Josh Allred's Blog

It’s a common misconception that we must become self-reliant before we can be generous.

It’s really the other way around.

Generosity leads to more self-reliance.

Self-reliance doesn’t necessarily lead to more generosity. It certainly can, but it is unlikely that someone who is greedy in nature wakes up one morning and starts giving his money or talents generously away.

Money and status and resources can amplify our efforts, but it doesn’t dictate character.

That’s the problem with survival of the fittest mentality, the dog eat dog world—we view the world as fixed, that someone receiving a bigger portion must mean that I received less.

The world is infinite in possibilities and there is plenty for everyone to go around.

When we fight for every inch, for every penny, we lose a part of ourselves that many of us are seeking in all of this, our humanity.

When we develop this posture of enough, enough resources, enough to share, that generosity spreads.

When we take care of others first, the tribe wants to help us in return. It has been said for thousands of years: The more you give, the more you get.

Too often, we focus on the hole, wishing for something to be there that isn’t.

And we end up ignoring all of the substance.

With every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.

No point in trying to argue with the data. It has been scientifically proven that there are invisible forces in this world working against us.

So, when we try to take control of our lives, when we attempt to do something that has never been done before to create forward motion, it’ll be met with an equal and opposing force.

That force is Resistance.

Resistance is the voice in our head that keeps us from being the person we’re born to be. It comes in the form of shame or guilt. It comes in more subtle forms of distraction like Facebook or Netflix binge watching. Or it can be in your face addiction.

Resistance is responsible for more misery and more suffering than any other entity known to human kind.

Resistance is like gravity. There is no use in trying to make it go away. Instead, we can use it as a compass. As we take a step forward, and see Resistance ramp up, we can know that we are on the right track of something great and daring and wonderful.

Don’t stop. Keep moving forward.

The typical executive will spend 23 hours a week in meetings.

Seems like we use 80% of our time identify and discussing problems, leaving only 20% to fix them.

It’s clear, we spend far too much time discussing how to solve problems, instead of playing active roles to solve them.

It’s another form of hiding.

What if instead, we spent 80% of our time creating forward motion? How much more could you accomplish?

It’s really underrated to find someone who will just go and not wait what to be told what to do next.

This could be you. And it’s extremely valuable in a labor force that is stuck waiting to be shown what to do next.

Over the next several weeks, many American prisoners will be on strike. You can read the reactions on Twitter, and quickly see how personal biases, snap judgments gets in the way of seeking truth.

As Catherine Hoke has pointed out, in her critical work with Defy Ventures, most people who go to prison, will get out of prison. They serve their time, pay their debt to society, and yet…

And yet, their punishment doesn’t end once released from prison. It’s difficult to find a job if your last 20 years of experience has been in prison. (Try putting that on a resume.) If you can’t find a job, it’s difficult find a place to live. You can see how circumstances spiral out of control rather quickly and this cycle of shame that hangs like an anchor.

We don’t live in a culture of second chances. Dignity, opportunity and respect are not reserved for the elect. Everyone deserves a second (and third…) chance, but for many, because of the environment they were born into, they’re still looking for their first.

If you were born into similar circumstances, were taught how someone else was taught, lived the way someone else lived, you would probably make the same decisions someone else would make.

How else can we build a culture that we can all be proud of if we won’t stop and listen or be a voice a voiceless?

…

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,
When he beats his bars and would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings –
I know why the caged bird sings.

—Paul Laurence Dunbar

In 1910, the average life expectancy was 50.

Today, it’s 78.

The question is: What are you going to do with all this time? How will you use this gift?

Our time on this earth is incredibly short. To be given so much more, how could you not possibly share it with others?

Is there a cause that needs your help? A church, a charity or shelter? How about starting that small business you always talked about? Could you spend more time with your family and friends?

The best anecdote to shake off our egocentric state is generosity.

Simon Sinek in his hallmark TED talk gives us incredible insight on why great companies exist.

As you watch the video, the first thing you notice is that Sinek is dressed more on the casual side. The lighting is far from ideal. He’s drawing on a paper flip chart. And at the five-minute mark, you’ll notice his microphone needs to be changed.

This is far from ideal conditions to give a presentation that would go on to receive 40 million hits. Obviously, no one in the audience knew what was about to take place that day.

And yet…

You do your best work despite conditions being less than ideal.

Conditions are never optimal or perfect. Sometimes the microphone malfunctions, you stain your favorite shirt and lighting isn’t going to show off your good side.

It’s easy in that moment to walk away, you’ll have every excuses to do so. Don’t. Choose to do great work. The big hit will always be less than perfect. Every time.

To make a big difference for a lot of people, it helps to start by targeting the smallest possible group you can change.

As you grow, you can jump to a bigger pond, creating more impact in the process.

Repeat as needed.

[It is a common misconception that goldfish can’t grow bigger than their tank. While that it is sorta true, goldfish—like most fish—are indeterminate growers. In other words, they never really stop growing. When properly cared for, there’s no telling how big they can get.]

Thomas Hawk is on a mission to take one million hand crafted pictures in his lifetime.

Considering the life expectancy for a male in the US is 78 years old, he would have to average just over 35 photos a day for his entire life.

(It’s more, since I doubt he started this project on the day he was born.)

This is a perfect example of what a labor of love is.

Of course, not every picture Hawk produces is going to be perfect. Some of it might fail. In fact, most of it probably will.

Andy Warhol said it best, “Don’t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they’re deciding, make even more art.”

Our job is to produce. Each of us needs a labor of love, something that we would do whether we got paid.

Time is always running out, don’t waste another second.

Hurry.

[This blog is my own personal labor of love. I want to write 20,000 consecutive blog posts. At my pace, of one a day, that goal will be realized in 2060.]

In 1952, a 23-year-old medical student set across South America on a 1939 Norton 500cc motorcycle (aptly named La Poderosa, or “The Mighty One”) to explore and experience the South America he grew up reading about. What happened next shocked this young man to his core.

Over the next 8,000 miles he encountered extreme poverty, exploitation, disease and suffering. Upon finishing his trip, he knew he could never go back living the way he lived before.

Because of this experience, Ernesto “Che” Guevara would be transformed into one the most controversial and revered figures in history. His image became a symbol for counter-culture.

How?

Because he answered the call.

Every hero goes through a similar journey that transforms them. This is where we discover our purpose, our why, the dent we are going to make in the universe. Everyone receives a call to action. Everyone.

The problem is far too many of us ignore it.

We are miserable for it. Aren’t you tired of thinking you can’t make a difference? How long will you ignore your purpose on this earth?

Many are called, few will answer.