Jessica Smith: Traveler, wannabe food critique, and dreamer at heart. I love visiting towns that have character, hot cocoa, and witnessing miracles. Jesus currently has given me the opportunity to work with Wellspring Living, fighting the injustice of human trafficking and sexual abuse. 

When you stop and think about, expectation is a weird word. It literally means a hope, anticipation, or potential, but rarely do we think of it as such. Our expectations are generally things that we think we are entitled to, instead of something that is a potential or even a hope. I never hope that my car will start in the morning or think that potentially there will be coffee at the Starbucks drive through.  I just expect it, and if it doesn’t happen, I act like the world is against me.

I didn’t act like this last year. A year ago today, I was living in a cold, sunless, soot-filled and trash-covered hole of a city in Southern China. I was working in a welfare center for dying children. I didn’t expect coffee in the morning. I was just excited if we had enough time to heat water for plain oatmeal or if I could actually choke down the incredibly spicy food they prepared for lunch. My perspectives were harnessed on right. Not because I thought about people dying in foreign countries, but because I was witnessing it everyday.

But here I am, a year later, watching my impatience brew as the car in front of me is driving 10 miles under the speed limit. What’s changed? The fact that my experience in China didn’t rock my world? No. The fact that I don’t have to eat spicy greens everyday for lunch? Well, maybe. But honestly it boils down to the fact that my surroundings and influencers changed. I grew up in a house where dinner was always ready promptly at 6pm and my bed was soft and warm. Spending a month in communist China isn’t going to change 25 years of comfortable living. But it did give me a glimpse of another life. A life where if you own a car you are in the top 2% bracket of the wealthiest people in the world and the $4 I spent on a latte turned into my entire day’s worth of food money. Ironic, isn’t it?

So what do we as do? Stop expecting everything and live on the line of mediocrity? I don’t think so—I don’t believe that people are called to a complete upheaval of their current lifestyle to fix our incredibly overblown expectation list. There could be a time and a season for that, but we all know the power we have as consumers in this country to change the world for good (I’ll save that for another blog). But I do think it starts with our expectations. A healthy amount of expectations is good for your life: expectations of a job you love, a beautiful family, or fun, quality time with your friends. But it’s when things like this become standard, and if you aren’t seeing them come true in your life and delivered to you by your fairy godmother, you start to get whiny and pessimistic. That’s when we have a problem.

Tomorrow morning do I expect to have hot coffee for breakfast? Yes. Will my morning be destroyed if that doesn’t happen? I hope not. For now I will consider my morning cup of coffee a treat, and something to hope for over expect. Everything becomes much more of a joyful experience when you look at it that way.

Read More on Expectations:
Hope and Expectation

I don’t know about you, but on a fairly regular basis I find myself with 15 minutes to spend while I’m waiting for a friend, before I have to leave my house for wherever I’m headed next, or whatever it is that gives me 15 minutes waiting for the next thing. I usually find myself fiddling with my phone, checking email, catching up on Facebook or looking at pictures on Instagram. While it’s not necessarily a bad use of time, here are a few suggestions for how we could use those 15 minutes instead.

1. Carry a notebook with you where you go, and write 5 good things that have happened in the last 24 hours.

2. Write a note to someone you’ve noticed something wonderful about but haven’t told them yet.

3. Finally go through the stack of papers on your desk, your overloaded purse or wallet, or your junk drawer… Clean it out!

4. Two Words that I love: POWER NAP

5. What’s the phone call you’ve been putting off because they’re so hard to get off the phone with? Call them. You have to call it quits in 15 minutes. It’s the perfect way to have an end time, and still make the phone call you’ve been putting off.

6. Send a video of yourself to someone you love telling them why you think they’re great.

7. Memorize something. [It's really really good for your brain.]

8. Read a blog and write a comment on it. You’ll learn something and it will be solidified in your mind when you take the extra second to add your 2 cents. Plus, your interaction will be super encouraging to the writer.

9. Stretch. You don’t have to work up a sweat but it will give you energy. This will help you.

10. STOP EVERYTHING. For 15 minutes just stop. I promise it won’t be easy, but I think there will be a payoff for quitting. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

What do you do with your spare moments in the day?

Aaron Harris is an Atlanta attorney, who is also an incredible artist. He spends a lot of time painting live for different events around the city. We wanted to introduce you to his incredible work.

