Month: September 2013

Jeb Corliss as the ‘Wingsuit Man’ Must be the Daredevil Of Our Day

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Theme:– Operation J.U.M.P. For Jobs, Justice & Unsung Dreams

It seems the word stuntman has taken on new meaning. Back in the day it was just amazing to see Evil Knievel do his motorcycle jumps across cars and canyons. It was jaw-dropping to see others do flips, spins and ride on one wheel. But Jeb Corliss as the ‘wingsuit man’ must be the daredevil of our day.

As a professional parachutist he’s done jumps from the Eiffel Tower, the Space Needle in Seattle and the sacred statue in Rio De Janeiro. Recently, he performed his death-defying ‘flying dagger’ jump from a helicopter 6000 feet above. He glided at 75-mph between two Chinese mountain peaks 25 feet apart.

In his words “It was the single gnarliest (craziest) thing I’ve ever done in my life, without a doubt.” The jump was almost cancelled due to bad weather. By the afternoon there was a break in the fog and a lull in the winds. Corliss says he did the stunt to show how with courage others can pursue their dreams.

Well, Operation J.U.M.P. says don’t believe the hype! This level of courage is not required for everybody’s dream. It’s not about being a daredevil as much as it’s about being a dare-dreamer. Dreams come with equal expectations but different sacrifice. In the end it comes down to taking a leap of faith.

Corliss will go on to do other mind-blowing stunts. These acts of ‘crazy’ are not to be tried at home. In the meantime, the rest of us can continue with ‘normal’ dreams that still require getting past some fears. It helps to rise about the ‘fray of the day’ in life’s situations to get a better view of the big picture.

Footnote: The level of courage required for pursuing dreams is not the same for everybody because dreams come with equal expectations but different sacrifice.

President Obama Made Emotional Plea for a Transformation in our Nation

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Theme:– A Conversation on Gun Violence, Bias and Mental Illness

Over the past year there’s been a repeat of violent events that have rocked the soul. From the urban blocks of Chicago to the quiet streets of Newtown many have had to cry and ask why. The same question was asked after the Navy Yard shooting. Recently, the President made an emotional plea for change.

The FBI provided updates on the shooter’s state of mind. It seems he was affected by paranoia and delusion. They say he acted alone but it’s still unclear whether his actions were triggered by other factors. Getting to the root of such senselessness is a hard nut to crack. But the President says it’s gotta happen.

He reminded the families that he’s been to five such memorial services in the recent past. He appealed to the collective pain to forge a transformation in our nation which has 10 times as many gun-related tragedies than other developed countries. Just thinking about such a stat can lead to an air of despair.

In a sense that could be the dilemma we face as a community. How does despair get flushed-out the air? The FBI and HVAC guys aren’t sure. Maybe some of the gun violence ties to a sense of feeling boxed-in. Some see no way out of urban distress while others wrestle with deep bouts of mental duress.

The response we take to stemming the tide should force us to zoom in on the sources and effects of despair. This is not necessarily a trivial thing. It’s hard to know what’s going on inside someone’s head. But, President Obama knows it might be made easier by a greater sense of shared purpose as a nation.

Footnote: One way of promoting ‘anti-violence’ is by being ‘pro-purpose’ so others won’t describe you as being ‘anti Second Amendment.’

Ann Curry Pulls Off a Journalism Coup That Blazes Her Media Profile

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

NBCs Today Show and ABCs Good Morning America have been in a ratings dual for the #1 spot. Recently, the Today Show added a new co-host and studio makeover. Ann Curry still does some reporting even after losing her anchor spot. But she’s pulled off a coup that blazes her media profile.

She landed the first interview by a Western Media outlet with the new Iranian President. Curry is seen wearing traditional Iranian attire in a 1-on-1 interview setting. We haven’t heard much from Curry since her own job shake-up. But it’s a good example of what to do when one’s career track hits the wall.

Curry showed lots of class, even though she would have loved for others to kiss her…(well enough said). In some circles it’s felt that Americans live to work. It’s a matter of “bills bills every day. Not much time after work for play.” Clearly, Curry wasn’t as worried about leaning-in as she was about learning-up.

She found a way to rise to the occasion. Whether it’s a job loss, career slide or broken business deal hitting the wall isn’t the end of the line. Just look at what happens when a Running Back is trying to gain short yardage but hits the wall. He keeps his legs moving just enough for a final surge of the wall.

