Well guys, I hope you enjoy reading the articles I post. I came across a neat idea today and thought I would add it to the site. I'm going to be periodically writing book reviews of the things I read.
Reading is one of the most important and enjoyable things in my life. I find the collective wisdom in books to be quite astonishing and I know how much they have taught, shaped, and changed my viewpoints.
From time to time I will be adding things with links to purchase the books from Amazon. I will only add books which I feel are valuable to you as a reader. Cheers!!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Make As Many Mistakes As You Can???
"Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time."
-George Bernard Shaw
Before I start, there's a little asterisk next to the title. And it's Don't Repeat The Same Mistake Twice.
A quote like this is really fitting for me personally. I used to be much more averse to taking risks. Being the "smart" kid in school, I wanted to know everything and part of my motivation for that was my pure and unadulterated hatred of being wrong.
A few years back, as I was starting my journey as an entrepreneur, it really hit me. Every successful person makes a lot of mistakes. I had to really sit down and find a way to get past my fear of being wrong and looking like an idiot. A "failure" in society's eyes, so to speak.
I came across this idea of not repeating mistakes and it really hit me in its' wisdom. Mistakes are "ok" and should be even encouraged. Just don't make the same one twice.
Cheers to your success and free living!
-George Bernard Shaw
Before I start, there's a little asterisk next to the title. And it's Don't Repeat The Same Mistake Twice.
A quote like this is really fitting for me personally. I used to be much more averse to taking risks. Being the "smart" kid in school, I wanted to know everything and part of my motivation for that was my pure and unadulterated hatred of being wrong.
A few years back, as I was starting my journey as an entrepreneur, it really hit me. Every successful person makes a lot of mistakes. I had to really sit down and find a way to get past my fear of being wrong and looking like an idiot. A "failure" in society's eyes, so to speak.
I came across this idea of not repeating mistakes and it really hit me in its' wisdom. Mistakes are "ok" and should be even encouraged. Just don't make the same one twice.
Cheers to your success and free living!
Sacrificing to Become What You Want To Be
"The important thing is this: to be able at anymoment to sacrifice what we are forwhat we could become."
-Charles Du Bos
I received this quote today from bguides.com. They are a great outfit and send out 2 free quotes every business day.
I got this one this morning and it got me thinking. Do I sacrifice to become what I want? I think the answer is sort of. Let me explain.
One of my biggest fears in the past has been talking on the telephone. I don't like the phone. Only recently have I started to enjoy it more and become better at it. My reasons are many (my bad hearing, nervousness in them picking up, etc.) but I have come to realize they are excuses.
In my business ventures, the telephone is a very important tool to train associates and participate in conference calls to improve my skills and business.
I came to a crossroads. Do I sacrifice my fear for the betterment of my business? Or do I find a way around it. Well, I chose the first one. Thankfully, it has been much easier than I expected.
The moral of the story here is put yourself out there and sacrifice your fears, insecurities, and weaknesses and achieve the things you wish :)!!! It is possible to sacrifice and it's generally never as hard as you might think it is before you start. Just start
Cheers
-Charles Du Bos
I received this quote today from bguides.com. They are a great outfit and send out 2 free quotes every business day.
I got this one this morning and it got me thinking. Do I sacrifice to become what I want? I think the answer is sort of. Let me explain.
One of my biggest fears in the past has been talking on the telephone. I don't like the phone. Only recently have I started to enjoy it more and become better at it. My reasons are many (my bad hearing, nervousness in them picking up, etc.) but I have come to realize they are excuses.
In my business ventures, the telephone is a very important tool to train associates and participate in conference calls to improve my skills and business.
I came to a crossroads. Do I sacrifice my fear for the betterment of my business? Or do I find a way around it. Well, I chose the first one. Thankfully, it has been much easier than I expected.
The moral of the story here is put yourself out there and sacrifice your fears, insecurities, and weaknesses and achieve the things you wish :)!!! It is possible to sacrifice and it's generally never as hard as you might think it is before you start. Just start
Cheers
Monday, May 28, 2007
Start Changing the World...NOW!
