Imagine if you could connect, interact, share experiences and make a positive impact with people from all over the world… oh wait you totally can! In today’s society it has never been easier. Technology is everywhere, and we live in an era where we are more connected than ever, but a disconnection can still be very present.

Cameron Brown, the CEO of The Thriving Collective hopes to show that technology can be used to improve ourselves personally, professionally and environmentally. He is currently on a mission to make this world a better place, more consciously aware of the environment by using technology to connect and share his message efficiently. He sat down with MiLLENNiAL to tell us about his new project “There is Still Time”.

There is Still Time

There is Still Time is a project and song that tells the story of how humans are destroying the very thing that is keeping us alive, the world. It’s a call to action to realize that there is still time for us to wake up and make a change before it’s too late.

The project included 80 people from 40 countries who felt Brown’s energy, identified with his strong message and wanted to form part of this movement of change.

Brown shared his experience of spending over 18 months travelling around the globe to prepare and get this project to where it is now. He explained how traveling gave him a new perspective, more curiosity and inspiration to compose this song. He used the power of curiosity and technology to connect to like-minded individuals that ended up collaborating and forming part of this movement.

Each person that contributed sang, danced or played an instrument while Brown performed with a grand piano in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado. It demonstrated how people from different places are able to connect and collaborate no matter the language they speak or where they are located.

“There is Still Time” was composed by Brown, yet singers, dancers, and musicians from Jordan, Macedonia, Uganda, Japan, USA, Venezuela and 34 others, contributed a very unique and important part to make this project come to life.

Wanting to demonstrate how technology can speed and magnify creativity, innovations and impact all of the connections were made through the internet and Brown has never met anybody in person.

“It was purposely done like that because I wanted to show how fast you can do things and build relationships faster than you can do offline,” Brown said. “I also wanted to demonstrate that you can create remarkable things and do good things for the world at the same time. We donated 1,000 trees with this project.”

The digital connections were made mainly through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram and online ads. Freelance workers, volunteers, musicians, and people yearning to be involved in something bigger than themselves joined The Thriving Collective and Brown on this adventure.

You can watch the finished project video here in Cameron’s recent TEDx Talk:

The Thriving Collective

So, who is Cameron Brown and what is The Thriving Collective?

Cameron Brown is an Australian storyteller, international speaker, musician and the brains behind this movement. He composes and performs songs that tell a story while using the documentary footage he has gathered from around the globe. His stories work to connect, motivate and inspire people to wake up and start to make positive changes. Brown also speaks to different audiences on the importance of thriving in a digital world, with the use of technology and creativity he is encouraging purpose driven lives.

This global initiative helps people achieve their highest potential and change the way they think and behave in order to accomplish their goals.

“We help people understand how they can change themselves at a core level within companies and within their personal self to step up to new levels of excellence and how to use creativity and curiosity to really overcome challenges,” Brown says.

Brown was not aware of where this journey would take him or how long it would take, but he told us it has been a very fulfilling one.

“Back then it was just about helping some people, If I could be someone that was able to inspire other people and help them change their lives for the better, that would be a worthy journey to go on to,” Brown tells us. “I had no idea exactly how far it would go but I am extremely appreciative for the millions of people that I have been able to inspire around the world.”

Tips on How You Can Use Technology Better 

The main goals of this movement are to share the beauty of the world, inspire change, while taking advantage of technology to connect with others to make effective changes.

Here are some tips from Cameron, that can help you make a change on how you use technology today. 

• Know Your Purpose: Understand why you are using specific social platforms and regularly ask yourself ‘Is how I’m using social media moving me toward or away from what I really want to experience?’
• Internal Validation: Requiring external validation can lead to compromising our own selves in order to receive that validation. Validate yourself internally first… that way, external validation becomes an added bonus, not a necessity
• Nurture Your Curiosity: Curiosity is the gateway to creativity & innovation. First, give yourself the space to create, guide your curiosity, then use technology to leverage your impact in the world.
• Give Freely: Be of value to those you are connected with. Give freely without expectation, knowing you will get taken care of in some way, shape or form
• Tech Free Time: Commit to time each week that you will consciously have free from technology. Not only will it give you the space to create and think, it will also give you a sense of control over the technology you are using
• The Power Of Alternatives: When you notice yourself mindlessly scrolling through your social feed, having a number of alternative actions you can take to help switch your focus… listen to music, go for a walk, meditate etc.
• From Text to Talk: While building relationships online gives you access to a global network, move those text-based interactions to real conversations where you can start creating more depth in your relationships

Cameron works with people every day on improving their technology use to create great things, and he encourages you to do your part wherever you are.

“The last thing I would want is for the people that I care about in the future, family, kids, friends etc. go ‘You knew what was going on, what was happening around the world, and you didn’t do anything about it? What was going on in your mind? “Brown said. “That is the last thing I would want, when I knew that I could’ve done something, and today I want to make that something the most efficient it can be.”