The Pursuit of Truth And Knowledge

What Life Area Needs The Most Work?

2009-05-01T10:53:00.001-04:00

Chime in! Where do you feel somewhat lacking? Or several areas. :) Take the poll, and yes you can select multiple answers if you need to. Or all of them. :)

For me, I feel that all of my life areas could use some improvement. I wouldn’t say any of them are “perfect” or even a 10. I could easily select all of them! But I’d say my main focus/area that needs improving is the finance side of life. As I’m sure many of you would agree!

So go ahead and chime in, let me know what you feel could be improved in your life. You can expand as well in comments.

Technorati Tags: Personal Development,Polls,Self-Improvement

Starting An Exercise Routine

2009-04-27T01:19:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

Starting an exercise routine can be fun, though its usually challenging. First you have to figure out what exercises you are planning to do, then where you will be doing them, then finally getting to the doing the exercise part.

I will be starting an exercise routine here in the next few days, to add to my getting healthy quest. It will also help distract me from other concerns, and since I’m striving to maximize my energy, I can’t neglect the exercise aspect. Even if weight is a non-issue for me.

I will be doing a combination of strength training and cardio. I will be utilizing my own body weight for resistance, and starting out mountain biking for cardio. Where I live is perfect for biking, and I can bring my digital camera and enjoy double productivity. Hmm, could listen to podcasts on my iPod as well for a triple dose. I definitely enjoy eeking out as much as I can from each activity. :)

I will be weighing myself daily, and keeping track in a notebook of what exercise I do, how many reps, times etc. I have to see where I’ve been to know that progress has been made! The weight isn’t really a concern, I’m not looking to lose anything. But I want to monitor just in case my weight decides to plummet. Keeping track will help me feel better…my aim is to not get below my current weight of about 135lbs. Even that is a bit low for my height!

Technorati Tags: Physical Health,Goals,Exercise

Staggering Your Goals

2009-04-15T10:09:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

One thing I have recently learned is the power of staggering your goals. Instead of jumping in with both feet and hands, take it one step at a time. I recently made the mistake of jumping in too far too fast...and ended up overwhelmed. I'm sticking to it, but it was a serious error on my part, and could have had me throwing all my goals in the toilet.

Its very easy to get on a roll with goal setting. Often times, at least for me, setting one goal and acting on it starts a snowball effect. Suddenly my head is full of goals and changes to make, and with that rush of motivation, its so simple to take on all of them. At once. Love that Superman rush! But its hard to focus on any one goal, or series of goals, if you are focused on too much at once. Staggering your goals doesn't mean you can't focus on a few at once, but it nor does it mean to take a new goal on each day.

Focus on goals that will get you to the same place. If you have financial goals, start on them. Health goals, family goals ext. Get familiar with fitting your goals into your schedule, start getting comfortable before you jump into the next set of goals. Sure, we all want to change our lives overnight, but that isn't going to happen. Unless you win the lottery, but that's only temporary. Take at least a week to get situated, longer if you feel it necessary. Keep a running list of goals that pop into your head over that week, to ensure you don't forget any. You might be pleasantly surprised how many are resolved without you working on them at all.

Realizations

2009-03-31T14:10:00.004-04:00

Image by harold.lloyd (well I declare) via Flickr

I have realized that I am going about things all wrong. I have been trying to fit what I know into what I'm doing, and forgetting all about the journey.

Life is a journey, and growing as a person is part of that journey.

Instead, I've been too focused on what I already know, what I don't feel qualified in, worrying about making a mistake, of failing...who cares? Is who I am dependant on any of these things?

What's my value?

My value is in making mistakes, experiencing things, gaining new knowledge...and sharing them. Its not in getting things perfect, and doing it all now. I can't read your minds, I can't know exactly how to say something to reach anyone. Letting go of my perfectionism might be the hardest thing I have ever done.

The pursuit of truth and knowledge is exactly that, a pursuit. Its not a destination. Its not about being perfect, or even being right...its about the attempt.

Take Care Of Yourself

2009-01-08T13:27:00.002-05:00

My Cardinal Rule

You are the most important thing in the world. Even if you feel insignificant. Take the time to eat well, exercise, drink water and get plenty of rest. Take Care of Yourself
first!