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world"
-Anne Frank
I get a weekly email on Success Principles. It's from the people at Yoursuccessstore.com. I saw this quote and was deeply inspired.
As you may know by now, Da Free Life involves giving back to society. Many times people ask me "But how do I give back?" I have come to realize that people think they have to do something huge to make a difference. Not everything thats important is huge or expensive.
Improving the world starts with doing something small. If everyone picked up ONE piece of trash, how much cleaner would the world be? Thats one example of people improving the world without expending much time or effort.
Even easier is smiling at a person you pass by on the street. It costs nothing but gives a lot. As an investor, I wish I could find something that costs nothing and gives a lot :) !!!!
To sum it up, start doing little things. RIGHT NOW. Go give a kiss to your significant other. Write a nice note to a friend on Facebook or Myspace. If we all start doing this, our world would improve immensely and, in short time, would be permanently changed!!! Cheers
-Anne Frank
I get a weekly email on Success Principles. It's from the people at Yoursuccessstore.com. I saw this quote and was deeply inspired.
As you may know by now, Da Free Life involves giving back to society. Many times people ask me "But how do I give back?" I have come to realize that people think they have to do something huge to make a difference. Not everything thats important is huge or expensive.
Improving the world starts with doing something small. If everyone picked up ONE piece of trash, how much cleaner would the world be? Thats one example of people improving the world without expending much time or effort.
Even easier is smiling at a person you pass by on the street. It costs nothing but gives a lot. As an investor, I wish I could find something that costs nothing and gives a lot :) !!!!
To sum it up, start doing little things. RIGHT NOW. Go give a kiss to your significant other. Write a nice note to a friend on Facebook or Myspace. If we all start doing this, our world would improve immensely and, in short time, would be permanently changed!!! Cheers
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Goal Sheets
Life has been interesting lately. Late nights on the phone, trips, and not sleeping much :)
Tonight I had a bit of an idea. In the spirit of Rule 5, I decided to try something new. I call them "Goal Sheets." Simple in name, awesome indeed.
So here's the deal. I designed a sheet that starts with a "Rating For the Day." The way I see it, one has to be honest and fair in judging yourself (having integrity applies to yourself as well!!!). So, at the end of the day, I rate the "effort" I put into the day. Did I slack? That warrants a rating of "1." So/So...maybe a "2" or "3." An awesome day with lots of accomplishments? The elusive "5."
Down the sheet I gave myself to write some answers. I ask a few questions
1. "What Was the Happiest Thing That Happened Today?"- I asked this question because if you aren't aware of what you were happy about today...what the heck else matters?
2. "What Did I Do To Give Back to Society?"- This is important because service to others is everything (also the easiest way to get what you want :)
3. "What Did I do to Further My Business Goals?"- Since I'm an entrepreneur and business student, I find that it's important to ask myself what I did to reach my business goals. You could change this to the goals you have, whether they be romantic, friends, health goals, etc.
4. Lastly, I asked "Did I Laugh A Lot Today?"- Laughing and giving back are two of the most amazing forces in the universe. I want to hold myself accountable to laughing way too much (still convinced this one is impossible). This way, I help achieve balance and freedom.
So overall, try out something new. Hold yourself accountable. When you are honest, you will find that your objectives become easier. You give yourself a daily assessment and it helps plan the next day and to learn from today's mistakes. Cheers
Tonight I had a bit of an idea. In the spirit of Rule 5, I decided to try something new. I call them "Goal Sheets." Simple in name, awesome indeed.
So here's the deal. I designed a sheet that starts with a "Rating For the Day." The way I see it, one has to be honest and fair in judging yourself (having integrity applies to yourself as well!!!). So, at the end of the day, I rate the "effort" I put into the day. Did I slack? That warrants a rating of "1." So/So...maybe a "2" or "3." An awesome day with lots of accomplishments? The elusive "5."
Down the sheet I gave myself to write some answers. I ask a few questions
1. "What Was the Happiest Thing That Happened Today?"- I asked this question because if you aren't aware of what you were happy about today...what the heck else matters?
