Make Your Job a Game

I’m reading an article about job satisfaction and practicing your passion on my phone and was wowed so I’ve stopped to open my computer just so I could post this quote.

“The more a job inherently resembles a game—with variety, appropriate and flexible challenges, clear goals, and immediate feedback—the more enjoyable it will be regardless of the worker’s level of development.” —Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

So yeah.  I guess me even writing this post is putting these words into action.  And even as I’m writing this, thinking about blogging as a game with challenges that I have to meet, as opposed to being something that I’m supposed to do, is making this pretty enjoyable, and a lot easier.

Wow.  Now how do I think like this all the time?  I guess that’s the answer I need…the answer a lot of us need.

Most likely you got clicked on and got lost in that amazing article by Tiffani Jones Brown.  If you’re reading this, stop it.  Go read her article.  It’s important.

One Question to Ask Yourself Before Addressing Problems at Work

It’s always surprising that so many things can go wrong in an office of professionals who seemingly have their life together.  But it does.  Often.  Data gets lost, deadlines get pushed up, people don’t follow through.  People never follow through.  Our natural reaction is to quickly identify the person who should shoulder the blame and then find a buddy who will agree.  Then we start clicking around our computer, eyebrows raised, wondering why good people are so hard to come by.

Instead of avoiding the situation, handle it.  Don’t waste your time being annoyed.  Figure out what you can say or do to move toward a solution.  Be proactive, and remember to ask yourself…

How can I more creatively reach my audience?

Think about all the emails, messages, conversations, and pitches you come across everyday.  No doubt they’re important, but without context they’re largely forgettable.

Now think about the last conversation or piece of email that moved you to action.  Why was it so memorable?  Find the takeaway and apply it.  Don’t talk just to talk.  Don’t be inappropriate.  Being memorable doesn’t mean that you have to make an awkward joke or try to sweeten them up.  Know your audience, and know what you’re trying to accomplish.  Even if offense is taken, you cannot be blamed for being straight forward.

There are tons of exceptions (mostly involving your boss), but finding more effective ways to get your message across can be the difference between staying productive and staying still.

Why Young Artists are so Inspirational

It’s not a new thought, but we need our kids to love art.  Yes, for the down-the-road reasons you know.  But also because grown-ups can really get a kick out of it, too.  Their projects are inspiring in part because they (hopefully) haven’t yet had their creativity stifled.  It’s sad to think about, but that’s really what seems to happen to most of us.

Simply put, most adults don’t have the ability to make something like this:

 

Yes, you are correct.  It is, in fact, a Uni-panda with flaming ears and a rainbow horn.  I saw this at Fort Lauderdale’s Art Walk on Friday night, and our gang agreed that this was one of the top 5 best things ever.  You can almost feel how dedicated this kid was, how excited he got when he thought to put flames on the ears.  No worry about who it could offend or why it shouldn’t have blue fur.  He made Uni-panda because Uni-pandas are awesome.

Adults inevitably have a lot going on.  Their art usually reflects how rough life is.  Such serious stuff, man.  Kids draw their inspiration from being kids.  If you ask this kid why he made it, 90% of the time your answer will be a shoulder shrug and a smile.  And that’s perfect.

 

Still Here. Still!

Heya, it’s me.  Tyler.

Stop smiling and listen.

This blog was originally made to chronicle my life in Korea.  Hence the obnoxiously clever title 😉

Well, I’m back in the states.  I have been for a year.  I should probably change the name then, right?

Moving to Seoul was a game changer.  It gave me new perspective and forced me to think outside of my dumb little bubble that I loved so much.  I find myself talking about Asia at least 3 times a week to anyone who inevitably triggers it.  It showed me the value in connecting with people, with sharing experiences.  It gave me a reason to be excited, and to share my excitement with others.  I understand the importance of community and the danger of boundaries.

Now, I’ve started a career where sharing and finding common ground is the means of existence.  As a content strategist, I make recommendations based on user and business needs.  More than anything, smart content decisions are based on honesty.  Being honest about who you are, what you do, and why people should care.  An extended look at the person in the mirror, if you will.

To be clear, I wasn’t a cruel, hapless zombie before going to Korea.  I had a soul.  It was just much less organized and unaware of what good kimchi tasted like.

Because of Seoul, I have an awesome soul, and I make sure all my projects do too.  The name’s staying.

Stay tuned, ‘cuz I won’t disappear again.

 

How to be the New Guy

If you’re lucky like me and studied something like Economics in school, then you have no idea what you’re supposed to do.  No problem.  When your idea of a career is wide open, opportunities can come out of nowhere.  You’re gonna be the new guy a lot.  Even if it’s not exactly your area of expertise and you have the time, go for it.  These are things I learned putting together an Art Basel event, which you’ll get to enjoy in a whole ‘nother post.

Consciousness helps.

As much fun as it is to space out and focus on that funny spot on the wall, being aware of what is being said and how people are acting is key in learning the business.  If they seem comfortable, keep doing what you’re doing.  Focus on what is being said and see if you can form a question or comment that makes sense.  It’s like an interview.  You want to show how invested you are and if you are even smart enough to understand what is going on.

