In 1932 a carpenter in the small town of Billlund, Denmark created a toy company of small blocks that children could play with.
The company name was LEGO.
Just about everyone loves LEGOs. My nephews are currently 4 and 2 and they love these little bricks of creative goodness. Over Christmas my parents and my wife Sarah and I got Xander-- the 4-year-old-- the same LEGO set. We got him the same stinkin' toy. Same box. Everything.
He didn't care.
He just wanted to build.
Whether it's sandcastles, playdough, boxes in the closet, constructs (remember those?) or LEGOS, children have this almost compulsive need to build.
For a while I looked at my nephews with a jealous nostalgia. "Those kids are so lucky," I'd say. "They get to play with LEGOS." And my wife will buy me LEGOS every now and then.
But then I realized that when it comes to building, getting older actually makes it better.
We used to only be able to play with little plastic bricks. But as adults we have more resources and opportunity to build.
We used to be able to only make little LEGO cars. But now I have friends who design concept cars for Honda. We used to only be able to build castles in the sand. But now we get to build cities. We used to lead only the stuffed animals or action figures on the living room floor, but today-- if we choose-- we get to lead people into a better future.
The older we get the more we get to really build.
Which made me wonder: what am I building? What thing(s) am I giving my time and energy? What does it mean to live a life that builds well?
Incidentally, the word "LEGO" comes from the Danish phrase "leg godt."
It means "to play well." The latin means "to put things together."
May that be true of our lives as well.
May we put things together. May we play well. May we build.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Create Change.
Creating change in the world sounds so intimidating, doesn't it?
I mean, where do we start? The problems are so big.
Sometimes because we don't know where to start we never start at all. Sometimes the problem seems so big that we decide to not tackle it.
Granted, this doesn't stop people with genuine courage. But it might stop you sometimes and it certainly has stopped me more times than I'd like to admit.
So here is a 3-step process to get you going in the right direction. Each step is more complicated than it sounds, but this offers a kind of big-picture outline for how things-- almost anything-- gets started.
1. Model what you really are about.
This is the sincerity-o-meter. Before you call anyone to anything you've got to live it yourself. The blood has got to be on your sleeve before others will bleed with you. Take a cue from Ghandi and start volunteering before you ask others to.
2. Invite them into your modeling lifestyle.
Anything worth doing can't be done alone. Especially if you care about making real change rather than just clocking in and having "doing good" on your to-do list. Once you own it, invite others in. What you're doing is important-- it's worth people giving up an hour, or two hours or money or whatever.
3. Challenge them to challenge others.
This is the last step that most people forget and is also the step leaders jump to too quickly. This is where you challenge the people who come with you who are now-- because of you-- modeling themselves something worth giving their lives to-- to bring their friends along side them.
Step one is self-leadership, step two is others-leadership, and step 3 is cultural leadership. It can be you, then one friend and then 5 of you together doing stuff. Or it can be you, then 10 friends and then 100. Or it can be you, then 50 and then 500.
Either way, you have to ask yourself: how much potential do I have to create positive change in the world? It's not about whether you're as talented as so-and-so, it's about what you are capable of creating. What is the size of the wake you are capable of?
It's probably bigger than you think.
So Model. Invite. Challenge.
I mean, where do we start? The problems are so big.
Sometimes because we don't know where to start we never start at all. Sometimes the problem seems so big that we decide to not tackle it.
Granted, this doesn't stop people with genuine courage. But it might stop you sometimes and it certainly has stopped me more times than I'd like to admit.
So here is a 3-step process to get you going in the right direction. Each step is more complicated than it sounds, but this offers a kind of big-picture outline for how things-- almost anything-- gets started.
1. Model what you really are about.
This is the sincerity-o-meter. Before you call anyone to anything you've got to live it yourself. The blood has got to be on your sleeve before others will bleed with you. Take a cue from Ghandi and start volunteering before you ask others to.
2. Invite them into your modeling lifestyle.
Anything worth doing can't be done alone. Especially if you care about making real change rather than just clocking in and having "doing good" on your to-do list. Once you own it, invite others in. What you're doing is important-- it's worth people giving up an hour, or two hours or money or whatever.
3. Challenge them to challenge others.
This is the last step that most people forget and is also the step leaders jump to too quickly. This is where you challenge the people who come with you who are now-- because of you-- modeling themselves something worth giving their lives to-- to bring their friends along side them.
Step one is self-leadership, step two is others-leadership, and step 3 is cultural leadership. It can be you, then one friend and then 5 of you together doing stuff. Or it can be you, then 10 friends and then 100. Or it can be you, then 50 and then 500.
