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Category: Being Action Oriented

Increasing Luck

Published on July 11, 2023

This week, Mark Manson challenged his following to:

“Do something that increases the chances something good happens to you—this could be doing co-workers a favor, volunteering your time on the weekend, taking the time to meet other parents at your child’s school, whatever. Think of something you can do, then go do it.”

And it made me think about the times when I’ve gotten “lucky” and something good happened to me…

Times when strangers were turned into friends; times when running into friends turned them into good friends; times when I was a victim of a random act of kindness; times when I had a direction changing conversation; times when one thing led to a lover.

And it made me think about how none of those things ever happened while I was being passively entertained or otherwise choosing to withdraw from the world.

There’s a time and a place to withdraw from the world—undoubtedly. The introvert in me knows. But, it might not be the best strategy for increasing luck—depending on what that means to you.

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

Water Filters

Published on April 5, 2023

My boss has a $4,500 water filter.

He swears by it. I haven’t done my due diligence to form an opinion on it… but, he has me convinced it’s worth the investment.

So, I’ve spent the last year waiting for a successful bid on eBay or some other happenstance situation to arise where I can get the water filter for… less than $4,500.

Now… on Monday this week, I decided to do some basic water filter research, ordered a $40 faucet filter, and had it installed by Wednesday.

I don’t know why it took me so long, but I’ve been drinking unfiltered tap water while waiting for a $4,500 filter… for well over a year.

*Face palm*

P.s. This post isn’t about water filters.

Dress For The Weather

Published on February 21, 2023

If there’s anything Buffalo, New York teaches you it’s to dress for the weather—not to be weather dependent.

We’ll go from subzero, pneumonia-inducing, blizzard weather to sunny and 70 within the span of a day and STILL get all of our daily tasks done without missing much of a beat.

Those who wait for “sunny and 70” or allow their moods to follow the moods of the weather, outsource control of their power.

The power that allows them to dress for the weather, keep their internal temperature “sunny and 70” regardless of how cold and cloudy it is on the outside, and get on with it.

P.s. I’m on a mission to help busy people do inner work—so that they can live better lives. If these daily pieces have warmed you up in any way, you can warm my cup up here if you feel so inclined :) ☕️

Doing A Little Better

Published on February 8, 2023

When it comes to improving our lives, I think it’s safe to say that just about all of us have a catalogue of dormant ideas, insights, and strategies that would very well lead us to a better life if we applied them.

It’s like Anne Lamott said in her brilliant TED Talk: “Food—try to do a little better. I think you know what I mean.” (timestamp)

It’s not about knowing what to do.

The real game is in finding ways we can more consistently do what we already know.

Information gathering is okay—it can certainly help facilitate change.

But, don’t fool yourself—obsessing over information gathering is a distraction; it’s an excuse; it’s an avoidance.

And moreover, don’t undermine yourself when you feel like you’re “only” doing (or “only” committing to doing) a little something better.

Doing a little something better is precisely how any of us ever moves from okay to great.

Because life is a game of applying—and every little bit counts.

P.s. Here are 9 Small Changes That Have Had The Biggest Impact On My Health.

A Strategy For Tomorrow

Published on February 4, 2023

Hoping things will be better in the future is a great way to keep getting the same kind of results in the future.

If you want a better future, a great strategy to try is something new, intentional, and deliberate *today.*

P.s. It’s world cancer day. Here’s a cancer story that had a powerful impact on me.

Believe The Act

Published on January 14, 2023

If somebody says they love you, but acts like they don’t… believe the act.

If somebody says they’re trustworthy, but acts two-faced and shady… believe the shady.

If somebody says they’re hardworking, but whines at sight of hard work… believe the whine.

If somebody says they’re humble, but obsessively tries to steal the spotlight… believe the stealing.

If somebody says family is the most important, but scoffs when you say you’re prioritizing family over work… believe the scoff.

What’s funny is that the people who act in contradiction to what they say might actually believe what they’re saying. But, what YOU should believe is how they act. Always.

P.s. Tomorrow, I’m emailing the BEST of what was posted to MoveMe Quotes last week. To start getting these gems delivered to your inbox for free, subscribe here.

The Grandiosity Trap

Published on November 15, 2022

Grandiosity is a cunning distraction.

Here we are, filling our heads up with all of the brilliant, jaw-dropping, earth-shaking things we’re going to do with our limited time, energy, and attention…

While we take somewhere between zero and one microscopic step towards bringing those grand visions to life.

Don’t let grandiosity fool you. It’s not leading you any closer to your grand visions.

Unless, of course, those grand visions are driving you to do more of the things that’ll actually bring them to life.

Remember, life is measured in steps; not visions.

Less grandiosity. More humble action.