Richard Dedor: Finding Focus » Entertainment

Toy Story Builds From Screw Ups

Richard — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:28:25 +0000

I remember going to see the first Toy Story when I was a kid. I saw it in theatre’s with my dad and my brother. It was Pixar’s first animated film I quickly fell in love with Woody, Buzz and the whole gang. Everyone did.

Think about it. Growing up, our toys are our best friends. To us, they are alive. Some of us (myself included) even had imaginary friends. As kids, our imagination is free to run wild – and boy did we let it!

Now, as adults, we’re locked into what’s possible … what’s right … and what the research says.

I recently ran across an article about how the latest, and final, Toy Story came to life. One quote stuck out to me …

“We know screw ups are an essential part of making something good. That’s why our goal is to screw up as fast as possible.” -Lee Unkrich, Toy Story 3 Director

Imagine if we lived and worked in a world that really thought that way! Yeah, go ahead and screw up! So… I’m going to give you permission today. Screw up! Screw up big time! But make it worth it. Learn something. Screw up challenging the status quo. You’ll be amazed at what becomes possible.

Life Size Jenga

Richard — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:30:02 +0000

Last week Wimbledon kicked off (my second favorite tennis tournament) to much news. On the first day Roger Federer was down by two set to love and then from days two to four, American John Isner and Frechman Nicolas Mahut were locked in the longest tennis match in history. But somewhere on the hollowed grounds of SW19, other players were practicing, winning matches and playing, yes, life-size Jenga.

This photo is of my favorite player, Scot/Brit Andy Murray taking a turn at the game. Now tell me that doesn’t look awesome! Imagine that at a barbecue! Bags, the golf-ball game and life-size Jenga.

But this photo reminded me of something I try to tell share with as many people as I meet and speak to.

Never quit being a child.

Yeah, our bodies say we are adults and we are certainly (hopefully) smarter than we were when we were ten years old. But does that mean we can’t be kids? Does that mean we can’t have fun doing the little things in life. Or enjoying the small joys? Yes, we can still play with balloons!

Here is a video from a recent retreat I did at Drake University. I could tell watching these adults do this activity that this was the most fun they’d had at work in a long time.

My advice: always strive to have fun! You are just a kid in an adults body. Live it up!

Be a Child

Richard — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:52:16 +0000

I met a speaker years and years ago (when I was in high school) and one of his core messages was quite simple: Grow up to be a child.” Sometimes when I speak to audiences now, I tell that story. Mostly because I didn’t really understand it then quite as well as I do now. I’m 26 years old now and I definitely want to be a child.

I am a fan of Matthew Mitcham’s on Facebook and he recently reminded me of this attitude. If you don’t remember, Mitcham won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 10m platform dive, and was my 2008 Most Memorable Moment.

He posted a few pictures on his fan page a few weeks ago of balloons. They were balloons he had made and a photo of the balloons in his bag, ready for their next victim. Well, he was asked some questions by his fans and here was his response: I love balloons. They symbolise happiness and celebration. I carry around a pack of assorted balloons everywhere I go

Therefore, I think I’m going to start carrying balloons with me! Why? Because he is right. Balloons make people smile, and I love seeing people smile. Balloons remind us to laugh and be kids. Those two things are important – priceless really.

When was the last time you played with a balloon? Or even blew one up? Or had a water-balloon fight?

It’s summer-time. It’s time to be a kid again. Never grow up.

Nothing is Sound

Richard — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:18:50 +0000

In 2005, Switchfoot performed at the Iowa State Fair. It was the first of two Switchfoot concerts I’ve been too.

(Each Friday, I will post a recent photo.)

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With Glowing Hearts

Richard — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:18:40 +0000

*Beginning in 2010, I began a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are about to begin and my how we’ve missed you so. I will never forget my first Olympics. I wasn’t a competitor, just a kid watching the 1992 Summer Olympics, the year Barcelona hosted. I remember watching the diving events on television in our living room. I remember because I was in awe that it was outside. I marveled at the beauty.

