Marc and Angel Hack Life

The Tools of The Mighty

Marc — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:30:31 +0000

We shape our tools and afterwards our tools shape us.
- Marshall McLuhan

Last weekend Angel and I attended a show at a local comedy club. During the last skit of the night, the comedian on stage delivered a fairly humorous rant on the age-old dispute of whether the pen is mightier than the sword. “Some people think too much,” he said as he pulled out an imaginary sword from an imaginary holster. “If you’re really dumb enough to think the pen is mightier than the sword, go ahead and arm yourself with a pen and I’ll take my chances with this sword… then we’ll see who’s left standing in ten seconds.”

His antics were hilarious, so naturally I chuckled. All of the sudden, he pointed directly at me in the third row and said, “Hey son, do you think I’m a funny man? You look like a pen-pushing, desk jockey! Get out your pen! Wanna fight?”

I was a bit startled. This was the first time I’d ever been called out and put on the spot in front of a large audience at a comedy club. The audience laughed and then silence swept over the auditorium. Everyone waited for me to either cower in my chair or stand up to the challenge. I stood up and spotlight shined down on me.

“Actually funny man, yes I do have a pen,” I said, pulling a fountain pen from my jeans pocket and holding it up for all to see. “However, I don’t intend to physically fight you with this pen. Instead, I’ll use the pen to sign a fat check that entitles me to a bazooka which I’ll use to blow your funny rear end right off that stage.”

The audience roared. The comedian groaned and said, “You little punk, I’ll use my sword and my cat-like reflexes to cut you, your check, and that pretty girl next to you in half before you can even blink an eye!” He looked at Angel who was sitting next to me and gave her a dirty wink.

The audience laughed again. I smirked and waved my empty hand around in the air noting that the comedian was, in fact, waving an imaginary sword at me. “I feel quite certain that your sword is incapable of doing any damage to anyone or anything,” I said.

Another short round of laughter escaped from the audience and I sat back down. The comedian made a few more foolish comments and moved on with the remainder of his routine. But I don’t really recall anything else he said or did. I started thinking about the ease with which so many people use rhetoric to mislead and deceive each other.

The Right Tool for the Job

In the hands of a poetic pioneer laying the groundwork for positive change, the pen is mightier than the sword because it can be used to create literary masterpieces capable of motivating an army of fellow citizens to join the revolution. In the hands of a foot soldier at the forefront of the battlefield, the sword is mightier than the pen because the soldier can use the sword to defend himself from imminent, physical danger.

Different people in different situations require different tools. Any object can be mightier than another if it is used as a tool in the proper context. A ply of soft tissue is mightier than a sword when you have a runny noise. A glass of water and an apple are mightier than a pen when what’s needed is hydration and nourishment.

“The mighty”, I believe, are those people who know when to use the sword, and when to use the tissue. They drink water when they’re thirsty and eat apples when they’re hungry. They use a pen and paper (or a computer) when then want to inspire others. And, I suppose, they invoke powerful, imaginary bazookas when they get called out and put on the spot in comedy clubs.

Photo by: Shoothead

Be Who You Were Born To Be

Marc — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:24:09 +0000

It is essential to understand that battles are
primarily won in the hearts of men.
- Vince Lombardi

Vance was an incredible guitarist. In fact, he was so good, everyone who heard him play thought he’d grow up to be a professional musician. In his heart, he thought so too. “Life is music. Keep on rocking!” he tagged in my high school yearbook. Unfortunately, his parents thought otherwise. They wanted him to get an MBA just like his father. Vance respected his parents. So once in college, he put away his guitar and committed himself fulltime to his studies. “Music isn’t an option right now,” he told me during freshman year winter recess. “My folks are paying my tuition and I can’t afford to be on my own.”

Madison dreamed of being an NCAA Women’s Soccer champion. From the time she was a child she was swift and agile, with an obvious athletic gift. In college, she dedicated herself to the sport. During Madison’s freshman year, her team placed 3rd in the division. In her sophomore year, her team placed 2nd, barely losing in the finals to a rival school. Madison was named team captain at the start of her junior year, but immediately tore her ACL in the season opener. She was devastated! When she returned to the game the following season, she was no longer in championship form. “It’s not that my speed and agility isn’t there,” she admitted to me after a disappointing preseason practice. “It’s that I’m scared to go for it. If I don’t seriously injure myself again, I may have a decent career ahead of me as a college coach.”

Good Excuses are Still Excuses

Vance and Madison had fairly reasonable excuses for holding back. Vance had commitments and debts to his parents who were shelling out big bucks each year for his college tuition. He wasn’t willing to disappoint them. Madison was considering the idea of becoming an NCAA soccer coach someday. She was concerned about the risk of another major injury that could potentially inhibit her coaching abilities.

Yet despite these reasonable excuses for not following their hearts, they couldn’t change who they were… who they were born to be.

“I knew deep down, when I wrote a business case on marketing and promoting local musicians, that music was still part of who I was. It never stopped pulsing through my veins, and choosing to ignore this passion would have eventually ruined me,” Vance recently told me.

“After my junior season came to an abrupt halt, I just couldn’t shake those late-season, freshman and sophomore losses out of my mind. I knew I wasn’t done. I didn’t want the injury to defeat me… I just couldn’t go out like that,” Madison told me after an NCAA sports convention last winter.

The Choice is Ultimately Yours

As his parents requested, Vance majored in business administration, but also secretly minored in music at the same time. When he graduated, a talent scout from Disney sent him an invitation to play lead jazz guitar for several ongoing shows at Walt Disney World. He accepted the invitation and currently makes a decent living playing guitar full-time. His whole family is proud of his success. “In hindsight, it’s strange to think of a time when I chose not to play because I thought it would indirectly damage my career,” he said recently. “Because the true damage… the life altering damage, would have been to quit playing for good.”

Madison pulled it together and begged the coach to place her back in a starting position for her senior season. Then she passionately attended two-a-day practices and fervent physical training sessions. When game day finally came, every effort in every second of the game was a direct pronouncement of her love for the sport, the sport that was part of who she was. Madison played well and the coach kept her in as a starter for the duration of the season. Amazingly, her team made it all the way to the finals and placed 2nd in the division again. No, she never won the NCAA championship she so deeply desired, but she walked away knowing she’d gained so much more. “In the end, I knew I did exactly what I was born to do, using every capability contained inside of me.”

