Are You Doing What You Love, Right Now?

By Greg Huntoon | May 21, 2009

I fell into my career in design by circumstance and fortune, and certainly had no great plans to be doing what I’m doing now when it all started. My education was all geared towards fieldwork, language study, and sustainable development. I figured that eventually my path would lead me back into the university life as a professor. Yet here I sit drawing and making things look pretty on a daily basis.

Some days I wish I was here

Let me be clear on this point: I love my job. I would not be doing what I do if I didn’t love it. That’s just how I’m built. I’m not someone who can do the mundane droning jobs and find happiness and satisfaction. I paid my dues working those kinds of jobs when I was younger, and put myself in a position to (hopefully) avoid going back - you never know, life’s a trip and filled with surprises and unexpected turns and twists.

But right now, I wonder regularly if my efforts are actually making anyone’s life better. Does my job improve the world, take away from it, or as a third option, does it have a significant effect either way? I think I’m sitting in the third seat right now, just whiling my time away making things function. Of course I’m learning skills, honing my tools (take it easy dirty birds), and hopefully fostering the different talent I work with on the daily.

However, I am filled with a sincere passion for affecting change, and when that variable enters the equation, I can’t help but wonder whether I’m where I should be. No regrets though, for sure.

Honestly, ten years ago, I figured I’d be living in East Africa (or at least spending all sabbaticals there) studying/teaching. I have sketches for rainwater catchment systems and village planning diagrams that (I think) could actually help people live better lives.

Today’s not the day to make the change, for certain - I have a wife and three kids (two of which are very young) - but knowing that the fire is still burning is what’s important. Maybe I need to be sharing ideas at this point, and maybe the right opportunity will present itself. Hmm, what do you think?



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You Can’t Ever Have Too Much of a Good Thing

By Greg Huntoon | May 14, 2009

This should be subtitled: “Even when that good thing really, really pisses you off to begin with.” Yesterday was a bit of a rough day for me. Towards the end of the day, I had an email forwarded to me that a friend of a friend launched a project which is nearly a carbon copy of a non-profit project I’ve been putting together for about two years. It was a crushing blow when I first read the email and saw the site (not quite ready to discuss the details…but maybe sometime soon).

As I read through the site, it was as if this organization had poured over all of my notes and ideas…at least a year’s worth of ideas on how the non-profit was going to be run, the event(s) that it would first put on, and how those events would be setup and managed. My stomach turned as I read on.

I spent a good deal of time tracing my steps and rethinking every conversation that I’d had about my project. I was absolutely certain that someone I’d spoke to had turned and shared the idea with this group. Convinced. The thoughts tugged at me as I drove home, as I cooked dinner for my kids, and once I put them in bed it just picked up speed. Gnawing at my brain, I just couldn’t seem to figure out how it was possible that someone else could have the EXACT same idea.

But mostly, I suppose the major feeling was sadness and anger that I took too long launching. I was beat to market.

Defeated, I started to sulk. Poor me, I didn’t get this out quick enough…

And then it hit me: I was more upset about the fact that I wasn’t going to receive the proper recognition for the idea and the project. WTF? That realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Am I really so self-focused? Am I missing the whole point of what I am doing in the first place? Like the clouds parting a huge storm, I saw the light.

I mean, sure, I wish I launched my project last year, but I’m still only a couple of months away, and why should this derail me in any way? In fact, shouldn’t this be exciting? The fact that someone else has the exact same idea is affirming and reinforcing. And in the realm of non-profits, the more people helping, the better, no?

You can’t ever have too much of a good thing.



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Changing Lives: What Are We Doing Today?

By Greg Huntoon | March 24, 2009

If there’s one thing that has become clear to me, it’s that the world can use as many people as possible linking arm in arm to fight against social and economic decay. Even though conferences like G8 and campaigns like the Bono-fronted RED campaign have helped raise much needed awareness, the recent global economic collapse is widening the gap between the miniscule rich and ever-increasing poor.

In all of our endeavors, we should take a look to consider how proceeds, profits, or other benefits can make it into the hands and lives of those less fortunate. Remember, when times are tough for us in “first world” countries (a term I despise, but that most people understand), life hangs in the balance for many more people. If 1 out of every 6 people aren’t sure whether they’ll eat, drink clean water, or find shelter at night during “normal” times, you can be assured that the ratio weakens as global purse strings tighten.

Until this world starts thinking of poverty and hunger, homelessness and disease (preventable disease, my friends) as our problems, all will continue increasing.

We must be the solution.

Each and every one of us has the ability to do our small part. Think, if all your energy was placed or directed at a non-profit (or other charitable cause) for one day a month, or even every couple of months…wouldn’t you then be part of the solution? Do the math. Even if only a fraction of us lent a hand in those frequencies, there would be all of the necessary manpower and effort to begin changing lives. Isn’t that a simple request?

After all, a waterfall begins with a drop*…the true power of the singular is in the plural.

They are, in fact, our problems. And they need our solutions.

Please discuss. Add suggestions, ideas, successes. Any and all stories are welcome. If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below and sharing/bookmarking this article. Thank you kindly.

* This idea was pulled from on of my favorite movies: The Power of One.



Posted in Community, Culture, Non-profit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments