Do you take time to ask yourself important questions?

Questions you can ask yourself today.

(This is as much for myself as this is for you. I indulge in such things from time to time. Give it a try. Decide after you read. Some of them are triggers more than they are questions.) Enjoy

• Am I I feeling good?
• Do I (really) know what makes me feel good?
• Do I take time everyday to indulge in this activity?
• Am I too comfortable in life? (Means I am not getting out of my comfort zone enough)
• Am I being good to those around?
• Am I being a better human?
• Am I doing the best I can?
• Am I doing it without compromising things that matter (health, relationships, values)?
• Am I really stretched for resources or just being lazy and not applying my creative brains?

• Am I right in being angry with others – when just taking few deep breaths (and at times walking away) will make sure that there is no need for it?
• Am I finding time for myself?
• Am I loving myself enough?
• Am I on the right path?
• Am I being judgmental?
• Am I looking at the means as if they are the end?

• Have I been generous enough today?
• Am I at peace with myself right now – this very moment?
• Am I too busy to take one or five deep breaths?
• Am I being kind to myself? Not too tough, not too harsh?
• Am I the (wo)man that I always wanted to be?
• Did I spend last week/month/year – life so far – like I wanted (should have)?
• (If not) Am I ready to change my ways?
• Am I doing everything possible to make it work?

• Do I know what success means to me?
• Do I know that to change the world – I need to change myself first. (And that may be the only thing I need to change).
• Do people feel happy when they meet me? (Question by Sushil Bharwani)
• Am I in a hurry, or am I too slow to move?
• Am I breaking rules enough, without breaking the hearts

• Am I setting the right example?
• Have I given back?
• Do I give as much thought to designing my life as much as I gave to designing my living room? (or kind of thought that I give to which hairstyle this time?)
• Do I remember my roots? (You may or may not want to remember them – your choice, but it makes sense to have some ideas about your ground and your origins). Read this insightful New York Times article about family stories that bind us.

…

Now coming to the end – I feel these are too much to ask in one day.

So if you want to give it a shot – do so one by one. Pick one at a time, may be 3, 4 or 5 in day.

I also did not try them all at once and there are many more still to go. So be kind to yourself and do what works for you.

Do you think there are more questions that one can ask (I am sure there are)? Add those in comments. Nature and I will thank you for your generosity.

Photo credits

And I love you.

May be you do not know this already but I just wanted to tell you that you are special.

You have the power inside you to find your inner light and shine like a star.

There is something about you about that makes you different in a good way from each one of us.

If you do not know – what it is – still, that is fine.

Will you do me a favor today? Will you just ask yourself what is this special thing about you?

Will you take some time to find the purpose of your life?

Go and take time to find it.

I will meet you here when you come back.

Photo credits

Girl waiting for the bus

Do not wait..

To get the big break.

To find the ideal business opportunity.

To get your dream job.

To meet the man or woman of your dreams.

Take chances, listen to your heart, trust your gut and jump.

When you do that – you open yourself to surprises. Almost certainly, some unpleasant ones too.

But do you want to die wondering what lies beyond that mountain and never go on top to find and see A Brave New World.

Be bold for once, and once again and once more – and your life will not be same again.

You will meet a new you – which you never thought – existed.

No more waiting.

Now is the time.

Today is the best day.

When you need help, it will come.

You just need to ask for it – with all your heart.

Ask, because nobody did it alone.

There will be rare times, when you will need help – and (in your eyes) it won’t come.

But this is nature’s way of letting you help yourself.

Go.

Are you still waiting?

Photo credits

Photo: Parris Whittingham fromparriswithlove.com

2005 was a year of big change for me.

I had just moved to a new city.

The move was not planned, I just decided to stay back and work in the city I was travelling to.

Life away from home and family was different and I learnt a lot living alone.

I was learning and exploring like crazy. Serendipity was way of life.

I moved fast, embraced new and untested and started making art. The kind which Seth Godin shares in The Icarus Deception.

This art making was inspired a good deal by Seth Godin’s earlier works – his 1999 book “Permission Marketing“, The Bootstrapper’s Bible, and his ever popular “Unleashing the Idea Virus” (PDF that you can read). It changed how I see the world of business forever.

The train that started there continued to move ahead.

In 2011. I found myself creating ruckus as part of the global street team at The Domino Project (TDP) a new publishing imprint that Seth launched. The high point of Domino Project’s global street team collaboration was No Idling eBook.

Cut to 2012 – never one to rest on his laurel, Seth launched a very successful Kickstarter campaign to launch his new book.

