31 Tips For DSM In 2012

One month of Ideas for how Des Moines and its people can develop over the next year. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-28423305-3']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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#19: Own Up

So many of us move about Iowa and the rest of the world talking about Des Moines and it’s many shortcomings (I’m guilty of it. I’ll own up to that) But when I think about it, I treat my fair city an awful lot like I treat my three sisters: I can point out their faults, but as soon as you, whomever you are, start trash talking, I’ll want to throw spoons at you.

It’s time, in 2012, to start touting my city’s gems and own it.

My stoop is in the most amazing neighborhood where the streets are lined with big-porched-attic-having homes that are lovingly renovated. My art center holds parties coated in glitter, and Hopper and Warhol and Rothko. My stationary shop sits at the base of my state’s gilded capital, always has sweet treats and a welcoming blue chair. My happy hour serves cheeses and my hometown prosciutto and a perfect ginger mojito.

Speak with pride about OUR city and don't simply be "involved:" take ownership of the things you love about our Des Moines. Invest yourself in one or two projects, organizations, people or places and get to know them, but more than that, become part of them.

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Laura Palmer is Major gift officer at Drake University and has been an active member of Art Noir. Follow: @ljpalmer.

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#18: Supporting Local Filmmakers; Supporting Our Community

For the last year we have been plagued with reports about the Iowa Film Scandal.  But there is some good news about Iowa film that many have overlooked: the independent filmmakers. While the big studios and stars may not be making cinema here, thousands of Iowans are, and that means some much needed dollars for the local economies of several Iowa towns. Crews need places to stay, food to eat and gas to get them around. No matter what the budget is, dollars will be spent to make the transformation from script to screen. Last year more independent productions occurred than in any other year in Iowa history. Right now, in the the state of Iowa, it is estimated that over 250 independent film projects of varying sizes are in some stage of production.  Almost half of those are located here in Des Moines. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with a few, and I can tell you there is some great work going on in this city. You can help support independent films in a number of ways: Chip in a on a Kickstarter campaign, let filmmakers use your home or business for a shoot, participate in a film contest or simply attend a screening of a locally made film. The bottom line is that almost every dollar you spend supporting Iowa filmmakers stays in Iowa. It also continues a tradition of supporting the arts and culture in our state and local community.  Des Moines has the talented people and tools to become a content provider to the world. We have the chance to build a new sustainable industry and showcase our city  as one of the best in the world.

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Sam Tuomi is the 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines event producer and manager of Put It On Video. Follow: @48HFPDesMoines 

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#17: Serve Someone

Des Moines is a great place to live; it's not so big that you get lost in the shuffle and it's not so small you know everyone mentioned in the Des Moines Register. This presents an ideal setting in which to serve and make a noticed impact on our community. And by focusing on an area you're passionate about, you'll find rewards to be great than expected. You'll also find that when we get involved, relationships will quickly be built and neighborhoods strengthened. 

As the co-founder of a young non-profit organization, I learned quickly that there are a lot of people doing good around here. If you have a passion about something...anything, you can find a non-profit, a small group of people or network you can link up with. And, if you can't find an opportunity you are interested in, you can start your own. 

Serving isn't just about doing something good so you can check it off your list. It's about lending your resources and talent to the very community in which you live, work and play. Service is a great way to form relationships and gather up community pride.

Make serving contagious - a way of life. When you see or hear of good around us, celebrate it. This year, encourage yourself to take the leap and get involved in something to better society right here in Des Moines. We will all thank you for it!

The next move is yours.

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Nick Mahlstadt is co-founder of The Move Project, created to do social good in Des Moines and beyond.  Follow @Nickmahlstadt and @themoveproject 

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#16: Break The Routine. Explore!

