Isn’t it Time We Pick Ourselves?



Image courtesy of:

Michael 1952.

When the teacher asked questions, most of the students raised their hands. The ambitious or popular students were usually chosen first to respond with the answer. This situation took place often, throughout the day. If you were selected and didn’t respond with the correct answer, good luck being picked again, anytime soon .

The subtle message was :

1.   You weren’t popular.

2.   The teacher didn’t trust your judgment.

3.   What you thought didn’t matter.

During the summer before a basketball game, it was common for the two most popular and gifted athletes to choose their teams from a select group. The decision to choose the most gifted athletes would be chosen first, usually followed by choosing the most popular or friends of the person doing the picking. Being one of the last two possible selections indicated you weren’t valued as much and if there was any hesitancy as who to choose it didn’t speak well for either of you. Being the last player selected meant you were “stuck” (no pick for you) on one of the team’s roster.

Being last meant:

1.   You weren’t very good.

2.   You weren’t very popular.

3.   You weren’t really wanted.

The same process appears throughout your career in lieu of promotions, positions, hiring and lay-offs. It’s all part of the same system of the Industrial Age. Instead of recognizing and nurturing individuals strength we follow the same rules rewarding the gifted, popular and our friends, while ignoring the rest. For 100 years, it was the only way to ensure fitting-in, compliance and conformity.

Not anymore.

Picking yourself is all that matters. Artists always pick themselves; they don’t wait for permission, acceptance or a christening. We always felt artists were strange, different or didn’t quite fit-in. Artists aren’t concerned with the status quo, survey results or a spreadsheet, their focus is strictly on their core mission .

It's no coincidence artists are the catalyst of change. The system refers to those people as inventors, however; they were artists first and foremost. Ford, Gates or Edison didn’t form a consensus group, become elected or chosen by anyone. Picasso, Tchaikovsky, Dylan and Symon picked themselves. Some said they were crazy and wasting their time, but their determination to succeed came from within.

 Art touches our lives, inspires movements and forges technology.

As we sit on the cusp of change in the post-industrial revolution- isn’t it time we pick ourselves?

 Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The Future is up to You!

"Every child is born an artist. The trick is to remain an artist."

-Picasso

We’ve spent 100 years schooling our children and selves into becoming a “cog in the wheel” for the system. We created compliance by asking students to memorize a formula of history, math and science. Instead of recognizing the interests of the people- the system set the agenda.

It told us what to wear, how to respond and what to think. The bigger picture enforced the rules, fostering everyone to get-in-line, wait your turn and don’t question authority. It amazes me how many people in the workforce have relinquished their minds, hearts and souls in an effort to fit in. Trained by fear to perform a repetitive duty and to keep your thoughts to yourself in the effort to earn a living or possibly retire with some dignity.

Is it any wonder we have so many cases of depression, so many needs for medication and so little regard for our workforce or fellow man?

I really enjoy talking with people and presenting my case for the reason of why we are at a crossroads for the future. I’ve avoided playing the political arguments intentionally. To me, it’s not as relevant as understanding the concept that we are engaged in and responding to the current social environment.

We are experiencing a giant cultural shift in how we do business. The current format of the Industrial Age is undergoing dramatic change. Change- that is quicker than ever before. Technology advances are enabling us to move faster than a speeding train. There will be a new breed of people like Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates. In fact, due to new technology some of the next inventors are already here.

What does that have to do with me?

If you want to be a part of the shift this is your free ticket. Recognizing you have been a pawn in the game is the key to breaking out and enabling yourself to be competitive. Forming an alliance with others who understand this new direction will provide you with a powerful network capable of embracing change and quickly adjusting. Merely staying put is a guarantee to end-up like the great Buffalo hunt; that followed the leader over the cliff.

Which would you rather be?

If you can’t jump ship at least realize you’ve been bamboozled. The current ride isn’t going to improve until you change your own thinking. It’s a long ride to the bottom of the sea. Do we really want to go there?

 I hope not, we’ve wasted enough time, energy and health in subscribing to a life with diminishing outcomes. Even the so-called recession was a result of the early stages of Industrial restructuring. The “big” stores, factories and other organizations are slowly dying. Jobs that exist today will be gone in 15-25 years and the “traditional” education will be replaced.

So perhaps one of my biggest challenges is to attempt to stay ahead of the curve and hope people will open their minds, despite a life-long indoctrination into compliance, fitting in and being average. Forget the gold watch, retirement party and focus on a more likely scenario:

The future is up to you and better yet; it doesn’t require permission because- you’ve been given a free ticket. Now go make something interesting and creative. It’s your art, your destiny and legacy to do something meaningful!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

What if…..