The book that campaign launched is The Icarus Deception – it just came out on Amazon and other book stores.

To get you a glimpse inside the head of the man I admire and to discuss the ideas behind and inside Icarus, I asked Seth few questions.

In this Q and A Seth shares his worldview about things that matter and also about  Icarus.

[For those who do not know Seth or his work, you can learn more about him here.]

Photo via Goodreads

Mohit Pawar (M) : Seth, you say an artist takes it personally – what does it mean?

Seth Godin: If you’re a cog in an industrial system, nothing that happens is actually your fault. You are following the manual, so it’s the manual’s fault, right? The artist has no manual, writes her own manual, owns what happens…

M: Who should read “The Icarus deception”? (or Who will benefit the most by reading?)

SG: It’s a rant and a manifesto, and it urges people to confront something that’s holding them back — as it pushes you to take advantage of this revolution and this moment in time.

If that sounds thrilling, it might be for you.

M: What will a world look like where everyone sees their work as art – even politicians, is that even possible?

SG: Not everyone will get to be an artist, but that doesn’t mean you should let someone else have all the fun.

M: How can an artist – a good one – transcend from the zone of abundance and competence to the zone of trust, connection and surprise.

SG: I think a big part of it is making big promises… and then keeping them. We have trouble with both, don’t we?

M: Someone who takes risks and a road less traveled creates chaos around. How to find peace and harmony at such times with – spouse, family, friends.

SG: I don’t think the ruckus you make in the world requires you to be a jerk. I think it’s possible (and productive) to take small financial but large emotional risks, and when things don’t work, you’re not homeless. Bringing your stress home is a choice, not a requirement.

M: Is humility overrated? Does this age reward self promoters? If yes, what is the right way to self promote?

SG: Careful! Lots of semantics here.

Hubris is unfairly criticized, but you can have hubris (a desire to be god-like) at the same time that you have humility about your weaknesses, your good fortune and your interactions with others. And “self promoter” is a dangerous trap, because it opens the door to become a selfish jerk. I think there’s a difference between saying, “here, I made this…” and yelling and screaming and hard selling…

M: Can fear be used as a positive force in our lives?

SG: Everything we do that we’re proud of, I think, is the result of overcoming fear. Breathing is nothing to be proud of. Helping someone in a risky situation is.

M: How can a teacher teach a student to see study as art? How can we teach kids to become risk takers and that there is value in being an artist?

SG: Kids are already risk takers. What we do is unteach them that!

M: Warren Buffett said, “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say “no” to almost everything. Do you think it is true? If yes how can one explore enough and take risks to be able to make good art.

SG: Successful people say no to distractions and to things that give them a chance to hide. They don’t say no to frightening opportunities that match their mission.

M: How to “Make Good Art”?

SG: Make bad art.
See what happens.
Repeat.

(I thank Seth for his time.)

————–

Earlier in the day I wrote about a surprise and a chance to get your hands on a copy of the Icarus Deception and for one lucky winner a copy of V is for Vulnerable.

The winner get this. Photo by ideaschema.net

To win free copy as shared above.

1. Tweet this “I love this Seth Godin interview by @mohitpawar. http://mohitpawar.com/seth-godin-interview/” Click to Tweet.

[Only tweet if you really mean it] or else you can participate by commenting below.

The reader with highest number of retweets, will get a free copy of The Icarus Deception.

2. If you are not active on Twitter – you can comment – to complete this sentence.

I will improve MY LIFE (and make world a better place) in 2013 by……………………

Complete the above sentence – by filling the blank via your comment.

The best answer (comment) will win a a free copy of The Icarus Deception + an author signed copy of V is for Vulnerable. The 2nd best answer will win a a free copy of The Icarus Deception.

All 3 winners will get their copy delivered at their door step – anywhere in the world.

The contest closes Jan 15th, 2013. [Update: Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and spreading the word. I will contact those who won a free copy via email/Twitter by Jan 25th. Wish all your dreams are fulfilled.] If you want to connect for anything, write here.

Keep sharing your thoughts in comments – no end date for that

5 words for 2013

Every year I choose 5 words for focus and clarity.

My 5 words for 2013 are

(Be) strong, learn, laugh, give, and do.

–> IMPORTANT: This post is as much about me as it is about You. There are lots of takeaways for anyone keen to take them away. If you are keen – then go on. I LOVE YOU.

–> [TO SELF: This post is better, thanks to my email exchange with FishingBuddha. Thanks Amit.]

–> [The notes I have shared below are written with intent to help your find focus in your life – if you wish.

