Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks | TED Talk Video Intro Maker Illustration

Video Intro Maker illustration - Great TED Talk by the way, hopefully this will convince you to watch it!

This is part of a series of seriously awesome video illustrations by Video Intro Maker.

Monica's quote of the month

From Confusion to Clarity

"There must be something more…" 

That voice was in repeat in my head since an early age. From useless classes at school to meaningless jobs, I was so tired of getting no excitement out of my professional life. 

Back at school

Back at school, no one gave me any useful advice to choose my career. I ended up in a scientific pathway because I was told it will open me more doors once I find out what I want.

Because it was hard and I wasn't suited for it, I had to repeat twice to complete my high school diploma, turning 3 years of daily pain into 5. 

Sports university was the least terrible option for me, so I went there and got a bachelor degree in sports management. 

Finally done with the school system, I left France to live in Prague and later in Barcelona, working in different jobs to pay the bills. 

Make the list

One day of 2008, out of desperation, I sat down without any guidance to write about what I was good at, what I liked to do, things like that. The list didn't look good. 

But I was committed. I knew it wouldn't happen quickly, but it didn't matter. My situation had to change. 

Choose your hard

I started to dedicate my free time to study things that interested me, start asking questions, write more lists. 

I cut my distractions, party and friends, as much as I could.

Again, it was hard, but I felt that compared to the hard life I lived earlier - wasting my time without any direction, feeling useless and pathetic - this "hard" had a future. 

So I tried myself in copywriting, photography and even modern art while doing various jobs to put food on the table. 

It took me about 5 years to figure out my first solid direction, which I've never heard of before: Entrepreneurship.

Sure, my search was slow and difficult, but I would do it again anytime to be where I am now. 

Where I am now

Now it's been another 4 years since I stepped into entrepreneurship and started to build my own projects. 

You can see below what I've done so far related to entrepreneurship. I've been busy, but I don't feel I have an impressive list of accomplishments... I know I can do so much more!  

- Founder of Video Intro Maker - creating affordable (and awesome) animated explainer videos that convert, for small businesses

- Founder of Digital Nomad For Good - Monthly top 10 list of inspiring articles for digital nomads, project about to switch into a video format. 

- Founder of Simple et Clair (French blog) - Practical tips based on a powerful spiritual teaching (there is about 70 articles still online without update for at least 2 years)

- I was published on several blogs such as Addicted 2 Success 

- I do 1-on-1 coaching on the side and have great testimonials so far

- I ran several workshops and presentations about career guidance, morning routine and increasing a website's conversions

- Fluent in 4 languages - French, English, Spanish and Portuguese 

What worked

But what I am most proud of is that now I know myself, what I'm good at, what I like to do and how I work. 

I studied hard the many pieces needed to create an experience specifically for an audience, from branding to writing headlines - thanks to blogs such as Fizzle, the Four hour work week, Smart Blogger, Seth Godin and many more. 

I studied psychology, spirituality, the human needs and what drives us. 

I know now what audience I like to work with (millennials who want to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle), and I have already started to support the community through the creation of a Top 10 almost-monthly list of inspiring articles, which helps me understand more deeply the market and connect with the main players. 

Where I'm going? 

I'm going where all these pieces merge and form something unique, meaningful and useful for the audience I like to support.

As Roger Hamilton suggests, you can have a global impact if you follow the path of greatest need and your highest purpose. 

Stay tuned. 

Why my personal brand has to change

Are you on a path that might not be fully "you"? 

If so, what should you do? Give up everything, start over, pivot? 

Sounds pretty risky. Maybe immature. Even stupid. 

Or is it? 

A few years ago, I created a fairly successful personal development blog in French which I enjoyed doing, but it turned out to be difficult to monetise. 

Fine. As that I have a good perspective and creativity, I decided to help small businesses explain clearly what they do on their site with animated explainer videos. That allowed me to deepen my business skills and to be connected with so many of you who are creating awesome things. 

But even though it's working well, there is a part of me not fully satisfied. 