 

What if we gave you the tools to change the world?

What if you suddenly realized you have the ability and permission to do the impossible?

What If we could cure disease, prevent wars and feed the hungry?

We can.

Today, we have the tool- the Internet.

We possess the most powerful resource known to modern man.

It’s time we do something serious and life-changing.

It’s your chance to leave a legacy, find your destiny and opportunity to do-

Something meaningful that really matters!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

A New Paper in Town?

Recently, I came up with the idea of niche marketing The Rust Belt Chronicles. Sometimes success isn't about something new. It can be achieved by tweaking a common idea and staying ahead of the curve. Doing something better at the right time, place and cost.

Perhaps, I could turn The Rust Belt Chronicles into a free local news magazine and challenge the status quo or I could just continue my current blog format.

Part of my reasoning is due to the lack of offering of in-depth local news coverage of stuff that matters, including investigative reporting. I’ve observed the reduction of articles within our local paper to the point of charging for online viewing while offering less substantial local coverage with additional regional network “filler” stories. It wouldn’t be unrealistic to see our newspaper reduce production to fewer days a week, much like The Cleveland Plain Dealer has proposed.

Today, we live in a society with the so many options to choose from and most of the “breaking news” is instant. No need to wait for tomorrow’s newspaper delivery. Those days are long gone.

While the newspaper industry has shrunk considerably Internet sources have exploded. The masses aren’t dependent on a local newspaper delivery system. Few care enough to subscribe. So the solution may is to change the way we do business.

Given those circumstances my idea morphed into an entirely different style of newspaper. A free magazine/journal that consists of only the best local stories: heart-warming stories, investigative stories, articles that give the local public the “inside” skinny including: court proceedings, fines, divorce proceedings, building permits, titles/transfers, events and obituaries. Editorials and blogs would be included. The rest of the detail is short and pithy.

No need to go into details on sports or weather. Those interested in what the Cleveland Indians did last night already follow their favorite sources for details. If I am travelling to Nashville or planning a cook-out tomorrow my best source of weather advice isn’t going to be the local paper.

If you can’t offer a superior story why bother when other sources specialize in that media? It’s just added noise in a crowded arena. Why charge for substance that is mostly open source news anyway?

I had a couple of hurdles to overcome to make this project a reality.

Would advertisers respond by supporting a local news magazine contingent on reporting un-biased news contribute if The Rust Belt Chronicles didn’t cater to the “Good Ole Boy’s Club” in Mansfield, Ohio? I believe so.

 I am not interested in their deep pockets, power or position. Our ability to change from becoming the new “Rust Belt Capital of the World” is dependent on new leaders, thinkers and businesses to replace the selfless promotion of the few who continue to line their pockets while we deteriorate from within.

The deciding factor on whether to attempt this project is based on one factor:

Does the local public care enough to follow a free news magazine with a goal to turn this town around?  

Years ago, we manufactured great products for people that cared about quality. As time passed and choices increased fewer people cared about quality. Once manufacturers recognized the people didn’t care about quality, the standard became mediocre products in mass for people who didn’t care.

So, does a local news magazine produced by those who care interest you?

**********Write me or comment- I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Should We Follow the Leader?

One of the common problems here in the Rust Belt is the lack of leadership. Perhaps it’s due to living in a “small town” mentality or because so few good paying jobs exist. Ducking the obvious questions and failing to recognize problems seems to be fashionable. When a leader allows position, money, or status to interfere with “doing the right thing” we have a bigger problem.

News Media

Years ago, news reporters built their reputation by asking the hard questions, un-covering stories and following leads. Now it’s about the advertisement revenue and in most cases- nothing else matters. Reporters used to take risks, a voice of reason and hold society accountable. Locally, all we are left with is a liberal newspaper seeking social media approval, being ever so careful not to hurt advertiser’s feelings.  

This lowers the bar for everyone.

Corporate Management

Corporate management is so concerned to move up the ladder or protect their positions, problems don’t exist. The only real problem is when they are able to avoid the leak. So, generally the problem is the person who reports the bad news. The plan to shutdown the point of question invariably becomes the point of attack.

Whatever happened to- Don’t shoot the messenger?

--Again, the bar is lowered and the outcome is a message of everything’s roses.

Hardly!

