#1. Cube 50 – How to Change

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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.

#1. Cube 1 – Seed to Tree

[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

[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

[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 !?!?!

[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

[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.

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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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.

#1. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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?

[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

[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.

#1. Cube 61 – How to Get Things Done

[mp3 - 06:45]

One of the most practical Cubes that has been released, the practical steps are steps that anyone can take to make a dream a reality.

I’m at a point where it could be easy to just settle into the life that I have, but there are desires of helping more organizations and businesses that cause me to want to add and subtract from my life. Projects I need to just put a due date on & start working. Might be a novel, might be a program. A key for me is to have enough time or margin in my life and that means I need to work on that other side & drop some demands on my time.

This is a really good episode & I can see why it was the #1 downloaded in August 2011.

#2. Cube 63 – Pursuing Moving Cheese

[mp3 - 08:20]

The phrase “moving cheese” is a reference to the book Who Moved My Cheese? a story that goes through dealing with change.

Free is a wonderful book, which I received in audio form for free, but then I purchased two copies of the physical book. One to keep in my collection & one to share with people.

A key element of this episode is that change will happen the question is will you be ready to deal with it or not?

#3. Cube 60 – Overcoming Adversity

[mp3 - 06:45]

Change seemed to be in the air in August. This one looked at what some small businesses were doing, along with one mindset of an NFL Player during the 2011 labor dispute.

The most interesting comment to me this time I listened was Ray Lewis talking about how business is about putting people together. It’s a good insight from this man who I have learned to respect a lot over the past year.

#4. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[mp3 - 7:47]

This is a great piece that is well worth listening to on a regular basis, thus not a surprise people have shared it & returning to it again and again.

“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”

That’s something worth hearing again and again, too.

What are you thinking about?

T#5. Cube 59 – Do More : Building Fans & Customers

[mp3 - 10:30]

“Start Wiring Now” is a great message, and this cube shows great reasons why.

Look longer term is another message from this that rings true to me. You have to do stuff that plants crops that you can harvest later on.

See a theme of the top downloaded episodes this month yet?

T#5. Cube 2 – the Billionaire to the Millionaire

[mp3 - 3:31]

Find what works & do it over and over and over. Does not sound glamorous, it could be, but it is a key lesson & how you get to a large collection of anything.

You know who always wins.

Keep that in mind & keep striving for your dreams.

Closing Thoughts

One of the great things about how we have done Starting Cube is that the content is evergreen. An episode might hit you one way today & a totally different one in a year. That’s why the Random Artwork page is a great way to get a daily dose, just fire it up & see the suggestions, pick the image that you like & listen.

Here is the rest in audio format:

[mp3 - 12:58]

When I started doing starting cube nearly 8 months ago there were a few goals:
- share great things I’ve found (or in the future others too)
- promote great things that
- help people develop solutions or offer value to the world

The idea was simple, provide a starting point & see what happens. Twice a week, a short audio podcast for people to chew on.

The style has shifted & changed over time, with more creativity of piecing together parts being the most recent focus.

The thing is that doing each episode takes a good bit of time, something we all have limits on.

Jim Collins produced a great concept in Good to Great called the Hedgehog concept. It says that the spot, area, or nitch you really want to be in combines three things:
- your strengths
- your passions
- your economic engine

My strengths are well-known, they involve organizations, systems, people, communications, processes, and other social science stuff.

My passions are pretty simple too — private solutions to public problems, I have more but that is the overarching theme.

Now economic engine.

Jim actually revised this a little for “social sector” or non-profit sector breaking it from a Profit per X into three individual sub-engines:
- cashflow
- brand equity
- time – people

I see that ringing true for all organizations & for all people.

That’s the area I have to work on, both as an individual and as an overall organization – that StartingCube is just a small mart of.

Moving forward I see three main options:

1. more people
2. less cubes per week
3. just less & random

1. more people
I would love others to be involved. If the right people appear and work with me on Starting Cube, it can continue & grow. If you want to help out, send me an email (use forum in sidebar)

2. less cubes per week – I’ve considered committing to 1 new cube per week & might go with this if I feel that some discussion or communication, or even a new podcast could be developed to help people more. This is sorta the middle ground.

3. just less & random
Bottom line is I will continue to go through audio, video and other media & want to share great stuff to people I believe it’ll help. I will continue to promote people I believe in and causes I want to see succeed. That’s just a part of who I am.

Thus, I don’t see StartingCube ever truly dying, but the release could be sporadic. The best thing one could do to keep up with releases is sign up for the email list.

Improving is a key to achieving a great result.

This cube looks at parts from Built to Last by Jim Collins & Poke the Box by Seth Godin.

[mp3 - 09:20] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What was the last experiment you tried? What will be your next?
2. Are the projects you should eliminate from your life?
3. What is your destination, either long term or next step?

Leadership is a topic that one tends to either contribute a lot to or nothing at all.

This cube looks at achieving big dreams and getting others involved by looking at leadership. First with Good to Great by Jim Collins, then Team of Rivals – looking at Abraham Lincoln, then a quotation by Vince Lombardi.

The first question is how much leadership is needed to achieve greatness.

[mp3 - 09:00] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Who has been someone who really influenced a group you were involved in?
2. What have you learned about leading others?
3. Do you need to find more people with the right skills, abilities, talent, or characteristics?

Given enough time & big enough goals – you will fail. The best news is that you will get another chance.

After missing one release date, we come back and look at Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell & NFL Films Presents episode on the Loyola Bulldogs (hulu)

[mp3 - 07:30] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Have you been setting goals that stretch yourself?
2. Has something in your past been holding you back from stretching again?

