@Christina – I agree with you on the importance of self-education. I practically learned how to design by teaching myself, and within months, I turned it into a full-fledge freelance business. No classes, no textbook; just a lot of hours of hard work and passion.

What I’m finding to be most amazing from the insights of Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk is that the game is changing. Thanks to the internet and social media, anybody with an idea, a current business, or a conversation can get in front of more than 2 billion people online at any moment. I can build my own brand, my own business, my own movement. Never has there been a time where a college student like me can sit in his room and reach thousands with a click of a button.

The reason this is so important is that we no longer have to “settle” for a job. We can create and bring our gifts, talents, and voices to the world. We no longer have to hide behind our college degrees and just hope for the best. The web has opened up the door for anybody hungry enough to say something or do something remarkable.

I finished Gary Vaynerchuk’s book – CRUSH IT – a few months ago and I immediately began applying some of the things he suggested in the book. I’ve seen tangible results. My clientele for design work has almost doubled and I’ve begun to meet some really neat people (like you) online. I’m currently reading Seth Godin’s book – Linchpin – and I can already see that my perspective is changing and my drive to follow my passion and create my career is increasing by the day.

Referring to your statement about the “grown-ups”, it’s amazing how everybody always wants you to fit into their tiny boxes so they can understand and define you. Here’s a note I wrote to myself a few days ago about EVERYBODY…

- – - – -

EVERYBODY is watching the football game, playing the Wii, watching the Grammys, and American Idol. EVERYBODY is going to college and sending out resumes and hoping to score a job. EVERYBODY is wearing the latest fashion and texting on the latest phone. EVERYBODY is in debt, charging up credit cards to fit in. EVERYBODY is listening to EVERYBODY.

Here’s the new rule: “Ignore EVERYBODY”

Why? Because…

EVERYBODY won’t do something remarkable. EVERYBODY won’t make a difference. EVERYBODY won’t find problems and solve them. EVERYBODY won’t see the opportunity and seize the opportunity. EVERYBODY won’t take risks. EVERYBODY won’t think, create, or design anything new. EVERYBODY won’t lead. EVERYBODY won’t challenge the status quo. EVERYBODY won’t leave a legacy worth remembering.

But SOMEBODY will.

And that SOMEBODY is you.

I only have an associate’s degree and graduated in 2000.

I keep wondering if I should go back to school, but honestly I don’t care for the big time safe career up the ladder position so the idea of more debt is not cool to me. I kind of feel like just taking classes that will help me learn what I really want to know and do, and go from there. Or educate myself, find a place to volunteer, etc.

But I get all kinds of “grown-ups” (I’m almost 30) questioning why I don’t have a husband or a career yet. Hah…guess I’m worthless to society, eh? Nope! My qualifications come from God alone. He’s got some plans for me and I’m following Him all the way.

Good post! Gonna check out those books you linked to.

@Anthony – I totally agree with the Bravo thing. I’m a big fan of Bravo actually. lol. It’s amazing how many hundreds of hours a month we consume gazing at a tv or computer screen. We’re frozen; incapable of making anything remarkable happen. It reminds me of my uncle who sits and watches tv ALL day (you know who I’m talking about – lol). Sad.

I think both of you have amazingly awesome voices (and I’m not referring to singing -lol). The world needs to hear it. Better yet, you need to hear it.

Thanks for the comments.

Gret post! Great points!

After all the reading and studying of ‘others’ I chose to sit back for awhile and not listen to anything at all, to soak it up, and to contemplate… Now, I’m trying to take the theoretical information learned and use it in practical ways that fit my life… The things that don’t, well, they may be useful to one person but they don’t fit with me.

I think you are definitely onto something with this, Twon.. and I agree. Let’s be authentic. Let’s just be true.. Be.You!

(love that!)