The message of Uncovering Passion & Actualizing Dreams needs to be heard, and a great time to hear it is while young. With U-ology 101 we are committed to Igniting individuals world-wide, and we understand that as the education year winds down, school budgets are limited to non-existent. That, however, shouldn’t limit the opportunity our youth have to be inspired as they head into their next chapter. So, here at Team U-ology 101, we’ve decided to release the following opportunity for your institution.

We’re offering a complimentary (yes, FREE) “U-ology 101 Uncover Ur Passions & #KEEPGOING” talk to the first (10) schools that email Bookings@u-ology101.com with interest in having Jesse Jones speak at their school for an end or year motivational and empowering talk to their students! If U are a teacher, a parent, a student and U think this would be a good thing for your (or child’s) school, email us now at:

Bookings@U-ology101.com

See U soon!
#keepgoing.

If you knew that the biggest opportunity of your lifetime was following your twitter feed or googling your online activity, would you still tweet like that?

Would you still post those photos? Or update your Facebook that way? We are what we “tweet”. We are what we upload. We are what we update. In this social media age, our personal brands are what we show the world. Everything is social. Everything is digital. Social interaction is all in reverse. We meet people through social media before ever meeting them in person. Opinions are formed long before first meetings. What does this mean for us as personal brands?

It means that now more than ever, Everything we do is an Experience. It means we need to ask ourselves some interesting questions. What types of experiences are we giving the people we haven’t even met yet? Those that are seeing us, but we aren’t seeing them? Life is like a concert. And we’re always on stage. There’s always an “audience”. We may not see everyone in the “audience” during “the concert”, but they ALL see us. From the VIP seats up front, to the 500 level nosebleed seats. What are we saying as they observe us and our “performance”? This isn’t to say we should be fake or not authentically ourselves. We just need to be CONSCIOUS of our actions.

In this social media age, it’s so easy to share a thought, to tweet, to upload, etc. and sometimes we don’t think consciously about things. How will my tweets affect my personal brand, my relationships (employer, partners, family, friends, etc)? It’s a subtle thought, but that conscious decision can make all the difference between an opportunity, or no opportunity.

“We are not Rihanna”. Social media access to some of our biggest stars seems to have affected the way we handle ourselves day to day. The “celebrity way” of social media sharing has almost (in my opinion) clouded our judgement. In some way, celebrities are afforded the opportunity to live “by their own terms”. They are a very small percentage of the world, and tweeting a reckless comment or picture, MAY result in more press/exposure for them. Not so much the same for us as day to day individuals, and we need to remember that. There’s a certain privilege available to celebrity that isn’t as forgiving for us. We are not Rihanna, but we’re also not Chris Brown, Posh Spice, Kim Kardashian, or Ochocinco. I’d even argue that although we enjoy the entertainment of their tweets, personal brands are STILL being formed and we all base impressions on action.

So with that, I ask again…

If you knew that the biggest opportunity of your lifetime was following your twitter feed or googling your online activity, would you still “tweet” like that?

Wishing you all the best. Don’t Stop going after what you want in life. And always remember,

#keepgoing.

Jj

Note: I am a big Rihanna fan, and in case you’re reading this RiRi, I’m simply using your name in the title of this blog to illustrate my point on personal branding. No offense intended. Please don’t stop the music.

*The above blog is a full adaptation of a series of tweets tweeted by Jesse Jones on Friday, March 30th via www.twitter.com/iamjessejones @iamjessejones

I think the below lyrics of one of the greatest songs ever written does a good job at telling this story.

Happy Tuesday and #keepgoing everyone.

Jj
–
JOURNEY – “Don’t Stop Believing”

Just a small town girl, livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin’ anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin’ anywhere

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

(Chorus)

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night.

Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

(Chorus)

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to the feelin’
Streetlights people

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on
Streetlight people

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to the feelin’
Streetlights people

I felt like I realized something as I went through my day yesterday….

I sometimes feel like society makes us believe that the Steve Jobs’ of the world or those who do and create amazing things are far removed from us. Almost as if these individuals’ dna are unlike every other human being that’s come into existence in this world. It almost feels sometimes that these great minds are built up in the media and hailed as if they come equipped with some super power that made it possible to achieve. What I realized yesterday is that we all have the ability to create our versions of amazing things. We all have those elusive, “super powers” that can help us achieve. Some of us just choose not to activate them.