Cheese gets moved, change happens, technology causes industries to disappear.
If almost all content goes to *free* – what is the secret that Monty Python & Engadget has found to making money off making content?

What you will hear is about a Dream – a dream that Monty Python had … then Chris Anderson from his book titled Free tell the story of why you could see the entire Monty Python clip for free (you can video below) & finally Jeff Jarvis on TWIG 82

[mp3 - 08:20] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What would you do if your primary way of earning money disappears?
2. Are there ways you can produce more value at little or no cost to you?

You look down the fairway, see the flag waving in the breeze. You have calculated your shot based on the distance, elevation change, wind, and obstacles you can see or believe to be around.

You line up the shot, swing your club, and send the ball towards the green.

This cube mixes parts of Built to Last by Jim Collins with The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge. Looking at core elements of improving and achieving your goals.

[mp3 - 07:11] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What was the strongest through that came to mind as you listened the first time?
2. What is one reinforcing or rebalancing system you deal with?
3. What is one reinforcing or rebalancing system you could improve upon?

 You have a dream. You might or might now know what it is, but there is something that you deep down want to do.

This cube deals with starting out on a path to achieve your dream, or getting things done (GTD). No matter if it is skysurfing, building a company, making a podcast or other art.

It takes the short Ted Talk by Matt Cutts (you can view below) and part of the book Linchpin by Seth Godin. Seth presents a plan, Matt does too, but you might see then after the same general steps, or you might not. That’s for you to decide.

[mp3 - 06:45] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Does Matt Cutts follow the steps that Seth Godin spelled out? Do you?
2. How do you find a balance between starting & finishing (the two sides people have the most issue with)?

We live in turbulent times.

Employees are being laid off.
Unions are on strike.
Big companies threaten on your little business you have run.
Your investments look like their value dropped 10+% this week.

Basically, if you are not an all-powerful god, then this cube is for you & focused on what to do in the face of adversity. Featuring TWiT 308 (around 1 hour & 42 minute mark)  & Ray Lewis on ESPN’s NFL Live.

[mp3 - 06:45] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How are you expanding your capabilities and fanbase?
2. What was the word of encouragement that struck you the most?
3. When was the last time you helped someone; no matter if you received payment or not, when did you make someone else’s life better?

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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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 !?!?!

[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:

• Do More : Building Fans & Customers [59]
• College vs Pro [58]
• Your Dream, v1.0 [57]
• Change in Relationship [54]
• Price of Cheap – Paying Peanuts for Skyscrapers [49]
• I Don’t Know – The Truth Many Will Not Say [48]
• Culture Game : How to make or succeed in one [47]

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.

All organizations, and most people, are looking for more fans, supporters, volunteers, employees, customers, or simply put people who like them and what them to win.

This cube draws from two sources:
- Real Life Real Estate Investing, a radio show out of Cincinnati, OH, hosted by Vena Jones-Cox & released as a podcast.
- Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

The specific episode of Real Life Real Estate Investing originally aired the 29th of June 2011 [mp3 & rss]

The clips from Thou Shall Prosper come from the timestamps of roughly 6:54:30 and 8:48:12 into the close to 18 hour audiobook full of great thoughts and information.

[mp3 - 10:30] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Are there things you do that if you could not others would be lost & you need to write more down?
2. How are you building stuff to make your fans/supporters/volunteers/employees/customers achieve their goals?
3. How can you better communicate with people?

Ben Roethlisberger is a Superbowl Winning Quarterback, who ended up in the wrong place & suspended from the NFL.

Merril Hoge is a former NFL quarterback & NFL analyst who came alongside Ben in his dark time and mentored him.

This cube pulls from Drive by Danial Pink, specifically the chapter titled “Autonomy”. It presents a small section, then shifts to an episode of ESPN’s NFL Live where Merril Hoge tells a little about his relationship with Ben. Tony Dungy adds some insight, he has also mentored NFL players who got into trouble.

[mp3 - 8:39] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Which of these is it more important and less important for you to have control or influence over? task, time, technique, team
2. Have you seen situations, settings, or systems that teaches or helps people to accept more responsibility or autonomy?
3. Any other thoughts?

There are many paths one can take to make their dreams. This cube looks at several options out there through ideas and stories of how the world has worked.

Part of the cube is the video embedded below by The Fund for American Studies, is covers the first and last part of the cube. In between is a slightly different viewpoint (or is it?) from Derek Sivers‘ book Anything You Want

Both stories being told have similarities and differences.

[mp3 - 6:57] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What is a similarity of the approach for building an organization both suggested?
2. If you could summaries a plan or strategy  for building a company, what would some first steps be for each?
3. Are you trying to serve too many people, or do too much too fast?

Some problems are simple, then you have big complex problems.

Many look to solve complex problems through finding that one magic bullet to make everything sunshine & rainbows.

Tim Harford presents in a ted talk about a way to solve the most complex problems.

[mp3 - 10:00] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Is there a person, organization, government, or business that you have put too much dependence on?
2. If you don’t have the time or resources to do all the experiments, how else could you find solutions to complex problems?
3. Where are some examples where you have seen the “god complex”?

This Cube focus on part of chapter 5 of The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau & deals with several things, ending with a couple of ideas of businesses that took less than $100 to start and earned enough for the founder to not need a traditional job.

Inside the cube is also this quotation:

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sightseeing.”

~ Daniel J. Boorstin

[mp3 - 6:50] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Who are some people or organizations that promote building a business, investing, or passive income?
2. Do you want to earn independence?
3. Do you have other low-cost start-up ideas?

Relationships are never static.

We control fifty percent of a relationship. We influence one hundred percent of it.

~ Joyce Brothers [wiki]

This cube highlights a clip from TNT 241 looking at the changing of relationships between some media and their audience and their supporters.

[mp3 - 8:04] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What other options do your Customers, Friends, Family, or other relationships have?
2. Can you offer more value & receive what you want in other ways then you considered before?
3. Have you adapted due to the world around you changing?

This cube looks at planning, too little or too much?

The bulk of this episode comes from The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich A Hayak.

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

~ Napoleon Hill, author Think & Grow Rich

[mp3 - 7:45] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Are there decisions you should leave for others?
2. As you have seen an organization grow, how has the decision making structure effected the growth?
3. Are you too controlling?

Vision, security & people are all involved with building something great.

This cube features three mini-cubes. First from the tv show Build It Bigger, an episode on the Kuawati Tower – Al Hamra. Next a segment from Mega Disasters : San Fransisco. Last this quotation:

You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.

~ Walt Disney

[mp3 - 4:05] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What thought came to mind while listening?
2. Could you help the people around you with vision, security, or manpower?
3. What do you need to move forward?

We all make decisions every day. Then we live with the results.

This cube features Paul Winkler on his radio program he podcasts, The Investor Coaching Show, looking at an article about how some employer are striving to keep their best employees around. See if either yourself or your organization have been handcuffed due to past decisions.

[mp3 - 7:45] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Are there lifestyle changes you need to make to achieve a bigger dream?
2. What does your organization promote for those involved?
3. Has past decisions severely limited options you or your organization have today?

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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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.

This is a very special episode, one that explains part of the reasons why StartingCube exists.

There are two clips inside this cube, first from the episode of EconTalk titled Don Boudreaux on Public Choice, where Russ Roberts poses the question to Don Boudreaux how he could be changing the world since Don does not vote in elections.

Second clip is from Seth Godin’s book Tribes. Seth tells a story of a process a couple uses to have dramatic change where they are.

[mp3 - 8:16] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Who do you promote?
2. Have you found people with common goals to work with?
3. How are you influencing others?
4. Why?

If you would like help picking your next episode to listen to, try the random cube page. It’ll show you a the artwork of a few cubes at random & you can pick which to listen to next.

One reply to someone saying that something is *FREE* is “at what price?”

This cube looks at the potential costs involved with going with the low bid.

Featuring  Connie and Sheila Talk Episode 60 Reinventing your & your business with Daniel Clinton, owner of DC Enterprises

[mp3 - 8:00] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What is a time you have went with the “low bid” and been disappointed?
2. Are there items you are willing to pay for good quality, and unwilling to sacrifice quality to save a buck?
3. Should your employees, contractors or coaches be based on price alone?

This cube comes from July 2009, an episode of EconTalk where Russ Roberts talks with Justin Fox. This particular segment focused in on precision & how people react under stress & uncertainty.

Macroeconomics:

a branch of economics dealing with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of the entire economy. This includes a national, regional, or global economy.

~ wikipedia on Macroeconomics

To learn more about John Keynes, you might want to watch the videos linked to in Cube 33 Organizations: Machine or Human.

[mp3 - 7:10] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Are there desired results that you really cannot measure easily or completely?
2. Do you really want answers or do you want the truth?
3. Think of someone who tends to say “I don’t know” – what profession is that individual in?

A special thanks goes to Roshun who recommended this cube, when you find a great clip, send it in using the forum on every StartingCube.com page.

Every group has a unique culture that defines the rules of the game needed to meet your goals, or at least maximize the options.

Sometimes these written or unwritten rules are developed intentionally, other times they are not. In Built To Last, Jim Collins has a whole chapter on the types of cultures common among large industry leading organizations.

This cube can be viewed from at least two perspectives:

1. employee
2. system designer or leader

We want to urge you to listen to it from your natural role and then later listen trying to think from the perspective of the opposite role.

When you have a great ah ha moment, share it below in the comments, or comment on what others have shared.

[mp3 - 8:05] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What are 3 ideas an employee could take from this & be more valued as an employee?
2. What are three ideas an employer could take & help them develop a culture that naturally finds the right people for their organization?

Survivor is a TV game show that lasts over a month and has very little rules, it’s filed in many countries, but at the end of the twenty-second USA season, a couple very insightful thoughts came from the man refereed to as Boston Rob.

During Survivor : Redemption Island there was one person who was central to lots of friction : Special Agent Philip.

The Cube today focused on two points where Rob presents some thoughts:

• Addressing how he could stand Philip
• Why he should be selected/elected/voted as the winner

If you ever have run for election, or tried to get someone to part with money (either make a sale or donate to a cause) this is a great cube for you.

[mp3 - 6:40] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Do you have a dream you are willing to spend a third of your life to achieve?
2. What about 10 years?

This cube features the book Linchpin by Seth Godin.

Linchpin is generally defined as:

1. A pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position
2. A person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization

What does it take for a group of people to succeed at a task or causing change in the world? There is a choice of direction, two paths that have worked at causing major change. Now in this Cube Seth looks at an option that has been less popular in the last 100 years.

[mp3 - 6:40] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How is your group different from the competition?
2. What happens when the wind shifts on your organization?

It’s been a wonderful five months, that has flown by. New parents are often told that the days are long and the years are short. With this show, the episodes creation has been long at times, but the months have been short.

We have released 44 episodes of StartingCube, reaching people in 48 countries around the world. With 30.92% of our visitors returning at least once.

5 episodes that have many people really liked … or hated:

• Risk & Fear [Cube 40]
• The Art of Understanding [Cube 31]
• How to Succeed [Cube 25]
• Getting Approved [Cube 16]
• the Billionaire to the Millionaire [Cube 2]

Of the 44 episodes, they came from:

• Books = 15 times
• Podcasts = 16 times
• Quotations = 3 times
• Radio / Podcast = 2 times
• Record = 1 time
• Story Quotation = 1 time
• tv shows = 4 times

Thanks to those who have provided feedback, promoted StartingCube, and build your dreams.

Artwork

We have always had a unique image associated with each Cube. Now we have a way you can see them easier:

There are three types now:
- Newest First
- Oldest First
- Random

One thing you might consider doing is loading up the Random Artwork page each morning & listen to one of the episodes. This is a great way to fill your head with something worth pondering through the rest of the day.

It is easy to look at the recent past and wish that you had started your business, project, or group a few years ago.

This cube comes from Internet Marketing for Smart People Radio by CopyBlogger, where Robert Bruce & Brian Clark asks the question Is the Online Gold Rush Over?

[mp3 - 6:30] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

1. How are you helping the world with its desires and needs?

Are you part of a network?
What about the network that Google has?

When you do a search through Google, you help Google get better. When you click an ad though Google’s ad network, either on a Google.com site, or on another side, you help both google and whatever site you are on. If you create a site, you can add ads to your site & the more content you provide for Google, the more money you could make.

Now think of another network.

This cube comes from the book What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis. He explores many topics with one of the common themes being:

Do what you do best & link to the rest.

See how Jeff explains a network effect paired with this concept, then share your thoughts, either on your site, our facebook page, or the comments below:

[mp3 - 5:40] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What network are you involved with that creates more value for you then you put in, causing you to work harder to build it?
2. Have you been involved in a group who tries to control everything involved with that group?

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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

Stories are a powerful way to influence the world, no matter if the reach is an industry, country, neighborhood, or person.

In Twit 284 Brian Brushwood, Leo Laporte, Gina Smith and Dwight Silverman talk about how science fiction writers predicted the future, or did they architect it …

[mp3 - 4:55] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Have you tried helping someone through telling a story?
2. What story are you promoting?
3. Have you improved your storytelling abilities? How?

You set out to achieve a change and reach a major milestone. You succeed, then what? How do you spend your winnings? How do you be wise in a situation you have not been in before?

Wikipedia says:

The Biggest Loser is a television show broadcast in many countries. It centers on overweight contestants attempting to lose the most weight to fight for a cash prize. There are different variations of the Biggest Loser around the world. Each country has made its own adaptation to the show; however, the contestants always have the same goal: to lose the highest percentage of weight (or most weight) to become the Biggest Loser.

The cube for today is when one such winner calls into Dave Ramsey for advice (May 30, 2011 ep), and they talk about how he has and should move forward after a big loss, err … win.

[mp3 - 8:20] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How have you considered a choice from a different perspective to help you make a decision (like the example Dave gave in the cube)?
2. Has there been a time when you ignored an aspect of your life to improve another & in turn fixed more areas of your life?

What is Risk?

Risk is something that is unnatural for people to seek. Few would say their calling is to take big risks or push past their limits. In The Millionaire Next Door,  Thomas Stanley speaks on that question along with others involving becoming wealthy.

This cube focuses on courage, being fearless, becoming stronger, and some realities of risk.

[mp3 - 6:40] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Do successful business owners have fear?
2. How have you overcome a fear?

Trade is a basic idea of exchanging something you want to have less for something you wish to have more. Don Boudreaux in a Cato Institute daily podcast presented Trade Deficit Delusions , but the cube today is a little more focused on two topics:

• should you work on getting more people involved & what happens when you do
• how Athens became a large city in a short time & what that means to our society

[mp3 - 5:25] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How are you getting others, either paid or not paid, to help with your cause?
2. Have you done anything to help others build their dreams recently?

Life changes come in two verities:

• slow & steady
• sudden

This cube deals with the second time, looking at part of an episode of the tv show In Plain Sight [season 1, episode 7 - Iris Doesn't Live Here Anymore].

In Plain Sight is about US Marshals Mary Shannon & Marshall Mann supporting people in the Witness Protection Program. Every person in the Witness Protection Program had their lives suddenly and dramatically changed in a moment.

In this Cube, the family first learns just how different their life will be from here on out; some handle the change better than others.

[mp3 - 5:46] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

1. Any ideas how to prepare for life changes, both sudden and slow?

Long ago the primary motivations with humans was survival. If you could help someone survive, you could motivate them to do just about anything.

More recent the method of motivating people, mostly employees, was carrots & sticks.

Now, Daniel Pink explains in his book Drive, to motivate or influence the actions of more and more people, you have to find something else. This is not universal for everyone, at this point, but the more a task requires creativity, the less extra money will cause better results.

In working on this episode, the previous two work well with it:

• Cube35 – The Story of Stories
• Cube36 – Rework Your Work To Work

Here is Starting Cube 37 – Motivation : Why you are having issues

[mp3 - 6:57] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

1. Is your work interesting? If not, is that a source of frustration?
2. What was the strongest thought as you listened to this?

There are many songs out there that have the title “Forward Motion”. Why is that? Probably because it is such a common struggle among our society.

Jason Fried of 37Signals has put a lot of thought about this in terms of work. He has released a great little book titled Rework, and spoke at a TEDx on this topic, which is the subject of this cube.

[mp3 - 9:34] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Below is the full TEDx presentation:

Starting Questions:

1. What creative work do you do?
2. What is an involuntary distraction that you have managed to deal with? How?
3. Any recommendations?

It has been an interesting 4 months. We love the feedback we receive, the tweets, facebook likes, and sharing with others who are interested in building something great and need brain food.