Don’t stare at your hands.  Smile.  Nod your head. Agree. Take everything in as though your life depended on it.  Give off an air of intelligence.  But only an air.

The Egos Game

As an experienced player in the industry meeting with you, the rookie who wants to show that they belong, it’s important that this person is reminded and assured that they are, in fact, amazing.  Showing interest without sounding facetious can really go a long way when dealing with an OG.

Unless you can tell otherwise, they want you to know that they’re doing you a favor by meeting.  They’re more than likely older, richer, and the stuff they have to do probably makes your schedule seem laughable.  Don’t make a spectacle of your greenness and ultra-positive attitude about everything in life unless you’re invited to do so.

They are who we thought they were!

People really take notice when they see that you’re willing to get down to business.  Don’t make a spectacle of it.  Don’t ask for reassurance.  Actively take care of your responsibilities and people will be quicker to sympathize.

Don’t Force It.

A certain level of confidence is always healthy but if you’re clearly in over your head and not at all prepared, realize this and adjust.  You don’t have to do it make a scene of it.  Send someone an email after the meeting and let them know that you may not be able to contribute, but you’d like to be involved in another way or another time.  Being honest will prevent s**t from hitting the fan and shutting you out completely.  Give plenty of time to adjust and your honesty will be appreciated by everyone.

Above all, just make them like you.  Remain flexible and take everything in.  If it’s not for you, bounce.

Cocoa Puffs

If you’ve never read Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman, then you’ve never read Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman.  Not a huge deal.  Klosterman is a pop culture expert with the ability to write “meaningful” pieces, but is seemingly more enthralled by music, sports, and why society is crazy.  I like him a lot.

The book is “A Low Culture Manifesto” that uses detailed anecdotes to explain cultural phenomenons.   It covers porn’s importance in technological advancement, why flavored mustard is cool and flavored ketchup is lame, and Tom Cruise’s ugly face, among other important things.  There are interludes between chapters that are basically mini-chapters of more random thought.  The interlude that stands out is from page 126 to134.  He prefaces it as

“The twenty-three questions I ask everybody I meet in order to decide if I can really love them:”

As I read the questions, I got all giddy and flustered.  The questions are ridiculous and pretty fun to think about.  One that is short and sweet:

13.  Every person you have ever slept with is invited to a banquet where you are the guest of honor.  No one will be in attendance except you, the collection of your former lovers, and the catering service.  After the meal, you are asked to give a fifteen-minute speech to this assembly. What do you talk about?

 

Here‘s a site that has all 23 questions (in a terrible font scheme – sorry) along with some additional goodies.  And you might as well (I always say “mine as well” but I guess it doesn’t make sense when I type it) go read the book.  Light-hearted and mind-shattering fun.

 

Skating Through the Feels

I’ve developed a fascination with skateboarding videos.  I dabbled when I was younger and have loosely followed it for a while.  They’ve grown to be so much more then a bunch of rebellious teens thrashing to loud music (even though they still have those and they’re still sweet).  There are some amazing directors who work with some amazing skaters to make these crazy videos that can hype you up, make you wish you could skate better, or even just give you a case of the feels.  In like 8 minutes.

This one does all three (in 4 minutes).  People are awesome.

Torn Between Serious Nothings

Man.

As much as I shout my hate and disdain for Florida, everything is telling me that I need to stay around for a while.  After getting used to sporadic updates from overseas, you forget how much is going on with your family.  It’s nice to be back in the loop and influence some stuff with my loud mouth.

Living in Palm Beach is weird.  I’ve been here for 3 very weird high school years and about 2 months of post-Korea limbo.  Going to college in Miami pretty much shifted everything relevant in my life an hour south.  Making the back and forth sucks, but home settles me down quite nicely.  Miami is Miami, and one should take breaks from that shit from time to time.  A conversation about surfing last night immediately charged me up to go to Cali, even though I think I’ve surfed once in my life.

But damn Miami has a lot to offer.  I’m really starting to experience the real Miami at just the right time.

WeewhaaMiami

Just here, ya know, trying to stay relevant.

California is a movement on hold.  Miami has showed up with some big opportunities that I had better take care of.  I knew 23 was going to be a big year, and the past few weeks have been confirmation.  The chance to jump into something new makes me work damn hard and yoooooo I’m good at it.  I’m becoming slightly obsessive – a good sign.

 

Updates soon.

Moves

And a year later, I’m back in America.

The last few months, similar to the first few months, flew by unforgivingly.  I was able to do so much, without actually doing anything at all.  This problem/awesome thing about Korea makes leaving an interesting prospect.

After your first year contract is over, it’s evaluation time.

How was Korea?  Awesome.

Did you learn Korean?  Kinda…

Do you meet any cool people?  Yes.

Did you make any Korean friends?  Yes.

Did you date any Korean girls?  What?

Did you like teaching?  Meh.

Are you going back? …..

I’ve been telling people (and myself) for months that I am coming back to Korea.  Why not?

I like surprises.