Lately, I haven't been living by my cardinal rule. I have been focused on growing my business, which is great, but I have been neglecting myself. I haven't been sleeping well for one thing, going to bed in the wee hours of the morning tends to negate sleep. I really haven't been eating well, and exercise, what's that? And I'm noticing a trend. Even though I am still producing work, it is taking me far longer to get started on any one project, even with all the motivation in the world. I keep finding excuses, such as needing to read just one more article or blog post. I'm irritable, cranky, and my poor daughter thinks a really big demon is her mother. I feel like I'm regressing instead of progressing.

Another trend I am noticing within myself is that taking care of oneself isn't only about your body. I have noticed that when I am faced with a clean, organized environment I do better, mentally and emotionally. The messier things get, the more out of control I am. The chaos without doesn't only reflect the chaos within, it will also create it. I probably wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't keeping a keen eye on everything that changes my mood or habits lately.

Your physical health and environment are the most important aspects of your life. Take some time out of your day today to improve in each. Take a couple of minutes to do some sit ups or push ups, or even run in place. Straighten up a corner that is bothering you. Clean off your desk. Make yourself something nice for lunch that has some substance to it. Do this every day. There really is no reason not to. You can do a bit each time you are waiting for a page to load online, or during a commercial break.

I myself am off to do a bit of exercise to get my blood moving, drink a glass of water and make myself a Philly Cheese steak for lunch. Maybe I'll even incorporate a nap into this afternoon before my daughter gets home.

Blog Reading: My Top Three Blogs

2009-01-07T00:39:00.003-05:00

I don't live in a bubble, I love to read blogs. In particular, I often find myself reading them instead of getting any writing done. Oops. I wanted to share with you my top three blogs, the ones that I find myself religiously reading. At least I'm learning something, right?

Steve Pavlina - The god of personal development. Okay, he's not a god, he's a man, but still. I admire his drive, and I really enjoy the way his brain works. Kind of like mine, only male. I do not really glean much new information from his blog, but it helps put it back in my face so I lose the familiarity blindness that can envelop me from time to time. I have read his blog from front to back, and back again. I definitely plan on buying his book, although unfortunately Barnes & Nobles didn't have it, so to Amazon I go!

ProBlogger - I read this blog mostly to keep my pulse on the blogosphere, and to learn new things. There is a wealth of information here about blogging and writing, from the simple to the more advanced. I haven't read everything in Darren's archive yet, but I'm working my way through it!

CopyBlogger - I also read this one for information. I just recently found this one, so I haven't dug through all the archives yet, but I've learned a lot that will help me in many ways already.

Well, there you have it, my top three, can't get enough of blogs. :)

2009 Focus - Finances

2009-01-04T01:03:00.001-05:00

Image via WikipediaMy focus for 2009 is something that seems to interrupt every other part of my mind. It is the main thing that is holding me back in my life, so now seems like a good time to make it disappear. Or at least ease the situation a bit.

There are many aspects that are holding me back, and I plan to work on all of them. Its amazing what really sits in each catagory, or what crosses over into them all. My main goals will be creating more income, removing obstacles, and controlling the money I do have. The "how" is going to be a big part of this goal. I can't spread myself too thin trying to do everything, so I need to have some idea in mind on how I will accomplish all this. So there will be focuses within my focus. Having a main focus is really important to me, even with several smaller goals. I truly enjoy goal trees.

