Jesse's Blog

The Note Apple Gives To Employees On Their First Day Of Work

2012-05-07T16:41:16Z

We'd all do well to purpose our lives in such a way...

There’s work and there’s your life’s work.

The kind of work that has your fingerprints all over it. The kind of work that you’d never compromise on. That you’d sacrifice a weekend for. You can do that kind of work at Apple. People don’t come here to play it safe. They come here to swim in the deep end. Something big. Something that couldn’t happen anywhere else.

Welcome to Apple.

*This same note has been circulating the intererwebs via instragram with some question over its source; however basic investigation points to its validity.

The Beauty of the Broken

2012-04-18T05:04:25Z

(I read this in a casting studio in Los Angeles)

Love Is Not A Victory March

2012-04-06T04:01:03Z

Love is not abusive. Love is not mocking. Love is not forceful. Love is not haughty. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not a tyrant.

Love is not a victory march.

Love is not a fail.

It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.

Fostering Hope: Royal Family Kids Camp Infographic

2012-03-29T02:43:15Z

Some of the work that's meant the most to me over the years is the time I've spent with kids in the foster care system. A domestic version of invisible children, abused and exploited in unspeakable ways. Royal Family Kids and Teen Reach Adventure Camps are two organizations on the front end of attacking this social injustice. Armed with love, hope and selfless volunteerism they create a haven of fun within a summer camp experience. Purposed to instill worth, value and smiles while teaching kids the basic skills they may never have been taught, such as tying a shoe, riding a bike, learning to swim or what to do at a restaurant. These camp experiences then catalyze ongoing works in the community through clubs and mentoring.

Foster Care isn't, and may never be, as sexy as many of the global causes we're engaging today but it's equally as worthy of your attention. Consider where you may find a place to help whether sponsoring, mentoring or giving up a week or a weekend to volunteer at a camp. You won't regret it and just may find out it's the very thing your meant to be doing...

Everything That Can Be Shared Will Be Shared

2012-03-24T06:00:00Z

Today we share in more ways than ever before.

Information about our friends, locations, activities, likes...

And we're doing better at sharing in real life too;

Car Sharing
Ride Sharing
Bike Sharing
Space Sharing
Garden Sharing
Clothing Swaps
Co-Working Offices
Trade Networks

In many ways sharing is the new economy.

And a solution to the lack of ___ in the world.

For the want in the world is not for lack of resource but for lack of sharing.

Sharing is central to a thriving neighborhood, village or community and by consequence planet.

In a Wired Magazine senior maverick Kevin Kelly remark;

"Part of the adventure now is to imagine things that are not being shared now and how they can be shared."

How then can we share? How better? How closer? How creatively?

What You Need To Know About The Fan Cycle

2012-03-22T22:41:00Z

The Fan Cycle = Participation. Evangelism. Ownership.

I've admired the work of Brains on Fire for sometime now and thought I'd pass on some of their genius. Whether you're an author, non-profit, faith-based, social-capitalist or wanna-be-entrepreneur, this stuff is the real deal.

Approach

We create fans rather than customers. Why? Because fans embody loyalty. A fan has a vested interest. They defend passionately. A true fan loves a team, a brand or a band whether they win or lose. Fans don't just join a movement. They help grow it. Fans have a sense of ownership and shared identity, because your success is their success. And it's a two-way street. The question isn't "what can we sell this person?" It's "what can we do to keep this person and make them even happier?"

Participation

Our process isn't about creating a presentation. Or creative for the sake of being creative. It's about building a movement. And that starts with the first conversation. We get to know the people who will build your movement, inside and out, through face-to-face, heart-to-heart dialogues. And as much as we'd like to believe it, there is no secret sauce. Just roll-up-your-sleeves, get-your-hands-dirty, hard work.

We are committed to getting to know what people care about. That is our simple, clear objective. Out of that conversation comes authentic co-created ideas for Evangelism and Ownership.

Evangelism

Before people can evangelize for you, they have to identify with your cause. So we help create and articulate that identity. A place of belonging that’s bigger than themselves. A shared sense of purpose that lifts people up and celebrates and validates their beliefs.

And believe us, it’s not about influence, because influencers can be made. But passion can’t. And it’s not about evangelizing your brand. It’s about your brand being the jumping off point that allows people to evangelize what’s important in their lives. Then we give them the tools that elevate and amplify - all of which leads to ownership.

Ownership

Ownership is about empowerment. We’ve heard what’s important, we’ve lifted it up and shaped it. And instead of throwing it out there to the world, now it’s time to give it back. Because no one can grow the love for something like those who love it most. Yes, there are online tools. But it’s been proven that 93% of word of mouth happens offline. Online and offline have to work hand-in-hand to guarantee success.

Giving back also creates buy-in. And with that buy-in comes a genuine desire to help your organization define and refine the brand experiences you provide. The people’s voices are heard – good and bad. And the Fan Cycle starts… but never ends. The movement has begun. And you are a part of it.

Steal Like An Artist

2012-03-10T00:05:11Z

When author/artist Austin Kleon was asked to talk to students at a college in upstate New York, he sat down and wrote a talk based on a list of 10 things he wished he'd heard when he was starting out; I think it's pretty good.

The Speed Of Life?

2012-03-07T15:30:00Z

In this age of hyperspace we are apt to comment on that blur of life flying by our window; though I wonder if a better commentary would read that it's us who are flying by life.

When I consider fond memories of all sizes I find a commonness in the pace of their structure. They are built around a pause. The stillness of the mountains, an honest conversation, a wave on my skin, a laugh, kiss or even something excruciating... Moments where obligations, routines, anxieties are suspended. Where you're well aware of a whispering leaf or a baby's breath.

Life is beautiful, don't miss it.

We All Speak For Something Even When We Do Not

2012-03-03T19:44:00Z

We all speak for something or someone, even when we don't. We are voices of life, faith, others, values...just by the way we live our lives. Our messages aren't always neatly quotable but if they were I wonder what they'd say. Would they be inspiring or passive? Do you speak for something bigger than yourself? Do you care? Or care a whole awful lot?

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.~Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Life On a Wire

2012-02-22T21:24:37Z

Art by Chris CookAfter the processor of my mind slowed down enough for me to be able to hear, I was greeted with a symphony of chirps from some nearby place of height. There were no trees around, just their bones in the form of crosses strewn with wire. From there I could hear the song of their colony.

Environments are not often within the realm of our control though the practice of the purposes of our lives is.

Are you singing from a wire or silently dreaming of trees?