Commentary on the movie "Django"

"Django" is a movie cast in the southern US around 1858 - before the civil war.  It's an interesting mix of brutality, humanity, stupidity, brilliance and kindness.  In my view, the hero was the German - he made a lasting difference in the life story of the main character Django (played brilliantly by Jamie Fox).  In the end, the bad guys got what they deserved and the good guys rode off in good spirits.  The hallmark moment in the movie, in my opinion, was when the German refused to shake the hand of the brutal bad guy - and then killed him knowing this would mean a certain death.   It was an act of "character"; doing what he felt was right in the face of a certain death because it was unconscionable to do otherwise.  When enough of this type of person exists in a society, evil ways do not prevail.  Good men stand against evil.

My nine dimensions

(this post is the worksheet side of my notes in the previous post from an online "Success" seminar by Ramit Sethi)

The executive summary:
Dimension 1: Subject: Child and machine interaction in natural language with context and learning.
Dimension 2: Stories: Being human and sharing struggles.
Dimension 3: Strategy: Improve life by helping in the discovery of unknown information, and areas where you don't know that you don't know.
Dimension 4: Sellable products: Smart-phone applications, server applications, desktop applications, consulting, support, subscriptions.
Dimension 5: The sales process: Hire a service company provide the site infrastructure and shopping cart; put the content in myself and setup the automatic stuff myself via a service provider.
Dimension 6: A social presence online: YES.
Dimension 7: Self Confidence: There is no greater joy in life than empowering and helping other people be more than they could have otherwise been.
Dimension 8: Self Discipline: I think about it and work on it every day.
Dimension 9: Service mindset: If people weren't excited about what it's doing for them, I wouldn't consider it a success.

The worksheet:
Dimension 1: Subject - this is the topic/skill/product.
What is it that I love to learn about?
1) Algorithms - sequences of instructions on a computer that accomplish something.
2) Methods to discover and define common vocabulary in interactive communication (i.e. how to understand people from wildly diverse backgrounds and life experiences).
3) Truth - things that are obvious once you know them, true thousands of years ago, and not going to be found false in the future.
4) Hard problems - great puzzles of nature, physics, psychology, math, etc. that no one has figure out yet.
5) Ontology - How to define a language without referring to something that's not defined.

What do you love to preach about?
1) Paths - Consistent actions/activities that will inevitably lead to specific circumstances. Both good and bad, desired and undesired.  One of the greatest problems in the world today is the lack of self-knowledge individuals have about which path s/he is currently on in each area of life.
2) Simplicity and effectiveness - Often times a simple solution outperforms a complex one.
3) Methods - The process used to solve a problem has a huge influence on the potential outcomes.  A) Why use only one? and B) Which ones produce the best results for a particular problem type? and C) How do you figure out what type of problem you're looking at?
4) Freedom - Big money and happiness are not the same; there is a price (not necessarily in money) for everything.  It's important to figure out the whole price.
5) Presence - Being present at a specific time and place changes the environment there because of who you are (i.e. your character).  A high crime area becomes a low crime area as soon as enough residents say "I'd rather die than see my neighbor get hurt, and I'm paying attention." Children grow up with good conscience and good character when a parent refuses to do the wrong thing even when no one is watching and/or there's no possibility of being caught.

What could you do and be happy about even if there was no money in it?
1) Help people live better lives.
2) Protect the innocent.
3) Teach children.
4) Demonstrate honesty, consistency, persistence, hard work, and joy in my circle.
5) Explore the world of knowledge and knowledge representation, looking for unrelated connections and fundamental discoveries.
6) Create tools to solve the infamous "Expression Problem" - i.e. "How you represent something has a huge influence on on the types of modifications to that something that are easy and that are (in some cases) extremely hard."

There is a good bit of overlap here, in spirit more than words.

What area could I OWN online in the next 12 months?
That's a great question; the major successes in my life have take years of hard work, but that was in the old world, where there was very little change for decades.  We're in the new world now, where six months is an eternity of chaos in the market place.  In this environment I will concentrate on the known (not changing any time soon) trends, human nature (hasn't changed in a couple thousand years), and increased availability of technology (particularly handheld) to billions more people.  No need to concentrate on a specific brand (i.e. Android/iPhone - they'll be Spicket/iBuzz overnight); no, concentrate on technique and function/independent of physical implementation, easily convertible between physical implementation.

