Over the past few years, I’ve made several investments. Not traditional investments, but investments in stuff. Here are some of the best ones:
These investments took a while to finalize. After all, they were not cheap. But research and nights sleeping on the decision paid off.
So?
Give it some thought.
Because the stuff not requiring thought probably isn’t worth getting anyway.
Managing a team is scary. Hiring an assistant is not.
Running a marathon is scary. A 5k today is not.
Leaving a salaried job is scary. Earning some money on the side is not.
Identifying the end-goal is important. It makes the baby-step seem easier. And if you start to worry about how you’re going to get to the end-goal, just identify the next baby step.
Why?
Because a few assistants, a few 5ks, and a couple grand on the side add up quickly.
That article you need to write. That formula you need to create. The puzzle you’re trying to finish.
Staring at the blank paper or formula bar or scattered puzzle pieces forever won’t get you there.
Putting it down, however, will.
What are you working on these days?
It could be a:
Life is better when you can answer that question immediately.
There are so many things to work on. “Same shit different day” is not one of them.
I’ve noticed:
The river has to flow somewhere. Might as well channel it in the right direction.
Think you’re ready for a baby? Get a dog.
Think you’re ready for a dog? Get a plant.
Think you’re ready for a plant? Great. Go get one.
Soon, you’ll be well on your way to being ready for a baby.
Baby steps, People.
Tough acts to follow don’t need to be so tough.
How many movies, TV shows, bands, books and performers, should have heeded this advice?
Godfather III, Hangover II and III, Dexter seasons 5 through the end. Ugh.
Following tough acts is okay. But something small is the only way to follow.
NOTE: The Kenichi Ebina video is a case in point (and awesome). Performance 1 is at 2:28. This principal is explained at 4:13. Performance 2 follows.
I love Seth Godin’s blog. If you don’t subscribe to it, you should. You’ll learn about business, life and other good things. Kinda like this blog (cough).
If you subscribe to Seth’s blog long enough, you’ll see the one mistake Seth makes every week. Every morning, you’ll get an email with the day’s blog post. And after a while, no matter how much you appreciate the content, you’ll begin to ignore the email. It happened to me, and it will happen to you. Its consistent delivery, every morning at 5AM becomes noise.
That noise:
Seth could benefit from a break. His readers could, too. One day per week would be enough.
Look in the mirror. Even if you aren’t writing a daily blog, you are doing a daily something. Facebook looking / posting. Clean eating. Working.
So how do you avoid producing, becoming, and delivering noise?
Keep doing what you’re doing. Write a thought-provoking blog. Eat clean. Do good work.
Just take a break.
A good doorman:
Alas, not all doormen are good doormen.
Might as well lead by example.
When in doubt, just think about what Lucy would do.
Love, exercise and appreciation.
WWLD.
