What Is Your Operating System

I have discovered that I have a lot in common with computers and other technology. The same way they have operating systems that dictate what they do, their capacity, and functionality... I too have an operating system that determines my actions and results. The beauty (and advantage) of the "human operating system" is that we can excercise choice over it. We can make the choice to debug ourselves, evolve, grow, and not let the negative parts of our system direct us. Our day to day actions often point pack to our operating system. This system is comprised of our thoughts, attitudes, personality, and history. We can rise above all of these by continuing to update ourselves, much like an iPad. As long as we live, there will be bugs within ourselves to fix and software updates that need to be made. Yet we will come to find that we have a great capacity to be someone amazing day in and day out if we decide to be.

Face Life Head On

If you've been living at least 5 minutes, you are more than likely well aware that life can be difficult. There are no shortage of problems that we can come up against on a daily basis. Some people get so beat up by life that they give up fighting altogether and begin to give into negative emotions and self-destructive  behaviors. Even though life can be tough, the hardships we face present us with tremendous opportunity to learn, grow, and become better people. I am amazed at how the things that once terrified me became some of my greatest stepping stones (in retrospect) because I got over my fear of them and proceeded to move forward. I then discovered that many of the things that I thought were so intimidating were not that bad. We have to get into the habit of proceeding into the darkness of life. Don't run from what scares and challenges you. Continue to move forward and you will see, as I have (and continue to see), that you can consistently overcome any adversity life brings with God's help.

Do Your Best To Stay Prepared

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training." -Apostle Paul

We have to stay engaged while living. Each day presents a new set of opportunities and challenges. When we get comfortable (i.e. disengaged), we are then hit with the unexpected which has the potential to rock our world. Even though it is somewhat of a difficult habit to develop, it is important to do everything that we can to stay ready (in our areas of known responsibility). If we are continually preparing and staying alert, we can respond much better when the unexpected occurs. Its so important to pay close attention to our relationships, families, finances, health, jobs, careers, and anything else that falls within our domain. It must become a habit so that we stay prepared without thinking about it.

Collaborative Genius

"Even the lamest page can be saved by collaboration." -Philip Greenspun

We can take our craft to an even higher level when we practice the art of collaboration. We then are able to draw from a richer reservoir of creativity, intelligence, experience, and genius. Sometimes it's hard to get out of our comfort zones and open up to others, but once we get past this initial stage of being uncomfortable, we will reap huge rewards for making this difficult leap. These days, I'm more excited about collaborating with other creative people than I am just doing something on my own. My efforts are magnified when another person's invaluable perspective and resources are in my close proximity.

Unlearn Your Limits

"It always seems impossible until it is done." -Nelson Mandela

Sometimes we have to unlearn the limits that we place on ourselves. For some, a mindset of limitation is due to the environment that they were brought up in. For others, it was learned from generation upon generation only going so far during their journey (now that is the framework that the successors grow up with). Perhaps, you got advice on how you should approach a certain aspect of life from someone who got burned in that same area and they are advising you from that vantage point. Wherever we have gotten our information on "what is possible", we should all come to the place where we consult with the Author of Life. He alone knows what He can do through a person that is totally surrendered to Him. We (and the others around us) are incapable of gauging the potential we possess. However, once we connect with God, we are then able to operate from a different paradigm that is not based on human limitation, but on God's ability to do the impossible.

Official Excerpt From Upcoming Philip "Sharp Skills" Jacobs Book

I very recently finished the writing portion for my new book (the title will be revealed at a later time). I'm now in pre-editing mode and will share some of the most meaningful parts (to me) of the writing as I peruse through it. Here is the first official excerpt, I hope it positively and powerfully impacts your life. More to come!

Excerpt:
"The power of life (positive creation) and of death (decay and destruction) resides in your tongue (in what you communicate both externally and internally). The major portion of the battle related to realizing vision is fought in your point of view. If you think and communicate negative thoughts (death), it will be impossible to produce (give life to) what is inside of you."