What area could I concentrate on for the next five years with all my available time and energy?
If I could make it possible for a child to interact with a computer (device) in a natural language where the device would know the history of all previous interactions and be able to guide the child to 1) the actual question or reason for the interaction and 2) a reasonable result giving the child good information, that would be an amazing accomplishment that would (potentially) change the world for the good.  Especially in light of the fact that millions of adults will be coming into the digital age with only a child's education at best.

Dimension 2: Stories - this is what you say/tell/do that connects your expertise/skill/product with people.
Which of each story type best fits your personality/experience/skills?
Story 2-2 fits me live a glove.  I was born brilliant in certain few areas and challenged in most others. On the brighter side, I couldn't figure out why so many people were so stupid and took so long to understand simple things.  On the dark side, I spent so many years struggling to try and figure out why I couldn't even approach the below-average area of existence.  It was like being broke and having nothing to offer that anyone wanted.  It took decades to figure out how my initial (very inadequate) start led to feeling insecure, which led to self sabotage self dialog which led to even worse ability to learn enough to start climbing out of the inadequacies.

How do I connect with people?
I connect through (brutally honest) example.  I can relate to someone who's frustrated that they know they're smart but simply can't figure something out, and can't figure out how to even make progress in a positive way.  I am learning to communicate the message effectively.

Dimension 3: Strategy
Which strategy best fits your situation?
The strategy that best fits me is the "improves life" or "improves personal growth" area.  I want the product to be an interactive process of learning and discovery; directed by the child into areas of his/her interest, but augmented by a higher understanding of advanced knowledge, enabling learning by both the child and the product.

Dimension 4: Sellable products
What are your sellable products?
I start with (internal) server based interaction via subscription and expand to selling external server based platforms to organizations who want to control and manipulate proprietary data, then expand to smart phone and desktop applications, automated support, expert analysis, and training.

Dimension 5: The sales process
I have an online web site that does all of the following:
1) Adds value; online community contributed content and feedback.
2) Captures leads, follow up - the site automatically promotes like products to people likely to be interested.
3) Makes money - the site encourages recurring revenue via subscriptions, reminders, promotions, sales.
4) Is Automated, The site requires very little of my time.
I have a site system and structure in place to collect payments, auto-respond, sequence of interaction.

Dimension 6: A social presence online
I have a presence and a following on all the major social media web sites:
1) Facebook
2) Blogging
3) Twitter
4) LinkedIn
I integrate social media tools into full automated online marketing campaigns, create bigger dialogs, etc.
My site uses the Facebook comments plug-in.

Dimension 7: Self Confidence.
I am confident and believe from the bottom of my heart that this product makes a huge difference in peoples lives.
I can see the company going global and being able to help people from many cultures and many languages.
It's huge to open someone's eyes to knowledge that they didn't even know existed.

Dimension 8: Self Discipline
I work on the product every day.

Dimension 9: Service mindset
An amazing number of people are propelled into greater greatness by this product.
I use the product to make it better.

Nine dimensions of big success

I recently watched a free online seminar by "Ramit Sethi" - a fantastic teacher and personal coach.  Interestingly, you can pay thousands of dollars on his web site for personalized training/seminars, or you can watch his free stuff and receive huge value.  I'm sure his services and products are well worth it in both results and value, but why not learn from the free stuff until you can afford it?

Here are my notes/thoughts from the seminar:
The topic is "10 success strategies", or something like that related to becoming successful selling information and/or self-help materials.  I only walked away with the concepts for 9, so maybe I inadvertently combined two of them or something.

A dimension is a geometry concept.  In our reality/space, there are four: left/right, front/back, up/down, and past/present/future.  Any missing dimension makes the reality very small.  All must be present to create a big space.  In your success reality there are nine; all must be present to be a big success.

