Illuminate the in-between

Often times there are ideas and words that get stuck in the middle.

They go unsaid, although not often unthought. That’s why they linger, getting caught in nets of individuality.

We omit things because we don’t want to offend, which produces a situation where people are operating on incomplete or not entirely authentic data.

And at the end of the day, we can only go on what people say, not some assumption about their thoughts & feelings.

That’s why it’s so vital to illuminate the in-between and bring voice to the unique value that accompanies each and every one of us.

This isn’t about being unfiltered, overly blunt or uncaring about how our words land. Quite the opposite.

It’s caring about how they land so much that we…

1. Structure our feedback

2. Imbue it with empathy

3. Admit that what we offer might not be a complete solution

4. And be precise enough with our vocabulary so that softness and directness travel together

I could blow smoke up your ass but that surely feels like a waste of time… for all of us.

If you’re kind, illuminate the in-between.

1% v 100%

Less than 1% of art is investible, but 100% of art is enjoyable.

What do I mean?

I mean that the vast majority of art that is made is valuable because of our experience of it.

We can hang it on the wall or install it and enjoy it.

It makes our life better by being part of our space and experience.

The vast minority are assets to be purchased as a means of preserving wealth or increasing wealth through a higher valuation of that asset.

Buy art becuase it makes you feel something, not because it may be a hot stock to own in the future.

Or at least know the difference and understand the value of your enjoyment as opposed to the proliferation of your portfolio.

Insist on process

Process is intentionality, communication, and craft all wrapped up in one beautiful package.

We can’t achieve what we want with a project if we don’t create the conditions for getting it done.

Process then is about how we work together.

What we’re focused on, how we speak to each other, and the way we actually solve the problems our company, organization, or group is dedicated to.

1. Set an intention — in what spirit do we come together?

2. Review communication strategy — how & when do we chat, exchange ideas, send communiques, and share info?

3. Set clear next steps — how does the craft of our work together line up in a numbered sequence, both setting expectations and providing clarity with respect to how we do what we do?

Clear processes mean we can actually get the work done… and efficiently!

Without it we often flail, circle back, reiterate, talk over each other, duplicate efforts, operate with different info sets, and generally, ride the hamster wheel of constantly working with little impact or effect.

Insist on process.

Not out of correction or ridicule, but as the lens for which we see a productive, positive, and impactful path forward.

Aesthetics & emotions

They’re inextricably linked. Always.

And if we think on it for a minute, it becomes obvious.

Beautiful museum foyers feel a certain way. Cramped, dark spaces feel another way.

Green & yellow feel different. Red & black too.

I care about aesthetics because I’m attuned to how they make me feel.

What aesthetics make you feel the way you want to or wish to? Ponder and make note.

Then make one change at a time… until it feels the way you’d like it to.

Not just in your spaces, but in your mind too.

I wish for this for all of us

The thing about joy is that it's magnetic.

It's fuel for connection, a 100% renewable resource we communicate in our everyday. Little things, mostly. Smiles, small words, often aware, empathetic and conscious, all at the same time.

But it's a presence to lean into if we can get past the struggle we all traverse: ya know, being human.

We’re so small, yet so significant.

We’re individuals, yet so connected.

And getting trapped in a negative headspace is THE main factor keeping us from being a joyful presence for those around us.

So if we feel the capacity to give this type of positive, abundant energy, we should.

Every time.

And no worries, there’s no exclusivity agreement to it either. Being positive, kind, joyous, and magnetic isn’t a commitment to not being down, confused, or anxious sometimes. We all should reserve that right because I’m pretty sure those emotions are universal too.

Life isn’t always easy.

But if we can put out this force multiplier, this catalyst of seeing and being seen, we are as purposeful as a human can be.

I wish for this for all of us.

Abundant thinking isn't woo woo

Abundant thinking and feeling isn't about woo woo, incense, and wishes.

It's about stacking a pattern of successes in a way that sets you up for the next move.

This means that...

1) Visions for projects are not immaculately dropped into our brains
2) Testing is a necessary requirement
3) The people served are the experts, and
4) Empathy goes a long way

Because it gets us asking ourselves...

What does that person or community need?

But the truth is that our answer to that question matters much less than the answer given by the people we serve.

Vision, test, communicate... repeat.

Stack 8 of those successful cycles and you'll be surprised by how keen your visions become.

Even Steve Jobs didn't have it all figured out...

The truth is, even Steve Jobs didn't have it all figured out from the outset.

Our culture mistakenly overvalues visionaries who seem to have realized a fully mature and successful vision in its first iteration.

The biggest companies on the planet found that success after changing their core product.

Ya know, tiny little companies like Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Nintendo, & The Gap.

Even Steve Jobs, the patron saint of creative entrepreneurial genius, pivoted. Huge pivots, big operational shifts, brand new core products.

The more salient point, I think, is that he saw the pivots ahead of time and built real roads to achieving the companies' new goals.

