Brock { Abroad }

This is from one of the most amazing days of my life. Taken in Stockholm, it says: “Ideas to change the world:”

You may recognize one contribution…

Another great day at Knowmads, hosting a World Cafe for idea generation on our Picnic proposal in the morning:

and, in the afternoon, dreaming up…

I think both are very much connected to the photo from above as well as the theme for this year’s Picnic event:

“The world around us is changing fast, and not all the changes are positive. We’re facing the biggest natural, social and economic challenges our world has ever seen. We’ve addressed some of these issues in the past, but the days of just talking are over. It’s time to take action.

We’re focusing on Life, Cities, Media and Design — areas that provide real opportunities to make a difference. PICNIC ’10 brings you a platform to create new solutions for a better world.

For more information on the event, click on the picture above, or check out the blog of Marcel Kampman of happykamping. Both creative director of the festival as well as ambassador of Knowmads, his website is definitely worth a peek. Thanks again to all the great guests Knowmads was able to welcome home on this exciting day!

There is a website I really like called Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living. In an article entitled How to Achieve Your Goals, one tip they recommend is having a support group of like-minded people who share similar goals as you that you meet with once a week to help each other self-reflect, gauge progress, and create an overall positive energy. This is what I see Knowmads as. Although I’m not incredibly clear on a definitive list of shared goals, it’s great to be in a group that shares similar values, principles, and a drive to live the life we love by “combining passion, business, and playful learning.”

As I’ve been preparing for a workshop in conjunction with the Hub Amsterdam for their Summer Learning Festival, I’ve spent my past few weeks developing some tools that may be utilized in our workshop. Together with my mastermind partners in crime Naomi, Oscar, Fran, and Manu, we’ve used each other to create more self-awareness in each other. Whether we were making lists of what we want to have, be, or do, interviewing each other, creating questions without worrying so much about the answers, or writing a love letter to ourselves, I have cherished this recent Sunday ritual. So, I’d like to dedicate this post to these people, who pick me up after long weeks. I love you all.

As we enter a break from Knowmads and I tackle the Social Innovation Safari, travel to Sweden for a Vipassana Medition Retreat, and visit a special someone in Oslo, I sit writing this on a Sunday. It’s my first Sunday in a month without my “mastermind group.” As I was thinking about them and surfing one of my favorite life-hacking sites, I found a new Sunday ritual to keep me going: 20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday.

Finally, if you are in the Amsterdam area between the 25-28 of August and would like to more about our Knowmadic Learning Lab, check out the previous link, and stay tuned for a new blog dedicated to living, learning, and loving. As for now, check out my fellow Knowmadic friend Naomi’s blog called just that. I love the learnings she shares.

Keep Calm and Carry On, everybody.

Upon entering our headquarters, there is a sort of ‘buzzing’ happening. This is the description I was given by a recent visitor, at least, and I find it quite accurate. I prefer to call our home a beehive, actually; because much like bees, we are a busy and dynamic group of cross-pollinating individuals. Last month, there was an exceptionally exciting energy in the air as we awaited our first presentation from KLM, the second client we have taken on so far.“Welcome Home!” I remember telling the three men dressed in business suits and ornately pointed patent leather shoes. As they walked into Headquarters, I remember thinking: “Why are you here and what do you hope to get from us?” I think they were wondering the same thing when they first walked in. Since then, I think we’ve all come a long way from understanding what sets us apart and how to work with a variety of unique individuals.

From business suits to sneakers, the professional experience working with KLM has allowed many of us to experience what working in a corporation is really like.

I also believe that KLM has been able to better see what working with Knowmads is like, as well.What makes Knowmads special, in my opinion is that the very experience is transformative. We “work” on transforming the very definition of work.We attempt to blur the lines through our mission of “combining passion,business,and playful learning.” I believe we are able to do this because we remember that education does not stop once you enter the work-force. As a matter of fact, it should be fun, encouraged, and continue.This type of passionate and playful mentality of life-learning is the reason why I believe such a variety of people show up at our doors to work with us. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re just tuning in to this site, check out the post below this titled a.pilgrim{process}
What Do You Want to Do?

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As I reflect on my experience, I recognize that while Spain first taught me to enjoy life, it has now also reinforced in me the need for balance in order to live a truly fulfilling life. It’s no surprise this lesson comes from a country that clocks in some of the highest hours of labor in all of Europe, yet still makes time for a daily siesta! I’ve stopped hiking, but I am still “on the trail.” I believe that the pilgrimage never really ends as I look at the trail ahead; a path of self-growth on all levels with an opportunity to plant some seeds for the future. Here’s my process of beginning my path as a progressive pilgrim. Give it a try with me, if you want.

When I was first here in Rotterdam, some questions began springing up inside of me. You see, it all started reading about these things called goals. I’d had some long term ones written in the back of my notebook, but had never given it much thought beyond that. So, I decided I’d write another list of goals for my travels. I realized I’d never actually given a tremendous amount of thought as to what I wanted out of this journey. I then realized that a lot of people don’t really take the time to plan what they really want to get out of life. Read the rest of this entry »