The Doodle Revolution: Book Review

                                                                   

Jim's Review

It was an amazing experience to read this book and do the exercises! 

Sunni Brown created a step-by-step process on how to become a doodler with clear and concise instructions on building on a gradual manner.

Started from stick figures to creating stories with words and characters.

You can call Mr Doodle

10 out of 10 stars

About book

There is NO SUCH THING as a mindless doodle

What did Einstein, JFK, Edison, Marie Curie, and Henry Ford have in common? They were all inveterate doodlers. These powerhouse minds knew instinctively that doodling is deep thinking in disguise-a simple, accessible, and dynamite tool for innovating and solving even the stickiest problems.

Sunni Brown's mission is to bring the power of the Doodle to the rest of us. She leads the Revolution defying all those parents, teachers, and bosses who say Stop doodling! Get serious! Grow up! She overturns misinformation about doodling, demystifies visual thinking, and shows us the power of applying our innate visual literacy. She'll teach you how to doodle any object, concept, or system imaginable, shift habitual thinking patterns, and transform boring text into displays that can engage any audience.

Sunni Brown was named one of the "100 Most Creative People in Business" and one of the "10 Most Creative People on Twitter" by Fast Company. She is founder of a creative consultancy, an international speaker, the co-author of Gamestorming, and the leader of a global campaign for visual literacy called The Doodle Revolution. Her TED Talk on doodling has drawn more than a million views on TED.com. Her work on visual literacy and gaming has been featured in over 35 nationally-syndicated news programs and reported on in The Wall Street Journal, CNN.com, the BBC, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, etc. She lives in Keep Austin Weird, Texas. learn more and buy book

Special post: How to Write a Book, Even If Your Life Is Insanely Busy

                 

    
Don’t try to deny it; you’d love to write a book.

In fact, you’ve been dreaming about it so much you can visualize it.

Seeing your name on the front cover of a published book.

Revelling in the fame, fortune, and fulfilment that comes from being a successful author.

But then, you dismiss it.  read more

Journey of reading books and what I have learned so far

        It has been a great experience reading various books on personal development and other topics. Look forward to sharing more insights on my reading journey in future blogs this year.

    Currently reading a amazing real estate book and won a book at event in late January (see below)

                                       

Millionaire Real Estate Agent

The Profitable Professional

Digital Minds

                                             




                   

Jim Pagiamtzis journey of success (article written by Centennial College student)

                                              

Education is a lifelong journey and some people don’t want to stay still. At Centennial College, we set our alumni up with transferable skills that let them move around, if that’s what they wish to do. That was the case with Jim Pagiamtzis, who graduated from Business Management in 1994 and moved on to varied successful careers in areas as diverse as marketing, public speaking and even acting. He used his business knowledge as a platform to pursue a variety of interests on his long, colourful journey and regularly uses his skills to give back to Centennial College, the school that help set him up. Here’s his story.

Coming to Centennial

“I go to my guidance councillor and say, I want to become a scientist. She says scientist? Science doesn’t pay.” Jim says about his unusual path into Centennial College. He’d eventually come and take Business Management at our Progress Campus, something he calls “a logical choice.”

“It was a cool program because of how I’d go to school and learn on the go, at that time Centennial College was one of the first schools where a new co-operative was being tested.” He’d take part in two co-op placements, working in the field while he took classes.

“I went to school, and I worked for a company called Oshawa Foods,” he explains “I go to work for four months there, and made some really good money, so I did two co-op work terms.”

“I had to compete with other students to get into the program,” he continues, discussing how in-demand the position was.” Three people interview me for Oshawa Food position! There a lot of competition. I’m grateful that I had that choice, because it helped me later on to understand the world of business, and it allowed me come out of college with no debt!”

“My work ethic definitely improved from being in business, understanding numbers and accounting.” He says, reflecting on what he learned that would later benefit his career. “My accountants loved me, Understanding numbers, expenses and investments helped me.”

“Later on , I realized working independently and working with a team were two of the greatest assets.” He adds “When you don’t have a strong team, things can fall apart.”

A varied career

“I just started working with Digital Marketing here in early June.” Jim says, before that though, he had a long varied career, always trying his hand at new things. From the conventional to the unusual, all grounded in what he’d learned in Business Management at Centennial College.

“After Centennial for ten years, I worked as shipper/ receiver for a couple of computer stores.” He says “Then from 2003 to 2011 I worked in the logistic industry for FedEx Freight, and at that time, I started to get mentored that had a big impact on me personally and professionally, and then in 2007/8 I wrote 3 articles for the Toronto Public Library on mentorship, marketing and volunteering.”

Jim’s passion was always in public speaking, though he’d finally get to do in 2012, after leaving the logistic industry.

“I go hired by social media company Constant Contact.” he continues, “I spoke on email marketing, in that industry for about two years in Toronto, which was my dream to speak full-time and get paid to do it.”