The perfect project, business, company, or product will not just land in your awareness as if manna in the desert.

But it could very well arise from some big ideas, important questions, and utterly vital tests.

Down with Leaf Blowers!

Leaf blowers are the most American thing ever.

Get off my lawn leaves! Off you go into the street or the neighbors lawn! Not my problem anymore!

Leaf blowers are a solution for one person that creates a problem for others.

This type of behavior is anti-social and inherently selfish. It’s also emblematic of other ways our culture misses the forest for the trees.

We teach kids to be conscientious about the ways their actions affect others, it’s time more adults acted like they understood this.

It’s also about time we began realizing that we’re all connected, and acted accordingly.

Cold emotional states might not give a fuck about other people but they certainly should. What’s more, we’d gain a lot collectively if we re-evaluated the way solutions for us create new problems for others.

Privates schools, tax evasion, overuse of plastics, The Republican Party.

Down with leaf blowers!

Both physical and emotional.

I love working with teachers and schools

I love working with teachers and schools.

Something about the mix of mission, dedication, work ethic, and education is uncanny & uplifting.

Just like anytime someone achieves greatness against all the odds. And make no mistake, teachers fall squarely in that role day after day.

Teachers do what they do because of a core belief that a great education is one of the greatest gifts you can give a young person, and society-at-large.

Next time you experience top-notch integrity from your kids teachers, tell them you appreciate their tireless effort.

Teachers certainly don't do it to get rich.

And your kind words might mean that a tired teacher finds the energy to believe they can do it again today.

Teachers are heroes.

Let's do a better job of letting them know that.

The future favors anyone who...

Artists & creatives are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs out there.

Why?

Because the pace of the world, the economy, and the future, favors anyone who...

1. Has new ideas often.
2. Knows how to make stuff (including services)
3. Isn't shy about trying new ways of creating beautiful, useful, or fun things, whether they be items or experiences.

The reality is that creativity is a muscle that builds. It can be applied to any line of work or mission, so why not teach our kids to ideate, test, and refine?

A 60-second analysis proves that art is both a skill and a way of being.

Either way, we can learn it.

And it makes a huge difference. Of the people you know who are launching new businesses, how many of them have either a artful offering or a creative way of delivering value?

These my friends, are artists (& sometimes they're in disguise).

Place is about more than just our location

The equation for liking your job has totally changed.

It’s gotten a lot more practical, real, & personal.

Colleagues kids invading Zoom calls, family logistics reworked, and a fresh face to the employer/employee relationship.

But all we want is for work to be a part of our lives, as opposed to the entire thing.

That’s why offices need to be cooler & teams need to be agile, both of which prove that location is more about workflow, process, & collaboration that just clocking in.

Companies that…

1. Embrace art in their office & culture

2. Help employees engage outside of the deliverables of the job, and

3. Give back to real causes that create a sense of mission beyond the logo…

… will all have the upper hand.

Art, connection, community.

We need them across our entire lives to be healthy, happy, & productive.

Luckily, employers seem to be getting the memo … slowly.

One pivot could change the entire nonprofit sector forever

One pivot could change the entire nonprofit sector forever.

Shift to micro grants.

We need to ditch the 3-year 150k cash bomb for one organization approach and turn it into a ton of grants for various organizations that actually supports the ecosystem.

They don’t do it because…

1. It would mean more work.

2. Foundations are not socially connected to that many important orgs (even though we are all out here).

3. It would mean more costs for them to ensure the organizations were supported as to how to catalyze the grant.

4. It wouldn’t mitigate risk for their donors.

5. Most importantly, it would mean achieving the actual impact that would make them less relevant as gatekeepers to huge piles of cash.

Nonprofits need to build foundations out of their pie. The longer they are relied on, the longer our causes & communities will suffer.

The entire future of the sector and the impact of the work is at stake.

Art is not a lottery ticket

Art is not a lottery ticket.

In 99.9999% of instances, it is not a financial investment. It's not a stock, a part of an investment portfolio, or the crown jewel in a 1%'ers home.

Art is a vibration. It's an experience that is felt inside our bodies and minds.

Art is every movie that made you cry, every mural that stopped you in your tracks, & every song you stayed in your car to listen to until it was over.

Art is an experience that challenges us to think outside the box, to get comfortable with our emotions, and to be a new version of ourselves.

Ask your investment advisor about net worth.

Ask art about yourself.

Particularly potent...

Life requires that we invest positive energy without assurances.

If we always wait until we're sure reciprocation is guaranteed, we never unlock the ways positive, proactive, and genuinely generous actions can catapult us and our cause forward.

I find the following types of contributions to be particularly potent:

1. Be kind - it's free, and it's a product of our internal state. If we get OK, we're a beacon.

2. Be generous - give your friend the larger half of the orange. Like when you split it open and one piece lingers on a half making it slightly larger. Give that piece to your companion.

