RJB

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized.”

raffybanks — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:30:04 +0000

Point Reyes

raffybanks — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:37:48 +0000

Took an amazing hiking trip to Point Reyes today. We first stopped at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, grabbed a map, and got on our way… We took the Bear Valley Trail to the Meadow Trail to the Sky Trail then finally to the Woodward Valley Trail to our final destination… The Sculptured Beach.

The most strenuous section was the Meadow Trail, which was more or less entirely uphill. The most stunning part was emerging from the woods to a panoramic view of the seashore.

A highly recommended hike!

Quora Should Add a Pay to Answer Feature

raffybanks — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:05:11 +0000

I would jump at the chance, for a small fee ($20+), to be able to email an expert on Quora and know they are going to respond privately to me. There are countless of highly specialized experts on the site answering broad questions, I think people would be very willing to pay to get their more specific questions answered.

Tracking Progress Helps You Focus

raffybanks — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:23:36 +0000

When I was at the gym today I felt completely lost. I felt like I was wandering around, not picking up the right weight, and just over thinking too much. It was probably the weakest I have been in a long time. I couldn’t figure out why, until I realized the one thing that I always have with me I had left behind at home. My log book.

I was not able to see what my workout schedule for the day was nor was I able to track my progress. It was the first time I was without it in years. I felt completely lost.

I realized that my log book does more than act as reference for future workouts or as a way to wow myself with all the progress I am making. It is something that really clears my mind and forces me to focus on the task at hand, my workout.

I’ve never used a logbook of any sort outside the gym, but I am definitely going to start exploring other places this might be useful. Not because I feel lost, but I wonder if it will help give me greater focus.

“If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.”

raffybanks — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 04:30:44 +0000

- Bertrand Russell

Abandoned Garage Converted Into Apartment

raffybanks — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:14:44 +0000

An architect in Bordeaux, France coverts an old garage on a historic street into an apartment. The most interesting feature is a single piece of furniture which acts as a closet, couch, guest bedroom, master bedroom, bathroom, workspace, and storage space.

Adoption

raffybanks — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:59:24 +0000

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“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

raffybanks — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:22:49 +0000

- Markus Aurelius

You’re selling emotions

raffybanks — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:26:40 +0000

At the end of the day, what ever product you sell or service you provide, you are selling an emotion.

Apple is a great example of this. You are emotionally sold when you open their deliberate packaging. When you interact with their friendly software. When your problems are solved at the Genius Bar. You get to experience wonderful emotions over and over.

If you are a consultant you sell emotion through your integrity, when you show up early, or fished a project under budget. These are all emotional wins and you are selling them constantly.

Saving someone money. Making someone money. Offloading work for someone. A firm handshake. Listening with intent. These are all emotional wins.

It is you job to find all the places and moments in time where you can provide emotional wins.

Gatekeepers no longer exist

raffybanks — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:12:36 +0000

Gatekeepers no longer exist, but their idea still persists. We see them in shows like American Idol, the workplace, and even friends and family. This idea that you need to take a set of steps in order to please the gatekeepers to let you move forward.

It is still within people to believe that you need someone else’s permission, approval, or blessing before doing something great. This may have been true at one time, but now you have no other choice.

You are your own gatekeeper.