Darin’s New Book on Innovation

Darin once spoke at a leadership conference I organized in Madison. He talked about leadership in a way I’d never heard before.

It wasn’t only what he said. It was also how he said it… with naked intensity and emotion and belief.

It was a crucial step to internalizing that you could be passionate in a big, bold way about leading and inspiring others. It wasn’t just me and my crazy friends thinking about this. “Out there in the Real World,” they desperately needed more of it. Now that I’m here, I know we still need more, too.

Darin released his new book on innovation yesterday. Today it’s a top seller in the Leadership Training category, which is cool.

I bought a copy.

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How A Password Changed His Life

It was obvious that I couldn’t focus on getting things done with my current lifestyle and mood. Of course, there were clear indicators of what I needed to do -or what I had to achieve- in order to regain control of my life, but we often don’t pay attention to these clues.

My password became the indicator. My password reminded me that I shouldn’t let myself be victim of my recent break up, and that I’m strong enough to do something about it.

My password became: Forgive@h3r

I had to type this statement several times a day. Each time my computer would lock. Each time my screensaver with her photo would appear. Each time I would come back from eating lunch alone.

In my mind, I went with the mantra that I didn’t type a password. In my mind, I wrote “Forgive her” everyday, for one month.

Pretty clever way to remind himself of his dream. And extraordinary results.

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Yesterday Created Today

Our brains always prefer to focus on why now is all there is, and by devoting lots of energy and time worrying about today we effectively defer all actions – even the smallest of them – that could create a better tomorrow.  The brain ingeniously invents reasons why tomorrow can’t or shouldn’t be taken into consideration. That helps explain why people persist in habits that they know are going to kill them or cause them pain. In patients who have suffered debilitating heart problems severe enough to require surgery, for example, despite the clear understanding after surgery that death can result from failing to change their unhealthy habits, only one person in ten actually makes any lifestyle changes required for heart-healthy living! (Robert Coooper)

 

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It’s probably fair to say he hasn’t been working with caviar, but there aren’t any success stories in that bunch, either. (Barnwell)

What a great line.

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The less you’ve traveled, the more sure you are. (Rick Reilly)

Good one.

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Russell Simmons on Meditation (and More)

The work is the prayer. Not the result.”

A short conversation dense with greatness.

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Texting While Working

After all, if you sit for an hour and do exactly nothing, not one thing, you’ll be ashamed of yourself. But if you waste that hour updating, pinging, being pinged and crunching, well, hey, at least you stayed in touch. (Seth)

I’ve grown increasingly amenable to shutting off (not silencing) my phone during work time. And the next step would be blocking ESPN, Facebook, etc.

If I sit and do nothing, it’s easy to pinpoint why I produced nothing. But if I’m occasionally bopping from ESPN to Facebook to some breathless text, then for some reason it’s harder to pinpoint why I’m so worn, yet have so little to show for it.

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Judi’s Sustainable Jewelry

My love of nature is the primary reason why the metal used in my jewelry is recycled and the majority of gemstones I use are ethically sourced: I want my jewelry to be beautiful without damaging the environment or those individuals from whom I source.

Every piece of jewelry is happily hand crafted by me in Brooklyn, NY at my bench at Brooklyn Metal Works.  When I’m not working in the studio, you’ll find me working from home with my sweet dog either curled up on my lap or around my feet. (Judy)

I met Judi this week. If you’re into sustainable jewelry, her store is cool.

This is a cool article about her, too.

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Rands On “Cruft”

You will be shocked at what this simple selection process will do for the stuff you are dragging around the planet. Bonus tip: try this tidying exercise with desk drawers, crap on your desk, and friendships – your mileage may vary.

Rands

The article’s last paragraph is a zinger, too.

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Shelterwood Field Notes

A nice little film set in a nice little part of the country showing off a nice little product.

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