In the future months, the plan is to have a little more news posts, like the top downloads for the previous month. To start that off, here are the top 5 downloads in April.

Top 5 most downloaded episodes in April 2011:

#1. Cube 25 – How to Succeed

[mp3 - 7:47]

This episode is the starting point we recommend for people first looking at StartingCube. It is a good example of what the show has evolved to & the reason why first listening, then joining in conversation about the cubes are so important.

The general message of guarding your heart, or your mind, is an important one. Being intentional about what you fill your brain with is a common theme among most who have been successful.

#2. Cube 28 – When Blocked You …

[mp3 - 8:26]

This episode is an interesting look at how people & cultures deal with roadblocks. In nature, a river will just cut a new path around a roadblock, no matter if it is a big rock that fell in the river or a structure made by man or animal.

The question on a personal level is more about – what do you do when you meet resistance?

This was also a neat episode because it shows how when communications technology “broke” for people, they still wanted to connect & found a way.

#3. Cube 24 – How to Produce

[mp3 - 6:57]

The story Andy Traub tells in this episode & the enthusiasm he expresses is inspiring.

You probably fall into one of two camps. One is people who stretch themselves too thin. The other is of people who do not take enough action. Could be because you believe you don’t know enough, you are afraid of failing, or you don’t know enough to know what could happen.

No matter what the reason, or camp you are in, this is a good, inspiring episode.

The resulting items are a video & a workbook titled: Achieving Success in Business and Life. The 47 page workbook is available for free.

#4. Cube 2 – the Billionaire to the Millionaire

[mp3 - 3:31]

A story that a Billionaire focuses on.

Becoming a billionaire might or might not be your big harry audacious goal (BHAG), dream, or vision, but to achieve your BHAG you probably need the same advice given to the millionaire Dave Ramsey.

#5. Cube 26 – Do Your Best

[mp3 - 6:43]

Inside the Actors Studio is a great show. Conan O’Brian on Inside the Actors Studio was a great time when Conan was funny & insightful, not only on the world of late night shows, but also just on success and achievement.

It’s funny how a phrase that is the Cub Scout Motto  – Do Your Best – is a key to success in a business where you have to create new content.

At times, this episode is encouraging when we’re stressing too much about the next episode of Starting Cube. There are just so many elements we think about when deciding “what to use next” that sometimes, we just have to ask “what is best option?”, go with it and then get ready for the next project.

Looking at downloads in the first 4 months:

Episodes released during April were Cube 24 – Cube 32, so three of those were sorta expected, but there have been so many downloads of Cube 25 – How to Succeed that it is now #4 on the all time download list. The next episode that seems out of place on the all time list at #9 all time is Cube 16 – Getting Approval to Build Your Dream, a controversial episode. Followed by Cube 11 – Why Me? at #10 all time; the rest of the top 10 all time are Cubes 1 – 7, which is expected — that the oldest episodes have the most downloads.

Stories are powerful, but the primary educational systems in our world don’t explore story telling very much.

They also do not help students prepare for making decisions without to make decisions without complete information.

An idea is promoted that every question has a single correct answer, or at least the “best answer” according to the teacher.

The cube for today comes from The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb focusing on the major events that dramatically change the path we are on, like the first sighting of a black swan.

[mp3 - 6:21] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What story do you need told?
2. How have you improved your communications or story telling abilities?
3. Any recommendations to your former self in regards to uncertainty or story telling?

Look before you leap
He who hesitates is lost

Be careful what you wish for

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Out of sight, out of mind

Don’t cross that bridge before you come to it
A stitch in time saves nine

The customer is always right

How do you eat an elephant?

There are many one liners out in the world. This cube features a section of the book Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin where he speaks of the danger of sticking to a simple secret to life.

[mp3 - 6:20] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

What is the short statement you live your life by?

This cube features a segment from the EconTalk episode Papola on the Keynes Hayek Rap Videos.

Russ Roberts & John Papola have worked together on EconStories.tv, with two main rap videos:
Round 1: Fear the Boom and Bust
Round 2: Fight of the Century

In this cube, the focus is a problem facing everyone – how we make our lives better? If working through an organized group of people, business or not, the direction tends to either be one like building a robot, or focusing on the building block people.

We hope you have liked our Facebook page: http://StartingCube.com/fb

[mp3 - 6:07] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

How would you like to be treated as a part of a business or other organization?

Many people obsess about their rankings in Google searches. Maybe instead of spending time and lots of energy on SEO and other dark arts, look at what Google says they care about.

In this cube, Matt Cutts, Chief Google WebSpam Executioner, tells what Google is looking for, and moving towards.

Over a year after this cube from This Week in Google 30, the same message has come from Google over and over & they are more effective at the things they have talked about.

Now, compare what you think about vs what Google thinks about.

[mp3 - 7:29] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

How do you determine the direction of yourself, or organization you are involved with?

Change is appealing. We all want the world, either our small section or the a large group or organization, to be better. Causing change either in an individual or a group can be one of the most difficult objectives a person can undertake.

This cube features a section about mental models from Peter Senge‘s book The Fifth Discipline. A wonderful book dealing with Systems Theory or Systems Thinking and why many of the issues in our world are due to something other than the distant evil boogie man.

[mp3 - 6:55] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

What mental models should you improve upon to achieve your goals?

We who are striving to build something great are optimists, and encouraged by good results. Paul Winkler, the investor coach,  talks with a caller to The Investor Coaching Show about when someone presents you an offer that seems great, but involves paying you to purchase or invest.

Then the conversation gets into how we react to positive results.

