Jason Howell

Pushing Forward

Are you a failure?

People are not failures but according to the metrics we use socially and professionally, we sometimes fail at certain actions. Viewing these “failures” as opportunities to learn about ourselves is not a new concept, but purposefully seeking them out might be. The fastest way to discovering weaknesses in our skillsets is do something knowing you might fail but planning to learn from the experience. This is personal and professional development at its core.

Giving yourself an opportunity to fail will eventually give you the tools to succeed.

Already, 20 Years Ago...

Peace, at long last.

My Dad died a few days ago, less than three years after my sister. It might not make "sense" to juxtapose something so personal  with my business life, but unfortunately neither exist in a vacuum.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." ~ John Lennon

I don't yet know what the lessons of these events in my life mean, but I can make a suggestion to any that care to read: love the ones that are close, not like the culmination of long years you've known them, but with the excitement of the first few days you met.

What do you REALLY want?

Our world economy has taken a hit but this is a great time to calm ourselves.  What do you really want? 

One of the most common mistakes we make is confusing what we want, with how we will get what we want. Money has a role to play in our lives but paper, coins and numbers on a screen don’t feed, clothe, or protect us: they are the means to an end.

1. Identify what is truly important to you and you will know what to passionate and patriotic about.
2. Think about the job you have or the job you had. What could you change that would make the next job extraordinarily different? Think about your daydreams. What is more important to you, time or money?

Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions. ~ John F. Kennedy

Patriotic & Professional Development (& Love)

Some people know what they want in their country but do not know what they want in a career. Some have the opposite problem. Is there a difference between professional development and developing or rekindling your sense of patriotism?  Can one feed the other because they are both foundationally about love?

What do you think?

Patriotism in America’s history is a love story, and when you love something or someone, you fight to defend it. Take pride in US history by being humbled, by what has been accomplished. These accomplishments were achieved by individuals just like you, who had the confidence to chart an unknown journey, towards success.

Layoff-Proof?

Well, maybe the author meant layoff-resistant.  All the same, Allen Maurer shared some very topical information on Fairfax County's Economic Development website:

Knowledge is Power: How to stay layoff-proof in a down economy

By Allan Maurer, Tech Journal South

Staying valuable to your employer when layoffs are rampant may seem like an uphill battle. In these slower economic times, many are wondering how to keep from becoming another name on the unemployment list. While there is no magic formula for keeping your job, Bruce Culbert, CEO of iSymmetry and myCRMcareer offers several tips for making yourself more layoff-proof.  More...

How brands thrived during the Great Depression - iMediaConnection.com

Companies can and do prosper during times of economic turmoil. Take a lesson from brands whose Depression-era advertising strategies were key to their survival.

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Speech: "Known" @ Accenture, LLP

   

"The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there."
~ President James Buchanan 

(In office 1857-1861) 

That is a reassuring quote for our time but less so considering President Buchanan is consistently ranked as one of the worst US Presidents in history. 

As in politics, with business and sports how you are known makes all of the difference in your ability to succeed and how you are remembered. 

On February 3rd, 2009 I gave a presentation for Toastmasters discussing how someone as notorious as "Billy the Kid" suffered in part, from a bad reputation.  What's yours?   

People like Michael Jordan and Bill Gates were beneficiaries of the politics and positions of their industry and their time.  During the late 70s and into the mid 80s, America was becoming more athletic and more business friendly. 

Michael Jordan's athleticism and skill arrived at the perfect intersection of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) international branding and a shoe company in Nike that wanted to feed America's new fitness craze.  Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 but it wasn't until the market forces of a growing American economy allowed him the best opportunity to go public in 1986.  On March 14th, 1986 William Henry Gates became an instant millionaire. 

Both Jordan and Gates are known to many as the best in their fields -ever.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points and earned 6 to Jordan's 5 MVP awards.  John D. Rockefeller, adjusted for inflation was the richest man in history.  Do the reputations of Jordan and Gates represent the truth?

What matters most is that all four of the men mentioned were known to be great in their time.  At this moment in history, how can you be great for yourself and for your country?  The answer, is up to you.

Comments?

Presidential Inauguration Day, 2009