It’s easy to fall into the daily routine of life. We often find ourselves going to the same places, with the same people, and attending events produced by the same organizations. Familiarity is comfortable. And, let’s face it, your warm couch feels very cozy on a winter night too!  When we get in these ruts, Des Moines can start to seem like a small town with nothing new to explore. This simply isn’t true. In any city, you have to make an effort to find things to do.  I encourage all of you to, at least once a month, do something in Des Moines you’ve never done before. Get out of your comfort zone. Try a unique activity, volunteer for a new non-profit, go to an event that you’d normally skip… the biggest thing is to do something that’s a new experience. I’m one of those overly organized types, so I love making lists. If you are having trouble coming up with new things to do, spend an afternoon brainstorming ideas and write them down. Then you’ll always have a bunch of options right at your fingertips.  Here are some resources I use to find things to do in Des Moines. • Lists of Things to See and Do in Des Moines  • Weekly Planner E-Newsletter • Des Moines Metromix • Travel Iowa • Volunteer Opportunities  So, get out there! Explore Des Moines in a new way and break your routine. Not only will you be more fulfilled, you’ll also be supporting all the fantastic organizations and businesses that provide “Des Moinesians” culture, entertainment, and fun. __ Jill Haverkamp is an Owner and Music & Entertainment Marketer for On Pitch, a music, entertainment and lifestyle marketing company. Follow: @jillh

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#15: Do

I grew up in Ankeny, Iowa. I graduated from Ankeny High School. I went to college at the University of Northern Iowa. I worked for a video game production company in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I worked for a rock’n’roll band based in Des Moines, Iowa. I launched a tech startup (Tikly) in Des Moines, Iowa. Childhood, awkward teen years, college choices, video games, rock’n’roll, and Tikly all happened within a two-hour radius. My experiences have informed the tip I want to impart on you now, Des Moines: do. The amount of resources we have available to us is incredible. Networking opportunities abound and every level of our community will support you in what you do. We are a little big town placed in a natural incubator of awesomeness. I promise you that if you go to the right networking events and reach out to the right people, you will find yourself enveloped in success. This is Des Moines, Iowa. This place rocks. I double dog dare you to get out there and do something. You don’t need to launch a company, though if you would like to, you should do it. Just get out there and do buy local, do talk to new people, do attend events, do go out to eat, do stay connected, do do it all. (Yes, “do do”…heh.) Don’t know where to start? Here are a few resources that really helped me do what I do:

Young Professionals Connection  Startup City Des Moines  The Greater Des Moines Partnership (the original “Do More in Des Moines” crew)  Business Innovation Zone  Des Moines Music Coalition  Silicon Prairie News  Des Moines Startup Drinks  And once you decide to get out there and do things. Don’t stop. This is our community, it’s our future, and we can do just about anything. I love you, Des Moines. __ Emma Peterson is the Founder & CEO of Tikly and the Communications Director for Authentic Records. Follow: @emmzzuh. 

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#14: Might As Well Make Something

If you are reading this, you are probably a human. And one of the characteristics of being a human is that you will die. You only live one life, and, again, if you are reading this, you are probably living that one life in Des Moines, Iowa. Wow. What're you gonna do with it? Might as well make something, right? I believe that what you make is what you are. If you want to make something of yourself, then make something. Anything. A song, a garden, a chair, a poster, a business, whatever. I don't care. The point is if you make something with your own mind and hands and from your own heart, you will be making yourself known. If we all make ourselves known, well, then we'll all know each other. That's a community. Fortunately for you, you're wasting away in a place full of people that understand this. You are not alone. You don't have to make something by yourself. Des Moines is loaded with people with professional skills but independent attitudes, which means someone like me can write a song and find world-class musicians to hit the studio and the stage with me to achieve my vision. And then I can find a top-notch graphic designer to make an amazing poster or album design. And a photographer to take pictures for that designer to use. And folks to make a music video. And people to help me promote whatever I'm working on. And, of course, people to care about any of it. So be true and be nice, and you'll find those people who share your passion for making something for no other reason than to contribute to the community. And when they need your help, you'll be there for them. Right?

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Chris Ford is Christopher the Conquered and CEO of Maximum Ames Records. He lives and makes in Des Moines. Follow: @CTConquered

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#13: Repeal City Rules & Bring Street Food to DSM

I stand for cuisine mobility.

Des Moines needs lunch trucks.

Des Moines needs food carts.

Carts, I say! Street vendors parked hither and yon, providing yummy morsels for the bar flies and suit’n’ties alike. Never again shall we exit a tavern and scream into the Iowa night: “Who is hiding all the falafel in this town?”

Unless you’re perpetually satisfied with pizza, and I got nothing against a slice of pie, you’ll admit that it is absurdly difficult to find a variety of late night munchables on our streets (let alone hail a taxi, which is a literal impossibility… and a tangent).

