heyamberrae:

“No one cares what you do. They care why you do it.”

That’s the premise of one of my favorite books, Start With Why, by Simon Sinek. In this book, Simon talks about how great leaders inspire action. He explains how the most innovative and influential people and organizations have an uncanny ability to articulate the why of their existence. 

For example, Martin Luther King didn’t give a 10-page presentation on the changes he envisioned with statistics on why it was a good idea. Instead, he got on stage and said, “I believe in a world…” He shared his driving belief, the reason he got out of bed, and the change he wished to see in the world. 

Apple didn’t say “we make great computers.” They said, “we challenge the status quo and believe in thinking differently.” Dell, on the other hand, talked about making great computers. Now which brand has built a cult following?

Zappos talks about a belief that happiness can be used as a model both in business, and in life. What other shoe company does this?

To explain the companies that are functioning at their highest ability, Simon developed a Why/How/What “Golden Circle” (pictured above) which is based on the biology of human decision making as it relates to how people interact with brands and organizations. 

No one cares what you do. They care why you do it.

So how does this apply to your life or business?

Yesterday, a close friend approached me for direction on the style/fashion business he’s building. For his own clarity, he was attempting to map out his Why/How/What. Within 30 seconds of chatting with him, I realized he didn’t actually understand what “why” “how” and “what” mean. 

Here’s the advice I gave him, which might assist you in evaluating your own ability to create influence and impact in everything that you do…

Why: A belief that drives you. The reason you get out of bed in the morning.

For example: my why is to inspire and enable people to unleash their full potential so that together, we change the world.

How: The actions you take. The things you do to realize your Why.

For example, my Hows are to…

1) challenge conformity and ignore what’s expected,

2) focus on positive long-term behavioral change (to change the world, I must first change myself),

3) see the good and opportunity in everything,

4) experiment to see what sticks, 

5) candidly share everything.

What: The tangible things that you can see and touch. The outcomes that prove your Why and How. 

For example, my Whats are…

1) Hey Amber Rae: I write. I experiment. I reflect.

2) Revolution.is: I tell stories of remarkable people living unconventional lives.

3) Passion Experiment: I work with high-potential people one-on-one to overcome obstacles and make positive change. 

What we do will evolve and grow and change over time. Why and how we do things will remain consistent, guiding the things we create to realize our full potential.

(via hey amber rae)

AWESOME interview with one of my major inspirations ==»

Drake’s music isn’t complex, but it is complicated. Steeped in warm, deep, dense beds, it’s closer in spirit to R&B than almost any hip-hop ever recorded. Wet, slapping drums; hazy synth tones; delicate, enveloping chords—it’s a sound that’s added a gravitas to the Canadian MC’s music. Drake feels important because his music sounds important. The primary architect of that sound, Noah “40” Shebib, has worked closely with Drake, creating an unusual partnership. 40 is credited with production on only eight of the 17 songs on Take Care, Drake’s second full-length album, but as an engineer and sounding board, his fingerprints are everywhere—the expansive palette, the patience, and the dramatic flourishes at song’s end. They craft albums together.

The 28-year-old Shebib, a Toronto native with a background as a child performer, like Drake, has been beside him during the biggest moments of his career. I talked with 40 on the eve of the highly anticipated Take Care about their history and the stories behind some of their best songs… [READ MORE]

Last Wednesday, veteran rapper Busta Rhymes appeared at the launch of Google Music to support his partnership with the newly launched platform — an announcement that came in confluence with his surprise signing to Cash Money Records, revealed the same day.

The former Universal Motown recording artist, whose career-long manager Chris Lighty broke the news of his departure from the shingle in May 2011, has been plotting the alliance since splitting with his former label home. The deal, which Lighty describes as an “outside the box” venture, is a four-album contract with Cash Money, which will handle all physical distribution, as well as a one-off digital distribution agreement with Google Music, which holds exclusive online sales rights for Busta’s next album, “E.L.E. 2: End of the World” (due first quarter of 2012). [READ MORE]

ALSO SEE ===> “Busta Rhymes Signs with Cash Money Records”

theroyaltyclub:

If there’s one thing nobody seems to want to talk about, it’s pricing. Most designers don’t publish their rates, and good luck getting a company to tell you how much they paid for their site.

(Source: theroyaltyclub)

pablocool:

Sean Combs, Hip Hop business mogul and CEO of Bad Boy Records, reveals ten ways for any individual to discover success. Having a non-stop work ethic summarizes  the list, but he explains to VIBE in depth,  the key to it all:

1. Work hard. Then work harder
2.  Believe. Never loose your faith!
3. Count your pennies
4. Be humble
5. Listen
6. Love
7. Don’t make the same mistake twice
8. Never  settle
9. Be confident
10. Don’t get comfortable. 

Read More

(Source: 1hiphopucit.com)