I just experienced the most magical week ever as I got to host TED speaker Kyla Mitsunaga (Harvard, founder of WithVSAt -teaching method) in Finland as my honored guest. She is really one in a million. This week leaves me nearly speechless but I try to wrap it up the best way I can.

She gave us an amazing “Happiness and Leadership” workshop at Laurea UAS and our students were simply amazed. Her authentic way of teaching/learning WITH them is very unique. Personally, the “human power point” -method was the thing, aww, simply too cool and effective… Let’s get rid of the static powerpoints and move towards human interaction! Yes! Aww, Kyla you are really in the edge of education. Here is a 13-minute compilation of the highlights recorded and edited by Mira, one of our talented students.

I have to thank my former colleague Atte Aro at Innofactor for making it possible for us to visit “Empowering Business” -seminar at Microsoft Headquarters. We got to have fun and listen to Sarah Caldicutt, the grandniece of Thomas Edison talk about Innovation.

One of the highlights of the week was this videorecording session WITH some of Laurea’s Amazing students, Melissa and Ile. We went to some real Finnish environment and our students recorded this amazing video. We were living the moment and awesomeness was created! Thanks guys.

It all climaxed at Global Leadership Dinner yesterday, in which 20 unique people (talents, leaders, thinkers, positive people) had fun and defined the qualities of Future Global Leader. Thanks to everyone who attended, that was an event of my life. I will never forget it!

In conclusion, there is never enough time to do ALL THINGS, but there is  always enough time to do the RIGHT things.

So, focus on the RIGHT things.

Remember to spend time with people who get you inspired!

Be happy and spread HAPPINESS around you. 🙂

Thanks Kyla for everything.

As I am waiting to my flight to departure from Mexico City back to Helsinki, I have to share something amazing with you.

I was really astonished by the visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramid area yesterday, a changed man. The area seemed to have an energy of its own, with thousands of years of history packed in one place. The people call the area “place where the gods are born”. It is very hard to believe that all the phenomenal monuments were built centuries ago. I wanted to experience the journey to the max so I climbed on top of both pyramids, “The Pyramid of the Sun” and “The Pyramid of the Moon”.

Did you know these five facts about the pyramids and the culture?

1. The culture of Teotihuacan had come up with the “agricultural calendar” (18 months, 20 days each – 360 days per year). There are 18 temples that represent each month.

2. The arrangement of the pyramids represent exactly the orion star constellation (how AMAZING is that?)

3. The correct ancient way to climb up the stairs of the pyramids is to perform 7 steps left/right diagonally in turns. (Btw, I did all the climbing using this method) Why? This way you would not face directly the gods (who were believed to be present in the top of the pyramids), but you would neither complitely turn your back to your people. The number 7 was considered to be a magical number with many meanings.

4. The amount of steps to the top of the “Pyramid of The Moon” is 260. This relates to the the amount of days that women are pregnant before giving birth. Imagine that fact for a while, and think what climbing up there represents.

5. When facing “The Pyramid of the Moon” from the very center point of the Teotihuacan area (which is even considered to be the center point of the universe), compass points exactly at North-East. That is where the very first ray-of-light rises from the Sun.

If you carefully think through all the things I just wrote, your mind should be stimulated quite strongly. Those facts certainly impressed me at least! After the experience I had while climbing up the Pyramids made me think that the pyramids must have been symbols of life.

That leads to my final conclusion: appreciate life.

Thanks for sharing this experience with me. Dear reader, If you felt emotional and connected, in a way, we have met.

As I was lying on my back at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan this is what I saw on the sky. Phenomenal!

Hi guys! Feeling so excited. I was invited to lecture 22.2.-26.2. about digitality in Mexico, Technology de Monterrey, Queretaro campus. I want to invite you to take part in this journey by sharing some of the events and all kinds of cool stuff that happens here. You may follow the action live on Periscope/Katch.me @ilkkakurkela and #digismalltalk. Comments and interaction is more than welcome. Thanks, lots of love, and ENJOY! 🙂

27.2. Visit to the ancient Pyramids of Teotihuacan

My final greetings from Mexico. The peak of the week was an astonishing visit to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan. I had such an amazing time at the Pyramids of Teotihuacan that I needed to write a separate blogpost about the experience. Here it is.

All in all, I want to share my deepest greetings with you my friends and family who have been taking part in this journey of mine here. Special thanks to Laurea and Tec de Monterrey for making this possible, companies and people who created the magnificent content for me to represent Finnish know-how, and students for all the positive attitude.

Smile, appreciate life and let your mind be open towards opportunities!

25.2. Sales promotion workshop was a success – we got crazy! Mitä kuuluu Suomi!?

 

25.2. Digital Marketing Workshop with magnificent Mexican students

Had the greatest students at Digital Marketing workshop in Mexico. Awesome! As we discussed so many cases regarding Finland, the students wanted to say “thank you Finland”. Check the video greetings below! 🙂

24.2. Part 2: Interviewing Juuso Strengell, a Laurea’s exchange student at Mexico

The coolest thing happened as I met Juuso Strengell, one of Laurea’s exchange students here in Mexico. This hardworking student knows his business, as he is running a café here at the campus. I had the wonderful delight to interview Juuso earlier today. He encourages everyone to always move forward and see the world. Check it out! Thanks Juuso, it was a pleasure!

24.2. Preparing my lectures – hotel rooftop Periscope

Hello world! Having such a great time here in Mexico! Just broadcasted this Periscope at the hotel rooftop as I am preparing my lectures for today for Tec de Monterrey.

I am absolutely thrilled to present what the Finnish students at Laurea UAS and companies are able to do. I’ll present their skills and experience in video marketing, branding, social media and even virtual reality, and all sorts of amazing things. I also met this Finnish exchange student here yesterday and I am going to interview him later today. I’ll let you know more about it.

 

23.2. Meeting students, professors and cool people

Today has been awesome. Did a quick 30 minutes of jogging in the morning to get the day started and after a nice breakfast headed to the Campus. I had a meeting with of the directors of Tec de Monterrey and a student and we brainstormed with innovative ideas how to start cooperation with the local students at Mexico and the students in Finland.

One group of student here has this awesome social entrepreneur -project going on. What we decided is that I will integrate this project with my courses in Finland, so that the Finnish students can innovate regarding the project. Cool, thank you so much Jane Délano Frier, looking forward to the cooperation!

 

22.2. My thoughts about representing Finland and Finnish companies

Can’t complain, just arrived at the Tec De Monterrey campus in Mexico. The coolest thing is this: two days ago I asked a few creative Finnish people from various companies to record quick audio/video greetings for Mexican students, and I have absolutely fantastic material for the lectures in my pockets. In just two days! THANKS

Thank you for the recordings guys! Markku, Mika, Sami, Martta, Sani, Jouni, Pekka, Tuomas, and others. I will use these tailored clips to build conversation and show how magnificent people & companies we have in Finland!

Recorded at the roof of my hotel, 2 mins

21.2. The travelling day: Digital Trends and visualization?

Bought my first ever selfie stick 🙂 Want to follow the megatrend of live streaming and make the most of it! Recorded at London, Heathrow airport