Gnuity: Shark Tank meets American Idol

I'm soooo excited to have the chance to pitch our business in 2 days on the first episode of Gnuity! Wish us luck, and may we kick some SaaS!

Mind Viruses (aka Memes) & Mission Statements

Memes are a form of Mind Viruses that infiltrate, replicate and saturate the minds of a large portion of the world's population and has for millennia.  It is a horrific contagion that can and has destroyed individuals, families, communities, nations, organizations of all shapes and sizes as well as our modern day businesses.  So why have so few of you heard of this viral infection of the mind?  You have, but it goes under the guise of negativity, pessimism, intolerance, anger, misdirection, hopelessness, sightlessness, ignorance, and many other synonyms.

This virus makes it's home in our thoughts and has a lethal impact on our actions and ultimately our efficacy as well as our fate.  Because of the epidemic nature of this thought process it begins with us as individuals and impacts all of our spheres within which we operate.  Think of the effect of pessimism on your performance in any facet of life.  Then consider when that pessimism is communicated to another and the effect it has on others and the butterfly effect sets in motion a completely different path that impacts so many.  It's evidence is in the media, Facebook "discussions," the world's economy, the increasing number of divorces, the failing companies crumbling all around us.

I in no means am trying to spark any controversy or call attention to any group.  Judgement of others actions are not mine to be made.  I simply want to spark an inventory and serious introspection of what we allow to penetrate our minds, because that will influence our behavior and how we influence those critical relationships to which we all belong.  Might I suggest that the purpose of living a principle driven life is meant for every individual and unit of society and business of whose culture we are a key component.

The reason why Mind Viruses are so prevalent generally begins at our core and is most effective when the individual and organization don't have what some refer to as Mission, Vision and Value Statements as a shield or foundation.  I would like to take the liberty of melting those together along with credo, mantra and add a little bit of elasticity to the mix.  As that mixes and the essence  and residue of that formula are left behind, I would serve it's serum as a vaccination for Memes.

You see, it is when we as mankind, all sharing a common thread of divinity and similarity have a strong understanding that our missions, visions and the all powerful value of love are the same for each of us and it is when we begin to live accordingly that we begin to progress.  Individually and and groups we need to know what we do, why we do it and how to do it effectively if we are to succeed as individuals or larger structures such as businesses.  These are not just hollow words that are on some family crest or corporate brochure.  These words do not demean nor have intent to divide, rather they are the essence of greatness that fuels our fires and throughout our sojourn of morality, refines us, giving us a sense of joy, accomplishment, and even transforms good companies into great companies. 

I've always summed mine up in the 3 words:  Principles, Execution, Fulfillment  

This is a perhaps a bit boiled down but our statements should be concise and powerful, capturing the true essence of what gets us up in the morning and will be the elaboration of the internalized essence of the unseen energy that burns within, spurring us to high performance and stands as a guardian and protection against all Mind Viruses.

Here are a variety of examples that I have collected.  Individual one's are difficult to compose and will evolve over time, but write them out and make them special and incorporate them into everything that you do so that they have the powerful inspiration of an epic music composition on a daily basis, as opposed to oxidizing in the harsh elements, becoming like tinkering brass cymbals:

Personal Examples

Yolanda E Kruger: My passion is to improve people through coaching interventions by infusing skills and knowledge, by adding inspiration and motivation to their quest to conquer challenges and be their best. 

Steve M Nash:  "I want to be the greatest ME I can possibly BE"  And what this means (to me, anyway) is the following:

  * I rise as high as I possibly can, be as 'BIG' as I possibly can

  * I accept FULL responsibility for the highs and lows of my life

  * I forgive myself (AND others) as often as I can (and forgive myself when I seem        unable to do this!)

  Julie Clark:  pour my heart into life.

Corporate Examples

Nike: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.

Starbucks: To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Chevron: To be the global energy company most admired for its people, partnership, and performance.

Amazon: To be the most customer-centric company in the world, where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online.

Intel: Delight our customers, employees, and shareholders by relentlessly delivering the platform and technology advancements that become essential to the way we work and live.

Ebay: Provide a global trading platform where practically anyone can trade practically anything.

Written By: Timothy James Andrus

At Sea Without A Lighthouse

Once there was a boat making it's way through the ocean.  Navigating the vessel by the stars in the sky, the ships captain was confident in the final destination.  And why not?  They had made it through the harsh swells of the path.  Even worse were the storms that raged and rock the boat, yet this night the captain was filled with a confidence as the shore was nigh.

Alas, there still was an obstacle to overcome.  The unusual darkness that surrounded what should be an illuminated path by the old lighthouse.  However the weary caretaker of the lighthouse had either not received advance notice of the boats arrival, or had neglected to light the torch that reflected and refracted through the night skies above and the abyss below.  

