Jack Dorsey, the Creator, Co-Founder and Chairman of Twitter makes a clear presentation of the four key points that defined his experience in creating Twitter at the 99% Conference. I especially liked what he said about “building a beautiful product experience to build trust”.
Well, I am ready to whip out my sketchbook and making my ideas happen.
Enjoy the video. It is well worth it.
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Are you someone who finds it difficult to say no to people who ask for your help?
Do you fear that by saying no, people will think badly of you?
Do you suddenly realize that you are doing way more than you agreed to do?
Does this happen a lot?
You are not alone
In fact, you just might get trampled by all of the people out there who are outwardly helpful but inwardly seething with overwhelmed resentment. Which is what always happens when you don’t say no when your gut tells you to.
You are a person with a generous spirit and with something special to offer. You attract people who want to be around you. They want you to be part of their world and so they ask you to help them with something they need.
But…
Your time is valuable. Your skills, your experience, your creative thinking – all so precious. These are your unique resources that you must use wisely to, yes, change the world for the better, and to better yourself. The best choice you make in doing something is the one that moves the needle forward for the world and for you.
OK, let’s suppose someone has just asked you to volunteer some of your time to their organization. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Is this something you can do or something you want to do?
Chances are, you have been asked to do something because people recognize your ability and talent. They know you can do this. Ask yourself what you want. You have only so many hours in a day. Spend them doing what you want to do, not what you can do.
2. Will it be beneficial to you on some level?
Have you been asked to help out with a cause you believe in? To do some work on a project that engages your interest? To help an organization whose mission you believe in? To gain experience in a new field? These are other questions that purposely speak to the benefit to you.
3. Do you know someone who could be better at the job?
It is flattering to be considered, to be recommended or referred by someone. How wonderful it would be to do a great job and save the day! All things considered, you may not be the right person to do this. But being as knowledgeable and experienced as you are, you probably know someone who might be. And that would be just as wonderful.
4.Will the world explode if you say no?
Absolutely not, no matter how much guilt is sent your way or self inflicted. Remind yourself that they are asking something of you pro bono as a person with a valuable skill. They beg, you choose.
When you say no to someone, think of yourself saying, “No, I cannot do this for you. But I can do something else which is more my expertise. Or, I know someone who would be perfect for the job.”
People are funny about hearing no. It actually works in your favor. You become the selective one, the one not everyone can get to, the unattainable. You become more sought after. Its simply human nature. Go figure.
Saying no gives you the power to set up your success in doing what you do best and most of all, what you really want to do.
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On Mother’s Day, my mom discovered my iPad. She played games, did some window shopping online, smiled with delight at all of the photos of my family and decided that she needed one for herself.
“Why do I need a home computer with all of that bulky stuff when I can do everything I like on an iPad?” she asked.
“You know something, I think you’re right. You can probably do everything you want to do, maybe even email.” I said.
Without looking up from the Doodle Jump game she was playing with Sky, she said,
“You never know.”
Why I like the iPad for my mom
It is made to delight every user from the discerning techie to my mother. She loves the ease of the touch screen, he loves listening to music and playing the piano.
I appreciate the thoughtful design philosophy behind every navigation step. I love the wooden bookshelf, the turning page, the shadow down the center of the book.
It is visually appealing and clear. Images and fonts can be easily enlarged. Who knew Chinese opera could look so good?
It can be shared by two people sitting on the sofa together with a bowl of popcorn while playing games, watching movies and playing Air Guitar on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Isolation can become a daily depression for many older people. For this reason, my mom makes every effort to join things, dance, sing, have lots of lunches with her friends. She wants to learn how to use a computer to stay in touch with loved ones far away and navigate her way from isolation.
With her iPad, my mom will definitely be the star pupil in her computer class. You know, one of those early adapters.
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I absolutely love what Carolina Herrera loves – a simply perfect white shirt. Classic, elegant, timeless. All you stylish people know that and you probably have several of them in your closet.
photo by crazymf990
Which is exactly why I knit sweaters
I can’t imagine anything more deadening to the spirit than a roomful of well cut white shirts on well dressed people. When something like that becomes universally accepted good taste, unless it is worn with a dash of the unexpected, it quickly becomes uniform to the unimaginative.
Which, I repeat, is why I knit sweaters
To be more specific, I knit white shirts. Sweaters with the same impact as a sexy white shirt.
The sweater I am making is made with a copper colored cotton gima that knits up into an edgy stockinette stitch with a slight roll at the hems of the body and sleeves. It skims my hips, sports a low rounded V neck, long slightly flared bell sleeves and is knit loosely without any border ribbing. I intend to wear it whenever I feel the urge to wear a white shirt.
You know you want to look good, no, you know you want to look drop dead fabulous.
If everyone is wearing what everyone thinks is to die for, then how the heck do you stand out? If everyone is doing what everyone thinks they should be doing to be stylish or to be successful, how much of an impact could you possible make?
The laws of the universe are simple:
If they zig, you zag
Go where the puck isn’t
Create a need then fill it
Don’t be a big shot, wear a sweater
No matter what you do, what you strive for, what you wear.
This will take some creative thinking on your part. You need to figure out how to stand out from the madding crowd and maximize your position. With style, of course. As you can see, I am still working on my Don’t Need A White Shirt design.
Take the design of your impact into your own hands!
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