Being a Lovecat

I first heard the term "lovecat" at David Jay's Free to Succeed Tour with Jasmine Star. At first I was a little confused, but then he explained that it was from a book, Love is the Killer App by Tim Sanders. Being a lovecat involves reading and amassing usable knowledge in your field, networking, and showing "compassion" through sharing said knowledge with those contacts. Ultimately those that you help out may end up returning the favor. Paying it forward. I just finished reading the book a few weeks ago. And over the last couple of weeks, I've found myself being a lovecat.

I've been stocking up on business books - something I never ever pictured myself reading. But now that it's so applicable to my life, I feel like, How can I not? I've recommended Love is the Killer App and The Purple Cow by Seth Godin to my uncle who is an independent consultant. Who would have thought that I would recommend biz books? I certainly didn't!

Last weekend I was talking to my friend about the quintessential dilemma that I have found a lot of our friends have been facing lately: "What do I do with my life?" Do I go to grad school? Do I apply to law school? Do I travel? Do I find a "safe and secure" job? Do I move out of my parents house or do I move back home? I feel fortunate to know what I want to do, photographing people on one of the happiest days of their lives. Capturing those special moments and celebrating love. However, it's only been in the last three months that I've decided to actually go for it.

I began to describe to her something I learned at my work retreat. It was the high point of the two-day "respite". We had a guest speaker, Dave Ellis, author of Becoming a Master Student, educator, life coach, and philanthropist. He encouraged us to "think of the things you never thought," "say the things you've never said," and "do the things you've never done". He told us to take index cards, flip them vertically, and write one goal - whether it be totally attainable or incredibly wild. I loved this idea, and it was the one thing I walked away with, having come up with 150+ cards (not related to the day job!) So I told her, do it. Write out your goals. It may be the most concrete thing you can do to make your dreams come true. (Cheesy? Perhaps. True? Yes!) I'm all about writing out my goals now.

Then I told her about Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I'm currently reading this selection on recommendation from David Jay, so I couldn't fully comment. However, when she mentioned buzzwords such as "rat race" and "good job", it immediately made me think about the book. I had just read that section that talked about getting out of the rat race and having money work for you, instead of working for money. I told her that I just started reading it, but so far, so good. I know I don't want to get worked by an inanimate object. Like David Jay, I want FREEDOM! I hope that I can continue to spread knowledge as I gather it.

They don't say reading is fundamental for nothing. I've renewed my love for reading and can't get enough. I love going to the library now and checking things out. (I renewed my membership with the Alameda Country Library System after a 7-year absence!) I always thought my mom was a little crazy for trying to read three books at the same time. I thought, man, I won't remember who is who or who said what. And look at me now, I'm currently reading: Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad, re-reading Dane Sanders' Fast Track Photographer, AND listening to Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun on my commute. Phwew. That's a lot. But it rocks!