You see, one thing takes a big part in my life: Living in harmony with the spiritual laws. Call it karma, the desire to do good, or more specifically, the overwhelming need to fulfill my role in this world. 

What is it to me? 

I believe everyone has a unique ability to make a solid contribution to the world, and nothing satisfies me more than inspiring people to identify theirs, and to plan a new, meaningful direction in life accordingly.

But in order to do that and to reach you, I need to talk openly about some spiritual concepts in a place like LinkedIn that is dedicated to business. 

And that's scary. 

It's saying "it's not for you" to some of you who won't relate to it. 

You might judge. 

You might leave a contradictory comment down there… but you know what? I can take it. 

I don't have all the answers, but I'm confident that many of you are tired of reading those same dry marketing pieces about making more money with a new tactic, leaving your soul thirsty for something more substantial, something with real meaning. 

So encouraged by the impact one of my answers had recently on Quora, instead of sticking purely to marketing and productivity, I decided to mix them with how spirituality influences me and my work. 

Why? 

Because spirituality is a part of who I am, and I don't intend to hide it anymore. 

Sure, it's something business people are usually uncomfortable to talk about. 

Business is so squared, with clear guidelines and business plans. 

But is it really that straightforward? 

Does it work? 

No one can predict with certainty if a startup or a product will take off, or if a post will go viral. 

But still, many preach that they've got the recipe. 

They don't judge you when you ask for millions to investors, while it's a leap of faith for everyone involved… 

So if you don't believe in spiritual principles such as the law of attraction, the karma or the effect of gratitude, and prefer to believe in the last Twitter hack, it's up to you. 

I feel it's a matter of choice. 

Not a matter of scientifically proven facts. 

So what's my purpose with this new approach?

It's about using the most practical advice out there - spiritual or not - to feed and expand the light inside of you and improve your life. 

It's about opening up to this new spiritual dimension that has been hidden behind the cloak of science. 

It's about growing a community around the fact that individual behaviors can have a global impact. 

It's about seeing the world not as random chaos but as a materialization of our thoughts, feelings and actions. 

It's about feeling good, in peace, and dealing with ease with your difficulties. 

It's about understanding your interest in respecting the spiritual laws. 

It's about choosing to live your life purpose and attracting it. 

It's about making the world a better place. 

It's about ending with complaints. 

It's about learning to care. 

It's about the journey. 

It's about you. 

It's about us. 

It's about what you will do with it. 

Want to help? 

If you change yourself, you'll change the world. Lead by example. 

I'll start to write regularly on my site and as a guest writer on other sites (get in touch if we're a fit). 

Leaving a comment or sending this to a friend that could benefit from this approach would mean the world to me. 

One more move towards love and unity. 

Let's start. 

If you think I can help you in your life or career, check the coaching I propose here. 

Claudia's quote of the month

The Ultimate Productivity Hack

Did you ever look at an awesome book, with so many great reviews, and thinking that it will take you forever to read? 

There is an app for that. 

It's called Blinkist, and this is how it works: They read books, pull out the key insights, and explain them in an easy-to-digest, 15 minute book summary. 

Heaven. 

A sense of home

I got interviewed by Greta Muscat on her blog, about "Surviving (and thriving within) nomadism from those living without a fixed home". 

We met in São Paulo within Baobbá, and we lived a similar digital nomad lifestyle... that's how came up this article idea :) 

Read it here... 

Why Medellin is the New Hotspot for Online Entrepreneurs

That thought again. How can I be sure that I’m picking the right place?

Leaving your home to go to a country most people can’t spell right is a difficult decision. But it’s so exciting.

Will I get lost? Will it be safe?

With all the violent events in the world, nothing seems safe if you listen to the media.

You might also think that your Spanish is out of shape, but come on, how is your Thai or Indonesian?

I love the digital nomad lifestyle and Medellin. Let me tell you why I believe they go well together.

Keep reading on StoryV.

7 Easy to Implement Tactics to Reach Your Yearly Goals in 6 Months

Here we go again.