We reside in a city that currently supports absurd policies regarding mobile food vendors. This past January, the City Council approved rules that restrict hours and require vendors shut down between 1:30 am and 5:30 am, potentially the most lucrative timeframe. Residents could come together in 2012 to reverse these rules and resolve to make Des Moines a cart-friendly city just in time for 80/35.

We’re lucky to have such an excellent Downtown Farmers Market and a swank array of restaurants throughout the metro, but Des Moines must mature into a place where late night dining options are widely available and a storefront is not a requirement for aspiring business-owners.

We can make this happen.

In 2009, the Des Moines Social Club was able to repeal the “No Dancing” ordinance by raising pubic awareness and advocating for change at the municipal level. Speaking of DMSC, remember mooncheez? I do. After that tasty reminder, ask yourself: how can we not organize? Your future self is chowing down right now. She says thanks.

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Rachel Dakarian is one of many loyal @iowademocrats, the tweeting Tech Chair for @NLC_DesMoines, a member of the @wheatsfield Board, an avid @PPHeartland supporter, and a Development Researcher at the @isufoundation, which means she so greatly values her DSM lifestyle that she willingly commutes to Ames every weekday. Rachel wishes you, dear reader, a Happy Year of the Water Dragon. Follow: @Rachel_Dakarian

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#12: Find Your Next Frontier

People think that frontiers don't exist anymore.  Not true. Especially, in Des Moines.  I explore everyday looking for new and exciting things to do and see.  My mind is constantly churning. What do I see in Des Moines that other people don't?  Who can I collaborate with to create something more extraordinary than I could alone? Des Moines is a maiden market of talent.  People are gracious and genuinely want the best for each other. I hear about new and exciting projects on a daily basis. These people are selflessly using their talents to create something that is personally cool to them.  The indirect impact it has on Des Moines is priceless. I call this frontiering.   You can try it sometime.  

__ Jessica Miller is the co-owner of Hill Vintage and Ingenue Boudoir. Follow: @IowaWildFlower

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#11: Intentional Discomfort

 Who else wants to shake things up a bit this year? I made a painful observation about my self this past year.  In fact, its one that I haven’t even fully come to grips with just yet.  To explain, I’ll first say that I’m a huge advocate for “putting myself in situations that spawn opportunity”.  That usually means trying new things, meeting tons of new people, and getting a little creative in breaking up the ole’ daily routine.  It also means inflicting a bit of intentional discomfort upon myself from time to time… All in the name of creating the opportunity for new relationships and partnerships to formulate, flourish, and take shape.   Ok, so back to my painful observation…  I noticed that I’ve been passing up some pretty juicy opportunities because I was discounting them with a number of lame a** excuses like, “that’s weird.” My advice for you and mainly to myself, comes in the terms of a very conscious attitude adjustment… Let’s trade in that cozy pair of sweat pants for a thong. Yup, prepare to be emotionally exposed and fully expect a feeling of utter vulnerability in 2012.   Below are three situations I wish I had not passed up, each in the past 30 days… What I can’t tell you is what may have come from them because I’ll never know.  Nor can I promise that anything great would have come, just that something great could have and most likely would have. So go boldly forth into 2012 and wish a highly unpredictable and at least slightly uncomfortable forecast upon yourself. Take a mental note when you start to write things off and then, hopefully, take a leap from the high dive into a pool of chance.

UNO: Dylan Jones, when I asked if you would come play Monday night basketball with us and you said you couldn’t because you were planning to play a game of Magic with some friends… I wish I had found a sub for myself and asked you if there was room for a newbie, or at least asked you to teach me how to “build the deck”, even if I only tried once. DOS: Brady, when you left my yoga class and asked if I wanted to enter that weekends handball tournament in the novice category and I said no thanks, I wish I would’ve not only came but invited my buddy Dane.  We used to play racquetball together and I think I could’ve beaten him in handball.  I would’ve gotten to know you better and surely a few other great Des Moines’ians. TRES: Unknown “weird dudes” sword fighting with brooms in a driveway on 42nd street… I wish I had parked the car, and run in with my ice scraper screaming “For Narnia!” YES, I risk having been a little (or a lot) weirder for having done these things, but for that I’d be all the more interesting, connected to my community, and genuinely open to spawning a bit of unscripted opportunity. PS, Here are my top three suggestions for intentional discomfort incase you need them:

1. Stop by the library and make plans to go solo to one of the events promoted on any of the posters you see hanging up.

 Organize a small group of people (especially ones you don’t know well) to participate in an upcoming Des Moines Event. 