The Only Way

Vance and Madison inspire me. So do others like them who refuse the excuses and follow their hearts against all odds. Because of them, I realize that being “me”, in exactly the way I was born to be, is the only way to truly live.

Photo by: Esparta

10 Things We Can’t Have Without the Other

Marc — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:58:38 +0000

Because one without the other makes less sense than none at all…

Ideas rose in clouds; I felt them collide until pairs interlocked,
so to speak, making a stable combination.
- Jules H. Poincare

Money without Labor – We do not value what we do not earn.
Loyalty without Trust – Loyalty will vanish in the absence of trust.
Appreciation without Education – We cannot fully appreciate what we do not fully understand.
Wisdom without Experience – True wisdom is the product of many life experiences.
Power without Checks and Balances – Unfettered power leads to greed and corruption.
Business without Sincerity – Crooked businessmen are prison bound… if they’re lucky.
Success without Sacrifice – Success doesn’t find us, we find it.
Policy without Justification – Without justification, policy is just another form of tyranny.
Happiness without Peace of Mind – A mind at ease is already pleased.
Beginnings without Endings – A great, new beginning rises from another beginning’s end.

Agree? Disagree? Can you think of any more?

Photo by: FotoRita

What We All Want To Be When We Grow Up

Marc — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:29:08 +0000

When I was in elementary school my parents told me it didn’t matter what I did when I grew up, so long as it made me happy. “Happiness is the whole point of life”, my father said. “Your mother loves to help people, so she became a nurse. I love reading, writing and poetry, so I became an English teacher. We both find happiness in the work we do each day.”

A few years later when I was in junior high, my grumpy 6th grade homeroom teacher put me in detention for “being difficult”. She went around the classroom and asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. When she got to me, I told her I wanted to be happy. She told me I was missing the whole point of the question. I told her she was missing the whole point of life.

What do we all want to be when we grow up? Happy… that is all. Find what makes you happy and do it until you die.

Photo by: Mareen Fischinger

34 Reminders to Help You Find Your Way

Marc — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:43:30 +0000

We’ll kick-off this list of reminders with one of our favorite poems, “The Guy in the Glass” by Dale Wimbrow.

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.

Everyone and everything seems normal from a distance.
When you die you can’t take anything or anyone with you. This includes your family, friends, money and belongings. Memories are all that remain. Make them count.
If you are breathing now, congratulations! You still have a chance to fulfill your bucket list. Don’t hesitate.
Don’t make public generalizations about sex, race or age. Doing so will almost certainly bite you in the ass.
When something is troubling your worried mind, ask yourself this question: “Will this issue really make a difference in my life one year from now?” If the answer is no, move on.
The key to saving and maintaining a relationship starts with two simple words: “I’m sorry.”
Never underestimate the joy of life’s simple pleasures… like the pull-through parking spot.
Live in a few different cities, states, or even countries before your time is up. The life experiences gained in each location will open your eyes again and again for the first time.
Beginnings and endings… Both are powerful. Both are memorable. Both are necessary. Don’t be afraid to start. Don’t be afraid to bring something to an end.
Alcohol fogs your judgment… Sometimes for the best, and sometimes for the worst. Use accordingly.
Why wait to look back on it and laugh? You may as well laugh about it now.
You will appear far smarter in the eyes of others if you simply pay attention to the details they care about, rather than attempting to impress them with your wits. For example, if your boss always has Johnny Cash playing in the background when you walk past his office, mention it to him. Ask him what his favorite album is. Share your favorite song, etc.
Lessons cannot be taught, they can only be learned.
Compliments go a long way. When given the chance, always make people feel good about themselves.
True wisdom is achieved through life experience. No book or classroom can teach this.
Don’t give other people advice in the gym unless they ask for it.
Don’t argue or flirt with someone via email or text messaging. Most people are not poets. The message will get lost in translation, and may end up in the wrong hands altogether.
Appearance isn’t everything, but it’s something. Purposely neglecting your appearance for the sake of it is just as foolish as judging a book by its cover.
A little preparation will always save you a lot of grief.
The better mood your boss is in at work, the better mood you’re in at work. Help him or her help you.
You cannot do everything, but you can do something. Make it count.
A small gift from the heart is always better than a large gift from a shopping list.
Dreams will remain dreams forever if you don’t take action.
As long as you are alive, there is always more to learn.
Enjoy yourself. The situation is always lighter than you think.
What you learn in school does matter. While you may not use the specifics of every classroom lesson, every lesson does expand the core thought process of your mind. Over time you will develop problem solving skills that are universally applicable. No single classroom lesson can teach this, and no single classroom lesson is more important.
Own up to your mistakes the instant you realize you’ve made them. People will respect your honesty, and your conscience will thank you.
Concentrate on the things that you can change, forget about the rest.
Maintain your body, but never be ashamed of it. It’s the greatest tool you’ll ever own.
Don’t let mistakes from the past corrupt your future ambitions.
In life and in love, you get what you put in.
Don’t spend your whole life waiting for the ‘right time’.
In many cases you will learn more from failure than you will from success.
Become a critical thinker and always be skeptical of those who dish-out advice. As such, weigh each of these tips against your own experience and judgment.

Photo by: Your Guide

Your Life’s Story Told in One Sentence

Marc — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:43:44 +0000

Constraints make us focus. They force us to zero-in on a specific purpose. The less material we have to work with, the more resourceful we must be. Can you sum up your entire outlook on life in one sentence? Do you have a personal motto you live your life by? How about a maxim that perfectly summarizes your thoughts and beliefs, the very principles and values you uphold and apply on a daily basis?

‘You’ in a Few Words

This is your inner dictum, the adage with which you conduct yourself. Maybe you unconsciously put it together when you were young by watching a childhood hero, or perhaps you were inspired by someone you knew who struggled and succeeded against all odds.

Whether you call it a slogan, a motto, or a mission sentence, the idea is to use the advantage of constraints to capture ‘you’ and all that you stand for in as few words as possible.

What’s the point?

