JullienGordon.com

The A & the F Student

2009-06-26T13:59:00.002-04:00

5th Grade Graduation Speech at P.S. 329 in Brooklyn, New YorkThank you Miss Dawson, teachers, and parents for giving me the opportunity to address your bright children today. If you don't mind, I would like to turn the podium to address them.There were two students from the same neighborhood who went to the same elementary school, P.S. 329, also known as Surfside School in Brooklyn, New York.One

66 Things A College Student Must Do Before Graduation

2009-06-21T17:49:00.004-04:00

College is a 4 year stepping stone for a 40 year career. But today, a college degree doesn't guarantee anyone a job. Students are graduating with expensive pieces of paper—either unemployed or underemployed.Results from NACE’s Student Survey show that less than 20 percent of 2009 grads who have applied for a job actually have one in hand. In comparison, more than half of 2007 grads and 26

The Superhero Survey

2009-06-08T10:48:00.000-04:00

Superheroes know their superpowers. Do you? Sometimes our powers come so naturally to us that we don't event recognize them ourselves. So here's a fun survey to send to friends to get some 360-degree feedback and discover your superpowers and how they can be used professionally.Warning: Side effects include increased happiness, greater self-awareness, & stronger friendships.STEP 1. Cut, copy,

Cost to Cash Flow Consciousness

2009-06-05T00:00:00.003-04:00

I've been building The Department of Motivated Vehicles for 6 months now. Whenever you're just starting out as an entrepreneur, you really want to be conscious of your costs or burn rate. This awareness is called cost consciousness. Since I'm the only only employee right now, my burn rate was essentially my monthly expenses which are under $2,000 with student loans. But there comes a point

Building a Personal & Professional Board of Directors

2009-06-04T13:29:00.003-04:00

About a month ago I sent out a clarion call for mentors (See email sent to 100+ friends on May 6th). The closest I got to the people listed below was 1-degree away from Les Brown. Despite not getting who I thought I needed I got some great leads to other people in my space who may not be as well known, but could be of equal or more value to me and my company reaching its full potential. I'm

How to discover where you're most valuable

2009-05-15T16:29:00.003-04:00

Any business that isn't solving a problem for another individual or organization will eventually be out of business. The same goes for any person not solving a particular problem. People who have major impact on the world adopt or a create a problem and dedicate their lives to it. The Wright brothers created the problem "How can man fly" and Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the problem of

Good Excuse Goal Setting (TM)

2009-05-02T13:19:00.000-04:00

Good Excuse Goals (TM) is an event-based form of structured procrastination and also mitigates perfectionism. The premise is to set something in motion that:1. involves other people2. leads to a time-stamped event and3. means something to youThe old way of date-based goal setting says set a final due date and work towards completing the task at hand before that date. The problem with this form

Procrastination Help & Tips To Stop

2009-05-01T22:03:00.000-04:00

Procrastination is a huge issue for a lot of people. Working for myself for the past month has exposed my issues with it even though I'm doing what I love. I procrastinate. The day ends. I stress and feel guilty. I go to sleep. And then I do it all over again. There's got to be a better way.Here are some solutions I'm experimenting with to heal my habit:Find a procrastination partner: Identify

Jullien Speaks On Making Art Your Business

2009-04-27T09:56:00.002-04:00

As creative as they are, many artist still think in boxes...the page, the canvas, and the CD case. It is becoming harder and harder for artist to make a living doing what they love and the myth of the starving artists is becoming more real...if we only embrace old business models. Today, consumers of art (music, books, paintings, poetry, sculptures, etc) are more interested in the actual creation

Univ of Michigan Purpose+Passions+Professions Speech

2009-04-06T21:44:00.007-04:00

Today I spoke to a group of about 40 undergrads at the University of Michigan on the topic of Purpose + Passions + Profession: How to align your life, work, & goals. The event was sponsored by the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Women's Initiative. Feel free to watch the speech at the link below and see pictures here.Get out a notepad and pen andWatch Now!

Superhero Names & Nicknames

2009-03-24T09:59:00.010-04:00

In indigenous cultures, names were given according to your purpose. In some cultures, people underwent multiple naming ceremonies at birth, during adolescence and then adulthood. For instance, Sitting Bull, one of the most well-known Sioux Indians was born with the name Jumping Badger because of his speed, later given the name Jumping Bull, and then became Sitting Bull because he was slow to

15 Ways To Fund Your Dreams

2009-03-04T21:25:00.003-05:00

For Social EnterprisesAshoka »Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1981, we have elected over 2,000 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 60

Potluck #15 Pictures, Recap, Upcoming Events, & More Ways to Love Self...

