Tuesday, November 16, 2010

"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."

What book has had the greatest impact on your life philosophy?

As I put More Than Money down, having finished reading it, pondering my life choices past, present, and future I am left with this question: is there a piece of literature that has affected the way that I feel about the world? Oddly enough, and without thinking, I realize that I do have such a book. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (no really!) has taught me a great many things. My favorite lesson equates to the two words that are printed in a most friendly manner on the back cover, “Don’t Panic.” With all of the travelling I have done, I was able to identify with this book’s story: the plight of the poor Arthur Dent, the quick wit of Ford Prefect, and the many zany characters in which they encounter reducing the galaxy down to a most silly scale. Despite all the loss, there is discovery, not of the meaning of life, which consequently is 42, but that of the journey and the humanoids that consequently accompanies you for it. There is the discovery of love, friendship, and consequence culminating in a friendly lunch at the end of the universe.
This is my life philosophy compacted down into a tiny nutshell if I had to pick one. In a world where nothing else matters but my ability to see it and live it along with my trusty travel towel and hitchhiker’s guide, there is no better way.

"This planet has — or rather had — a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much all of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movement of small green pieces of paper, which was odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy."

-Douglas Adams

Monday, November 8, 2010

Here and Now vs. There and Later

What would your ideal work community look like?

My ideal workplace would be somewhere that I feel comfortable working freely with dedicated and talented people towards a common goal. This grand place would be somewhere that I could grow as a person and as a businessman perpetuating my personal and professional goals as I am able. This would truly be an ideal place that I could call “work.”

How does the concept of Ubuntu apply to your career and your destiny plan? Give details of three specific instances.

“I am because we are.”
I read this phrase and think I can understand it. Even thinking basically considering this saying, business for me is the study of exchange between people. Providing some service or product from one to another is the basic concept that I am talking about. From this perspective, I cannot fathom a world any other way. As business people, we facilitate this exchange through negotiation and relationships identifying needs and trends in order to maneuver a positive outcome for everyone involved in the transaction.

I believe that without this form of thinking, viewing consumers as cattle or merchants as product pushers, we lose sight of the true purpose of what we are here to be doing. That purpose, of course, is creating a better situation for everyone including the consumer, who needs or wants something, and the merchant who has the resources to provide for that emptiness.

As Taddy Blecher said, “It’s not by looking only after yourself that you work for the good of everybody. It’s by looking after everybody that you ultimately create the basis of wealth for yourself.” By creating positive relationships and community, our study of exchange can evolve through these established networks. This idea combining concepts such as globalization and economies of scale is the first step towards incorporating the world into something more than it is through business but one where goods and services are merely the byproduct of these relationships that enrich us all.

My goals for my career are lofty, proud, and complex. I want to be able to travel and learn about the world through culture and tradition while exploring and observing everything around me. I want to be able to solve problems and troubleshoot conflict in order to create positive outcomes that benefit people. It is through these broad goals that I hope to guide myself through my career and develop meaningful relations along the way. This is how I perceive Ubuntu and its application not only in the “here and now” but also in “there and later.”

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Work Focused

Reflect on your daily conversations, primarily at work. What values and life perspectives do they reflect? Are you more of a consumer or citizen?

I don’t usually have conversations at work that reflect anything other than the work at hand. My perspective and my values can be better interpreted through my actions at work in handling sensitive situations and solving problems. I like to think that those events allow me to be more of a citizen than a consumer utilizing my own experiences to benefit the employees and the company.

How do you think about and measure your impact?

As in the book, I would rather choose to have and develop a deeper connection with fewer people than spreading my message too thin over too many people. I like to think that my interactions with the employees at work and my classmates here at school have been meaningful and through those relations, everyone will benefit in the future.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Surprises? Yes, please.

Along your destiny path, what are the things you can control and the things you can’t? How will you deal with what you can’t control?

If there is anything that I have learned, there is nothing that I can definitely always control except for one thing. That one item of control would be my response to whatever challenges come my way. I enjoy thinking on the fly and solving problems as they arise because the world is unpredictable and thinking one can control anything else is just thinking.
My best weapon for dealing with the uncontrollable is my flexibility. I like to think that unforeseen things are around every corner along my destiny path. Between my current position and that of the future and my goals lays a minefield of variables. It then becomes my responsibility to associate the most accurate coefficients accordingly to arrive closest to what will allow me to achieve my goals and the future that will provide me with the most happiness.

Are you living a deferred life plan? Explain. / Does Kenny Moore’s “holy indifference” apply to you or not? Explain your answer. What can you learn from Moore’s perspective?

