Legacy Building

Inspired by: Steve Jobs & Leaving a Legacy | Goins, Writer.

A few years ago (2008?) I attended a lecture by Michael Eric Dyson at the University of Toronto. A packed room came to hear Michael discuss his latest book April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America (Great, provocative read)  If you've never attended a Dyson lecture or witnessed the breadth of his intellect please do so (YouTube or read one of his books on Black culture, politics, race and the socio-economic condition of African Americans). As part of the lecture Michael shared that MLK lived his life with his legacy in mind.


Lightbulb.

I wish I had the direct quote, but that blew my mind and has shaped my outlook on life and humanity. He challenged us to think about what we'd like people to remember the most about us. What stamp we would like to leave behind when our heart fails to beat and air ceases to flow out of our bodies.

I have since worked that out, each day I strive to add another building block to my legacy. This article (see link above) by Jeff Goins on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, raises the same challenge ... Steve acknowledged death, and lived life fearlessly. His legacy is not limited to technological innovator but as one who lived life to its fullest.

The mark Jobs has made in our lives is immeasurable, even in death he still continues to inspire us to be better human beings.






How are you making a difference?

What's your legacy?

The MLK That's Never Quoted

If the negro is to be free he must move down into the inner resources of his soul and sign with the pen and ink of self-assertive manhood his own emancipation proclamation ... Don't let anyone take your manhood

DEEP

Yes I'm black and proud of it! I am black and beautiful

We all have the power within us to break free from whatever chains that are keeping us bound. Others may try to help, but YOU must make the effort to RISE UP. A dream is nothing without action.

Watch this video, it's 2 minutes you will not regret.

Clean-up Time

Reference article: Protecting Your Online Reputation: 4 Things You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC].

One question I ask people, especially aspiring professionals: When was the last time you googled yourself?

It's something that not many of us do, even though it's now a mandatory part of job market preparation.

Employers do it. So, why don't we? 

Take a few minutes and type your name into Google's search engine.

You'd be surprised at what you'll find. I did it a few months ago and thankfully didn't find anything too embarrassing. However, I still cleaned up a bit, Picasa is now cleaned up a bit, the MySpace and Hi5 accounts are null and void.

If anyone was to search for me now they'd find a young professional who specializes in corporate communications and youth development.

When an employer reads your resume, he'll most likely use a search engine to find out a little bit more about you. Do your best to control what he finds, and that it is the image you wish to portray.


You are your greatest asset.

Your identity/brand needs to be developed, maintained and protected. Guard it with your life. So hurry, time to clean up.

All those crazy pictures.
Expletive-laced rants.
The 'naughty' video.

Make 'em all 'disappear'. Your reputation's at stake.

(Read the article above, it contains two of my favorite things: tips on self-marketing and an infographic _ I love infographics!)

The Crossing

The scene: after years of bondage in Egypt, God through his servant Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and the hands of Pharaoh. This passage marks the crossing of the Red Sea. God told Moses to lead the Israelites into the desert, towards the Sea so that Pharaoh’s army would follow them. He would then liberate the Israelites and destroy pharaoh’s army. By these events, God would demonstrate his magnificent and uncontested power to the Egyptians and Israelites. When the Israelites saw the army approaching they went to Moses and asked him why he had brought them to the desert to be killed by the very people he had freed them from: Exodus 14:10-12. To their complaints and worry,

Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

In many ways we are like the Israelites. We panic and forget that God is master of all things and that he knows what he is doing. We forget to “let go and let God”. On your journey you might be placed in tight situations, where an escape is but a far-fetched dream. You might feel cornered, lost and so far from God. The ‘Egyptians’ will encamp around you and you may cry out, like the Israelites and wonder why God has brought you to such doom. Your fate may feel inevitable as the ‘Egyptians’ creep even closer. However you must remember that God is no fool, He isn’t wicked or unjust, for as Jeremiah writes:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As Exodus 14:13-14 says, we just need to rid ourselves of the spirit of fear, and be confident in the Lord. Sometimes all we need to do is “be still” and let God be God. Trust in him, surrender all and witness his might and power.