Stay in Line-Follow the Sheep

The saddest fact is young people witness these acts of poor leadership techniques and believe it is acceptable or the norm. The public believes everything is fine. Monkey see, Monkey do.

Eventually, a large part of society has been so blinded, so mislead that it fails to recognize right from wrong. The message sent is nothing matters except money, greed and position. Everything is fine, just sit back and let us run the ship.

That little ice-burg we just hit was nothing. Keep dancing. After all, we are the Titanic!

Just the Facts

Far better to question authority, use a fact checker or follow-up the situation yourself. Push the powers to be to ask the right questions and hold those responsible for answers. Never settle for- “No” or “I’ll get back with you.”

Settling for the norm ensures mediocrity or worse. Relying on someone else to have your best interests at heart is a mistake. It’s only their own agenda that matters to them.

If you are unable to get results going up the chain of command- stop contributing to the product, find a new job or remove yourself from the situation., Writing helps, because in today’s social media rage articles get noticed quickly and most businesses hate bad publicity. Sometimes, it’s the last source to seek change.

Encouraging integrity from our leaders  raises the bar of accountability, reduces the need for transparency and encourages truth.

By seeking purposeful questions we will hold those accountable for meaningful answers!

Anything less is lip service.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Change is Coming!



Photo credit: Joel Washing.

 

In less than Sixty years we have witnessed an unbelievable amount of change.

Just to name a few technological advances:

·        78 RPM (monograph) records to MP3's.

·        Mono record players to- iPods.

·        Antennas receiving 3 television channels to digital cable with hundreds of stations to view.

·        Picture tube television sets to HD TV.

·        Television stations to Internet TV.

·        Rotary phone (one neighborhood shares one phone line) to cell phones.

·        Radio station programs to Podcasts.

·        Transistor radios to satellite radio.

·        Dark room photography developing to instant digital photos.

·        Drive-in theaters to home theaters.
Encyclopedias to Wikipedia.

·        Personal movies to YouTube.

·        Joining organizations to social networking via Twitter and Facebook.

·        Shopping centers to online shopping.

·        Books to eBooks.

·        Hand delivered mail to email.

·        Typewriters to keyboards with a brain.

·        Researching information at libraries to searching instantly using Google.

I could go on..............

Can you imagine today's society sharing one phone line? Luckily, technology has advanced with a method to communicate, not just a means of accomplishing the feat. Would you wait in a line to use one computer at your business or school? The technology would have died.

The advancement in communications enables us to perform tasks at any particular moment quickly, and practically for free, 24 hours a day. All it takes is an account, a connection, and time.

Look at the amount of change in the way marketing and business operate. Being employed as an encyclopedia salesman, owning a typewriter store or working within a record company wouldn't have been a wise career choice. Many people employed in those markets never saw change coming. Like it or not, change is constant, undeniable, and certain.

Is your business doing things the same old way? Are you operating as if it's business as usual?

 Is your vision directed down the road ahead of you or in the rear-view mirror?
If so lookout- change is coming!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The Recipe for Failure and the Path to Success!

Some businesses become so distracted by committees, meetings and the “push” of their immediate attention, the vital questions are no longer asked. It’s assumed all resources or possible processes are in place. Nothing could be further from the truth. The larger the organization the easier it becomes to fall into this mindset.

Poor leadership with little accountability from the senior management is the tip of the iceberg. The incompetence flows down to middle management and the lack of proper assessment continues. When the culture of a business is in a state of flux or change, fear becomes the only thing that matters.

Consequently, the organization is spending unnecessary funds, cutting services or budgets to compensate.  The focus on the results never leads to the correct question to improve the situation. Wash, rinse, repeat.

The denial continues because of fear. Nobody wants to be “that guy or gal” and risk their job by taking charge of making decisions or pointing out the real issues. It becomes solely about survival.  

The Recipe for Failure

·        It’s far easier for middle management to blame upper management and vice versa.

·        It’s far easier to spend time putting out fires, than to seek the source.

·        It’s far easier to rubber stamp everything instead of the risk of stepping on someone’s toes.

·        It’s far easier to assume all of our ducks are in line.

·        It’s far easier to operate by fear, instead of leadership.

·        It’s far easier to tackle problems we believe we can resolve, instead of the real issues.

·        It’s far easier to attend a “generic how to seminar” or hire a company who wants to tell you what you want to hear in order to achieve re-occurring business.

The Path to Success

 

Management and employees need to have the ability to offer suggestions and ask “why?” When the sub-culture of an organization is based on fear the costs are staggering. The manifestation of a larger problem exists when the culture of a business isn’t in-sync with the organizational goals.