To construct a single sentence that embraces your aspirations, values, passions, and purpose. All these points motivate us. They shape who we are, the way we live, the choices we make, and the paths we follow. They are extremely important to know because they impact our lives whether we are aware of them or not. You have already been living according to your mission sentence even if you didn’t realize it. You just haven’t consciously defined it yet.

Bear in mind, a mission sentence is worthless if it isn’t true to ‘you’. It should represent something you are, not something you aren’t, never have been, or never will be.

A Powerful Tool

When you define your mission sentence, you craft a powerful tool for yourself. You create an abbreviation of all your goals, values, and passions… a guiding symbol of your life’s story. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a phrase others will understand. It’s not for them or for promotional purposes. It’s for you.

Remember, words are not actually the things they represent. You cannot eat the word “delicious,” “Delicious” is a just word that represents the sweet greatness of a tasty treat.

That’s what your mission sentence is all about, a clear representation of the greatness that is you.

Look inside yourself. What’s your mission sentence?

As for me, I’ve lived by the same one for the last decade: “Trying is my business.”

Photo by: Mark78

10 Reasons You Are Rich

Marc — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:26:55 +0000

Even in times of financial uncertainty, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
- Henry David Thoreau

You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
You didn’t go to sleep outside.
You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.
You hardly broke a sweat today.
You didn’t spend a minute in fear.
You have access to clean drinking water.
You have access to medical care.
You have access to the Internet.
You can read.
You have the right to vote.

Some might say you are rich, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.

Photo by: Carfe

How To Avoid The Biggest Mistake You Always Make

Marc — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:32:48 +0000

There are plenty of ways to sabotage your personal goals, dreams and desires. Procrastination, however, is the number one killer. Procrastinators self-destruct. They hinder their own potential by placing colossal road-blocks along the path to success. In other words, they subconsciously choose to fail.

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
- William James

#1) Beware of Perfectionism

“It’s almost perfect… but not quite there yet. Just a few more tweaks next week.”

Sound familiar? Perfectionism stirs procrastination. It’s one of the easiest ways to blindly justify the act of putting things off. When you’re knee deep in preparation, it can be difficult to decide when to stop “preparing” and start the process of actually “doing”.

Remember, the state of perfection is an opinion. Trying to verify that everything is subjectively perfect will paralyze you 100% of the time.

#2) Start Right Now

The best way to know if you’re ready is to start right now. Then, if something isn’t working properly, change it. That’s the beauty of progress.

When I started my first side venture a few years ago I wasted a great deal of time waiting for the ideal moment, to get things just right, instead of spending more time on actionable steps to move my ideas forward.

Are you waiting for success to magically blossom like I was? Hoping that the stars will align and present you with the perfect moment to act? Guess what? No moment is better than this moment, so start now!

The only way it will happen is if you make it happen. So setup your goals, map out the necessary steps and start knocking them off one at a time. You’ll be amazed by the power of momentum. Once you start, it’s hard to stop.

#3) Complete 3 Simple Steps Everyday

At first glance, some tasks may seem mind-numbingly overwhelming, thus discouraging you from taking action. The solution is to break down complex tasks into simple, logical steps. I’ve said it before, take one bite of the elephant at a time.

The key to success is the sum of 3 steps a day. Dedicate yourself to completing 3 simple steps everyday that bring you closer to your goal. That’s it. It may only be 3 steps today, but you’ll complete 21 steps by this time next week and 84 steps by this time next month. The more you get done, the faster you’ll go, the easier it will get, and the closer you will be to your desired end result.

Bottom Line

Your life is short! Don’t waste it in a state of procrastination!

Photo by: emdot

18 Means for Living Below Your Means

Marc — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:23:31 +0000

Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects. Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Always live well below your means.