I’m a native Atlantan and currently reside in the north Atlanta area.  I’m an odd mixture of talents – I practice corporate & estate planning law and have been a consistent working professional artist since 2002.  I have studied under many artists and at the University of Georgia, focusing primarily on painting and mixed media.  My works tend to be abstract in nature and focus on the expression of some deep emotion or thought.  The artworks I create focus on personal revelation and further delve into the ideas of faith and spirituality as they affect me and my world view.  My artworks can be found in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States.

Developing @the_prop. Taking a risk through creating @lyproject. And doing it with some of the most amazing people on the planet.

Plywood People: What has prompted you to want to empower others take a risk and make a change?

Victor Saad: I have a strong interest in making the world a better place due to my faith and some great examples over the years, but I felt like I need to more tools and skills. In Spring of 2011, after spending months researching MBA programs and taking the GMAT, I decided to write out my own plan to study business, art/design, and social change. I put in my resignation in May and my work was gracious enough to give me the duration of the summer to make plans.

I interviewed over 400 people and asked them all sorts of questions. I always ended by asking, “What would YOU do if you were me? What risk would you take to change something for the better?”

Their answers ranged from downsizing to adopting to finishing degrees …. etc.

I had called my personal education project: The Leapyear Project, but had no idea 2012 was going to be a Leap Year. Once a friend mentioned that tidbit of information, I decided to explore how to invite others to attempt their own projects and share their stories.

Plywood People: In your own leaping, what has been the most challenging part of the process so far?

Victor:  Details.

Dreams and goals are easy. Imagining the ideals is fun. Executing the details is by far the hardest part of this. I’m currently trying to complete 12 educational experiences in 12 months. These entail internships, travel, and various projects. There are hundreds of details that come with setting up each experience, working well with each organization, and then maintaining the rest of the project.

Fortunately, things have gone well so far thanks to a few friends who have been extremely generous with their time.

I would also say that it is a challenge to give the ere of invitation. As soon as you do something different, people want to place you on a stage to examine and critique you, and then keep watching until you really succeed or fail. It is somewhat understandable but difficult to dodge. Not only is that stage a lonely place, it’s not helpful. We need more opportunities to pursue change. I want to create that space for people…not another stage.

It has been difficult to learn how to do that well.

Plywood People:  As you work out the nitty gritty details of starting something new, what is your perspective on what matters most in the midst of the project? How do you know what to prioritize? 

Victor:  Team. I’m highly relational. People come before projects for me. If I have an idea, normally the first thing I think of is ”Who would love to do this with me?

I’m still not sure if that’s the best way to function, but I enjoy building small teams of creative, hard working people who believe in the same mission. It’s a joy to set them loose to run towards that mission.

Example. Also, it has been remarkable to see how important it is to live out the things I’m asking others to do. Time and time again, The Leapyear Project has seemed hard to grasp until I explain what I’m doing and how I’m sharing the stories. I have to be the first leaper for others to join.

Perspective Lastly, I need to keep some perspective. This isn’t going to be the biggest project in the world. I’ll lose my mind. I need to take my leap, I need to support the team, and I need to see if 500 people will join us. And if any of this fails, we’ll roll with it. As long as we don’t lose our heads and maintain our integrity — it’s going to be a great year!

Plywood People: Who is inspiring you right now in what you’re doing? 

Victor: There are a few mentors who continue to cheer me on and remind me that what I’m doing is worthwhile. They share their ideas, encouragement and critiques. Also, the companies and orgs I’m working alongside have some rockstar leaders who have sharp minds and and big hearts. Hearing their stories and gaining a closeup perspective on how they run their companies and their lives is awesome. Over the past few weeks, I have worked closely with Jake Nickell of Threadless and he has been especially kind, encouraging and inspiring through my stint here.

Plywood People: Will you share a story of one of your leaps so far?

Victor:  The first month was perhaps the most awkward and then the most ‘improved.’ I had no idea what I would do when I landed at Doejo’s studio. I just knew Phil Tardos was a great guy with all kinds of amazing projects in the works. By the end of the moth we had developed a great friendship and I was able to spark The Doejo Foundation (which I’m still working towards with Katie B.)

I think that first month truly made me excited for the rest of the year!