Running out of energy, it’s time to stop working for the day.  

It was a long one, but you wonder, “what did I do today to move towards my goals”?

You’re not too sure. Where did the day go? And then a familiar feeling of frustration arises again.

You’re closing your laptop, taking the resolution to work more the next day. But is this really the solution?

Here are seven tactics to help you reach your goals faster... 

Keep reading on Addicted2Success.com

Get a job according to your personality type

A few weeks ago I shared solid advice to get the job you want, while avoiding to waste your time on depressive platforms like Monster. 

Today I'd like to share Roger Hamilton's advice from his book about the approaches to take to get out of the red zone... Understand: "I f***ing need a job now". 

These recommendations should work pretty well because they consider your personality type. 

You see, we can be quite different from one another, and if the recommendations from your best friend or your mother in law feel terrible, chill, breathe and read further. Clarity awaits you. 

If you're not sure which one of the 4 types you are, there is a test you can take to find out.

Sign up with Facebook, it's only 5 questions. I linked to that GeniusU personality test in my previous article here, in the "personality test" section. 

Once you know which Genius you are, check these approaches. It made a lot of sense to me, and I'm sure it will put a light on your research too. 

If you're a Dynamo

Dynamo people are creative, and also have their head in the clouds. They love starting things but suck at finishing them. 

If you're pretty much broke, don't invest money and resources into your big idea - yet.

Instead, measure your money and link your bigger cause to the growth of your personal cash flow. Take small and steady steps. 

Find and serve others who are already on flow. 

Dynamos are creative. You can come up with good products ideas. 

You can see ways to make money where money is being made. 

You can find ways to help increase the sales by adding to the product range with their existing customers, and reaching new customers. 

Think about who could you offer your creativity to, getting paid a percentage of the results you generate? 

Here's a cool script that a Dynamo can use once they identify in which company they would like to work for: 

"I would love to work with you guys. 

- We’re not hiring right now. 

- That’s ok, just give me a week where I can just show up and help out. 

At the end of the week, I’ll give you my report on how I can help your business. 

Maybe there are some extra sales that could be made. Maybe there is a strategy you may be overlooking that fresh eyes will see. 

If you don’t like anything I say, well, you’ve had my free labor for a week." 

I'm French and I know that this approach will never work in most of the old and settled French companies. Never, because they're way too proud of themselves to be creative or even a bit flexible. 

Their hierarchy is way too heavy for such a thing to happen. It's so far away from their job conceptions that they won't even think about making it possible.

They'll tell you to stop dreaming and apply with a cover letter to the job title you wish to apply for once you have a related Master degree. 

I would stay away from ties and 1970 furniture style but that's just me. 

Now seriously, if someone comes to me and genuinely tells me the script above, there is no reason why I wouldn't give her a chance. It takes balls to do so, and a business needs passion and enthusiasm. 

If you're a Blaze

Blaze people are all about relationships. They love to talk and go out meeting people. 

If you're pretty much broke, you should stop splitting up your time and confusing your friends without any of them actually helping you generate the money you need. 

Instead, put a list together of those people you know in who you place a level of trust, and who might be looking for someone who is a people person. 

Get the word out to your network, and pick something that allows you to use your natural talents such as training, e-learning, sales… something allowing you to be in direct contact with others. 

Stay on track. 

If you're a Tempo

While Dynamos have their head in the clouds, Tempos have their feet on the ground. 

Don't turn into some moneymaking activity because it has been recommended to you by someone, or because it's supposed to make money faster. 

Instead, ask your most creative and connected friends to help guide you to the easiest, most certain way to generate the extra cash you need.

Find a role with them where you can bring your natural strengths of reliability and service to a team already in flow, while staying close to your bigger cause. 

If you're a Steel

Steel people are all about details and systems. 

Don't spend all your time on the details, trying to get ahead through analysis and attempting to grow things on your own. 

Instead, work with the help of others to find the flow, create a rhythm with a team to keep you on track and positive, and trade your ability to be detail and system-focused with those who can open the flow up to you. 

