If you do not know what SXSW is (we often forget in this online world that not everyone knows about this little conference in relation to the world) here is the link http://sxsw.com/
In careers, business and life remember the Mark Twain quote,
When you find yourself on the side of the majority it is time to pause and reflect.
Do the unexpected and always strive to set yourself apart. That is the secret. Read my other post about the unexpected here.
Would I love to be there? Hell ya, but I am not sad that I’m not. Actually, my brother is there so I will hear about some great sessions from that guy.
What makes me an expert? Nothing. I am just a guy who enjoys helping people find career paths that they didn’t know existed. I strive to help people ask questions and think about things a little differently. Life and Careers are about asking the right questions. Please ask us anything, or just subscribe to the The Squab feed via RSS or Emailto receive notifications of new posts.
I play music. I play all over the place. I now play with my brother as the ‘Son’s of Theo.’ We are the house band at McGilvra’s in Seattle on many Saturday’s. I also play a lot of weddings and corporate events. I was fortunate to get sponsored by miller lite when I was in the midwest. Humbled to say the least. That is not what this is about. This is about my dad.
After 20 some years of thinking I needed mentors to tell me where to go I find myself wondering if those same mentors actually mute many other people’s dreams before they ever get started or even try. After reading Jun Loayza and Ryan Paugh’s posts about mentors I decided to share with you the comment I left on Jun’s blog. Here is my comment and after that go read his post.
I sit. Thinking. Smiling. Reflecting. Wondering… About all of the people, the moments, the times that have changed my life. How did my path lead to where I am? Why do I feel so fortunate for everything that I have? Why am I typing and smiling so cheesy that the coffee shop barista probably thinks I am in love with this crack box called a computer? Because it is incredible, but realize, it is a game.
A game of inspiring and enabling others. A game of doing the unexpected. That’s it. The UNEXPECTED. Many of us do what is asked of us. That’s not a bad thing per say. Imagine if we all didn’t do what was asked of us? We try to “Crush It” in our jobs, in life, in everything for that matter. I look around and there are so many people that are all trying to do this one thing. Live. Enjoy. Create. Build. Better. But are we? Do you spend time at your job working on your tasks at hand or trying to bring everyone together to do more? Do you tell your boss that you have great ideas and they might help? Do you call your family and just say hi? Do you do things in your life that are not EXPECTED? That. One. Thing. Is. The. Secret. Do what is not expected. Always.
I woke up around 4:30. Couldn’t Sleep. Beautiful day in Seattle and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else in this time of my life then here. Right here. But here I sit, confused. Confused on where to go. What to do. How to do it. Fear.
I have spent my life striving to kick ass in all I do. Relationships, career, and anything else that I set my hands on. But here I sit, thinking about leaving my job to pursue other opportunities. I have not slept more than 3 hours in months. I can’t. Working a day job that I like, building a company, playing music shows and weddings, and most of all, helping people is my drug, I can’t stop. But have I left yet? No. If there is one thing that is amazing about my company, my boss, my co-workers, it is that they support me, better me, challenge me, and most of all, they are there to help. I told them the truth. I have other job offers that came in just by chance and I also have this itch to do my own thing. Damn, how the hell can this happen? Luck? Yet, I feel anyone would be lucky to work where I do. And here I am, thinking of moving on to another endeavor, maybe my own endeavor, maybe this other offer, when nothing is wrong where I am at. Actually, I had an incredible 2009 and will probably have some great opportunities coming down the path should I stay. So I look back…
