This one will be short. As I see more friends and colleagues becoming employed, pursuing their dreams, it brings a sense of pride. We all suffered in the same trenches of academia (somewhat...I've been in two).

At the same time, I ran across this article on LifeHacker; that website is one of my favorites.

It made me think.

• Don Omar & Natti Natasha: "Tus Movimientos"
• Syko: "Flor de Campo"
• Daddy Yankee: "Lovumba"

The opportunities that we get, more often than not, we create. Unknowingly, we exude some X-factor that someone takes notice of, and it can put us in positions where we can succeed.

I've written about this already, in a way, but it bears revisiting.

That X-factor is elasticity. Be memorable in that you refuse to be set in your ways, but will always be at least a little inventive; you aren't reinventing the wheel, but you're constantly redesigning it for the sake of your personal efficiency.

When you remain open-minded and passionate, others will see. They'll want to test you. They'll want to see your drive in action. That's the best compliment anyone can pay you.