[mp3 - 8:38] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Question:

What was the best point, or thought that crossed your mind as you listened?

Most people dream of freedom. If you “own” a business, or are not an employee, there is a high change one of your reasons why is because you want the freedom or to avoid the lack of freedom you would have as an employee.

However

What happens if you discover that you don’t own a business, but rather own a job?

This cube comes from the second part of the book Rich Dad; Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki  titled Cashflow Quadrant.

It begins with a quick explanation of the Cashflow Quadrant, the E, S, B, & I. Followed by the main clip talking about the differences between being Self-Employed and a Business Owner. Finally a key to gaining long term financial wealth, no matter which of the four quadrants you primarily make money.

[mp3 - 6:43] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. … … What came to your mind as you listened?
2. How free are you?
3. What do you plan on changing?

When a group of people comes upon a obstical and overcomes it, there are at least two stories to tell. This cube from TWIg 80 features two tracks, one on technology developed to help people communicate, and one of people trying to stop communication & how the world has changed.

TWIg 80 was recorded on February 2nd 2011 – after the start of the issues in Egypt, but a while before anything in Libya.

[mp3 - 8:26] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What do you do when you encounter a failpoint, or blockage in your path?
2. Has technology allowed you to communicate with more people? How?
3. What are some systems you could bring together to achieve your goals?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Middlemen are often condemned in our society. Are you a middleman? Should you use more middlemen in your life?

This cube features a story by Russ Roberts & Mike Munger in the EconTalk episode titled Munger on Middlemen.

[mp3 - 8:10] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How do you value your time?
2. If you act in good faith & someone purchases something from you for more than you would … is that a win-win?
3. Who are you a middleman to? Should you become a middleman to someone?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

26 episodes have been released, with Episode 25 – How to Succeed being the fastest to be downloaded.

How to Succeed is an important episode to me because is sorta outlines why I see StartingCube as so valuable for anyone striving for a dream bigger then themselves.

Of the 26 episodes; the cube came from:

• Books = 8 times
• Podcasts = 9 times
• Quotations = 3 times
• Radio / Podcast = 1 time
• Record = 1 time
• Story Quotation = 1 time
• tv shows =3 times

Might look at adding more tv & movies into the mix.

Looking For:

We are looking for ideas for cubes, please send any you have in.

Questions:

We are looking for a better understanding of who you are and what you have done.

This month we are looking to see how many of our fans have used the site, social media we are in, and sharing with others.

Thanks for following, sharing, and providing feedback. It helps us better help you build your dreams.

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio dives into the serious business of entertainment. An industry, like many others, is not an exact science & people are just trying to find a great path to their goals. This cube features James Lipton interviewing Conan O’Brian in 2009, before he replaced Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

Conan mixes humor, wisdom, and experience into an interview great for anyone.

[mp3 - 6:43] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. When you discover that someone else is human (does not know everything) how does that effect you?
2. How many stories of other people have you discovered in the last week? month? year?
3. How do you work to improve your production? How does Conan?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

In the 1950’s Earl Nightingale created a record of him sharing The Strangest Secret. He talks of success, and how 5% of people achieve success, defined as progressive realization of a worthy ideal.

When you like a Cube, press the “Share This” button of the system you use the most [below].

Here is part of that recording for you to use:

[mp3 - 7:47] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How often do your show the opposite of courage?
2. How do you become financially independent?
3. How do you set goals?
4. Why do people with goals achieve more?
5. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Option 1

QR Codes are often called 3Dbarcodes. They are a neat way to enter data into most smartphones.

At PodCamp Nashville 2011, I went to a session talking about QR Codes, and specifically manipulating them.

Option 2

A point was made that a large portion of people still print out webpages they want to read or remember, and I thought of the StartingCube logo … seems like a perfect place to throw a QR Code in the middle of, in the right instances.

Option 3

Today I am playing with some options & looking for feedback.

In these instances – the 24 is the episode number it’ll go to.

Option 4

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Before you achieve your goal, there are steps you need to take, but the hardest is often the first.

Andy Traub on Business Tech Weekly 71 speaks about him asking, taking the initiative, and producing a product in an hour and a half that will help others.

[mp3 - 6:57] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. When has been a situation where you were scared to do something, did it & was thrilled with the results?
2. What do you have that others value enough to pay you for?
3. What step have you been avoiding that you need to take today?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Have you ever been involved in an organization that had an internal conflict, like in a non-profit the fund-raising vs program people?

Jim Collins shows how to build an enduring great company in Built To Last. Built to Last is recommend only after his later book Good To Great; Cube4 – The Good View came from that Good To Great.

[mp3 - 6:18] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What seemingly Conflicting goals do you have?
2. Have you seen a group, business, or organization do a great job  with “And”?
3. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Ever had someone attempt to manage you through fear? Have you done this to others?

In his book titled Tribes, Seth Godin dubs this Sheepwalking. A good portion of this cube can be found on his site; here is a highlight:

Step one is to give the problem a name. Done. Step two is for anyone who sees themself in this mirror to realize that you can always stop. You can always claim the career you deserve merely by refusing to walk down the same path as everyone else just because everyone else is already doing it.

The biggest step, though, comes from anyone who teaches or hires. And that’s to embrace non-sheep behavior, to reward it and cherish it. As we’ve seen just about everywhere there’s been growth lately, that’s where the good stuff happens.

[mp3 - 5:31] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Do you try to encourage people to sheepwalk or to be creative?
2. Do you trust your team, especially those who report to you? How can you improve the level of trust?
3. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Sun Tzu was a Chinese military strategist who wrote a book titled Art of War. The ideas within this book have been adapted or used directly in the business and success world, with numerous titled adapted to help different groups.

