Want Change? Validate The Fringe.

More than a decade ago, when you ask some people from advertising agencies if they do handle events, they would proudly respond, “Nope, we only do mainstream”. Today some of these people would sell and say, “Yeah we also manage events, in fact…yadda, yadda, yadda.”

That is one thing I learned about being both creative and innovative. It will make more sense. Try to review a 2-yr-old blog about being creative and innovative will make more sense and make a comment.

Innovation never ends! It syncs with the 1-liner I heard from my dad when I was still a kid – Learning is a never-ending process in life.

New verbs and nouns are born. Some slang words were aborted. Technical geniuses can make themselves happy with their tinkering manners. Active Facebook users are mostly people who love both information and people. Twitter users are extremely divergent. Some are sweet and uninteresting. Some are interesting and skunks. The good news is, they collaborate.

It is easy to be cool. All you have to do is to be different. Old school mentality is absolutely not about the age. It is about the obsolete passion in your inner self. Some 25 to 35 years of age, working and able, don’t care to catch up the drift until they feel defensive and sometimes suffocated after they sense that they are left behind. I know some 60 to 70 years old who still seduce – a techno synonym of convincing people to use technology, then new media.

Parents who read the book “Outliers” have the maturity and edge on how to bring up their kids to become the leaders of the next generation. Unemployed may emulate Dan Schawbel and follow his road map on Me 2.0. Performing artists may see Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano jammin’ with some rock bands. That sounds cool to me! In fact, I wish I could watch him perform live with bands like Sandwich, Kamikazee, Parokya ni Edgar, Pedicab, Sugarfree, River Maya, Rico Blanco, e.g.

If you think you cannot wear Argyle and striped socks these days, may the spirit of Gen Y be with you. Remember, Gen Xers are the mentors of Gen Ys. Both have the license to share the same stuff. A cocktail party can be held online, if you know the definition of social media. Forget about the high school cafeteria conversation like MySpace or Friendster. Move on!

Now here are 10 things I suggest you can do to validate the fringe while trickling your ideas and course of actions to change.

1. Talk to people who are lazy, ugly, bad, stinky, pessimistic and less fortunate. Get their definition of life. Quickly turn to them and positively flip their views with hope. May sound great but unrealistic? Share some ways that they will not feel who they are today. It must be what they will be if they will do. You might have watched Transformers and somehow felt that Bumble Bee is human.

2. Do something unmethodical. Make a poem and dedicate it to a photographer. Paint your own piece on a canvass using acrylic instead of buying. Make sure you have never professionally pushed any paintbrush before. If you are a guy, imagine a lady you can only see in your dreams. Then interpret her image. Write about her. Make sure you will use a Moleskin notepad or a medium size acid free sketchpad so you may be careful to do with every stroke.

3. Play something that you have never tried before. I have never worn a pair of skating shoes in my life. But last October 2008, I finished the Sector 9 race “Push Don’t Pollute” by riding on my bamboo series long board with Erl Orenza and other ABS-CBN friends from Rajah Sulayman in Roxas Blvd., Manila to Rockwell, Makati City. An experience that I will never forget.

4. Do not only read books about successful people, companies and products. Try reading or watching videos about the smartest guys in the room who could become self-suicidal victims and shortened their lives. Learn from their devilish act. But do not praise them. Feel free to write on pages you think that interest you. I use Stabilo Pen 68 with colors blue and purple to write my 1-liner reaction on the margin.

5. Check not what’s becoming hot. Instead, validate your idea if it’s bankable. If there’s already a standard pricing, then it’s hot but not unique. If you dictate the price, you won’t know if you’re underpaid or you overcharge. Never mind. It will mean valuable when others believe. Before you know it, you are already creating a door to new opportunities.

6. Be the first in getting breaking news. Don’t refuse to tweet and retweet. Make your own Alltop page if you can. Be generous.

7. I bought my sweet and pretty niece Izella a book about the life of a teenager. Parents must read what your children read. Do not let them pass over your way. Check what other teenagers are doing at shopping malls. Listen to what they would like to talk about.

8. Try to take a new course like art restoration (which I first heard from Amanda Lapus) or a skill that is not part of your company’s services. It will make you think unconventional. Read the stories of surfers from a surf magazine. Make life simpler but inspiring.

9. Have a spiritual family. Our church is amazing. It’s been kicking for the last 25 years and will do so many after. Thanks to our spirit-filled and dedicated pastors and volunteers. Getting involved is not just about airing your spiritual and emotional concerns. It is what God wants to share to you. Only God can change you. Remember, we are like living in an apartment. Everything is temporary. There’s much more in His kingdom.

10. Be adventurous. Stay out of your comfort zone. Life will be boring if you can easily get things by just reaching them with your arms. Do something different. Dreaming of living by the bay or on top of the hill is a challenge yet inspiring. If you want growth, be challenged. If you want challenge, change.