Either way, you have to ask yourself: how much potential do I have to create positive change in the world? It's not about whether you're as talented as so-and-so, it's about what you are capable of creating. What is the size of the wake you are capable of?
It's probably bigger than you think.
So Model. Invite. Challenge.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Passion. Skills. Opportunity.
I love it when things are simple.
Of course, things are hardly ever simple.
Yet this has been helpful for me: passion, skills and opportunity. These are the three things you need to grow in your life. These are three tools you can use to help others.
Ever feel like you're burning out? 90% of the time it's not fatigue or busyness that's the problem. It's your passion. You've lost sight of why what you're doing is really, really important.
Ever feel like what you're doing is not working? Before you blame everyone else, probably what you need are better skills.
Ever feel bored? Or maybe frustrated that you can't do more? What you're missing is opportunity. You either need to work it out with the powers that be or start creating new opportunities for yourself.
On the flip side, this applies to leading others as well.
If we help people cultivate passion and give them opportunity but we don't help them develop their skills, their impact will be small and they'll be discouraged.
If we help people develop skills and give them opportunity but ignore their passion, they'll burn out and stop caring.
If we give them passion and develop their skills but don't give them opportunity to stretch their wings, they'll get frustrated and eventually leave.
So what do you need? What about the people you lead?
Do they need more passion? Do they need to see why what they're doing is important?
Do they need better skills? Do they need practical, tangible ways to move forward?
Do they need opportunity? Do they need stretching tasks or projects that really challenge them to become who they want to be?
Of course, things are hardly ever simple.
Yet this has been helpful for me: passion, skills and opportunity. These are the three things you need to grow in your life. These are three tools you can use to help others.
Ever feel like you're burning out? 90% of the time it's not fatigue or busyness that's the problem. It's your passion. You've lost sight of why what you're doing is really, really important.
Ever feel like what you're doing is not working? Before you blame everyone else, probably what you need are better skills.
Ever feel bored? Or maybe frustrated that you can't do more? What you're missing is opportunity. You either need to work it out with the powers that be or start creating new opportunities for yourself.
On the flip side, this applies to leading others as well.
If we help people cultivate passion and give them opportunity but we don't help them develop their skills, their impact will be small and they'll be discouraged.
If we help people develop skills and give them opportunity but ignore their passion, they'll burn out and stop caring.
If we give them passion and develop their skills but don't give them opportunity to stretch their wings, they'll get frustrated and eventually leave.
So what do you need? What about the people you lead?
Do they need more passion? Do they need to see why what they're doing is important?
Do they need better skills? Do they need practical, tangible ways to move forward?
Do they need opportunity? Do they need stretching tasks or projects that really challenge them to become who they want to be?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
What to do when you can't.
Have you ever felt that way? In a relationship or a job or a task or project? It's definitely not the way we wanted it so we concluded that it will never be the way we want it.
About an hour later it struck me. I said to my friend, "You mentioned earlier that your project will never be what you want it to be..."
He knew where I was going before I even finished. He's brilliant like that.
So he finished my thought, "Yeah, I think what I meant was that I don't know how to make it what I want it to be."
Exactly.
How many times do I turn the phrase "I don't know how" into "I can't"?
"I can't" is so much easier. It's so final. It absolves us of all responsibility. After all-- if you can't do it why should you be expected to?
"I don't know how" on the other hand hints at possibility. "I don't know how" means that you can ask someone else. It means you might be able to learn. It means there could be brighter days.
For my friend, surely there were people he could ask who are wiser than he or have done what he wants to accomplish. Surely there's a solution to his problem. Surely there are solutions to my problems, too.
So what are the "I cant's" or "It won'ts" in your life? What if we re-examined those "cant's" and started asking "What if I could but I just don't know how yet?" What could that do for our jobs, family, or community?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Top 10 Films of 2009
I am addicted to these lists.
So I thought I'd add my own.
Disclosure: I haven't seen all the films of 2009 that I'd like to. Most notably: Hurt Locker, Pirate Radio, Julia and Julia and a few others. But I've seen most of what I've wanted to see. So here it is-- my personal favorite films from the past 365 days.
10. It Might Get Loud
This little gem gets as close as you're going to get into three of the best guitarists in the world's minds about their craft. Beautifully done and completely inspiring if you have a musicians inclination or a love of music.
9. Duplicity
Totally overshadowed by a much worse Clive Owen film "The International" -- this poorly marketed and subversively funny film takes two rival toiletry companies and imagines them with intelligence budgets that rival the U.S. Government. Actually, it's not that hard to imagine.