No matter where the fault lie at this moment, the only truth that was apparent was the imminent collision with the rocks straightway from shore.  As the boat was  horrifically destroyed and it's once fine craftsmanship drifted away with it's passengers as the waves were called back to their source, one comforting thought wafted among the mists of the breezy sea.  This is only a story, and didn't happen to me.

While there are many things to learn from this tale, it is most important to learn how to sail!  As you navigate through your businesses and your life, make sure that your sojourn has a lighthouse to guide you to your destination.  To shed light on the treacherous downfalls that can be avoided.  

In my world there are many sources of light...especially for each facet in which I'm engaged, but it all comes back to principles that drive our life that influence our thoughts, decisions and outcomes.  As a business owner, are you guiding your ship in the dark, not having access to the tools to guide you to shore (accurate, timely, meaningful data)?  Personally, are you finding yourself adrift at sea?  Take an inventory of what is at your disposal and what you are crafting today, so when the old keeper of the lighthouse doesn't get the message, or fails in his duties, it won't matter...because you will have a spotlight to guide you successfully to shore.

Spring Cleaning....

                                             

So do you remember the excitement of springtime flowers and the promise of new beginnings?  I never minded the time moving forward and losing an hour of sleep as it was offset by the long fun filled nights that signaled the summer was nigh.

Many of us will participate in the annual spring cleaning and start the summer off clean.  This practice should be one that is not just done to the external part's of our lives, rather we should be seeking to really truly try to clean the inner vessel.  I find it quite sad when people begin to measure themselves by the external and purchase things to put up a facade that creates the illusion that they are in a certain category, but that is the opposite of how we should go about making true change. EGO : edging god out.

Think of a dental crown that got gold painted on and the next porcelains we layer on will determine the outcome of the final look.  Too opaque...too translucent...etc, will ruin this beautiful restoration.  The lesson is that from the inside, true beauty is constructed. All of the layers will reflect and refract the light of what's at the heart.  To circle around and connect the dots for my friends.  Let's look at what we are letting get to our inner vessel and after we focus on that...we will all be dressed in robes of the scarcest vintage.

Written By: Timothy James Andrus

The Amazing Solution for Depression

I want to preface this article by first noting that I am not a licensed medical doctor, nor a trained psychologist, but there is an abundance of research done on the human condition of happiness.  My intent is to spark HOPE when we hit those valleys that so often become a steep mountain to climb.  I won't explicitly say that adversity makes us stronger...(oops I inadvertantly just did by writing it) but when faced with that incline to traverse, it is rare to think "oh goodie, I am getting stronger by getting my teeth kicked in!"

The Doctrine of Happiness has various components to it that I won't expound on due to the length of the discourse that it would require.  Rather, I would like to focus on a portion that resonates within the energy that comprises my soul.  I haven't written a post in quite some time, and this is one of my passions, yet when I feel like the guy in the chair (image above) I lose passion for most of my favorite activities of life.  This is when I do an inventory of my life and begin my medition and introspection, and guess what I found...my answer.

As I've researched, studied and practiced a Principle Driven Life to the best of my ability, I found that one vital component (especially for me) is to be my best self.  This is to be progressing towards goals, dreams, aspirations, etc in the various facets of life.  Progress, getting better, having a target are all things that help to give a sense of purpose, and as long as we are on that path progressing, it is difficult to not find satisfaction.

So go and evaluate what your goals are financially, spiritually, socially, career-wise, physically and with family.  As you paint the target and begin down that path, whether at a snails pace or a sprint, I have no doubt that nothing other that happiness can occupy that space in your heart.

Written By:  Timothy James Andrus
*Thanks for your patience for my posts to begin again!

Zach Sobiech...This Young Man Has Changed the World!

What can I say that this video doesn't? Zach sums up the Principle Driven Life and look at the impact he's having on the world!

What Does A Muddy Faced Pig Have To Do With My Life?

Pigs are notorious for being a filthy animal that enjoys playing in the mud.  I know I liked to roll in the mud when I was a young boy.  Perhaps that's why my mom has more pig statues in her house than pictures of me as they remind her of me as a child?  None of this really answers the question nor speaks to the true principle at the heart of the metaphor.

If a pig can't roll around in mud without getting soiled we too must know that neither can we.  When it comes to life's mud, I am broadly defining this filthy substance as behavior(s) that impede our progress towards high performance and happiness.  Have you ever tried to run in mud?  It certainly slows down the journey!

Engaging in behaviors such as negativity towards others, ourselves or even worse when we engage in such activity in a group setting is playing in the mud.  Laziness, envy, greed, ill-will, etc. are just a few of the ways to play in the mud.  In so by doing, we get muddy and make our sojourn towards our purpose of enhancing our output and increasing our joy and those around us is greatly diminished.

In the stead of mud, we should bathe ourselves in light.  Immerse ourselves in and around those things that strengthen our determination to live a principle driven life.  Good books, great music, practicing gratitude and hard work are some simple ways to keep from rolling in the mud.  

May your week be filled with progress, performance and peacefulness!

Written By:  Timothy James Andrus