Do More Cool Shit

So pleased to have Simon (the realist) and Jill (the optimist) join me on this episode of the podcast. Simon and Jill have been working so exceptionally hard for the past few years to build an incredibly creative important virtual textbook that will bring nature into the classroom. The journey has been long and interesting, packed with tons ups and downs and they shared a lot of their journey, their motivations, their creativity on this episode. 

Like I have always said there is no magic behind some of this creative work and doing more cool shit. It is always nice to have an idea of what kind of bungie cords you might have attached while chasing down some wild dreams. 

As always if you need help with a bungie cord you know where to visit. 

Thanks for listening and happy Monday! 

If you want to do more cool shit in your life I think there is 1 really huge key to moving forward, knowing and acting on what is in your control and what is not. 

This episode asks you to list out and really start practicing and focusing on what you can control in your life. If you can do that I know it will lead to a happier more successful life in any way you define that. 

Thanks for listening. 

I really felt like the 15 Minute Friday was a good start to the topic of,  What gives you energy? What gets you out of bed in the morning? But I really think these questions, these topics, deserve so much more discussion. So much more time. So much more energy. If we nail the answers to these questions then I truly believe we are on a good path. My dream is that one day the education system, our families, and the world will really focus on these things, rather than pushing us through and along an old ideology that was meant to produce workers. I hope that one day we can wake up and see that there is so much more to life and that these questions are crucial and deserve days and months and years.

My guest this week is Dr. Jane Thompson and I was so happy to have her on for this episode because as someone who herself is creative and a true thinker and problem solver I know she gives real thought to these things. As the executive director of the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership I also know that she has got to chat with thousands of young and inspiring creatives and innovators and brings a wealth of that knowledge forward in everything she does. Add in there that she is the amazing author of, Resilient Women, she also bring that incredible knowledge and wealth of information. 

I hope you pick up as many nuggets of wisdom while listening to Jane as I did from having the conversation with her.  

Homework for the week - what gets you out of bed? 

It is music? Is it art? Fresh air? Solitude? What is it that fills your cup?

1. This seems like a very simple question to answer, but really think about it, do you really know?

2.  Are you doing the things give you energy as much as you can?

If you know, you know and that is amazing! If you think you might be struggling with it then this is your week coming up. Take the time to really think about what fills your cup. 

Think about those "I" statements. How many "I's" do you get to use when thinking about your life and your health and your energy? Count 'em out. Hopefully it's a good number of "I's." If you fill your cup and are happy and full of energy trust me you will serve yourself and those around you so much better. 

Have an awesome weekend and "see" you all on Monday! 

Being able to have a conversation with Kristen, who grew up in the same small town as me was a real treat. I have watched Kristen's businesses grow over the years and it has been incredibly fun. I hope that when you listen to our conversation you hear all the amazing lessons that Kristen brings up. We cover everything from taking the leap by just saying yes, to building a community around you, to looking at your goals and what you are doing in a whole new light, trying new ways of being in an industry, and learning to be agile, and so much more.

To find out more about all the awesome work Kristen and her team are doing check out:

http://minthairstudio.ca/index.html
https://www.apartminthairstudio.ca/

And as always you know I want to hear what you are up to so drop me a note on any of the platforms by searching for Do More Cool Shit or via the website at:
domorecoolshit.com 

One of the reasons we don't get on a roll doing more cool shit is our ability to get stuck in the negative. I think it is a profound and helpful skill to temper our minds, to train our brains to help us see the good, to find the light to move forward toward. It's not always easy to do this but is it ever an addition to ourselves and how we live when we train ourselves to find the good in almost any situation. There is always a chance to choose to doubt ourselves but what would happen if you didn't? In this episode I talk about an amazing young man who has inspired me, Taylor. Taylor has, for years, done a very simple task of writing down 3 things he is grateful for on a regular basis. Not always huge items, but there is always something to write about. If I could ask you to do 1 thing this coming week it would be to find 3 things you are grateful for each and everyday for the entire week. Make that a habit and I promise you, you will motivate yourself to keep moving forward.

