"We have to understand that the world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation. The hand is more important than the eye." Jacob Bronowski

"Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination." John Dewey

"Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one...If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it." Albert Einstein

Today's image: Periphery by persnicketydame. Beautiful. Thank you!

SUCCESS

In the office near my desk is a framed New York Times Magazine cover.

Its first home was in my first office. It was the first piece I had professionally framed.

Over the years it has been showcased in each of my offices. Chicago, Boston, New York, Minneapolis, Dallas, Vancouver, Portland and now it's back where it started, in Madison.

Many have asked to copy it, a few have offered to buy it (two of those offers would qualify as crazy, stupid, large amounts of money).

Copies were made. No serious consideration ever given to selling the piece.

It's a pyramid of success.

Fifteen blocks in five tiers representing "one coach's edifice."

The coach is John Wooden.

Some thirty plus years after that New York Times Magazine cover, Coach Wooden and Steve Jamison wrote the book on the pyramid. If you're looking to buy a book for the leaders on your list this one deserves your serious consideration (Amazon info).

Today the pyramid is shared with you. Top to bottom.

Competitive Greatness
"Be your best when the best is needed"

Poise - Confidence
"Just being yourself. Being at ease in any situation. Never fighting yourself."
"Respect without fear. Confident not cocky. May come from faith in yourself in knowing that you are prepared."

Condition - Skill - Team Spirit
"Moderation must be practiced." "A knowledge of and the ability to properly execute the fundamentals. Be prepared. Cover every detail." "An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all. The team comes first."

Self-Control - Alertness - Initiative - Intentness
"Emotions under control. Keep judgment and common sense." "Be observing constantly. Be quick to spot a weakness and correct it or use it as the case may warrant." "Cultivate the ability to make decisions and think alone. Desire to excel." "Ability to resist temptation and stay with your course. Concentrate on your objective and be determined to reach your goal."

Industriousness - Friendship - Loyalty - Cooperation - Enthusiasm
"There is no substitute for work. Worth while things come from hard work and careful planning." "Friendship comes from mutual esteem, respect and devotion. A sincere liking for all." "Loyalty to yourself and to all those dependent upon you. Keep your self-respect." "Cooperation with all levels of your co-workers. Help others and see the other side." "Your heart must be in your work. Stimulate others."

Bravos: Sean Ross, programming ace in residence at Edison Media Research, on his simply outstanding series The Ten Best Markets for Radio Listeners. Very well done and a great start to the month of year end lists.

Bonus: To Do List Blog. If you like PostSecret you'll love this blog by the world's leading to-do-list-ologist. Kudos to Sasha Cagen on the blog and the new book! Closed circuit to programming aces: A New Year's List Slam makes good morning show and web stuff, plus a potentially great sales promotion at the right venue.

Wheat beer: Much enjoyed our first six of Woody's Wheat. Brewed here in Wisconsin (Black River Falls), the beer is a classic hefe-weizen. Bravos to the crew at Sand Creek Brewing Company. Highly recommended.

Have an amazing week. Catch someone doing something right!

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf." R. Tagore

"Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits." Twyla Tharp

"Let's engage the imagination, let's call it news you can dance to." Jo Interrante

Today's image: Dance With Me, Baby by persnicketydame. Wonderful. Thank you!

P L A Y

The play's the thing

We need to put more play into the everyday. Play will put the show back into show business. Broadcast has spent the better part of twenty years focused on the business at the expense of the show. Without the show, there is no business.

Play is an important part of the hard work that is the creative process.

Play enables, empowers, encourages the creative, the spark.

Play is what brings the real creatives to the gig, they come to play.

Play needs a positive environment, a stage.

Play requires an advocate and sometime defense attorney.

Comments: The gifted talent and legendary performer Tom Kent favors us with a comment. Check it out below. Here's a taste...

"The paradigm must shift from sales first to the show first and then we will witness how dramatically the bottom line will improve. When we put money first, money will elude us. When the greater mission is first and is driven by passion and talent, watch the money pour in."

Thanks Tom!

Bonus: ze is back, he came to play, and play again.

Congrats & cheers: Steve Dahl on his big time wins in the trend. His last on WCKG was an exceptional performance. #2 12+ (to the Cubs #1 WGN), #1 25-54 pers, #1 25-54 men, #1 35-64 pers, #1 men 18+. Steve is a rock star playing at the top of his game. A certain unwritten rule applies here. The first ratings to be released after a station has been blown up (or a talent has been released) will invariably be good, exceed any expectation and defy all logic. WCKG posted a twelve month high, 1.7 12+ with a 281k cume. Steve's performance will provide the new format with a solid PMD lift in their fall book. AMD, 25-54, The Morning Fix beat the CKG O&A + GM combo. Middays with one hour of GM, S&T and one hour of Steve, posting a 2.5 25-54 which placed the daypart 16th and ahead of Love, 780 and WLUP. My sense is the 2pm hour was, likely, the primary driver.