Check out this Skype video of Grind & Thrive’s Torrey McGraw interviewing U-ology 101′s Jesse Jones.
Jesse talks all about making UR passion UR life’s work. Are U doing what U love?

I recently took up Yoga. Like, very recently. It’s been just under 2 weeks. I’ve done 3 classes to date and after intense muscle soreness and surprise I’m close to being hooked on a new (for me) form of both full body workout and relaxation that I didn’t know before. It’s something new for me that I’ve embraced, and surprisingly I’m loving it. But, it didn’t start there, in fact on the very first day I decided to go, I got to the room, saw a full class of women and almost chickened out, saying to myself, “there’s no way I’m going to put myself in this situation, not knowing what I’m doing and having to learn as I go along in front of all of them, no way!” (Note: I’m chuckling to myself as I write this because in hindsight the moment I’m describing is kinda humourous) My pride, whether at the time it be “masculine macho pride” or not, literally almost got in the way of experiencing something that has turned out to be pretty positive and beneficial to me.

The initial situation was incredibly uncomfortable. Even though I had already made my mind up about trying yoga out, I had thought about it for months prior, read and heard about all of its benefits and had decided that yes I am going to go try this thing out. Even with a prior commitment to it, I was there, looking into the room as the first class was about to begin and I was considering turning around.

Why?

Because I was uncomfortable.

I actually even walked back to the change-room and was considering doing my regular workout regimen for the day. As I was walking back to the change-room though something was speaking to me inside. Something was telling me that I came to the gym to take that class, and I should follow through on that commitment I had already made in my mind. Even though I was pretty uncomfortable about putting myself into unknown territory, and didn’t know everything there was to know about where I was about to go. There was also the group of people in the class I considered to be “experts” whom I felt I would look ridiculous in front of because I “didn’t know what I was doing”. All of these factors almost lead me to lose out on an experience that two weeks later I’m finding is contributing positively to me in ways I didn’t even consider originally.

I use the above examples to say this: How many times have we neglected to go in a direction in our lives simply because it felt a bit uncomfortable to do so? Perhaps pride got in the way, or maybe it was just the fear of the unknown that stopped us from pursuing that desire. What’s crazy is that, the unknown is only one step away from being “the known”, and even though there’s just one step between the two, one has to actually take that step, and make that leap. To illustrate my point, I’m making use of a simple yoga example, but my “yoga” story may be your “desire to start a small business” story, or it may be the new job opportunity you want to pursue, or that new place you’ve wanted to travel to for some time now, or that new project you’ve been meaning to start, or that passion you want to pursue. All things we’ve already thought about, considered, and decided in our minds we’d love to do at some point, but because the time isn’t perfect, just haven’t gotten to it.

My father once gave me a quote he heard that’s stuck with me forever and it reads: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the possible.” And let me tell you, those words couldn’t be more true. The “perfect time” never comes. There will always be reasons not to start on your dreams. Always. In fact there quite often may be more reasons not to start, than to start! Comfort is a heck of a thing. It’s said to be the thing we should all strive for, and while I believe comfort is a great thing, I also feel that at times it does us a huge disservice. Because too much comfort, can sometimes lead to a lack of new experiences. We get comfortable with life’s “workouts” and we feel we are completely okay with just that. Thus we shy away from experiencing the new “yoga classes” around us. The unknown makes us, uncomfortable.

I know it’s hard sometimes to go out on the limb, but (at the risk of sounding a bit cliché) that’s where the fruit is. I’m experiencing this as we speak, as I embark on this crazy new chapter of my life as an entrepreneur where I’m literally putting myself out there with endeavors I’ve never before taken on. To be completely honest, most days I feel very uncomfortable, but that feeling doesn’t last and many great things have come and are coming from my decision to take a chance on things that I deeply believe in, and just go for it. I know I’m not alone on that either. Many of you can probably say the same for experiences you’ve had in your own lives. I’ve always said, two things are for sure. We will all die one day, and we’ll always be sure to fail from time to time. I can’t come back from death, but I can most certainly come back from failure. I’d rather try, and fail, than to not try at all.

So with that I ask this: is there a “yoga class” that you’re on the outside looking into? Are you literally standing at the door of life’s “yoga studio”, on the fence about whether or not to go in, simply because the unknown and uncomfortable nature of it all make you nervous? If so, open the door, walk in and take the class. Because you never know, you may gain a sense of flexibility you never even knew you had.

#KeepGoing

Jj

Want to watch (or listen) to ‘Conversations’ on the go? Well now you can with the ‘Conversations With Jesse Jones’ podacast! The first Conversations episode with Tyrone ‘T-RexXx’ Edwards is up on iTunes now. So now you can tune into ‘Conversations’ where ever you are!

