Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1253723
8 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2020 Nolan's Notes by Nolan Johnson, I-CONNECT007 Lessons Learned I have carried "Chaos" around with me for most of my adult life. Well, perhaps I should clarify. I'm referring to "Chaos," a print from I Ching. A parting gift from my college girlfriend, Cindy, as we went our separate ways after sev- eral years together, the text reads, "Chaos: Where brilliant dreams are born. Before the beginning of brilliance, there must be chaos. Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish to the crowd." Cindy knew I would understand the impor- tance of this lesson and that I'd appreci- ate the reminder to remain fearless and confident in my cre- ativity. On a number of occasions, I've found myself looking fool- ish—for a while. Cindy's reminder kept me grounded and secure in those moments and encouraged me to keep pushing all the way to the breakthrough— to the moment when others would utter, "Oh, I see what you're saying!" As I grew in experience and years, I had occasionally watched others look foolish only to become a "visionary" when everyone else caught up to their thinking. I thought of the "Chaos" message 10 years ago or so, as I sat in a keynote by Apple alum Guy Kawasaki. In his presentation, he made one particular point that struck me hard. He warned the audi- ence, "Don't be a Bozo." By this, he meant to keep an open mind about innovative new ideas, technologies, and businesses. Then, he tossed a quote on the screen in which the speaker dismissed an unnamed business idea as not viable long-term. Kawasaki admitted that the quote was his and that the company to which he was referring eventually became ebay.com/paypal.com. "Anybody can be a Bozo," he warned the audience. It's all related to the lessons we learn. Do you feel foolish wearing your mask in public? Figure out how to make it express who you are. Personalize it. My elderly mother, bless her heart, is a mas- terful quilter. Lately, she's been making masks instead. All of my family members and I have received packages in the mail that included new masks made from fabric that expresses the recipient's personality and interests (sailboats, marine animals, guitars and music, orange and black for Oregon State University, and blue and gold for the U.S. Navy). And she would make me one with electronics and circuits if she could find a fabric. Our masks can either hide us or show the world something about who we are. I don't know about you, but I've struck up conversa-