Oh man, I know I haven't posted a while, but I have a lot going on and IT IS ALL GOOD!
One of my favorite things that I keep with me is a little wooden coin
which a friend, Jodee Bock, gave me is inscribed with the letters GOYA.
And I think it represents that little loving reminder of all of the
things we want, and what it is going to take to achieve our goals.
This spring I joined what is called a "Mastermind" group thinking that it would give me the opportunity to network with new people and give me an excuse to get out of the office for an hour or so a week. The Mastermind is a concept which Napoleon Hill described in the book "Think and Grow Rich" and while I was pretty hung up on the whole "growing rich" part, I knew there was SO much more to it than money and dove in. If you haven't read the book, I would highly recommend it, and if you can tap into a Mastermind in your area, it will change your whole perspective.
The Mastermind concept is essentially the bringing on individuals together, a small group usually limited to 8-10 people, and the understanding that together their collective minds create thought that is somehow bigger, more powerful the individual entities, essentially synergy. And as I discovered at the Bigger Small Talk Conference, my genius is Creating Synergy, so this has been a fantastic fit for me. My initial group is so diverse and initially, I didn't understand how important that is, it includes individuals from the following industries; finance, insurance, real estate, training, advertising and more. A diverse group, and yet all wanting something more for ourselves. Better balance in life, financial freedom, inspiration, motivation, or maybe seeking they couldn't quite put a label on. Growing together as we read the book, really discussing the concepts and starting to apply them and sharing results has become such a powerful force. Right now, I am involved in three groups and just finished a series created by Bob Proctor called Goal Achiever all stemming from my involvement in these groups.
You know how you feel when you go to a really great seminar, or have an inspiring dialogue with someone, and you feel like you can accomplish anything, these groups give me that, every single week, and now three times per week. A place you can share your vision, with out fear and judgment and with people willing to share from their pool of social and professional resources to help guide you on that path.
Some of the things that these groups have inspired me to move into action and do things I had always wanted to including; getting my artwork into a gallery showing (BAGA reception in Bismarck on Tuesday of next week, running into November), writing a book (4.5 pages down 200 to go!), co-publishing another book entitled "Inviting Dialogue" (due out before Christmas), running a 5K (did that this summer), owning a cotton candy machine (why not, still working on the plan for that), creating an online store (www.squirrelgear.com for a mascot I designed and trademarked), and the involvement in creating a physical space where I can offer Creative Facilitation and Marketing services (yep, this is in the works too! And may be where that cotton candy machine fits in).
Yes, I have a lot going on, and some really fabulous design clients giving me some really incredible work on top of it all! But like I mentioned, it is all good.
And the coin, its letters, they stand for the one reminder that we all need from time to time, and that is the key to achieving anything. They stand for "Get Off Your Ass" and yes while bold, sometimes it is just what the doctor ordered.
Are you ready to GOYA?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 02:37PM 
Here is an interesting concept. Found on Designboom.com, a competition for dining in 2015. And I found this entry to be particularly interesting. The utensils are essentially mounted to the lid of a Bic Pen. Interesting.