I am now offering consultation advice services for businesses that want to turn their situation into a successful business strategy. Let me assist you in discovering the recipe for success. It doesn’t cost a small fortune and the only requirement is to have an open mind and willingness to change the internal dynamics of your business.

Don’t allow fear to permeate throughout your organization. The first step of any successful philosophy is admitting a problem exists. I have the ability to discover and develop a structured plan to resolve what is keeping your company from “doing something meaningful.” 

I won’t tell you what you want to hear. I will address the action needed to turn your organization into a winner. Together, we can map a plan of success for your business!

Please contact me, if I can be of assistance to your organization, business, or non-profit. Thank you!

jimcarver55@hotmail.com

 Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Consultant, Author and someone who cares about:
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Start your own Revolution

Corporations have an obligation to their customers and employees. Once the objective becomes the core process without considering both entities the result can be a deluge of reckless abandon with adverse public reaction.

Businesses who fail to support those under their own umbrella lose credibility. Banking on the short term memories of everyone involved and expecting to save face isn’t a smart idea in today’s era of social media presence. The long-term results can be catastrophic financially in terms of clients and the lost of trust by the public.

Sometimes, it’s better to lose a few arguments than to be perceived as greedy.



Matt and Katie Fisher

Matt Fisher simply blogged about the treatment of a claim with Progressive Insurance and their reported stance in trial proceedings in regard to Nationwide Insurance and the defendant involving his sister, Katie  and her tragic death in 2010.

The story went viral throughout social media.

The insurance had the prior opportunity to correct their stance and save the reputation of their brand. Simply paying $75,000.00 would have been much cheaper than dealing with the fallout. Trust is why we purchase insurance to provide a source of security in case of accidents, dismemberment and death.

Trust is the heart of any business.

As much as the publicity hurt Progressive, can you imagine the buzz if a competing insurance company with no financial ties wrote a $75,000.00 check to Matt Fisher? The amount of trust and positive marketing would speak volumes for a competitor’s ethics, morals and sales.

In today’s viral universe, it could’ve easily happened.

Three days after Matt Fisher posted the blog (which was also blogged by Seth Godin) Progressive Insurance announced a decision to reach a settlement for “tens of thousands of more dollars.”

We now have the ability to change the world through the use of social media. Permission, money or lawyers are no longer required. A voice resonating of honor, reason and right has given us power which was never before available to us, no matter where we are located. That voice is social media.

Start your own revolution today!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

When to Quit?

It’s tough when you cannot be creative. Feeling like a dog at the end of its leash; waiting for the owner to pull you back into your limited territory. After a short while you begin to wonder what the point is. Why bother?

The ride along the scenic route isn’t enjoyable if you must wear binders. Criticism is hard to swallow if you are unable to taste success. You reach a point where you feel the hammer before the hit. Years of allowing people to exert their power on you takes its toll emotionally and physically.

Those repetitive scenarios eventually remove self esteem, like a lamb to the slaughter. Technically the process becomes mechanically void of any human emotional reward.

Allowing oneself to be manipulated, controlled,  and bullied is a complete waste of precious time. Guaranteed misery is the only path if you choose to repeat the same steps. A transitional movement is the logical step towards moving to a safer environment. That process requires time and sometimes time isn’t our friend.

Sometimes, quitting what you are doing is the only sensible option.

Quitting is not comfortable, easy, or popular.

We were taught winners never quit.

The truth is- winners know when to quit.

The “wisdom to know the difference” is all that is necessary.

It is only then- you will be able to achieve something that really matters!



I highly recommend- Quitter: Closing The Gap Between Your Day Job & Dream Job written by best-selling author Jon Acuff. Jon was a serial quitter shuffling through eight jobs in eight years. At one point, Jon held a full-time job and travelled the country speaking, often changing clothes in the airport on the way back to his “other” job. Jon obtained his “dream job” when he was hired as a member of the Dave Ramsey team.

If you’re leading two lives between working two jobs or want to find out how to transition to your dream job, order a copy of this book. Jon has solid advice on how to achieve your goal and do what you love to do.  It may be the difference between stress and success!

PS. Don’t miss out on the Quitter Conference  with Jon Acuff - September 20^th and 21^st at The Financial Peace Conference Center in Brentwood, TN.

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies for purchased products. I only recommend products, brands, charities and businesses that I strongly support. Thank you.

Until We Meet Again,

 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”

Something Meaningful that Matters!

www.successthroughmusic.com