Month: September 2023

It’s FINALLY Here…!

Published on September 30, 2023

…After close to nine months of deliberate and careful work, my NEW GUIDE is LIVE!!

Introducing (Drumrolllllllll pleaseeeeeee):

The Art of Forward: Consistency > Intensity

Learn How To FINALLY Integrate Self-Improvement Tasks Into Your Life—For Life—Without Needing NAVY SEAL Level Self-Discipline and Grit

The idea: You know what you need to do: exercise, eat healthier, meditate, journal, read more… The question isn’t a matter of what…

…It’s a matter of how you can keep it going without burning out, losing motivation, succumbing to temptation, yo-yo-ing back to old habits, or just plain giving up.

And contrary to what you might be used to hearing from hustle gurus, NAVY Seals, and fitness experts telling you about massive action, putting in 110%, or just being tougher and sucking it up… this guide will show you a better way.

We want you to slow down…

To resist the temptation to give 110% (or 100% for that matter)…

To forget about 21, 30, 60, or 90 days…

And to consciously move forward at a pace that’s instead 100% (or 110% for that matter) focused on the distance of your life.

Because if it’s not focused on your life’s distance… it’s only a matter of time before you’re right back where you started (or worse).

It’s time to put the yo-yo-ing to an end.

What you’ll get is beautifully packaged as:

(30) One Page Meditations
(30) Pace-Conscious Action Steps
(30) Custom Drawn & Downloadable Illustrations

Are you ready to FINALLY build self-improvement tasks into your life that stick?

Get your guide and get started today ➜

Read testimonials, FAQs, and take a look inside here ➜

Leashing Your Mind

Published on September 29, 2023

When I take my dog for a walk, I follow a premeditated path and she follows the pulls of the leash.

My dog without her leash is like my mind without focus—ready to wander, deviate, explore, circle, double back—all aimlessly—and in whichever direction the circumstances pull.

The leash I use with her is a tool that keeps her on track, just like my noise cancelling headphones, silent mode on my phone, and a block of uninterrupted time—are all tools that help keep my mind focused and following a premeditated train of thought.

Walk your (untrained) dog without a leash and good luck following any kind of premeditated path. Walk your dog on too tight of a leash and neither of you will have a very good time.

Somewhere in the middle—where there’s a modestly sized leash and a patient demeanor—lies an ideal experience for both dog and walker that covers the premeditated ground while also leaving space for mini-explorations and imaginative deviations along the way.

P.s. The Art of Forward: Consistency > Intensity drops TOMORROW! You guys will be the first to see. Thanks for your ongoing support and readership. I hope you love it :)

Complete Tasks Completely

Published on September 28, 2023

Some tasks build competence and some build character.

Clearly distinguishing which type of task you’re in helps tremendously in the doing of the task completely.

The problem I see too often is character building tasks are resented, rushed through, outsourced, automated, or just plain ignored. And competence building tasks are done half-assedly—with distractions galore, via accelerated means (2x playback speed), and in hopes of becoming a master minus the hours.

It’s a whole bunch of tasks being done minus the deliberate which equals… wasted time.

…When all that’s needed is a little extra attention to reap full benefits from (and this is the key) the things you’re already doing.

This is why it can feel like what you’re doing isn’t enough… because you’re not present enough; why you can feel unproductive even when you’re busy as ever… because you’re not fully doing any of your tasks; why you can feel stagnant even when you’re checking off all the items on your “supposed to-do lists…” because growth comes from the deliberate that’s missing when you’re hurrying.

The trick isn’t in the realigning of everything in your day… it’s in the realigning of the how you’re doing what you’re already doing in your day.

When you’re doing a character building task like washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning up trash… be there. Don’t rush; do the work slowly. Don’t think about finishing; flex that self-discipline muscle and focus on correctly.

When you’re doing a competence building task like studying, training, or practicing… be there. Don’t try to expedite the process; take your time. Don’t hurry; do it deliberately. Try to truly absorb the material and flex that patience muscle.

