What If...

(A New Year’s Resolution That Is Sure To Improve Your Life)

We exist in a culture that seems to have trained us from early childhood to judge, label, and critique everything  (i.e., good or bad, right or wrong, hip outfit / played outfit) to the point that we’re now living in more of a Katy Perry song than a progressive society.

Obviously judgment is part of life, and in many ways is a survival skill, but we have to be careful to what extent we render it on our surroundings and situations.  How about letting go of the negative, noisy, and pointless thoughts we sometimes derive of others and instead allow ourselves to be inspired?  Inspiration is one of the greatest gifts and is the catalyst for “all things good”.  It could be the source of new friendships, the next million-dollar idea, or that which leads you to identify a new skill set which brings happiness and fulfillment.

By recklessly and rampantly judging everyone and everything around us, we close our minds off to opportunity.   We stifle our ability to be inspired and often invite ignorance and negativity to replace vision and optimism.   

As we begin this new year trying to create better habits for a healthier, more productive life, I urge you to assess how you use your judgment – to judge your judgment, if you will.  I encourage you to let go of petty biases and inclinations that may be quietly lurking inside and instead allow yourself more “space” for inspiration and positive outcomes.  Instead of judging why someone is wearing something or doing something differently, wonder why they are doing it…it can truly enlighten you and become a source of inspiration to do something differently in your own life.

What do we really need to be happy?

Other people.

That’s right.  According to many independent studies conducted by some of the world’s most influential and progressive nations, it’s our personal relationships (not overall financial prosperity) that have the most profound effect on our happiness.

This, however, is not a case of spreading a mountain of sweet-butter on a horribly burned roll so as to create the illusion of edibility.  This is what I truly believe.

I believe that this recession can and will be a needed catalyst to help return us to sane and sustainable lifestyles while reintroducing us to ourselves and our core values.  Many in this nation have lost their true identity in a drunken haze of irresponsibility and excessive material gratification, stemming from our ever increasingly embraced mantras of “more” and “now”.

The party had to end.  And the sooner we get the hangover over-with, the sooner we can recover, reorganize, reprioritize, and reestablish our economy and our place in the global market.

My heart breaks for those who will lose lifelong jobs and suffer severe financial hardships in the wake of this collapse for they are the real victims of this mess.

But I also can’t help but feel that the more time we will now be spending with friends and family will build us back into more centered, more rational, and more appreciative people.

And from a business perspective, just as some markets die or dwindle, others will be created or grow.  As entrepreneurs we not only know but we embrace the fact that one door never closes without another opening.  There will still be money to be spent.  It will just be spent in other channels.  Throughout history, from recession has come growth.

What excites me the most about this time is that innovation and ingenuity will again take center stage as those who can create products and services that can entertain and be used and enjoyed inexpensively by the whole family, will build strong and profitable businesses (have board game manufacturers ever been so excited?).  Innovation and ingenuity should always be pillars of our culture, celebrated and embraced more than a pair of Jimmy Choos.

As we stand on the cusp of this great new unknown, we have a choice.  Do we see it as a challenge and evolve or as a curse and wither?  I know what my answer is as well as what most other entrepreneurs’ answer is.  And I’m moving my chips to the center of the table on the bet that the rest of America is ready too.

Why Not…

• Why not approach this new reality with a fresh set of eyes and ideas?  Success (and survival for that matter) is a mindset.  If you think of yourself as defeated, you surely will be. 

Can anyone tell me why Paris Hilton is famous?  Crazy, over-the-top, Beatles-esque famous.

How did a scantly-known socialite heiress with seemingly no career other than being at the best parties become an icon of an entire generation; changing the rules of fame and celebrity along the way?

The answer is simple yet profound.  To fully grasp and embrace it, though, you’re going to have wrap your mind around a few potentially disconcerting trues.  1.) Paris Hilton is not dumb (at least business-wise) by any stretch of the imagination and 2.) She’s an incredible role-model for entrepreneurs.

Whatever Paris Hilton lacks in, she makes up for in spades with a herculean sixth-sense for marketing and branding.  And we entrepreneurs need no more evidence than her meteoric success to know that her instincts, when it comes to getting your name out there, are beyond honed.

Oddly enough, it’s the very things that many dislike about Paris Hilton that make her so effective – she’s unabashed, she’s unafraid, and she’s everywhere.

Paris figured out exactly what her brand was when, around the time of the new millennium, the MTV generation began to truly emerge and develop its own identity, trends, and fascinations. 

The privileged and somewhat secretive lives of the children of the world’s wealthiest and social elite began to move from the stuff of C-list gossip columns to that of major media outlets as teens and tweens everywhere began to see in these silver-spooners everything that they wanted to be; everything that epitomized success in their minds.  Paris, an attractive, VIP club-going, partying hotel-heiress recognized this trend and within a year’s time she had elevated herself from a Page Six footnote to a cultural obsession.  And she did everything right along the way.

