Book 98 - A Year of Magical Learning

Reflection Title – Meaning Scales - It doesn't have to make sense

Book – Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod

Book Description: When Hugh MacLeod was a struggling young copywriter living in a YMCA, he started to doodle on the backs of business cards while sitting at a bar. Those cartoons eventually led to a popular blog - gapingvoid.com - and a reputation for pithy insight and humor, in both words and pictures. MacLeod has opinions on everything from marketing to the meaning of life, but one of his main subjects is creativity. How do new ideas emerge in a cynical, risk-averse world? Where does inspiration come from? What does it take to make a living as a creative person? Ignore Everybody expands on MacLeod's sharpest insights, wittiest cartoons, and most useful advice.

Reflection:

This Year of Magical Learning Project probably makes zero sense from an outsider's perspective.

I have a somewhat "highly sought after" role at what one might argue is one of the top companies in the world. People in my company, my team, and my industry probably see me posting these reflections everyday on LinkedIn and Twitter and think, "Is he really committed to his job? What does this have to do with anything? Where is this coming from? Why?" Pretty much every person I've told about this project or shared this work with has said, "Umm...that sounds cool" and then quickly changes the topic. They don't get it and that's okay. They aren't supposed to get it.

The truth is that I'm not "supposed" to be doing any of this. I'm not getting paid for this, I have no book deal, agent or publisher lined up, it is a HUGE commitment of time that I don't have, and I have no idea what I'm going to do with all this content when it is complete...and I DON'T CARE!

So why am I doing this then? Why would I spend almost an hour and a half a day reading on average, an hour typing in the morning at 6 am before work to get this reflection complete, 2 hours every Sunday to edit and post these reflections for the week, and all without ZERO plans of what to do with this stuff? I'm doing this because this project has DEEP meaning to me and I love every minute of it. I feel so rewarded with every new book I finish and every new subsequent reflection I post. I love every minute of it. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what I want to write and can't wait to get after it in the morning. I can't wait for the next adventure and new book what I'm going to learn next.

This whole project all really unknowingly began after I watched my daughter's epic battle for a chance at life in this world. Even though she lost her battle, she showed us all what it really means to be a human, to endure, to fight, and to live a life of virtue every single day. She may have left us physically in this world, she left behind for me a blueprint of how to live a life of values and a role model of what we can truly be at our best. I do my best to try and honor her by living a life of purpose and values in as much as I can every single day of my life...just like she did.

So that is what this project really is and why it has so much meaning to me. It allows me to check the box on all of my core values at once which is why it feels so good. One of my values is to Learn Something New Everyday...that is why I read so many new books. Another is to Reflect...that is why I started writing. Another is to Challenge myself in all that I do...that is why I set out on this ambitious endeavor of 365 books and 365 reflections. Another is to Endure...that is why I don't stop, can't stop, and won't stop. Another is to Play and have some damn fun...this is a freaking blast to me. The last is to Not Do it Alone...that is why I share this and want to give these away to help and inspire others.

When you start to look at this whole project from the values expression perspective, this whole thing probably starts to make a little more sense. Clearly this project has deep meaning to me, and as the author says, "Meaning Scales". Meaning is the reason that I will complete this whole thing. Meaning is the reason that I will produce an insane amount of content and work that someday will resonate with someone. Meaning is why we endure and keep fighting the good fight.

Who knows if anyone else will ever find "value" from this project and turn into a commercial success. I hope so, but I don't really care. It has value to me and it has value to my daughter...that is all I really care about.

Question: What is something you do that makes no sense to anyone else but yourself?

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Links:

What is The Year of Magical Learning? An Introduction

YOML Podcast Discussion - Ignore Everybody

YOML Bookstore - Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod