Earning..

Imagine if it was all easy, & if everything was all given to you just like that? You didn’t have to work a day in your life. Margaritas in the Tropics. Your wants and wishes granted. Everything at your fingertips. No stress, never. A constant Paradise of a life.

Sounds nice? Sure.. but the case I look to share is WHY we shouldn’t accept this way of living, even if we had a choice too.

The fact of the matter is, our neurological composition wasn’t set up for us to be passive consumers and be truly deep down inside satisfied, when we just receive, and are not challenged. Fulfillment, comes in the sense of feeling good about oneself from producing, as I have talked about in a previous post (see footnotes). Earning something through ones dedication and concentration is far more satisfying then sitting back and receiving.

The obvious, most apparent example here is generational wealth. It is one thing to fall in this category and embrace a lifestyle from the sheer privilege ones had, it is another to contribute back to society with the affluence and positioning one finds themselves in.

We live in a journey of figuring it out, & the American Dream is a perfect example of a modest person being able to set their sights on something they want, and relentlessly work towards making it a reality. With a challenges we are keep invested, and with discipline, and a motive we are kept centered and focused. To an earning way of living.. not a passive one..

P.S: Yes, vacations are the great exception 🙂

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Jocko Willink- Power of

Image result for jocko willink warrior mindste

If you haven’t heard the voice than you havent been waking up early enough.. JW is a 4am’er & up before the crack of dawn, and also one of the greatest practitioners we have in carrying out a relentless attitude towards discipline. Post his tenure serving as Lieutenant Commander for the Navy Seals 3 teams in the Middle East, he has since pivoted into bringing his armed forces swiftly acting demeanor, back to society. His tenacious approach to moving forward, offers one to feel like the entire word of complaining should be banned from use..
He carries an approach, in dealing with humbleness and greater goal elevating in the good, and perspective in the not so good, that is contagious to living a morally, directionally guiding, and accomplishing life.
I recntly heard about the Power of Good from Jocko, and was immediately gravitated. What it aims to accomplish is in mastering how we can react progressively to anything thrown our way (read below in footnotes an expanded past post on reaction).

The essence of the Power of Good is simple- something doesn’t go your way… you do not get what you were looking for, ready for, or desiring? Right there in that split second your attitude should go towards acceptance. No matter how disappointed, saying ok I see. More effort, that’s ok. Growth, alright.  Progressive light triggers inside saying, it’ll just mean more now. More clarity of what wasn’t to be. 

From the Ex-navy Seal himself

Mission cancelled? Okay let’s focus on the other one/next one

Unexpected Problem? Okay, good opportunity to get creative

Didn’t get promoted? Okay, good more time to get better & grab better experience 

Didn’t get funded? Okay, good we get to own more of the company

Got tapped out in jujitsu? Okay, good, better to get tapped out in training than on the street


Small tweaks to your perspective will go a long way to how quickly you move forward and take advantage of our most limited and important resource.. time, in a progressive matter.. 

Footnotes: https://sk-creates.com/2020/12/05/reaction/

Peace of Mind


Excited to grow a topic today on staying rational & level-headed in all moments. As we can be prone to letting other decisions affect us and overthink/overanalyze what lies ahead.

Let’s jump right into it – In anything there’s going to be a yes or a no, plain and simple. The lab result will turn out well, or the girl won’t want to move forward with dating anymore. The lease manager will not qualify you for the condo, or you’ll get the scholarship. Either way in these examples, we have an answer. A path forward, be it one in wanted, or not. Regardless of the fact there is clarity! Clarity in something being good or not. Clarity in knowing what we can better do in the future. We only had to invest time, time to figure out if what was for you truly was, or not.. either way we must try, don’t we? Our monkey minds tend to prepare ourselves way too much for the ‘what if it doesn’t..’ & that isn’t healthy. Like dreading, oh man what if that blood test comes out terrible, or what if I do not get the scholarship. No favors were done there.. just precious time spent concerning.

Peace of mind is had in knowing you put in your best efforts in your actions, and that whatever the outcome is you’ll be accepting of it.

Come the results you move forwards and react. As after, we either go forwards from our ‘good news’ or come to greater terms with how dating isn’t usually a one hit wonder, and our dream home, well it would have made you broke from the start.

Peace of mind = putting things in your favor some more.

P.S It is useful and beneficial to judge based off your confidence in the future as well, depending on what it is of course.. not discrediting that at all. I do it as well..

You know what’s best for you, as always I just try and offer some additional perspective to what I do, am working on doing, or see as being valuable.