Steels have their foot on the brake instead of the accelerator. They internalize, they want to get things perfect before they move forward. 

To counter that, try to think like Richard Branson: "Screw it, let's do it!" 

Also, stay connected to other geniuses, and hold yourself to a bigger cause. 

You see that these approaches differ greatly from each other, as the personalities are very different. 

Refusing to accept that you work and react in a different way than your friends/colleagues/spouse is a sure way to use a tactic that will leave you inefficient and bitter. 

Focus on your strengths and ask for help in other areas. 

It's gonna work out. 

If you would like to see if the Wealth Dynamics Test is a good fit for you,

click on the dedicated page below.

Looking for a job? Stop sending CVs and try this

First let's assume here that you know what job you're looking for. If you're not sure, you can find advice here to find your passion, which should help you move forward and narrow down how you would like to spend your working days. 

The idea of this article is to ditch the usual approach to job searching... 

Don't send 20 CVs per day and wait that something happens. Doing so drains your energy and you end up applying for anything. Just as everyone else. 

That's a terrible strategy that I used to use, and on top of being highly inefficient, it's very depressing. 

Instead, you should pick the companies you would really like to work for and try to get in, even if they don't have any job advertised. 

Here is the step by step approach, inspired by Ramit Sethi's videos and courses. 

This is no guarantee to land a job - especially if the company you want to work for isn't looking for anyone.

What this article can do though is increase your chances to get into the door and get an interview before the job you want is even advertised.

Or if there is an advertised job that you fancy, applying these techniques will definitely put you way ahead of other candidates.

 

1 - Find a few companies you would really like to work for

Browse the internet to find the perfect companies for you. I know many offer remote jobs now, but to use this technique you actually need to be around to meet people in the company.

 

2 - Be clear about your skills, about what you can bring on the table

Forget about the job offers all together for a moment and focus on your skills, on what you would like to do, what you would like to learn. 

The implicit thing here is that you feel confident about what you can offer to the company. 

Maybe you know you're a good sales person, and you feel you could help with that. Or you're a creative designer and you always got good ideas on improving a company's site or product. Maybe you specialize in conversions and know you can improve any site page. 

 

3 - Find out what are the main challenges of these companies

Then, you will need to be familiar with what they do, explore their site, read their blogs and news, their company culture, and then… 

 

4 - Take some employees for coffee

Because social media is everywhere, it shouldn't be that hard to find out who is working at what position in the company. 

The "Our team" page of their site, Facebook page, LinkedIn profiles should get you these info. 

Get in touch with someone in the company, and ask her if she will be willing to meet you for coffee as you need her help. 

Tell her that you know she works at that company, and that she's in a position to help you understand the needs of that company. You're curious and excited to know more. 

Because you know exactly what position you want, ask someone fairly related to your position, however, don't ask the CEO or any high level position. Ask an average position employee as they are rarely solicited and they will be more happy and available to answer you. 

 

5 - Uncover what you need to know

The idea here is to ask questions that will be useful for your future interview. 

During your interview, you want to say that you know what the company needs at the moment, and that you can help them to sort out just that. 

Ask what are the biggest problems and challenges of the company. Probe where you could bring help. If you can find numbers to illustrate these problems, better. 

Figure out exactly who can help you with what you're trying to accomplish, and ask for an introduction if necessary. 

You also need to know the interview process… obviously the employees know it. 

The goal here is to assemble a team of people who have your best interest in mind. 

Show them that you're worthy of being helped. Do your homework before meeting them, and follow up on their advice afterwards. Keep them informed of your progresses, as people like to know they managed to help. 

Your end goal should be to get an introduction to the person who has the authority to hire you for the job you want. And to be 100% qualified and prepared to ask for it by the time you get there. 

You do have access to many people… You might just fail to recognize who they are.

Check your network and send a few cold emails. 

 

6 - Preparing the interview the right way

Every hiring manager number 1 question is: « Why should I hire you? »

If you answer « Because I’m hard working, reliable, passionate and smart » - Great, so is every college kid across the street… (that's Ramit's hour by the way...)