Creating income is the easy aspect. And the most obvious. I will be working all this year to grow my online business in a healthy and positive way. Although there are many cheats out there, I do not feel the need to go that route. I will be doing this using good old fashioned hard work. I have no desire to take shortcuts (unless they are perfectly legal and sensible, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here.) just for a quick fix. I want to focus on building something of lasting value, not just slapping some words on a page and submitting it all over the place, or even worse, spamming people.
Removing obstacles is less obvious, and more difficult. In order to do that, I have to start chipping away at those things that are really holding me back with my finances, and growing my business. The state of my environment, my health, procrastination, depression...all of these things can hinder my sucess. I have to clean up behind the scenes in order to improve the store front. This also will include the skills I have to learn to be successful...obviously I wouldn't get very far as a freelance writer if I do not know how to write, how to advertise, market, the basics of SEO and numerous other things. Obviously I have some skills in those departments, but there is always room for improvement. I will have several focuses within this catagory, right now I'm thinking at least one a month, but no more then three.
Controlling the money I do have is painfully obvious. Without a budget and a clear idea for where my money needs to go and what it needs to do, I end up accomplishing nothing. Its almost as if the money gets sucked into a black hole, leaving me scratching my head. Like everything else, it is very important to know how to control your money, to make it work for you verses against you. Budgeting is definitely a skill I need work on. I know the basics, but I've rarely made a successful budget. I tend towards budgeting every penny, and we know how well that works out for creative, right brained people. So I'm going to focus on different styles of budgeting, and see if I cannot find one that works.

Much of this will cross over into my blog(s) as I go. There are many lessons I still have yet to learn, and much knowledge I have yet to gain. But I am fully committed to enjoying the process. Are you?

What is your focus for 2009? How will you make this a better year then last year?

Using The Motivation Of The Season

2009-01-01T22:59:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaIts the beginning of a new year, and that is always a wonderful time for new beginnings. Most of us are geared up and looking forward to the new year, hoping that this one will be better then the last. You can almost feel the energy of this time of year like a second skin, yet most of us stick with the status quo, even with all this extra motivation swirling around. Or we use it to work on our New Year's resolutions, yet fall into the same pattern of "I'll get to it later" with everything else.

Just because its mundane, boring, tedious or even just plain stupid doesn't mean that you cannot use all your extra motivation to get it done. Use the motivation you feel to breeze through them. House needs a serious cleaning or decluttering? Utilize all this extra get it done mojo and do it. Don't wait til spring (when you really won't feel like doing it) or until that perfect time. Just get it done! In the immortal words of Nike...Just Do It. This is a great time to get those niggling little things off of your to do lists.

Following the natural rythums of society and your own nature will aid you in truly making the most of this year. Many personal development guru's talk about slaying your dragons before breakfast, you've heard the advice before. But what if you slayed your dragons in the beginning of the year? Think of how productive your year would be if you start fresh. Wouldn't it feel great to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the house is clean, that your little irritants are gone, that you had a killer month financially?

What would that do to your motivation the rest of the year?

I admit, I have been a victim before of the beginning of the year motivation drag. I've gotten hyped up about how this year is going to be different, how I'm going to accomplish x, y, and z, then before I know it I've been bogged down by all those little things that weigh on my mind. The past several years have been like that. Hey, no one's perfect. Then I remembered how I felt when I truly started a year off right, I got to the end like I had really accomplished something. The trend I started in January truly carried me through the rest of the year.

So this year, like many before it, I decided that I'm going to do what feels the best. I've already cleaned two rooms in my house (went on a tiny bit of an OCD cleaning frenzy, but it got it done), started several projects that I feel wonderful about, planned my year (to the extent that I can sitting here at point one), and actually already feel amazing. I've been crossing things off my list that have been bothering me, and now they are no longer distracting me from getting to where I want to be. I've gotten more done already then I feel I did all last year. Not the most accurate of feelings, but it sure feels good. And if it feels good, it can't be wrong.

New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-30T22:07:00.003-05:00

Its almost the new year, where do you want to be at this same point next year?

Making New Year's Resolutions

Most people make New Year's resolutions based on what they want to stop doing, verses what they want to do. Stop it. Seriously. How's that working for you? Many of us feel really good about making the resolution to lose weight, stop smoking, etc. But hardly any of us actually follow through with them. Sure, that extra boost of motivation is great...but is it worth the year's worth of doing the same ole same that will follow?

Instead of trying to stop doing something, focus on what you want to do. Where do you see yourself at the end of the year? Who do you see yourself as? Really think about those questions when you are making your resolutions. Don't just say the standard, it already hasn't gotten you anywhere. Picture yourself a year from now, doing whatever it is that you really WANT to do. Sure you might see yourself as a non-smoker or a thinner you, but what else do you see? Focus on the big picture, see yourself from every angle. You're excited now aren't you?