More than just Celebrating

Thanksgiving Colors. Yellow and Blue Watercolor Stock Image - Image of marble, brown: 194995989

With Thanksgiving here in America, many of us who are lucky enough, will gather with our loved ones – seeing some faces not seen in a while, sharing some laughs, having watched the morning ABC Parade, on top of maybe catching some football and stuffing away.. pun -intended (My favorite).

But how about giving yourself some time?

Time to reflect on your year, on the accomplishments, the skills, or your craft, as I like to call it that you hold – that have gotten you to reach heights, or successes in your career or schooling. Or the relationships, and people who are there for you, your home team, support team, or whoever has helped you progress forward, & been by your side in the good, and not so good.

What about some time towards appreciation for what we take for granted?

The clean water, the internet, free learning courses (LI Learning, YouTube university,) your 5 senses.. the farmers who grow our food, the behind the scenes of its delivery to restaurants, grocery stores.. county/state parks to adventure and soak sun in, apps/ streaming services for your entertainment & pleasure, the roof over your head, your health, your job, maybe both not perfect, but both present and serving – with room for growth.

To another thanksgiving of being with your loved ones and a delicious meal, yes, but also on soaking in the array of what you are fortunate and gifted in, giving yourself more credit, and appreciation of your world.

Below is a podcast by Jim Kwik, that I suggest, expanding on the science of gratitude, and what it does naturally and inherently to us when we take more time towards it, falling in line with Today.

Control x Balance

A lot goes on in this world that we live in that at times lead you to wonder why, other times drive you crazy, and make you feel as if it isn’t fair. You can’t control these things, but yet they happen and will continue too, it’s life. You get tested frequently, spend time letting them irritate and regress you… or letting them go and being accepting of it all. Which is one of the hardest things to do, as I’m sure everyone is aware. When you make the second decision you come to terms with knowing that you are stronger and understanding that not everything may work out the way you want to. See that is OK, it’s a process of seeing what’s for you compared to what’s not, and using that in itself for your own growth. This little fantasy world we all have in our minds of wanting to obtain as reality (dreams), can be held onto, they needs too… However, we MUST be realistic with them based on our skillsets/talents, & work-ethic, & ability to remain patient. Control what you can, and know that for what you can’t, all is well, it’s apart of the journey.

Patience and Preparation

It’s all in the making… you just cannot get caught up in the difficulty, in the downs, in the moments that really make you question your decisions, or lack there of. Stay light on your feet, & don’t lament, but rather take signs-your time is coming. You’re gonna have to WORK though man, and put things in your FAVOR way more. Play your strengths, and do not be cautions or complex when it comes to getting your plate. Be selfish for your bigger picture. If you have an important presentation Monday morning, theres no need to feel bad for skipping out on the Birthday bash the night before, the mission should be first, so the pleasure can come in greater amounts later. Anticipate that dream profession/lifestyle, the dream girl. Be independent, spend time studying your physiology, & most importantly count what you have, not what’s missing. Because that’s what makes you relevant and meaningful in SOMEONES eyes.

Move on!

A heavy argument could be made that the greatest indicator towards growth & advancement is how well one is towards accepting unexpected change. The ever constant of change. ..happening at times when we least expect it, happening in the most of unfavorable times, and making us wonder why, why me, why now?

We are either thrown off of track & let it really affect us or take it in stride.. & I want to speak on how we can operate with the ladder, bringing to light a pragmatic perspective to how there’s no reason to spend precious time feeling in limbo or regressed.

What has been able to keep me the most level headed is.. taking emotion out of unexpected change. To explain very logically: Everyone be it a government, company, a club/organization, or individual has their justification for making their selective choices. Some choices or decisions are far more difficult than they would want to deal with, but for them to progress forwards it has to be done, they need to make them. You on the other hand, may be on the receiving end of a tough call – Such as a larger tax given out to your income bracket, a termination of a 15 – year stay at a company based off of an economic recession, or a breakup of a relationship you thought was going to be the one. All tough breaks, all that very well shouldn’t be taken personally, but are a reality based off of how that entity or person figured they would better progress forwards in their lives. Those tough breaks could be versed in your favor, by simple perspectives as well… okay, I got to work harder now, theres my motivation, alright, that company yeah I don’t know I had been wanting to leave for years to move forwards with my band full time, that girl, I’m glad she told me now, and not later.. Maybe not like I needed to elaborate on, but.. DEFINITELY not taking any of them personally, but instead, spending time enjoying what we have in our lives, what is already there, or making progress in OUR field of control. So let’s progress and not regress, and adapt with the circumstances and not fret and lose sleep over them- for time is limited and on the other side lies limitless amounts of green pasture towards life pleasures, be them large or small. Remembering, you are the one who conveys a healthier, and happier reality with how well you adapt.

