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Yes, there is a middle class in America (and a lot of other tribes too)
The recent decision of Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum to challenge the term “middle class” reminded me of this very funny PBS documentary I saw in a marketing class about the multi-layered nature of class, status, and privilege in America. One of the key points in the film is that the choices we make define our class. [...]
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Moving ahead by looking back: A great way to start the new year
I hope you’re having a good start to the new year. Today in DC, a bit of snow is giving a fresh new look to the landscape. I’m increasingly learning the value of new beginnings, and at the same time the value of getting perspective from the past. I’m currently putting together a seminar I’ll [...]
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The original Santa: Less toy fairy, more social-justice philanthropist
I recently enjoyed the documentary Becoming Santa, which follows a middle-aged Los Angeles man who has been sad around Christmas ever since his “Christmas-fanatic” mother died. Hoping to regain the Christmas spirit, he decides to bleach his beard, get expert training, and become a professional Santa for one season. Journeying into the world of professional Santas, the [...]
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Hoan Do: An inspiring speaker and friend in the White House Video Challenge
My friend Hoan Do, a speaker specializing in success for students and young people, has a great video Here about his life story, which is his entry in a competition to speak at the White House. Since I first met Hoan when we were students at Pepperdine, I have been impressed by the single-minded vision he [...]
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Remembering Earl Hedlund
My grandfather Earl F. Hedlund died a few weeks ago. He was an inspiration in many ways, an idealistic and intellectually curious man who combined hope for the future with a genuine concern about the world’s problems and the human failings that cause them. A former county district attorney, he loved his community where he [...]
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Having amazing third day at Net Impact conference
Hoping to post more soon, but for now, live-tweeting at @samhedlund. The level of passion that happens when you bring idealistic young people together with mentors who have figured out how to use business to change the world is palpable. Right now in the keynote session by Vail Horton, CEO of Keen Mobility.
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From the “stop doing” list to the “do instead” list
Recently I tried going back to using a ”stop doing” list, a tool popularized by Jim Collins in Good to Great. I’d found it useful before, but it just didn’t seem to work for me this time. The list told me things (like watching TV) that I wanted to cut out of my schedule, and [...]
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Inspiration: From flash to sustaining force
This was the title of a workshop I led last weekend as part a spiritual retreat. Can you think of a moment in your life when you were exceptionally inspired, surprised, or changed? What happened and why? And what can you do to receive and act on this kind of inspiration more often? As I [...]
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You only have two choices: get quiet or get numb
This week I’ve been realizing how much noise there is in my life. Adding more speed, information, and work actually makes me less productive, not more. This is sometimes true even when the (literal or figurative) noise I add to my life is supposed to keep me focused, like listening to music while working. The fact that all [...]
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