A penny saved is a penny earned.
- Benjamin Franklin

Redefine your definition of “rich”. – “I remember sitting in a cubicle at my first professional job staring at a picture of an SUV I wanted to buy (and eventually did). Now, I sit in my office and look at the pictures of my kids, and just outside my window I can see the beater I drive sitting in the company parking lot. What a difference a decade makes! To sum things up, my definition of being rich is having enough money to meet my family’s basic needs, a few of our wants, and to be able to give some away to others.” – via Frugal Dad
Borrow and share. Everyone wins! – “We borrowed a DVD from a friend instead of renting or buying and had a little snack from our own fridge! Way cheaper than using gas to drive to the theater/rental place, paying for a movie, and paying for a snack.” – via My Dollar Plan
Avoid the mall. – “Going to the mall is not entertainment! We used to go when we were bored. Of course, we usually ended up spending money while we were there. If you need clothes, then shop sales or go to stores that offer name-brands at a discount. You can save a ton on these items if you are a smart shopper. Dave Ramsey says, “Never pay retail!” We probably save $15 to $30 per month by staying away from the mall.” – via My Super-Charged Life
Limit your intake of advertisements. – “Advertising sucks. That’s the cold, hard truth. It’s engineered to make you feel like you’re incomplete, that you have an unfulfilled need, that you’re not good enough.” – via On Simplicity
Buy with cash. – “You can’t spend money you don’t have. Many bank accounts provide overdraft protection, so even with a debit card, it’s easier to go over your account balance than you think.” – via Simple Mom
Find a better deal and actually SAVE the difference. – “Regardless of what they sell, if you’ve switched companies for price reasons, save the difference. Think of phone companies, internet access, cell phones, credit cards, and others.” – via The Wisdom Journal
Adhere to a long-term investment strategy. – “I’m a long-term investor. The stock portion of my portfolio is spread over several mutual funds, a few ETFs and a few individual stocks. Each and every one of these holdings was carefully chosen, after thorough research. I believe in these stocks and funds. I consider them as my best bet in growing my money - LONG TERM.” – via MomGrind
Curb your consumerism! – “Have you ever watched how a child can play with a cardboard box for hours, and leave the toy that came in it by the wayside? How is it that children can enjoy themselves without a lot of “stuff”, but we as adults feel the need to reward ourselves by buying more stuff?” – via Billionaire Woman
Stay Healthy! Medical problems drain bank accounts. – “James M. Rippe, M.D is a best-selling author, world-renowned cardiologist, and founder of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute. He explains that if you look at all the risk factors for dying, the one that is most predictive is fitness level. In addition, an older person with high cardiovascular fitness is healthier than a younger person who is physically inactive. By increasing your fitness level, you can actually roll back your biological clock.” – via Abundance Blog
Stay in and relax. – “So, think about it the next time you go out. Are you going for with a purpose? Maybe the solution is to not go out at all. Stay home and save! Save up for something you really want or need.” – via The Jungle of Life
Gradually prepare yourself for a rainy day. – “Even when things are going great, and you feel on top of the world, you must always be prepared for a change. If you take the time and patience to set yourself up properly, then when things to take a turn for the worse, you will be prepared to handle it. If you live above your means, then when the slightest change occurs, you will not be prepared to adapt. Financial flexibility is more important then keeping up with the Jones’.” – via Yin vs. Yang
Stop competing. Forget about the Jones’ altogether. – “If getting rich makes us happy, then why don’t countries as a whole get happier as they grow wealthier? They discovered that as a country gets wealthier there’s no overall increase in happiness. Why? We continually compare our wealth against that of others. We are competitive and envious. Add to that the fact that Western countries encourage people to strive for more and more, and you have a formula that spins many into depression.” – via Color Your Life Happy
Get out of the “easy street” mentality. – “I think there is too much emphasis on the quick fix or the easy option in today’s society. For example taking diet pills to lose weight instead of the “hard option” - exercising and eating well…. money is sometimes being used as a substitute for hard work. Do you think there is an increasing expectation that you can get want you want by throwing money around instead of working hard and “earning” it? – via Forever Change
Avoid impulse buying. Buy things you truly need. – “Don’t you just love the excitement you feel after coming home with a new TV? Driving home in a new car? Opening the box on a new pair of shoes? I sure do. But, from watching the behavior of myself and my friends I’ve found that the new quickly becomes just another item. The excitement of novelty passes quickly.” – via Think Simple Now
Time is money. Properly manage your time. – “The fewer tasks you have, the less you have to do to organize them. Focus only on those tasks that give you the absolute most return on your time investment, and you will become more productive and have less to do. You will need only the simplest tools and system, and you will be much less stressed. I think that’s a winning combination. Focus always on simplifying, reducing, eliminating. And keep your focus on what’s important. Everything else is easy.” – via LifeDev
Find ways to give without spending. – “Want a quick, easy and (almost) free way to be guaranteed that you’ll make someone’s day special? Send them a letter. Why not set aside some time this weekend to sit down and write to a few people? If you don’t enjoy writing, try buying some nice postcards of your home town. If you’ve got an artistic streak, why not design your own note cards? You don’t have to write a long letter for it to be effective. It’s the thought that counts and the personal touch that makes it special.” –via Dumb Little Man
Don’t let greed and deceit get the best of you. – “According to Stephen R. Covey, if you reach an admirable end through the wrong means it will ultimately turn to dust in your hands. This is due to unintended consequences that are not seen or evident at first. The example he gives in The 8th Habit is: The parent who yells at their kids to clean their rooms will accomplish the end of having a clean room. But this very means has the potential to negatively affect relationships, and it is unlikely the room will stay clean when the parent leaves town for a few days. Now, to return to the topic of wealth, I think it is possible to see much of the world’s current financial problems as stemming from people who wrongly believe the ends justify the means. My advice? It is fine to aspire to wealth, but don’t lose sight of the means to accomplishing it.” – via The Change Blog
Never ever pay retail. – “You can easily save hundreds of dollars a year on clothing purchases by waiting for sales or shopping at discount retailers like Marshalls. Better yet, avoid name brand clothing all together.” – via Marc and Angel Hack Life

Photo by: CayUSA

How Ignorance Can Lead to Success

Marc — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:17:40 +0000

What you don’t know just might help you. Being unaware of presently accepted, communal beliefs can put you a step ahead of the herd. It’s like an artist building a masterpiece from a blank canvas. Sometimes it’s better to begin from a clean slate, to create your own way without polluting your mind with external inputs. Here are a couple examples:

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance,
it is the illusion of knowledge.
- Daniel Boorstin

The Route Less Traveled

In the late 1990’s my father got an itch to start investing. He had a decent sum of cash sitting in a savings account and decided it was time to put his money to work. The savings account returned about 1.5% a year, so any return above that would be a successful investment.

At the time, the dot com boom was at its inception and everyone was pumping money into tech stocks. My father didn’t fully understand the stock market and its inherent risks, so instead of investing in tech stocks, he purchased 15 acres of land in an upcoming neighborhood near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He never lost a dime when the dot com bubble busted, and even after the recent downturn in the housing market, his property is currently worth 8 times what he paid for it.

She Didn’t Know Any Better

About a year ago a friend of mine wrote an eBook and put it up for sale on her blog. I jokingly pointed out to her that all of the information in the eBook was readily available on other blogs/websites for free and indexed correctly by Google. She was disappointed when I mentioned this, but she left her eBook up for sale anyway. We both assumed it wouldn’t sell. We were wrong. The eBook has sold to the sum of nearly $4K since last summer.

The Lessons

These two stories carry two significant lessons:

The popular way of doing things is not always the best way.
Sometimes taking action based on ignorance beats taking no action at all.

Knowledge is important. But occasionally what we know (or what we think we know) hinders our ability to take action and make sound judgments. We become consumed with commonly accepted practices and thus fail to innovate. We follow the herd instead of thinking for ourselves.

Doing things the same way they’ve always been done is a sure way to never get ahead. Just because other people have done things a certain way doesn’t make it right. Quite often you will find the exact opposite to be true.

Being ignorant of popular opinion is a good mindset to be in. It allows you to form your own opinions based on firsthand experience. It gives you the freedom to think and to innovate. Oddly enough, the right kind of ignorance can give you the power to succeed.