Now write down everything that you see. Don't just focus on one aspect here, but everything. Your thinner, not smoking, have a new place, a clean place, a new job, your own business...you get the point. Write it down even if it seems small, like that shirt you are wearing that you do not own yet.

Glance through everything you have written down, and see if you cannot find any common denominators. For the sake of example, lets go with what I see. I see myself in a new and clean home, working from home, living my life fully, free, non-smoking, fit, happy and content. I see myself with a robust social life and being able to handle all that life throws at me. To narrow that down into categories, I narrowed it to personal goal, finance goal, and health goal. Some of these things are already in place, and will be when you do yours....there is some things you like about where you are right now, right?

Now make a broad, general statement that encompasses that image in your head for each of the three categories. I do mean broad...you have a year to accomplish these goals! Some statements could include (using the example above), I will be a better person at then end of next year then I am now, I will be financially independent at the end of next year, I will be healthier at the end of next year then I am now, etc. Remember, you have a full 365 days to accomplish these goals!

Keeping New Year's Resolutions

I know the above goes against everything you have ever learned about making goals. They are definitely not SMART goals, though they are time bound, and actually measurable. I have found that if I make a definite goal for a year, I will take all year to do it...and probably wind up at the end of the year no better then I was the year before. Or I forget about it Jan 2nd...or shortly thereafter, once again, I have all year to do it, right? Sound familiar?

Its easier to keep a broad goal because it is inherently flexible. You can create goals around them, without feeling trapped by something you promised months ago. New Year's resolutions should be end goals, large goals, not something that you can accomplish in a month's time. Where's the fun in that?

Another downside to defined year end goals is the success factor. If you want to lose 40lbs in a year, do so in 6 months, then gain it all back...did you fail? Most of us would say yes, and we are defeated before we even start. But if you want to become healthier then you are now, join a gym, go a few times a month, lose 10lbs, eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and less junk food...have you failed? No, you are healthier then you were a year ago. It takes the pressure off, and you are far more likely to keep a goal you do not feel stressed about.

The key to this is to create smaller goals that will help you reach that ideal by the end of the year. You can do it monthly, quarterly, weekly...whatever floats your boat. I prefer monthly, but that might be too much for others. This keeps you heading towards that end goal, yet remains flexible enough that you can change it as time progresses. Lets stick with the healthier year end goal. In the winter you might lack the motivation to exercise as much, so you focus on eating more fruits and vegetables, but as spring nears, you suddenly feel much more motivated to exercise. Bathing suit season is coming up you know. Perhaps you have dropped a few pounds already, that can be highly motivating.

You build on the goals you have already accomplished, instead of arbitrarily doing things randomly. Doesn't that already sound more motivating then lose 40lbs in a year? Baby steps are truly the key to having a successful year end. Life is going to happen, wouldn't you feel much better knowing that you were taking steps towards getting what you want...instead of throwing in the towel?

Achieve Your Goals

2008-12-15T22:49:00.001-05:00

Goals are an important part of daily life, as well as personal development and growth. We all make goals, from our daily to do lists to where we want to be in five years. Some goals are made in the moment, and forgotten as quickly. We all follow the same pattern year after year. We make a goal or several, write them down or keep a log some other way, go strong for a few days, then we forget about them...until months pass and then its a mere random thought.

How do you make effective goals? To start, you cannot just write down your goals and put them away somewhere. They are only effective if they remain fresh in your mind. Take out your goals daily, or keep them posted somewhere you will see them constantly. The more they stick in your mind, the more likely you are to follow through...they will stick in your life as well.

