I want to be a Thought Leader.
For those of you who don't what a Thought Leader is (I don't blame you :D), heres a snippet from the most used, abused and often mistaken website ever: Wikipedia
"Typically thought leaders have proven themselves in the business, academic or political sphere through successful implementation of their ideas. Thought leaders often publish articles and blog posts on trends and topics influencing an industry or directed internal to an organisation. Through effective communication and clarity of purpose, they effect change and are considered exemplary leaders."
Point made: I want to be a Thought Leader. I want to be an honest Jonah Lehrer, a Seth Godin, a Charles Duhigg and a TED presenter all in one.
I want to shape the world with my thoughts. Is it realistic? Yes. Yes it is. Because I live in the Information Age, Thought Leaders are going to be more and more prevalent than ever before.
I also want to work at IDEO. They are like the fixers. They solve other companies problems. Usually through design and prototyping new, better versions of whatever tangible problem the company might have.
The above picture came from the IDEO Website. They are experts at getting in that sweet-spot we all call innovation and extracting the substance they find.
So I want to be a Thought Leader and Innovator for hire. What else?
Is much as I love the thought based side of these future career passions, I also want tangible.
I want to work in the realm of Education. Helping other people understand, develop and grow. So often we look at education as a very specific training module. The future of teaching won't be specific. It will be broad. Teaching the next generation how to answer the hows and whys of the world.
We need to teach all inclusively. After I took the ACT I was presented with a card that showed what I should study in college. How many of us are limited by tests and training? How many of us are limited by our outdated education system?
As a thought leader and innovator concerned with the realm of education, I want to effect change. Its already helping, all I can do it push it faster and steer it in my own direction. I want to see a world that inspires students to greatness and grows great leaders who understand how to think and express their desires and thoughts well on the Stage of the Information Age.
Besides this more methodical, thought based future me is the "hands on" me.
I have a passion for the outdoors. Nature teaches us more about ourselves than *anything* else. It is healing and I pray more people take advantage of pure wilderness that exists in Americas local, state and national parks.
Learning to survive and how to treat those injured in the outdoors is also intriguing to me. As a Boy Scout and NOLS Alumni, I have a pretty good handle on living in the outdoors. I can live comfortably but do want to learn more about tracking, evasion, and food procurement in the wilderness.
I have a love for the United States of America and all she stands for. I would do anything to protect her and I plan to give back by serving in Americas Air Force. I plan to become a Pararescueman in the Alaska Air National Guard. Search and Rescue and Emergency Medicine are huge components of that Air Force Career and I have a passion for both.
Finally, the thought of combining all of these ideas is a little overwhelming. Like when something has just *too* much flavor.
I trust that as I take time to serve my Heavenly Father as a missionary for his children, get married, and start my family that all of these ideas will settle and I will receive confirmation of what I am meant to do.
- Jacob
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