Blinded by the Light!

I'm writing this on a late night flight home from a long business trip. This is my final connecting flight back to Tampa and I have the joy and privilege of sitting in the middle seat. Lucky me. It's been a very long week and an even longer day. The cabin lights have just dimmed and a nice nap is in order. As I'm closing my eyes and reclining my seat, a blinding light comes out of my right field of vision. A moment later, my left field of vision is also blinded with the same intense light. My row mates have decided they need to read their trashy books and magazines and have turned on their overhead lights. Fifty Shades of What the F¥€k on my left, and the Duty Free Airport shopping magazine on my right. Really!? Neither on my must read list.

Yes, I know, you think I'm overreacting. It can't be that bad.... right? I've included a picture, shot from my iPad, as I'm writing this just so you may have a bit of empathy for my situation.

OK, I admit it... I'm grumpy, it's been a long week and I have travel fatigue. Fortunately, in my shirt pocket, I have a good pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses. My thought was the sunglasses would send the message to my row mates and they'd turn off the lights, but the message didn't seem to resonate with them. The lights remained on and their pages continued to turn. Nonetheless, the sunglasses solved my problem to a degree and I think I'll be able to get a few moments of shut eye after all. I had the right tool to solve the problem and their actions gave me the inspiration to get back to writing my blog that I've neglected for too long.

Now I'm off to take that nap humming a mix of "Blinded by the light" and "I wear my sunglasses at night".

Use the tools you have on hand when you need them and turn negative energy into positive motivation.

Invent your future.

Tom

A vision, a voice, a stage

A vision, a voice and a stage. These three components can change the world.

The vision is the answer in the crystal ball of your mind. All of your knowledge, experience, pattern recognition, insight, wisdom, and intuition create the vision. You have a belief in your vision.

The voice is the way you personally use your communication skills to tell the story of your vision. You have to tell the story in a way that no one else can. It may be the words you choose, it may be in your art, it may be in the presentation you are delivering. It's your unique way of sharing the story of your vision.

The stage is your means of communication. It could be a physical stage, blogging, a business meeting, a job interview, a trade show, an art exhibit. You've got to get on stage.

Take any one of the three away and your story won't spread. You need your story to spread.

A vision on a stage with out an effective voice won't be heard.
A voice on a stage without vision won't captivate and move your audience.
A vision and a voice without a stage is like art in a closet.

Believe in your vision, find your voice, and get on stage! Do this and your audience will find you.

Invent your future.

Tom

Mom, Dad... I got two D's on my report card! Aren't you proud!

Report card one:

Math, A+
English Comp, D
American Literature, D-
Physical Science, C+
Art, A-


Report card two:

Math, D
English Comp, A+
American Literature, A+
Physical Science, D-
Art, A-


Report card three:

Math, B
English Comp, B
American Literature, B
Physical Science, B
Art, B

The typical parent would prefer their child bring home report card three. Report card one or two would most likely elicit a negative reaction from mom and dad. Does this really make sense? Would we be better off to accept and nurture our natural abilities and accept our weakness? Could report card three suppress our true passion? Just something to think about!

Invent your future.

Tom

Simplicity

I love electronic gadgets. I've bought PCs, Macs, PDAs, iPods, iPads, ebook readers, video game consoles, TVs, digital cameras, media players, surround sound systems.... You get the picture. Of all the gadgets I've consumed, only one has stood the test of time. It has one single button - an on/off switch. It's never failed me. It's beauty is it's simplicity. It's my Adcom stereo amplified that I bought at a scratch & dent sale at Sound Advice in the mid 1980's. Today I use it as the amplifier between a set of speakers and my iPad. The sound is amazing! There's something to be said for simplicity.

Simplicity lasts the test of time.

Invent your future.

Tom

The best book you've never read

It's sitting on your bookshelf right now. Something about that book peaked your interest. You bought the book and started to read it. You were interrupted and you set the book down.... And it still sits there today. How many months ago was that? Or has it been years?

It's time to brush off the dust and read it! It very well could be the best book you've never read. Wake up 30 minutes earlier than you usually do and start reading. It's a great way to get your creative energy flowing that will stay with you throughout the day.

Invent your future.

Tom

Game changers who influenced me

They all invented their future. Invent yours!

Tom

Let inexperience be your guide

Think back to your most memorable accomplishment that gave you great personal satisfaction. Was this a time when you were very experienced in what ever it was that you were successful at? More than likely you'll recall an accomplishment in a discipline that was new to you. You simply let inexperience be your guide. Your success was because you didn't know what you were doing so you didn't have preconceived limitations.

I do not believe in the "fake it till you make it" mantra. I do believe in the value of inexperience. The inexperienced are innovators, inventors, and leaders. Be inexperienced.

Invent your future.

Tom