Happy New Year to You!

I’m excited for 2012. Great Expectations are the words I have heard these last few days over and over.

Travelling into 2012 with new focus, wrestling your way to newness and great things in your life. Excited?

So whether it’s a resolution, a resolve, a new habit you’re aiming for – I pray God’s very best for your life.

A question. In 2012, how will you….

Start Something that Matters?

‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ Mahatma Gandhi.

Sometimes a quote is so overused you can overlook it. Not this one.

It is one of Blake Mycoskie’s favourite quotes.

After reading his new book ‘Start Something that Matters’ I can see it’s influence.

This is what Blake Mycoskie wrote in his journal the day of his first TOMS shoe drop.

When a person can confidently write ‘I realise we were about to fulfil my dream! We were about to embark in the work I knew my life was created for’

You read it, you wake up, shake up and listen.

Is this not the point we aim to achieve in life?

Whether you are a fast paced entrepreneur, stay at home mom with huge dreams, one who is inspired by successful projects or one who knows adding more to their daily business practice is the key to real success This book is a great read.

In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie (Chief Shoe Giver) tells the story of TOMS.

I live in a household where TOMS are loved. In fact when I received the book to review my 12 year TOMS wearing daughter decided to read it first.

TOMS describes itself with a simple business model ‘With every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give you a pair of new shoes to a child in need’

A ‘for profit’ company, helping people and making money, paving the way for new social venture, recognising the merge of social and economic priorities in this century. He explains the importance of employee relations, honesty, empowerment – identifying the contemporary workplace is a flatter experience, where great ideas can come from just about anywhere in the organisation. As a result, the movement is about the TOMS community not one man, a leader can create a company but a community creates a movement.

This book offers 6 key traits that offer lessons that will challenge you to look at business and life differently. They are:

Find your story. This book is full of stories, stories about real people. Heartwarming, funny and challenging.

Face your fears. Why does Blake’s apartment look like a paper tornado hit it?  The many quotes and magazine cuttings pinned up combatting the loneliness of early days of entrepeneurial life.

Be resourceful without resources. People we recognise today as great and successful who began their business in what is coined as the ‘enchanted garage’

For example, did you know Steve Jobs initiated Apple in his garage or those guys called Ben and Jerry leased an old gas station as their first ice cream store?

Keep it simple. How did Michele Kapustka break a million in sales by sending a ball though the post?

Build trust. Why did Blake himself wear wedges for two days straight and why did a Nordstrom employee leave the store to rush to the airport?

Giving is good business. More than an afterthought, let giving run through the veins of your organisation. Let creative philanthropy be your mindset.

I loved the story of TOMS humble beginnings….

and the humble heart that continues.

My daughters review? ‘Great story, very inspiring. I’m challenged to find my own story’….

Are you ready to start something that matters?

Freely you have received…

A couple of free ebooks you might like:

The Flinch by Julien Smith and Tales of the Revolution by Seth Godin

A free download by Josh Garrells.  Christianity Today calls this most recent album “prophetic, incisive, achingly human, and longingly spiritual,” and rated it as their 2011 Album of The Year.

 

And finally….

I’m excited to offer my first blog giveaway courtesy of TOMS.

A copy of ‘Start Something that Matters’!!

All you have to do is sign up to my blog by clicking follow on this post… See it? Just there to the right…

AND

Write a comment with one resolution, resolve, new habit or word that is swirling around your head this first day of 2012.

On January 5th 2012 we will print off names and Emily, 12 (chief reviewer) will pick out a name from her TOMS shoe….

 Look forward to hearing from you!