The Leapyear Project from Victor Saad on Vimeo.

For the month of May our friends at So Worth Loving are creating a call to action blog called “MAY YOU BE ______.”  www.MayYou.Be – Filling in the blank of something that you’ve struggled with and are now overcoming that struggle.  This blog is about identifying a weakness and committing to making it a strength. We were thrilled to get to fill in the blank.

MAY YOU BE KNOWN

The mantra for the organization I work with [Plywood People] is “We will be known by the problems we solve.”

It’s a very meaningful quote that not only integrates itself into the fabric of everything we do as an organization, but also has become very personal to me as well. One of my favorite parts of getting to work with the organization is having countless conversations where I get to speak encouragement into people who are doing important work. Their passion is contagious and their work is transformational. Amidst all the tasks, the pushback, criticism and questions, often encouragement is lacking. I love getting to be known as someone who listens and offers encouragement.

I don’t know a person alive who doesn’t have a craving to be known. We all want to share our stories, have someone to tell our secrets to. We want others to notice our idiosyncrasies and appreciate them. We want to have people around us who can finish our sentences for us, and provide clarity in situations when we’re doing a poor job of explaining ourselves.

In our work with people around the world, we realized that we not only wanted to be known, but the most innovative people are known by their solutions. These leaders work to effect great change in the places they live and work. We hope to get to highlight these influencers who are making lasting change, and to foster a collective known for how we are addressing social needs.

Being known for the problems we are solving requires a shift in perspective and purpose. It’s not always an easy shift, as it often requires us to put aside our personal desires for the sake of the good of someone else, but we believe the shift is essential. When we can put personal desires aside for the good of others, our work begins to transform those around us. People begin to refer to us by the problem we’re addressing. “The Gift Card Guy”  “The Furniture Maker” “The Rockstar who thinks I’m worth loving” “The Carwasher” “The Soccer Coach.” We move beyond a need to be known into a need to solve problems in order to make a better society.

So what about you? What are you known for? What do you WANT to be known for? What problem are you solving?

[You can see the post also on  www.MayYou.Be]

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I believe many great ideas in the world never get off the ground because of one consistent reason: Money. Or that is what people tell me. The truth is it’s hard to get funding for an unproven concept. I also, don’t believe that you should ask for others to invest in an idea, unless you have skin in the game yourself. What I mean by this is that unless you have done the hard work of putting your personal money, your sweat equity, and your social capital into your idea, why should others? This is one time, that your money is not essential. I don’t want the reason for a problem solving idea to not break daylight because of money any longer. So, we are giving money away. We will be known by the problems we solve.

Introducing: The Problem Solving Competition

We are giving away $10,000 on August 16. Do you feel like you have an idea that is worth it? Do you have a new innovation that does not currently exist that will bring a solution to a problem? Do you think that your idea can stand up against the best innovations submitted? Great. Prove it.

The Simple Process:

1 – Fill out this form with your problem solving solution by July 15^th. If you do not know what a problem solving solution is, download and read this free article, called Problem Solvers.

2 – We have a committee that will find the best five ideas and give them a big opportunity. The five finalists’ will each get 5 minutes and 5 visuals to present their big idea at Plywood Presents on August 15-16 in front of a select group of judges.  Confirmed judges include: David Farmer (Innovation Executive, Chick-Fil-A) Jim Reese (CEO, Atlanta Mission) and more.

3 – The judges will select three winners. Grand Prize Winner will receive $5000, and Two Runner-Up Winners will receive $2500 each. Announced on August 16^th at Plywood Presents.

Now, its’ your opportunity to make a great idea, come to life. Submit your Problem Solving Solution now.

[Read contest rules and regulations.]

We are excited to announce Plywood Presents 2012:

We all want to make a difference, to make an impact in the place we do life and work. There are few people that significantly change the trajectory of their industry. This opportunity is available to all of us, it is our responsibility to pursue the results. These leaders carve a name for themselves in history as problem solvers. This is not an easy pursuit, it is a battle where ambition meets the real world. Yet, it can be done. And there are stories today of people doing just that. Overcoming obstacles to change what is common in society and introduce something that is remarkable. This is where innovators claim their names in society. This is the direction we are going. Wouldn’t it be defining to join a community of people on a path to something significant? A group of leaders that creates success stories through the pursuit of solving problems. We call this ambition business as unusual, where industries are forever changed by the implementation of our ideas. Join 400 influencers in Atlanta on August 15-16, 2012, at Buckhead Theatre for a collaborative community that is challenging the status quo and making our places better. We will be known by the problems we solve.