2009-02-23T06:14:00.000-05:00

Click here to see all POTLUCK pictures...Everybody say cheese! Thankfully there weren't too many lactose intolerant people present this time because we had 3 different types of macaroni and cheese. All them tasted great. Is anybody still constipated?Sunday's potluck was an amazing group of entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, lawyers, musicians, dancers, students, educators, writers, fashion

Putting Your Passion To Work

2009-02-17T20:18:00.003-05:00

For most people passions are part-time instead of full-time. They are things you do on the weekend if you get around to them. A lot of people drive to work park in the parking lot and leave half of who they are in the passenger seat while dragging the other half of themselves into the office.What if could align our passions and profession? I think it's possible and here's why.One day I met a

Lessons On Working From Home

2009-02-12T10:13:00.006-05:00

It's officially been one month since I've been self-employed and working from home. I don't really have a home office. I just sit at a desk in my bedroom. For anyone considering working from home or just contemplating their personal productivity, here are some lessons I learned over the past month.Write one thing: Each day I recommend writing down one thing that if you accomplished it would

What Happened To My Hustla Spirit?

2009-02-12T09:15:00.004-05:00

I remember when I was little, physically and young, I was known for having heart. Even if I wasn't the best, I always played the hardest and heart-est. Because my best friend was older than me, I was always the little guy and the last to be picked, therefore I was the underdog and had something to prove.Sometime in or after college, I lost my hustla spirit. Perhaps it was a sense of

The Power of Gift-Based Education

2009-02-12T08:52:00.004-05:00

This morning I read a powerful article in YES Magazine called "Blessing Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. In it she tells the true story of special ed student whose gift is speaking to the animals of the ocean. In the article she poses the question "What would his life have been like if this curriculum were gift-based? If we were able to see the gift in each of our children and taught around that

76,000 Jobs Lost Today

2009-01-28T09:32:00.005-05:00

Today, Caterpillar laid off 20K, Pfizer 19K, Sprint 8K, and Home Depot 7K among others. In total, 76K Jobs were lost today, but I'm not alarmed. Job loss is not the only issue. Job creation is the other half of the equation. Every company has cash inflow and outflow. Every river has inflow and outflow. It's just a natural part of business cycle and life. Industries grow from nothing...from

Reminders To Myself Daily Newsfeed

2009-01-06T10:55:00.014-05:00

Below is a time line of my life from the moment I decided to leave my job to today.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday, February 8th I went to the Brooklyn Museum for First Saturdays. Rich Medina and DJ Spinna were on the 1s and 2s

Potluck #14 on Sun. Jan 11th at 7pm in Harlem

2009-01-06T10:54:00.001-05:00

Potluck InvitationTo my beautiful brothers and sisters of New York, Carry on the new year vibe and meet great people over great food at Potluck NY#14 this Sunday, January 11th, 2009 from 7-9pm. Purpose:The purpose of potluck is to create a space for positive people to connect with one another and to be fed physically, mentally, and spiritually. Ultimately, we want potlucks to take place all over

Driving School for Life on Sat. Jan 3rd in New York

2009-01-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

Course Summary Driving School for Life is a one-day crash course to discover life purpose. Your life is like a vehicle you get to build, drive, and maintain; we help you align all of the parts. The day consists of interactive group activities, writing exercises, and story telling. Participants meet other great people, clarify their life purpose, and feel inspired. .......................

What are we searching for?

2008-12-01T23:40:00.004-05:00

You can tell more about someone by what they are searching for than what they already have. Today, Yahoo.com released its top 10 searches for 2008. Again, "purpose", "God", and "love" are nowhere to be found. Perhaps people just realize that you can't Google purpose, God, or love. I hope that's the case because what we're searching for on the internet sucks.1. Britney Spears2. WWE (World

Inspirational Story: Four Boyfriends

2008-12-01T10:54:00.001-05:00

THIS TURNED OUT TO BE SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.. IT IS A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL MESSAGE!! ENJOYOnce upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him

You-Haul: How To Take Your Life To The Next Level

2008-12-01T09:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I helped a close friend and her roommate move a two bedroom apartment. Here are the lessons about life I garnered from the experience.Have a great team: It took 7 people to move. Moving time is when you know who your true friends are.Bundling is key: Lots of little boxes can be intimidating. Even the strongest person in the world only has two hands. Also organized packing mean

Book Summaries You Might Enjoy

2008-11-18T20:35:00.006-05:00

Good To Great Book SummaryThe best business book I know ofBuilt To Last Book SummaryThe second best business book I know ofThink And Grow Rich Full BookNapoleon Hill's classic on spiritual, mental, physical, and financial wealthThink And Grow Rich WorkbookA workbook based on Napoleon Hill's famous bookAs A Man Thinketh Full BookJames Allen's book on the power of thoughtsTribe Book SummarySeth