8. Invictus
I am falling deeper in love with Clint Eastwood as a director. His methodical story telling style might drive some crazy...but the subtle greatness that plays out during the course of this film is worth reflecting on and Clint paints the picture beautifully.
7. Sherlock Holmes
What I'm calling the (hopefully) Indiana Jones for our generation. Shia Lebouf isn't going to be him. Brendan Frasier tried to be with "The Mummy" franchise. And with all it's flaws, Sherlock Holmes is still a clever period piece that rips through it's story in a way only Guy Richie can.
6. Inglorious Basterds
Not for the vengeance stuff (I never like vengeance movies) but for the way Quinton knows how to hold you in suspense with simple set pieces and dialogue that slowly winds its way down the plot like a lazy river...that eventually drops into a amazon waterfall of drama.
5. Funny People
This movie touched me with Adam Sandler's lonely artist surrounded by nothing but stale success. The fact that they told the story and made me laugh out loud at the same time makes it one of my favorites of the year.
4. (500) Days of Summer
Best romantic comedy of the year. Sure, it was shamelessly marketed to hipsters. But a choreographed dance sequence the morning after a great night-- complete with animated birds-- has got to make you feel good. And feelin' good makes my day.
3. A Serious Man
I can't stop thinking about this movie. It is hauntingly original. It starts with a yiddish folk tale and ends with...well...it's the Coen brother's commentary on the book of Job. I loved it.
2. The Hangover
Not only is this the funniest movie of the year, it also was a pretty good "who dunnit?" film that was artfully remixed as a "what happened?" film. You didn't always know where the story was taking you...(not that you cared)...but that it actually took you someplace was totally satisfying.
1. Up In The Air
I totally loved this movie. So does the Golden Globes. So will the Academy. Go see it tonight. It won't necessarily make you feel good (I mean, I felt good...but I've heard other people didn't)...but it will make you reflect-- something increasingly rare these days.
So I thought I'd add my own.
Disclosure: I haven't seen all the films of 2009 that I'd like to. Most notably: Hurt Locker, Pirate Radio, Julia and Julia and a few others. But I've seen most of what I've wanted to see. So here it is-- my personal favorite films from the past 365 days.
10. It Might Get Loud
This little gem gets as close as you're going to get into three of the best guitarists in the world's minds about their craft. Beautifully done and completely inspiring if you have a musicians inclination or a love of music.
9. Duplicity
Totally overshadowed by a much worse Clive Owen film "The International" -- this poorly marketed and subversively funny film takes two rival toiletry companies and imagines them with intelligence budgets that rival the U.S. Government. Actually, it's not that hard to imagine.
8. Invictus
I am falling deeper in love with Clint Eastwood as a director. His methodical story telling style might drive some crazy...but the subtle greatness that plays out during the course of this film is worth reflecting on and Clint paints the picture beautifully.
7. Sherlock Holmes
What I'm calling the (hopefully) Indiana Jones for our generation. Shia Lebouf isn't going to be him. Brendan Frasier tried to be with "The Mummy" franchise. And with all it's flaws, Sherlock Holmes is still a clever period piece that rips through it's story in a way only Guy Richie can.
6. Inglorious Basterds
Not for the vengeance stuff (I never like vengeance movies) but for the way Quinton knows how to hold you in suspense with simple set pieces and dialogue that slowly winds its way down the plot like a lazy river...that eventually drops into a amazon waterfall of drama.
5. Funny People
This movie touched me with Adam Sandler's lonely artist surrounded by nothing but stale success. The fact that they told the story and made me laugh out loud at the same time makes it one of my favorites of the year.
4. (500) Days of Summer
Best romantic comedy of the year. Sure, it was shamelessly marketed to hipsters. But a choreographed dance sequence the morning after a great night-- complete with animated birds-- has got to make you feel good. And feelin' good makes my day.
3. A Serious Man
I can't stop thinking about this movie. It is hauntingly original. It starts with a yiddish folk tale and ends with...well...it's the Coen brother's commentary on the book of Job. I loved it.
2. The Hangover
Not only is this the funniest movie of the year, it also was a pretty good "who dunnit?" film that was artfully remixed as a "what happened?" film. You didn't always know where the story was taking you...(not that you cared)...but that it actually took you someplace was totally satisfying.
1. Up In The Air
I totally loved this movie. So does the Golden Globes. So will the Academy. Go see it tonight. It won't necessarily make you feel good (I mean, I felt good...but I've heard other people didn't)...but it will make you reflect-- something increasingly rare these days.
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