How To Make Things Right

It’s really hard to figure out a way to make something right.

Before I start with this whole piece, I’m going to say that I’ve made a ton of mistakes in my life. I’m talking about errors and mistakes, intentional or unintentional, that have led to me burning bridges with important people or “people close to me” – in my life.

Definition:

Important people are people I care for, while people close to me are usually the ones who are not necessarily on the top of my “caring” list but have some stake in my life (e.g., co-workers and subsections of different family members).

Let’s continue where we started – it’s really hard to figure out a way to make something right. The idea that you can suddenly say a few words or do a quick action to absolve your sins is something of a magical miracle.

I also want to make it clear that this article is going to be focusing on “making things right” with people you are or once were somehow close with you. As in, these people were never your opponents to begin with… usually people who you trusted as they trusted you as well.

Alright. Let’s begin.

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What To Talk About on A First Date

You’re shaking, anxious, and your bladder is giving you false signals that you have to pee. It’s time for something you’ve been preparing yourself for: the first date with a girl you’ve been talking with for a few days. You meet up, you give her a hug, and now you’re just… staring at each other.

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Meaningful

There is a big difference doing something vs doing something meaningfulThese past two months I’ve been having this recurring thought about the future of my life. Since I graduated, in 2010, I have been mostly working under / for people.

I worked really hard under / for these people and gave them what I thought they needed: customer service to marketing social-media advice to inside sales to political fundraiser to manager of YouTube channels. Regardless, I was there giving a lot of my time and energy to these people and their companies.

In the end, who really benefited from all the work I did for these people?

Them.

I feel that when you work for someone, instead of with someone, you are essentially becoming a paper pusher. Basically, you are not making or creating anything meaningful because you don’t own what you’re making. Unless you’re the original creator, you are replaceable. Let me explain.

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Networking Strategy

Instead of watching pornographic videos online, I’ve decided to be productive and write a blogpost. The initial title of this post was “How To Be Badass at Networking.” However, I’m making up my mind that my blog shouldn’t be a formal how-to SEO marketing article (that more often than not, is designed for beginners).

My blog should be informal, I’m going to write about whatever I want so there is no pressure to think of something pertaining to a specific niche topic. This will allow me to write candidly and with no remorse.

Remember, it’s all about establishing good habits and creating that momentum that is needed to get your projects/goals completed.

Today I want to talk about my networking strategy. I want to make it clear that the word “strategy” shouldn’t connote something negative. I think people can look at it as if I’m only making friends with particular people so I can “use” them. On the contrary, I meet the people in my network because i) I think they’re fascinating & 2) I want them to use ME because it’s kind of cool when you’re needed.

Let’s begin.

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Give Up to Get That & On Time

What are you willing to give up to pursue what you want? I was talking to my girlfriend last night and she had to remind me that I’m unable to get whatever I wanted because that’s how the world worked.

You need to give up something to get something. It’s life.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the “give up something” part and I’m beginning to get a clearer idea of what we need to give up to “get that something.” We need to give up our time. Or, to make this more positive, we need to prioritize our time.

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Classics

I’m in this weird state right now where I’m not really happy nor am I really sad. I’m in a lull. I’m bland. I’m silent? It’s a mood perfect for writing because I’m not trying to say something profound, I’m just here… I’m just typing. My impulses are just telling me to write… something.

What do you think about when you think of the classics? When you go on YouTube, when you look at your movie collection, when you go on Netflix, when you look at your book collection… what do you grab if you’re looking for something classic

Classic: that one particular artwork that makes you repeat every line projected from the character’s voice or make you giggle even though you’ve read that sentence over and over before. Classics.

Here are my classics…

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Throw Content Till It Sticks: Shipping on YouTube

According to Seth Godin, a prolific name in the marketing world, says thatresistance will do whatever it can to slow you down and average you out.”The resistance he is talking about are the outside and internal factors that deter you from completing a project, writing a paper, or in my case (maybe yours) – uploading a YouTube video.

