You & Improved

- - - | written by Jason on 11/12/2017 | - - -

The Magic Question That Will Make You The Most Innovative Person You Know

The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. Meanwhile, most of us are being asked to do more with less. The answer to a prosperous and glorious future, it seems, is innovation. That’s all well and good, except for the fact that innovation is often regarded as one step away from sorcery. It is reserved for the super smart, super creative, or super inhabitants of Silicon Valley. Hogwash. You can be more innovative, right now, today. (I don't care if you are reading this in your pajamas or your hair looks like it just took on a tornado.) The dictionary tells us that innovation is …

- - - | written by Jason on 10/29/2017 | - - -

Don’t Turn Every Could Into a Should

Sometimes I think I'm superheroic. Sometimes I'm just slow. It probably shouldn't have taken 41 years to have a realization that I recently had, but better late than never, right? I'm going to share it in the hopes that it might be a useful revelation for you as well: Just because you come across a good idea doesn’t mean you have to add it to your to-do list. Let me explain. Many opportunities cross my path on a regular basis. Things to try, people to meet, organizations to join, books to read, and invitations to consider. What I normally do is run it through a quick filter in my …

- - - | written by Jason on 10/15/2017 | - - -

Purple Goats

One my favorite books is "Purple Cow" by Seth Godin. Sounds a little like a children's book, but the premise of this marketing classic is that brown cows are not very interesting. Purple cows, on the other hand, are remarkable. They get people talking. Godin suggests that in order to stand out in business, you need to become a "purple cow." I saw this in action during a recent vacation in Door County, Wisconsin. We were at the famous Al Johnson's restaurant, where they have goats hanging out on the grass-covered roof. We happened to be seated near a window where we could watch passersby …

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- - - | written by Jason on 10/8/2017 | - - -

The Cherry On Top

"Cherry On Top" by Jason Kotecki. Oil on canvas. Original is sold. Prints available here. I'm really not a fan of how often I base my happiness on what I haven't accomplished, or what inconvenience just popped up. The truth is, life really is amazing. Unfortunately, Adultitis would have us think differently. Your washing machine goes kaput. You're in the middle of dinner and realize you don't have a crucial ingredient. You don’t get the promotion. That nagging cold won’t go away. Your goals are taking longer to achieve than expected. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds, …

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- - - | written by Jason on 9/24/2017 | - - -

The Art of Making People Happy

This painting was inspired by the lyric of a catchy tune from the 80s by a band named Modern English. Most listeners may not realize that this seemingly simple upbeat love song is actually about the end of the world. Lead singer Robbie Grey, who wrote the song with his four bandmates explained, “I don’t think many people realized it was about a couple making love as the bomb dropped. As they made love, they become one and melt together.” Alllllrighty then. On to another fun fact: This was the very first canvas I painted live during the first-ever Madison Night Market. It was also the …

- - - | written by Jason on 9/10/2017 | - - -

Did You Know Your Car Has This Weird Standard Feature?

"Follow No Maps" by Jason Kotecki. Made with Photoshop. Prints and other goodies featuring this image available here. I was talking to a woman after one of my speaking engagements and she told me about an unusual bug her car possessed. She explained that sometimes, while she was driving with her kids in tow, her car would suddenly take on a life of its own. There was nothing she could do to control the direction it was headed. No matter how hard she jerked the steering wheel left, if the vehicle wanted to turn right, it went right, with the kids erupting into a frenzy of excited, …

- - - | written by Jason on 9/3/2017 | - - -

What To Do When All The Leaders Stink

For the past seven years, I have had the privilege of doing a program on life balance with young leaders in the field of civil engineering. We talk a lot about the different demands that come from balancing an upwardly mobile career path with a family and other relationships. A lot of venting takes place about the "old guard” and how out of touch some of the senior parters are at some firms. It’s always a fascinating discussion that I enjoy facilitating. Leadership is an interesting thing. The leaders of your country, your boss, and those people on the school board might all very well be …

- - - | written by Jason on 8/27/2017 | - - -

Too Old? Think Again.

Keith Davison lost his wife Evy to cancer after a marriage of 66 years. He admitted that he cried a lot. And the peace and quiet eventually became too overbearing. So get this: The 94-year-old installed an in-ground pool in his backyard. With a diving board. And invited the neighborhood kids to jump in. Now his home is bustling with activity as his newly adopted “grandkids” bring life and laughter into it. He admits it didn’t make economic sense to install the pool. But who can put a price tag on joy? Ninety-four-year-olds shalt not install a pool in thy backyard. #notarule If you’re …

- - - | written by Jason on 8/20/2017 | - - -

Thou Shalt Conceal Thy Wrinkles

This one’s for the ladies. Full disclosure: At last check, I am not a woman. So I cannot claim to be an expert in the things women go through. But one thing I am sympathetic to is all of the messages bombarding you about your appearance. I mean guys have the pressure to maintain six-pack abs (I’m one sixth of the way there!), but it’s nothing compared to the onslaught you face on a daily basis. Let’s take wrinkles, which are supposedly The Devil. Apparently they are something to be avoided at all costs. My wife has told me horror stories of going to parties at friends’ homes in …

- - - | written by Jason on 8/13/2017 | - - -

Resist

"Resist" by Jason Kotecki. Oil on canvas. 16x20 inches. Original available here. Some people may assume this piece was created as some sort of a political statement. Nope. Its message is much larger than that. We grow up learning how to fit in, follow rules, and conform. Conformity is the goal governments have for their citizens, factories have for their workers, and teachers have for their students. It gets you to follow the law, do the job, and fill in the little ovals on standardized tests. All without asking too many questions (or ideally, none). Unfortunately, in our …

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