After about a year in the big chair Curry was replaced. The word online was things didn’t go so well with the show’s rating and maybe some peer hating. Curry moved on in a new role. She’s still making a name for herself at home and the world stage. Just goes to show that a loss can be the setup for a bigger win.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Left corner Today Show on NBC. Right corner Good Morning America on ABC. Battling for the #1 spot. By keeping the ratings hot. Today added new co-host and studio makeover. But GMA not seen as a pushover. Ann Curry still stops by for reports on file. She’s pulled off a coup that blazes her style.

Landing the first Western Media talk as if by fate. Beating other outlets straight out the gate. New Iranian President questioned wire-to-wire. By Curry wearing traditional Iranian attire. Hasn’t said much since her own job shift. Leaving others to gossip about a rift. Good example when career track gets hit by a tiff.

Curry showed lots of class. Would’ve preferred others kissed her…(‘nuff said). Americans live to work, is that true? That’s from the polls so what about you? For so many a matter of “bills bills every day. Not much time after work for play.” Curry not worried about leaning-in. More like learning-up helps her win.

Found a way to rise to the occasion. While still working at the same station. Whether job loss, career slide or broken biz deal. Curry never stopped keeping it real. Hitting the wall not end of the line. After a while things turn out fine. Like a Running Back working for short yardage. Keep legs moving pass the blockage.

Curry did her thing in the big chair. Then lost the spot after a year. Word on the street was lower rating. And maybe some peer-to-peer hating. Curry moved on in her new role. Working on achieving her next goal. Still making a name at home and world stage. Just shows a loss can lead to turning a bigger page.

Tip: Upping your game is making a name for yourself even if your name gets muddled in drama or gossip.

Talkback: Today Show or Good Morning America? (the unofficial poll)

Has ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Gone Bust Like the Past Market Crash?

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Theme:– Operation J.U.M.P. For Jobs, Justice & Unsung Dreams

Last week saw the second anniversary of Occupy Wall Street protests. A spattering of about 100 people came to rally their cause. Many concerns of unemployment and income inequality that drove the demonstrations remain. So, has Occupy Wall Street (OWS) gone bust like the past market crash?

The word on the street is that they’ve gone underground. They resurfaced a year ago after Hurricane Sandy. Many groups provided disaster relief and logistic support. But others think it has just about fizzled. The effort seems to have lost its steam because the leaders couldn’t agree on the overriding purpose.

This can apply to any other movement that touts social change. People will come and go but the larger purpose prevails. The main purpose of Operation J.U.M.P. is to help relieve joblessness or job distress and bring unsung dreams back from the dead. Of-course, there’re a few economic justice items thrown in.

Think of Operation J.U.M.P. like raising the sunken ship Costa Concordia. A team of specialty engineers put together a plan to upright the ship. This was a very complex operation that involved pulleys, cables and steel structures. Now that it’s been ‘righted’ it will take another year before the site returns to normal.

OWS as a tactic might have served its main purpose. It elevated issues of economic injustice needing public attention. Operation J.U.M.P. as a grassroots initiative partners with other ‘social-preneurs’ across various market sectors to help upright the job market back to normal and keep raising new-found dreams.

Footnote: The purpose of Operation J.U.M.P. as a grassroots initiative is to respond to the 4 million long-term jobless, 8 million of under-employment restless and the untold millions with fears that lead to unsung dreams in the job-market ocean.

Why the Topic of Gun Violence Doesn’t Hit Home Until it Hits Home

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Theme:– A Conversation on Gun Violence, Bias and Mental Illness

There is a debate across the country about the role of government in enterprise. This is not new and dates back many decades. Some would like to see less intrusion while those on the side of civil rights would like to see less exclusion. But it seems the topic of gun violence doesn’t hit home until it hits home.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently made a policy revision by requesting customers leave their guns at home when visiting stores. This change was met with mixed reviews. One argument says it’s not enforceable. Another argument says the likelihood that some customers will protest is probable.

To understand this highly charged debate takes us back to the 2nd Amendment. The right to bear arms is seen as a constitutional certainty. Some advocates say they should be allowed to buy, sell and even carry as they choose. Maybe bearing arms for self-preservation is more a badge of honor than of entitlement.

Think back to the mortgage crisis and you know where that got us. It was believed that every citizen should have the opportunity to own a home (a good thing). So mortgage companies went crazy approving loans that were sub-prime. Home ownership went from being a badge of honor to a badge of entitlement.

Since the mortgage crisis hit home for our economy we’ve seen major changes. There are new guidelines for loan qualification. Well, if this is true for home loans why not for other areas of social distress. Maybe CEO Schultz hopes to expand the conversation so society gets a handle on violence in the community.

Footnote: When a privilege goes from being a badge of honor to being a badge of entitlement things seem to get out of control.

