Inside, outside

Where do you seek to find the answer to your problems?

  • A horoscope?
  • An expert blogger?
  • A fortune cookie?

That stuff might get you thinking.

But the answer is inside.

And you can usually find it outside.

Literally.

Go for a walk.

You go here

People can usually figure it out on their own.

  • Where to sit at a dinner.
  • Where to stand in a group photo.
  • Which position everyone should play on a team.

Those things are not tough to figure out.

But in a group, why let people figure it out for themselves?

It’s bound to get awkward. And be inefficient. And sub-optimal.

If you’re the host or the photographer or organizer, don’t be afraid.

Tell ’em where to go.

Aiming

What’s the goal?

  • A 3-hour marathon time?
  • A 75 on the CPA exam?
  • A 95-win baseball season?

All those milestones should be enough to qualify or pass or make the playoffs.

But if you aim for those numbers, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

You gotta aim higher.

Celebrities, Father-of-the-Bride, Grandma, President Obama

When is there ever an excuse to NOT introduce yourself?

  • People should know you? Nope.
  • People do know you? Nope.
  • You’re older than everyone? Nope.
  • You’re the leader of the free world? Nope.

If someone says, “Hi, my name is,” why would you EVER not say the exact same thing back?

Yes, saying, “Good to meet you!” is a fine thing to say.

But give your name, first.

Please.

Thanks,
Uncle Leo

It’s a human thing.

You can’t control yourself.

  • The leftover cookies from your party.
  • Instagram / Twitter on your phone.
  • The couch in your peripheral vision.

It’s not a bad thing. It’s a human thing.

Accept the reality.

Enjoy the indulgence. Or, eliminate the option all together.

Completely and innefficiently

I could probably be more efficient with my time. Do more in fewer minutes.

But then what do I do with the extra time? Take on more projects and responsibilities? Get more things and hobbies?

Nah.

I want fewer projects. Fewer things.

Deep focus on the couple things that matter the most.

Today

Today is my birthday. I’m officially 30.

To save you time (and entertain you or bring you joy or make you feel inspired), I’ve “registered” for the following things.

These are all things YOU can do today that will make me happy on my birthday.

They’re all free.

  • Go outside (it’s glorious today in Chicago).
  • Get some exercise (see above).
  • Make a smoothie.
  • Try a Vitamix for 30 days.
  • Check out some of the Nutribullet vs Vitamix YouTube video I just published.
  • Adopt a dog.
  • Talk to your neighbor.
  • Do something silly.
  • Throw away some clutter.
  • Make something healthy to eat (if you don’t normally do that).
  • Eat some junk food (because that’s how you eat at special events).
  • Hug a loved one.
  • Hug a coworker.
  • Subscribe to Life is NOYOKE.
  • Call me and sing Happy Birthday on my voicemail.
  • Write down three things for which you’re grateful.
  • Make some music.
  • Write something.
  • Be happy.

I’ve made it easy to do at least one. But if you want to give the best gift, pick one that’s not so easy. It’s the difficult ones that make the best gifts.

Stuck

What do you do when you’re stuck?

I hear people tell me they’re stuck all the time.

  • Stuck at a certain weight.
  • Stuck on a problem they’re solving.
  • Stuck at the airport.

Getting stuck is normal. But, continuing to get stuck at the same weight or issue or airport is not.

Make a change.

New plan. New approach. New airport or airline or route.

Just change it up.

Sure, you might get stuck again. But at least it’s in a different spot.

The Stumbler

Art is never original. It’s an adaptation.

So, on this blog, I try to put my original voice on unoriginal thoughts, writings, etc.

They’re adaptations.

But this one is not worth adapting. It’s best read as an original, in its entirety.

It’s called the Moral Bucket List, although I prefer the title, “The Stumbler.”

Highlights:

  • Resume Virtues vs Eulogy Virtues.
  • “Wonderful people are made, not born.”
  • What happens when we crash through barriers of fears.

And this:

The stumbler doesn’t build her life by being better than others, but by being better than she used to be.

So true.

Check it out in the David Brooks article, Moral Bucket List in full here.