The Only Two Things Your Employees Really Want

2008-11-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Attracting and Retaining Great PeopleIf you guessed a raise and a promotion, you're only partially right. The only two things your employees really want are to to feel valued and and to create value. Virgin and Johnson & Johnson have developed company cultures that put employees above shareholders. In his book "Losing My Virginity", Richard Bronson, Founder and CEO of Virgin, states "

Driving School for Life: The Test Drive on Nov. 22nd in NY

2008-11-11T09:59:00.003-05:00

:: Driving School for Life :: A Personal Development Experience Created by Jullien GordonDriving School for Life is a personal development course I initiated in conjunction with my first book which is currently in production. The book documents the journey of three millennials as they participate in the 8 week course designed to help them gain clarity on their purpose and strengthen their

I Met The Man On Wire

2008-11-09T14:30:00.001-05:00

No, I'm not talk about the HBO series.I met Philippe Petit at lunch today. He was signing books at Borders. He was one of the spirits that started my journey when I saw his movie "Man On Wire" on October 26th. Philippe Petit is best know for tight rope walking between the Twin Towers in 1974.I bought his book and got it signed. Here's a snippet of the short conversation I had with him:JG: How

Kanye West Quotes for Personal Growth

2008-11-08T11:19:00.002-05:00

"Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud"from Homecoming, Graduation_______________"When it feel like living's harder than dyin'For me givin' up's way harder than tryin'from Champion, Graduation_______________That that don't kill meCan only make me strongerfrom Stronger, Graduation_______________There's a thousand yous, there's only one of mefrom Stronger, Graduation_______________

Two Glasses of Wine

2008-11-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine... A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the

How To Attract Talent With No Money

2008-11-05T13:22:00.000-05:00

Attracting and Retaining Great PeopleTwo dedicated team members is better than five dedicated team members and and one undedicated one. Undedicated people have the ability to kill the productivity of everyone on the team to their level of dead-ication. They may have been committed in the beginning, but over time, things change and people change and their commitment to the vision may not be as

The Importance of Vision: Attracting & Retaining Great People

2008-11-05T13:20:00.001-05:00

Before the business plan, the pitch deck, the company name, the logo, and the business cards, the most powerful thing you have as an entrepreneur is a vision that people can believe in. A powerful vision will attract the right people, opportunities, and ideas. One of the myths about visionary companies revealed by James Collins and Jerry Porras in "Built To Last: Successful Habits of Visionary

Bob Marley: My 2008 Halloween Costume

2008-11-04T10:26:00.005-05:00

Many of you know that I love Bob Marley, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to pay my respects to him. I don't smoke. I can't play the guitar. And I can't sing, but I did my best. What do you think of my costume?Bob Marley Costume Ingredients1. cut up brown towel = dread locks ($5)2. home-made "We're Jah-Men" t-shirt ($3)3. iron-on color printed page ($2)4. crumpled white

Why Your Vote May Not Count

2008-11-03T11:10:00.001-05:00

I'm excited about the possibilities that tomorrow may bring, but I also want to be real about the savior mentality that is being projected on Barak Obama (not by Barak Obama) by supporters. Voting is the first step in electing a leader that most closely represents your beliefs, but standing in a four hour line will not lead to four years of change.The significance of your vote is less about whose

Pro-Obama Videos & Songs

2008-11-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

Lick A Shot by Jay-ZWassup 2008Obams's Loss Traced To Jullien GordonEnd the Reign by CorrespondenceObama, Obama, Obama by ANT (A Milli Remix)Obama Is Here by LudacrisYes We Can by Will.I.Am & Friends You Can Vote However You Life by the kidsEmbedded video from CNN VideoBlack President by Nas feat. 2 PacSomething's Gotta Give by Big Boi & Mary J. BligeWe Are The Ones by Will.I.AmBarack Obama &

The US President's Job Description

2008-11-03T09:31:00.006-05:00

Lets go back in time to your junior high school American History class to do a quick refresher on the role of the president. As a voter, it is important to understand what the president can and can't do so that your expectations of their four-year term aren't beyond their role. Below is the actual job description of the United States President:The President's Job Description The Constitution

Is Self-Love Narcissistic?

2008-11-01T11:08:00.003-04:00

I strongly believe in self-love, but many believe that it is narcissistic. Narcissism is defined as:1. Excessive love or admiration of oneself.2. A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.For me, self-love is the ability to cultivate love within one's self. When people hear the word self, they normally only think of

I'm doing GOD. How are you doing?

