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Intro


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH MIKE ORDER MIKE'S FIRST BOOK

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Intro


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH MIKE ORDER MIKE'S FIRST BOOK

"The first time I heard Mike speak, I was blown away and it really impacted my own life. He really makes you think about what is truly important."

Ryan Sheckler
Professional Skateboarder

“Some speakers are great talkers, but Mike inspires doing. Students genuinely want to make their world a better place after hearing his message."

Jayne Ellspermann
President, National Association of Secondary School Principals

". . . [We've] donated 75,000 beanies to our homeless shelter partners nationwide. Without Mike, this program would not be what it is today."

Josh Sherman
President and Co-Founder, Yea.Nice

"Mike bridges cultures, professional backgrounds, and experience levels – in the understanding that we can shape our own futures in powerful new ways."

Pascal Finette
Managing Director, SU Labs
Interim VP Global and Entrepreneurship Chair, Singularity University
Previous: Google, Mozilla Corporation

It was 2014 when I got the phrase “The Future Belongs To The Misfits” tattooed on my arm in a small studio apartment in Tacoma, Washington. I love that tattoo. A lot. It reminds me of what it took for me to learn how to stand on my own; to create something I’m proud of; to pursue what mattered to me. To me, a “misfit” is the kind of person who’s OK with walking the path of uncertainty, even if other people don’t understand why. I think it takes a certain level of misfit to create something totally original — not a copy of what you’ve seen before or a recycling of someone else’s idea...Something genuinely unique. Me and the @findyourgrind (FYG) crew are stoked to see what this community of misfits can become — it’s the people, schools, and brands like @zumiez who are not only hyped on what FYG’s doing, but WHY we’re doing it. Whether it’s throwing epic festivals, creating meaningful apparel, or flipping the world of career and lifestyle exploration upside down, FYG wants to let the world know that #TheFutureBelongsToTheMisfits. I know there’s a tidal wave of you out there who are already fighting for the life you want to live. I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve met the kids and the 20-somethings who wake up everyday and chase after their dream lifestyle; the mom or dad who recognizes that it’s their turn to go for it; the retired teacher who decides they have more to give...It’s all of you out there who aren’t waiting for permission from anyone or anything else. I’ve worked alongside people who are filled with grit, heart, and big ideas. I’ve seen all kinds of misfits out there making a difference and pursuing a meaningful future…And that future is lookin’ very bright, my friends. #LongestPostOfMyLife #ThanksForReadingMyNovel
I’ve never loved the saying “fake it till you make it.” Something about it just never felt right... Make no mistake, I’ve had to do plenty of surface-level acting as if I knew what I was doing, when deep down I had no idea. That’s not what bugs me about the phrase though. It’s the “fake” part — the idea that you have to be “fake” at any point. We all know fiction is all around us — we see people everyday masking fake intentions, having phony conversations, and living pretend lives...But to me those people aren’t building legacies they’ll be proud of. When it comes to creating, leading, or just trying to do what genuinely makes you come alive, forget “faking it” — I prefer to face it till you make it. That’s how it’s felt for my team and I over the years — we’ve had to genuinely face it every day. We’ve had to face lack of funding. We’ve had to face operating as an under-resourced team. We’ve had to face people who said what we wanted to do couldn’t be done. We’ve faced all of it — the good, the bad, the uncertainty...All of it. As we did, we deepened our understanding of our true “why.” Being questioned and challenged made us more want “it” even more. In those moments, you have to continue on and face whatever (or whoever) comes at you next. But we’ve never faked anything. So cheers to those of you out there who are facing it every day; those of you who are deepening your why and pushing to chase after the life you want to live. Keep facing it till you make it & if you read all of this, thanks for your time 😉🖤
Love today bc it reminds me of the first day I met you. 🖤 ya @am.ber_smith

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