As always, I would love to hear from you about this episode reach out to www.domoreshit.com or tag #domorecoolshit in any of your social media posts. I love having these conversations and I am personally incredibly grateful for you folks for joining me on this journey. 

Sometimes change is necessary for the betterment. The betterment of our minds, our physical health, our lives as a whole. We don't always know it or see it right at first but hopefully we have the chance, the time, the knowledge, good friends, or something wholly and wonderful thing or things in our life that helps us see that changes are necessary.

And we all know change, or blowing it all up, can be extremely difficult. Especially when those changes are done alone. Well need I remind you that's what this whole movement is about, it is about not having to go through any of this alone.

I was so honoured that Claire, aka ThePlasticArchitect took the time to chat with me about the changes and the self reflection she has made in her life to make her a happier and healthier person. I hope that you can hear the joy, that you can understand how much play matters, that giving yourself time in very important. Claire has so many nuggets of wisdom in this conversation, I'm glad you are here and listening.

Thanks as always for tuning in AND you know I want to hear about your creative adventures so drop me a note when you can and fill me in.

Finally, don't forget to go and play, create, relax with Claire and LEGO https://www.twitch.tv/theplasticarchitect
https://youtube.com/theplasticarchitect

We get fed stories of overnight successes all the time but do I actually think there are that many actual overnight successes, no. I think there are very few overnight successes. I also believe that it is harmful to present these stories as overnight successes. It is harmful because it allows people to think that "it", whatever it is for each person, is unattainable. 


Check out:

That Creative Life Podcast  with Peter McKinnon
Gary Vee - Overnight Success

Looking forward to hearing more of what your creative minds are upto: https://www.domorecoolshit.com/

Almost no one out there has alllllll their shit together. Some are better at hiding it than others. Some are working really hard to cover it up. Some don't know they don't have it together. But it's true, imposter syndrome effects many many people, especially the creatives of this world. We can however, take comfort though in numbers. We can also take greater comfort in knowing that we are all deserving, that we can all continue to learn and grow.

On this episode I talk about failure and the impostor syndrome. I have the chance to sit down with an amazing power couple, Kyla Cullain and Sean MacGinnis are the co-owners of a dog, a cat, an incredible free spirited kiddo AND an amazing life changing and life supporting business called BuildAble. They are always candid, they are always full of information and insight, and they are always fun to chat with.

Don't forget to tackle the challenge from SoulPancake, what are 5 things you could learn from a 5 year old?

Once you have those answers, don't be afraid to share them with me at domorecoolshit.com and to tell me about some cool creative projects you are working on or would like to work on.

WOW folks - episode 15 and I have so many fun updates and thank you's. Thank you to all of you for making this such a fun ride so far. Keep coming at me with all your creative projects and dreams. 

Check out all the things I mentioned on the podcast:

https://www.domorecoolshit.com/stbs-podcast
https://www.domorecoolshit.com/rts-podcast
https://www.twitch.tv/danielleallard
https://www.twitch.tv/voiceunmuted
https://www.twitch.tv/artinjest
https://www.twitch.tv/imboredtoys
https://www.twitch.tv/theplasticarchitect
https://www.twitch.tv/alliharrismusic
https://gfda.co/

In this 14th episode of DMCS I was so happy to have Katie Seto (https://www.twitch.tv/voiceunmuted) join me. Katie is 100% herself and does not apologize for being that way to anyone. All you have to do is spend 5 minutes in one of her Twitch streams to be inspired by that mentality and way of living.

Katie and I talk about what it is like to just keep getting on the stage when you are afraid beyond believe. What do you have to lose? What is the worst that can happen?

If you aren't fired up to find your true self or share your true self with the world by the end of this episode then that's on you.

As always, if you are ready to put yourself out there but still want a small kick in the butt or a helping hand, or whatever it is you need please reach out to http://domorecoolshit.com/

When you are trying to improve, when you are trying to move forward, when you are climbing there will always be people who say mean shit about you. They are jealous, they are uncomfortable with their state of being as you improve and you move forward. Take all that hate, bundle it, be proud that you said or did something that evoked an emotion.