I chose to answer both of these questions together because I feel that they are connected for me. I don’t think that I’m living a deferred life plan but at the same time I think that I’m not living according to any one life plan either. Yes, I am currently in a graduate program to earn an even higher degree but my motivation for doing so is more because I enjoy learning and advancing my knowledge in the field of business. I chose this field because it is so broad. Everything has an aspect of business: every science, product, service, venture, project, or basic exchange contains elements of business where my education and interest can play a role. So really, I’m just playing life by ear taking the opportunities I’m given and even trying to make my own when I really want to.
To follow up, I like to live life. I’ve said this before and you’ll read it again. I love life. “Holy indifference” applies to me in a loose sense of the phrase. In the process of living, I have faced risk. In fact, I have had near death experiences and I do feel that those times have broadened my perspective in regards to life and time and what I’m doing with them. As far as Moore’s perspective, there is everything to learn from it. It applies across the board because it a valuable lesson in time and how fleeting it can be. Also, it’s a different perspective than my own so there is always that element to learn from, from the views of someone who has been places that I have not, seen things, heard things, and lived where I have not. These experiences are not lost on me and I like to think that I appreciate them wholeheartedly.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Building Boxes and Stepping Outside Them

What do you see as your biggest strengths? How do they support your passion and future success?

My strengths are varied and I find that that helps me the most. I like to look at a situation from varying perceptions in order to fully understand and evaluate the current conditions. Problem solving is something that I derive pleasure from. It’s something that provides a sense of accomplishment after meeting a challenge. This was one of the main principles involved when I decided to try for my MBA. I wanted a better understanding of the business persuasion in order to fully “see” problems as they were occurring or solutions as quickly as possible in a given business. This element will define my future success depending on the connections I make and my passions that drives me.

How can you turn your values into value? How do your values make you more valuable to your company?

My values and what I cherish in life as far as principles and standards encourage me to live the way that I want to live. Aligning those facets of my life with a company or cause is going to naturally be a challenge but one I know is worth it due to my resistance to compromising those ideals. In order to transform these values into value, I think that they help define who I am in character providing myself with a tenacity and drive that sets me apart, if only a little. My value added is what I can bring to the table for a company be it looking for innovative new methods or reaffirming strategies that are tried and true. I like to think outside of the box while also maintaining strong ties to those elements of a company that create the “box,” for how else am I supposed to gauge those boundaries?

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Opportunity Cost of More Money

What are you willing to give up to make more money?

I think that this question would be better if worded, “What are you willing to prioritize over money?” I like to think that I would hold dear my family, friends, and self in most cases before money. Defining “within reason” becomes the real question. What is the price of all of these people and experiences? I don’t think that a price can be put on merely one event. It’s when that one event turns into a pattern that illustrates what will be sacrificed for an amount of money.
I’d like to think that opportunity in any sense is okay to take advantage of and that my opportunity costs personally aren’t too high. It’s when those costs become completely sunk that a line has been crossed. Determining “within reason” is a constant battle with compromise and need as opposed to want.


How might you shrink the demands of your career yet have more impact?

I think that there was once an economist who said specialization is the way. In this context, focusing on a narrow path of specialization for a career intensifies the gratification that is received. Being completely spread out has always been a fear of mine. To look at a week and wonder why I had to be at three opposite points in the state for whatever reason boggles my mind. Being spread too thin and not being able to perform my tasks appropriately because of it is the worst scenario for me.
To shrink these demands on my career would probably be pretty easy given the time to think about it. Could I hire someone at minimum wage to run misc. errands while my time is spent elsewhere? Or I could outsource several aspects of what I do focusing on just a few things. Impact becomes the real question though. It all depends.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Livin' the Good Life

Is your H greater than your W? Explain how you measure each.

My H is greater than my W for several reasons. Concerning my “haves,” I have a wealth of family and friends. I have worked hard in my life so have had the means to obtain physical goods and possessions if I so chose to. I have also been able to travel most places that I’ve wanted to go. I have goals that I strive for. I have good health.
My “wants” come in rather low. I don’t require much if anything at all. I never know what to tell people when that question comes up for birthdays or holiday. I have managed to obtain a level of satisfaction at a relatively young age. I worry more about my “needs”. Helping my family and friends, maintaining my home, paying the bills, buying food, etc. are the things I want to take care of. My responsibilities that I’ve grown to maintain and value are what I care for.

What does your “good life” score tell you?

Measuring the good life - 24
Service to the community - 6
Service to the dollar - 5
Service to the family - 7
Service to the soul or self - 6
I place these numbers here because I think I am living the good life. I volunteer and work with several NGOs. I make a decent wage as well. My family is important to me and me to them. We talk frequently and I see them often. I always try to find the time, if not make it, for my family and friends. My meditations concerning myself occur often. I enjoy my time alone to ponder the ebb and flow of life. This time is most precious to me and I cherish it for the views on life and how I live it that have been provided.

Monday, September 27, 2010

My Wandering Voice

When do you feel authentic? Who are your voices of judgment? What do they say and how do you deal with them?

