Are we totally out of control?

Let me start by saying that this blog is going to be a little off my usual share space, but I really feel that the idea I am about to spread is one that we should all take into serious consideration. AND before I write this, I want to make it PERFECTLY clear that I am all for free speech... Heck let me do it like this...

 What I am for...

 1. Freedom of speech
2. Colorful expression
3. Being courageous
4. Being fearless
5. Rule breaking

 What I am against...

 1. Thoughtless speech
2. Thoughtless expression
3. Thoughtless courage
4. Thoughtless fearlessness
5. Hell... Just being THOUGHTLESS

 Now that we have that straight... Let's get at it... The idea: Are we totally out of control as Thought Leaders? ... Key word here "Thought". Now let's get it!

 The other night I was watching the VMA awards along with millions of other people, and I witnessed something that not only shook my soul, but quite honestly it embarassed me. An Artist that I have absolute respect for, Kanye West, executed what I felt was a blatant toss of power that should have never happened. While an Artist was on stage (a young Artist), Taylor Swift (19) was receiving an award for hard work, and the courage to do something that many only aspire to do, Kanye West, a Thought Leader in an era where thoughts are easily spread, and ideas are weapons came on stage and, in a nutshell stole a moment from Swift that she will never get back... Never. Period. AND what did Kanye gain? Attention... The single most valuable commodity of our culture, and he got it at the cost of Swift. This saddens me....

 Are we totally out of control?

 No. BUT we have lost sight of what's really important. In a culture where people would literally put babies at risk or hurt animals on YouTube for "hits" or ATTENTION, it's becoming increasingly important that we do self-checks often. We have to be able to hold ourselves accountable to the things we say and or do. We must do the most critical part of being a Thought Leaders... We must be more thoughtful.

 Kanye was not thinking, or perhaps he was, I have no clue, BUT I bet if he was being more thoughtful, he would have thought about the "word scars" that he left on Swift. He would have been more thoughtful about the robbery he was executing, Swift will never get that moment back...

 Shame on you Kanye... Let's be more thoughtful. Period.

 Closing thoughts...

 1. Yeah you can say what you like, but what's your motive? Think about it...
2. Are you being thoughtful in your day to day interactions? These "little interactions" can and will turn into "adult interactions" don't get caught slippin...
3. Attention is EVERYTHING and NOT everything... Period.

 Boom!

the mob that tried to kill me...

Photo

This mob tried to kill me yesterday. The Pecan City Peddlers?? Yeah... 30+ miles... No mercy.

Tagged Rocket Ships

worship

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There is a Thin Line Beween Trust and Disgust...

This entry is more of a "rant" than anything, but I really feel that there is some value in the idea.

"There is a Thin Line Between Trust and Disgust..."

Earlier today I was on the phone with a really really good friend and we were talking about a certain Hairdresser (Stylist) that they know. We tallked about how this certain Hairdresser had gotten to a place in their professional growth where they were literally covered in clients, and when I say "covered" I mean COVERED - like three month waiting list COVERED. Well... This certain Hairdresser had developed an attitude where they felt they could talk to clients, and treat them in ways that were unfavorable BECAUSE of the high demand on their services. So this is where I want to go with this idea...

Be careful not to cross the thin line between trust and disgust. If you are a Designer, or Stylist, or any other kind of "Creative Guru" be mindful of your ego 24/7. It matters. I have seen it a thousand times where creative types (heck... MANY TYPES) have gotten themselves to a level where they are a commodity, and they allow their ego's to rise up in a way that pledges war against the factor of trust that clients invest. For example... If I had a Stylist that took care of my hair, REALLY good, and I delt with their attitudes or arrrogance because of the idea that I "trust" them, all it would take is one major "slip up" - and now the trust will fall victim to the undercurrent of disgust, and there could be a "ripple effect" of lost trust turned now, "built up disgust" and this could be quite catalytic to the professionals business... So here are some closing thoughts...

1. Always keep your ego in CHECK!! It matters! It does not matter how good you become or how much trust you build up, if there is a undercurrent of "disgust" factored in with repeated un-favorbale handling of the clients, you will find that one "slip" can destroy your business...

2. Professionalism carries a responsibility. Be kind to your clients, build trust, and create an undercurrent of fair treatment and mutual respect...

Hump Day Mentality is For Whimps...

I know... I am probably going to be "stoned to death" for this one, BUT I was awakend this morning by a dear friend of mine Jim Hunt on Twitter. He basically said in his allotted 140 character "tweet"...

"Let's not look at today as hump day, let's keep going uphill to Friday!" ...

Now, I know many people look at Wednesday as a "hump day", OR that mid-way point of the week where we can start looking at things from a "down-hill" perspective, AND it's this idea of "down-hill" that has me a little alarmed.

Let's rethink "hump day". Let's make it up on our minds that there is no "down-hill". Let's decide that each day, EVEN TODAY and the days that follow are all "up-hill" days, days of discovery and growth. Looking at Wednsday from a perspective of continued momentum sets you up for a fully engaged and productive week!

Let's go!!