• She identified her brand and worked to its strengths.

• She played to the enigmatic nature of her lifestyle/brand so as to maintain a mysterious aura and allure.

• She shamelessly self-promoted at every turn and never flinched when declaring her greatness.

• She put herself out there at every social function and every event realizing that these days there is no such thing as overexposure in marketing.  Her partying actually doubled as a potent form of networking.

• She strategically aligned herself with powerful allies in every industry imaginable who raised her star while she, theirs.

Textbook execution of a successful marketing campaign by someone who most consider to be an intellectual black-hole.

I have a saying, “Do not judge, be inspired” and there’s no clearer a case for the application of this mantra than when observing Paris Hilton.  And, as entrepreneurs, the benefit of this advice extends far beyond the positive social ramifications.  Successful, business-minded people are able to look at just about anything, separate their personal feelings and take a lesson away.

If you’re one of those who believe that Paris Hilton has nothing to offer the world then you must conclude that her rise has been based purely off of her self-promotion and marketing.  So, if that is the case…imagine where you could take your own brand if you just found a little of your inner-Paris.

Why Not:

Why not try to find something redeeming in everything in and every person (no matter how seemingly evil) you come across?  Learning to identify and focus on all the positives around us will build us into better people as well as stronger entrepreneurs.

Wow.  It’s been a little while since I sat down to update my blog site!

Between Butler Bag and my new project, Launchers Cafe, opportunities to write have been scarce and the emotional ride that launching a new brand takes you on makes weeks feel like days and months, weeks.

But here I am now, very happy to be back (even if it’s just for a minute) sharing and communicating in this capacity.  Ironically enough, though, the source of my recent truancy to my blog is also the inspiration behind this entry.

When lots of money and energy are being invested in the outcome of something (in this case Launchers Café), the stakes naturally go up and making your project successful becomes paramount.  It is within this process that the focus has a tendency to shift to “what are we getting?” instead of “what are we giving?”.  And although focusing on the “getting” seems the intuitive thing to do, it is actually the “giving” that will ultimately assure maximum success and longevity – a fact that holds true not only in matters of business but all life.

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Since birth, we’ve all been bludgeoned over the head so much with the saying “it’s better to give than to receive” that I’m not sure anyone even thinks about it anymore.  It’s a nice sentiment that means well but I think that the saying should really go “giving means getting more”.

When we put our focus on giving then we remove ourselves as the center of the universe thereby allowing our energy and resources to transfer to the people and the world around us.  This triggers an instinctive reaction within all those around us that then compels them to do the same.  We are in essence nurturing the system that supports us and that pays huge dividends.

Regardless of the fact that giving usually results in a greater payback down-the-road, it is the incredible feeling of gratification it provides that becomes the real addiction.  By giving we elevate our consciousness and our capacity for inspiration and joy grow exponentially.  This bleeds into all facets of our lives, making us better and stronger at everything we do.  We see the world through a pair of wiser eyes that appreciate the innate satisfaction that comes from sharing ourselves and our good fortunes.

We lead by example and by action when we give.  We show our youth and we show others that we are all much more alike than different and that, whether we want to admit it or not, we all rely on each other.  When this epiphany comes to us we are able to start to free ourselves of boundaries, walls, prejudices, and all notions that the sun rises and sets for us only. 

Why Not:

Why not look at every situation as a potential opportunity to give something of yourself (big or little)?  You might start to see the world as a much different place and you’ll notice positive changes within immediately.

Those of you who know me (or who have read some of my earlier blogs) know that few things in this world fire me up as much as complaining and entitlement.  I have recently come to view these two unfortunate aspects of human nature as much more entwined than previously thought.

This small revelation came to light as I was watching yet another of the many recent attacks on Oprah Winfrey from one of the multitude of groups that, for some reason, sees her as a detriment to our culture.   Whether it’s for accepting other notions of god or for championing (or exploiting as some choose to see it) the causes of the unfortunate, Oprah always seems to be on some complaint-mongers radar.

On her worst day, I believe that Oprah never descends into anything beneath a rich, powerful woman who thrives on giving back to the community and feeling like she’s using her incredible influence to make a difference.  Who cares if attention comes along with that?  - At least she’s doing something!

To this very point – many of these people who choose to strike, complain, and attack are the same ones who often are doing nothing to contribute to society.  Especially on the level of someone like Oprah.  But yet they feel this massive sense of entitlement that allows them to criticize the efforts of others.

Complaints are nothing but noise.  Empty, hollow, sad noise that comes from those who usually are the ones who don’t take actual action.