I feel authentic most times. My little voice ends up being what I usually say. There is no filter. There is no thought process. My social commentary is my authenticity coming to surface. It also acts as my voice of judgment. I don't need to outsource the judgment of my actions or those of others, which already occurs in abundance in-house. My voices of judgment are my own. If I have to question my own actions or thoughts, I take that as the first sign that something is amiss.

Without your current job or family, who are you? Think as broadly as possible about your definition.

I am a man on a mission. Well, in all honesty, without family or job, I am a man with few ties to this world with very little purpose. Without them, I am merely a wanderer travelling from here to there on a whim most likely in search of those things I lack. What else is there but to experience what the world has to offer? That is who I am, a constant student observing the world while also being a part of it.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Lego's Are Always the Answer

What are you passionate about?

To start, I feel that a brief definition is in order for “passion” specifically.

“Passion (from Latin verb patior meaning to suffer or to endure) is an emotion applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something. The term is also often applied to a lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity or love. Passion can be expressed as a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion towards a subject, idea, person, or object. A person is said to have a passion for something when he has a strong positive affinity for it. A love for something and a passion for something are often used synonymously.”

I am passionate, believe it or not, about a great many things. I love to travel, as I have said before. I love order and chaos and even that extra special little mix in the middle. I love to live my life. I love to be witty, or at least try. I am passionate about a great many things. Where this passion comes from is the most important thing for me. I learned at a very young age that “time waits for no one,” as my grandmother used to say. Time is that unforgiving element that defines us all in a web of past, present, and future. A couple of other various clichés that I was provided with growing up have morphed me into me. “It is what it is” has always allowed me to live in the present and prepare for the future. I am passionate, sure, but that passion stems from not only me but many others who have been there for me in good times and bad to share their own lives and struggles, victories and defeats.

What did you love to do when you were around 11 or 12?

I loved Lego’s. I loved to follow my “blueprints” and create visually stunning projects of pure block goodness. I loved throwing bricks together to create random vehicles and buildings just as much. Building with color patterns and architectural style was fun for me.

This led to my interest in architecture throughout high school and my participation in drafting competitions and eventual application to Cal Poly to major in it. Obviously I did not follow through with that. I do still build Lego’s though. Grand cities of multi-level glory stand tall in areas of prominence in my house.

Who are your heroes? Why?

Well my heroes are an interesting bunch, that’s for sure. My first choice would have to be my dad not because he worked so hard or because he set a great example, well he did, but for the attitude that he instilled in me. Growing up in the shadow of such an attitude provided that I welcome the world and its challenges and have a good time working and playing in it.

Outside of your family, what is it that you do that gives you joy?

Joy is a vague emotion. Lego’s give me joy. Sushi always makes me smile. I absolutely love to ski. Standing in a soundless snowfall reflecting brings me joy also. In my opinion, joy can be found from any situation. Why squander opportunities of differing perspective with anything but joy?

Monday, September 6, 2010

Safety and Risk, Money and Happiness


1.       Which career path is more in line with your thinking: (1) make some money first and then focus more on what you are passionate about, or (2) focus more on what you are passionate about right away? What are the risks and rewards of each?
Both paths are unfortunately.  Passion, like everything, comes in varying degrees. With moderation of time, money, and responsibility, a person could work making money while also setting resources aside for what they truly care about. Personally, I would never want to be entirely immersed inside a passion for then, the passion would fade. I fear being jaded by my passions to the point of no appreciation. What point would life have if this happened? In my mind, to truly experience the good, one must truly survive the bad. A passion should be a privilege worked for.
If one had to be chosen, I would rather be passionate right away. Life is too short and fickle to say otherwise.
Both options are accompanied by risk and reward. Determining those really just depends though. It all depends on the job, the passion, the situation at hand, and hundreds of other things. Simply, making money pays the bills despite the grind and being passionate pays in happiness; the heart or the wallet is truly the dilemma. Barely scraping by and living comfortably miserable are the risks and the rewards of both situations.
2.       What do you see as a “safe” job choice and as a “risky” job choice? Why?
From the standpoint of Mark Albion, jobs that afford a gracious paycheck and little happiness are safe. In my opinion, a safe job is one simply the easiest one in terms of effort, security, and immediate need. This job provides the money for sustenance, provides that daily grind that must be done.
A risky job choice is one this involves true risk. Loss must be part of the equation for there to be risk.  Losses of money, face, or pride are just some examples of the dues to be paid. Risky jobs are meant to be self challenges for survival or for ones pursuit of passion.
3.       What do or did you expect to get out of business school? Did the experience meet your expectations?
My expectations of what business school will give back to me are limited at the moment. In other words I think that they are ever-growing depending on the amount of energy that I put into business school. I want to be able to leave UOP with an MBA to utilize as a tool to further my entrepreneurial enterprises. I want another perspective to help me create in the world and to further succeed in my endeavors.
4.       What is the purpose of business?
Business stands as the process by which people interact with each other and the environment to provide goods and services to each other that are either needed or wanted to further improve lives and the conditions that form around them.