Being unemployed, I was poking around on the Internet and found this video from the Dean of Pixar University, Randy Nelson. For those of you unfamiliar with Pixar University, it is an on going employee training program at Pixar. If your asking yourself why on earth does a company with such high hiring standards finds it necessary to train individuals that are clearly already at the top of their profession then the answer resides in how Pixar believes it needs to change the way they do business.
“We’ve made the leap from an idea-centered business to a people-centered business. Instead of developing ideas, we develop people. Instead of investing in ideas, we invest in people. We’re trying to create a culture of learning, filled with lifelong learners. It’s no trick for talented people to be interesting, but it’s a gift to be interested. We want an organization filled with interested people.” - Randy Nelson
When you think about it, this is why Pixar excels the way they do. In the same way that Google offers it’s employee’s free time during work to pursue side projects, Pixar is also investing in its work force. I feel like I could describe this all with one word, passion. It’s Pixar’s passion to promote the most creative and educated atmosphere possible that allows them to make such amazing films. It’s passion that drives creativity.
On the introspective side of things, I think passion is what drives me. If forced to describe myself in as few words as possible, passionate would almost undoubtedly be the first word I would use. Ask yourself right now, what are you passionate about? Next, how do your passions align with what you do for a living? Tell me below in the comments. There are few advantages to being unemployed but of the few it is the chance to reevaluate priorities. One of the people I feel really talks about this well is Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary is a pretty successful person and probably gets asked all the time how he did it. What most don’t understand is that Gary, like Pixar and myself, believes in pursuing your passions. My passion is to be a great designer, listen to great music, and to do big things. Things I haven’t even thought of yet. I can just only hope that one day, preferably soon, I will be fortunate enough to work in an environment that fosters such creativity and growth. So, hey Pixar! Are you listening? You should hire me.
This was so good I had to share it. Seriously worth all eight minutes. You know it’s true if I spent longer then that to post it here. Credit goes to Daniel Burka for sharing this.
I know that my blog has been rather silent as of late. Life changes and new technology have put my interest more in micro-blogging. I have always wanted to have a personal feel and connection with my readers. As such, I felt compelled to blog frequently which in turn created poor content and less desire on my part to continue blogging. I have thought about removing my blog from my site or possibly converting it to a tumble blog. Unfortunately, I have been to lazy and/or don’t want to be reliant on a hosted service as my “main blog.” I am, however, active on twitter. I will likely integrate a twitter update to the site soon but until then you can fallow me here.
A note about twitter, its new technologies like this that change things in big way. The idea of micro-blogging is not new but twitter was very timely with its feature set in a way that has allowed it to just exploded. It’s mobile, flexible, and extensible. If you want to be heard with the hottest technology on the internet right now, Twitter is where it is at. These types of paradigm shifts are fun to watch. On that note, check out this great use of the twitter API called, Twitterfall. It alows you to see, in real time, what trends are spreading across twitter. In short, it’s fascinating.
Moving on, in my on going effort to become more employable I have been updating my site. Most notably is my portfolio. I have added new projects and reorganized things quite a bit. But there have been other changes through out the site. I updated the blogs design to better match the rest of the site and such. In all, small things but its all adding up to make a noticeable difference. If you haven’t already, check out my portfolio and keep a close eye on it as I continue to update at least until I get a job again. I want to get some motion graphics experience so expect so see some after effects work popping up in the near future.
I recently updated to WordPress 2.7 - Coltrane. Yes, you read that right. WordPress is going jazzy. The automatic updated did its job flawlessly and I again can not speak highly enough about this WordPress plug-in which apparently is now integrated into Coltrane. Design wise, Coltrane is a big update for WordPress. They changed the back-end design in some big ways. It’s new and I’m adapting but it is very different with a much larger focus on dashboard flexablity and functionality. This has been something they have been working towards for quite some time. Here is a little video talking about some of Coltrane’s new features and design.
Lastly, I thought I would leave you with this video. Check it out if for no other reason then for the closing one liner. Oh and for my special lady who finds this, I love you.
So I am trying out the iPhone WordPress app and I have to say it’s pretty nice. I can’t imagine writing an entire entry on here but it’s decent enough for live updates and such. It’s ability to post pictures and manage multiple blogs is rather convienent. It is, however, lacking a spell check as I am sure you are well aware of by now. Overall, it’s usefull, free, and will like result in an encrease in my blogging habbits.
Wow… can I just say WOW. I have been using wordpress for ages and upgrading has ALWAYS been annoying and nerv racking. Well now ladies and gents, it really is easy as pie. If you haven’t already seen this I suggest you give it a look as it is amazing. Anywho… its amazing.
“It must be ice,” said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson. “These little clumps completely disappearing over the course of a few days, that is perfect evidence that it’s ice. There had been some question whether the bright material was salt. Salt can’t do that.”
This song comes from The Album Leaf’s, In A Safe Place LP. Every song on this album is probably worthy of mention in its own right but this one stands out. It’s full of beautiful melody and melodic crescendo. Enjoy…
These songs come from an album that is really better listened to as a whole. As such I threw in my two favorites. I really suggest you check this one out a little further because this is really just a snippet of Anathallo’s true amazingness. They are also on tour right now to boot.
Anberlin has a good three LP’s under their built as well as an decent B-Side compilation. During that time they have made some very solid music and today’s song of the day is no different. Off of their last LP, Cities, Anberlin’s A Whisper & A Clamour is everything you would expect from a refined energetic studio recording from a band of their caliber. Let me know what you think in the poll below and enjoy…
Burke Shartsis
What formate should I use for the Song of the Day?
Here is a song from the very under rated band Steel Train. The first song off of their album Twilight Tales From the Prairies of the Sun titled Better Love is a fun and relaxing jam sure to put a smile on your face.
Also please let me know what you think in the poll below. You have the power to shape what Song of the Day becomes so speak up!
Burke Shartsis
What formate should I use for the Song of the Day?
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