This post turned out pretty long because it really touches my life in a very deep way. In preparing this I normally reviewed one episode per day, wrote my reactions, and then let it roll around in my head until I was fully recharged and ready to go again.

#1. Cube 50 – How to Change

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0050how-to-change.mp3]
[mp3 – 8:16]

This is an important episode for me, since I share two clips that really affected my world view.

One of the things I intend to do in 2012 is find people who are doing something I wish more people would do & promote them. I strongly believe more people should build businesses, or take ownership in their life. Embrace freedom and liberty. This could mean being a great employee, building a side business, or building a business as the primary use of their time, energy, and brain power.

A business is simply a person or group striving to make trades so that what the business has or produces turns into more money than it took to gather or create the good or service.

I boil it down to – help people, or provide value to customers.

There are ways to make money that don’t fit into the win-win situation, but that’s not my focus. There is no fraud, corrosion, theft – I am going to promote people who see desire unfilled & fill it.

That is one of my foci for 2012.

T #2. Cube 61 – How to GTD

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube61how-to-gtd.mp3]
[mp3 – 06:45]

Many of the top downloads of this month are episodes I return to over and over. This one has been heavy on my mind since I am very motivated to accomplish some major tasks.

Some projects I pursue for a minimum amount of times, like Matt Cutts described. Other times I go through the process Seth Godin outlines.

This year I know I will do a few new things, but I also see major changes in my life … and that’s merely with the known. There is a lot still unknown, so I have to both try new stuff & leave enough room to add more later.

The final thing I’ve been thinking about is deadlines for reevaluation. Both with Seth & Matt the idea is to have a period of time, then you evaluate and move forward again. You don’t have to sign a life commitment to doing something, but you do need to act. However, I frequently see people who make life commitments with no system in place for reevaluation, and thus they keep doing something for too long … I am also very guilt of this, because I get caught up in just getting things done.

T #2. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47]

Success = the progressive realization of a worthy ideal

This past week I met with a friend who I had not seen in a while. We were talking & he said he thought Law School would be good for me. Law School does not appeal to me, neither does Business School, or most any advanced degree. I care about learning & this worthy ideal:

We need more businesses in the world.

With all that has happened over the past month, if not months, one thing I keep going back to – How can I help there be more businesses in the world?

I’ve learned to be financially independent & have been a non-conformist for most of my life. Now the focus is very small, first take care of my family, then after that … in the very limited time I have … help people who are providing private solutions to public problems. Most businesses and many organizations do just this.

Now that I am focusing on this, I am going to set some goals.

It’s what I will continue to think about … what is taking up time, energy, or brain power in my head?

T #4. Cube 53 – Unseen Freedom

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0053Unseen-Freedom.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:45]

Should some of the decisions you make be left to others?

The last statement in this clip really hit home. If we load up our lives with no room or margin then we are setting ourselves up for pain, suffering, or at least struggle down the line. It’s one thing to really push toward a goal in the short term – it’s another thing to have a lifestyle where you have no periods of rest, or ability to increase the work you do.

Due to the old English, I think this is one of the harder clips for me to listen to, but it is also a very deep one worth listening to from time to time.

T #4. Cube 60 – Overcoming Adversity

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0060Overcoming-Adversity.mp3]
[mp3 – 06:45]

If you could not do that one thing that you really desire to do, you place your pride on, what would you do?

Some of the hardest times I’ve been through are times where the ideal path to my dreams is blocked. Something happened, good or bad, that has made life more complex. The advice of helping people, reaching out, connecting with those who support you is a great step anyone can take.

 

Closing Notes

The plan in late 2011 was to start a new season of Starting Cube in January 2012. Then we found out another baby is on the way, so I will be focusing on some other projects.

Cubes for the next season are being gathered, so if you find something that would fit please send it in.

The next season should begin in either May or August, with August being more likely. If you are interested in receiving news either sign up for the email list, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or circle on Google Plus, wherever is natural for you.

You might also be interested in the main focus for Jonathan is  AllyNation.

Re-listening to my own episodes is often interesting and painful. I can pick up all the little things I would do different today. It’s also interesting how the cubes mean different things depending on what is going on in life.

#1. Cube 1 – Seed to Tree

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0001.mp3]
[mp3 – 1:50]
Paralysis of analysis is something that I can suffer from. Another, and opposite, issue is trying too many things.

Starting, doing some action, in a small way is important. The current book I am reading is Great by Choice by Jim Collins & one of the first things it talks about is having bounds on the minimum and maximum action you take in a period of time.

If you have been thinking or planning on doing something, action – even if as small as putting a seed in the ground – might be just what you need to make your dream or legacy a reality.