Go to a meditation class. (My first time was just yesterday! :D  

You’ll probably find that the discomfort really was just in your head. __ Drew Maifeld is a land architect, yoga instructor, and founder of thebravoscope.com .  He’s also a tree hugger, an idealist, & URBAN AMBASSASOR !  Find him at www.drewmaifeld.com or @landmatters on twitter.

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#10: Introduce People

Des Moines turns that whole “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” concept on its head. Here, instead of six degrees of separation, its not unlikely to meet someone and within the time it takes your coffee to cool, come up with half a dozen ways you’re directly linked. I get how people compare our city to a small town, and social circles can start to feel like an almost concentric Venn diagram. Sometimes I forget that, in reality, everybody doesn’t actually already know everyone else. I’m a suburban Chicago native who moved to Des Moines straight from college in Missouri, never having seen the place and not knowing a single soul. Luckily, I came here in the summer of 2007 to work for Juice magazine, which meant I had a built-in reason to meet a bunch of people and try dozens of bars and restaurants on my employer’s dime. I also had a great group of co-workers who encouraged me to tag along with them to events for the first time, so I rarely had to brave an unfamiliar situation on my own. If I hadn’t started off with a professional reason to introduce myself, I might be the kind of person who went straight home after work every night and plotted a move back to the Windy City. We all know (and resent) the people who say there’s nothing to do in Des Moines, but never get out of their commuter rut. Maybe it’s not because they're haters, but because they’re just one introduction away from their next creative collaborator, nonprofit board, trivia team, or significant other. (I’ll own up to the fact that a room full of strangers — especially ones who already know each other  — can feel totally intimidating.)

This year, take a minute to think of some people in your network who might enjoy connecting and introduce them. It could be as simple as:

Taking a new co-worker along to a YPC/Art Noir/Des Moines Social Club<insert your group of choice> event.

Introducing the buddy who’s always talking about his semester abroad in Sydney with people you know who play in Des Moines’ Australian Rules Football league.

Having different couples from across friend groups over for a game night.

Going out to coffee with two formerly East coast women who blog about crafts, but who don’t know each other yet. (Which is on my to-do list this week!)

Not every introduction will turn into a best friendship, or a lasting involvement, but I’ve found few experiences more exciting than widening the circle, so to speak. Let’s do more of it! __ Brianne Sanchez is the project manager for "I Have A Dream" Foundation and former writer for Juice Magazine. Follow: @Brianne_Sanchez

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#9: The Roles We Play

I think of myself as being a member of several communities; I am a musician, a lawyer, a partner in a recycling company, etc... I have my musician community, my legal community, my “green” community, my friend community, and many others.  When I stopped to think about this, I noticed how intertwined these different communities were and the roles that individual members filled within these separate groups. I also looked at my own role in these separate communities and realized that I play very different roles in many of them. I noticed how each of these groups work together much like a family does and it dawned on me that each of these communities are essentially a family that I have chosen to be a part of.  To generalize, each community has its “developing” members, people who are newer to the community, less experienced, and very eager. They have “established” members that have been around awhile, have more experience, and know and accept the normal operations. And finally, you have your “professional” members who have lots of experience and provide guidance and knowledge to the other members.  Too often I see competition and forces working against each other within the same community. Competition is good encouragement and should be used to move the whole community forward. Unfortunately, I see too many communities that hinder their own progress with power struggles and competition from within.  This made me wonder: What sort of value do we express for each and every member of the group? And who's role is it to do this? The last thing we want is for members to start criticizing and holding each other back, but if the group environment leads members to not feeling valued, you're setting yourself up for tension.  Ultimately, it falls upon the “professionals” of a community to nurture, teach, and protect -- much the way it falls upon parents or grandparents of a family to nurture, teach, and protect. This allows for "developing" and "established" members to learn and progress themselves, as they will someday play different roles.  Take time this year to reflect on the roles you play, how you can strengthen your skills and how you can continue bringing value to your group. And if you're feeling undervalued as a "developing" or "established" member, try reaching out to a "professional" member -- this will show you value them and might lead to new opportunities.

