Project Exponential

Tag: opportunity

  • What connects us

    Understanding that first and foremost, the life you want to create for yourself, the type of person you want to become, the parts of yourself you’re most excited to develop will attract individuals who will help you get there.

    Realizing that true, authentic connection is expansive. The right relationship discovered at the right time can help you soar, find freedom, create, and see a limitless future.

    Recognizing that relationships are catalysts for growth and independence — for supporting both reckless abandon and providing the foundation to carry the wisdom that comes from experience, failure, frustration, pain.

    Acknowledging that your highest highs and lowest lows are probably different than mine; the value lies in sharing and discovering what these experiences were like for each of us.

    Accepting that at your very worst, you are someone’s pride and joy. Knowing this helps reveal the very best parts of you.

    That through the fog of confusion and longing, we can help each other find shared laughter and bouts of success, punctuated with gratitude and contentment along the way.

    That our mutual appreciation for life — the ups and downs, the hard lessons and the easy ones — may or may not happen at the same time. Your up might be my down, but no matter, when we find ourselves on the same plane, we can share the lessons we learned and the tricks we used to get us through.

    Embracing that this is all really about compassion, about elevating each other and pushing one another to succeed by sharing our struggles and our wins.

    We collaborate because our ideas become greater. Like a brilliant prism, the unique perspectives we each offer leads to undiscovered treasure.

    It’s our gift to find it.

  • The anti-resume

    The kind of people you want to work with don’t want to see your list of interests and accolades. They don’t care about your work history, what schools you’ve attended, what awards you’ve won. They want to know what work you’ve put into the world, what you’ve left behind, where you’re going. The best work stands for itself.

    Your resume is the communities that miss you after you’ve left, the imprint you leave behind. The relationships you’ve forged, the lives you’ve touched, and the work that sparkles with your finesse — this is your resume. When you realize this, you’ll be filled with freedom and independence: titles no longer matter, job descriptions are irrelevant, length of employment fails to indicate your loyalty and value. Your success doesn’t rest in the hands of another.

    Why spend another moment waiting for the phone to ring? You’re worth more than that. What if you created your own tribe, shipped your own art, designed a viable solution? Don’t wait for opportunities that may never find you. Create them for yourself and change lives along the way.

  • When you meet the right person

    1. You are encouraged to continue.
    2. A new approach is considered.
    3. You learn something about yourself and/or the world.
    4. Unexpected commonalities are uncovered.
    5. Beliefs are questioned, challenged, or possibly scrutinized.
    6. Solutions are brainstormed, or different outcomes to existing situations are imagined.
    7. You are prompted to change, grow, create, question.
    8. Mutual beliefs are shared and exchanged.
    9. Meaningful conversation occurs, and a deep connection is experienced.
    10. Respect forms.
    11. Confidence is strengthened.
    12. You are inspired to explore a new path.
    13. Additional introductions manifest as a result of the meeting.
    14. An authentic emotional exchange takes place.
    15. The meeting leaves you with new ideas, zest for life, passion, or energy.

  • The link between success and generosity is no accident

    Observation #1: The most successful people I know are also the most generous.

    • Leaders who give their time and of themselves endear those around them, building trust and respect among teams.
    • “Scarcity mentality” repels and detracts from passion, energy, and fulfillment.
    • Altruism and great financial success are not mutually exclusive.

    Observation #2: Some of the best connections arise from places of abundance and giving.

    • When you are focused on “the other,” conversations are more meaningful, authentic energy is exchanged, better solutions can be brainstormed.
    • Folks can sense greed and selfishness; it is not attractive.

    Observation #3: By giving to others, you can more clearly identify what brings you joy.

    • True growth comes from helping others, encouraging someone’s dreams, furthering their project.
    • Helping may be learned as a practiced skill but can emerge as a core element of your being.
    • Most artists, creators, and makers are givers — they share physically, mentally, and emotionally of themselves. Dedicated to their craft, they put their art into the world expecting little (if anything) in return. The emphasis is on the work, the sharing, and not necessarily the outcome.
    • Meaningful dreams evolve from a special sauce of individual enthusiasm, passion, sweat — and the generosity of others.

  • The best opportunities

    Most really talented people are never discovered. Most will never make it onto the Best Sellers list, won’t speak at TED, won’t be contacted by NPR.

    Chances are you may never find yourself on the big screen. That manuscript? It might end up in more trash cans than hands. And your promising business venture? You’ll be lucky if you get funded within the first ten pitches.

    So you have a choice: you can sit back and wait to be called upon…

    Or you can claim ownership of your own success.

    Don’t wait for the best opportunities to find you. Create them.

    Steps can you take to build your tribe, ship your art, design a viable solution — today:

    • Start a blog and schedule a regular publishing calendar.
    • Organize monthly roundtables with speakers of varied and interesting content.
    • Record a series of podcasts on subjects you’d like to learn more about.
    • Make sure your plan doesn’t include a stroke of luck or a winning lotto ticket.
    • Pitch your mentor, pitch your friend, practice your pitch on the stranger in the elevator.
    • Plan a film festival in a friend’s backyard (or rooftop).
    • Set a recurring alarm and write for twenty minutes each day.
    • Gather three friends and meet every other week to discuss challenges and progress.

    Note: This blog post may sound harsh, but I want you to realize this is your life, your career, your dreams, your goals. No one else will take responsibility for them.

  • 10 questions to the best version of yourself

    1. Are you surrounded by people who encourage you to step up your game?
    2. Does your work excite you?
    3. Do your daily priorities align with your grander visions and dreams?
    4. What do you gravitate towards during unscheduled time?
    5. Have you set subgoals that tee you up for greater success?
    6. Do you schedule time each day to recharge and create?
    7. Have you written your dream list?
    8. Do you actively step outside of your comfort zone and seek adventure?
    9. Do you scare yourself regularly?
    10. Are you proud of the story you tell? (Is it positive or discouraging?)