Photo by: Xabier Martinez

4 Secrets of the Successfully Self-Employed

Marc — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:14:50 +0000

#1 – We Only Have 2 Products: Time and Knowledge

No matter how you make a living or who you think you work for, you only work for one person, yourself. Likewise, you only have 2 products to sell, your time and your knowledge. Here are a few example scenarios:

Migrant Farmer – Sells hours of his/her life to pick fruit or vegetables for a farmer in exchange for money. A perfect example of trading hours for dollars.
Doctor – Sells hours of his/her life to perform medical treatments based on the knowledge stored in his/her brain. A perfect example of trading hours and knowledge for dollars.
Best-Selling Author – Spends time crafting a book based on his/her knowledge or intellectual capacity and then sells the book (knowledge) many times over. A perfect example of trading knowledge for dollars. The key benefit here is residual, passive income.

In almost all cases of the self-employed, the small business owner is taking information out of his or her brain and spending the necessary time to convert it into a product of value. This concept confuses some people, and to others it seems obvious. The bottom line is that customers pay you for your time and knowledge. Success is achieved by properly crafting the two into one convenient bundle that can be sold many times over (think of products vs. services).

What knowledge do you have in your brain that provides value to others? How can you extract this information and sell it?

#2 – The Implementation of Knowledge is Power

Knowledge alone is not power! The implementation of knowledge is power. Knowledge is simply a commodity; it’s a product like any other that has the potential to be sold. How knowledge is organized, packaged, presented, shared, and received by others is what makes knowledge so powerful.

Knowledge is useless unless it’s effectively shared with others. Your ability to educate others in a way that allows them to effectively apply the instruction is what makes knowledge an asset… something worth buying.

#3 – Time is More Valuable than Money

One of the most important points to understand is the fact that there are two basic forms of currency, money and time. Of the two, time is the most valuable, for it cannot be replenished. A surplus of time, and the unfettered liberty to do with it as you choose, is the true measure of success.

Your time must be extracted from the formula of making money. No matter how skilled you are at transferring your knowledge to others, if you are paid on an hours for dollars basis, your ability to expand your business will eventually plateau. You will run out of time.

The successfully self-employed have made this realization and concentrate the majority of their time and effort on the single greatest secret of self-employment: generating passive income. Passive income is achieved by applying what you know into a package that can be designed and built once, and then repeatedly sold over and over again. Finding a unique way to promote and sell this knowlege is the key.

Passive Income Examples: Useful books and guides, time saving computer applications, etc.

#4 – Success is About Knowing What You Want

Self-employed success is not the byproduct of working your way up from the ground up. It’s based on knowing what you want, understanding your abilities and implementing them diligently to achieve your goals. There are plenty of people who get laid-off from their 9 to 5 day job and end up making millions in a few short years of self-employment.

Take a look at some of the success stories around you that emerged from nowhere. These success stories were not initiated by people paying their dues to someone else’s initiatives. These success stories revolve strictly around perception and choice. The people in these stories know their capabilities, what they’re doing, and what they want. Once people make this realization, and the conscious choice to act on it, the possibilities for success are limitless.
Photo by: TeeJe

77 Keys to Living Well Before You Die

Marc — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:05:41 +0000

Time flies. Life is what you make of it. Everyday is a day of opportunity.
Think it. Seek it. Find it. Live it.

Life is too short not to make the best and the most
of everything that comes your way everyday.
- Sasha Azevedo

Do something everyday that excites you.
Read classic novels.
Travel somewhere you’ve never been with someone you’ll never forget.
Settle on a reasonable long-term goal and do 3 things everyday that bring you closer to your goal.
Avoid TV.
Buy happiness with a smile.
Get involved in your community.
Talk to perfect strangers. Make new friends.
Help others when you’re able.
Get in shape. Walk or jog a mile every morning.
Learn one simple skill every week.
Be aware of your surroundings. Take notice of the simple joys life has to offer.
Be creative. Build something from the ground up, no matter how small.
Learn a new joke everyday and tell it to someone else.
Spend a few quiet minutes alone each day… think.
Dedicate yourself to discovering solutions in the face of problems.
Surround yourself with positive people who share goals similar to your own.
Study for a degree that intrigues you or take a few classes in your field of interest.
Organize a monthly game of poker (or any game) with your best friends.
Watch the sunrise at least once a week.
Watch the sunset at least once a week.
Engage yourself in a meaningful hobby.
Ask your spouse or best friend to be your business partner and get something fun started on the side.
Express your creativity in art, photography, music, film, etc.
Try something completely new every chance you get.
Listen to a variety of music on a regular basis.
Study the people you admire. Analyze their habits and duplicate them.
Tend a small garden and eat your own produce.
Have incredible sex at least once a week.
Pull the trigger on doing something you’ve been thinking about for a long time, but haven’t yet had the guts to do.
Socialize, socialize, and socialize!
Visit friends and family you haven’t seen in years.
Stop tip-toeing around like a little pipsqueak. Own your ideas. Follow them through to fruition.
Throw a quarterly blowout party at your place. Invite all your favorite people and let them bring someone along.
Spend more time outdoors entwined in Mother Nature.
If you hate your job, find a new one. Life is short. Don’t be scared to bounce around until you find a job you enjoy doing.
Get into the habit of realizing that it is never too late.
Stop being so serious. Lighten up. Laugh.
Go after as many life experiences as time permits. Explore the world around you.
Learn to surf… and surf. It truly is a remarkable experience.
Rise earlier. Take on the world when your mind is fresh.
Be compassionate. Be a friend every chance you get.
Organize yourself and your living space. It will save you precious time.
Stop worrying about what you don’t have and start enjoying what you do have.
Set 3 priorities each morning and accomplish them by nightfall.
Focus on the positives. Never dwell on the negatives.
Be romantic. Surprise her.
Challenge yourself. Don’t take the easy road to mediocrity.
Stop wasting time on non-essential chores.
Learn to get things done effectively.
Shit happens. Move beyond your mistakes immediately.
There’s a big different between being scared and being prepared. Always be prepared.
Educated yourself every chance you get. Be a jack of all trades and a master of few.
Eat slower. Enjoy your food.
Be slower. Relax.
Use time-saving tricks and properly manage your time.
Leave work at work.
Perfect is the enemy of good. Shoot for living the good life.
Eat at least one meal a day with family or friends.
Ask for help. You’ll never get what you don’t ask for.
Always ask questions. Doing so will save you time and grief.
Learn to say no.
Always keep your eye on the prize. Maintain your focus on the outcome, not the current road block.
Play hard. You only live once. Live it up!
Spend less than you make.
Do one thing at a time… and do it well.
Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
Be efficient while giving your mind a rest: Write stuff down.
Own less. Do more.
Avoid the common cold. Wash your hands before eating.
Stop driving like a maniac. It’s less stressful and far safer.
Practice self-sufficiency. Once you attain it, nobody can take it away from you.
Be spontaneous.
Always keep your promises.
Sleep well.
Remain approachable to others. The more people you meet, the more opportunities you will receive.
Make a continuous habit of realigning your habits with the things that make you happy.

