SartingCube Top Downloads – July 2011

Seems like just last week the Top Downloads for June 2011 was being released, but here we are, one month later & many new episodes. Work on Cube 60 is already underway, Cube 50 had just been released when the Top Downloads for June post was released.

#1. Cube 55 – Security, Responsibility & $100 Start-ups

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0055Security-Responsibility-100-dollar-Start-ups.mp3]
[mp3 – 6:50]

People who take responsibility for their own security are better off, no matter if you are in the self-employed category or not.

I think part of the draw to this episode was the $100 Start-ups part. There are many $100 Start-up options now a days, especially with us being in a service based economy, where if you have knowledge and the ability to communicate, you can find people to coach, train, teach, consult, advise, or encourage.

 

#2. Cube 50 – How to Change


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

A very special cube for me. It sums up some of the major reasons for doing StartingCube.

  • promote ideas
  • educate people

An ironic thing is that by doing StartingCube I have had to be discipline enough to consume more media, take better notes, and produce on a consistent basis. I am better as a coach, entrepeneur, investor, father, friend, and person by doing his.

 

T#3. Cube 56 – How to Solve [the most] Complex Problems

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0056-How-to-Solve-Complex-Problems.mp3]
[mp3 – 10:00]

The presentation by Tim Harford has been one I have shared many times since this episode.

Another economist, Mike Hammock, first introduced me to Tim’s writing. He recommended the book The Undercover Economist. It’s a good starting point for anyone interested in economics, but don’t want to read a textbook.

 

T#3. Cube 53 – Unseen Freedom

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

This one was a playful take on freedom. In the picture, the wakeboarder is being drug by the boat. To wakeboard, do tricks, or really make progress he must not be “free” of the boat totally, but at the same time, the wakeboarder and not the captain of the boat decides what he does at the end of the rope.

One way the captain could attempt to control the wakeboarder is to cut the length of the rope. This would insure the wakeboarder would not go “out of bounds” but would drop much of his creativity and options, thus giving an inferior run.

Many times, this is the same thing that happens when centralized panning happens. Yes, people do as the “designer”/”leader” desires, but the result is inferior to what it could have been.

 

T#3. Cube 52 – What Does it Take to Build? Vision, Security, People

 

[audio:http://www.startingcube.com/cube0052take-to-build.mp3]
[mp3 – 4:05]

Do you want to build something great?

Share your vision

Get great people involved

and offer them enough security.

Without those steps, it’s hard to build greatness. Now the security is relative. When building the Golden Gate Bridge, by modern standards, there was very little security provided the workers … but there was enough.

Want to demoralize or run off all the great people of your organization … cause them to wonder if they will be jumped on the next meeting.

 

T#3. Cube 51 – The Right Stuff !?!?!

 

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

The decisions we made in the past got us to this point, but we don’t always look at the big picture.

Some decisions have a low long term effect, others set our path in a verity of ways.

The biggest things one can do to limit options are go into major debt, or secure major assets that are hard to sell or move (like a big house).

So, are you a monkey stuck eating oranges handed to you … do you want to be something better?

 

Closing Thoughts

The past few episodes (including Cube 60 to be released tomorrow) have been interesting. I have been very happy with the results, but they have also been harder. I would love some feedback on them & am looking for people who would like to help out. Let me know.

These have been especially interesting to me:

The other thing I know is that going back and listening to old episodes of StartingCube has been really good for me. Hope you try the same.

 

About Jon

Jonathan has a few foci in life: his family, helping people build organizations as a Coach, Adviser, Mentor, or Partner, and learning about success. Actively seeks opportunities to travel, sail, shoot pictures, play music & games, and create art.

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