2008-10-31T22:48:00.000-04:00

How are you? is probably the most frustrating question in the world. It has become a greeting instead of true question, therefore, people tend to give an equally unthoughtful answer. I want to take a second to evaluate some of the most common responses and then propose a new one.I'm not doing badI'm not doing bad doesn't necessarily mean one is doing good. It sounds like it comes from a dark

Love You > I Love You

2008-10-29T10:32:00.006-04:00

A few nights ago around 3am, I heard commotion in an apartment building next door to me. The brownstone walls muffled the heated dialogue, but this is what I heard. "All I want to do is live my life the way I want to live it and kill myself. I have no one to talk to and no where to run." A young man was contemplating suicide. When I looked out the window and there were 4 police cars and an

My Usain Bolt Track Record

2008-10-23T09:31:00.000-04:00

My track record in the dating game reflected the running style of 100-meter and 200-meter world record holder, Usain Bolt - fast start and fast finish. Though I enjoyed every minute of my last few relationships, with the exception of the last one, it's a pattern I want to change.When it comes to dating, I don't know why I think sprint instead of marathon. Where am I rushing to? My past

Potluck NY #12 Recap

2008-10-21T12:14:00.001-04:00

Man oh man! I was the only guy among 6 incredible women until Hack, Kimik, and Jody finally showed up. Fellas, I tried to tell y'all. Where else can you meet down-to-earth out-of-this-world beautiful ladies like this? It's rare that the ratios are skewed like that, but it all worked out in the end. Maybe next time the brothas will outnumber the sistas.Before potluck even began, there was

Dashboard for Life

2008-10-11T09:55:00.001-04:00

Below is an excerpt from my book "Driving School for Life" describing one of the activities that takes place during theAs the instructor turned her attention to us again, the room got quiet. She stepped to the side of the easel she was writing on and there stood the Today's Theme and Question of the Day. "Principles. What metrics do I use to measure success for myself?""Today we're going to

Help Jazmin Get Their Myspace Pageviews Up

2008-10-10T06:07:00.004-04:00

My friend Felicia and her sisters made a valiant run in MTV's Top PopGroup and now they are trying to get their Myspace pageviews up. Asof this post the have 150,793 page views and 88,594 plays. If youhaven't already done so, please check them out and support them ontheir journey.

My Number One Can-i-date

2008-10-08T14:12:00.001-04:00

I like the way you speakWhen you’re giving a speechA million people watchingYou talk directly to meSweet words to my palletCan’t wait to cast my ballotAgreeing with every sound bitI’m finally feeling validI hope we’re in the same partyCheck your ticketOn the morning of the 5thMaybe we can kick itAnd pop some champagneTo a successful campaignI don’t drink alcoholBut we can watch it

Self Disciple-in

2008-10-08T14:11:00.007-04:00

Do you believe in yourself enough to be your own disciple?When I hear the word "discipline", I immediately think of "disciple" and disciple connotes follower of or believer in someone else. So when I hear the word "self-discipline" I think of "disciple of self" or follower or believer in self.So when I ask myself 'Why do some people have self-discipline and others don't?' it really comes down

Support Lukas on his Journey

2008-10-01T15:58:00.000-04:00

HistoryLukas and I met at UCLA in 2004. He worked with me at the UCLA SHAPE program as a tutor. He's a dope poet and we both hail from Oakland, CA. He just took the leap and moved to New York to pursue his passion. Together, all 664 of us should be able to support him on the things below.Top Passions:writing poetry, hip-hop, journalismNext Level:Turn his passion for writing into a careerHow

Budgeting for Business School

2008-10-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

The MBA application process isn't cheap. You should set aside almost $6,000 to prepare for the process. At the end of the day, the investment is small. In most cases, your salary will almost double after business school. Download this Excel document to craft your own budget.

The Mirror Mantra

2008-10-01T09:32:00.000-04:00

I have diedI have risenI am loveI am thank-fullI am givingand receivingAsheAmenAnd so it isCo-created by PJ and JG

I Inspired A Friend To Drop Law & Be A Vet

2008-09-29T09:40:00.003-04:00

I got a story from one of my 1st draft editors saying that the book helped her reconsider her career. Within the next 3 months, she is leaving her career as a lawyer and pursuing her passion for animals as a veterinarian. I heard this second hand through her friend who read her veterinarian school essays this past weekend. They are in the book club of 4 people that is reading the book

Building Relationships On A Strong Foundation

2008-09-28T23:13:00.008-04:00

How to differentiate between convenience, coincidence, & true commitmentSpirit is the unifying force of the world. It is the energy that unites hydrogen and oxygen to make water as well as the energy that brings two people together for a purpose. As Spirit brings people, especially potential spirtual partners, into our lives it is important to be conscious of the context in which they come

Vote For Razmig's Embrace.org & Save Children's Lives

2008-09-24T21:30:00.003-04:00

Every week I hope to feature one of my friends and see how the support of all of my readers can help them get to the next level. Email me if you want to be next.Meet my friendRazmig HovaghimianA.K.A. "Young Hova"Razmig's Top Passions:social change, social entrepreneurshipRazmig's Next Level:While at Stanford he co-founded a non-profit that is developing a $25 premature infant incubator for the

