creative date: finding vivian maier

 This week's creative date: a weekday matinee documentary at Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg. I was one of two people in the theater and I ordered a Mexican chocolate & vanilla swirl soft serve at my seat. #matineesinbrooklyn 

"Who is Vivian Maier? Now considered one of the 20th century's greatest street photographers, Vivian Maier was a mysterious nanny who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her lifetime. Since buying her work by chance at auction, amateur historian John Maloof has crusaded to put this prolific photographer in the history books. Maier's strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never-before-seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her (IFC)." 

The subject of Finding Vivian Maier is so super talented, and so super strange. I really enjoyed the thought-provoking story, and I'm not the only one (94% on Rotten Tomatoes!). While undoubtedly a strange lady, she was obsessed with saving memories and moments in time and her photos reflect a deep sense of human understanding, warmth, light and a sense of tragedy. Two thumbs up. 

My selfie, inspired by Vivian Maier @Nitehawk Cinema

Inspiration: The Selby

The Selby is in Your Place. 
I love this book by Todd Selby. The beautiful pages are overflowing with casual photographs and hand painted watercolor portraits of interesting creative people in their homes. I was introduced to this book one sunny afternoon while lounging in my NY bestie, Ali's, apartment. She was surprised I'd never heard of it, and once I flipped through the beautiful pages, I was too. INTERESTING PEOPLE IN CREATIVE SPACES! Electricity zoomed through my body as I devoured the stories of each subject and peeked into their personal lives. This type of photo storytelling is so much more interesting to me than super perfect glossy fashion photography. Real people in the midst of their real lives, comfortable and proud and loved. Thanks for the inspiration, Selby. 

Click through for a sneak peak at the book' imagery. 

FROZEN

I just saw Frozen. The animated film came out in November, it's the highest grossing original animated movie of all time, and won a few Oscars. I know. I'm late to the game. But I've woken up every day since, thinking about the important themes and singing Let it Go (which is actually a nice relief from the past three months of waking up singing Beyonce's Drunk in Love). I feel more confident about the future, knowing that thousands of young people are being positively influenced by this story (way to go Disney!).

If you see me on the train wearing earbuds, chances are good that I'm listening to Let it Go on full volume, belting out the words in my mind.

This great article about why Frozen matters explains exactly why I love it so much. The film is "about accepting oneself, warts and all (although I  do wish these girls looked a little more realistic and less like Bratz dolls), and in turn, learning to accept love from others. It shows little girls – and little boys I’m sure – that there isn’t a singular definition of ‘true love,’ that there can be more at the end of the movie than someone to sweep the heroine off her feet. In very simplistic, easy to understand terms, it stresses that it’s alright to be different." PREACH. 

10 Life Lessons to Excel in Your 30's

Ooooooo baby! This article by Mark Manson was right on the $$$.
My girlfriend sent it to me. Then she started a pension fund and went to yoga this week. Coincidence?!?

Here they are. Ten ways to make your 30's super awesome:

1. Start saving for retirement now, not later (Ok, so I have to start this one).
2. Start taking care of your health now, not later (Kula Yoga membership, check).
3. Don't spend time with people who don't treat you well (No time for that).
4. Be good to the people you care about (I messed this one up in my early 20's. Worst).
5. You can't have everything; focus on doing a few things really well (Like juggling).
6. Don't be afraid of taking risks, you can still change (Life is long! Failing is ok). 
7. You must continue to grow and develop yourself (Starting morning TED Talks).
8. Nobody [still] knows what they're doing, get used to it (Phew, me either). 
9. Invest in your family, it's worth it (Call your mom).
10. Be kind to yourself, respect yourself (Sometimes the hardest one to do on your own. Friends help). 

Check out the article for more details. It's an inspiring read. 

