Read this for the background, but the basic gist is: look in the mirror and see how you can be making your world a better place. This isn’t about making THE world a better place – just yours.
Think and act locally to make a global impact.
It’s an alternative to New Year’s Resolutions – one that we can keep easier because we made them to make them. And we made them by taking an honest look at ourselves.
If you want to take part in this – and I hope you do – leave a comment or link to your blog here. And use #MitMDay on Twitter.
So here goes.
My “Man in the Mirror” statements:
- I want to spend as much time as possible with my family. My wife and I endured a horrifically stressful time in our lives, but have come out of it with an absolutely perfect baby and a snazzy house for our family to grow in.
- I will dutifully recycle everything possible. Our new neighborhood makes recycling so easy, that to not do it would really make me a jerk.
- I will lose 20 pounds. My friend Dave Parsons has been talking about his running for months now – about how positive it has been. I feel inspired by his example. Running may not be my exact workout of choice, but I’m going to find out what is.
- Despite the fact that I now live in the suburbs, I will still take as much public transportation as possible. While DC’s Metro Rail and I don’t alwaysget along, the system reduces my carbon footprint, reduces my commuting time (see #1), allows me to carpool with my wife to her office and jump on the train there (see #1 and reducing carbon footprint) and is significantly less expensive than gas and parking in Washington.
- In this week’s episode of True Blood, Tara tells her girlfriend that her “Toni” persona was not her – just the person she wished she was. I was sad for Tara that she couldn’t see that “Toni” was the best version of herself, not a figment of her imagination. In that vein, I want to always work to be the best version of myself possible. I can’t tell you everything that entails, but being the best husband, father, employee, co-worker, chef (ha!), friend…all of those rolled in to one.
Improving yourself isn’t about creating a new identity. It’s about changing yourself.
- My wife and I recently watched a new TV show called “Same Name,” where the boxer Mike Tyson switched places with a Michigan nurse and stay-at-home-dad named Mike Tyson.
The most revealing takeaway of the entire show was how Iron Mike has changed inside. He seemed introspective, respectful, humble. His self-awareness on his out-of-control younger days was shocking. He knew he had no structure and no limits. He knew he did stupid things. Nothing can take away the past, but he can strive to become a better person in all ways. I worked briefly with Mike and his team six years ago and I was blown away by the transformation. Good for him for taking a long, hard look in the mirror and making changes.
- A funny thing happen on the way to this blog post. I was thinking about all the ways I wanted to change and they all had one thing in common. “[Reason]…to be a better person or create a better world for my daughter.”
Just a few months ago any changes I wanted to make were most for self-improvement. I mean, I wanted to be the best person possible for my wife, don’t get me wrong. But since Hava was born, my perspective has been forever altered. My mission is to be there for her and give her the world of her dreams. Whatever all of that means. But it’s how I feel. And I can’t make her world better without starting with me.
Thank you for letting me express my #MitMDay sentiments! Please share yours!
Gotta make a change, For once in my life, It’s gonna feel real good, Gonna make a difference, Gonna make it right.
I hate New Year’s Resolutions. They stink. You make a promise to yourself to start or stop certain actions or behaviors, but you generally revert back by February.
You want to diet? Well here comes the Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day to mess it up.
You want to work out more? It’s frickin’ cold in the winter!
Basically, you are setting yourself up for failure because January 1 is an arbitrary deadline. Your life doesn’t change just because the calendar does. As I turned up the collar on, My favorite winter coat, This wind is blowin’ my mind, I see the kids in the street, With not enough to eat, Who am I to be blind, Pretending not to see their needs.
Who doesn’t want to make the world a better place? It doesn’t require much to do just that. Sometimes just a little thinking in advance or a small contribution to a favorite cause. Consideration is what it’s all about.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, And no message could have been any clearer, If you wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make a change
That’s why I’m announcing Tuesday, August 9, 2011 as “Man In The Mirror Day.”
This is not about resolutions or charity donations – it’s about being honest with yourself about what YOU can do to make the world a better place. And “the world” means “your world” from friends to family to your community.
Let’s look in the mirror and then make things happen.
So I invite you to join me in the following ways:
- If you have a blog, write an entry that day about your “Man (or Woman) In The Mirror” plan – how will you improve your world? If you don’t have your own blog, feel free to reach out to me michaelgschaffer at gmail dot com and I’ll post it here.
- Use the hashtag #MitMDay to share your thoughts
- And then…go do the things you’ve told yourself and the world you want to do. Let’s look in the mirror and make the world a better place together.
Happy (almost) New Year! And greetings from Austin, Texas, where I will be ringing in the New Year for my first-ever Central Timezone celebration.
Thinking back on 2010, it was one of the best years of my life. Personally (as a newlywed), professionally (joining the iostudio team) and more. I got the opportunity to speak at some fantastic conferences and talk marketing and social media on a daily basis with a tremendous group of people. That, of course, includes you, reading this post.
#SportsPRChat came back from the dead, providing a platform to discuss the business side of sports.
I greatly appreciate the time you have invested in reading this blog and then participating in the ongoing discussion. Maybe we’ve broken new ground, maybe we’re just having a good time. Either way, I think I’m just fine with that.
Looking ahead, 2011 should be even more incredible. There is a top-secret project I’ve been working on that I can share with you shortly. I’m beyond excited to pull back that curtain…you have NO idea.
Let’s close out the year on The Buzz with my Top 5 Posts of 2010. Consider this the Director’s Cut… they are the ones I am most proud of.
I’ve always been fascinated with cover songs – when one artist does their version of a song another made famous.
For me, seeking out covers has exposed me to new songs and artists, and even new genres of music. A new slant on an old song shows creativity and artistry, and says as much about the coverer as it does about the coveree.
So I present to you, my Top 16 Cover Songs!
[Notes: Some people say that artists can cover their own songs. An example being Eric Clapton's unplugged version of "Layla." While these alternative versions are awesome, they are not covers in my book. You'll notice some bands you may not be familiar with. Feel free to look up their versions! Also, American Idol performances get their own "Honorable Mention" catgory. Glee performances aren't eligible, as are tribute movies, like "I Am Sam" or "Across the Universe." Also, this is my list of my favorites. It's biased. Put your favorites in the comments! And you can look up the original artists...it doesn't matter because these versions are so good!]
American Idol Honorable Mentions
“Straight Up” by Andrew Garcia
“Eleanor Rigby” by David Cook
“Hemorrhage” by Chris Daughtry – In my opinion, THE rockstar making performance of his career.
“Heartless” by Kris Allen – Making a Kanye song sound like your own is no easy feat.
And here we go with the Top 16!
16 – “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm – Are you OK, Annie????
15 – “Boyz In Tha Hood” by Dynamite Hack – Apologies for the language, but this is pure brilliance.
14 – “Careless Whisper” by Seether
13 – “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
12 – “The Man Who Sold The World” by Nirvana
11 – “Feelin’ Good” by Muse
10 – “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley
9 – “Billie Jean” by Chris Cornell – Raw emotion…incredible.
8 – “All Night Long” by Jason Mraz – One of the most fun songs made even more fun!
7 – “Cry Me A River” by Glen Hansard – Sounds like it was written for his voice.
6 – “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix
5 – “Landslide” by Smashing Pumpkins – I LOVE this song and Corgan’s sad voice makes it even better.
4 – “Hurt” by Johnny Cash – A lifetime of pain comes through in this version.
3 – “Umbrella” by Boyce Avenue – Never heard of them? Jump on the bandwagon! I can’t stress the awesomeness of this group any more. Take a listen!
2 – “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin
1 – “Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – The. Best.
