Next Read: Do The Work by Steven Pressfield

April 20, 2011 | Author: Michael McFadden

I just finished The War of Art and HIGHLY recommend it.  If you want to create something (art, books, a business, music,  anything) and haven’t then you need to pick it up.  Here’s what Publishers Weekly said about it:

Novelist Steven Pressfield (The Legend of Bagger Vance; Gates of Fire)
goes self-help in The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle.
Dubbing itself a cross between Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War and Julie
Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, Pressfield’s book aims to help readers
“overcome Resistance” so that they may achieve “the unlived life
within.” Whether one wishes to embark on a diet, a program of spiritual
advancement or an entrepreneurial venture, it’s most often resistance
that blocks the way. To kick resistance, Pressfield stresses loving what
one does, having patience and acting in the face of fear.

That sums it up for me too.  Pick it up.  But this post isn’t about what I recommend it’s about what I’m going to pick up next …. Do The Work … Sounds like a great sequel to me.  Can’t wait.  If you dig this stuff like I do then you need to subscribe to The Domino Project.  They are advocates of “Doing the Work” as they actually Do Work.  Learn more at http://www.thedominoproject.com/.

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Denver is 8th in Small Business Vitality

April 11, 2011 | Author: Michael McFadden

Denver finds itself 8th out of 100 large US cities on their ability to create and develop small businesses by The Business Journals.  Denver falls behind Austin, Oklahoma City, Charleston, S.C., Charlotte, Seattle, Tulsa and Raleigh.  Washington and NYC are in the 9th and 10th spots.  I’m not really shocked.  I feel like there is a large percentage of entrepreneurs and small business owners around the neighborhood and city.  According to the article …

“We used a six-part formula to analyze the nation’s 100 largest
metropolitan areas, searching for the places that offer the best
climates for small businesses,” Thomas said. Those criteria include the
rates of growth in population, employment and small business openings.

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TEDx Mile High Session II Highlights

April 7, 2011 | Author: Michael McFadden

A few highlights from session II:

Bernard Amadei gave an assignment: each one has a gift, a mission statement. Write down your mission statement. Feel free to change it but write down your mission statement. The day you write it down and you walk the talk then fasten your seatbelt.

John Hickenlooper gave one inspired action: it’s one thing to be empathetic. But compassion implies action. People figure out a way to get involved with a school.  Find someone to teach to read.  Tutoring can’t be that hard.   Show up once a week.

Eric Berlow (via a TED video) said complex doesn’t always mean complicated.  Step back … Simple answers will emerge.

Robyn O’Brien asked the question, “Since when has food become so dangerous?”   Then she reminded us our country was founded by courageous and creative entrepreneurs.  Lend your talent to help.

Stacey Kramer via another TED video shared her story of cancer and how it was a gift.

Jeff Olson enlightened me about a term Areté.  It’s the excellence inside you … “ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one’s full potential.”

Jeff also gave a great plug for Denver to host the Olympics.  Wouldn’t that be something!

Got to run.  No session III highlights from me.  Gotta jet home and read some kid’s books.

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Social Entrepreneurship | 1 Comment

TEDx Mile High Session I Highlights

April 7, 2011 | Author: Michael McFadden
A few highlights from the first session at Tedx Mile High.

JeremyDuhon defined inspired citizens as individuals that not only have great ideas but act on them.  His plea: take one action.

Sallyaranney asked us “how many of you have thought about your place in history?”

The 77 yr old PaulPolak shared about how to create profitable businesses to serve the poor.  He is doing it here: http://www.paulpolak.com/

Libby shared about why she opened a pay-what-you-want restaurant in Denver. Check out http://www.soallmayeat.org/. It’s Good Food for the Greater Good!  It was a powerful talk.   Her encouragement to us all:
  • Look people in the eye
  • Give with dignity
  • Get involved

A great Colorado musician NRateliff played a few great songs.  Listen to some of his work here:  http://www.myspace.com/nathanielrateliff

It’s been a great first session.  Truly enjoying my first Tedx event.

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Gathering Prayer from the book When Silence Falls

March 27, 2011 | Author: Michael McFadden

My mom just sent this over and I thought I would pass it along.

Gathering Prayer from the book When Silence Falls by Anna Burke

May we see the Light on the hill.

May we hear the Peace in the noise.

May we touch the Hope in the fading light.

May we feel the Sorrow in the earth.

May we hold the Teardrop in the towel.

May we feel the Healing in the pain.

May we drink the Water from the source.

May we give the Pardon to the one who asks.

May we sense the Victory in the failure.

May we seek the Beginning in the last breath.

May we await the Morning in the silence.

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