Last year I went to the FooFighters Wasting Light concert and fell in love, well I was already in love with Dave Grohl, but in love with that album. There is a song called Walk and the lyrics go -
“Do you remember the days
We built these paper mountains
And sat and watched them burn?
I think I found my place
Can’t you feel it growing stronger?
Little conquerors
I’m learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I’m learning to talk again
Can’t you see I’ve waited long enough?
Where do I begin?”
Well, I am happy to say that the last two years of concerted effort have finally resulted in having found my place. I am happy to say I have found some balance between what matters to me and what is within my reach to impact. You may recall I don’t do little stuff – I eat elephants – so it took me a while to find a place that I could 1) make a difference, 2) create a satisfying life. Though there has been a lot of startup activity here in NYC – it is not really my space, digital media (ad buys and that sort of stuff). In fact, I even spent time learning about email marketing / ad based web 2.0 model stuff and I just don’t love it. So – not the spot for me. Here, in this new place I can make a meaningful contribution, work with a team of people I can trust, and target a market of people I admire and respect. For the first time in a long time I can am really looking forward to the work…and that is really what satisfies, isn’t it?
The last two years have been spent learning – mostly about lean philosophies and techniques – thought leaders and players – and I continue learning everyday. Last year I was invited to write the curriculum update for Iridescent Learnings’ Technovation Challenge, and when I did something clicked. For those that don’t know – Iridescent Learning has programs to teach girls to code. I participated last year and was so moved, that I have done everything I can to be associated because it was important to me! I found a group that really needs my help! And suddenly I realized that the struggle I had finding relevance in the new work economy is the same trouble many students have as they exit university into a world they are not quite prepared for, often with a “relevance” disconnect with parents who have no idea how to help their kids on the road to success.
That spark found oxygen and has become a warm little fire – now in development and know as Applied Lean™. I am committed to the right care and feeding so that this little fire will grow and illuminate a clear path for the modern entrepreneur. Stay tuned for all that is modern lean!