Arsenio Hall Brings His Brand of Showtime Back to Latenight

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Arsenio Hall gets a second shot! He’s been off the scenes for nearly 20 years. His latenight show back then was popular with young folks and Presidential hopefuls. He even had former Prez Bill Clinton on to perform a sax number. Is this generation ready for Hall to bring his brand of showtime back to latenight?

These TV spots are not easy to come by. The veterans Letterrman, Leno and Stewart have been doing their thing for a while. Newcomers like Conan, Kimmel and Fallon stepped up their game. So why would Hall want to do it again? Maybe because it’s in his blood and he’s now driven by a greater purpose.

He’s been away being a Dad and now has a different perspective. It took him five years to convince execs (and himself) he had the right stuff for a comeback. This is not unlike those who’ve had a pit-stop on their career-track. So the timing of his comeback could be a set-up for being at the top of his game.

An initial turning point in Hall’s reset was Celebrity Apprentice. It helped put him back on the map and maybe even introduced him to a new audience. The win might also have helped him retool his business savvy. To make another go at it with all the competition takes building a niche to have staying-power.

Hall describes his show as a ‘party with friends.’ His guest list has been a mix of young talent and deep-money. He’s even called on a handful of friends who appeared on his original show. It’s gonna take a few weeks for things to come together. By then let’s hope it feels like a ‘party with a purpose.’

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Arsenio Hall gets another look. Going back to his latenight playbook. Off the scenes for near 20 years. Stepping past his inner fears. Show back then a must-see for young folks. With lots of celebs and pop-culture jokes. From presidential hopefuls like Prez Bubba. Is gen-X ready for another sax number?

Latenight spots hard to come by. Letterman, Leno and Stewart’s stand-up on the fly. Newbies like Conan, Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Stepped up their game in laughs per gallon. So Hall really wants to do it again? Some think he can’t be serious or sane. Maybe it’s a greater purpose flowing like blood in his vein.

Been away being hands-on Dad. Son moving closer to being a grad. Now looks at things with a different eye. Getting past wanting to cry. Took him five years to convince execs. Maybe even some time sipping a few Becks. Not unlike those who hit a career pit-stop. The comeback could take his game to the top.

Initial return on Celebrity Apprentice reset. No regrets having to beset. Helped put him back on the showbiz map. To a new audience that was on tap. Winning did help his business cred. Showing market savvy isn’t dead. To make waves with the competition. Building a niche with staying-power precision.

Sees show as a ‘party with friends.’ Lots of Hollywood pals to no ends. A mix of young talent and deep-money. And a few skits that bring out the funny. Even calling on a few old-time guests. From original cast of faves & bests. Gonna take a minute to come together. Like a ‘party with a purpose’ in any weather.

Tip: Upping your game is making a comeback by using your passion as a niche with market-savvy precision.

Talkback: What will Aresenio have to do to hang with the ‘big boys’ or even separate from the pack?

Making the Case for a Full-Court Press on Jobs Before Disaster Hits

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Theme:– Operation J.U.M.P. For Jobs, Justice & Unsung Dreams

Every so often a major event happens across the country. Recently it’s disasters like the floods in Colorado or fire at the Jersey Shore. Five years ago the fall of Lehman Brothers brought near depression. These were breaking news stories. So how should we make the case for a full-court press on jobs?

The topic is on our minds once a month when the Jobs Report is released. Then after a day or two it slips off the radar. Many experts explain the up or down changes in the jobless rate. There is evidence of those who’re discouraged and given up. But society can be so focused on the have’s we forget the have not’s.

Imagine riding to work and being stuck in traffic? There’s frustration and anxiety about getting there on time. The roadway alert says disabled car ahead. It clears briefly, then another disabled car. The ‘stop & go’ persists because 13 of every 100 cars are disabled on that stretch. That would be like car-maggedon!

Well, that’s happening in our economy. The long-term jobless are like stalled cars in the economy. We see a slight speed-up, closely followed by a slowdown. People are ‘rubbernecking,’ looking for any opportunity happening. After a while many become discouraged and give-up due to market congestion.

Highway patrol responds to stalled vehicles. A service truck arrives to give a ‘jump’ or whatever else is needed. So it is when public officials do the same in response to the long-term jobless. If disabled vehicles are bad for traffic flow then a long-term jobless state is bad for the economy and average Joe.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. is like the jumper cable connecting a charged power source to a drained power resource and bringing unsung dreams back to life.

Personal Reflections on My Dream Journey

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Get-Real Flava)

This post could have been about one of the movers and shakers whose story we love. There’re names like Magic Johnson, Diana Nyad, Tyler Perry or Serena Williams. But every so often we take a break from regular blogging for a little ‘get-real flava.’ This time it’s more personal reflections on my dream journey.