Mastering the Informational Interview

NYT published a blog post by Marci Alboher about how to nail an informational interview. Since I am meeting with people to informationally interview them, I checked it out. How should I prepare for interviews and make the most of the time spent with people? Below are some excerpts from the super helpful blog:

Basic considerations: 
1. The other person is doing you a favor, so it should be about what’s convenient for the interviewer, not you. Follow his or her lead as to whether meetings will be in person or by phone.
2. These meetings are not about asking for job leads; the point is to learn something.
3. Think about informational interviews as a way to build a relationship and expand your network, not as a way to get a job.
4. Wait for the right time. So often we get a number and feel as if we should call immediately. But if you’re not ready, you may bungle a meeting. Why wouldn’t you be ready? When you’re overextended and it’s hard to find time on your calendar or if you haven’t done enough research about the industry or the company where the person works.
5. Don’t overstay your welcome. It’s always better to signal the meeting is ending and let the other person say he or she is open to continuing the discussion.

  • Be respectful. People are busy.  
  • Assume that a 20min phone call or a 30min meeting is a reasonable request.
  • Do your homework and learn about the person you’re meeting.
  • Know what you want and plan an agenda. 

Questions you can ask:
1. Can you tell me how you got to this position?
2. What do you like most about what you do, and what would you change if you could?
3. How do people break into this field?
4. What are the types of jobs that exist where you work and in the industry in general?
5. Where would you suggest a person investigate if the person were particularly skilled at (fill in the blank — quantitative thinking, communications, writing, advocacy)?
6. What does a typical career path look like in your industry?
7. What are some of the biggest challenges facing your company and your industry today?
8. Are there any professional or trade associations I should connect with?
9. What do you read — in print and online — to keep up with developments in your field?
10. How do you see your industry changing in the next 10 years?
11. If you were just getting involved now, where would you put yourself?
12. What’s a typical day like for you?
13. What’s unique or differentiating about your company?
14. How has writing a book (starting a blog, running a company, etc.) differed from your expectations? What have been the greatest moments and biggest challenges?

Follow up.
If you said you’d send an article, contact someone or do something, make sure to do what you said you would. If you want to continue the relationship, figure out how to stay in touch. If there was no chemistry, move on.

What makes people fascinating

What makes people fascinating? FastCompany recently published an article by Stephanie Vozza that breaks down seven reasons why people pay attention:

  1. power
  2. passion
  3. mystique
  4. offers prestige
  5. gives alarm
  6. has rebellion
  7. evokes trust.
“Too often, we search for similarities in an effort to fit in with the environment, but it’s the person who embraces their differences that is interesting.”
— Sally Hogshead, CEO and founder of Fascinate, Inc.

Find your Dream Team

Project Exponential was started by my friend Michelle. She posted a blog entry about the importance of the people we surround ourselves with. YES! That's what fifty coffees is all about. Who should be on YOUR DREAM TEAM? 

“If you’re trying to do something great, you need great people around you. You want people who push you to do and be your best.”
— Project Exponential

Assemble your own Dream Team by looking for these key players:

The Mentor - Someone who’s been there. This is a person you respect and admire. They remind you to look at the big picture. You see their life and think “That’s what I want.”

An Advisee – A person you can mentor. They are eager to learn from you and respect your work. Your willingness to teach them and spend time with them affirms your own knowledge and skills, even reminding you where you’ve come from and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

Your Advocate – No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, you need someone who fights for you and honors what you stand for.

An Equal - A colleague or friend who is in your same boat. You challenge each other to become the best you can possibly be. Compare notes, support each other, get competitive when it’s beneficial.

A Neutral – Someone with no direct investment in your life or work. This is a person who can provide an outside perspective when needed.

The Wildcard – The Wildcard is just that — wild. This person is in an industry completely different than yours. They keep you on your toes and expose you to new experiences and people. Things are never boring when they are around.

Supporting Stars: You need at least one or two people who can support your work and help you prioritize the bigger picture. These are folks you feel comfortable delegating work to, individuals you trust when you need to head out of town.

 * see more from Project Exponential here