3. Watch out for others - we all have our focus, but making sure others are OK is an awareness that goes far. Helping and advocating on behalf of others is awesome.

4. Have fun - joy is a magnet.

5. Work hard - think of it as an investment. You're investing in the you of tomorrow having options, experience, and the greatest perk of all, loving your work.

Positive actions are the snowball of inevitability that result in great outcomes as it gains size and rolls down hill.

Doing good feels good. ie. We're ahead already.

And reciprocation isn't the goal, but it is often a lovely consequence.

Starving artist = bullshit

The term 'starving artist' is really just a bogus trope.

In 2023, artists and creatives are the ones who have the most self-employment and entrepreneurial options available to them.

What's more, the only people I hear talking about starving artists aren't even artists themselves.

This notion is just a way to ...

1. Devalue art's role in our lives - because most adults have been told it's not a viable path to anything (despite the reality is that all of us love art of some sort, have experienced it in our lives, and save hard-earned money to spend on it).

2. Push 'safe' conformity - regardless of culture, there is a global view about what professions are respectable, profitable.

3. To rationalize the two points above.

The reality is that the artists I know are some of the most employable, paid, talented, determined, creative, and entrepreneurial people I know.

There's too many of us out here disproving the point for you to hear me echo it in any way.

Art = possibility

Nonprofits need to evolve

Nonprofits need to evolve.

What do they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Insanity.

As a Nonprofit Executive, the most sales emails I get are from people pitching me CRM's to manage donors.

IPaintMyMind is built on value creation, not donors, so that doesn't make sense for us. but there is a more point at play.....

Nonprofits still largely think about revenue generation within the context of solicitation. Asking for money. Donations.

And grants. Another form of asking for money.

Straight B2C fundraising will only work for the Top .001% of nonprofits that have international brand recognition and sponsor advertising space on soccer teams jerseys.

If groveling isn't sustainable, I suggest we ask more questions about what is.

The mission is at stake.

AI, UBI, and us.

While certain jobs or vocations certainly have impact and give us a sense of mission and purpose, I have never believed that humans need a job to be valuable.

Capitalism has mercilessly coupled our innate value as people with our productivity as workers.

We used to value hard work and now we value what we deem to be ‘smart work.’

But I believe that we are all equally valuable and deserve equal rights, completely aside from what profession we partake in or where we clock in or out.

What’s more, I believe AI (artificial intelligence) and UBI (universal basic income) will dance together, and that the closer we get to full automation, whether machines or computers, we will continue to outmode more and more work we used to pay people to do, and we will need to drastically re-evaluate the way we value ourselves, each other, and our shared experience.

The shift will be from productivity to quality of life.

Instead of working on what has to get done to operate, we can turn to thinking about what needs to get done to live well.

He’s your disbursement, now go make the world a better place.

What are your thoughts on AI, UBI, and us?

Overhead isn’t legitimacy.

Rent & staffing are two (cost-inducing) actions taken by businesses that make it feel real.

Yet most businesses in 2023 don’t require either one.

If you’ve taken on rental cost for a space for your business, I pray to God that you have regular sales as a result of that location!

If you’re paying someone to work in your business, I pray to God you have paid yourself enough first.

The last thing you should do is sign a lease for your business, unless it’s a way to leverage an already existing brand that has enough equity so that you’re 99% sure the business driven by having that brick and mortar, will far out surpass your new costs.

A lease is not your marketing.

Marketing is not your lease.

And if you’re not paying yourself enough to feel comfortable and make abundant and strategic decisions in your day to day, you can’t afford the staff you’ve hired.

Attention and enrollment, first.

Then we can consider a lease (but probably not) and staff (which is definitely a good idea).

Overhead isn’t legitimacy.

Profits and impact are.

Blow up the hamster wheel!

What are we actually solving for?

As much as our culture values action, not stopping to think strategically can mean riding hamster wheel 24/7 and an incredible amount of waste.

So if we're going to spend time finding a better way to do something, it better:

1. Save us time - not once, but repeatedly.

2. Save us money - not just today, every day.

3. Increase impact / growth / profits - not just this year, for years to come.

But if we're working on something that takes hours and budget and effort, and that barely moves the needle............

We need to kill that idea and move on to the work that actually does.

A dirty secret in the nonprofit sector

There is a dirty secret in the nonprofit sector.

Foundations are predominantly streamlined tax havens.

And they’re surely not experts on how to create, deliver, or assess nonprofit programs.

Yet most nonprofits are told that the best way to survive is to cozy up and learn how to regurgitate impact jargon.

Nonprofits that fund themselves without foundations have a few benefits:

1. There’s no need to justify the organization to anyone other than the community served.
2. You avoid competing with other similar organizations.
3. You dispel the myth that cozying up and groveling is a sustainable strategy.

Don’t build to justify, build to deliver value.