I recognize some would prefer a calculator to work out the numbers, but I’ve always liked math and let’s be honest… we focus a great deal on numbers.  Balance sheets, weight scales, account balances, pant sizes, tv channels and bill amounts each can impact our daily lives.  We struggle to find what these numbers mean or rationalize how we feel about them.

A big number will be celebrated by my family this weekend as my Dad turns 60.  For me, it’s hard to believe he’s that age as I’m old enough to realize as he ages, so do I.  While I never worried about Dad reaching this point, I know that number affected him as my Grandfather didn’t make it that far.

We seek out numbers to compare ourselves to others, gauge our progress and even to choose what’s important.  I’ve been thinking less about the comparison or progress and loads more on the importance.  One number I’m recently pondering is the number of days left on earth.  I know it’s a “heavy” topic, but it’s a fact that figure is finite and the catch is we (typically) don’t get advance notice if our number is nearing zero.  I suspect no matter what its size we’d almost all agree… it’s insufficient.  So rather than debate the afterlife (yes, I believe in heaven), I think the real challenge is how we act/react given we know our number exists.

If you tell me I’m only on this earth another 12,654 days (which is exactly the number I’ve been alive today), I’d tell you it’s not NEAR enough.  There’s so much I want to do.  So much I need to say to the right people and so much I’d change, wouldn’t you?  My guess is you could be like me and you ignore your number not because of awareness of its existence, but you may struggle (like me) with accepting it is a reality.  And just to avoid the debate of extending one’s number through healthy changes, medical advances etc… I’m saying the bigger issue is what we each do given we HAVE a number, not how to change it.

If you’ve read this far and are hoping I’ve had some divine intervention about your number or mine, I’m sorry… I haven’t.  Don’t think I haven’t asked God to give me some hints, but nothing has come through yet.  Instead, he’s given me a healthy does of perspective lately and I’m making changes accordingly.

In case you wondered, my running “number” last night was twenty-two seconds per mile faster than my last three runs.  The challenge is not to let the number distract me from a better run.

P.S. – I’m posting this on 11/11 and unless you’re a numerologist… that number shouldn’t matter either.

I returned home late in mid-October 15 from a sales trip down to Atlanta.  I came into work the next day and was eager to tell our team about our promising meetings, but I ran into a snag.  When I arrived at the office, I found 72 balloons all over my desk held in place with streamers, a poster with a Michael Scott quote, brownies, cookies, Todd’s Raving Fans t-shirts and a card… for National Boss’ Day.   I was stunned and thrilled.

For some reason we’re connected to the idea of celebrating people upon certain dates or worse yet at their funerals.  My advice is don’t wait for a holiday, birthday or some special occasion.   Boss’ Day truly caught me off guard as you can see in the video below and surprise birthday parties are great, but everyone likes to be appreciated.  People need to know you care and there’s no better time than today.  Make it special.

My friend, Andy Swan said it best, “$500 says that on average, bloggers blog less and less once they get on twitter.” I’ll try to post more here, but the best way to interact with me for now is on Twitter, so follow me there.

• Twitter – Some love it, others just don’t get it. I’m firmly in the first group. I find great links, have established new connections, keep myself amused and easily keep up with existing relationships. I’m going to start pulling my daily twitter posts into this blog. It won’t replace my blog, but will give you much more insight to my world and network. If you’re on Twitter, follow me and hopefully we’ll find new ways to help each other.
• Video, video & more video – For over two years, I’ve been engrossed in web video, its best uses for brands, monetization and distribution. I’ve blogged about Daily Idea and Almost Mediocre as my two video properties, but many more opportunities have arisen. We’ve launched another web show for PopCrunch (warning: explicit language). Ping me for more information or if you have ideas for web video.
• Startup work – Rob and I really changed gears with our startup and have landed our first major customer. We’re built a social platform for local media companies. Have you seen your local newspaper, tv or radio station’s web site lately? Good, then you know there’s a market.

I thank you for sticking around and it’s good to be back. Even though at times I live by my calendar and task list, this quote summed up my eighteen days of absence.

“Calendars are for careful people, not passionate ones.”
- Chuck Sigars

Flickr photo credit: Leo Reynolds

Let’s avoid the political side and discuss the after effects on business. The philanthropic community took a huge hit and really anyone trying to fund raise felt it.

My father is the President of a seminary that opened it’s doors in August 2001. The need for any infant business is cash, cash and more cash. To say that fund raising dried up is ridiculously understating their position.

I’m aware of the position many NYC businesses were left in, but what effects have you seen a business encounter from 9-11?

Flickr photo credit: LadyHarley99 (love the name)

Will at 15 Meanings discusses a plan on when to quit a venture

Charlie breaks down the true usage of Facebook apps

Need a short domain name… here’s a list of 84 domains with only four characters!

If you need a break from trying to improve yourself check out the Twelve Steps for Personal Development Addicts

Flickr photo credit: hobbling grrl

Seth Godin calls it “Interruption Marketing” in his bestselling book, Permission Marketing. What are the best places you’ve seen an ad run?

Update: Gabe commented on this post, confirming Dave’s mention that he’s a good dude… just a misinterpretation of a look.
What do you do? It’s been a tough question for me to answer as it’s been four years since I’ve had just “one job.” During my Bay Area Trip, I visited Lunch 2.0 and although it was great, I had a funny/odd encounter to wrap up the event.

Above is a Flickr photo of me sitting next to Techmeme’s founder, Gabe Rivera. I didn’t know who he was even though he spoke at SXSW and Rob heard him speak (and liked what he said)… but I didn’t attend that panel.

So let me set the stage. Lunch 2.0 is winding down and I’m sitting across from Dave McClure. I go get something to drink and another guy (Gabe) is now sitting across from Dave. I sit down amid their conversation and I realize this guy’s name is Gabe. A few minutes later, there’s some silence, so I extend my hand…

Todd: Hey, I’m Todd.
Gabe: Hey.

Todd: So Gabe, what do you do?
Gabe: I run a web site.
Todd: Cool, which site is that?
Gabe: (glaring at me like I’m beyond stupid) Uhh, it’s called Techmeme.com.
Todd: (impressed he runs Techmeme, but shocked he thinks I should know him) Ohh… I know your site, nice work.

I met some really cool people at Lunch 2.0, but after that conversation, I realized it was time to head out. So, maybe Gabe’s not a social butterfly or he was having a bad day. Luckily, I didn’t have that experience with anyone else. Next time, I’ll ask a few more questions to be sure the first impression was accurate. start with a better question like… If you run a popular web site, blog, vlog, twitter app, or were a child tv star, I’m sorry I don’t know you, but what do you do?