Gavin Baker

TED talks are one of my favorite things in this world.  I love learning and their vast library of interesting speakers helps fill the void that is my curiosity.  They always teach me something new and and the talk of Ben Saunders and his challenge to get to the North Pole is no different.

Just about every video brings a challenge.  This challenge statement I pulled from this video wasn’t about dreaming big goals (although you can find that here) or about the struggle of leadership (certainly captures it) what I pulled was what is the dream that motivates you (starts at 3:15).

Not the conceptual dream to change the world, which I certainly have, but the dream that plays in your head like a video.  That mental file that you reach for when you need inspiration when times get tough.  This is the video that is how you visualize your accomplishment happening (it may be reality or not) – it could belike  Saunders and a video of him holding up a ski pole with a Union Jack flapping in the wind, or for the lacrosse team I coach it’s a video of the clock running down in the state championship with the scoreboard smiling in our favor as our team rushes the field with a bit of “We are the champions” playing in the background.

But when I think about that video that motivates me it’s pretty simple.  It’s not of cars or houses, not of offices or interviews.  There isn’t any music playing, but it zooms in from a black screen to a shot of me standing in the front of group of people, maybe a classroom, maybe a conference but standing and sharing to a group of people what I’ve learned in my success.  It’s a short clip, maybe 15 seconds, but it is what gets me excited to create and excite to excel.  I want to have the street cred to teach on the lessons I’ve learned in business and to help others gain the success they envision.

What does your video play like?  Please share it in the comments.

First some thoughts on SoCon07. SoCon07 was my first unconference, and I had a good time. It wasn’t quite what I expected and at I definitely thought it would have been a bit more laid back then it was. Some points were certainly more conference i.e. lecture then unconference but overall it was worth the visit. I was also able to benefit from the discussion in the two “breakout” sessions I attended. One with Josh Hallett of Hyku, and the second with Robert French of Marcom. Much props out to those who were integral in the development and orchestration of the SoCon, it went well.

Thought of the day.

I recently heard an ad on the radio, you know one of those “dead” mediums. The ad basically said, “if you don’t get a receipt at the pump and to get it you have to come inside, we’ll buy you a free drink of your choice. Because convenience is part of our name.”

Now I think this is a brilliant idea. We’ve all been there, at the gas station we’re in a hurry to get someplace, and after we pay at the pump, we get a message that says “Receipt Inside” Which makes me annoyed because who wants to go inside and get your receipt after you’ve already paid outside. Such great strategy as well. I’ve never heard of an offer like this before, which makes it unique in the gas/convenience market. Not that a free drink defers the inconvenience of having to go inside and get my receipt but at least it let’s me enjoy a crisp Dr.Pepper while I drive away.
Sweet link of the day courtesy of Olivier Blanchard at the brand builder blog. [His blog is one of my daily reads.] He links to IdeaList which I have bookmarked for further viewing. Check it out.  Have a great day.