#2. Cube 2 – the Billionaire to the Millionaire

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0002-b2m.mp3]
[mp3 – 3:31]
I manually do some stuff on a 401k account my wife has with her work. Most people set allocations & forget it. I consider the current setup & tell them to put new money into the accounts that are lower than my ideal. At times this can seem like a rather minuscule thing to do. Open a spreadsheet, read some numbers, adjust a couple of settings on a website, but I have added one more thing.

I’ve keep records

I can look back on graphs and see how the numbers have changed over time. I can then compare that to the data of if I had just done it the normal way & measure the difference.

The message to me, today, is not about winning or loosing – it’s keeping in mind how you measure your progress & then keep going. How do you know the start and end points of the race & keep those in mind.

#3. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47]

“Why do you work? Why do you get up in the morning?”

We are in a time of the year where I try to dream.

Listening to this just now reminds me of another post I did roughly a year and a half ago, here is how it begins:

You are sitting on a boat in the middle of an ocean.

You are moving.

You might not feel it – but you are moving. You are drifting.

Drifting is a terrible way to go anywhere, being intentional is much better and more fulfilling.

There are two ends of a spectrum people use when setting out into the vast ocean of life …

What do you thinking about? Where are you heading? Why do you get up in the morning? How do you spend your time?

T#4. Cube 51 – The Right Stuff !?!?!

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0051The-Right-Stuff.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:45]

A tale about selling your soul for too little a price.

The thing with this cube is that I doubt most employers or individuals really understand the harm they are putting themselves in. Humans tend to focus on either the current desires that are strongest, or the long term desires that are in the distance. We often don’t consider the impact of the day to day long term. Part of that is the fact there is unknown. Part of it is the issues presented in Cube 25 about a good life.

The question really is – is what you are getting the right stuff or not?

T#4. Cube 61 – How To Get Things Done

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube61how-to-gtd.mp3]
[mp3 – 06:45]
Listening to this episode after digesting the other 4 in this top 5 downloads is very fitting.

You really have to go through the internal setting of general direction before you take action, but then you have to take action.

“Small Sustainable Changes”

Sometimes you need major changes, most of the time you need small ones.

What are you going to do during the next 30 days?
If you like, send me a message – either publicly or privately. Just a simple “thanks” would be great, or tell me a change you are striving for.

This is being released a little later than normal. Next week either here or on AllyNation something on the plans for Starting Cube, along with lessons learned shall be released.

With October, there were a couple more episodes that were tied with the others, but instead of highlighting all of them I limited the total to 6. It’s been great re-listening, thinking, and being reminded of the great ideas in each episode. You  might consider just pulling up the random cubes page from time to time and listening to one of them it draws for you.

T#1. Cube 53 – Unseen Freedom

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0053Unseen-Freedom.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:45]

Start small, focus on wants and needs of those who can pay & improve what you offer. This is a great business model anyone can follow, but the key is to start.

It’s encouraging to look at history and see how industries and products have evolved over time and understand that you don’t need to launch with the perfect product, simply launch with something someone is willing to pay for & build upon it. Sometimes, when you start, that someone is you – investing your own resources into the project.

T#1. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47]

What are you becoming?

This is a close second on the absolute all time most downloaded episode list & for good reason. It fits so perfectly with Cube 57. It outlines something that all people want & few achieve: Success

We are in a time where you have two groups of people:
1. those who want to be free to achieve & willing to work for it
2. those who want what they want & are willing to take from others to get it

This is not unique, but even if the second group is successful in forcing the wealth of the first group from them, given enough time the first group will still be better off and the second group will be in about the same place — because of what they are becoming.

T#3. Cube 29 – Freedom System

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0029freedom-system.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:43]

This really outlines a major difference between how I desire to build and do business, compared to others.

It’s interesting how he mentioned “what you are becoming” and focusing on needs – outlined in the previous two episodes.

I listen to this & realize there are some areas I need to study still.

T#3. Cube 34 – Life is too Complex for One Tweet

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0034Life-is-too-complex.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:20]

Soundbites tend to either be right what a person needs, or the opposite. People who tend to run hard at any project need to slow down, those who wait for perfection or all the green lights need to act. Just having one rule of thumb tends to have terrible results when the situation changes.

Figuring out who you want to help is a key part of doing anything involving trade or business.

T#3. Cube 49 – Price of Cheap : Paying Peanuts for Skyscrapers

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0049Price-of-Cheap.mp3]
[mp3 – 8:00]

Given enough time – you will hire someone to do something for you. It might be someone to clean your car, walk your dog, mow your grass, or something for your business. This episode is not exactly saying “you get what you pay for” but it is saying that if the market rate, or rate from someone you trust is significantly higher than another bid … monkeys might be involved.

This applies to both how you should price yourself, where you are not a monkey, and when hiring people.