Imagine if instead of finding fault with others, we poured our energy into developing our own solutions for that which we don’t like or want to change.  Instead of attacking people like Oprah, we should praise them for at least trying to make positive change.  Teach and enlighten the world and your community through conviction and example, not through the corrosive power of bitter words.  After all, when was the last time anyone was inspired by a complaint?

Why Not…

• Why not act instead of complain?  Work to help fix whatever it is you don’t like.

Do you know what one in every four homeless people has in common?

I was completely blown away when I recently learned that one in every four homeless people is a vet of some war.  I mean, are you kidding me?  I’m sure many people are already sadly aware of this statistic, but I was floored nonetheless.  Viet Nam vets still make up the bulk of these numbers but studies suggest that we are only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of Iraq and Afghanistan vets who will develop post traumatic stress disorder and be unable to deal with the aftermath of war; they will become unable to hold a job, have a relationship, sleep at night, escape the pain without drugs or alcohol.

For a nation who now prides itself on “being there” for its dedicated soldiers, this is completely unacceptable!

What does the ever-present yellow ribbon we wear on our shirts or stick to our car bumper symbolize?  That we support our troops and that we hope to avoid the same mistakes we made with our Viet Nam vets, right?

This resolution has been felt nationwide ever since our troops first went into Afghanistan for “Desert Storm” in the early nineties and it is even more prevalent today as our men and women who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan are given a hero’s welcome at every turn while they’re overseas and in uniform.

But where this “support” currently ends is exactly when our troops need it the most – after the dust has settled.

Unnerving reports of increasing numbers of our Iraq and Afghanistan vets turning to homelessness and addiction are suggesting that the support they truly need from us and our government comes well after their tour of duty has ended.  It’s easy to stand up and applaud and sing the praises of a young man or woman who sacrifices his/her life in service of this country but it is another thing, a much tougher thing, to deal with the reality that they often return from war with deep emotional and physical damage and are unable to acclimate back into normal society. 

Why Not…

• Why not demand and/or support local and state legislation that addresses the growing problem of our soldiers’ mental condition?
• Why not sponsor or become involved in such not-for-profit organizations such as the Iraq War Veteran’s Organization Inc. that champion the needs of our soldiers and their families both overseas and at home?

A couple months ago I wrote an entry for this blog that I never ended up posting entitled What if Politics were Cool?   The sentiment was simple:  If we, as a nation, all got as excited over and became as engaged in political and governmental processes as we do football games and Brittany Spears’ forays into lunacy, then we would be well on our way to regaining the passion and awareness that once made us the global beacon for successful democracy.

I can’t recall exactly why I choose not to publish that piece.  What I do know is that, had I posted it, I’d be looking pretty darn prophetic right now.

Something amazing has begun in this country since the beginning of these primary elections.  People are collectively putting this election and its players in the forefront of their minds and the fever is spreading like wildfire.  Debates have become a prime topic for office water-cooler conversation and spirited banter over the qualifications and merits of the worthy candidates can be heard everywhere from pubs to train stations to gyms.  What a beautiful, beautiful thing!

Whether it’s Obama with his energy and charisma, Hillary with her steadfast resolve and experience, or McCain with his firm convictions, we sense quality and competence in these candidates and we feel inspired and obligated to join the fun. 

Oh, my gosh … are politics actually becoming cool again?!

How many of us have ever had a “gut” feeling of something being right or wrong? I think it would be fair to say just about everyone has at one time or another. The question is, did you listen to your gut or did your brain rationalize something different? How did it end up? Was your gut right or your brain?

I have a passion for studying people and their behaviors. For example, why some people are successful and why others continuously fail. There are many attributes that lead to one’s success but one thing I find in common with many of the most influential people I meet is that they often say, at the end of the day, they listen to their gut.

Our “gut” reactions are an incredibly potent tool yet, oddly enough, they are seldom talked about in the boardroom as these days only that which can be quantified or qualified is given true weight. While intellectual input is crucial, why do we not put as much emphasis on our hidden, higher intellect—called our instincts? Aren’t instincts something that we’re born with in order to survive?

There is an interesting book called “Blink” in which the author explores the phenomenon of rapid cognition or, in simpler terms, our immediate (within the first two seconds) instinctive impression of a person, place, or situation. His argument is that it is within these first two seconds, we many times form our most reliable and accurate synopses and that everything else after potentially only serves to convolute the truth.

Regardless of your belief on such a theory, we cannot reject the notion that our instincts are worth paying a good amount of attention to and that there is a wealth of untapped knowledge within them. Perhaps if we quiet all the other chaotic voices around us and focus on the one coming from our heart, mind, and soul, we’ll find ourselves making decisions more in tune with who we are and where our happiness truly lies.

