Posterous blog over.

Back to Tumblr for my short musings, life captures and learnings on the way to making meaning.

Crush It!: Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m all for passion and getting focused to achieve your goals and build things. I’ve been a fan of Gary’s intensity even though I wasn’t a big follower of the Wine Library content.

The book outlines the basics of how he got to where he is now and you’re able to follow along to a certain extent. The bottom line is that using the digital tools that social media offers and pairing it with content that you’re excited about, affords you a place in the world today.

Sometimes a bit repetitive, but overall for beginners it would be something to keep handy on the bookshelf while building your ideas.

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I just finished reading Work on Purpose - the new book from Echoing Green. The organization focuses on investing into rising social entrepreneurs and the work they are doing to bring about postive impact in the world. Let me warn you - this is no ordinary book. This is a collection of pressureized energy that explodes in your mind with every page turned. for the past few years I have been marinating alot in the social entrepreneurship and social impact worlds. I am continuously inspired and motivated by the people who decides to consciously step out and do something with their passions. It almost seems like the folks at Echoing Green knew that 2011 would be the year that i finally began acting on my ideas when they published this fantastic book!

Work on Purpose is basically a well orchestrated symphony of personal stories, thouight provoking questions, interactive content and invaluable resources that leave you feeling like you have been ranted the final green light of approval to change the world. I really enjoyed the way the book was put together where each of the five social entrepreneurs had their stories told from start to finish - capturing the theme of the book: putting head, heart & hustle together. I could truly identify with the tales of struggle, self reflection/discovery and achievement. Also, to solidify & personalize the essence of the message - Work on Purpose engages you with something called Bold Questions. Basically, they are pages throughout the book asking you to answer question that help guide you to your paith of meaningful work.

I thoroughly enjoyed Work on Purpose for its ability to grab you by the shoulders and yell “look! people are doing this and so can you! Here is how you can do it!” - no matter where you are on the spectrum of pursuing your purposeful work. We are now in a fantastic time where resources, how-to information and encouragement through the Web abound. Dig in…and get to work.

Especially poignant in this world of fast and faster for success.

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“Foundations”
From Traits of Character, 1899
By Henry F. Kletzing

Don’t risk a life structure upon a day’s foundation. –

The government building at Chicago, a large, massive structure and apparently well built, so that it might stand for a century, was recently torn down, not because the superstructure was not firm, but because the foundation at several places was found faulty. Thus, at a great expense, the old building is removed and a new structure is erected, all because the foundation was not safe. Men fail of their best efforts because they were unwilling to prepare well in days when preparation was the one duty.

The foundation for greatness must be laid in youth. Young men frequently make a serious mistake here. They are content with following the pleasures of youth instead of improving early opportunities for preparation for life’s great work. Wellington frequently said that Waterloo was fought and won while he was a schoolboy. It was what he learned then that prepared him for that great battle. Inattention to the foundation has mined many a structure. Inattention to the intellectual and moral development and preparation has ruined many a life.

See yon building rise. While men were engaged in laying the foundation there was nothing attractive about it. Dirt and stones and mortar are not sightly objects. It is only when the superstructure is rising that the attention of the passer-by is given to it. This is why not more attention is given to foundation work. Many a youth who has attracted attention by doing work successfully thinks that his foundation is sure, and looks only to the superstructure. Many a college graduate has dreamed of greatness while delivering his final oration as the applause of friends greets his ear: but too often he is never heard of afterward. Life consists of more real and earnest things than brilliant graduating orations.

Do not mistake the applause of others as success. Avoid the idol which many worship—the love of notoriety and applause. Look to the foundations.