T#3. Cube 64 – What to do Next

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0064What-to-Do-Next.mp3]
[mp3 – 07:30]

Some of the saddest times for me is when I go back through notes and see lessons I had realized years ago, but did not make a change.

One of the reasons I like sports is that they are always focused on achieving a worthy goal. Win the game, win the match, win the Superbowl, gold medal, or championship, but they also mirror the issues that we have in life.

I’ve learned a lot from sports, both participants and commentators, over the years about achieving success, but the biggest thing is dealing with failure.

This is being released a little late, but for information & just the process of re-listening to each episode is really good.

#1. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0059Do-More.mp3]
[mp3 – 10:30]
In September I took a good amount of time thinking about my thinking, which is talked about in this cube. I tried to go one step farther & wrote down both things I knew and know I do not know.

It inspired several posts, and has allowed me to relax on the release schedule for StartingCube. Even caused me to decide to take some time away from producing cubes. Now I am working on picking the things I need to do to progress towards my worthy goals.

Are you doing the same?

It’s no shock in a month with no new releases that this episode would be the highest downloaded, it’s that good.

T#2. Cube 63 – Pursuing Moving Cheese

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0063Pursuing-Moving-Cheese.mp3]
[mp3 – 08:20]

Change happens. Ask anyone over the age of 30 and they can tell you of all types of changes in industries, technologies, and their community that has changed over time. We also live in a time where large groups of people are desiring change to occur, no matter if it is with the economy of government – generally people both desire and fear change.

This episode does a good job of sharing examples of people who have both adapted and hid in their shell, attempting to keep eating on the cheese that is already gone.

T#2. Cube 62 – Feedback & Signals: Little Things for Success

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0062feedback-and-signals.mp3]
[mp3 – 07:11]

Incentives are vitally important in any organization. Feedback systems are ways to communicate the incentives to the people involved. This is something that I think about on a regular basis when working with clients, students, and partners.

T#2. Cube 61 – How to Get Things Done

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube61how-to-gtd.mp3]

[mp3 – 06:45]

This has been a great inspirational episode. Matt Cutts does a great job outlining a way to make major change in your life. The set a due date, outlined by Seth Godin, has also been used successfully many times.

I get out this episode every time I have a new idea for a venture.

T#5. Cube 47 – Culture Game : How to make or succeed in one

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0047Culture-Game.mp3]

[mp3 – 8:05]

The right culture is important, this goes well with the incentives discussion in Cube 62 & many others.

It also applies to all organizations you might be involved with, especially those who have lasted a good period of time.

T#5. Cube 65 – Are Others Needed for Big Dreams?

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0065Are-Others-Needed.mp3]

[mp3 – 09:00]

Leadership is a word that many use, but often the speaker does not mean what you understand them to mean.

It’s a topic worth studying no matter where you are, for to achieve a big dream …

T#5. Cube 66 – Basics : Keys to Improving Your Results

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0066Basics–Keys-Improving.mp3]

[mp3 – 09:20]
Desperation is a strong motivator. It causes a person to develop a new and different solution to a monstrous situation.

Basics are always a good thing to review.

With Cube 66 being the last episode of Season 1, it’s a really good one to leave up for anyone, new or old.

Just seemed like  a quick month. Something about summer & the stage of live I’m in makes it go by quick, but here are the top downloaded episodes in June and some of my thoughts on each.

#1. Cube 42 – Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0042Answer-to-the-Ultimate-Question-of-Life-the-Universe-and-Everything.mp3]
[mp3 – 4:55]

This was a fun episode because I worked in so many geeky jokes referencing sci fi, like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, where both the number 42 and the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” play a role in the story. One that had a major impact on the more technological culture (or geeks).

#2. Cube 43 – Feed The Network

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0043feed-the-network.mp3]
[mp3 – 5:40]

Thinking of this combined with a prior Cube 28 When Blocked You … which looked at how the internet has changed the thinking of societies. The government attempts to prevent what the  citizens want by locking down the internet & the citizens work on a solution that gets the word out.

#3. Cube 40 – Risk & Fear

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0040Risk-and-Fear.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:40]

Most people don’t have a proper perspective on risk, nobody has a perfect understanding of all the risks we take on throughout life, but this episode highlights one major risk all employees take on and few realize.

A key to dealing with this risk is not starting a business. Many people who do still have most if not all their income tied to them doing something on a regular basis. As I see it, there are two things needed. First develop multiple ways you earn income. Second, learn more & expand your skills.

#4. Cube 46 – Survive, Upgrade & Win

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0046Survive-Upgrade-Win.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:40]

I grew up running for elections in this special part of the Boy Scouts called the Order of the Arrow. Each election involved some candidate forum that in some regards is similar to what happens at the end of Survivor.

