Jason Womack

3 Reasons to Get Better

"If I get better, they might give me more!"

It's true that this kind of improvement isn't for everybody. If you're one of the few who is moving further, faster...then pick a reason and move!

1. Get better at what you DO do so that you can move on to other things of equal or greater interest.

2. Get better so that you can spend time with other people who are getting better. Get everyone to push on each other just a little bit more!

3. Get better and look back on what "used" to be a bigger deal. (I love looking back on notes and to-do lists from the past couple of decades to think, "I used to worry about THAT?!?!?"


What about you? Why get better?

TEDx - coming to a small town near you: Ojai

When I think of making the world a better place, I reflect on how much inspiration and joy I have gotten from watching various TED Talks. Since discovering that first one I saw (Ken Robinson) so many years ago, I have made it a point to at least "see" the TED.com website every day. And, then, most days I get to watch one or two talks.

Well, here's the next level of bringing inspiration even closer: The Jason Womack Company is the presenting sponsor of TEDxOjaiWomen. You'll be able to see the website and all the information soon. For now, simply mark your calendar:

TEDxOjaiWomen
December 1st, 2011

Ojai, California at the Movie Theater

There will be live speakers (women who are making the world a better place) as well as simulcast speakers from New York City. Jodi is coordinating all of this, and we'd LOVE for you to be there!

"Jason," he said, "until you ask, the answer is no."

I have a vivid memory of a day spent with my uncle Mike...a day LONG ago when he and I went to the bank to deposit a check. Now, this was back when you still had to stand in line, and actually do all of that stuff with a real person!

At any rate, while we were there, I must have been 12 or 14 years old, he asked me to hold his paperwork. I can't remember what he said the reason was, and looking back I think there was something more at play here. Anyway, there I was, in line, holding the check and a deposit form all filled out with his handwriting, and I looked down. There, the check was all made out, and the number was...

...oh my goodness was the number big! There were SO many digits I remember thinking, "How could one check be for that much money?" We didn't talk about it, but that memory stuck with me.

Another memory I have came years later, when Jodi and I went to Maui to visit with my aunt and uncle when they were living there. We were just about to start another business, and we brought up the ideas to Mike over Maui Margaritas one day. During the conversation, Mike suggested I reach out to my network and get ideas from them (I was writing a white paper, and wanted to make something that was specifically for them.) I asked, "Do you think if I call, they'll make time for me?" His answer was awesome:

"Jason," he said, "until you ask, the answer is no."

Well, I've taken that philosophy to all areas of my life. Even asking the pilot of an American Airlines flight if I could sit on the flight deck and interview him about what it takes to fly a plane!

 

So, what do you need to ask? And, the worse that can happen? They say no...

Thank you, young Mr. Suarez, for showing us what's possible

Early (in London) on a Thursday morning, I gave myself the gift of watching this "less-than-5-minute" TED.com talk by Thomas Suarez. The dude is 12 years old, and his message is clear ... "It is possible."

I think back to what I was doing in 6th grade, and realize that being "this" interested in what was going on around me was just not happenin'. Kinda makes me hopeful for the future! Imagine if we had a few more of these guys around!

 

Getting better, one chapter at a time

Writing every day, it's a great idea when it works! Now, whether or not I should be "blogging" every day, that's another story...

From time to time, I think, "It would be great to have more of the observations I make out there." Well, for those of you who'd like to hear/read what it is that I AM studying and learning, please go get a copy of the book! Today, it was ranked #12 on Amazon.com's "new hot releases list."

Set to ship in just 10 weeks, you can pre-order your copies to share with the team today!

One way to end each day

Every day (up until today, that is) this year, I have written about 100 words in reflection of the day. Then, on the last line of the journal entry, I write down a single word.

My intention is to take enough of a break to think at the macro level. The question, "What one word do I think of, when I think of this day?"

Stay tuned, my plan is to publish all 365 of those as soon as I get done with the year... As long as I keep on writing at the end of each day!