This Sam Zell quote really has wormed its way into my head, I often say I’m chairman of everything and the CEO of nothing. I stick to what I’m good at - vision, direction, strategy. That’s where I add the most value. I spend almost my entire day listening to other people. I ask questions, … Continue reading Sam Zell: Chairman Of Everything, CEO Of Nothing
Tag: creative work
Dream Job (Note To Self)
I forgot I made this note to myself a few weeks ago: Dream job - hired by an organization for culture building, but instead of talking about the normal crap we plan a heist or make a playlist for the year ahead or anything totally non-work related at face value. The purpose is to shake … Continue reading Dream Job (Note To Self)
The Answer To MORE Uncertainty
The answer to the perception of more uncertainty isn’t to just hide under the bed. I tried. It’s not actually useful so come on out. The answer to more uncertainty, real or perceived, is to have more plans. Not for sake of paralysis, but for sake of confidently stepping in new directions. COVID was changing … Continue reading The Answer To MORE Uncertainty
Podcast Of The Week: Ice Cube On WTF
I’ve already pumped it quite a bit, but please, go check out Ice Cube on WTF with Marc Maron. This is one of my favorite podcasts in recent memory for the stories. Insane stories. Beautiful stories. It really was a good day after all stories. Like how he started rapping, how he got into movies, … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Ice Cube On WTF
Bruce Springsteen On Turning Points And Making Nebraska
If Bruce had to pick one album to represent him 50 years from now, he’d pick Nebraska. It’s a vibe. And it’s really cool how CBS took him back to the bedroom he wrote much of the album in all those years ago. Nebraska came when he hit a personal “wall” of depression. Springsteen says … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen On Turning Points And Making Nebraska
Pee Wee And Establishing Range
I’m thinking a lot about how in a presentation, or song, or piece of art - the creator establishes “average” and “deviation.” In music it might be loud/soft (like the Pixies). In art it might be contrast/lack thereof (like Rothko). In a presentation - you have to set the average, and then deviate to make … Continue reading Pee Wee And Establishing Range
Dyson: Make It Work, Make It Exciting
David Senra shared the following quote/note from James Dyson’s autobiography Against the Odds. You’re going to want to read the whole thing, but let me highlight these two lines first: It didn’t matter how other people did it. It didn’t matter if it could be done better. As long as it works, and it is … Continue reading Dyson: Make It Work, Make It Exciting
Famous Vs. Cool Thing To Do This Weekend
I never figured out how to be famous. When I did music, I was always good for being involved with something at least a few people would (usually) show up to see. You don’t have to be famous to make a cool thing happen on a Saturday night. 200 people at a local spot isn’t … Continue reading Famous Vs. Cool Thing To Do This Weekend
Entrepreneurs In Hiding
A friend of mine mentioned he didn’t know he was entrepreneurial until later in life. It made me think about how I knew I was entrepreneurial most of my life. Most because I took a break from enterprising. A little less than 20 years ago I took a job, for "the hours" and "hey, health … Continue reading Entrepreneurs In Hiding
The World Is Not Yours For The Taking (It’s Yours For The Trying)
That feeling where you’re lost, clueless, and wondering if everyone would be relieved if you just didn’t come back on Monday. I had that feeling a lot early on in my career. Nothing really was working, at least not in the way people said it would/should/could. On one hand, I felt like I had proof … Continue reading The World Is Not Yours For The Taking (It’s Yours For The Trying)