You, you are creatives! You are makers, doers, put things out in the worlders. I am proud of you and if you look far and wide you will always find your people. You will find your people that will help you drown out the haters.

And when you can't tune out the haters, open your ears even more, soak it all in and thank them for tuning in to your show. Let it fuel you.

Thanks for tuning in and always remember to come and check out domorecoolshit.com to let me know how I can help you achieve the things in life that you want. 

On this episode I had the chance to sit down with the energetic, fun, risk taking, seemingly limitless and incredibly tenacious owner of Iron North Studio, Jenna Ladd, and it was absolutely delightful.

Following up on Friday's episode about investing in yourself I wanted to find someone that would talk to me and you amazing folks about pushing themselves. Jenna, fit that bill to the tea. I have been watching Iron North grow over the years and it has been incredible. While I was preparing for this episode I talked to a few folks who train there and a few folks who are thinking of training there and everyone had the same thing to say, they felt like Iron North and Jenna herself were incredibly inviting and safe place. A place where you could really push yourself to be a better version of yourself.

When is the last time you have surprised yourself?

Keep being creative and thanks for following along this awesome journey. Don't forget to head over to domorecoolshit.com and tell me what you are working on and how I can help. 

Just believe in yourself dammit. Nothing to look up. Nothing to read. Look inside. Ask yourself more questions about what makes you happy.

Then please happily come and share that journey with me over at domorecoolshit.com because I want to hear it and when you are happy others will be happy. 

I couldn't not be any happier to have Danielle Allard who is an amazing musician and an even better human join me on episode 10 as I talk about giving into you, listening to yourself, and following what and where that path leads.

Danielle has had a truly inspirational journey into and through and around and over and into making music as frequent as she does. Our chat covers a lot of territory but one of the highlights is her work that she is doing on Twitch and how that world is working. If you are a creator and are thinking of doing any kind of live streaming this is an amazing conversation to tune into.
https://www.twitch.tv/danielleallard

If you liked  that small snippet from Jack Conte then check out the full conversation here: 
How to get a million subscribers: Do what you can't help doing.

What is your life's purpose? Don't know? Let me know if you want to chat about this? I would love to have that conversation.

Make sure you find the giveaway page if you want to get your hands on my "buddy" Rain Wilson's book, Soul Pancake.
https://www.domorecoolshit.com/

Happy Monday! 

It can be incredibly difficult to jump into anything new. But sometimes it's what is best and sometimes we have to trick ourselves into making that jump less scary.

On top of all that you have to ask yourself, what's the worst thing that can happen if I make the jump? 

One thing that can really help us make more jumps is if we were able to make our jumps simpler. Maybe when you are about to take a chance, start a side hustle, begin a new business adventure we could find the simplest, least cost effective method to test it out so that we could fail faster and far more often. So that we could get much more used to the pace of moving and doing. So that we can get used to the word and the feeling of momentum.

A really great example of starting off simple comes from a story that Marc Randolf, the co-founder of Netflix, often tells of a young student who is thinking of starting a new business and how he advises her to do some easy market research. You can hear that story in the amazing podcast episode he does with the guys over at the Creative Rebels podcast. If you haven't checked their podcast out yet, it's definitely worth the listen.

Creative Rebels - Marc Randolf - This will never work

Now I double dare you to get out there and make the jump! 

What does a nurse, a documentary filmmaker, a burlesque dancer, and a scientist all have in common? Well in the case of Chantalle Clarkin, they are all one person. Chantalle's journey been one of twists and turns. Her inspiring stories of change and of never settling is sure to move you. The idea that a 15 year pin could be placed on your desk, aw yes stability, benefits, calm, well not for Chantalle it is what sparked her to really examine her life. Was Chantalle losing her Chantalleness? YES! It was time for a change. It was never easy but it was do able.

The challenge this week is all around - How can you be selfish? Write in on the website or tag #dmcs on the socials and let me know how you are going to choose to be selfish. What will you do this week, something big or small that can make you happy? That can help make you, you?