Dimension 1: Subject - this is the topic/skill/product; you have to know what it is.
What is it that I love to learn about?
What do you love to preach about?
What could you do and be happy about even if there was no money in it?
These questions need to have basically the same answer and some multi-year history in your life.  If not, you're not ready. Instead of continuing here, go find a topic/subject/activity that you enjoy and are passionate about and start doing it.
Decide to OWN this online in the next 12 months.
Decide to concentrate on only this over the next 5 years with all your available time and energy.

Dimension 2: Stories - this is what you say/tell/do that connects your expertise/skill/product with people.
Which of each story type best fits your personality/experience/skills?
Story 1: Stories that explain my Credibility
1) The results story.  Here is what I've accomplished.
2) The role model story.  I live this way and communicate the way of life.
3) The reporter story.  Tell other people's stories - interview and codify.
Story 2: Stories that connect to the audience
1) Been through the same challenges; empathize and understand.
2) Be human and share the struggles.
Stories differentiate brands and experts, and answer the question "How do I connect with people?".  This answer is critically important to financial results.
Decide to excel in this area which will create a compelling connection with people and a loyal customer base.

Dimension 3: Strategies
Which strategy best fits your situation?
1) Your product improves life, grows businesses, etc.
2) You teach high performance; how to execute "with excellence", how to be #1 in the area.
3) You have a commodity product with a value added packaging, location, delivery method, support, price, etc.
4) You have an insurance product/information which gives or increases peace of mind.
5) You have a salvage product/information which reduces wasted resources.
Decide which strategy is the best fit for you and keep this in mind when working on the other dimensions.

Dimension 4: Sellable products
What are your sellable products (more is better)?
1) Books, eBooks, Audios, DVD's, physical goods
2) Webcasts, Webinars, Tele-seminars, Seminars, broadcast material, perishable products
3) Online coaching, Coaching, Masterminds, Speeches, customized products/information
Decide to create as many sellable products as possible because different customers connect with different media (not just YOUR favorite).

Dimension 5: A sales process
Do you have an online web site that does all of the following?
1) Adds value; online community contributed content and feedback.
2) Captures leads, follow up - the site automatically promotes like products to people likely to be interested.
3) Makes money - the site encourages recurring revenue via subscriptions, reminders, promotions, sales.
4) Is Automated, The site requires very little of your time.
Does your site have system and structure in place to collect payments, auto-respond, sequence of interaction?  A customer should never have to wait for a human to review something.
How friendly is your "Shopping cart"?

Dimension 6: A social presence online
Do you have a presence and a following on all the major social media web sites?
1) Facebook
2) Blogging
3) Twitter
4) LinkedIn
Do you integrate social media tools into full automated online marketing campaigns, create bigger dialogs, etc.?
Does your site use the Facebook comments plug-in?

Dimension 7: Self Confidence.
Do you project confidence and belief in the value you provide?
Do you think big in spite of having a small business?
Do you believe in yourself and that your message and products are valuable?
"Nobody ever grew up wanting to be a critic." - Paula Abdul
"It is not the critic that counts, the credits belong to the man who is actually in the arena; there is no effort without error and shortcoming.  The triumph of high achievement - cold and timid souls who never know victory or defeat - in either case lived and experienced life." - Teddy Roosevelt, April 23, 1910

Dimension 8: Self Discipline
Do you show up and "work" at it?
Do you have a great work ethic?
Decide to do whatever it takes and put in your time and energy.

Dimension 9: Service mindset
Do want to help people and care about the results of your products?
Do you lead and live through your heart?
It's important to monetize, but it's not why you do it.  Customer service is important - it's what validates what you're doing.
Decide to accept your feedback and adapt as necessary.

Technology has changed, people have changed

Technology has changed a lot over the last 30 years.  Here is a list of what I consider significant:

1) The spreadsheet created an ability for a normal person to use a computer to do arbitrary complex calculations and give an answer.

2) Standardized widely available software made sharing documents and information by normal people easy.

3) The internet with a standardized information transport protocol became available to normal people at an affordable price.

4) Google won the information search provider wars and reached a critical mass opening the world's information to normal people for free.

5) Authors, industry experts, universities, speakers, TED, etc. publish materials, research, curriculum, etc. on the internet – free download for normal people.

