Monday Night Football: For Foreigners Like Me (and You?)

When we hear Monday Night Football what jumps to mind for many of us soccer fans all over the world is the cheeky Gary Neville doing his bit calling the English Premiere League on Sky Sports. In Australia, Monday Night Football means a fixture of the National Rugby League delivered by two of Australia's greatest ever "footy" players Andrew Johns and Peter Sterling. Here in my adopted country of the USA it's all about the NFL … and over the last 18 hours or so, MNF has lit up riveting commentary since the "touchception" call by the (replacement) referees in the game–winning last play for the Seattle Seahawks victory over the Green Bay Packers.

It intrigued me how much real estate this (passionate) conversation is taking up online (including some f-bombs via Twitter from heated players after the game). Although not unfamiliar with the power of sport to bring people together (for good or for bad) it spurred me to take a look at the forces at play. Just a Canadian trying to make sense of things…

NFL as Sport Crack
There are an insanely large number of eyeballs watching MNF. It has become an iconic franchise of sport TV over its 40 years on air. In its history MNF has registered eight of the top 10 all-time biggest

Reinvention is a Beautiful Word

Today my friend Suzie told me her brother was quitting his job to pursue his dream to live abroad (Hawaii apparently counts for "abroad") and live a more unconventional life for awhile. He's preparing to rent out his home which he owns and giving his employer notice. I always get inspired when someone shakes things up, and takes the bold step (or more likely hundreds of little steps) to turn a dream into a reality. Hearing the story of Suzie's brother landing himself in a new surrounding fires me up, in an addictive kind of way. It's pretty powerful. On a personal level, I don't want to move to Hawaii but I have a desire to hear more about his plans and get a taste of that enthusiasm he is feeling with the anticipation, hopes and possibilities of his personal re-invention. I'm a big believer in constantly re-inventing ourselves, it's totally necessary for all aspects of life to avoid those momentum-killing plateaus. What's great about the move Suzie's brother is making is that his re-invention matches his goals – he wants to experience a new way of life and he's curious about meeting people, understanding different cultures and the challenge of making a living without the 9-5. The spark of his reinvention came from his purpose and passion. It inspired me to consider when and what my last personal reinvention was … and what I have planned for around the corner? More to come on that...

Meanwhile, in my work world of product and consumer and marketplace that I live in each day, it made me think about how a product has the ability to transfer that same feeling to someone. If a brand can surprise and delight a consumer and ignite feelings of passion and

Mourinho's Passion

One of my favourite moments of this year's Champions League race so far is coach Mourinho's sliding celebration after Ronaldo scored the game winner for Real Madrid versus Manchester City FC today. Passion. Check out the cellie here.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. [confucious]





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