Google Art Project

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the Google Art Project. 

Really cool.


GoogleArtProject.com

Beyond the glass front door

Why do we often stop when we see a barrier right in front of us, regardless of professional or personal nature? 

I just encountered this story and have to share it with others.   Pete Echert encountered a serious challenge, life changing in fact.   But he paused, found multiple bumps, several of which were enough for an average person to give up, and continued on.   Please watch this inspirational video about perseverance, photography, and blindness.


Pete's story - video

Pete's own web page

Melisma, Oversouling and Musical Destruction

Have vocal musicians gone well over the top too far in their performances?

Already so much as been said about the unfortunate situation of Christina Aguilera's rendition and lyric mistakes of the National Anthem at the Superbowl last weekend.   However, there is another side of the discussion that goes a little deeper.   A Huffington Post article talks about "melisma" -- the singing of a single syllable of a word, while at the same time moving all around the musical scale of various notes.  The article also utilizes the expression "oversouling".  My spouse has little tolerance for it, and usually references it to screaming, not singing.  While I have a full appreciation for vocalists to express the extensiveness of their talents and ranges, I tend to agree.   What happened to just expressing the natural qualities of the tune itself, i.e., the allure of the natural artistry and elegance as it originated?


Huffington Post Article

Wikipedia definition of Melisma

Linchpin book review

Yes Seth did it again. He wrote another remarkable book. I finished it a few weeks ago and am now reviewing my notes.

A book review cannot provide full justice to his writings. This is a book that must be read individually. Seth digs down deep and hits the nerve of what keeps many people from success. I strongly suspect each open-minded reader will walk away with motivation to improve upon their skills. While a few people may be strong headed and disagree with some of Seth's observations, Seth does a great job of identifying why there is a lack of valued linchpins in business today.

Seth says that a linchpin is a person who is indispensable to an organization. That is, he is a person who cannot be replaced. He points his finger at us with a challenge to be one. He is passionate about us finding our passion.

Here are just some of my own take-aways.

1. Linchpins do not work in a vacuum

2. Today's business strives for environments of PERLs (Percentages of Easily Replaceable Labors) in order to meet today's models of financial success

3. Average is over

4. Mediocrity and its Obedience is stifling everyone

5. Not My Job -- should be dead

6. (True) Leadership is a critical skill that is often overlooked

7. Knowledge is not enough

8. Who to please --- current assessments are often incorrect !! (a major discovery reviewing my own past)

9. Challenge current processes !

10. Be flexible, and then be more flexible

11. Build and demonstrate your passion / live your passion

12. Move past resistance! Resistance is the big killer, not only with ourselves, but with others !!

13. Acknowledge discomfort and uncomfortable-ness --- and then move past them.

There is so much more in this book. Please find time to read it.