6) Social media and other outlets provide hosting and content management for any normal person who wants to write or publish anything.

7) Hand held devices remove all barriers of access to the new world for everyone; except one barrier: ignorance.

I think this is significant; who would have predicted "ignorance" to be the barrier to entrance into a free global resource network?

Surely that barrier doesn't affect a majority of people?  Well, 30 years ago it didn't.  Unfortunately, now I think it does, in the US anyway.

How can I make a difference?  The "to be or not to be" question of our generation.

A fisherman's life for me

This is a commentary on Eddie Obeng's January 6th Blog post. The original post is here: http://imagineafish.blogspot.com/ . He talks about the old proverb "Give a man a fish and he feeds for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he feeds for a lifetime." There are two main points.  One - the pace of change in the world is too fast to be able to effectively teach/i.e. the old methods are obsolete or plain don't work.  "Teach a man how to teach others to fish and you feed the village and then the world." which is on the surface in contradiction with the first point.  Then, he ends the post with the advice "IMAGINE A FISH."  I didn't understand what he was trying to say until I thought about the last point for a while.

There are several things that can be learned from the last point, and they tie the first two together.

1) It meets a basic need - everybody has to eat.
2) The ongoing cost of fishing is very low.
3) It requires very little capital investment to get started.
4) A fishing license is inexpensive; not required in all areas.
5) Fishing is fun and a great way to learn to be a better fisherman.

That's very interesting - these five points answer the questions put forth in Eddie's book "Money Making Machine":

1. How much does it bring in/over what time period?
2. How much does it cost/over what time period?
3. How much is the initial investment to get started/including lead time?
4. Must I do it?/Am I allowed to do it?
5. Is it fun and will I learn anything?

And then it occurred to me - you could use these five questions to evaluate or compare almost anything - very powerful!

The Weather man didn't mention High Winds

So I'm in the kitchen cooking - Black eyed peas with brown rice, neck bone meat, and scalloped potatoes in one dish.  Cheese dip spiced with picante sauce and Louisiana hot sauce in another; layered on pita bread, wrapped, and lightly fried in olive oil burrito style. 

And suddenly, I hear this strange noise from the next room.  My first thought was burglar? - No, I'm on the third floor and there's nothing of value in the house and the local kids wouldn't have the where with all  to get to a third story window.  Ah, squirrels! - I grab a spatula and head for the other room.  Yikes - no outside vermin involved; just high winds. 

Note to self: need more duct tape...

How strong is your belief?

Interestingly, everyone believes something - even the most belligerent person who claims s/he believes in nothing has a belief that there is nothing good to believe in; though won't admit it.

And, not "Do you strongly believe?" - A belief is something you already strongly believe.  A theory is something you're not sure about.
Weakness and Strength in a belief is about how good it is for you, and how much happiness it adds to your life; past, present, and future - in stable and uncertain times.

How does it prepare you and serve you no matter what happens?  A strong belief is bullet proof.  A weak belief is good right up until something unexpected happens, and it always does.  Here are some examples:

Weak: If I keep doing what I'm doing, then I'll get the same good results.
Weak: If I change what I'm doing, then I'll get better results.
Weak: If I go to college, I'll get a good job and enjoy it.
Weak: If I work hard, apply myself, and stay out of trouble, I'll be happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Stronger: I know that I don't know or understand everything, I know that there are things I don't know that I don't even know that I don't know; in fact, the way the world is changing, I might not know anything.  So, I'll concentrate on the basics, try new things, and keep an open mind.

Stronger: I work hard, and I play hard.  I work at work even when no one is watching because character is demonstrated when you do the right thing even though you don't have to.

Rock solid: There is a hidden higher power in the world that makes everything right over time.  So, I will move confidently and humbly through life in service with joy, mastery, purpose, and contentment, knowing that every circumstance is provided for my good or for my training/preparation for even more joy later and greater service.

See how the Weak belief opens the future to potential problems and discouragement.  Notice how a stronger belief moves forward with a cheerful, positive, pragmatic attitude.  Notice how a Rock solid belief produces a good result, regardless of present or future circumstance - good or bad; if it is actually engrained deep in your inner self, it gives you great strength and happiness.