__ Brandon Clark is a lawyer, business partner in RecycleMe Iowa and musician. Follow: @brandonwclark. 

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#8: Use Des Moines' Size To Your Advantage

Des Moines isn't a big city, but it isn't a small town or suburb, either. It's easy to get hung up on the disadvantages of living somewhere this size. No, we don't have a major-league professional sports team. No, Guns N' Roses didn't stop here on their most recent tour. But living in an honest-to-God city that isn't overwhelming has its benefits, too. On New Year's Eve, I had the privilege of DJing at Vaudeville Mews with one of my musical heroes, Des Moines' own Bob Nastanovich, best known from the band Pavement. As an actual Des Moines DJ like Richie Daggers will tell you, I don't really know much about the technical aspects of DJing. I just happen to have a turntable and enjoy playing my records for people. In a bigger city, Bob and I would've been crowded out by the professionals; in a smaller town, maybe no one else would've cared to hear our weird records. But here we could be up on stage sharing our idiosyncratic tastes, and I got to have one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life. You can take advantage of Des Moines' size no matter what your interests are. I started thinking about all this because of a Des Moines Register piece on "The New Des Moines," which quotes local artist Cat Rocketship as saying that here, "I can have a hare-brained idea and the next day just do it." One day she came up with an idea for a crafts fair; before long, she could actually put it into effect, and tap into the popularity of a farmer's market with weekly attendance of 20,000 people. So no, Des Moines isn't the biggest pond. Use that to your advantage. __ Marc Hogan is a writer for SPIN, Pitchfork and more. Follow: @desnoise.

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#7: Use Your Voice: to build, not ruin

 As an educator, I have a platform with an audience of impressionable teenagers 40+ hours a week. First hand, I see how words can be extremely powerful if cultivated correctly. Too often in our society words are used to hurt rather than heal.  In a neighborhood struggling to find a positive identity, I have, with the help of other passionate teachers, however, worked to create opportunities for students to showcase their talents (using their voices) to uplift each other and shed light on the circumstances they face every day.   Three times throughout the school year students participate in "Share the Mic: Community Voices Creating Change", an event that calls on them to write their own poetry and perform it in front of the community, while simultaneously raising money to donate to local non-profit businesses and organizations.   It is essential for students and youth living in low-income situations to have opportunities to take ownership of their communities in positive ways, deconstructing many of the negative stereotypes affiliated with poverty.  This year, take the time to examine your day-to-day interactions: whose voice needs help being heard? How could lending your voice to assist an existing organization help catapult them forward and allow them to serve more of the community?  Together, our voices will uplift and empower the current and future generations of Des Moines. __ Emily Lang is a teacher in Des Moines Public Schools. 

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#6: Make People Smile

When asked to do this blog, I imagined the indignation I could muster – pay attention to politics, be nice, and source your food. But I was afraid I might sound a little like the preachy friend on Facebook, posting petitions to ban the use of carcinogenic cleaners in schools. So here’s my resolution and advice: Don’t be the social heavy. Be the friend that chooses to make people smile. Dance at weddings. Make that your material. Life is too short to sit in judgment and too long to endure without smiling. Find inspiration in everyday life. My go-to? Music, especially videos - dance hits, from Lil Mama, Britney Spears, and Willow Smith. Trust me. They’re hilarious and full of self-allusion, product placement, and satire. Disclaimer: I have not indexed these artists for wayward lyrics, cult membership, or bigoted family members. But I’m telling you, if you do in fact attempt to teach yourself how to dougie, you will be filled with the love of the dance and dissolve into giggles. Take this anecdote. I’m leading middle school girls at an after school program, and I think, Beyoncé got Harlem teenagers to dance to “Move Your Body”. Why can’t I teach these girls the dance? I picture us breaking down barriers, Bey visiting their school, and their status as future YouTube sensations. Wrong. In I walked in my low heels, cardigan sweater, and tailored dress pants - not exactly Move My Post-College Body attire. The girls were not feeling the explanatory video at first, but I noticed something. As I started to do the moves and pant out a giggle in between high kicks, the girls followed. And they laughed. And that is a killer Facebook status waiting to happen. So no matter what office you’re working in, group you’re facilitating, or party you’re hosting this year, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to make people smile.

