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Tag: connection

Now is the time to think about the Connection Economy — and your role in it (a free workshop)

Seth Godin dubbed the phrase “Connection Economy” to encourage meaningful relationships that inspire art, community efforts, and the pursuit of worthwhile work.

Right now it’s easy to feel stuck. It’s more important than ever before to be kind and present and approach others with consideration and respect.

We live in a moment in which the internet spreads information quickly (for better and for worse). We can use this to our advantage to help each other.

Task 1. Build a group

You want people who can call you out, people who can serve as your cohort and personal sounding board as you make moves (or sit on the coach and try to find a new Netflix series). We all have unique talents and traits to share; a group offers support, accountability, and the ability to help you level up. These people can let you know when you’re on track and nudge you gently should you veer off course.

Whether one other person or four, enlist a few friends. Ask, “Will you try something with me?”

Task 2. Designate a time

Set a day and time and commit. Make the details known.

Everyone is struggling with responsibilities, house work, inner battles. Make each other a priority and respect everyone’s time. You can choose to meet once a week or on Mondays and Fridays, for example.

Task 3. Finalize your reading list

You can find many books online. I’ve listed a few here as suggestions. If you have a book that has been important to you, use that one instead.

Sample list:
Linchpin
Poke the Box workbook
Superconnect
Business Model Generation
E Myth Revisited
4 Hour Work Week
Creatively Independent
Make Your Idea Matter
Host an unforgettable dinner party

Task 4: Put it into practice

The activities are designed to get you out of your comfort zone and reinforce what you’re reading. If you feel inspired to add your own twist, please do. The most important action is to set aside time for writing.

The writing prompts provide creative direction. Use what is helpful and change what isn’t. Not everything works for everyone.

FIRST MEETING

Reading: Bernadette Jiwa’s Make Your Idea Matter
Project: Tear out photos, images, and words from newspapers and magazines. Look for anything that inspires you. Rearrange the clippings onto a new piece of paper.
Writing exercise: Set your alarm for ten minutes and choose one prompt:

  • Imagine your dream life. Write down everything it entails. It doesn’t need to be complete sentences or thoughts, words are fine.
  • Write a series of questions. Every question you can think of. They don’t need to make sense, and you don’t need to have the answers. Just ask.

Group discussion: What is the difference between storytelling and dreaming? Do you set aside time to dream? What are some of the stories you tell yourself about yourself?

SECOND MEETING

Reading: Tim Ferriss’ 4 Hour Work Week
Project: Do something new. Cook a different recipe. Sign up for an online class. Find a new place to explore using Google Maps.
Writing exercise: If you could do anything, anywhere, what would it be?

Group discussion: How do you define work/life balance? Is a distinction necessary? What helps you set better boundaries between work and home?

THIRD MEETING

Reading: Seth Godin’s Poke the Box workbook
Project: Print out the workbook and try to complete it in thirty minutes.
Writing exercise: Notice areas of hesitation while you complete the workbook. Is a particular topic more challenging than others?

Group discussion: What stops you from shipping? How do you get in your own way?

FOURTH MEETING

Reading: Project Exponential’s Host an unforgettable dinner party
Project: Plan an online dinner party. Get creative.
Writing exercise: Set your alarm for ten minutes. Choose one:

  • What are the traits you admire in others?  What are the traits you’re most proud of in yourself?
  • Assemble an imaginary Dream Team. You get five players. Who do you choose? What skills do they bring to your team?

Group discussion: What kind of people belong on your Dream Team? Who inspires you? Discuss how teams are formed and which environments contribute to their development.

FIFTH MEETING

Reading: Jess Pillmores’s Creatively Independent
Project: Challenge yourself to write the first draft of your very own ebook.
Writing exercise: Consider the uniqueness that you bring to your work, your relationships, and your family. What are the traits that single you out?

Group discussion: How do you stay inspired? What techniques have you found to be helpful during the goal setting process?

SIXTH MEETING

Reading: E Myth Revisited and/or Business Model Generation
Project: Brainstorm how you might turn $10 into $100.
Writing exercise: Write out a sample business plan. What would you do if you had no excuses, no responsibilities? Think back to the days of mowing lawns, selling lemonade, or babysitting.

Group discussion: How would things be different if you set aside time to write, dream, explore, or learn?

Modified from A Free Program posted February 26, 2013.

Flip the script

There’s a lot of bad in the world right now. Maybe you feel hopeless, confined, or stuck.

Even for today, challenge yourself to look for hope. Reverse the stories you’re telling yourself and find places of light.

Turn “I’m so bored” into “What can I do next?” and get active.

Convert “I’m stuck at home” into “Now I can finish that book.”

Divert your attention from negative news and search for stories of kindness. Yes, there is hate and fear and anger and disappointment, but there is a lot of good, too. Each day we have the opportunity to focus on that.

Flip the script and challenge yourself to find the good today. And then the day after that.