Six points of interest with the launch of the new site.

1) Register to win a free coffee shop quality coffee maker from ZPM Espresso, Chalkboard made of upcycled wood by Lamon Luther, and a collectors set from Thrive Coffee. All three products crafted by innovators in Atlanta.

2) Through the generous financial support of local donors, we are giving away $10,000. Submit your Problem Solving Idea for a chance to speak at Plywood Presents and win the money to launch your project.

3) If you register 5 people, you get a 6th ticket free. Register now before the tickets are gone.

4) Our presenters are talented, make sure to look at the videos for each presenter, they are hand-drawn portraits (by Russell Shaw) that will explain why you should be excited to learn from each influencer.

5) This year, we will start with an evening session and a concert from Zach Williams & The Bellow. We listened to all of you and learned that you wanted more chances to connect with others. So, we added more content and music. This gives an opportunity to schedule time to dream with others: a dinner Wednesday evening, dessert Wednesday night, breakfast Thursday morning, lunch Thursday, and celebrate together at our after party on Thursday.

6) We know that learning doesn’t just happen those two days. We wanted to extend the learning to now. We have 4 free fully designed PDF’s that are free to download and share with your friends, including one by Jeff Shinabarger, our founder on Problem Solving.

Now…go look at the new site and register.

[And view the full prize details and official rules.]

Abbie Smith: Words I’m often in dialog with: brokenness, Truth, poverty, health. Words I’m often identified as: writer, girl, contemplative. Words I’m learning to become: present, free, forgiven, human.

My husband and I agreed to make the decision to let a friend stay with us after a stint in jail. As I have processed what this decision means, I have been reminded of a few things, and been taught some new things as well.

1. People are as scary as you make them.

2. Small gestures go a long way.

3. Many are doing incredible things to further freedom and justice.

4. Freedom’s battlefield is ultimately within.

5. Even the worst incarceration carries hope.

6. There are a lot of brilliant, creative, kind criminals.

7. Too often we avoid those who need to be loved the most.

8. Healing is not about not falling; it’s about learning the tools that will help us stand back up.

9. Dignity breeds dignity.

10. Just Say No.

11. Healthy transitions require healthy bridges.

12. Healing requires friendship, failure, grace and forgiveness.

13. We’re all criminals and some of us get caught.

What have you learned in the process of being in community with others? What has it cost you? What have you gained?

I have a tendency to link hope and expectation. I hope something and right along with it comes a set of expectations without even thinking about it. Having a personality that tends towards extremes, it sends me on a bungee spring of bouncing emotions. Either they’ve been exceeded beyond my wildest dreams and I soar, or they’ve been devastatingly unmet and I plunge.

I’m intentionally thinking through my expectations, what they’re leading me to, and how they affect me. I’m trying to learn what expectation looks like amidst hope. Are expectations all bad? Is it possible to hope without having expectations? Should I? To me often, hope and expectation become a jumbled and confusing mass of excitement and disappointment.

Hope keeps me moving forward and pursuing what I believe in. Expectations keep me from fully enjoying the journey. But the expectations also keep me working hard in my pursuit. They remind me that people are watching my work and behavior and believe certain things about me; things that I want to be true of me. So expectations also provide accountability to becoming who it is that I want to become.

It seems expectations are not fully good or fully bad. They need to be put in their proper place and carry the “right” amount of weight. Trouble is, I don’t have a scale to measure my expectations. It seems that I realize I’ve become too heavy on one side only after my expectations haven’t been met.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Can you relate? When are expectations appropriate? How do they affect you? What do you do with them?  How are hopes and expectations linked for you, and what do you do about it?

My friend Anne showed me this amazing time lapse video by Colin Smith of various Atlanta scenes over time. It’s gorgeous and so inspiring. Even if you’re not as in love with Atlanta as I am, you’ll probably still have an appreciation for how incredible his video is. My favorite is The Krog Street Tunnel, which is in our neck of the woods. Enjoy!

Timelapse: Atlanta, GA by Colin Smith from Colin Smith on Vimeo.