I Attended My 1st Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

2008-09-24T16:13:00.008-04:00

As many of you already know, I've never drank alcohol. Some people very close to me have been affected by alcoholism and I see some of my friends exhibiting alcoholic patterns. Not good. Anyway, I've seen how Alcoholics Anonymous has helped some people dear to me recover and I believe that it is the best form of personal development to date. I can't think of another space where people of all

Potluck #11 Recap

2008-09-23T00:04:00.003-04:00

Potluck NY#11 was filled with great people, energy, and stories. First off, the meal included lemon pepper baked chicken, greens, corn on the cob, 2 types of pastas, 3 rice and bean dishes, mangoes, grapes, and root beer floats. We want to welcome the 7 newcomers to the family!The conversation began with the story of a NYU student of film, Tre, whose work on homelessness in downtown LA can be

Business School Readiness Plan

2008-09-16T15:21:00.002-04:00

Ultimate Goal To be admitted to a top-tier business school 18-Month Objectives 1. Increase work experience2. Craft a future vision3. Develop business school goals (intellectual, social, and financial) Action Items Programs for Minorities[] Apply to MLT's MBA Prep Program[] Research the Consortium[] Research MBA Jump Start [] Research the Riordan Program Fellows Program GMAT [] Buy

How Not To Get Laid Off In A Down Economy

2008-09-12T10:36:00.015-04:00

It's simple. Change your mindset from working FOR your company to working WITH your company. Employment is a partnership, not an obligation, no matter how bad the economy is.The first thing any non-stock holding employee has to accept is that no matter where you work and how much you make, you're being undervalued...at least financially. No company in the world (except ones that get 700 billion

Support My Friend Felcia & Jazmin As They Follow Their Passion On MTV

2008-08-30T10:40:00.004-04:00

Felicia and I met at UCLA in 2004. She used to work with at the SHAPE program as a tutor at one of our sites in LA. In addition to a pop group artist she is also a talented graphic artist (http://www.feliciart.com).Check out Felicia, Nadia, Celia, and Daria from Jazmin on MTV.To view click here:http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/mtv_top_pop_group/crews.jhtml?crew=jazminWatch clips:http://www.mtv.com/

Free Copies At Kinkos

2008-08-28T13:17:00.004-04:00

In my experience, I rarely see a guy give another guy something for free. But today, I got a free copy at Kinkos. I went on Tuesday to make copies for a book club that selected You Can't Google Purpose as its next read. I made 5 copies but I thought I paid for 6. So I went back today during my lunch break just to make sure that I paid for 5 and not 6. It turns out I paid $48 for 5 and I was

I Have A New Fan

2008-08-28T09:22:00.000-04:00

It's warm today, but I'm not talking about fans that blow wind. I'm talking about a fan that loves my work. My homegirl, whose book club is reading the book, was reading it on the train and the guy sitting next to her was all up in her business as if they were reading the book together. He inquired about the title of the book and she let him read the first 2 pages of the book.He said that he is

E-goals Are Fly, But...

2008-08-20T22:51:00.003-04:00

E-goals are lofty goals that sound fly like eagles but are primarily ego-driven. They sound great, but have no significance beyond the individual's pursuit. Oftentimes, e-goals aren't even personal; they are simply aggressive goals that one sets for themselves relative to their peer group. They have little to do one's unique individual path and the pursuit of their purpose.Examples:“I want to

My Book Is Bleeding With Red Ink

2008-08-20T09:49:00.006-04:00

I want to thank all of my editors who made the time to endure the roughness of my rough draft. I had missing and misspelled words, incomplete thoughts, poor punctuation, and bad grammar all over. That's why it helps to have a few sets of eyes. Each reader found something new to edit, add, or delete. I'm trying to include as many people as possible in the co-creation of the work of art because

How To Play A Great Hand

2008-08-20T07:09:00.008-04:00

If I tried to date every great woman I met, I would be dating non-stop (and that's exactly what I was doing for about 2 years). I had 3 great relationships with 3 great women. I meet great women all of the time. My circle of sisters includes the next generation of Maya Angelous (authors), Assata Shakurs (activists), Helen Kellers (renaissance woman), Oprah Winfreys (entrepreneurs), Hillary

Daryn Dodson Acknowledge by President Bush For His Work In New Orleans

2008-08-19T14:52:00.002-04:00

On August 19, 2008, President Bush made a speech and acknowledge Daryn Dodson, one of my best friends and roommate from business school. Daryn currently works for Idea Village in New Orleans helping entrepreneurs grow successful businesses. Check it out..."I am inspired by people like Daryn Dodson, who I met at a dinner here last year. Daryn was studying at Stanford Business School when Katrina

Potluck #10 Recap

2008-08-18T22:39:00.000-04:00

Potluck NY#10 was a wild success. 10 beautiful spirits came together to share stories about the A train (hint: don't sit under the map on the train), listen to unreleased music of Queen Rose, and hear a reading from a chapter in my You Can't Google Purpose book. We also discussed questions like whether non-profits were sustainable long-term, how to quit your job (#1 - Have someone to trick, #2