New Sharp Skills Video On The Way

What's up family, I am super excited to let you know that a new video is on the way for Anno Rebelio. I had the tremendous privilege of working with a super talented group of people yesterday. I think this will be the best video I've done thus far. After warding off termites, mosquitoes, and other flying critters, I do believe we got some great footage. My good friends Chris and Paul of Moon Buggee shot and directed this gem and snapped some high quality pictures afterward. I was blessed to have my mom,Gwendolyn Phillips, in the video, as well as a very talented drummer, Laura Dunn, and musician, Aaron Crane, do some dope guest appearances as well. We can't wait to share the new visual with you. In the meantime, enjoy the photos. Oh, the song we are shooting the video for is "If You Try",one of my personal favorites off the album.

Photo by Antony/Ramon Photography

Photo by Antony/Ramon Photography

Photo by Antony/Ramon Photography

Musician Extraordinaire- Aaron Crane, photography by Antony/Ramon Photography

Drummer Extraordinaire- Laura Dunn, photo by Antony/Ramon Photography

Video Director, Chris Valcarcel hard at work

My beautiful mother, Gwendolyn Phillips. She stole the show.

Directors Chris and Paul Antony doing work. Two very talented and hardworking brothers.

We All Have To Start Somewhere (The Vin Diesel Factor)

People that we greatly admire were not always "great" at what they do and who they currently are. It took many years of refining, sharpening, perseverance, and sacrifice to get to where they are today. I recently read an article about film star, Vin Diesel, and his rise to fame and fortune. It was not a bed of rose pedals for him. He actually had to use his house as collateral in order to ensure that his film franchise, Riddick, saw the light of day. He got his start by directing low budget films and entering them into film festivals. Movies we have probably never even seen. The reason I use him as an example is because it is easy to forget that people who are doing big things had to start small at first. I'm sure they have had their fair share of setbacks, disappointments, sleepless nights, and super frustrating days. They survived them though and kept going after what they were passionate about. If you and I apply these same principles, we'll find ourselves in the winner circle too. But we have to start first.

Create Something of Quality

Quality takes time. There is no cutting corners when it comes to it. Microwave success will not stand the test of time no matter how glamorous it may appear in the beginning. When crafting something, let it take its proper course until it becomes all that you feel in your heart in can be (given your level of resources). I truly believe that people who take a little more time to "get it right" will stand out in these current days. Though we must continually adapt and become quicker, we should never sacrifice quality to get to the next level. True quality lays a sustainable foundation that allows the builder to craft masterpieces rather than items that are easily discarded.

Broaden The Horizon

If we are not careful, we can get into a groove that is similar to the hamster on its cage wheel. Sometimes we have to come up for air while we are swimming to see if there are any adjustments to be made that bring us closer to our goals. The heat of battle (in life) has a way of causing us to lose perspective and narrows our options if we don't make time to get out of the game for a bit. In order to broaden your horizon, ditch the regular routine from time to time and do something out of the ordinary. I think you'll find that this will both refresh you (mentally, spiritually, and physically) and re-engergize your focus.

Going The Extra Mile

       "There are no traffic jams along the extra mile."-Roger Staubach

Due to the fact that things move so fast today, it is easy to fall into the trap of cutting corners to get to where we are trying to go. Yet, anything of quality requires going the extra mile. TD Jakes brilliantly quoted "Greatness does not go on sale." Greatness is practiced when we pay attention to the little details that other people overlook or don't bother to work on. Going the extra mile means putting in just a tad bit more effort on something that you may not even be praised for, but could mean the difference in bigger success down the road.

Eternal Masterpieces

Life is truly an art canvas. We are the paint brushes used by the Artist who desires to create masterpieces with us. We actually transcend the role of paint brush once we mature and take on more of the Artist's likeness. We then paint the picture as He would, according to His perfect desire which has become our own. We find that we will paint a picture that matches what He imagined for us and what has been burning in our hearts (because He put those desires there). This artist that I speak of is none other than the Heavenly Father. He makes us into works of art that stand the tests of time and eternity. What He creates supersedes the greatest works of human artisans (mountains, oceans, animals, planets, galaxies, etc.). Imagine what He will do with little ol' us if we let Him guide the paintbrush.