WHY NOT…?

• Why not learn more about instinctual intelligence? You may be surprised reflecting back to realize where your smartest decisions have come from.

• Why not understand the value of your instincts while making important decisions? - focus on how these decisions make you feel inside instead of just how they seem on paper or in your mind.

How do you determine success? I assume we overwhelmingly qualify it in terms of income or materialistic value as I have never heard someone define another’s success by their happiness –a component I believe to be the fundamental element of success.

I have met many wildly financially “successful” men and women whom seem to have everything in life except the most important thing….happiness.  Let me quickly reject the notion that I think abundant wealth is a trade-off of any sort for happiness—on the contrary. I think financial success can alleviate a lot of burden and give people the opportunity of self-fulfillment through helping others.  What saddens me is when someone sacrifices happiness for financial gains or a title that they think will intrinsically satisfy them.

When I wake up in the morning I am excited to start my day almost like a child who leaps out of bed simply to play all day. My exuberance and wonder for what the day has in store for me makes me grateful for the decisions I have made and the course my life has taken.

I am saddened when I do not see people enjoying what they do and only doing it because they feel they have no choice, or believe that’s how people will perceive them to be successful.  They do not realize that happiness is a pillar of true success.

To be happy or passionate about who you are and what you’re doing can be the fuel and clarity to not only achieve but surpass your goals.  If financial wealth and social status are meant to come, they will find you.  They will come as you discover your true passions and, instead of being that of empty ambition, they will enhance your life while allowing you to experience the fulfillment that comes from doing what you love and from helping others in need.

So, if success is measured by happiness….do you consider yourself successful? 

Why Not… 

• Why not evaluate what you’re doing in your life.  Are you feeding your happiness or your ego and society’s expectations?

Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today.  Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime.

We’ve all heard this old proverb since we were born and understand what it means.  I think that we all could probably agree that it represents one of the simplest and most basic truths of our existence: the need for self-reliance.  Somehow, though, when it comes to our economic legislation and practices, we ignore this fact of life, this pillar of our nation’s origins; we repeatedly choose time and time again to take the tried-and-never-worked “give the man a fish” approach and thereby just continue to plug this massive, crumbling dam that is our economy with pieces of chewed Dentyne.

(I know.  Here I go again on the economy but can you blame me?  All that’s been reported on the last few days is our debatably imminent recession; how it’s causing other foreign markets to tank, and what our leaders and presidential hopefuls propose to do about it.  In other words – this is about as important, relevant, and timely as an issue gets so I don’t feel bad about harping on this two weeks in a row—especially because I have YET to hear some good solutions.)

I find it beyond maddening that as we sit amidst these new global dynamics and circumstances (which have changed the rules, principles, and nature of our economic landscape forever) that everyone from our candidates to our congress to our president is offering nothing but that which has already proven not to work in the face of these new realities. 

-          Bush wants to give money back to us via tax breaks.  So we’ll spend our little bit of extra money and stimulate the economy for a quick minute before returning to this exact same predicament.

-          Hillary is leading the charge to levy higher taxes on those in higher income brackets.  This penalizes those who have worked a lifetime to become successful and make a better life for themselves and creates less incentive for everyone to strive for greatness when you know that the government will just take it back….ludicrous!

-          Congress is talking about extending unemployment benefits and food stamp programs.  Necessary help for those in need but where’s the incentive or motivation to work and contribute?

Why is no one looking to build a new foundation from which we can grow and adapt?  Why aren’t we teaching the importance of self, social, and economic responsibility?  - Just as it was for our forefathers, these traits are no longer a choice or a luxury but rather a necessity for survival. 

In short, why is no one talking about taking the actual steps necessary to reshape and reform our economy into one that can again compete with and inspire the rest of the world? 

Yes, we have to deal with legions of unemployed and growing populations of those on welfare, but we need an innovative attack that will educate or reeducate these people as part of the process of getting them to their feet while requiring them to contribute, work, and be accountable for the money in the meantime.

We need programs to be put into place that teach our citizens how to be self-reliant in an entrepreneurial sense and then offer incentives and funding to those who create not only great ideas but innovative companies around those ideas.  These new business models will establish new job sectors and employment opportunities and will help form a new economic roadmap for the country. 

If we encourage and support talented, hard-working people we will be playing to our greatest strength.  If we create incentives and reward those who give nothing but their greatest of efforts – who knows how fast we can pull ourselves together and out of this slump?

Why Not…?    

·                     Why not band together on this issue?  Let’s start rocking the boat until our message is heard.  It’s time for new courses of action.  If our officials can’t see the obvious then we’ll draft the plans for them and give them a power point presentation on national television – or better yet, YouTube.