The History Channel recently reaired a two-hour program titled Art of War where Richard A Gabriel spoke on the difference between means and ends.

[mp3 - 4:48] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How do you keep focused on your goals?
2. What is the equivalent to a battle for you?
3. Do all the advisers around you have the same mindset, skillset, or perspective?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

Working on any business, website, blog, or other major project that takes a long period of time, without a real deadline can be rough. Like you see in the distance the goal, but sometimes it’s hard to see how far away it is.

Pat Flynn tells of his experience and expectations with his site: Smart Passive Income in session 16 of The Smart Passive Income Podcast.

Before you make many judgments on Pat, you might want to check out his income reports.

Please send us feedback after you have promoted us to someone else.

[mp3 - 6:43] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How do you keep focused on your goals?
2. Have you written down your goals? Do they include milestones & dates?
3. What do you need more of: Great Content? Unique Design? Build Relationships? Expand to other media/mediums? Give it time?
4. Do you have a major goal that you have accomplished?
5. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

How did you hear about the last natural disaster or other major news event? Have your media consumption habits?

After the recent earthquake in Japan, the cast of Tech News Today (a daily show about technology news) talked about how they learned of the quake & their reactions to the traditional mass media coverage.

From Tech News Today 197 with Tom Merritt and Sarah Lane.

[mp3 - 9:24] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How have the media consumption habits changed for your clients?
2. How would your clients or prospective clients want to hear news from you?
3. Does the message you are putting out fit the method of delivery?
4. … … what questions came to your mind as you listened?

The focus of month 2 was to work on the workflow of producing a show & related materials.

One big question came up recently:

Where are all the comments?

In general, no matter the brand, but especially with websites you tend to have a growth curve where you are bumping along until you hit an inflection point & then the numbers take off.

This includes comments.

Only a small percent of people ever comment, call into a show, or send in feedback. The less “in public” the action is, the likely a group of people might be willing to do it.

I have seen this with StartingCube. More people talk with me one on one about episodes then post in the comments. More have sent in feedback. More have emailed a link to a friend.

Looking Forward

Now I am looking for feedback. Here is a limited time forum that I would like your answers; afterwords I’ll have a better idea how we can better serve you.

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Most people confuse the method of medium for the message or value provided.

This cube comes from This Week in Tech 290 and mostly features Leo Laporte & Om Malik talking about differences between the method for delivering value, and the value that is provided.

We would also like to know how we are doing, fill out our current Feedback Forum.

[mp3 - 6:55] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What value does the character in the image provide at the Renaissance Festival?
2. What real value do you provide to your clients, friends, organization you volunteer for?
3. … what questions came to your mind?

Thou Shall Prosper is a business or success book focused on the apparent “success of the Jews” in business, by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

This section speaks specifically to a three step process of learning that can be applied to most anything.

[mp3 - 7:16] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. How do you want to grow? How do you want to change? Why have you not already?
2. How are you learning?
3. How are you practicing what you have learned?
4. … what questions came to your mind?

No matter who you work with, clients, vendors, family, or friends, if you are striving to build something great you will need to gain approval, or buyin at some point in time.

Dave Ramsey on Dave Ramsey Show Podcast took an email where a husband is trying to convince his reluctant spouse to start on the Dave Ramsey 7 Baby Steps.

[mp3 - 5:32] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. Do you have a vision for where you are heading?
2. How have you improved your ability to explain the plans you have to others?
3. Are there judgments of how others have achieved greatness that prevents you from doing the same?
4. … add your own questions for others below …

There are many dreams that individuals who start businesses often have a hard time realizing, one is taking a week off to get away.

Connie & Sheila discuss this dream, after they get back from a cruise, an annual tradition. Their business owns around 40 rental units and they have managed to find a way to have the time, energy & resources for a vacation.

In this episode, they talk about how they came to this point, why it is important, and why they see many not making it.

[mp3 - 3:23] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions:

1. What trip would you take, if you could?
2. What work have you not managed to find a way others could cover you for at least a week, or more?
3. What is one system or process you put in place that has helped you?
4. What do you need help with?
5. … add your own questions for others below …

Many people ask how to keep motivated, or how to succeed? Thomas Edison caused both directly and indirectly thousands, if not millions of innovations & discoveries.

He is know as someone who keep motivated, testing thousands of combination attempting to make the electric light bulb.

[mp3 - 3:23] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS
One of Edison’s best known quotations is:

Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

~ Thomas Edison

However WikiQuote.org has a variation from a press conference:

None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.

~ Thomas Edison

Starting Questions:

1. Do you have worthwhile needs?
2. How do you keep motivated towards the needs/goals/tasks?
3. Do you schedule time, then put in “perspiration” towards your goals?
4. Are you systematic in your pursuits?
5. How do you plan on changing how you move forward towards your dreams?

Your Thoughts & Questions?

In this episode, we have a clip from Cliff Ravenscraft – Podcast Answer Man episode 152, where a fan encouraged Cliff to once again raise his consulting rates.

[mp3 - 5:59] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Starting Questions

• How did you settle on the price you charge for your products?
• Do you have annoying clients you could run off by raising your price?
• Do you have clients who tell you that you could charge them more?
• How could you provide so much value so that people want to pay you more?
• Who do you want to spend most of your time with? Is it different from who you spend time with now?

What other questions, or answers, did you think about during the episode?

Remember to tell someone else about this episode & send in your feedback.

Ace of Cakes on FoodNetwork & Charm City Cakes

After 4 years and 100 episodes, Duff talks about what he sees that he accomplished by starting a business & hiring his friends, or at least people he liked.