If you need more proof that never settling and seeking discomfort can be incredibly helpful than search no more, go and check out the awesome team over at Yes Theory. They have been saying yes, taking chances, and living life as full as they can.

And I am always talking about and reading from Soulpancake. If you haven't picked up that book yet you have to. Want a copy? One lucky winner will win a copy if you go to the DMCS website and send me a message with the words I WANT CAKE as the subject. 

Have an awesome week. Get out there and create! 

Why would I ever choose to talk about this crazy deep topic in such a short time? Well because I'm a dork.

Change is always inevitable but how and why do we choose to make those changes? Our brain has roughly 70,000 thoughts per day but many of those thoughts are the same day to day, experts have said 91% of our thoughts are the exact same. So what do we do with those 9% of new thoughts every day? How can we train our brain to make change, to be ok with change?

Well this podcast is all about making that change.

Check out Mel Robbins talk where she speaks more about her 5 Second Rule.

Then if you need more motivation to change think about how we can always evolve. How we can always work hard to become the person we want to become. If you need a new you then make sure and check out Eric Thomas. He's a bit yelly, but who doesn't like some good good yelling?  You Owe You Video

And if you really are stuck and just need some guidance then Keri Smith is going to hook you up to loosen your creative muscles and explore the world. To look for change.

And if you need support or want to chat about change more then make sure as always to hop over to domorecoolshit.com. I always want to hear what you folks are up to and the progress you are hoping to make. 

Carolyn Gummo is one of those people that you don't have to spend very much time with until you know you are going to be inspired by her sense of self, her sense of adventure, and her free spirit. I was so honoured to be able to have Carolyn on the show as we discussed her leap into the clothing store world, what it means to take over a family business, and how there really are no failures just lessons to be learned. In this episode you will hear great lessons about really listening to people, something Carolyn does as she builds up her consignment store. You will hear stories about just taking chances. You will hear confidence in not only herself but confidence in trusting others, which is important for growth as well. So many good lessons and so much great inspiration in this episode.

If you ever find yourself in Picton, Ontario make sure and make City Revival a stop on your route, you won't be disappointed. Can't make it to Picton, follow along on some of their shenanigans on their Instagram channel: https://www.instagram.com/city_revival/

Never let failure get in the way of your success.

Here are some links to some of the clips that were featured in the show as well as a few other clips to help build you up:

Kobe Bryant - "Failure Doesn't Exist"
Jake Frew - "For anyone feeling like a failure"
Kenneth Cole - "The Birth of a Shoe Company"
FAILURE - "Best Motivational Video Speeches Compilation for Success, Students & Entrepreneurs"

And if you ever need to reach out while you are feeling like a failure to anyone - never hesitate to send a note to the Do More Cool Shit website: domorecoolshit.com

Until the next episode, keep creating! 

This second instalment of Fifteen Minute Friday and wow what a leap to fit all the stuff into fifteen minutes but it's fun thanks for joining. I look forward to keep making them better.

This episode is all about self talk and how we are really great at negative self talk yet pretty shitty at the positive side of things. We give ourselves a hard time so often, harder than we would ever give our friends and our loved ones.

So give yourself a break already. You're doing amazing things. Waking up everyday and taking on the day is great. Learn to appreciate that and wow will you ever pick up steam to do more cool shit, all the cool shit you want to do.

If you do anything after this episode it should be a letter to yourself about yourself.

Ok so in this episode I didn't get a chance to mention as many awesome folks or links as I would like to so here they are:

Jessica's AMAZING Daily Affirmations
WheezyWaiter: Does the Mirror Pep Talk Improve Your Life?  - spoiler alert from me - it does.
Mark Manson: 3 Steps to Stop Negative Thinking
Keri Smith: This Is Not A Book - find it at your local book store and learn how to interview yourself
Help Me Be Me: Ep 142 Self Dialoguing - How To Do Self-Work in a Journal. 

Keep practicing, change that narrative and I guarantee you, things will feel better and you will be fired up to do way more cool shit on this planet.