Click the image to get the podcast!

We are as good the energy that consumes us.  I know for myself, I’m at my best when my energy and my vibe are at all time highs.  It’s how I operate, and I understand this about myself.  Passion fills my days, and when that passion is flowing, it’s infectious.  I don’t think I’m alone though.  The same thing probably goes for you as well.  You’re also probably at your best when you’re in an incredibly positive frame of mind.  This positive frame of mind can be influenced in many ways and can directly be related to the people or energies we surround ourselves with the majority of our days.  So the question then becomes, who and/or what are we surrounding ourselves with day in and day out?  And are these people and/or things contributing to the uplift and betterment of us as individuals?  Or are they doing the opposite?  It’s amazing how a simple removal of bad energy, or an addition of some of the good stuff can immediately change our environment, both physically and mentally.  Will Smith said that the 5 people we spend the most time with can tell us where we are heading.  My mother always told me growing up, “Show me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are.”

I tend to assess my environments every so often, constantly reviewing what I’m surrounding myself with.  It’s a great self-check, and opportunity to regain control of one’s immediate space and development.

So today, ask yourself – Who are you running with?  And are they helping push you to the finish line, or are they holding you back in the race?

Jesse

Really excited about this – the first episode of Conversations with Jesse Jones is here! Check out U-ology101.com/Conversations to watch the Conversation with Tyrone ‘T-RexXx’ Edwards, host of MuchMusic’s RapCity! Or just click to watch below.

Ep #1 (Part 1) Guest – MuchMusic’s Tyrone “T-RexXx” Edwards

Ep #1 (Part 2) Guest – MuchMusic’s Tyrone “T-RexXx” Edwards

Stay tuned for more Conversations coming soon!

Check out Jesse’s feature editorial in the Toronto Star on the youth vote! READ THE WHOLE STORY AT THESTAR.COM or below.

Channeling Excitement For The Youth Vote

As we come up on this year’s election, a lot has been, and is being, said about the potential power of the youth vote. For many years the issue of youth voter apathy, the questions surrounding it, and why it occurs have been met with much debate.

Among many reasons it has been said that a “lack of knowledge” about politicians and institutions in Canada have been primary sources of the lower than hoped for voter turnouts by youth. And while the issue of youth voter apathy may not be a new one generation by generation, I want to consider another reason for its presence, and in the same breath perhaps provide a consideration for solution.

Let’s take a step back. Before even outlining that a “lack of knowledge” about institutions and party platforms is a leading cause in the apathy rates nationwide, what if we considered for a moment the potential impact on the desire or need to vote when there is “lack of knowledge” of self? Stay with me here.

What if we peeled back all of the layers and started with the individual? I am a firm believer that as a nation, if we begin to place top priority on uncovering one’s true passions and showing not only our youth, but people in general, how one can live their lives doing, not what they feel they must settle for, but what they feel they are truly meant for, we would be developing stronger and potentially more active members of society.

What I mean by that is this: if we have a growing number of individuals in society that are becoming more and more connected to their true passions in life, then all of a sudden political issues become more important.

Are you passionate about becoming a doctor or architect? Then education and tuition issues will and should matter to you, followed by tax concerns that will most definitely affect you.

Do you want to become a musician or plan for your band to make it big? Then funding into government arts programs are going to be of concern for you one day if not already.

If our youth have yet to understand themselves, how can they possibly understand how political parties, policies and agendas will affect them?

The discussion here is about a deeper connection to one’s purpose in life. I’ve always said that the words apathy, and youth together strike me as odd.

Have you ever seen the excitement in a young person’s eyes when they are truly passionate about something? You cannot bottle that energy in.

Our young people are not only our future, they are also some of the brightest and most optimistic individuals our society has to offer, but I believe that this optimism, this excitement, and this passion for life and civic duty can only truly be realized when the connection to self and one’s innate passions and purpose are realized.

So before we revisit the same recurring lists of considerations for voter apathy around election time, let us maybe step back and ask ourselves, how could youth voter apathy, and voter apathy in general, be improved if as a society we were urging people to figure out who they are meant to be?

Jesse Jones, 29, has a zest for life that is fuelled by ambition and positive energy. As the founder of TEN81 brand consultancy, he helps brands manage their public image and connect in an authentic way to their target audience through creative lifestyle-based marketing opportunities. Jones is also the founder of U-ology 101, a motivational presentation that helps people identify the things they are passionate about, develop strategies for harnessing those concepts, and build an action plan for success. His background includes working with a broad range of organizations, including Bell, Mattel, RBC, Converse, Energizer, Fuji Film and Ford. He is a member of the Toronto Star’s Youth Nation 2011 Panel.

Conversations is a brand new video web series coming to U-ology101.com and we’re really excited about it!