10 Truths To Live By

1. Not everyone is going to like you. There are going to be A LOT of people who will oppose your every opinion, who will make it a daily task to belittle you. The problem stems from your reaction to it.

2. Treat others as THEY would like to be treated. Yes, I know the golden rule; “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you”. But not everyone likes to be treated in the same way as you do. Some people would prefer to get bad news via email, while others prefer the face-to-face approach. (PLEASE NOTE: I don’t mean it in an abusive, mean-spirited way)

3. Laugh at yourself. I greatly admire people who ridicule themselves or who can laugh at their own follies.

4. It gets better. No matter how bad it may seem. No matter how down in the rut you are, it does get better. No one’s meant to suffer forever. It’s not over ‘til you take that last breath, and even that should be a victory. 

5. “Active ambition” is the only type that counts. Dreams/ambitions are meant to be pursued, if they aren’t then they’re simply ideas.

6. Be careful with whom you share your dreams. Not everyone who is with you is for you. Some people are leeches or dream snatchers.

7. Not everyone is meant to be a permanent fixture in your life. Some people are only meant to be with us for a ‘season’/temporarily. Learn to when and how to let go. If they serve no purpose. Let them go. If they impact you negatively. Let them go. Make room for more valuable people.

8. Never let a relationship consume you. The term ‘better half’ annoys me. For I believe that a good relationship consists of two whole individuals who complement each other, and assist each other in the pursuit of individual and collective goals and happiness.

9. Meditate for 30 minutes at least once a week. So much is revealed/clarified when we allow ourselves to be still. Clear your mind of all external thoughts, find a quiet space and engage in some introspection. 

10. Learning is a life-long activity. Open up yourself to new ideas, concepts etc. Learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby.

Remember you are great. You are a wonderful human being with incredible potential. 

Carpe Diem!

You Are Not So Smart: David McRaney

Whoa! I had so many ‘Aha’ moments while watching this, I believe I had multiple O-gasms.

I've already pre-ordered a copy of this book; waiting for its arrival. I also think the whole idea of a ‘book trailer’ is GENIUS!

Tips for Entrepreneurs: Ryan Blair

 Ryan Blair, author of Nothing To Lose Everything to Gain shares his best practices for entrepreneurial/small business success. All three tips resonated with me big time. So far, I'm building on the first two.

Tip #1 Burn the midnight oil. Work at home. Sacrifice time to work on the business concept: business plan, logos, brand identity

Tip #2 Surround yourself with great people to mitigate your weaknesses and build on your strengths. Look for people who are passionate, smart and want to win (competitive drive)

Tip #3 Build your team, if you can't hire people, offer them equity

Do you have any tips or best practices you'd like to share?

New Year, Continued Blessings

Last year, I made a proclamation on January 1. I claimed 2011 as the year of the Lord's Favour and quoted Isaiah 61:

Excerpt: "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Little did I know that those words and an unshakable faith would contribute to one of the most life-changing years of my life. 2011 brought with it loss (miss you forever Gabey), triumphs (registered my business, yay me!), and taught me so much about myself. Thanks to a fabulous job, I learned so many new skills and have finally found my professional calling. Thanks to the help of some people I am motivated to build a legacy of a business and community leader. God has blessed me with 'teachers' along this journey and has put some things in motion that have left me in awe.

For 2012, I ask for the Lord's favour to continue, for him to protect me so that I may accomplish what he has prepared me for. I have seen and know first hand that the closer one gets to the mountain top, the greater the obstacles are. The great thing is [insert smile and chuckle] God has readied me emotionally, physically and spiritually to take on whatever comes my way. I've been blessed with the spirit of resiliency. (Thank You)

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" Isaiah 43:1-3

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY 2012 BE A YEAR OF GROWTH, LOVE AND JOY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY