Creativity + Compassion

Obesity and Other Social Contagions

This video was created from some of the data found in a book I am reading right now (Connected: The Surprising Power of Social Networks). It reveals how even obesity is contagious! This book is a game changer for me much like Tipping Point was, and echoes many of the same themes as far as exploring the power of context and epidemiology. I'm so fascinated with the fact that emotions, behaviors and perspectives are incredibly viral. 

If you are a leader and in the influence business I strongly encourage you to read this book (the website). Also, if you have not, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is another "must-read."

As a final compliment to these two books and having a much simpler approach, read the book Tribes - by Seth Godin. These three together will blow your mind and reshape your perspective about how influence works.

SO MANY CAUSES, WHAT TO DO?

Due to the increase of causes and awareness of them (thanks to mechanisms like Twitter and Facebook) it is often difficult to determine which ones we should connect to and support. There are simply too many Non-Profit and Non-Government Organizations to rally around. 

I have been connected to a number of non-profits over the last couple years and there are a few which inspire me, purely because the people working in the organizations really have a passion for what they do and they are working incredibly hard. 

I wanted to give a shout out to a wonderful person and diligent leader within Water Missions International. His name is Jerry Miner (@jerryminer on Twitter). He is constantly pushing forward to generate awareness and support for the cause of providing safe water to people in need around the globe. Very cool guy and has a huge heart for people. 

In the last year they have launched a number of web-based initiatives that are very powerful. I know that if you are a creative and are willing to donate time this organization is a great place to do it. I committed last year to donate at least three websites to different non-profits. Many of the needs these organizations have are simple to provide. My good friend Matt Knisely (@mattknisely) also has donated time with his talent to non-profits and we are currently working to discover new ways of mobilizing creative resource into causes. 

Don't allow indifference or inaction to set in due to the amount of causes out there. Simply find one - lock in and do something. GIVE. :) 

Here are some of the sites related to WaterMissions and their main website also. 

RAISE YOUR GLASS - A resolution based giving platform. 

WHAT IF THE CHURCH - A conversational / community approach to raise awareness. 

WATER MISSIONS INTL - "The crisis is real. It steals the lives of 5,500 people each day- more than war, natural disasters, AIDS or even hunger. Yet, it rarely makes the headlines in the newspaper, nor does it circulate in water cooler conversations in the workplace. It is a silent killer - one that quietly preys on the world’s most marginalized and forgotten people." BRING SAFE WATER TO THOSE IN NEED.

Find someone to connect to and DO SOMETHING. :) 

Their most recent endeavor is to help Haiti which is in desperate need; here is a link to a poster we made for them. 

PUT YOUR WORK IN ITS PLACE

A few years ago my friend Rex Barrett (@projectokc on twitter) sketched out on paper some pretty cool things for me to consider when it comes to my work. Everything that comes our way in the form of work should be evaluated and properly channeled.

Many of us just tackle it all. We do some of it well, a bunch of it is rushed, some of it is just plain sloppy (because it's not what we are good at) and or it just does not get done (no time?). If we would put our work through a process of measurement and then channel it appropriately we will do a lot more, we will do it better and keep a smile on our face while doing it.

I took his sketch into Illustrator that day he shared it and here is what came out. I've had the privilege of sharing it in a number of talks as well. Train yourself to put your work through the gauntlet before you tackle it by yourself; you may even need outside input to help you be honest about what you need to be doing as opposed to networking or delegating. Your connection to people is so important. 

HAITI NEEDS SAFE WATER

I would encourage all of you creatives out there to give a little in terms of your skills. You may not have a bunch of money to give but you can give design for a good cause.