I can also come back later – say in 2025 and see how I was thinking in 2013. Like I can now see what I was thinking/doing in 2012, 2011 or 2010 and earlier. I encourage you to write (think about) your 5 words or focus words for this year.]

(Be) Strong.

Strong mind in strong body

STRONG MIND AND BODY IN 2013.

That’s the motto.

I practiced martial arts a teenager and started meditating even before that. I am sure some of that will come handy in my quest.

Today only, my mom was checking out old books – some of them I bought even before my teen years. Books by Paul Brunton and other Indian sages – guess I will dig into them again.

So it will be meditation, a solid daily routine with focus on sleep, food and exercise.

Also good thoughts, good deeds and good words.

Rest I will research and ask for help.

Learn

Young or old – learn new things.

Learning is my way of growing.

To learn, I read, look around and ask questions.

For many years I read a lot – then I stopped totally.

Started again couple of years back.

Last year I read – or at least ordered a good deal of books. I went to my regular bookshop for old world charm to buy some of them but Amazon was the bigger beneficiary.

This year I want to take it to a new level.

Sure there will be some leisure reading that I do every day, but most of it will be to implement and do – what I read.

Once I finish reading – I will write to record what I learn. All of it will not be here, but some of it will be – and you will get to see (read) it.

I will also seek help from those who know more – if and when needed.

But reading, writing (and asking questions) will constitute a major part of my learning.

Reading and writing are important activities – so sharing a bit more.

Read

Why?

For 3 reasons.

1. To write better.

2. To learn more to be able to run my business well.

3. And, just because I am curious.

Here my plan of 50 pages a day should work well.

Write

I write,

1. To record my thoughts.

2. To share.

3. For clear thinking.

4. I write also to connect and ignite discussions.

See how these posts on starting a business (60 comments and growing), TEDx Event (22 comments  and many more emails from across the globe), student startup and making more money created connections and generated ideas.

When it happens, I feel happy and privileged. Thanks everyone who noticed, asked questions and connected.

5. Writing also makes me accountable.

See how I first shared about my no metrics experiment and then came back to share results a month later.

With no accountability, chances of slipping are more. Like these days – when I am again diving deep into metrics but thanks to that experiment I am more mindful when I do that now.

Writing is also part of my why as it helps me uncover and go within the depths of my being.

My goals for writing were different when I started. I wanted to be seen and heard.

Now I write more for joy and sense of satisfaction – more than anything else.

[Not that I do not want to be seen and heard any more .

To be true to myself and to you, I will not be motivated to write here – if you were not reading – so keep reading and also share this post with one or more of your friends if you like it...]

Laugh.

Laugh when you can.. it helps.

I laugh more than many.

Thanks to many (and some very) bright sparkles in my life.

But I feel that over past couple of years – I have worked more and laughed a little less.

So back to laughing a lot.

More so because when you laugh without abandon – it makes your inner light brighter.

I will still work – but find more time to laugh and break bread with those who matter.

The idea is be happy – and give joy to all those you meet.

Does it mean – that I will laugh while negotiating a business deal? May be, we will see

To make it simple – I will do things that put smile on my face and those I meet. I will do it every day.

Will you give it a shot?

Do you laugh as much you should?

Think about and share in comments…

Give.

Give before you get

Give what and when I can.

A major part is of this is sharing what I know.

Help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Help young people find focus in life.

My writing is also my way of giving back.

I learnt a lot by reading what other generous soul wrote and share – and continue to do so.

Now, time to give back.

Though this way I get more than I give, but still it starts with intent of sharing what I know.

I feel happy when you send me emails.

If there is anything I can help you with – write to me here.

We can brainstorm ideas for your startup, discuss growth strategy if you have an existing business or talk about finding focus and setting goals. Happy to share what I know.

Overall I intend to give back to my loved one – I am still thinking of ways, give back to humanity – as cliched as it may sound – with an open heart and lots of love.

For me, it is about genuinely helping others – to Be generous with your gifts.

I do it by finding ways ways to help. Better if I do it without expecting anything in return. (This is an ideal situation – but worth giving a try).

The goal is to be a mentor first and an advisor later – if at all. Brad Feld said it best, when he asked people to give before you get.

Do.

Yes we can.

All that I have said so far is nothing but words if I do not take any action on it.

Words without are action are better not said.

Doing or taking action is an important if you want to close the gap between dreams and reality.

After you know – what you want to do and why you should do – it is important that you take action.

Ideas without action will not take you anywhere – unless you run an ideation business (a business that generates ideas for others).

It is easy to fall in no action zone, the zone filled with anxiety and only day dreaming.

