douglas brent smith

“I’m numb to judgement — even my own judgement of myself. I know I’m doing the best I can. Judging yourself is a huge vulnerability because everyone else is already doing it for you. And if you’re not in that place, you’ve got no shot. Everybody else sucks at stuff too.” ~ Gary Vaynerchuck,  Medium I'm sure that if I took a look back at my writings from this time of year for the last few years, my messaging to myself would be pretty much the same.  New Year's day is just one more day on the calendar. January 1st does not bring new a new beginning to my life. The idea that this upcoming year will some how magically be better than the last one is silly to me. Simply put, I wake up each day with the knowledge that I will work hard at being better today than I was yesterday. Just that simple. Every day is an opportunity to create a better version of me than I was the day before. Therefore, it is only logical that by doing this, this year wil...

One problem too many is where we all begin. -- doug smith

It's hard to be nice enough to make an unhappy person happy. -- doug smith

If it feels pretentious, it is. -- doug smith

Every have one of those moments when the GPS tracker in your phone assumes you are someplace that you're not? Imagine the history of locations you are creating that you've never ever been to. When I saw this, I had to screen print it immediately. Really? Please! -- doug smith

If it sounds too good to be true, somebody might be lying to you. -- doug smith

Love doesn't stop because it gets hard. It stops when we get lazy. -- doug smith

Values evolve over time. If values are ever true, they refine without denying what once was. They grow. They distill. They find ways to self-generate the results they aspire to. Choose your path... Here are some values I've refined into calls to action. I don't just agree with them, I expect to do them. To show them. To act on them. Sometimes it goes well, and often I fall short. The journey is a long one, so keep going. Here are my current calls to action: Be your best Stay curious Turn toward all offers (bids) to start Challenge yourself Reach out with compassion Expand your possibilities Appreciate Play nice, work hard, stay smart Learn constantly What are your values? What are your calls to action? -- doug smith

The house on Elm Street burns It was about three years ago when I told my therapist, in talking about my ex, "I guess I should feel good that she's happy and wish her well..." His response? "That's preposterous. It hurts too much for that and you know it. You can let that bullshit go." I appreciated his honesty. I understood my own truth in that moment. It was preposterous then. And, it still is. Some hurts heal. Some scar over. Some leave sensitive spots. If you can't fix it, at least don't pretend something that's not true. -- doug smith

Creativity, like leadership, requires us to stretch. To be at our most creative we must grow. Since we are surrounded by limitations, that can cause some discomfort. Which boundaries should we cross? Which lines are mental and which are metal? How do we create without getting hurt (or worse, hurting?) I'm not sure. Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe the question is -- what limits should we ignore today? What limits should we buck against and stretch? If a limit is telling you that you are NOT creative -- ignore it. If a limit is telling you that you cannot grow -- defy it. If a limit is telling you that the world doesn't need your creativity -- laugh it off. The world needs you. The world needs your creativity. The world needs you at your creative best. The creative life pushes against limits. Keep pushing. -- doug smith

My idea of humor in 1976. These are some tough job requirements. Job interviews have always been tough.

Not much more than a doodle but it brings me joy and seemed brilliant in 1976. Now, I'm not so sure, but I can still smile.