Photo by: jjjohn

22 Swift Tips to Increase Productivity

Marc — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:38:53 +0000

An increase in productivity saves time, the most valuable constituent of life. Take heed to these swift tips and the victory dance shall be yours.

If you want to catch fish, and really enjoy the sport, you
will maintain your lures and line in some organized fashion.
The best at it will always have their tackle ready.
– David Allen

Clutter hinders productivity. Clear clutter. – “Trash what you don’t need. Get rid of the duplicates of the duplicates. And quickly delete those e-mails or attachments from your mother or your best friend that you “just have to forward.” Yeah, they’re funny, cute, and heartwarming, but they are cluttering up your life and your inbox!” – via Frugal Dad
Create a dedicated workspace for yourself. – “Do not share your workspace with wives, girlfriends, work associates (you may not have any say in this one). People need a sense of ownership in their tools. They need to know that the tool that they need that minute is available and not being used by someone else.” – via Black Belt Productivity
The first step is the most important step. Take it. – “The most difficult part of investing is taking that first step. Writing that first check and sending it off to open an account is where many people falter in the process. It’s always easier to procrastinate and “give it some thought,” but you will have no success until you begin.” – via The Wisdom Journal
Create separate to-do lists for the home, office, grocery store, etc. – “Basically, you need to ask yourself: What can I accomplish right now, based on where I am and what tools are in front of me? and then focus only on those tasks. GTD simplifies that process by breaking down your lists into separate contexts, so you only need to worry about the context you’re in right now, and not about any other contexts” – via Zen Habits
Ask yourself: Why am I really doing this? – “We fool ourselves into thinking that we are doing something because we want to accomplish an audacious goal, but in reality we may be doing it for someone else. You have to do some soul searching and make sure that you really want to accomplish this goal.” – via Work Happy Now
Concentrate on the most important tasks. – “I for one have never accomplished everything I’ve ever needed to do in one day. But that’s the very reason why trying to do too much will set us up for failure. To put it bluntly, if we think we’ll successfully check off a 20-item to-do list within 24 hours, we’re kidding ourselves.” – Simple Mom
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. – “The most strategic time to think about the actions you need to take is not when you need to perform them, but beforehand, when you have perspective. When you execute from an inventory of predefined tasks, you can act rather than react, and your menu of options is much easier to prioritize.” – via Tools For Thought
Focus. Focus. Focus. – “I am suggesting from personal experience that having one primary focus and diving into it completely with all your being will give you a higher chance at success. Having said that, you are free to work on multiple goals at the same time, some people can pull it off without stress, most cannot.” – via Think Simple Now
Do it right the first time. – “Why do a job if you aren’t going to do it right? We need to develop the habit of giving every task our best effort. Excellence should be the standard we strive for in all we do. We can’t start letting ourselves or our children do the least possible to get by. If we do, then they are going to receive less than the best results from their work.” – via My Super-Charged Life
Batch small tasks together and knock them off at once. – “Group up all of your small tasks (taking out the garbage, fixing a door hinge, organizing binders, etc.) and do them all at once. This can help speed things along since there will be fewer interruptions in your regular workflow.” – via Pick The Brain
Only spend time on the things you CAN control. – “Our impulsive thoughts always tend to waste our life-energy by focusing on things that we cannot control… Dwell more on what you can do rather than what you cannot. It’s not the circumstances that cause us to react in a certain way, it’s rather a certain way we choose to react to the circumstances that matters most to win against the odds.” – via Success Soul
Set time limits for yourself. – “One of the simplest things I do to increase my productivity is to use a timer throughout the day. I don’t always need it, but on days when I need the boost, it is the first thing I turn to. For 30 minutes, I work like this, racing the clock and challenging myself to have it all done before the buzzer goes off. By the end, I am exhilarated, accomplished, and feel relaxed because I am no longer looking at what was an overwhelming mess 30 minutes earlier.” – via Remodeling This Life
Use your talents to your advantage. – “If you’ve got good people skills, then it means taking the time to engage as many folks as you can in conversation. Whatever your best talents are, use them as often as possible. It’s always good to stretch yourself, but there’s no reason not to use your natural talents to your advantage.” – via On Simplicity
Take one bite of the elephant at a time. – “It’s important to know how long to run a race before you start. Starting off a marathon by sprinting isn’t going to get you to the finish line. Similarly, taking on every possible GTD, lifehack or to-do list upgrade at the same time isn’t a winning strategy.” – via The Change Blog
Don’t get blindsided. Always read the fine print. – “Why are they calling this a tax credit? Have you heard about the new $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit? It’s not a credit at all, it’s a loan! Granted it’s a 0% interest loan, but it’s still a loan. Let’s call it what it is!” – via My Dollar Plan
Use tricks to keep the momentum going. – “Probably the best way to counteract fatigue is to keep your toes tapping. Find music that is upbeat, energetic and conducive to the environment you’re trying to create.” – via The Cranking Widgets Blog
Reduce your stress by reducing your commitments. – “Given that we have these tensions in our lives, and that they cause some level of mental stress, how do we resolve them? There are two possibilities: Eliminate the source, or structure them so as to feel as if they’re eliminated.” – Matt’s Idea Blog
Always be ready to capture your ideas. – “As a serial entrepreneur, I’m addicted to ideas. I feed off of ‘em. And nothing makes me more upset than having a great idea… and losing it. Ideas never happen at opportune times, and having the proper idea capture tools can make sure that you’ll capture all your ideas for later processing.” – via LifeDev
Communicate clearly. Get straight to the point. – “Too Wordy: If you are overly verbose in your blog post, you’ll lose not only the point of what you’re trying to say, but you’ll lose your readers as well. Keep it simple; get to the point and you can’t go wrong.” – via Create Business Growth
Motivate others. Inject energy into your environment. – “When a dance floor is empty at a party, most people simply won’t be the first people to start dancing, even if they want to. It often takes somebody who is confident and who is acting through their intentions (doing what they want to do) to dance before others. This is then a trigger to others that allows them to start dancing as it seems normal.” – via PluginID
Do more work when you’re motivated. – “Why I do this? Because there will be times when I’m just super lazy and nothing can change it. By doing extra work when I’m motivated, I will feel less guilty about being lazy sometime later… and I’ll get more done.” – via LessonInLife
Keep yourself healthy so you can actually get things done. – “With winter on its way, its time to start keeping our immune systems in top shape. Boosting immunity can come from a variety of different factors including how you handle stress, exercise and eating.” – via Zen to Fitness
Bonus: How To Get Things Done in 1 Minute – “A crystal clear, 1 minute read on increasing your productivity by using the slightly modified GTD-based methods that have worked for me.” – via Marc and Angel Hack Life