Another goal trick I enjoy is to keep a marker board on my fridge. I use it to write down key phrases that remind me what my goals are, or problems I'm having meeting them. One problem I have is procrastination, so I keep the words "Just Do It" on my fridge. Go Nike for that simple yet effective slogan. I also use email or forum signatures the same way, giving myself a little message whenever I see a post of mine. You can use instant messenger status messages, website headlines, anything that you look at repeatedly. Rotate them out regularly, or else you will fall into "familiarity blindness", basically you just stop seeing it. You know you're in it when the saying barely blimps on your radar instead of having the effect it used to. Use words from songs that strike a cord with you, famous quotes, or create your own. One saying I've had to retire for now is "You are responsible for your own experience." While still has depth of meaning, I've used it so much for years that now it doesn't get the desired results. And I do mean years, I would preface many conversations or advice sessions with that saying...I've been saying it since I was a kid. Feel free to use it though if it strikes you.

Some people I know use post it notes to keep track of their goals. They place it on a highly visible surface, commonly the bathroom mirror believe it or not, and then they are always staring them in the face. Personally I wouldn't recommend doing so for a large number of goals, but for a few go right ahead. Unless you enjoy having your bathroom mirror covered in post it notes.

In order to make effective goals, it has to get you to something you want, not something you think you should want. The difference between the two is either getting the goal accomplished or not...there is no real midground. Sure, you might accomplish goals for work that are based on someone else's ideas of what you should be doing, but how is that working for you? Do you feel fulfilled at the end of the day, feeling as if you accomplished a lot of your goals? Or do you get home, flop on the couch, glad that you aren't there anymore? Start writing down the things you want to do, and see how you can accomplish that, step by step.

I find making the goals as small as possible, with an end goal that umbrellas the rest, the easiest way to accomplish things. Especially when I'm not in the mood, feeling sick, or having a rebellous moment. My inner child hates goals, she sees them as restricting...we're working on her. That way I have the instant gratification of accomplishing a piece of the puzzle and feel like I'm getting somewhere. This is a good way if you are just starting on the path to creating the life you've always wanted...if you are already on this path, this might look like child's play. Do what works for you. If your current goal creating strategy is working for you, keep using it. But if nothing you do works, try different ways until you find something that works. Don't feel you have to do it x way because so and so said so...isn't that what got you in this mess in the first place?

The Pursuit of Truth And Knowledge

2008-12-15T00:31:00.000-05:00

Why truth and knowledge?

The pursuit of truth and knowledge is simply personal development. I am constantly looking to better myself. Not to be better then anyone else, but to be better then what I was. I seek to raise my consciousness, improve my skills, aquire new ones and basically I remain in a state of change. I seek to experience as much about this realm as I can before my current form withers and dies. That in itself would be an experience.

Why do I seek to change myself so much?

Because I can. Its the only thing I can do. And through changing myself, I can change the world. One person may not be able to directly change the world, it would be a fruitless endeavor. But by changing myself, I change those around me, then they change people around them and it just snowballs from there. Everything is connected, nothing is seperate. So yes, one tiny person may not be able to change the world directly, but eventually all those small changes add up. Amazing isn't it?

Besides that, nature hates a static situation. That which does not change dies. Everything changes, regardless of how one feels about it. Many people hate change, and will fight it with everything they have. What a waste of energy. I embrace change for the most part. I say that because I am only human, I have my moments as well where the heels get dug in and I fight...then it dawns on me how rediculous I'm being and I move on. I can either control it or fight it, but either way I cannot stop it.

So I figure, why fight a losing battle?

For me it would be like trying to stop breathing. Sure you can do it for a bit, but eventually your body knocks you out and does it regardless of your wishes. Change is very similar, your mind will be taken out of the proceedings if you continue to fight. I am recovering from one such period myself. I got caught in the losing battle, and I lost.

Currently I would say I'm starting over, practically at rock bottom. Things can only go up from here. I stopped playing the game and the game played me. To anyone who feels as if the winds of life are currently beating them down, I feel for you, I really do. I would say that my life currently (if you go by the normal categories of personal development) is ranging between a 0 and a 3.

* Work/Career/Business
* Financial
* Relationship
* Home & Family
* Physical Health
* Mental/Educational
* Social/Friends
* Emotional
* Spiritual
* Character
* Contribution
* Fun & Adventure

I would add skills to that list as well, even though it falls under Character. But I consider Character more along the lines of "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". So now you know that I'm not perfect, but I have a lot of knowledge that I feel compelled to share.

Let's see where we end up, shall we?