Same for « I really believe I can make a great contribution ». 

Even if it comes from the heart, it doesn't work. 

 

7 - You have to show that guy why you're the best solution to his problems

Not necessarily a more experienced or better technician, but a better hire. 

How? By knowing and understanding the issues they care about the most. 

The interview should be like a discussion, not an interview really. If you already went for coffee before with one or a few employees, it will be way easier on D day, because you understand their problems and you can communicate them with their words, better than anyone else. 

Link the challenges of the company with your skills, and back that up with measurable results of your past experiences. 

That's proof that you can do the job. 

Use the briefcase technique, pulling out documents of what you would do for them in the first 30, 60 and 90 days. Really, check out this video, it is that good. 

“The focus is not on you anymore, it’s on the plan you prepared for the company. ”

The problem has shifted from hiring you or not, to either or not the hiring manager wants the benefits you just proved you could bring to the company. 

But to be able to present this, you need to prepare well. 

 

9 - A few more general advices

- Don’t talk much about yourself in the interview, it's usually better to talk less (maybe the guy will ask you to tell more, then you develop), but 30-45sec per answer is great. 

- Use the words they use. 

- Smile more, be enthusiastic about the new job! 

- Stories are critical, use them. Try to have like 10 stories ready to go about how you overcame this and that situation. Be specific. 

- Personality is more important than technical stuff. 

I hope these recommendations will lead you to more clarity on what your future employer is actually looking for in you. 

Prepare well, and be bold. It might just work.

I want to find my passion… where do I start?

How can you find out what you're good at?… That's a question I asked myself so much I don't even remember when it started. 

Along the way, I went through rebellion at school to changing countries to losing myself in meaningless jobs, but I never stopped looking around. I knew there was something somewhere that would make sense to me. 

And the thirst to find out what I was made for led me to discover my winning recipe.

I hope this article will help you discover yours. 

The origin of the issue

First off, I think it's a good idea to understand the origin of our issue here: why some of us feel so lost in life? 

How come school didn't prepare us to understand how to be happy, why we have certain desires or how to overcome depression? 

Seth Godin's talk about the origin of school might shake your preconceived ideas. My favorite quotes from this "Art vs Work" talk is: 

"Fitting in is a short term strategy that get you nowhere, standing out is a long term strategy that takes guts and produces results." 

In another talk, Seth gives his inspiring definition of an artist: 

"Somebody who does human work, unpredictable work, makes a connection with someone else, and changes them for the better."

What are you here for?

This part is particular as nobody can agree on a specific answer. I'll give you mine, up to you to keep bits of it… 

• I believe we're here to accumulate experiences of life, to evolve, to become better persons. 

• Even if I don't understand the full meaning of what happens to me or to the world, I believe it's only a matter of knowledge. I believe there is a sense to everything that happens - think personal and collective karma, energies, destiny…  

• I want to make a positive impact in the world, and I believe everybody can. We all have specific qualities that make us unique and useful to others. 

• I don't want to wait for improvements from the economy or the political situation to act. I don't control these external conditions, but I control what I think and what I do. 

Now that makes sense to me, and as a result, how I spend my days and what I choose to focus on make sense to me... and it feels pretty awesome! 

Are there any emotions that particularly move you?

When you don't care, you don't have emotions. So pay attention to your emotions to find if something is important to you.

Maybe when you encounter some kind of injustice, you feel deep inside that something needs to be done to eradicate it? What kind of injustice? 

What conditions bring you the more emotions?

Any strong emotions watching movies? What about watching documentaries about animals, children, ecology, or any disaster out there?! Anything moving you more than the others?

Try to find what triggers in you a strong emotional response. After all, if something affects you, it must be important to you!

Then, looking for ways to help in that area could lead you to find a very meaningful work, or even mission that really matters to you. 

First clues: What did you like to do as a kid?

A good starting point is to go back in time and think of all the activities you enjoyed doing when you were a kid. 