Thy Fathers Will Be Done

2008-07-29T00:52:00.008-04:00

This poem was inspired by a recent viewing of Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is EnufMy game ain't strongIt's just her father was weakabandoning my seedis something I can't conceiveAround this time last yearfatherhood gave me a scarethough my parents divorced when I was onethey were both still thereI've never dated a woman with a fatherwhich says

The 4-Dimensions of Jullien Gordon

2008-07-22T09:06:00.014-04:00

July 11th marked my 26th birthday. After 25 years on this Earth, my biggest lesson this year is that I have multiple identities that make up who I am and I want to introduce you to them all. I used to reject certain parts of me, but I'm learning to embrace all of me and my different dimensions are captured by my nicknames. I realized that I'm not one-dimensional and for those of you who only

Progress: The Flinstones vs. The Jetsons

2008-07-16T15:02:00.007-04:00

What's the point of progress?I just saw Gandhi the movie last weekend at it reminded me of a quote he once said that "There's more to life than increasing its speed." He was more of a Flintstone. When you think about it, as children we were caught between the Flinstones and Jetsons. Somewhere in the middle of the stone age and the future, we had to to make conscious choice about which way we

Thank You: The First Draft Has Been Mailed!

2008-07-15T23:42:00.008-04:00

Thank you to all of my readers for supporting me in this process by:offering to read and edit the first draft (Tanisha, Sam, Ayinde, Leslie, Sophia, Boris, Danya, Scott, Vera, Noni, Shaquita, Aimee, Mbwana, Kalonji, Daisuke, Sarah, Milan, Sallome, Angelo, Mommy)finding me opportunities to speak about the 8Ps (Real Talk & The Stoop)sending me words of encouragement over Google Chat (

How To Start Your B-School Research

2008-07-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

When it came to choosing a school for undergrad, I didn't do much research. The only schools I really knew of were the ones that were good in sports. Luckily, I enjoyed my undergraduate experience at UCLA, but when it came to choosing a business school, I took things more seriously. I wanted to find a school that "fit" and would set me up to achieve my long-term goals through its curriculum,

The Best Way To Choose A School for Fit

2008-07-15T11:12:00.000-04:00

When choosing between schools, a lot of people look at average GMAT scores, incoming class GPAs, and other statistics that can be found on the schools' websites. Most of that data is only correlative. It doesn't tell you the value add of the institution; it only tells you the type of candidate that the school attracts. The best way to choose a school for fit is look at what its alumni are doing.

Why Are You Getting Divorced?

2008-07-14T18:28:00.007-04:00

"Mommy...Daddy...Why are you getting divorced?"That's exactly the question kids ask when their parents sit them down on the living room couch as they stand on opposite sides of the room to announce that they're getting divorced. Divorce usually means that there has been a lot of tension in the parents' relationship for a while. It's usually a sign of the end of a drawn out conflict, not the

Top 10 Mistakes On MBA Applications

2008-07-14T11:10:00.000-04:00

1. Using the Edit > Replace function Don't use Microsoft Word's edit > replace function to replace the school name and try to use one school's essays for another school. Admission officers know each other's questions. 2. Not answering the essay question Stanford's key essay is "What matters to you most AND why?" Make sure that you answer the 'why' part and not just the 'what matters to

1st Draft of You Can't Google Purpose is Done!

2008-07-05T13:03:00.004-04:00

It's a real real rough 1st draft, but that's what 1st drafts are all about. I just needed to get it out. I can iterate from there. I still have to work on the end of chapter activities and questions as well as the profiles for each chapter. But the core content is there. I'm going to print and read through it once before sending it off to the 10 people who volunteered to read it.My fingers

Britney Abuses Baby Eric

2008-07-04T19:07:00.014-04:00

The History of Independence Day REMIXEDStarring:Education as EdAmerica as EricBritain as BritneyNative as NatAfrica as herselfMy grandfather Ed used to tell this story every year. Now I know it by heart and I pledge allegiance to it. The day was July 4th, 1776. Baby Eric ran away from his abusive mother Britney. Britney was crazy, but she thought she was great. Despite her size, she had a

Potluck NY#09 Recap

2008-06-30T14:44:00.006-04:00

Potluck NY #09 was hot!...literally.All that positive energy is that little living room made summer feel like sauna. The two little fans couldn't blow out our flame.The hottest fans were us, the newest fans of upcoming 16-year-old MC, H.A.C.K. (of all trades). Check him out at www.myspace.com/hack2303. H.A.C.K. shared his passion as a young artist and his desire to link with producers who were

7 Signs that the Music Industry is Changing

2008-06-27T12:43:00.007-04:00

The music in-dust-try is exactly that...in dust trying to stay alive. At this point in time, I think the best strategy for musicians in the Radio Head model which is to allow the customer to pay what they want for your songs or your album via your website. If they choose not to pay anything, at least you have their email address to update them about your upcoming shows or latest blog entries.