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Amelia Colwell Reedy is a writer, as well as director of youth programs at Community!Youth Concepts. Get in touch: email. 

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#5: Coexistence

It’s so fun and rewarding to be a part of Des Moines these days. There is such a surge in people working together, improving the world around them.  No aspiration is too grand, and no impact too mundane. It all matters.

There is a pair of dichotomies that seems to hamper connection sometimes, though:

Downtowners seem reluctant to go west of 63rd, and suburbanites find it more convenient to stay west of the mixmaster.  At times, some folks seem to take pride in that.

Also, sometimes it seems that there are those who insist that buying local and independent is the only way to go.

I propose that those are false dichotomies.

Paul Rottenberg has pointed out the value of small independent businesses coexisting with chains in order to fully develop an area and attract all people.

A person can take part in Team Trivia at the DMSC, AND enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s.

A person can be a loyal Starbucks customer AND prefer Dwolla as a method of payment.

A family can enjoy the quietness and small schools of Grimes, AND consider Django their favorite restaurant.

I’ve seen tweets and blogs that lead me to believe that some people like this division. Yet, there are lots of reasons to take pride in BOTH the development of (for example) the East Village AND the Western Suburbs.  But if pride turns to superiority, the lack of connection could hurt us all, and begin to stymie some of the exciting vibrancy that’s come over the last 20 years.

The idea?  Take the pockets of pride and the circles of interest and connect them.  Let’s all stay open to all ways of thinking locally, and globally.  Connect. __ Alan Feier is a consultant, trainer and teacher who loves Des Moines. Follow: @alanfeirer

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#4: Collaborate.

The word “collaboration” first appeared sometime in the 1870s, deriving from the Latin word collaborare  (made up of com and labore and meaning, quite literally, “to work with”).  In The Incomplete Manifesto for Growth, Bruce Mau comments:  “The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential” – and it is in this space that great things can and do happen.  And just why have creators, designers and artists long been inspired by this idea?  A fascinating article by Jonah Lehrer that appeared last year in the New York Times takes a very scientific approach towards answering this very question, stating that the  “human friction of a crowded space” puts us out of our comfort zone and better positions us for growth.  In the article’s attempt to identify the rules governing whether a society “flourishes or falls apart” – collaboration takes center stage. Des Moines is no exception.  A diverse set of individuals (check) who care about what happens in their community (check), conversing & spreading ideas together in a centralized area – this is the heart of collaboration.  I would love to see more of it in 2012. __ Anna Jones is a photographer. Follow: @alongcomesjones 

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#3: Revisit Your Vision

The context of why we contribute at all is compelling to revisit regularly so we remember the things that really matter.  For some that may be people, lifestyle, or culture.  For me, it’s sustainability. What makes us excited to wake up in the morning is what we should never go more than a week without reflecting on.  Context is inspiring, exciting, fun… and it can shake us out of almost any funk.  Broad vision is also where epiphanies are born. I do a lot with a non-profit in Greater Des Moines, and we strive to help members and others in the community bring their environmental ideas to fruition.  Why?  Because people are awesome.  They have great ideas, and we need all the ideas we can get in order to solve the social and ecological challenges facing our generation. It takes me all of one week to get bogged down in the daily grind before I start to get annoyed when things change.  Someone has a new idea, and I think, “Save it for next year, we’re full.  Can’t you see I’m working here?”  Honestly, it takes 10 minutes to sit and listen to someone, introduce them to someone with similar goals, or plug them into another organization.  And those are the people that get excited about our organization and end up helping us achieve our goals.  When my daily tasks supersede my overall reason for being at work, I know it’s time for a reminder.  A beer with a friend who knows or shares my vision helps me download and re-focus.  Some people post pictures on their bedroom wall (or Pinterest), write in a journal… I don’t care how you do, just that you do it.  Revisit the underlying reason you’re up to something big in Des Moines and don’t let yourself forget it. It will keep you sane, heading in the right direction... and much more enjoyable to be around, which translates into success. __ Adam Hammes is an Urban Ambassador and the Manager of Sustainability for Kum & Go. Follow: @adam_hammes