Nobody starts at the top. Heck, we all gotta go out there and visualize ourselves going where we want to go. Calling ourselves actors, or consultants, or designers, or chefs, even before we get our first major gig. But guess what, so many of us are afraid to walk and talk like the people we want to become all because we feel we need confirmation first. Confirmation in the form of that first piece of business, a contract, or someone’s co-sign/endorsement, etc. Truth is, the most important confirmation we need is our own. Belief, Confidence, Passion, and Resilience are infectious. We can’t wait for a “big break” to get going on our dreams. We gotta get going and get busy to influence those big breaks. And that’s what I believe the difference really is. Some of us are awaiting the “break”. While others are creating the opportunity for it.

I don’t have the keys to life – trust me. These are merely observations along my journey. We are all one in the same. All human. All with fears. No one’s got all the answers. Everyone started somewhere. We all get confused. We all fight uncertainty, doubt etc. How we handle it is the key.

So listen, from me to you: if you’re trying to create something from nothing or pursue some new opportunity that means the world to you……..#keepgoing. Step back, breathe, and take it step by step. Don’t let anyone fool you either. EVERYONE gets scared. So much so that some will NEVER chase what they REALLY would love to, because of that fear. Fear is a crazy thing. It can paralyze us. The “Steve Jobs’ ” of the world just don’t allow it to. So, go after what you’re deeply connected to. Go after it. Not for the riches or pot of gold at the end, but because it authentically ignites you. Opportunity is attracted to and admires authenticity.

Use your Super Powers.

Jj

#keepgoing

March 20th, 2012.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Let’s face it, we live in a digital age. One where a mere thought can reach thousands, even millions, in an instant. The ease by which we’re able to communicate with the mass population increases each and every day; and there’s no sight of it stopping. Our Personal Brands are strengthened and/or weakened with each passing remark, action, “tweet” and “facebook update”, and while we all have a Personal Brand of our own that we may or may not be connecting with, IT is directly affecting everything we touch in our day to day lives. Our Personal Brands have impact on our relationships, our family systems, and even our employers. Today, Jesse Jones and the U-ology 101 platform officially release U-TheBrand, an in depth look at U (the individual) as a “Personal Brand”. From strengthening your marketability on and offline to how your facebook and twitter accounts impact how others view you, to how the authentic integration of strong personal brands can create cultural relevance for corporations, this conversation helps individuals, job seekers, employees and employers navigate social media and culture in today’s ever-changing digital age.

“I’ve always been a big supporter of establishing one’s Personal Brand, uncovering and highlighting the natural attributes that allow someone to become a sought after candidate for opportunity. As social media booms, companies everywhere are really looking for a way to ensure that their teams are representing not only themselves appropriately as individuals, but also as front line employees for an organization. U-TheBrand was created to engage with organizations and their employees to discuss the effects of one’s Personal Brand on the entities they have relationships with. Along with that though is the incredible impact strong personal brands can have on the ongoing cultural relevance of an organization. If these unions are authentically created and “on brand” and “on culture” everyone can win”, says Jones.

From discussions around the importance of social media conduct, to attire, body language and appearance, to the way one’s passion can completely transform the consumer experience, U-The Brand sets to marry your company’s overall mission and empower your organizational representatives, allowing them to see past just their specific role, seeing themselves as part of a much larger brand purpose and experience; one which they are one of the most important components of. This impactful and engaging conversation will IGNITE, INSPIRE, MOTIVATE and release PASSION within brand representatives helping to bring the most out of them and add value to their daily one-on-one experiences. U-TheBrand is a perfect message for training seminars, company meetings/conferences and lunch and learns.

U-TheBrand talking points include (but are not limited to):

U Are The Brand: Once we start to see ourselves as brands, how should that impact the way we carry ourselves? What we do directly reflects everything and everyone we are connected to
Uncovering and Releasing Passion: How one’s passion can take them and the experiences they provide a very long way
It begins with U: The importance of representatives position within the bigger brand picture and how integral they are to the brand’s consumer feedback and overall impression
We Are What We Tweet: How what we do online, directly affects our image/brand and the relationships we are a part of offline (A How-To on handling ourselves a midst an ever changing social media culture)

For more information on the U-TheBrand presentation please contact Sharon Paige at:
info@TEN81.com or bookings@u-ology101.com

When U have no choice but to create opportunity, you quickly learn how to do so. Ever wanted to test Ur creativity and willingness to try new things? Move into a completely new territory. Watch Ur creativity flourish. I look at life’s uncomfortable moments a lot differently than I did a few years ago. I used to fear them to death. But as scary as some of our life’s moments get, along with them comes amazing growth. Once U get uncomfortable and witness yourself surviving, U begin to stop running when those moments come. U eventually start adjusting, pushing forward and moving through.