The Past Is Present

2008-06-27T06:01:00.021-04:00

America's path has been strikingly similar to that of ancient Egypt. Both civilizations have risen to prominence in their respective times. Where did ancient Egypt go wrong? How can America avoid the same mistakes? History repeats itself...but it doesn't have to if we learn from it.Anubis (God of afterlife) - George W. "Darth Vader" BushIsis & Horus - Mary & JesusAnkh - CrossOblelisk at

Global Images of Ourselves

2008-06-27T05:43:00.010-04:00

http://www.trial.warc.com/Statistics/WorldMarkets/WMT_Decade.asphttp://www.trial.warc.com/Statistics/WorldMarkets/WMT_Decade.aspwww.fao.orgwww.povertymap.netwww.wri.org

Shelling Out Money For Oil - Part 2 of 3

2008-06-27T04:39:00.007-04:00

Since the first human being came to be Earth, man has been in search of energy, be it to eat (food) or operate (fire). From fire to coal to combustion to fossil fuels, our sources of energy have evolved. When our source of energy changes to a more natural source, the political landscape will also change drastically. When someone controls your energy source (food or operation), they ultimately

Shelling Out Money For Oil - Part 1 of 3

2008-06-24T07:55:00.014-04:00

Gas prices are ridiculous! I'm glad that I don't drive right now. But I'm not mad at the gas companies. They've been waiting on this day. Any company selling any product or service would be happy to have demand (and dependency) so high that they could charge whatever they want for it. When demand is extremely high and supply is extremely low, the price will be high. Its economics.Things

You Can't Google Purpose Book Overview

2008-06-07T08:51:00.002-04:00

Book OverviewSince March 2008, I been focused on writing my first book, "You Can't Google Purpose: 8 ways to narrow your search for purpose" (Click here to try Googling your purpose).Whereas Google's search engine helps us search for external information outside of ourselves, the only search in-gine that can help us find our unique purpose is us. The book is based on the 8 Principles of Purpose,

8 Words That Might Screw Your Relationship Up...

2008-06-06T15:12:00.017-04:00

...If Used Too EarlyCute text message ending with <3 or :). Romantic poems recited from the heart. Unexpected cards of appreciation. A (not so) simple "I love you". Every day people use words to communicate how they feel about each other. There is power in words. They give life to inanimate things. However, being a man or woman of your word means taking responsibility for everything you say. On

Dear New York, I'm Sorry...

2008-06-04T07:04:00.006-04:00

Dear New York,I am writing this letter to apologize for my half-hearted attempt to get to know you. I didn't even give you a fair chance. Like the sankofa bird, I flew from California, still looking backwards as I moved forward in life. The two songs accompanying me on my iPod Shuffle on repeat since landing here in August 2007 were:"New York, New York, city of dreams, everything in New York

Giving Too Much Too Early

2008-06-03T07:45:00.005-04:00

I'm beginning to wonder if there is such thing as giving too much too early. If you give too much too early, then it is possible that what you're giving now becomes the expectation later. The whole purpose of a preview, sampler, or teaser is to give you just enough to let you know what it will feel like to experience something regularly. Some questions came to mind that really need to be

Saying No To Hugs

2008-06-03T07:45:00.004-04:00

I don't mean it literally. It was just a play on the "Say No To Drugs" campaign. But what I do mean is that a lot of people have difficulty saying no to nice things, and as a result they get taken advantage of sometimes.This morning I was on the bus full of people and an older woman asked a young boy "Can I have your seat?" The young boy looked confused. Nobody had probably ever asked him

Chat #1 with a Guest

2008-06-02T13:20:00.001-04:00

Guest has joined. Guest: hi jullien are you there - this is Laura from the UK I've just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to ask a question about submitting my answers on the 8 principles...me: hey lauranice to meet youGuest: and you. i saw your amazing graduation speech on salome's myspace and went through to your myspace from there and the rest is an afternoon of self discovery me: 1. Copy

Unlimited Potential

2008-05-26T11:42:00.002-04:00

It's not until you push someone to their limits that they realize that they are limitless.

Are You Really In Control Of Your Life?