Then another night we were watching women’s gymnastics. Our family watched as American Shannon Miller graced the floor with her amazing abilities. This is where the competitor in me comes out. My sister and I immediately went to the backyard and started doing our own versions of the floor routine and the vault. It was an entertaining site for many, I’m sure. But it was partly sport and wholly excitement.

Many kids around the world grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. I did. As the XXI (21st) Olympiad gets set to light the world, I am reminded of a lot of things about what matters in the world. The theme of these 16 days is: “With Glowing Hearts.” Anytime that flame is lit, my idealism comes alive. The athletes prove that we are one world and we can live and prosper together. I hope I see that over these two weeks.

But the more and more I look at it, the more I see the Games are losing their peace. Just last week, American ice-skater Johnny Weir had to change his costume because of threats he and his designer were getting over the fur he was using. Yes it was real fur.

I can understand and I certainly respect animal rights groups’ absolute right in protesting and drawing attention to the use of real animal fur, but they are stealing what should be and could be the brightest athletic achievement for Weir. Both Weir and his designer received hate mail. Is that where we’ve come? Is that as far as we’ve come as a society? To move past honest debate and respect for personal choice to sending hate mail?

I feel sorry for Johnny. I also feel sorry for the people who sent the letters. Passion is great. Honest debate is necessary. But anger and hatred, violence and threats of disruptions distorts the real issue. So Johnny made the smart choice in changing his costume. In doing so, the little kid in me cried. I was again back in my backyard not able to do cartwheels, but I still kept trying. I still ran, put my hands down and hoped I could get my legs over.

The Olympic dream is about coming together in piece, despite our differences, to prove, that once again, we can come together in peace. I hope this is just a blimp on an amazing 16 days. I hope the world sees the glowing hearts coming from Vancouver instead of hated and anger. The world needs it.

Good Night Tonight

Richard — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:27:15 +0000

*Beginning in 2010, I began a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

I was set to be mad. I was itching to rip into NBC Universal. I am angry and disappointed. But then came Friday night. Then along came Conan O’Brian’s farewell.

For two weeks I debated with friends and colleagues about how disappointed I was in NBC and Jay Leno. I must disclaim to all my readers that I grew up a Jay Leno fan. Between Leno and David Letterman, I would choose Leno without even thinking about it. I never really watched Conan much because I was young and in bed by the time he’d come on. However, every time I did watch Conan, I enjoyed him.

I found his comedy loose and free and non-network. It wasn’t scripted and I found that liberating. Years ago when Leno, Conan and NBC worked out their transition, I wasn’t sure it was the right move. I was concerned that Conan’s comedy wouldn’t work at the earlier time-slot.

I sat and watched Jay’s last show as well as Conan’s. I watched Conan’s first show and found he was embracing his new challenge. His dream.

It’s never easy to take a legend, The Tonight Show, and make it your own. But Conan did.

For seven months, he worked his ass off. He stayed true to himself. He stayed true to what he had worked for over his 20 years at NBC. It was his Tonight Show.

The last two weeks were a nightmare for NBC. Leno throwing lobs at Conan. Conan throwing lobs at Leno.

I was ready. The column was written in my head and then came Friday night. I made a point to watch Conan’s last show. Hardly evident that he had only hosted the show for seven months, he went out in style. Tom Hanks, Neil Young and Will Ferrell.

“Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.”

He had every chance to degrade NBC, but instead, in his most difficult hour, he was the honorable one. He remained proud. It’s that pride that came through. He had his dream show for seven months.

“Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

I wanted to be mad at NBC – and I am. But I’m mostly sad that Conan is gone. He’s the better man and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here. Be kind. Be generous. Conan is proof: amazing things do happen. My hat is off t o you Conan.

5 Lessons From Seinfeld

Richard — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:27:55 +0000

My favorite television show of all time is Seinfeld. In every episode it seemed (even if they were about nothing) you could gleam a lesson or two about life from the story-lines. Here are some favorites to start your week.

Lesson #1: Go After Your Dreams (even if it is a chicken)

Lesson #2: Dance Away!