His love of public speaking would also motivate him to bring the Public Speakers Association to Toronto in 2013 which he calls ‘another adventure into itself” The organization currently has chapters in Niagara falls, Calgary and throughout the United States. “It let me do something bigger than me, by giving me speakers to learn from and community they could learn and make impact” he says.

“In 2016 some great thing happened.” He adds, “I taught at a private school in Richmond Hill, ONT teaching the future leaders between the ages of 8 and 13 the power of presentations skills through speaking, It was an awesome experience!”

“After that in May I got back into the acting industry.” He says, surprisingly he did background acting and appeared in few documentaries, even got a small supporting role in “A Girl without a song” in September 2014. It later premiered in Asian Film Festival in October 2015 in Toronto. Then in May he got speaking role in Matt Damon movie Downsizing which will debut in theatre December 2017. “ I got to go behind the scenes, and see how things work in big budget movies.” He says “ I have goal in directing my own movie in the near-future.”

“Then I got hired by digital marketing in June.” He says, closing the loop. “and it’s be a great experience to come in every day and enjoy what I do. The stuff I do doesn’t take a lot of my time, but all things I’m passionate about!”

“People want to succeed, but you have to listen and learn.” He says his advice to anyone looking to  pursue a similar path. “My three area of what I live for is Learn, Speak & Socialize leads to monetize $, I’m constantly learning, always reading, I read multiple books every month. Being a great communicator and ability to socialize and network effective with professionals. Try to understand social media. We didn’t have LinkedIn or Facebook in 1994! There were only phones and McDonalds! We didn’t have this social connection. That’s the biggest difference I share from stage. Now there are some many different types of medium to connect and share.”

                                              The Medium is the Message - Marshall McLuhan

Giving back to the college

“I’ve done a lot of great with Centennial College over the years.” Jim says.  “I constantly run into alumni on my journey, and I continue to look for opportunities to give back to Centennial College.”

“I’m grateful to go back and do what I do.” He explains, “I encourage others to do the same, It’s the least you can do to help your fellow alumni.”

“In 2008 I reached out to Centennial College Alumni Association and I did a couple of articles for Centennial’s Ascent Magazine for the Athletic Wellness Centre that was being built from the blueprints!”  he says explaining some of the things he’s done. “I have spoken to a few classes on social media and networking and participated in Speakers Event in 2011, I went to Family Day and I have met Centennial College Grad in my networking journey over the years.”

  

Jim Pagiamtzis at Centennial College booth at Canada Job Expo June 2016

                                 

Philosophy on success

“I was working evening shift at FedEx Freight, during that day I had nothing to do, so I made myself do something.”  He says explaining why he was involved in so many ventures. There more to it than that, though.

“It’s all about making the time.” He says “It sounds like a lot, but it happens over the years, It didn’t happen all this year, it didn’t happen all last year, it happened over time. You got to make time to do things, and I’m glad I did make the time, It allows me to empower others and share the vision of what Centennial college is doing now.”

“We all go on a journey, and we make decisions, and I happened to go on a journey that set me on a extraordinary path, but there’s nothing wrong with a regular path.” He says. Life can’t be exciting every day, but I try to make it as fun as can.”

Jim Pagiamtzis is Author, Speak and Trainer. Part-time actor  Check out www.jimpagiamtzis.ca to learn more about him.

Jim Pagiamtzis and Centennial College at Banner

Life in Media (Documentary on Matt Green)

   About a year ago, I met Matt Green at a social event in Toronto. He was a journalism student attending Centennial College. (I am alumni of 1994)

  He has shared insights on his journey of writing and what he wanted to do with it. It was inspiring and motivating for him to share.

    Since then he has interview more the 80 amazing people on this blog and below is documentary on the journey.
 

  It was great honor to be interviewed and featured on his blog.


  Check out Jim Pagiamtzis interview: Networking Guru read more
  Check out Patrick Bizindavyi interview:Unleash Possibilities Read more



                                                   

Blogging for career advancement

  Have skills and strengths for a career opportunity to fit with the great organization that I can share my abilities in speaking, writing, blogging, leadership, event planning, presenting and much more. (No MLM's)

 Ideal industries:


 Event planner
 Co-working facilities.  Manager of Operations
 Marketing Agencies
  Sales Organizations
 Media Company
 Social Media Manager
  Community Manager

  Jim Pagiamtzis
  jim@pagiamtzis.com
 416-894-7859

 Below is my resume
 

MARKETING/ SOCIAL MEDIA   SPECIALIST

    - Public speaker, published author (articles online and print)

    - Through Get Connected 21^st Century ! series of speeches and articles have empowered and encourage entrepreneurs and professionals       

    - Providing the guidance through simple systems of success has been the catalyst to think outside the “box”

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

§  Have spoken in the Employment Services and Social Services, Enterprise Toronto, Canada Job Expo  sector for the past 2 years “Networking your way to Success” and “ How to market and Promote You!