2008-05-26T11:14:00.005-04:00

Lately I've started to realize how little control I have over certain occurrences in the world while at the same time trying to preserve my identity as a change agent. It has been a struggle. What do we have control over and what don't we? This is an important question because I don't want to waste my time trying to change things I don't have control over. The areas where this insight has

Love Tug-of-War

2008-05-26T10:26:00.005-04:00

Sometimes relationships enter a frustrating phase where both partners' needs aren't being met and they engage in a tug-of-war to try to pull the relationship in their favor. It's a lose-lose situation. If one partner gets their way, then the other is worse off and if they keep pulling equally, then the relationship goes nowhere though each partner is putting a lot of energy to try to make it

My Mountain Letter

2008-05-23T09:07:00.002-04:00

Below is a self-addressed letter I wrote to myself exactly one year ago as an assignment in Debra Meyerson's Leading Social Change class at Stanford.It couldn't have returned to me at a more perfect time as I prepare for this major life change to commit more time to Mylinia and the You Can't Google Purpose book!_____________________________________My Mountainby Jullien Gordon05.20.2007“My food is

Listening To Your Purpose Within

2008-05-20T20:26:00.003-04:00

[Cup your ears with your palms and read this aloud to yourself] Shhhh! I'm that small still voice in your head. I've been here since your birth. I'm like that black box on an airplane and you just crash landed on earth. Find me. I await you with all of the answers to your deepest questions. How do I achieve happiness in life? What is the formula for success? What’s the meaning of life?

My Life Is Up In The Air

2008-05-20T08:58:00.005-04:00

My life is up in the airI have no control of where it goesevery time I set a goalthe wind laughs and it blowsI feel like I'm falling downjust me, gravity, and groundI can float here and complainor ride joyfully without a soundIn the turbulent twentieseverything feels urgent and emptybut I pray that the winds willresurge and replenish meI realize that the windshave never been my enemyto let go and

A Lot & Nothing

2008-05-14T13:44:00.004-04:00

A lot of people come into this world and do a lot of stuff...great things...but if they failed to do the one thing that Spirit sent them to do, then they've essentially done nothing at all.

Can You Google Purpose?

2008-05-13T20:42:00.001-04:00

Google needs to self-reflectIn case you don't know, I'm writing a book called "You Can't Google Purpose". I had to ask Google for permission to use their name in my book title and here's what they said._____________________Hi Jullien,Thanks for your request. Your current title is categorically untruebecause you can in actually search for the word 'purpose' on Google.Therefore, literally you can

Cerebral Palsy Can't Stop Me From Writing

2008-05-13T19:17:00.006-04:00

I went to work early today so that I could get home early and spend the rest of the evening writing the first chapter of You Can't Google Purpose. While on the train, one of my brothers for good, William Pena, sent an email to over 50 of his family and friends asking us to vote for his video on Current TV so that it gets aired on national television.The 6 minute video is about a young man named

Goal: Finish the 1st Draft by my 26th Birthday

2008-05-12T20:12:00.000-04:00

Internally and externally, I feel called to write this book...now! I was going to wait until I moved to California and had "space and time" to focus, but I can't. That was just an excuse. The space and time is now. I feel like the book is already within me and just needs to be written.My 26th birthday is on July 11th. My hope is to be able to give out the 1st draft of the book to all the

The Pregnant Womb-Man

2008-05-11T21:15:00.007-04:00

Mother's Day & Creative MenopauseHappy Mother's Day to the women and men that have given birth to goodness in this world beyond the physical realm (ie children). Mother Nature has no gender. Nature is simply our nature. It's in all of us - both men and women. All creation must be mothered and fathered though religion has taught us to only honor The Father. You don't have to create a day to

A Screensaver I Made To Brighten Your Day

2008-05-07T11:33:00.002-04:00

I hope this screensaver blesses you ever time you turn on your computer. The story is below. Click the image to download it.Peace,(Click here to download the screensaver)Title: The Source of My Vibe, 2004Story: The story behind this collage is that I found almost all of the quotes in the Source and Vibe magazines. Both magazines promote hip hop culture and feature negative images that degrade

43 Ways to Self-Medicate

2008-05-07T06:30:00.000-04:00

NOTE: Not all of the ways listed below are healthy ways to self-medicate and any way over-used may become unhealthy. Hopefully this list provides some alter-natives to what you're accustomed to doing. Feel free to contributing by commenting below.Alonepray for selfmeditatecreate a list of what you're thankful forThrough othersask for prayertalk with othershugsask for

Why We're Jah-Men Is The Best Song Ever

2008-05-05T16:28:00.005-04:00

I was listening to Bob Marley one day and it hit me. The reason why people of all cultures love this song so much is that Bob Marley is giving us all the highest affirmation possible by calling us all god-men 50 times when he says "We Jah-men!". Jesus made a similar reference that was considered blasphemous in John 10:34 when he said "Is it not written in your law, I said ye are gods"(

The United State...No America

2008-05-04T01:44:00.001-04:00

It's bigger than U.S.In order to achieve a United State of the World, there can be no domination of one country over another or one human over another. We can't have our cake and eat it too. It's not sustainable. Nonetheless, America continues its monkey business (see video below):1. We want to consume everything at the lowest price possible so we outsource production to other countries and