Me, we.
2009-02-26
My favorite movies are the ones where the humble main character realizes how powerful they really are, then accepts that responsibility for the greater good, even though it would be easier to keep denying it. See the ending of Spirited Away, The Godfather I, or The Matrix. (Any others like that?)
I had that moment myself, yesterday.
For the last two years, I've been avoiding all responsibility. I gave away everything. Sold my house, car, and company. Roamed around the world with only a little backpack. Lots of learning, reading, thinking, and writing, but not a lot of doing.
I posted all of my projects at sivers.org, but was in no rush to make them happen.
When people asked what I do, I'd say, “Not much.” (When Seth Godin heard me say this, he said one should never spread ennui. That hit me.)
Then yesterday, as I was writing about ideas, I mentioned something I've always known would be incredibly powerful, but was just denying the responsibility to make it happen.
I always say “whatever scares you, go do it”, so here we go...
I've started an incubator company called Now Now Now, where I develop each of my ideas for services that can benefit musicians, and:
- set the plan, direction, and goals
- fund it and own it
- hire people to build and manage it
- then just oversee it and guide it.
This is a HUGE challenge to me: To resist the temptation to do everything myself. To be a great leader of an entire team of people that's dedicated to helping musicians. To really use and learn the lessons from some great books on business leadership:
I've always known that doing things this way would be infinitely more powerful than casually doing everything myself. I just didn't want the reponsibility. Now I do.
More news about this, soon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Imagine for a second what if Bach had been scared of what people would think about his compositions?
1) Just watched "When We Were Kings" in which Muhammad Ali unleashes his poem: "Me... We!"
2) The theme you observed in The Matrix etc is a very common one in human mythology ... to the point where you could almost say "it's what we think about" ... even though most of us don't know it or get it most of the time ... see Joseph Campbell's "The Hero With 1000 Faces" (if you haven't already)!
Congratulations, Derek!
All the best.
Peter
Creating is the most exciting thing in the world. And it's more about the process than the actual creation. Creation is what keeps the world spinning. In times when fear and doubt are spread, creation and the energy involved is a light in the dark.
Yeay! This is seriously great! I think you will be excellent as the 'Great Leader of (Wo)Men' and much good is to come of this.
Totally with you on this and fully excited to make things happen.
I had a teacher once tell me, "I study Aristotle. And Aristotle says that Actuality is always superior to Potentiality."
Congratulations on your progression from "potential energy" to "kinetic energy!" You will do well - I have faith. You seem to motivite and inspire...Best of luck to you!
Josh: Interesting Artistotle quote, but I think it's backwards, right?
Potential is capacity, and actuality is its fulfillment.
Actuality can't be more than potential, by definition, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiality_and_actuality_(Aristotle)
Actually, congratulations to us.
Us, because it's the rest of us that are going to benefit the most from what you're doing, Derek.
I also thought your use of the word 'just' in the fourth bullet point was telling...
So this is Seattle based? Looking forward to hearing more about it.
Hi Derek. Congrats on starting your incubator company, and best of luck!
Karen
What an incredible blog. Thank you for writing this, Derek. For being honest, authentic, and, as always, inspirational.
The time you took off was time of growth... preparation for the next phase.
There was/is no time better than now.
To your continued success,
Luna
Wow, Derek.
Between what you shared in this post and the last one, I am very moved. It is inspiring to watch your process of self-discovery unfold.
It sounds as if you needed to do "nothing much" for a while to get your bearings and are now being called to take the next step (or, more accurately, the next quantum leap) on an evolving journey.
It is cool to be able to witness your progress and I look forward to serving many musicians with you in whatever capacity ends up clicking.
Joshua
Derek:
Thanks for your inspiration! This incubator idea sounds like a good thing. I agree with Luna about your two years of not doing much -- kind of like a sabbatical....and maybe you needed it to get this new idea going with the right timing. I'll look forward to following your progress.
Derek Derek Derek
Super jazzed about your recent revelation. . .congratulations! I often feel the same way (the avoiding responsibility part ;-).
You're/we're definitely too powerful not to be.
Food for thought for your new endeavor (different industry; same objective):
http://ycombinator.com/
http://www.techstars.org/
http://www.idealab.com/
Wow Wow Wow
J
Interesting to see how a really productive creative process knows no boundaries (music, business, etc). Learning to step away and really use the talent around you is outrageously hard; can't wait to see what me/we comes up with.
