Linchpin
Awhile back I bought 50 copies of a book called Linchpin and have been giving them to speakers, friends and others as I’m inspired.
I have also been contemplating the best way to release more books and have been toying with the idea of having people write a nugget in the book and passing it along. This would be great, except that I selfishly want to know what people learn, so I thought I would put the “book jacket” online and let people submit there nuggets here.
My key nugget:
Bring my passion to the job!
I am blessed to love what I do for a living, but still don’t always get to choose my “job”. It’s to easy to hide behind sayings like, find what your passionate about and learn to make money doing it. And while I think it’s great to be in this position, it’s easier to bring your passion to the job – it could transform not just you, but those around you.
If I look back at when I’ve done this well, I’ve turned “crap jobs” like scrubbing pots & pans at the local university, into timeless memories. When I’ve done this poorly, the day(s) never seemed to end (“is it 5:00 yet??”).
There’s still discernment needed to know when to get out of toxic cultures and bad situations, but turn on your passion now, don’t wait — it’s likely the ticket to better and better opportunities.
Share your key nugget through the comments, good and bad alike. I look forward to hearing from you…
April 26th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I’m still finishing the book – about 35 pages left… So, everything I say is subject to change…
My favorite nugget (at least right now):
The New American Dream (from page 32-33)
“Do you remember the old American Dream?
It struck a chord with millions of people (in the United State and in the rest of the world, too). Here’s how it goes:
Keep your head down
Follow instructions
Show up on time
Work hard
Suck it up
… You will be rewarded. As we’ve seen, that dream is over.
The new American Dream, though, the one that markets around the world are embracing as fast as they can, is this:
Be remarkable
Be generous
Create art
Make judgement calls
Connect people and ideas
… and we have no choice but to reward you.”
I want to live for the second dream. The dream of becoming remarkable, generous, creating art, connecting people. Not the dream of following rules, sucking it up, towing the line.
I believe as Seth Godin has pointed out, that the American Dream is rapidly being redefined. My freedom, my art, my passion – these things are worth more and more to me every day.
Following this NEW dream has and continues to change my life.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:17 am
great thoughts Eric – thanks for sharing!
April 27th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Just getting started and am hit by the intro regarding being a genius.
“The tragedy is that society (your school, your boss, your government, your family) keeps drumming the genius part out. The problem is that our culture has engaged in a Faustian bargain, in which we trade our genius and artistry for apparent stability.”
If I’ve learned anything in the past couple of years, is that stability isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be when considering what’s on the other side. Sure, don’t be stupid, but stepping into the land of fear is so much more rewarding. To know that you tried that and it didn’t is a lot better than never trying.
I’m looking forward to this conversation Craig. Thanks for your pursuit of creating this dialogue among leaders in the Fort.
April 28th, 2010 at 12:43 am
I’m really excited about the responses (offline) to this conversation as well. Can’t wait to see where the journey takes us!
I’m coming across more and more Linchpins, doing there thing, making the world a better place — Here’s a math “Linchpin”, I could get excited about sitting through his classes.
http://www.wimp.com/mathbooks/
April 28th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Andrew –
Good thoughts about the GENIUS part – That who idea that there is a genius in you is awesome.
I remember reading a book by another CREATIVE GENIUS LINCHPIN guy – Gordon MacKenzie. He wrote a book called “Orbiting The Giant Hairball” – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670879835?ie=UTF8&tag=ehdeco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0670879835
Near the opening of the book, he tells the story of going to elementary schools and doing “art” workshops.
When Gordon walked into Kindergarten classes, he would ask – how many of you here are artists? Of course, every hand would instantly shoot up. They were all Artists and proud of it.
Then, Gordon would walk into third grade classes and ask again – how many of you here are artists? About half the hands would come up.
Finally, he’d do a similar workshop for sixth, seventh, eighth grade classes. Again, he would ask the same question – how many of you here are artists? The results were always the same. Somewhere in the back corner, one hand would slowly creep almost – almost afraid to admit it. Only one student considered herself an artist any more.
So, the question is what happened between Kindergarten and Sixth grade to convince all the students that they were not artists???
I think Seth would have something to say about that….
April 28th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Art was my major, I generally felt the need to justify or “defend” my choice. Well intentioned people would ask, so what are you going to do with that? I internally thought probably shape surf boards and paint out of the back of my VW van, but would create “better, more useful” ways of making a traditional living for them.
On that thought, check out this sand artist:
http://www.wimp.com/sandartist/
Who is he making his art for?
May 4th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
“If you can be human at work (not a machine), you’ll discover a passion for work you didn’t know you had. When work becomes personal, your customers and coworkers are more connected and happier. And that creates even more value.” pg35
This is dead on from my experience. It’s also what a lot of people struggle with because they get this feeling, but can’t get this at their current job. I’ve probably talked to a dozen folks about this tension since I’ve been at NeighborLink. I feel for them because it’s not easy to make happen, but worth pursuing and choosing at the first opportunity.
I think Seth’s thoughts are good, but it’s not always as easy as he kind of makes it sound. I love the “drop everything and make this happen philosophy” and agree, but providing for your family has to factor in. I think he’d agree with that too.
I really think this caption begins breaking down the barriers between work life and home life, and allows you to acknowledge the tension between the two and begin incorporating them.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I enjoyed this conversation even though I have not read the book. And I nearly cried watching the Sand Artist video. Thank you for sharing it Craig. I am an Art Major as well.
We will have coffee soon.