Photo by: Divwerf

52 Sunday Evening Meditations on Life

Marc — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:39:57 +0000

Here’s a list of 52 meditations, one for each week of the year. I sit silently each Sunday evening before bedtime and repeat one meditation as a mantra in my mind. I get lost in thought for a little while and then I fall asleep. This weekly ritual has helped me keep things in perspective.

There are people in this world that would die for me.
There are people in this world I would die for.
The truth will set me free. I will never lie.
People are not mind readers. I must never hesitate to tell someone how I feel.
Mistakes happen. I must learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others.
Life is short and people are not perfect. I will forgive myself. I will forgive others.
My smile brings happiness to the world around me.
There is nobody else exactly like me, with my exact abilities, talents, and ideas.
I can help myself by helping those around me first.
The people I care about deserve to know it. I will show them how much they mean to me on a regular basis.
I will accept compliments and criticism openly and make educated decisions based on a weighted sum of the two.
Information is infinite. There are ideas, products and cultures I do not yet understand. I will always keep an open mind to new formulas.
I am in competition with one person, and one person only… myself. I am competing to be the best I can be.
True wisdom is the byproduct of life experience. I will seek as many real world experiences as possible.
Education involves self-imposed discipline. I can only learn if I want to learn. I want to learn.
I will treat everyone with the same level of respect I would give to my grandfather and the same level of patience I would have with my baby brother.
I am what I eat. My body is a machine that must be fueled properly if I intend to make it last.
I will think before I act, but I will always act.
I will try new things for the sake of broadening my horizons.
I will never be reckless with another person’s feelings.
I will never let someone persist on being reckless with my feelings.
The three most important things in my life are my health, my family and friends, and my education. Everything else is secondary.
I will celebrate my successes. I deserve it.
Money will only make my life easier if it is mine free and clear.
If I wake up several mornings in a row and hate what I am about to do with my day, I will make a change. Life is too short.
I will never be jealous. Jealously only deteriorates possibility.
My attitude can change my reality.
If I want to remember it, I will write it down in a trusted location.
I will never spend more than I have.
I will thank the people who have helped me, and I will return the favor as soon as I am able.
I will never complain about a problem. I will supply a solution instead.
I will listen more than I speak.
If I don’t know, I will ask questions.
Everything is nothing without happiness. I must do what makes me happy.
I will never succumb to greed. Enough is enough.
Time is precious. I will manage my time effectively.
Right now is the only guaranteed moment in my life. I will make the best of it.
I will stand firm by my values without senselessly promoting them.
I will never over-promise. I will over-deliver on everything I commit to.
I will always assess the situation and provide value where needed.
I cannot make someone love me. I can only be someone who can be loved.
I will always strive to be the best I can be, but I will never try to be someone I’m not.
I will always articulate my words so people understand me.
I will slow down and become conscious of life’s simple pleasures.
Everything I do is by choice. There is always another option.
Less is more. I will get rid of the stuff I do not use.
If I never try, I will never know.
I will face my fears. I will not cower.
My habits define my life.
I will always take ownership of my actions, or my actions will own me.
I will never make decisions in a state of emotional haste.
If I don’t finish what I start, my success rate will always be zero.

Please feel free to edit this list to meet your own personal needs. I’ve made a few modifications myself over the last few years.

Photo by: Kevin Labianco

70 Things To Do Before Having Children

Marc — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:03:25 +0000

They say having children changes everything. While it’s unquestionably a remarkable time in one’s life, I can also see how the transition introduces obvious limitations. Suddenly you have dependent beings of life to care for. Responsibility kicks in, compelling you to dedicate a significant portion of your time and attention to the best interests of the little ones. Combine this with the obvious physical and lifestyle limitations that come with age and it seems to me that there are several activities to check off the bucket list before settling down to start a family.

Here’s our list of 70 things to do before having children. For us, it’s simply about conquering as many life experiences as possible. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting closer.