Even when everything seems upside down, trust it will turn right side up again.

A manual for at-home daily adventure

Some folks are pretty bummed at the prospect of cancelled events, social quarantine, and days spent at home. Others are thrilled: Time to catch up on Netflix, read those books on the shelf, spend time with family, or just chill on the couch.

Life doesn’t have to become boring because social calendars are reduced. In fact, there are plenty of things you can do to shake things up, test limits, have some fun, and inspire others to do the same — right from the comfort of your own home.

We all have different thresholds for excitement and adventure, so pick what feels brave and fun to you. 

  1. Watch an inspiring documentary.
  2. Make something with Play-Doh or clay.
  3. Create a collage with newspapers, magazines, or other things you find around the house.
  4. Join a virtual dance party.
  5. Call a friend.
  6. Write a love letter.
  7. Savor a hot cup of coffee.
  8. Draw something with your opposite hand.
  9. Write a pageful of questions. Don’t worry about the answers.
  10. Plan a trip.
  11. Take a virtual tour of a famous museum.
  12. Stare out the window. Daydream.
  13. Make a themed playlist.
  14. Ask friends for book recommendations.
  15. Write a note to someone who has inspired you.
  16. List 100 things you’d like to do within the next 30 years.
  17. Sign up for an online class.
  18. Move! Jump. Skip. Do some pushups.
  19. Bake something or try a new recipe.
  20. Compliment a stranger online.
  21. Brush your teeth with your opposite hand.
  22. Concentrate on nothing except pouring yourself a cup of tea.
  23. Host an online trivia night with friends.
  24. List 10 “self care” items. Aim to do 2-3 each day.
  25. Unplug and turn off everything. Eat by candlelight.
  26. Think of ways to support local business owners.
  27. Stargaze.
  28. List 4 things you are thankful for in this moment.
  29. Grab your favorite book and sit in the sun.
  30. Think about the book you’d like to write.
  31. Set a new fitness goal.
  32. Initiate conversation.
  33. Sing loudly in the shower/your car/your backyard.
  34. Doodle.
  35. Plant something.
  36. Allow yourself 5 minutes of doing nothing.
  37. Paint. Draw. Make something. It doesn’t have to be good.
  38. Count your breath: 6 seconds for each inhale, pause, exhale.
  39. Style your hair differently.
  40. Hide a note for someone to find.
  41. Be a slob. Don’t make the bed. Leave it on the floor.
  42. Eat with chopsticks.
  43. Build a tent in your living room.
  44. Pretend you’re famous.
  45. Ask yourself: “If you could do anything, anywhere, what would it be?”
  46. Clean. Throw out junk. Organize.
  47. Put together the wackiest outfit you can think of.
  48. Donate money to a cause you’re interested in.
  49. Write down what your life looks next year. Five years from now.
  50. Try at-home yoga.

Let me know how it goes.

Modified from A Manual for Daily Adventure.

If dinner conversations can change the world

Social media is abuzz with prevailing issues. How to provide platforms for underrepresented voices. How to protect those speaking out against injustice. How to tip scales and create balanced systems of power.

Maybe it’s overwhelming to expect or look for answers. Maybe the best we can do is focus on finding solutions through awareness. From awareness comes discussion.

If people aren’t encouraged to tell their stories for fear of retribution or alienation or ostracism, how can we fight for change? If derogatory names are spat freely, if media remains unmonitored and unchecked, how will anyone find the people they need — those to assemble, those who create, those who listen.

One day, legislative change. For today, maybe it starts with a conversation at dinner.

Power up your inbox (and your life) with these free newsletters

Your inbox doesn’t need to be a source of dread. In fact, with a little attention, weekly emails can deliver inspiration and insight to your daily routine.

Here’s a few to get you started:

For body and spirit

This quirky Texan churns out free weekly yoga videos so you can stay mindful and active all year long. Adriene’s approach to health and wellness is both refreshing and fun. yogawithadriene.com

For self-improvement

Tonya pours champagne flutes of encouragement to help women and men live artfully and well. Her free podcasts and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her community mix lightness and direction for those interested in personal development. frenchkisslife.com/about

For your mind

James Clear’s 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter offers an inspiring mid-week pick-me-up of facts, quotes, and questions that also act as excellent writing prompts. jamesclear.com/3-2-1

To boost creative zest

This Sunday meal of art, literature, and and science is a must. Paired with a hot cup of coffee, Brain Pickings is a necessary ritual for a positive start to your week. brainpickings.org/newsletter

To build community

David’s “One Email Away” connects strangers with opportunity. Whether you’re looking for a mentor or a hire, this email is a fine place to expand your network and contribute more generously to the world around you. portfoliocareerpodcast.com/oneemailaway

For your business

Seth Godin is dedicated to daily missives of advice for marketers, entrepreneurs, and social do-gooders. He delivers. sethgodin.com