[mp3 - 3:20] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

You have a vision for the or present that you desire of believe should happen. Many times our plans don’t work out, and sometimes we ask “Why Me?”

In QBQ! The Question Behind the Question,  John G. Miller deals with the questions we ask, and how improving the questions we ask will help us deal with stress, disappointment & change.

This Cube comes form the 6th and 7th chapters:

[mp3 - 4:16] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

What did you think?
Leave some feedback in the comments, below or send in feedback through twitter, facebook, or another social media network

The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau is a wonderful book that challenges the conventional wisdom of how to succeed in life. It is a great read for anyone who has dreamt of doing something other then a normal career.

Roshun Eppinger recommended the story of the 5 monkeys – and that is the focal point in this episode.

[mp3 - 4:16] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Please share your favorite cubes you have found from audio, video or text with us in the contact form on this page.

The key I found was shared in Cube1 and Cube2 … just get started & take one step at a time.

The past Month
In the past month many things have changes or improved:

• logo was developed
• many episodes were produces, and a smaller portion released
• one-click subscriptions formed for Zune & iTunes
• Twitter & Facebook accounts set up with update plans (one automated, one manual)
• Twitter List of people we have featured formed

This all falls in line with the concept of finding the best website design over time – instead of developing the look without a good understanding of what really will happen.

Next Up
Over the next little while I have a few steps I desire to see happen with StaringCube:

• a subtitle – I’ve realized that “Starting Cube” really does not explain what it is – a subtitle is needed (any ideas?)
• community development – a goal really is to help others help others, over the next month I hope more interaction between the audience. Looking for people who will comment, or write on the topic & share with other audience members.

At some point in the future I will want more people involved. Could be as host of the show, or other roles. I already have people who help with proofreading writing when needed, but I am sure there are others out there who would like to submit clips, help decide upon clips, or other roles.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Think of Things by William McDonough & Michael Braungart is a book about changing from a “Use & Throw Away” building mindset to a “Use & Use the waist too” design mindset.

This clip from the 5th chapter is a story of Bill working on developing a new housing system for a formerly nomadic tribe. There were other groups making proposals, both starting with fundamentally different questions.

[mp3 - 4:42] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Have you “Liked” the Starting Cube Facebook page?

Sailing is a wonderful activity that many illustrations can be drawn from.

In this cube we highlight two quotations, one from Oliver Wendell Holmes and another from John Ortberg.

[mp3 - 5:38] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Included Quotations:

[a big goal is like] crossing an ocean. Some people try [by themselves], day after day,  … That’s like taking a rowboat across the ocean. It’s exhausting and usually unsuccessful.

Others have given up trying and throw themselves entirely on “relying on God’s grace.” They’re like drifters on a raft. They do nothing but hang on and hope God gets them there.

Neither trying nor drifting are very effective in [achieving the big goals]. A better image the sailboat, in which if it moves at all, it’s a gift of the wind. We can’t control the wind, but a good sailor discerns where the wind is blowing and adjusts the sails accordingly.

~ John Ortberg

I find that the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

No matter what big harry goal or vision you are attempting, you will need other people involved.

This cube focuses on how we connect with people.

From the book Winning with People by leadership author John C. Maxwell, this clip is about connection and what it takes to build connections.

[mp3 - 5:52] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

How can these ideas apply to your business, organization, or self?
Let us know in the comments below.

Where is your location? What is your Identity? What Brand are you building?

This cube deals with these issues both online, and then the same issues tackled apply in your personal life, business, or organization you are building.

Clips come from:

Social Media Serenity 75 with Cliff Ravenscraft & Erik Fisher

This Week In Google 34 with Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, & Gina Trapani

[mp3 - 6:48] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

StartingCube.com/Twitter – follow us
StartingCube.com/Facebook – like us

StartingCube.com/iTunes – get each episode automatically through iTunes
StartingCube.com/Zune – get each episode automatically through Zune

feeds.StartingCube.com/start3 – all updates through RSS

Like always, please share your thoughts either in the comments, or your own brand – then post a link to what you said.

This episode includes a clip from the podcast Windows Weekly, episode 117, with Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte.

Paul has returned from a stay in Europe and thinks back on the difference between this time and a time 6 years ago. They talk about technology, but at least one idea can be applied to employees, contractors, business, and vendors.

[mp3 - 5:36] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

What are your thoughts?

We would like you to share what insights, changes, or feedback you have in the comment section here.

– or –

Post your thoughts on your main hub, and then put a link to them in the comments.

This episode includes the beginning of the book Good To Great by Jim Collins.

The specific clip comes from the beginning of chapter 1 of Good to Great and deals with a reason why we don’t have a lot of Great in our world.

[mp3 - 3:49] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Would you like to automatically download our Cubes?
Here are a couple related pages:
Zune
iTunes
RSS Feed

What came to mind as you listened to this clip?

This podcast episode brings you a cube from EconTalk.org episode titled Garett Jones on Macro and Twitter .

The specific clip deals with building patterns, processes, cultures and organization capital.

[mp3 - 5:13] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Like what we do?
Have an account with Twitter?
We do too – @StartingCube – follow us & spread the word

What came to mind as you listened to this clip?

This episode has a Cube inside a Cube.

It begins and ends with a story told by Dave Ramsey in a presentation, with a story talked about, but not shared in, the original story.

[mp3 - 3:31] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

Your thoughts?

Cubes are short clips, quotations, or ideas shared to be a block that you can gather inspiration, ideas, or hope driving you closer to your dream.

[mp3] One-Click Subscriptions: Zune : iTunes : RSS

In this episode:

Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

~ Warren Buffet