Complete tasks completely.

There Is No Substitute For Quality Time

Published on September 27, 2023

…Period.

When it comes to family? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to friends? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to personal growth? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to creative work? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to business growth? …There is no substitute for quality time.

The repetition of this message is important.

Because in a world featuring A.I. advancements, virtual reality, virtual assistants, done-for-you growth packages, algorithmic connection, and so on… the opposite message is being sent infinitely more times than what’s listed above.

It’s more important now than ever before to remind yourself…

…There is no substitute for quality time.

P.s. The Art of Forward (Part 2): Consistency > Intensity is DONE. The big drop happens THIS weekend. Sneak peak here and here. Stay tuned…! You’re going to see it here first :)

Whole Ordeal? Or Happy Opportunity?

Published on September 26, 2023

My neighbor is a retired florist with several decades of experience.

She now makes arrangements out of her house as a side gig.

…And they’re outstanding.

One Saturday, I got a call from this neighbor asking me if my mom was still going to be picking up an order that was placed. After speaking with my mom, it quickly became obvious that I got the dates wrong.

The arrangement was supposed to be made for the following weekend and there she was, waiting with an arrangement on the current weekend.

So, what did my mom do?

…Went and picked it up. Paid for it in full. Said nothing of the confusion on my part. And said to me, “This is perfect—I’ll give them to Marvin (her partner) as a just-because gift.”

And what could’ve been a whole ordeal turned into a happy opportunity.

Food for thought for the next time you’re going through a “whole ordeal” yourself.

Make Daily What’s Always A Good Idea

Published on September 25, 2023

I take my dog for a walk every night—regardless of how I’m feeling.

…Even if I’m sick or sore or the weather is crappy.

I walked her when I had COVID, on the days I ran marathons (and the mornings after), and when we’ve had torrential rain.

In fact, over the course of the last five years I’ve had her, we’ve only ever missed when I was traveling or as a result of rare extenuating circumstances (like the Buffalo Blizzard of ’22).

So long as it’s safe—going for a walk outside is almost always a good idea.

…The fresh air; the natural elements; the time apart from screens; the low-impact movement, the neighborly interactions; the time to think and let the mind settle; and so on.

Things like this—the things that are essentially always good ideas—should be kept as top priorities in our lives.

As obvious as this sounds you have to ask yourself how often you do the things you know are good for you… and how often you let yourself talk your own self out of doing those very things.

Daily is the key. Don’t go for occasional or “when you feel like it.”

Make daily what’s always a good idea.

Pro-tip: if following through is hard for you, you could always try getting a dog… once they’re in routine, they’ll keep you accountable better than any app, quote, or coach. Of this, I’m sure.

Slow Chores

Published on September 24, 2023

When doing chores, what I notice in myself is that the more intense my desire is to be done and get on with something else, the less enjoyable the chore is.

The antidote then, that I’ve been experimenting with in my own life, is to reverse this innate response to be done with it asap—and to take my time doing the chore instead.

This isn’t the type of advice you might be used to hearing.

In our modern world, the conversation is focused around hustling, automating, outsourcing, delegating, optimizing—and we hear stories about eliminating busywork, taking full control of your calendar, living life on your own terms, and so on.

…Which typically becomes the predominant thought process precisely when we’re kneeling down on our already sore knees, touching other family members’ undies, folding and organizing a seemingly endless mountain of clothes, all while trying to uncover the floor before the next series of obligations begin.

…It’s no wonder chores are such a misery for so many of us.

But, when you take away the rush, when you eliminate the asap, when you detach yourself from all those preconceived notions and focus on just doing the task as it is—suddenly, the intensity softens, the discontentment fades, and the irritation clears.

The secret to contentment in the “here” has less to do with removing irritating tasks and more to do with stopping the ceaseless desire to be somewhere else.

Give it a try.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.