§  Paid speaking for Enterprise Toronto on “Do you have a Mentor”

§  Appeared on That Channel.com regarding Centennial College article on “Three key tasks” and “Networking your way to Success”

§  Consulting work with Burkert Fluid Control on “Successful Sales Strategies and “Networking your way to Success”

§  Published articles online for Toronto Public Library and Centennial College, FedEx Freight Canada (intranet)

§  Familiar with Personality programs DISC and KOLBE

§  Proficient in MS Office: Word,Excel, Powerpoint , Outlook

§  Active blogger for 4 years www.jimpagiamtzis.blogspot.com (500+ blogs)

§  Profile 21 Connections testimonials and much more.

§  Active in listen, reading and attending personal and professional seminars.

§  Effective communicator and implement state-of-art event management system 

§  Understand and speak Greek

§   Have written 2 books (see below)

§  Get Connected 21^st Century, Spotlight on Success available on www.kobo.com

§  Numerous success stories available in assisting referral and friends in finding employment through my teachings on networking

§  Have spoken at Trios College in Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto on Social Media Made Simple with Constant Contact

§  Co-organzier of Meet-up group in Newmarket,Ont for 2 years Entrepreneur Speed Networking

Camaraderie Co-working                                                                                                                               March 2013 -Current

§  Host and Community Manager –two days a week

§  Use Yammer social networking software to communicate with internal network

§  Create awareness through events and social media channel

§  Give tours of premises and handle inquiries via phone or walk-ins

 

Constant  Contact (Sub-contractor)

Authorized Local Expert Trainer (Toronto) /Solutions Provider                                                         October 2011-Current.          

§  Share multiple presentations from , Social Media Made Simple and Power of Email Marketing Getting start with  Email Marketing.

§  Access to revenue generation with client register for paid monthly contracts.

§  Have spoken for Tangible Words (Kingston,Ont) and Workforce Planning organization at weekend retreat (Ingersoll,Ont)

§  Responsible for education existing and new clients who register with to use campaigns offered.

§  Currently in accreditation training.

 

 

 

 

FedEx Freight Canada Inc. (purchased by Watkins)                                                                           February 2009- November  2011.

Operations Support Staff & Senior Diversity Council member

§  Managed over 200 driver pick-ups and deliveries daily.

§  Responsible for returns ,cash management, delivery confirmation, bill of lading imaging, bondshed pick ups and delivery documentation.

§  Managed over 75 drivers reports, daily logs, daily mileage and all external communications with contractors.

§  Kept track of 75+ driver reports via excel programs and entered daily mileage in ACCOPS system nightly.

§  Managed and updated driver daily log files and com-data sheets and daily, submitted to contractor relations on monthly basis.

§  Trained 10 new employees on IT systems and business procedures within division.

§  Integral member in creation and implementation of bondshed procedures to track movement of products.

§  Contributor to internal newsletters, magazines and intranet having published five articles on personal and professional growth (fitness,mentorship, personal growth stories and company initiatives).

§  Spearheaded two diversity boards on a monthly basis.

§  Volunteered for Junior Achievement ( Economics of Staying in School), Truck Driving Championships (June 2009 & 2011), Rick Hansen event. Climbed CN Tower, prepared and participated in internal Diversity event.s

§  Member of Diversity Council (May2009 –November 2011) an internal group which holds conference calls on personal and professional development topics and meets with employees regarding  ongoing education on diversity initiatives.

§  Familiar with e-manifest system and ACE. Used PAPS and PARS.

§  Responsible for lobbying for 7+ years and successfully getting recycling program in operations department.

Watkins Canada Express Inc (Purchased Fairway Canada Express Inc)                                                 July 2003 -February 2009.

Cubing Specialist and Operations Support Staff

§  Updated and kept track of CPC pallets via spreadsheet program initiated returns when required.

§  Assisted in created postal code program to better assist operations in finding cities and towns in geographic areas.                             

§  Measured freight and made sure it complied with specifications of weight and standards set by company.

§  Assisted contractor relations when required driver paperwork and training.

§  Learned about billing and other functions of operations.

§  Operated forklift (licenced at that time) and assisted dock operations when required in loading and unloading freight.

Interests:

Junior Achievement of Ontario

www.jacentralontario.org                                                                                                                                                      June 2009– current.

Monthly events

§  Participated in sharing Dream Big, Economics of Staying in School & Dollar & Sence

§  Shared with partners and independently                   

§  Have shared in various school from Mississauga, Toronto to Newmarket

Get Connected 21^st Century (book) & www.21connections.ca                                                                                 July 2003–  current

Published Author, speaker

§  Written articles for online publications from Staples Business Depot, Metro Active and Toronto Public Libary

§  Leveraged articles into numerous speaking from Enterprise Toronto to Burkert Fluid Control Systems                        

§  Successfully delivered 6 week course on Business Planning and 4 other topics to Wellesley Community Youth Group

§  Delivered many joint ventures talks from Profit Leaders (April 2011), Word 11 (Aug2011) to  expos and seminar in Toronto and GTA.

                             EDUCATION &; TRAINING

Centennial College:www.centenniacollege.ca/alumni

Business Administration- Marketing Diploma (1994)