Some of my old music for socially observant souls

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My Flexibility Manifesto

by Leonard Wilson, Jr.

Giveaway ends September 14, 2012.

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What do you fear? Part 1

Original artwork by Leonard Wilson, Jr.

"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." - M. Williamson

In Chapter 4 of My Flexibility Manifesto: Following Your Passion 2 Success, I discuss fear. In my research, I discovered that most people fear failure.  Digging deeper, I realized that the fear of failure only touches the surface of the problem.  By stating "I fear failure, an individual is confessing the fear of something bigger.  More than likely, fearing failure is a coverup for fearing the possibility of disappointing someone.  

That someone could be yourself, your parents, your friends, your family, your peers, your sorority sisters, etc.  The definition of failure is socially constructed; society created it.  Thus, society through media and interpersonal connections inevitably built pressure on you to achieve certain goals.

It isn't unreasonable to consider that a majority of our goals are socially constructed.  Through our interactions with information and people, each individual is expected to be something (of importance and significance).  No one wants to be a "loser" in the eyes of our social circle and family.  Furthermore, it does not matter if that something that people expect from us is positive or negative.  Unfortunately, some people are expected to fail.  It is dependent on the individual (you) to meet those expectations or reject them altogether.  

Part 2 will discuss how to overcome your fear of failure.  

If you have not had the chance to read my recently published book, I am giving the PDF version via email for FREE.  Simply email me at Leonard.Wilson.Jr@gmail.com, with the subject "eBook reviewer."  I only ask for an honest review in return that you would write on Amazon.  If you are interested in the Kindle or paperback version, those are available on Createspace and Amazon.  Thank you.

Great information, reasonable price, eBook to help you find or create work you love

My Flexibility Manifesto: Following Your Passion 2 Success is available for purchase.  I promise you will love it.

Print copy available at https://www.createspace.com/3942348.  

How much does it take to get you to stop doing work you HATE?

Recently I was watching Arthur with my family on HBO.  The synopsis of the story is about a very wealthy man who never fully matured into a competent working adult or business guru.  His family's business is worth billions and he has an inheritance of $950 million.  I commented to my wife that I would not need that much $ to permanently change our lives or our family's wealth for generations.  My magic number...  $9.5 million, exactly ten percent of Arthur's inheritance.  

"I would still work. I would not spend most of it.  We could live off the interest. What would you do?"  I asked Princess.

"I would do work that I love."  she calmly replied.

Boom.  That is it.  Is the only thing that is keeping you away from doing work you love $9.5 million dollars?  Is it more $?  Is it less?  What's your magic number?  What will it take for you to step away from that dreadful job of yours that pays you barely enough to live on every two weeks?  

How I know God exists

Recently, I felt myself being attacked subliminally for being a Christian on Facebook by an actual Facebook friend.  I will not name names or post his Facebook status that was offensive but it basically addressed the notion that he has to accept his demons and that he is being real while Christians who pretend to be pious are hiding their demons.  Here is my response:  

As a very transparent person, blogger, writer, underground hip-hop artist, etc., I incorporate my faith in God in everything that I do.  I am a bibliophile, a majority of the books I read are based in business and/or spirituality.  Nonetheless, I desired to share my reasons for believing in God with my audience.  I do this with the claim that in order to fully maximize one's potential; you need to believe in a higher power regardless of specific religion in order to accomplish great things.  

The art of a micro-business (your way to prosperity)

To dispel any preconceived notions, a micro-business is a legitimate business.  As stated in The $100 Startup (a great book I suggest everyone read), “Instead of hiring employees, you begin a project by yourself, based on your specific personal combination of passion and skill.”  A micro-business allows you to follow your passion to success.  By building a business focused on your skills, your passions, and your values, you can create your own niche in business by providing a valued service or product to consumers for purchase.  

Wait!  What’s wrong with traditional work?

• It’s easy to get fired.  This is 100 percent of your income.  Thus, putting you and your family in a very uncomfortable predicament.  