Great Stuff. The break from responsibility is important, as is the willingness to pick back up. Congrats on being open about this process, and on picking back up.
I like how you say "just" as in "then just oversee it and guide it".
Best of luck, and we're all here to participate, pick-up with you, and watch your amazing adventure.
Breather's are good to rekindle passion and new directions. This is a compelling idea. Let me know how I sign up. Best, Spencer
Good Luck Derek. As an indie musician I look forward to hearing more about your services and concepts. Im going to create my list now of "whatever scares you, go do it".
Seth Godin (I love that he chimed in at #9!) does have a good point about spreading ennui, but I'm still a fan of the incubation process - when creative people take time out to just live, and fill the well.
Derek, you had the unique opportunity to follow your Muse, and be on extended "input" mode. This is necessary for every creative individual, and you were long overdue. It's highly doubtful that you'd suddenly become a couch potato and eat Cheetos all day. You've had some fun, and now you're ready for the next challenge. Awesome.
Elizabeth Gilbert wrote Eat, Pray, Love after taking an extended journey of the world, and herself. And look at how gorgeous her story unfolded when she returned to work!
Human beings are like rubber bands - we can stretch to expand, but it's also good to have the inner journey and just "chillax". Now you'll be that more refreshed to throw yourself back into the game.
There is a time and place for everything under the sun. Can't wait to see what you do next!
Congrats on picking a great time to start a business things are looking up more and more. Seriously. To answer your question about wandering... Not all who wander are Lost. And at least you hadn't watched TV for 2 years. You know what you want to do... but it looks like a lot of work. Scary. Worth it--yes. And not just for the profit, though that's nice.
Congrats.
It's like thinking about adopting a kid(s), and doing it.
Believe me, it's a lot of work, but it's worth it.
And believe me, it's easier than adopting the kids, that's 24/7 -- the job, as you know, the struggle is with you, with your boundaries, etc.
Might I recommend a book, as I see you like to read.
It sounds like you got burnt out, had a walk about, and want to start again, but want to do it different.
If you've not read these they will help you be successful, with a difference from the last round.
Peace/Shalom/Success without the Rushing around?
Love the feedback and suggestions, hope this helps.
Boundaries, by Cloud and Townsend
or
Margin, by Swenson
http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/B001AN8BAC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235854517&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Margin-Restoring-Emotional-Financial-Overloaded/dp/1576836827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235854584&sr=1-1
Oh, and as for doing what scares you.
Not always true.
Took the kid and the assistance dog in training to climb a light house.
Seriously.
The dog got higher in the tower than the child did.
But I had to step back and say why am I asking them to overcome something I was fearful of at that age?
My ego, my sense of mastery? Or would working with them, loving them, be a more effective outcome.
There will be other towers to climb, but the goal was to spend time together happily.
There was the goal, not proving one's self, but showing the love in real ways.
Walking at their speed...
This almost sounds like the kind of organization that could spell the death of the major record labels- at least, the ones who will cling to a dying business model.
If your goal is to find a musician's need, create a service that enriches both parties, and leaves the artist in full control/ownership of their works, I think you could be on to something revolutionary.
Again.
(Now let me know when you start a booking agency that will actually put emerging artists on tour.) ;)
That's great.
Makes me very happy to hear.
I love how you spread the good.
I wish you all the good fortune in the universe.
You f'n rock.
Thanks for all your ubiquitous help.
I'm not sure about the e-myth book, as you've summarized it. If the author is set upon this triple of techie, boss and visionary, I think it misses what you hear in any pitch to, say, a group of second-round investors. And that's, instead, money (is their still money in the plan?), management (get it, know what they are doing), and branding as competition and satisfaction. And these probably have to be re-evaluated month by month. What was a market six months ago, might not be now, particularly if follow-on competition provided sufficient satisfaction to the same customers.
WOW WOW WOW!
I applaud your audacity and wish you all the best.
Hey Derek,
Congratulations on all your success'!
I'm anxious to see and know more of your upcoming companies "Now Now Now" and "Muckwork" -- I'm a firm believer in having the least amount of time between "thinking and doing"...brilliant.
Jason Ebs