Anyone running for office, or doing any sales, marketing, or just trying to convince someone else of anything should listen to this one. Rob did a very skilful job working with people.

#5. Cube 25 – How To Succeed

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47]

Still a great listen. I am not sure if this episode or Cube 50 – How to Change is not my “First episode to listen to” but joined they are the first two. We are coming upon the six month mark of StartingCube, during this time a good part of time has been focused on finding great cubes that I and others can use to build their dreams. The biggest thing is that I have kept my mind focused and filled, it has helped.

It is interesting that this episode has been in the top 5 downloads every month since it was released. Not bad for a recording made over 75 years ago.

Looking Forward

I will be shocked if Cube 50 – How to Change is not one of the top downloaded episodes in July, if not longer. It really explains why I do many of the things I do, both on StartingCube and other places.

One idea is to have more posts highlighting sets of cubes.

May was an interesting month for Starting Cube. A series of four cubes focused on Motivation & Uncertainty was released during two weeks, all are in the “top 5” downloads for the month.

We also had the look-back at April & the first four months of StartingCube, partly to see if people continued to listen to those same episodes. One stayed in the top 5, and the others all were downloaded, but the number of downloads in May changed. Not a surprise, the new episodes are promoted more.

Really I am going to look at 7 episodes, because the last four had the same number of downloads.

#1. Cube 33 – Organizations: Machine or Human

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0033Org–Machine-or-Human.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:07]

A big focus here was “What is ‘the market’?” and what are we all trying to do with our lives. One of the draws to this episode might be that the two people in it are not only studied in economics, but also make art & collaborated together on two rap videos with the purpose of educating people about both economics & history.

#2. Cube 35 – The Story of Stories

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube35story-of-stories.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:21]

This was the first of the series of four on Uncertainty & Motivation.

It also makes me think of Cube26 with Conan talking about how we all are just trying to make it through [another great episode to listen to when uncertain or unmotivated]. To build a dream, you will need to tell a story, for you need more people to make it happen.

#3. Cube37 – Motivation : Why you are having issues

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube37Motivation-Why-you-are-having-issues.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:57]

Money is not a great motivator. It use to be, but it is not now. This episode gets into lots of examples of how less and fewer people are living in a “manage making sure they work” situation, either due to organization restructure or just people seeking out work that is fulfilling. I once told a guy that I did not care about money. He did not believe me. Today, years later, I know that yes I do some stuff for money, if the money is not good enough (or opportunity not good enough) then  I don’t do it, but it’s still not my primary reason for actions.

People of my generation, and I am not sure which one that is, fit this to a higher degree than generations before who were indoctrinated to having a money focused world view. I’m still a capitalist, but that is because it’s the best way to improve the world, not because of my wish for stuff.

Part of the Uncertainty & Motivation series of four cubes.

T#4. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0025how-to-succeed.mp3]
[mp3 – 7:47]

I put this one first among the ties because it is the most impressive. It’s been out so long that it should not be able to be in the top 5 again, but it is so good that it is.

This episode is still the first episode I believe people should listen to, because it explains why taking in an episode of Starting Cube on a regular basis will help you build your dreams.

T#4. Cube 36 – Rework Your Work To Work

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0036Rework-Your-Work-To-Wo.mp3]
[mp3 – 9:34]

To generate big solutions, products, or changes it takes long periods of time. This time might be at one time, or spread over years.

There are different types of distractions that can prevent you from making that big breakthrough, but time might be the biggest one.

Part of the Uncertainty & Motivation series of four cubes.

T#4. Cube 38 – Life Change

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0038Life-Change.mp3]
[mp3 – 5:46]

How do you react to an emergency? What about when your best laid plans do not pan out?

Part of the Uncertainty & Motivation series of four cubes.

When you are stunned & dazed from an event … what do you do? What are your options? When you first see that Black Swan …

T#4. Cube 34 – Life is too Complex for One Tweet

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0034Life-is-too-complex.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:20]

“The Secret of Life”
One of the most interesting thing to me about the Bible is that there are many opposite sayings, ideas, etc within it. Some take this as the Bible contradicting itself. How could this guidebook tell people to both give give give & save up as much money as you can.

The answer I have come to is that they don’t all apply to an individual at one time. Sometimes you need that message of give give give. Other times you need a reminder that you need to save for the future.

 

Closing Thoughts

There are many reasons I work on Starting Cube, but today is a great example. I went through several episodes & am better for it.

In May, multiple times I have sent a particular episode to someone because it was a great example for what they are going through & have received praise and thanks.

I also know that many people have picked up books, started tv series, and subscribed to podcasts due to first being introduced through StartingCube.com.

I thank all who have either sent words of encouragement, or shared episodes with others, or both.

What has been your favorite episode so far?

~Jonathan Nation