• It’s boring.  Many jobs today are based on their business needs and not your needs, passions, or goals.  A majority of supervisors and managers do not know their associates on an individual basis.  They could not tell you your undergraduate major, if you have a master’s degree, the name of your child, or if you are even married.  Meanwhile, typical office jobs only allow you to communicate through customer service interaction, nothing creative.  By not doing work you enjoy doing, you are simply wasting time.

• The hours are too long.  It does not take 40-hours per week to do a majority of tasks.  Over the past six months, I have encountered at least four jobs that wanted me to work at least 55 hours per week.  Excuse me Jesus Christ, but hell no.  Long hours leads to a boring, predictable, mundane life.  We want fun, flexibility, family time, quality time with the significant other, time to go to the movies, time to exercise, time to relax, time to shop, time to pray, and more.  We need time to live not time to work.

We can all be Limitless like Edward Morra

"I wasn't high. I wasn't wired. Just clear. I knew what I needed to do and how to do it."

Limitless featuring Bradley Cooper of The Hangover fame is one of my favorite movies. Why? It inspires me. I can relate to it even though I do not have a magical tablet, NZT, to allow me to learn a new language in 48 hours, turn $12,000 to $2.5 million dollars at a day brokerage firm or write a complex sci-fiction novel.  

We all start out as losers

Well not exactly, but you can relate to how Edward Morra, a down-on-his-luck writer with a serious case of writer's block, divorced, and without his long-time girlfriend.  The guy lives in a small, messy apartment, needs a haircut immediately, and lacks drive. Lesson learned: We all go through difficult periods in life.  But, regardless of your current job or income, recognize that what's happening now in your life is temporary. Greatness is around the corner. Just as we are ready to give up, that is when our moment of success is coming; you have to be patient.  

We all find our calling someday

With the usage of NZT, Morra begins working out, gets a makeover, and starts networking with movers and shakers in the city. His newfound confidence is based on his self-efficacy. He knows he is very intelligent and not afraid to step out of his comfort zone. While hanging out with friends overseas, he races a friend's Maserati alongside a beautiful bombshell. Then, he jumps over a cliff into water. As he arises from his dive, he finds himself in the zone where God speaks to him. He realizes that his purpose on Earth is bigger than being a writer. He decides that he has the mental capability and learning ability to make profit in a down market. Thus, while everyone is struggling in the economy, he distinguishes himself with his profitability. That makes him remarkable. Lesson learned: Regardless of your job, income, or social network, live a lot, be uncomfortable, travel, and do something different. Exercise. Try a new resume.  Visit a new city. Read a book for a different genre. Talk to strangers. During those times of leisure, you may find that calling from God or that billion dollar idea. Creativity sparks during times of fun, family, and laughter. Look for opportunities to separate yourself from the everyone else. Make yourself remarkable and be able to promote your uniqueness.  

The creative job search does work

In a half-drunken state of somber (no I do not drink*), I awoke from a previous night's hard work and mild headache to this delightful gem in my GMail account.  If you have been following my blog, you know I preach the good word(s) and wisdom of Christian-based author, speaker, and career/business coach Dan Miller of Brentwood, Tennessee.  Using his two currently published novels 48 Days to Work You Love and No More Mondays, Dan advocates for a creative job search in the current job and economic market.  


Regardless of the state of the economy, this process is an authentic process of knowing yourself and finding or creating work that you will love.  Thus, I argue that this process should be used by anyone from now until the day you actually perish from this Earth.  Most importantly, research reveals that only 12-13 % of all open jobs and career opportunities are advertised.  Thus, job seekers using the popular job search engines online and traditional print advertisements for opportunities are seriously behind finding or creating work he or she may love.  This mean that roughly 88% of jobs available are secured within the hidden job market. This email (pictured above) from the Director of Customer Relations for Varsity Spirit Fashion located in Memphis, Tennessee is the result of a creative job search.  I will explain to you exactly what I did, but first I will briefly list the steps of the creative job search process.