Conversations is aimed at highlighting the journeys and paths of some of the most dynamic and engaging guest personalities, giving a bird’s eye view into how each of these individuals uncovered their passions. We hang out in some of their favourite locations, their comfort zones, and get candid and casual about their thoughts on the pursuit of one’s passion, and what they think it takes to Make Your Passions, Work for You.

One Setting. Two Minds. Great Conversation.

The first Conversation will be posted soon – any guesses on who it might be?

- U-ology101 Team

The below post is one I wrote for a microsite that had created a forum for identifying and uncovering the Maverick in all of us (www.marcustroy.com/mavericks).  I figured the messages were worth sharing here as well.  So here is the actual post.  Comment, share, and most certainly, look within.  I thank you all for your continued support of the U-ology101 movement.

Jesse

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Living Like A Maverick

With each and every passing day I’m realizing more and more how beneficial it is to focus on, identify, and understand the design of our DNA.  And when I say DNA I’m not speaking in the literal sense.  I’m speaking more along the lines of our Passion DNA.  The genetic make-up of our core Interests, inherent Ability, Dreams, Aspiration, and most important, life-long Happiness.  A real in-depth look, and study into the things we are innately great at.  The real seeds of our nature.

Life to me is about moving through this process.  But not moving blindly.  Rather, moving in and out of Experience, Opportunity, and Relationships built with a sense of direction, all based on the solid understanding of our core.  I sincerely believe that it is not until we understand the fundamental basis for who we really are, that we can truly move through this process, not only with Passion, but with Purpose.

Before even penning a piece of this I took to the dictionary to get a sense of what the word Maverick really means and what it was really rooted in.  I found two main meanings:

(1) An UNBRANDED range animal, especially a CALF that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.

(2) One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.  Someone who EXHIBITS great INDEPENDENCE IN THOUGHT and ACTION.

As I read through these definitions something really dawned on me.  The first describes a Maverick as an “unbranded” animal, but not just an animal, a “calf”.  It’s not yet “owned” and is free from any one imprint.  The second definition describes a Maverick as one that thinks and acts on their own and refuses to be affected by Groups.  These definitions blew my mind because through going deeper into them you can really see why the understanding of our core and our DNA is so important and why it should be at the forefront of everything we do every single day.  A calf is young, and if you think for a second about youth, when we were younger we took everything in. We wanted to know,  everything.  Why the stove was hot, why our parents did what they did, what our friends were doing each day etc. As kids we just wanted to….KNOW things.  The first definition goes on to talk about the calf not yet being branded by any one person. I think this can be paralleled with our day to day lives being “labelled” and categorized, put into boxes so to speak.  The most important thing I draw from these definitions as it relates to us moving through the ups and downs of life is this:

There’s a Map to Happiness within us, and it’s inherently there, we’re born with it.  The map is made up of our genetic skill, ability, traits and things that if tapped into will show us where our Passions lie.  Once we figure those out, we’re able to move through the process of Manifesting these passions and making use of our gifts each day of our lives.  Too often we let life get the best of us, and we stop Wanting to Know.  We stop being interested in difference, diverse opinion, learning, sharing, and we ask more questions of others, and less of ourselves.  We forget to pay attention to the most important brand we will ever manage, OUR OWN.

Mavericks to me, are Mavericks because they understand clearly or are hell bent on understanding clearly Who They Are, What They Stand For, and What Type of Mark They’d Like to Leave on The World.  I believe that true Mavericks are not simply concerned with just being Unbranded, and thinking independently free from outside influence.  They are also concerned with staying that way.  Staying “calf-like” and young in mind. Staying Optimistic.  Continuing to Dream.  A true Maverick in my mind is one that is not jaded but truly sees opportunity, Everywhere.  And the Opportunities they manifest for themselves and the relationships they cultivate are solely based on their core understanding of their Passion DNA.  The detailed map within us that lays out the direction we should take in life, if we just take the time to uncover it.

Life to me is way too short to live anything less than Maverick-like.  It’s too short to live in other’s shadows, or through the dreams and aspirations others have for themselves.  It’s too short to live a certain way simply to obtain the approval and adoration of others.  Life is too short to live without knowing or even trying to uncover and identify our Passions. Because once you truly tap into that DNA, paths seem clearer, and work is no longer work, it’s simply what you were put here to LOVE doing.   It’s my wish that everyone gets to tap into their true DNA, at any point in their life. To truly and whole-heartedly understand their most important brand and what it stands for.

True Mavericks move with Purpose.  But that is only because they first have taken the time to figure out what their true Purpose, Is.

Jj

Check out this interview on A-Channel Ottawa with Jesse Jones!

Date of interview: March 22, 2011