Seth Godin – The Coalition of No

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It’s easy to join.

There are a million reasons to say no, but few reasons to stand up and say yes.

No requires just one objection, one defensible reason to avoid change. No has many allies–anyone who fears the future or stands to benefit from the status quo. And no is easy to say, because you actually don’t even need a reason.

No is an easy way to grab power, because with yes comes responsibility, but no is the easy way to block action, to exert the privilege of your position to slow things down.

No comes from fear and greed and, most of all, a shortage of openness and attention. You don’t have to pay attention or do the math or role play the outcomes in order to join the coalition that would rather things stay as they are (because they’ve chosen not to do the hard work of imagining how they might be).

And yet the coalition of No keeps losing. We live in a world of yes, where possibility and innovation and the willingness to care often triumph over the masses that would rather it all just quieted down and went back to normal.

Yes is the new normal. And just in time.

Steve Jobs – Hell Froze Over

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A nice little recap of the generation I was so fortunate to have grown up in. Thanks for sharing the wealth of knowledge in the biography of your life Steve Jobs. If you haven't read Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs... I suggest you try it out. But since I don't read, plan a gigantic road trip and listen to it like I did.

Steve Jobs (Unabridged) - Walter Isaacson Walter Isaacson – Steve Jobs (Unabridged)

Hugh MacLeod — Phone Call

“They say talk is cheap, but based on usage, most folks must think texting is cheaper…

Truth is we live in a world dominated by mobile phones – there are actually more phones than there are people in the U.S. – yet we barely speak to each other anymore.

Our phones have become everything but a device to speak into (unless you’re one of the iPhoners who talk to Siri).

Phone or no phone, we should talk more, don’t you think?”

What more can I say – Genius.

Shane McConkey Trailer

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“He’s the most bad ass person on the face of the earth.”
-Travis Pastrana

Looking forward to seeing this RedBull release in 2013. The more I learn about Shane McConkey the crazier and nicer this guy seems to be. To hold you off until the movie is released… party out with some G.N.A.R or this ridiculous recap from last years Pain McShlonkey Classic.

I Love Awesomeness

[McConkeyMovie.com]
[ShaneMcConkey.org]

I Love Awesomeness — Overcoming Fears

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This I Love Awesomeness moment comes from Ryan Johnson – Thanks for the share.

4th grader to 4th grader, I’m pretty sure Kelly Sildaru could run circles around this future ski jumper – but competition isn’t what overcoming your fears is about. Personal competition with yourself… now that’s more like it.

What is the latest fear you personally have overcome?

HYDLE + BODYLAB — Begin

Life Reset Button – PUSH

18 years ago I quit gymnastics. Now that my gymnastics body has undoubtably worn off – It’s time to get back into shape and get my ass kicked a little.

Thanks to Matt D’Amico down at Body Lab – he has a program for this.

3 Month BodyLab Adventure Begin!

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

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“Audi’s first big motor sport program in 1981 was based on the quattro permanent four-wheel drive. After numerous championship wins and the banning of four-wheel drive in FIA circuit-based racing series for the 1998 season, a model from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm with four driven wheels now returns to the race tracks — the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.”

Time to play hybrid at Le Mans this year – Go team.

Manuel De Los Santos

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Social Networking does work... how else would I have noticed that Boyd Easley watched this video, and then posted it for me to find.

“Manuel de los Santos is one of sport’s most inspirational figures. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, he played baseball from a young age and by 2003 was planning to turn professional. But a motorcycle accident changed his life forever when he lost his left leg above the knee.”

Excited for some golf season to be rolling around. It was 65 in Golden today, going to be the same tomorrow. Time to hit the range.

Hugh MacLeod – Our Potential

“What determines who we are? Is it that we settle? What is good enough? Do we find happiness? How do all of these things shape who we are?

Our “potential” is infinite. As endless as the cosmos. We are endowed with the power, ability and opportunity.

What gets in the way of our potential? Lack of drive? Lack of interest? Distractions? More likely: Not knowing what you really want.

More than ever, we live in a world where on a personal level, nearly anything is possible. We ARE the sum total of our choices, and these choices should lead us to happiness. I’ve always thought that a key to happiness is aligning what you want with what you are willing to do to get it.

We’re not talking morality, we are talking your appetite for 16 hour work days, travel, ass-kissing, office politics, screaming kids, etc. If you can live in that sweet spot of doing and getting what you want, you are living your potential.

And, your potential is all about being happy.

God Bless.”

Are you happy?

Hugh MacLeod – Be Spontaneous

“Spontaneity is one of life’s great joys. It is a way of breaking out of a daily routine that can seem like drudgery.

It is a way of being playful, bringing joy and embracing possibility. It is one of the gifts that free will offers.

Try it today. Turn right on the way home, instead of left. Do something, anything, that you haven’t tried before.

See how a little thing can make a big difference to your quality of life.
Some people have turned complaining into a science. We see that some cultures have a greater propensity to complain. Coffee’s too hot, food’s too cold, boss is a jerk, Starbucks double half caf mocha frapaccino wasn’t quite frappy enough?

We all know people who do it. It validates. It lets people vent, but is it the right thing to do? In my experience, complainers are generally hard to be around. Their complaints usually fill the narrative gaps of what they feel are flaws in their own lives.

After all, why be successful when you can sit around and complain about everyone else who is?”

100 thousand million percent agree.

Rock on!
Hydle

HYDLE + Godin – Happy Leap Day

While playing in Winter Park with Mom for Leap Year – I came across a nice little email from Seth Godin while relaxing by the fire.

“Leap year meditation

Once in four years, just once, perhaps we could:

Forgive, forget, relax, care, stand out, speak up, contribute, embrace, create, make a ruckus, give credit, skip, smile, speak truth and refuse to compromise–more than we usually do. Pick just one or two and start there.

Hey, it’s just one day.

Careful, though, it might become a habit.”

Thank you for the inspiration you provided us throughout the rest of the day Seth. We had already accomplished most of your meditation techniques… just needed to focus on a little skipping!

Rock on!
Greg Hydle

[Seth Godin's Post]