#keepgoing.

Jj

It’s 6:26am, Saturday morning I’m sitting in the lobby of the beautiful Gaylord Hotel Resort and Convention Centre, and I’m still on a high after opening up the Blogalicious 2011 Conference with my Keynote address yesterday morning.  The energy at this conference is next level, and I was truly honoured to be blessed with this opportunity.  Got a chance to speak to so many incredible people, build with them, and share with them.  It’s been a great time here in DC.

Wanted to take the opportunity to post the key take aways from my talk as future reference tools and discussion points in order to keep this stimulating conversation about passion finding going.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to me, I’m always down to engage.

Thanks to everyone in attendance, and please know that I appreciate every single one of your incredibly supportive and wonderful comments.  You all helped contribute to one of the most magical experiences in my life thus far.

Cheers.

#keepgoing

Jesse

“Connecting with U” – Key take aways from #Blogalicious11 opening Keynote address w/ @iamjessejones

Main Thought: Before connecting with the outside world, it’s important that we take the time to figure out who we are, and what truly drives us as those findings can directly dictate our paths. “the most important and most masterful connection we will ever make, is the one with ourselves.”

UNCOVER IT
-          SACRIFICE: Take the time to focus on uncovering the true reasons for why you do what you do. It may take some sacrifice and a trip back to the drawing board, but “It’s never too late to take the bus.”

TALK ABOUT IT
-          COMMUNICATE YOUR INTERESTS: Share, share, share, share, share! When you meet people, make sure they know what you’re about. You never know who will share your interests and who could potentially be your next partner.  If you don’t let people know what you’re up to, who will?

THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS
-          RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIKE PLANTS. THEY NEED TO BE WATERED: Develop earnest and honest relationships, not for what they can do for you in the instant, but harness them and develop with people you genuinely believe in, subscribe to, and like. That’s where the best scenarios stem from.
-          It’s important to always ask ourselves: 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?  Will Smith said that the 5 people we spend the most time around can directly affect where we’re heading.
-          Don’t get caught up on # of followers.  Build with those that have made the decision to build with you.  Create an army with them.  Work with and harness the relationship with the 50 followers that you have, rather than being concerned with how to get the 5000. Cultivate and develop your relationships and allow your brand the opportunity to grow.
-          No need to focus on trying to convert those who haven’t made an effort to build with you. Focus energy on the ones that do.

WE ARE THE BRAND
-           “WE ARE WHAT WE TWEET” – How are we handling ourselves on social media? Is our timeline truly representative of who we are, and what we want to convey? We are what we tweet.
-          Your next tweet could directly reflect your next opportunity. Positively, or negatively.
-          EMBRACE YOUR DEFINING DIFFERENCE – This is what makes you, you.  One should never shy away from this.  It’ s not about what your competitors are doing.  It’s about understanding what your true brand dna is, and working that to the fullest.

IT’S OKAY TO BE HUMAN
-          Mistakes are part of the game. Keep playing.
-          Character is shown, not through the mistake but from how we come back from the mistake, and how we learn from the mistake.
-          You’ll never hit the pitches that you don’t swing for.  Don’t stand in the batter’s box waiting for the “perfect pitch”. Keep swinging. #keepgoing.
-          “DONT LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE POSSIBLE”

BE UNCOMFORTABLE
-          UNCOVERING WHAT ONE IS TRULY CONNECTED TO AND MAKING A LIFE OUT OF IT IS TRULY A JOURNEY
-          EVERY EXPERIENCE IS A PART OF WHAT EVENTUALLY SHAPES US
-          THE PAINFUL MOMENTS ARE WHERE GROWTH LIVES. Embrace the tough times. Lean forward if only a little bit, and #keepgoing
-          LOOK WITHIN YOUR DAY TO DAY LIVES AND CONSIDER THE PASSION AND LOVE YOU HAVE FOR WHAT YOU DO
-          AND IF THERE’S DOUBT, MAKE A STEP TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TRUE PASSION IS
-          Don’t fear stepping into YOUR “yoga class” of new opportunity.  You may not know everything from the get go, but learning is growing.