Live in a high rise condo with an amazing view.
Take a month long vacation on the opposite side of the world in a city with a completely different culture.
Attend the Super Bowl live.
Jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Make love in places you aren’t supposed to.
Swim with the sharks.
Scuba-dive to a large ship wreck.
Audition to be on TV or in a movie… even if you’re just an extra.
Throw the house party of all house parties. Supply all the booze and invite everyone you know.
Take sexy photos of yourself (keep them somewhere safe).
Learn to fly a plane.
Become skilled with a musical instrument.
Live in southern California for at least a year.
Live in the heart of New York City, Chicago, Boston or another major city for at least a year.
Spend a few weeks vacationing on the beaches of Kauai with your partner.
Surf a Hawaiian wave.
Learn to speak a foreign language.
Visit the North Pole.
Attend The Tonight Show or The Late Show as an audience member.
Read at least 30 books.
Jump off a cliff into a natural body of water in an exotic location.
Go mountain climbing.
Go deep sea fishing and learn to filet and cook your own fish.
Go horseback riding on the beach with your partner.
Drink warm beer out of a barrel in a real Irish pub.
Spend a night pub-hopping in London.
Stage dive and crowd surf at a rock concert.
Take a set amount of money and hit the Blackjack and Craps tables in Las Vegas.
Visit a high-end Las Vegas strip club.
Embark on a month-long road trip across the country with 3 of your best friends.
Ride a camel across a sandy desert.
Go white water rafting.
Go snowboarding in the Rockies.
Get in great shape and enter some kind of fitness competition.
Attain a solid understanding of how the government works in your country.
Master one particular style of dance.
Fall in love.
Write a book… even if it’s short and never gets published.
Drive through a (somewhat safe) portion of a third world country like Mexico or Costa Rica to gain perspective on what true poverty looks like.
Go skinny dipping in a large body of water at midnight.
Take a shower under a waterfall.
Decide on your current life goals and write them down.
Spend New Years Eve in Times Square.
Go on a blind date (or a couple’s dinner date with new friends you hardly know).
Sleep on the beach under the stars in Key West.
Hit up Oktoberfest in Munich.
Hit up Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Hit up Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Experience Spring Break in all its glory in Cancun, Mexico or Panama City Beach, Florida.
Catch a ride in a hot air balloon.
Rent a fast sports car and speed down the Autobahn.
Switch jobs until you find one you truly enjoy.
Buy your first house.
Own a convertible sports car.
Hike the Grand Canyon.
Attend a Red Sox vs. Yankees game in Fenway Park.
Spend a whole day making love without every leaving the house.
Learn to make one mixed cocktail like a pro bartender.
Run a marathon.
Stand up in front of a large audience and tell a great joke.
Shoot a gun.
Swim across the English Channel.
Bicycle ride down a mountain road.
Learn to sail a sailboat.
Learn the basics of a martial art.
Visit the Amazon Rainforest.
Bare all on a nude beach.
Master one really cool magic trick.
Master a few fancy dinner recipes.
Finish up your formal education (but continue learning).

What’s on your list?
Photo by: Dawvon

28 Astute Takes of Insight on Living a Prolific Life

Marc — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:54:35 +0000

There is no shortcut to greatness. It’s all about taking the right steps… small, seemingly inconsequential steps that fuse together, emitting a positive effect on the bigger picture. Below are 28 astute takes of insight from around the blogosphere. Take heed to this wisdom, and you’ll soon be on your way to living a prolific life.

Always show kindness to others. – “Every time you’re nice to someone else, they become more likely to help you or be nice in return.” – via On Simplicity
Be grateful for what you have. – “Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude.” – via The Change Blog
Clear clutter! Get rid of the stuff you don’t need. – “If you have too much to pick up, look for, clean around, organize, and trip over, then it’s no wonder you’re feeling disorganized. And if you’re having to do it over and over and over again, it’s no wonder you’re feeling unproductive.” – via simple mom
Study and learn from the mistakes others have made. – “By reading about those I aspire to be like, not only do I get to witness the unique dealings of THEIR struggles, I can skip some of the hard knock lessons by learning from steps already taken in someone else’s heels. It’s a real advantage when you have serious intent on getting somewhere. Learn from others and utilize the wisdom harvested over time to spare yourself some grief and gain an idea of what to do.” – via InMyHeels
Be a team player. Teamwork is the key to progress. – “I heard a story about some horses that were in a competition to see which could pull the most weight. One horse pulled 3,000 lbs and another one pulled 4,000 lbs. Someone suggested the horses team-up together to see how much they could pull. Most guesses were in the 7,000 lb to 10,000 lb range but when those two horses worked together, they pulled an amazing 20,000 lbs. That’s the power of teamwork.” – via The Wisdom Journal
Graciously thank the people who deserve it. – “You are making MomGrind a lively, vibrant community where people get to know each other and exchange ideas. Without you, MomGrind would be just another platform for me to talk endlessly… A special thank you to my top ten commentators for the month of July.” – via MomGrind
Learn to make the right first impression. – “Drive a flashy sports car and it implies you have money. Live on the “wrong side of the tracks”, some people think you’re “less than”. Wear wrinkled, dirty clothes and you could be labeled as “low life”. – via Blogging Without A Blog
Having 5 close friends is far more important than having 50 acquaintances. – “What if I were to get convicted of a crime - even if I’m innocent - and get put in jail for ten years. Who would be at the gates when I’m released?” – via Goodlife Zen
Money is worthless in a state of loneliness. – “Money makes the world go round but people are what make the world worth living in. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily rush of making a living and forget that each day we spend rushing around is a blessing. The opportunity to spend time with the ones we care about is something that I overlook all too often.” – via Frugal Dad
Find your passion and follow it. – “In the first few months (of writing this blog), I often felt like I was speaking to an empty room. I felt like I wrote articles nobody read. Even after blogging for three months, I got no more than six visitors a day. In that difficult time, the only thing that kept me going was passion.” – via Life Optimizer
Run, jog, walk… just make sure you exercise. – “We need physical activity to stay healthy. The benefits of regular exercise are well documented. We need to find exercise routines that are fun and match our individual tastes. Developing a good exercise routine is a habit that will increase both the quantity and quality of your life.” – via My Super-Charged Life
Eat healthy! You are what you eat. – “healthy eating is the most important thing you can do to affect your health. You can’t exercise away bad eating habits. You can be a long distance runner and still have high cholesterol that puts you at risk for a heart attack. So healthy eating should be a priority for everyone who wants a long healthy and enjoyable life.” – via Life Learning Today
Accept failure. Learn from failure. – “Failure has become your friend. Some of life’s biggest lessons have come to you when you have failed. Each time you move forth into a new endeavor, success and failure are both acceptable options. With success you get you want and with failure you get to learn something.” – via The Positivity Blog
Be true to yourself… Be yourself! – “Human beings often give up the power of being true to themselves, hiding amongst the shadows of social roles and familiar comforts instead.” – via The Urban Monk
Figure out what you truly want in life. – “Know what it is that you want. I know this sounds simple, but really it can be quite challenging. I had everyone else’s ideas in my head for so long, I couldn’t even hear my own voice. So this step is crucial. Invest the time it takes to get quiet, filter out everyone else’s ideas from your own, and be totally and brutally honest with yourself.” – via Divine Purpose Unleashed (more…)