2. "What Did I Do To Give Back to Society?"- This is important because service to others is everything (also the easiest way to get what you want :)
3. "What Did I do to Further My Business Goals?"- Since I'm an entrepreneur and business student, I find that it's important to ask myself what I did to reach my business goals. You could change this to the goals you have, whether they be romantic, friends, health goals, etc.
4. Lastly, I asked "Did I Laugh A Lot Today?"- Laughing and giving back are two of the most amazing forces in the universe. I want to hold myself accountable to laughing way too much (still convinced this one is impossible). This way, I help achieve balance and freedom.
So overall, try out something new. Hold yourself accountable. When you are honest, you will find that your objectives become easier. You give yourself a daily assessment and it helps plan the next day and to learn from today's mistakes. Cheers
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What Are You Going To Do Today?
"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose."
-Lyndon B Johnson
I'm in my old hometown (Kokomo, Indiana, USA) spending time with family and taking a vacation from work and business. So what did I do today? Shopped, watched a movie, got a car wash, slept late, and wrote this article.
Did this stuff further my business ventures? Absolutely not! That is the point. I relaxed to the fullest. Rule 4 states "Leave it on the field" in all your endeavors. I "won" today by relaxing to the fullest.
A problem of mine in the past has been to try to do too many things. I end up doing everything half ass and it doesn't meet my standards. A goal of mine this summer is to relax more and enjoy my work.
An important piece of following Rule 4 is focusing on what you are doing. What will I do tomorrow? I have decided it to be a work day. I have a huge flower bed to clean out. I would also like to clean our house up. Relax today, work tomorrow.
Never forget to "leave it on the field." It's important to living "Da Free Life."
-Lyndon B Johnson
I'm in my old hometown (Kokomo, Indiana, USA) spending time with family and taking a vacation from work and business. So what did I do today? Shopped, watched a movie, got a car wash, slept late, and wrote this article.
Did this stuff further my business ventures? Absolutely not! That is the point. I relaxed to the fullest. Rule 4 states "Leave it on the field" in all your endeavors. I "won" today by relaxing to the fullest.
A problem of mine in the past has been to try to do too many things. I end up doing everything half ass and it doesn't meet my standards. A goal of mine this summer is to relax more and enjoy my work.
An important piece of following Rule 4 is focusing on what you are doing. What will I do tomorrow? I have decided it to be a work day. I have a huge flower bed to clean out. I would also like to clean our house up. Relax today, work tomorrow.
Never forget to "leave it on the field." It's important to living "Da Free Life."
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Giving Back Through Education
I just read an article on ESPN.com about Braylon Edwards. Edwards is a star receiver for the Cleveland Browns and he just created a program to give 100 children in Cleveland college scholarships. The program is simple with the only requirements being a 2.5 GPA in high school, no unexcused absences, and 15 hours of community service a year. A very noble act indeed.
I really admire Mr. Edwards for doing this. He's following Rule 6 and I'm sure he feels really good about giving back. We are all blessed with good fortune one way or the other. To get more, we must give more. That is a universal law. I hope this article encourages you to give back someway. It doesn't have to be through money or anything like that. Here's some ideas on ways to give back that don't cost any money at all.
1. Volunteer at a local animal shelter for 3 hours.
2. Read to children at a local elementary school.
3. Help start an after school program that involves your professional skills.
4. Join a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop as a leader.
Any one of these things don't cost any money but really do make a difference in people's lives. Mr. Edwards (and all of you who give back) should be commended! Cheers
I really admire Mr. Edwards for doing this. He's following Rule 6 and I'm sure he feels really good about giving back. We are all blessed with good fortune one way or the other. To get more, we must give more. That is a universal law. I hope this article encourages you to give back someway. It doesn't have to be through money or anything like that. Here's some ideas on ways to give back that don't cost any money at all.
1. Volunteer at a local animal shelter for 3 hours.
2. Read to children at a local elementary school.
3. Help start an after school program that involves your professional skills.
4. Join a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop as a leader.
Any one of these things don't cost any money but really do make a difference in people's lives. Mr. Edwards (and all of you who give back) should be commended! Cheers
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