It started after leaving the corporate world as a computer engineer to pursue my entrepreneur’s dream full-time. Things haven’t all been a bed of roses. There’s a mix of highs, lows and everything in between. When you decide to go for your dreams it seems like life stretches you first before turning on the magic.

The list of Top-5 things I’ve learned along my dream journey is crucial.  Humans show up with three traits for making it great. They’re a calling, purpose and passion that help dreams come to fruition. Just know that one can bring pain, one usually brings praise and one brings pure ecstasy with or without the money.

Many achievers I follow on twitter give tips on what to do to make it through. Some say you gotta prepare the dream along with sowing the seeds. You have to work the dream like how a farmer works the soil. After a while you’ll see results that are not always about ‘show me the money.’ It could be about a vision.

While the vision is taking shape you have to fight through fatigue.. that’s rejection fatigue. You will have the testing of your faith. This feels like going through a maze filled with lots of twists and turns. But the plus is that I’ve found out something new and gotten to learn more about what I’m made of at every turn.

You also have to fight through ‘the feeling.’ What feeling? It’s not feeling sick in the stomach or head. It’s more like feeling sick in the gut. Maybe this is where spirit and stomach connect. That’s a place that can guide your next ‘make or break’ move. You just have to let the butterflies in your stomach fly.

The journey has groomed me to be a ‘dreampreneur’ to many including the forgotten and downtrodden. At times I’ve taken the road less traveled up the mountain. It’s been one of reaching new peaks. So, sure hope to see you on the mountaintop when we get there and please excuse the noise if you hear me roar.

Footnote: Thanks to those of you (past, present and future) for following this blog and sharing it with your network or on social media. I appreciate your support and feedback. This has helped me stay afloat in knowing that people like you make dreams come true.

Sal Khan Could Easily Be the Bill Gates of Public Education

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

To be profiled on CBS’ 60 Minutes is a big deal. But for Sal Khan it came across as another day at the office. He’s bringing needed innovation to public education. With the help of a few tools, Khan creates user-friendly subject lessons on the Internet. Sal Khan could easily be the Bill Gates of public education.

It all started as a family service. His relative was having trouble in math, so Khan developed tutorials that she could review online. He later quit his job as a hedge fund analyst to focus on this idea full-time. Tech pioneer Bill Gates is so impressed that he’s pouring lots of money into Khan’s social-capital venture.

Khan’s vision holds lessons beyond the classroom. There’re opportunities for more ‘social-preneurship’ around the country. With so many unmet needs and untapped benefits of reversing joblessness and gun violence in the community, we can move beyond select success to help shake broader urban distress.

Sometimes it takes an outside face (or voice) for starters. Khan says “too many people are forced to learn through a system that doesn’t meet them individually.” Sometimes it takes a shift in the user space. It’s like going from 4-way stop signs to traffic lights. The technology creates greater flow at the intersection.

In a way it takes a sense of calling. Soledad O’Brien shows it in her new role after CNN. Some workplace assignments are meant for the right training. There are others meant for the right following. But many of the social or market challenges today require a sense of calling based on service to the human family.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Getting on CBS 60 Minutes a big deal. A smart, savvy and larger-than-life feel. With a spotlight on Indian-American Sal Khan. Wonder if Bollywood’s in his plan? With help from a team and some tools. Khan creates subject-lesson study pools. Could easily be the Bill Gates of online-ed rules.

Starting on a family path. His kin was having trouble in math. Building Youtube tutorials she could see. Then others began tuning-in for free. Quitting his hedge fund analyst gig. To do something he really did dig. Landing support from Tech pioneer Bill Gates. Pouring in lots of money to fill his plates.

Khan’s vision for the classroom. Might even apply to the boardroom. Where public education so needs a makeover. And Main Street could use a do-over. Social-preneurship as another way to go. With unmet needs and benefits to grow. Ideas for moving past select success. Dealing with broader urban distress.

From outside face (or voice) on the scene. Working with red, yellow & green. Too many learning through a system. That doesn’t meet the student’s rhythm. Making a shift in the user space. Thinking beyond the 9 to 5 rat-race. Like going from 4-way stop to traffic light. Technology speeds-up the flow and flight.

It’s having a sense of calling. That’s what Soledad O’Brien is showing. Some workplace assignments based on training. A matter of applying formal learning. Others meant for the right following. A matter of what it is you’re selling. But social and market challenges today. Need a sense of calling at work and play.

Tip: Upping your game can mean applying formal learning or directing your social following to pursue a greater sense of calling.

Talkback: How did 60 Minutes or Soledad O’Brien’s CNN Special do justice on innovation in education?