This is a grave issue because resistance can overcome your body and stall you from doing anything. If you let it, resistance will keep you and your goals idle as everyone else passes you by. 

So how do you overcome resistance?

You Ship: Shipping
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What I’m Turning Out To Be – Blah Blah

This is a personal blog so I get to write what I want to write… right? I recently wrote a post about 7 hours ago. The post is about how yesterday was a very shitty viral day for me. Since writing that post I’ve been unable to sleep because I’ve been thinking about the lack of success I’ve had in my life. I’m not talking about the success of normal jobs or making money. I’m merely talking about my own personal goals of accomplishing my dreams: creating art and works that move hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people.

Right now, well for the past few years, I’ve been helping others accomplish these goals for their brand.

Listen, I love(d) my job of building other people’s brands. But I’m selfish and I would like to also do the samel. My goals and dreams coincide with the fact that I’m not seeking attention (maybe a little), I’m rather merely affirmations. Like –

“Good Job! You’re doing great Jonathan, your stories are making me smile, your work motivates me, your art inspires me, what you do is why I get up in the morning…”

It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world to know that you’re changing someone’s life… for the better. In can as simple as a giggle or a grin… the fact is, I’m changing someone’s life. My golden years was from 18 – 21. I felt like I was doing things and putting myself in situations where I was changing lives.

In college (UC Berkeley) I was part of a recruitment and retention center that outreached to under-resourced communities -> we mentored these students (from middle school to community college), we gave them resources, we stayed in touch, and we watched them grow get into college and I’ve seen a few graduate. In addition, I worked 3 nightshift jobs working with people who taught to never take for granted my college education: they were my friends as they understood me as I understood them. They got me. It made sense. Lastly, I was a big part of the school’s student body (I’ll talk about this in later years), I did some great stuff and actually helped a big community on the campus (mainly Physical and Mentally challenged students).

But, as I always say: you’re remember for what you’re doing right now, not what you did. If your past was the best time of your life than you’re not truly doing anything great with your life.

Ages 22+ has been a very sour and horrible thing for my own personal dreams and ambitious. After college I’ve been conditioned to act in a manner that follows “social norms.” This rings true especially in my past job positions – I was “conditioned.” It sucked because I would see the people (bosses) who I worked for do exactly what I wanted to do in public… say what I wanted to say to others… and but when they did it they weren’t scrutinized or critiqued – they were affirmed.

I’m not writing this piece just blame others for my short comings. I’m also very  consonant of the actions I’m currently taking that have put me in a position where I’m in now. A place called, in lack of a better term, failure.

Here are the reasons why I’m failing:
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I’m a Spammer. A Positive Spammer.

A very cool thing happened the other day. I posted my first Vlog on my new YouTube channel and in a couple days it reached about 2,000 views. Now this isn’t nowhere as close to the brands I’ve worked with, but for me, someone who calls himself “non-viral,” it’s pretty good.

How did I get it to 2k? Well, I’m a spammer. I repeat. I’m a spam-spamy-spammer. Hell though – everyone has to start somewhere, right? Let me explain:
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Why I Want to Be Viral

For the past few years I’ve put myself in positions where I was helping brands (people) grow themselves virally… all from the background (backend). Though I am grateful for the experiences and the people I’ve worked with, I’ve grown to the decision that I think it’s time to step into the front lines (it’s not going to be easy).

I’m not stepping in the front lines for fame, I’m doing it for a few different reasons.
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Don’t Worry About Fame. Instead, Worry About Creating a Viral Message.

Today, I feel the people who want to be at the center of attention in the social media world are too fixated on their fame. They’re too busying thinking, “Me. Me. LOOK AT ME!” Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad want because fame is very much needed to be able to be one of the faces in the social media world. However, I do not think “fame” is something you should be worrying about obtaining. Instead, you should be worrying about something else…
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