Jared Matthew Kessler's Blog, page 8

Trying To Re-Open A Closed Door?

When I was catapulted into moving to Seattle, I had no other option but to find a place to live.  It was either, find a place in four days or be on the streets.

I signed the lease on the fourth day.

We've all heard of similar stories before.  Haven't we?  Those people that had no other way, but to make one because… well… the alternative was just too bad to face.

Of course this same theory can apply for just about anything in our business or personal life.

Should I maybe leave the door slightly...

Maybe It Helps To Waste Some Time?

Courtesy of Her Life In Pictures (via Flickr)

Time management is everywhere. Get more done in less time is kind of like the credo we've established (as I'm also guilty of this).

On the other hand… maybe it's not such a bad idea to waste some time after all?

What I mean is that, creativity isn't planned – and a lot of times it can be killed by setting an exact time to do it. Not only that… we beat ourselves up over thinking, "I've wasted so much time at _____."

Have you ever stopped to think...

Ignoring The Odds?

Sometimes the only way to do things is to ignore the odds.  The statistics.

We hear things like:

"Unemployment is on the rise again with ____ people out of work.  Most businesses fail.  What your chances are that you'll have cancer just because a family member does.  That you have a higher chance of being divorced if you grew up in a divorced family.  How your two times likely to be overweight or obese if you have an obese family member and…"

I have to be honest with you, I would rather not...

Ignoring The Odds

Sometimes the only way to do things is to ignore the odds.  The statistics.

We hear things like:

"Unemployment is on the rise again with ____ people out of work.  Most businesses fail.  What your chances are that you'll have cancer just because a family member does.  That you have a higher chance of being divorced if you grew up in a divorced family.  How your two times likely to be overweight or obese if you have an obese family member and…"

I have to be honest with you, I would rather not...

The Artist Versus The Executive: Who Gets It?

Courtesy of Flickr (by Banksy)

I got up at 5am the other day, not because I had to, but more because something really bothered me that I had to get off of my chest and talk to you about.

Without going on some big long explanation, I kinda think it's both funny yet sad that "The Artist" and "The Executive" haven't managed to get along much in the world (especially in the work environment).  In a somewhat recent post I did called, " Banning Art In the Workplace " I pretty much understand why...

What To Do With Who You Are

No matter what we do and who we are, I'm always fascinated with the varying amounts of possibilities out there.  Yet at the same time, there is an awful lot of things that become lost in:

*What people might think of us.

*Whether or not we can take the chance and actually make money at doing what we love.

*Whether people like us, or think we're a fucking nut (especially those that know us).

*Whether or not we can actually do something with the many crazy yet fleeting ideas we have.

On the other...

Can You Run A Business Like A Pilgrim?

Photo Courtesy of Gurbisinghbrar (via Flickr)

When I saw www.travelsofanearthpilgrim.com a while back, I got really excited because I saw someone living just about everything that I was talking about in a recent blog I did called, "Forget the New Years Resolution, Start a New Years Revolution."

From what I've seen so far, Graham Phoenix is really doing something quite unique; he lives AND runs and business while traveling all around the world.  Unlike most people who "travel a lot" – Grahams...

Small Biz Summer Essentials

Courtesy of Burnsland (via Flickr)

Ok… so this is my big Details Magazine esque blog that I had an idea to do and thought, "What the hey?  Let's do it!"

I call it my "Small Biz Summer Essentials" for the semi-working-I-need more-income-than-the-stupid-job-is-paying-me-for-help-me-start-my-own-company professional:

1 -Treat yourself to Kevin Murphy.

I just discovered this guy and I have to say… I'm SUPER impressed.  It's a little pricey but my hair hasn't moved one bit (and it doesn't even look...

The Business Of Words: How Is It Affecting Me?

Courtesy of Kateri (via Flickr)

Listen… I don't need to tell you that people have a tremendous amount of options these days than just using you or your business.

Instead of putting a false facade over how badly this can affect it, I'm here to tell you that the words you choose are doing more than just communicating who you are and what your business is about…

They're helping it thrive or burn to the ground – without you even knowing it.

The Boredom Affect.

Boring and conventional businesses are...

What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do?

Courtesy of Miz J (via Flickr)

I know it's been a while since I last wrote anything.  Quite frankly I didn't expect the sudden turn of events to happen… just about two weeks ago.

Although you often hear the "such is life," "life is that way," "life's a bitch…"  typical responses to such unexpected turn of events, I don't care to remind you of what you've already heard.

Without going into some hugely personal writing and possibly scaring away those who subscribed to my blog to just get...