, work, family, personal and community involvement. If God had texted the 10 commandments... 08/17/2009
*Disclaimer : The following is not suitable for those who are intolerant to spiritual and bible-related matters. My faith is an integral part of me and since this blog is a reflection of my thoughts and evolution in life, it's natural that I post on it. Reader discretion is advised ;). From Churchcrunch, I found an amusing post that answered the question: what if God had texted the 10 commandments to Moses on the mountain. Whether you believe in the biblical account or not, there is no denying the importance of these 10 commandment in our Judeo-Christian culture. M, 1. no1 b4 me. srsly. 2. dnt wrshp pix/idols 3. no omg’s 4. no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r) 5. pos ok – ur m&d r cool 6. dnt kill ppl 7. :-X only w/ m8 8. dnt steal 9. dnt lie re: bf 10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob. M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl. ttyl, JHWH. ps. wwjd? The Bible paradox 08/17/2009
*Disclaimer : The following is not suitable for those who are intolerant to spiritual and bible-related matters. My faith is an integral part of me and since this blog is a reflection of my thoughts and evolution in life, it's natural that I post on it. Reader discretion is advised ;). Intellectual debate or Job-like personal circumstances can devastate believers who have never explored the wilderness beyond easy, five-step answers. Paradox beckons us into Mystery, and offers a wholesome reminder that God is infinitely greater than our ideas about God. - Richard P. Hansen The Bible doesn't make any rational sense... I believe unseen things and they are more important than seen things. I conquer by yielding. I find rest under a yoke. I am saved for eternity by nothing that I do and by the simplest faith. I reign by serving. I find riches when I am poor in spirit and when I give beyond my means. I forgive because I am forgiven and to be forgiven. I am made content through sufferings. I am made great by becoming small. I become wise by being fools for Christ's sake. I am made free by becoming bondservants. I honor myself by honoring God and other's first. I love myself by loving God and other's first. I seek first an invisible kingdom. I am loved, and I love, by choice, not emotions. I am exalted when I am humble. I gain strength when I am weak. I triumph through defeat. I find victory by glorying in my infirmities. I live by daily dying. I am first by putting myself last I am most satisfied when God is most glorified. Real riches have nothing to do with what I own. Real wisdom has nothing to do with what I know. Real salvation has nothing to do with what I do. Real freedom has nothing to do with what I choose. Real glory has nothing to do with how others see me. Real food has nothing to do with what I eat or drink. Real value has nothing to do with my accomplishments. Real beauty has nothing to do with what I see. Real strength has nothing to do with what I can bear. Real pleasure has nothing to do with me. Real love has nothing to do with what I feel. Real power has nothing to do with what I control. And that is why I believe. The 'how to be happy in business' phenomenom 07/26/2009
Once in a while I see a diagram that captures my thoughts / opinions so well, I can't help but to share it. That's why I am thankful to Bud Cadell for his brilliant blog post. It's brilliant enough that it needs no explanation.  Ferrazzi's 4 vows 07/26/2009
I can't tolerate most self-help books. They all seem say the same thing and few of them focus on others as a means of bettering yourself. That's why this book caught my eye. What's your endgame ? 07/26/2009
Setting: A boat docked in Ferragudo, a tiny fishing village in the Algarve region in the South of Portugal. | AuthorBlog CategoriesAll ArchivesApril 2012  |
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