Lesson #3: Take Time for Naps

Lesson #4: If You’re Meant to be a Marine Biologist, Be a Marine Biologist

Lesson #5: Take Deep Breaths

Special thanks to @SaraLCampbell, @answers, @TheRyanGavin and @Almitrab for their suggestions. Have a great week everyone! What are your favorite episodes or moments from your other favorite shows?

We are Creative, so be Creative

Richard — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:33:08 +0000

An old friend of mine who is a high school English teacher was recently telling me a story of a group of young kids visiting her high school classroom.

The scenario is typical of what you’re picturing. The preschool takes a field trip to the high school, meet some older kids, get read to by the older students and the ones they hope to one day grow up to be like. We’ve all be there!

At one point in this story, one of the students went up to my friend and asked, “Where are your games and colors?” Interesting question, no?

What if back in preschool you knew that the fun and games would soon be ending and you’d be spending the rest of your school days reading thick text books and being tested on the words in them, instead of what they are inspiring you to do. You would have quit on the spot! I know I would have. What is a world without creativity? Or imagination? Or that simple thing we all take for granted: colors!

We are creative, innovative, imaginative creatures and we must use these brain functions to survive and color our own world around us. So, grab your crayons, markers, colored pencils or paint brushes, and join me!

(Flickr photo by mel810)

It Must be LUV

Richard — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:35:25 +0000

For many companies now-a-days, their employees, especially the ones who deal with customers first-hand are being trained and quite possibly forced to do things “by the book.” Well, here is a news release: the book is killing your business and doesn’t give your team a chance to create an experience for your customers.

I’ve read dozens of articles and blog posts about bad airline service and also dozens of others about great service. I recently had such an experience.

On Thursday, August 13, I was on an early morning flight from Kansas City to Oklahoma City. (I was on Southwest Airlines flight #668.) It is a ridiculously short flight, about 50 minutes. But those 50 minutes were the best I have ever spent in the air. Hands down.

For starters, we were on time! But more than that, right as I boarded the plane, you could tell the staff was into their jobs. I passed by the male flight attendant who we would soon find out, was celebrating his 51st birthday that day.

I took to my seat and began reading my book like I usually do; ignoring the safety information as I’ve flown enough to know the drill probably to the point where I could do it verbatim. Well, what happened next surprised me and created my perfect flight. The gentleman started singing over the loudspeaker. Not only was he entertaining, but he was enjoying it. The plane was more surprised by what was happening than allowing themselves to enjoy it.

Once he finished his serenade of the cabin, it was announced it was his birthday. (Sadly, we didn’t sing to him.) The flight was the flight and it was enjoyable, but nothing all too memorable.

But then it happened again. As we were taxiing to our gate, he started to sing again, this time welcoming us to Oklahoma City. This time, we gave him a round of applause. They’d earned it. They made the start of my four-day work weekend a celebration. I hope they do it again. More importantly, I hope Southwest keeps this up. Keep hiring great, energetic attendants who want to make a seemingly tedious task an enjoyable one others want to talk about. Here’s one guy who is in LUV.

(flickr photo via pixman_v20)

Anything is Possible

Sing Away

Richard — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:23:27 +0000

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love music in the car. If I’m going on a long car drive, I always make sure my iPod is synced with great music to not only keep me awake, but also for me to sing to. Yes, I’m the guy you’ve seen driving down the interstate singing his heart out to the latest tunes.

Well, the other day someone one-upped me—only this guy (who had to be around 40 years old) was stopped at a stoplight with me two lanes over. He wasn’t singing. He was playing the drums to some tune on his radio. I guess he was my drummer in my band.

I didn’t laugh. No. I smiled. It was the perfect way to start the day; seeing a guy who is starting his day off, jamming in his car… just like me.

I’m not the world’s best singer, but when I’m in my car, I am the American Idol. I am a Grammy Award Winning recording artist. It’s something really ordinary, but significant.

What do you do in your car? Are you reserved or do you let yourself go and show your real personality? Who cares what the person in the car next to you thinks! It’s just you and you’re amazing. Be you!

(Flickr photo via ATIS547)

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