Pure Wonder

Fructifying Fortitude

Watching toddlers learn to walk is adorable. This instinctive right of passage reminds us that fresh motivation may be needed when progress stalls.

At first, early moves feel natural, and then crawling did the job. As children see what’s possible, expectations rise and success begins to feel inevitable. If progress stalls, parental motivation can lose its luster and concern sets in. But what if the breakthrough simply awaits fresh encouragement?

As new motivation is introduced, even when it’s unplanned, progress proceeds almost all at once. We scramble for the camera and those precious first steps are beloved by all. More practice is still needed, but this achievement renews momentum that keeps little ones moving upright and forward.

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For parents smiling as they read this, know that Pure Wonder, Wayfinders, Winding Whys, Training Wheels, Playforce, Santa is Real, and many timeless episodes from You Don’t Need This Podcast are energizing extensions on this topic!

As we build into new quests, our dance with innovation may also require shifting gears. Next time an engine stalls, step back to consider an alternate angle, talk to peers with different perspectives, take time away, or show up unannounced to adapt and get back on track.

Brewed From Within
#25 📖 Entrepreneurship

By Ben McDougal, ago

Innovation Curves

Things happen. Trends occur. Economies shift. Technology jolts the systems. Culture changes.

Time will do its thing.

Amidst change, it’s easy to hold on to what worked before. Innovation curves are hamster wheels that are hard to stay ahead of. The term innovation creates circular conversation; it is abstract and often over-used. Everyone experiences innovation, but just because we try something new doesn’t mean we’re a thought leader on change. Gurus will guide, and teams can make it easier to stay ahead of your own innovation curves, but it’s never easy, straightforward, or constant.

When stagnant, work feels like work. Stay ahead of innovation curves by maintaining what built existing momentum. Keep delivering on the promise, then experiment to remain in-tune. Stay thirsty enough to tinker. Add diversities. Revisit early moves. Understand the risks. Remain connected to end-users to grasp reality. Own what’s needed and hold on tight.

Time will still pass, and every story will end. The best ones are those we get to finish on our own terms.

Brewed From Within
#68 📖 Technology

By Ben McDougal, ago

Ideaworks

Our daily lives gobble up mental bandwidth. If you’re interested in building a business, compelling ideas may hit but lasting intention is needed to build momentum.

It’s unlikely that lightning will strike in a single brainstorm. Instead, combine detail-oriented initiative with pure wonder and open-mindedness to attract earned luck, thanks to serendipity. As ideas fueled by action create chemistry over time, different combinations will map more opportunities.

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We get what we repeat.

How might combining ideas be like a colorful fireworks show? Let’s begin with the anticipation a crowd feels before the show. Then a bright light flashes, and the sound of that first colorful explosion is celebrated.

To get color popping in the night sky, a fuse was required to spark early progress. Fuses such as linking slowness with urgency, actively listening, allowing new experiences to shift your perspective, and always staying curious give the idea machine more ways to continuously flip the switch.

As each fuse is lit, we hear that thump of a distant firework being shot into the sky. This sound of propulsion is like ideas darting into the limitless atmosphere of our mind.

With each idea sparked, there’s a thrilling hope that what’s about to pop is exactly what we’ve always wanted. Even if it’s not an absolute showstopper, each ideawork sparkles with different colors, shapes, and sounds that inspire the sky and connect into the broader experience.

Looking up into the stars, we appreciate each blast in different ways, based on the vantage point. This awakens the fact that every idea has value. Bad ideas lead to better ideas. This can spark great ideas that reverberate, and when given the space to merge, combine into a fantastic reality.

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Don’t wait for next year.

As ideas pop to create a tune, it’s like the grand finale a crowd waits for. The audience may scurry in different directions after the show, but they’ll keep talking about the experience long after that floating smoke clears.

When songs rhyme with a melody, the idea machine sparkles. When execution is a habit, even duds can’t stop a remarkable show from lighting up the sky.

Brewed From Within
#5 📖 Entrepreneurship

By Ben McDougal, ago

Santa is Real

Humans tell stories.

Storytelling is the way we communicate and a key to humanity’s evolution. The stories we share come in all genres, but each one builds a different type of connection.

Stories often exist for a moment, but some are passed for generations. The most successful stories humans have told may be those about science, mathematics, religion, or money, but holidays may also land on this list of extraordinary, generational storytelling.

In the United States, 11 federal holidays are all observed in their own way, but Christmas (and comparable year-end celebrations around the world) creates a special atmosphere. In fact, the entire calendar and our fundamental sense of time seem to revolve around this cozy time of year.  

Christmas is when we pause to remember the year that was and look forward to what’s next. With such a shared inflection point, the year-end holiday season has created many recognizable symbols. Many traditions revolve around religion and just as many do not, but the legend of Santa seems synonymous with the holiday spirit.

Whether you believe in Santa or not, it’s hard to argue with how well this jolly character embodies the essence of treasured time, cute mystic, generosity, and joy.

Think of the generational stories, decorations, letters to Santa, gifts, music, events, movies, more gifts, and all that is integral to the holiday season. Such a story told within culture can spark an undeniable, personal truth.

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Watching little ones lean into the holiday spirit makes us grateful and fills us with pure wonder. Children may be our favorite stories of all, so have fun telling them!

Great stories bring us together. If the result is anything close to the beautiful innocence of a child’s sparkle around the holiday seasons, I’m a believer and thankful that Santa is real.

Brewed From Within
#103 📖 Life & Happiness

By Ben McDougal, ago

Pure Wonder

Children embody a state of wonderment.
They wake up each morning without a plan.

They have no preconceptions. No judgments. No worries. This lack of anticipation allows kids to live naturally in the moment. These littles get excited about teeny things and cry over nothing. Their states of wonder are fascinating.

Now, fast forward 20 years. The world hardens us. We want to impress and make our mark, but life is exhausting. A loudness disguised as busy is distracting. The need to make ends meet adds constant noise. Our experiences make us intelligent, capable, and aware of our surroundings, but they may limit our ability to feel the silence of pure wonder.

Occasionally, trade a daily grind with thinking like a child. Pretend you were born yesterday. Be silly. Forget the agenda. Color outside lines. Get weird to solve problems. Laugh at mistakes. Play in your sandbox and get messy.

Wonderment can shrink the ego to make room for more. What you’re building matters, and if you discover pure wonder, be thankful and pass it on.

Brewed From Within
#67 📖 Technology

By Ben McDougal, ago