Back then, nobody asked you to spend time drawing, classifying things or building stuff, but you did these things because you had fun doing them. 

Nowadays, when our heart feels something, our head comes right away with a heavy thinking process to try to make sense of the feelings. It weights and calculates if the heart's idea is reasonable, if it has a future etc. Our mental system brings doubt to the equation and makes it hard to find what's right for us. 

What would you do if money didn't matter?

Let's dream big for a minute. 

You won the lottery and you have now millions in your account, no need to work anymore for 3 generations. 

Sure, get that plane ticket and go to that fantastic beach for a while, but then what? Will you just go around spending that money, or will you try to do something meaningful of your life?

Will you get involved in humanitarian activities? If so, which ones and why?

Will you learn new skills? If so, which ones and why?

Will you help people that face the same difficulties you went through? If so, which ones and why?

I think it comes back to purpose. In that unusual situation without anymore duty in your life, will you choose to just stay on holidays?

So, what would you do? 

What about a personality test?

Out of the few personality tests out there, I would recommend the one from Roger Hamilton on his GeniusU platform. 

It's free, and made me realize that I was actually creative!

During my school years, I never considered this possibility as drawing teachers made me understand I'd better go into sports or anything but art. 

Backing up Seth Godin, school can be quite mistaken and leave prints for a lifetime... 

Let me guide you to go to the core of the test - up to you to go back to it later :)

• Once you take the Genius Test, remember your "general" personality type (either Dynamo, Blaze, Tempo or Steel). 

• Below are the 3 more detailed profiles associated with your general profile: 

- If you're a Dynamo in the test, you're either a Mechanic, a Creator or a Star

- If you're a Blaze in the test, you're either a Star, a Supporter or a Deal Maker

- If you're a Tempo in the test, you're either Deal Maker, a Trader or an Accumulator

- If you're a Steel in the test, you're either an Accumulator, a Lord or a Mechanic. 

• Then, with the short definitions below, figure out which one of the 3 feels more like you: 

Let's talk projects

Danielle Laporte's got an original approach to goal setting. It's full of sense and if you're not familiar with it, here is the idea: 

She says we set up goals believing that when we reach them, we will feel a certain way. So most of the time we endure things we don't like for long periods to reach our goal… so we can feel happy. But how can we feel happy when we get there if the whole process feels draining?! 

Danielle thinks it's upside down. She recommends we first find out how we would like to feel, and then set up goals that fit our "desired feelings". 

Her book can be helpful if you would like to dig this concept - I went for the audiobook as she got a sweet voice… 

To help us find out what goals to pursue, she has a blog post on the main question to ask yourself: 

What are you most excited about? 

Now, the origin of the early orientation issue at school may be clearer to you, you may have a feeling of destiny, an idea of the type of personality you are and how you should consider your goals. 

It's time to brainstorm goals and projects. 

This is when Warren Buffet's list comes in handy, here it is: 

Your Warren Buffet's list

1 - Make a list of the top 25 things you want to do in the next few years, or even in your lifetime. 

2 - Pick the 5 most important to you. 

3 - Once you did, forget the other 20. 

4 - Yes, forget these 20 other projects… Warren goes even further and says that you should "avoid them at all costs. No matter what, these things get no attention from you until you've succeeded with your top 5." 

Keep also in mind that to get anything done, you need focus.

Just as a magnifying glass can't light up anything if it doesn't focus the sun's rays on one point, when it does it can burn anything. 

Bottom line:

“How to get anything done?
Focus and persevere. ”

Once you're happy with your 5 goals, double check if the path to get to these goals is also exciting, making you happy along the way. Otherwise it won't be fun. 

“There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

 

In conclusion...

By your education, background, experience, skills, taste, values, motivations, you're a completely unique individual. 

You can bring a unique color to the society, walking a path that only you can walk. 

If I would come across this kind of information years ago with the right state of mind, it would have saved me months or even years of search. Today it's in front of you. 

I hope you do something with it. 

Please share this article if you feel it can be a useful inspiration for your close ones to find their own thing. 

Nico's quote of the month