A Year of Thinking Dangerously—Part 3 of 4

I’d  never been to Taos. A video shoot in New Mexico a few years ago took me from  Very Large Array, to a hot air balloon flying above Albuquerque, to the retired Algodenes power plant, and finally, surreally to Spaceport America. Each of those brought a fair share of inspiration, but we never made it to Taos, which had always felt like it could be the most enchanting of all.

Shooting just outside Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico a few years ago.

The retired Algodenes power plant in Albuquerque looks largely unaltered since it opened in the late 1950s. In addition to our project, it appeared in Breaking Bad and the Tom Hanks movie, Finch.

2024 had kicked off multiple creative projects, for starters... an agency, a film, and a podcast. Our approach was all about considering the opportunity to do Anything, and thinking dangerously by taking risks versus the safest route. While we weren’t technically working (making any money), we were imagining many endeavors for this next chapter with a new way of looking at the rest of life and career. I was enjoying the journey, open to see how it all worked out. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that, by the time summer rolled around, there was yet another project in the works. We love a good roadtrip and were seeking inspiration, adventure, and places for Jay to ride, where we could focus some time to work on this additional pursuit.

That’s how we found ourselves nestled into the prairie and scrub in a whimsical adobe in Dixon, New Mexico.

The quirky adobe in Dixon, New Mexico proved an inspiring spot for work and relaxation. CREDIT: Jeffrey Karoff

The project Jay and I have developed multiple products and brands, starting with a performance golf apparel company, and, more recently a mobile app for the field service industry. We had an idea about how to take an in-person half day workshop Jay had developed during his years as a founder/CEO and fractional CMO, and turn it into a product that was simple and accessible.

The adobe was a comfortable and inspiring place to work with plenty of sunny spots from which Maple could offer support.

The Diagnostic guides people through logical but tough questions to help them determine the true condition of their company. It offers clear, actionable solutions for improvement and breakthroughs.The Diagnostic will launch in 2025. A cool aside I’ve written previously about seeing signs and seeking magic in 2024. Taos is rumored to sit atop energy vortexes with spiritual and healing properties and the mystical aura is palpable as soon as you land there. So it was no small wonder that we experienced our own bit of “divine inspiration” while working there.  Based on my experience, if you're curious if you’re going the right way, look for the signs. Out of all potential Air BnBs, we serendipitously chose one that was owned by a filmmaker whose short documentary Cavedigger  was nominated for an Oscar. While we can only hope our film will receive any kind of recognition, it felt like we were on a good path. What's your Anything? Maybe it’s closer than you think. Maybe it starts like I did. Thinking a little dangerously.