You need to be alert. I for sure – need to be on toes about it. Because if I am not mindful of my actions – it is easy to slip, because not doing anything is easy – even worse is doing something which looks like work – but is not even close to it. Checking emails – first thing in the morning, surfing the web for endless hours – looks like work because you spend hours engaging your brain – but it is not work.

It is easy to waste time that you have on hands.

So doing everyday what matters is important.

And when I work I know it makes sense to work better, not harder.

And what matters to me – happiness, success, moving from point A to B – being a better man than I was last year, taking caring of my well being and of those around me.

Making an impact also matters to me – not in a “I am big listen to me” way but in “This is my world and it is my responsibility to make it a better place” way.

For doing work – setting goals is important – setting milestones is important.

If you are a pro like Leo Babauta – you may leave goals aside. Even if you are a pro – jury is still out on this.

Bur for normal beings like us it make sense to have milestones and goals.

One thing that is really good – is PICK FOUR and writing your goals down (Disclaimer: I was part of The Domino Project (TDP) street team, the publishing outfit behind “Pick Four”. But I that is not why I recommend it. I do because it works.

I you want to move without it – then go with the simple premise –  pick 4 important goals in four areas of your life. And then do one thing about each one of these goals 5 days a week for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks you would have made progress – far better than you imagined.

It is common sense – and if you do it, it will work.

If you are not sure what to do – then start with just doing good.

I will come and share how it all is going for me – middle of the year or later, so stay tuned between now and then - because you will have more good stuff coming.

If you read so far… do me a favor complete the sentence below. By doing so – you will also do yourself some good .

Now complete this sentence in comments.

In 2013, my focus words are …………………………………………………………….

Photo Credits: 5, strong, learn, laugh, give, do,

Seth Godin sent this to his Kickstarter tribe.

The box contained eight copies of the hardcover edition of The Icarus Deception, PLUS two copies (signed by author) of V is for Vulnerable, PLUS the limited-edition, mammoth digital collection in print, a book heavy enough to kill a small mammal; and also few neat bookmarks.

I got some pics clicked – with an intent to share with you.

Here they are.

Knock Knock

Look what I got

Let us put it down

Boxes inside box, the first one.

Time to open.

Looks interesting

Fly closer to the Sun. Whadya say?

Let us pull it out.

V is for Vulnerable.

This one has Illustrations by Hugh MacLeod.

Box is empty now. Time to get inspired.

Color, design – love it

A page inside.

Let us flip the pages.

Whole set.

Notice the size of behemoth as compared to phone.

That’s how I got the big daddy out.

Now is the (best) time to start!

So this was my experience of unboxing this lovely package.

Hope you enjoyed.

I know that you want to know – what’s the deal with FREE PRIZE.

A little later today, I will share a quick story.

And a chance for 3 readers to win a copy of The Icarus Deception and for one reader a chance to get a copy of V is Vulnerable signed by the author.

Here is how you can get your hands over free prize. (Hint: It is at the end of the post).

If you can’t wait – just go and get yourself a copy over at Amazon.

31/12/12: Updated with these fabulous Icarus unboxing pics by my friend MEM.

It was my best year yet.

I did things that I love to do, met some incredible people, and gained clarity about which path to take.

I also launched new projects, continued my experiments, and more of you joined my email list. I also with joy in my heart helped people (not as many as I wanted) to grow their business and find clarity in life.

More people joined team Metadoor. [Side note: We are hiring - so if you are a blogger, programmer, web developer or a design ninja - and are proud of your work - send your links and notes to mail @ metadoor.in]

2013 is going to be even better. For now .. here is a rundown of my favorite posts from 2012.

As always mail me with your suggestions, notes and things you’d like to read here.

What to do when things do not work they way you want?

2012 is almost behind us. If things did not work out the way you wanted them to – this post offers some idea on what to do next.

How to make tons of money?

Money makes us the world go ga-ga. This post was inspired by time-tested principles and new ideas.

Fear

We can use fear – to stagnate or grow. Read this one for ideas.

Do good to feel good

Whatever be your reason of doing good – selfish or otherwise – it makes sense to do it.

Myth of easy success in digital world

World is fast paced now – there are more tools (likely more efficient) but the principles of success remain same as they were in old days.

How to make sure that you succeed?

This post talk about ideas that are different than often discussed rule of 10,000 hours.

A shot at life without metrics

In a world driven by numbers, it makes sense to step aside for a while and pay attention to things that matter.

50 pages a day

You can read more books using this approach, possibly find opportunities and expand your world views.

Find a path that is worthy of you

I wrote this post to urge you (and remind myself) – to bring out the best in yourself.

A new month

Use a month as a unit to measure your progress to start and finish mini projects. Many of such mini projects done one after another – will help you accomplish a lot.

Myth of doing what you love

This brief post has ideas to get out of your comfort zone and move ahead in life.

How to plan your day like Benjamin Franklin

Model your day and life on how one of the most celebrated life hacker did it.

–

Thanks for paying attention, and chiming in with your thoughts from time to time. I appreciate you love and your time – and the opportunity to be able to write for you.

To a superb 2013.

This is a good question to ask.

 “I’m always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them.” – Pablo Picasso

If you always do what you love – you will not learn anything new.

While learning something new, you adept and struggle – and then you keep on trying until you become good at it.

You may start enjoying this new thing in the end. But when you begin – and at times after that –  there are periods when you do not enjoy it as much.

That said – if you do not embrace the unseen – and the fear and uncertainties that come with it –  you will loose many (some possibly life changing) opportunities.

Photo credits

So you want to plan your day like Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the man known for his autobiography and 13 virtues.

Let us first take a look how Benjamin Franklin’s day looked – in the image that follows.

So it was 8 hours of work, 7 hours of sleep, 5 hour for reflection, review and well being (cleaning/food) etc – and 4 hours for recreation and pursuits of other interests.

Let us break it down more and see how we can do it.

1. Work in blocks of time.

Benjamin Franklin created blocks of time.

Early morning for getting ready, reflection and setting the tone for the day.

Later, a solid 4 hour block for work.

Noon, for food and review.

Afternoon, work again.

Evening, recreation, pursuing interest and social activities.

Then night for solid 7 hours of sleep.

He did not keep up with his routine always – as shared in this Atlantic article about his schedule. For a man who traveled for a large part of his life – it would have been almost impossible to stick to it all the time – still the kind of success he achieved as a polymath -  is hard to come by without discipline.

If you look at his schedule he created blocks of time for each activity.

2. Find time for all parts of your life.

He had time to wash, breakfast (no rushing into mobile phone – as soon as you get up).

Once ready – he started work without bothering about anything else.

And he did not eat while working – as people tend to do these days.

There was time for fun, recreation and diversions in evening – even time for putting things in their place.

3. Sleep well.

He kept 7 hours for sleep every night.

And slept at same time every day.

This is a contrast to today where people are tired due to lack of sleep and rarely get a good night’s sleep on weekdays.

4. Be disciplined.

I have no proof to show you that Franklin stuck to this schedule but the achievements of the man and his contribution to society say it all.

Today people may speculate how Franklin would have fared in a world suffering with a constant onslaught of information via Facebook, Twitter and mobile – but chances are that a man as disciplined as Franklin would have found a way – to be productive in this age as well.

So if you want to plan your day like Franklin – create blocks of time, find time for all parts of your life, sleep well and be disciplined.

What sort of daily schedule do you follow?

Love to hear in comments.

Results are out, see them below.

On September 24th I started a no metrics experiment.

For first 28 days it actually ran like a “low metrics experiment”, with some success in between.

But towards the end I was able to make it a TRUE NO METRICS EXPERIMENT.

Here is how many times I checked my blog stats (and for one of my other sites) during 30 day period between 24th September and 23rd October.

(If you are interested in – just the results – head over to end of this table).

Results

When I started the experiment, I used to check my stats multiple times a day.

By deciding not to do it – I made a conscious choice to tackle this unproductive habit. Unproductive – because checking stats does nothing, taking action improves things. In case of a blog – writing new posts, promoting old and new posts –  are activities that bring results.

In the beginning I was able to reduce the number of times I was checking the stats. There were many days in between when I did not check stats at all but again there were days when I checked my stats multiple times.

By the end of October I was able to kick my “check stats” habit totally.

At this point I decided to check my stats once a month (first day of a new month) and record key metrics (total unique visitors, total page views, new email subscribers and any significant milestone).

Between Oct 23rd and today (Dec 1st, 2012) I checked my stats for MohitPawar.com on Nov 1^st and today. For All Out Digital (AOD), I checked it on Nov 1^st and multiple times between Nov 27 and today. For AoD I checked it more than once because – I am planning some changes to leverage the growth it has seen in recent months.

Traffic for AoD has been on an upswing in recent months. On this site, traffic was low in November as compared to earlier months (I know the reasons and will be working on fixing it).

I plan to do more such experiments and will share my experience with you.

Happy to see your thoughts in comments and know about your efforts.

Photo Credits