Routine

Somedays, we wish there were far more hours in the day to complete a productive day. Other days, we have to put out fires and are completely thrown off..

In my first post, I payed reference to our 24 – hour clock, in which our ancestry and through lightness/darkness helped dictate the hours in the day in which we are at our best.

What I look to capitalize & highlight here in this post, is more of the rational & the importance in keeping a routine & how it can only play in your favor towards wellness and productivity. In keeping as best as we can our days ‘known’ and deriving satisfaction from what those days consist of, to reach a coveted flow state.

Of course unforeseen circumstances and outliers in our weeks can always find their way to intervene, & that is O.K – as that is when our favorite word comes into action.. adapting. Which is for another post in itself.

Near 40% of our days are powered by habits, which means we are on auto -pilot for a good portion of our days based off of past acquired tendencies or behaviors. With knowing that our habits make a good portion of our MO, logic would say have good habits and you’ll have a prosperous routine, as they are a large part of the formula to steady routine. The rest well it builds off of habits – such as your decision making, your ability to cope, interpersonal skills, and the list goes on.

Alongside healthy habits, we can curate as well structure & accomplishments through developing a routine.

Structure creates repetition, which leads to orientation, & with that we have a sense of knowing where we stand, with control in our days. Taking the guesswork out of our days and making them much less difficult & simpler. Accomplishments can be felt in the sense of retaining self-esteem through having productive days. Even if it is as small as starting your day off making your bed- as you have already as minuscule as it might sound towards the rest of your day, led off on the right foot.

Ways in which you can get into a routine are on Sunday, or Monday morning frame out your week. Where are your priorities aligned? What matters to you most this week, personally, professionally? Grab yourself a planner/agenda and have at it.

Perfectionism

Here is the contect: Perfectionism is all FABRICATED AND FANTASY-DRIVEN

I recently heard a phrase ‘ perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.’ It caught me like a deer in headlights. Coming from someone who subconsciously had been living years always wanting more, not being satisfied & being too critical of what he was doing- I consciously realized this was no longer a way to live. The fact of the matter: It is not sustainable, and the pursuit of it filled with more resentment than fulfillment.

What way is that to live a life after all? With a newly found perspective, a lot less of a headache, and a more objective point of view- we as individuals are too pick our slots. Pick our pockets of focus that are aligned with our skill – sets & strengths and practice them.. practice them OFTEN!

Check out these 3 to see if you align under them, and if so ELIMINATE.

Self- oriented perfectionism – This is when somebody is overly-excessive about their own demands on themselves.

Other – oriented perfectionism-This type having to do with the attention to detail placed on the words or actions of others around them

Socially prescribed perfectionism– Lastly, this form is where one feels the burden of society mounting on them to be perfect. External pressure to be a certain way..

We cannot & should not for that matter, please anybody/the world, nor should we be so abrasive & stern on ourselves.

To less focusing on our weaknesses & deficiencies, & more magnifying in on our qualities and abilities.

Obstacle is the way

Everyone has heard it before, it is not what is thrown at you, but how you react to it, how you adapt and embrace your circumstances. ‘The Obstacle Is The Way’ leads in setting the standard towards a mindshift change when challenges are stacked up. If there was an award for one of the more applicable, rational books written in the last decade ‘The Obstacle Is The Way’ would be on many short-lists. Author Ryan Holiday, does a noteworthy job of providing imagery to making the reader feel as if he was apart of world grappling events- such as the Civil War/ World War II & the pioneering of air travel/ light. He conveys a unique perspective in the understanding of life’s adversities, and backs it up with undeniable historical evidence. He uses pastly acclaimed individuals to demonstrate that going through the trenches is not merely supposed to be just a struggle, but rather a needed process, & one that is of dire importance to embrace towards development and acquiring greater strength.

The books foundation is based off of the 300 BC philosophy- Stoicism, which Ryan has been the architect of modernizing in the west and around the world. In the book, he captures his argument of how true skillset, grit, and discipline are built from obstacles. That instead of being taken aback from the depths of a mission, being decisive and engaging in it, knowing the growth that lies on the other side – is more than enough in itself what should propel you.

With the strategy written in 3 disciplines: perception, action, and will – its premise Is digging into the ‘how’ we look at our specific problems, our attitude behind approaching them; the individuality and energy with which we interact with them, and turn them into opportunities; finally, the inner strength that we build up that allows us to deal with the inevitable losses and challenges faced.

This book is a guiding compass & filled with top-notch perspectives for anyone!

Takeaways:

Not: This is so bad. But: I can make this good

The Obstacle in the path becomes the path, never forget within every obstacle is a n opportunity to improve our condition.

It doesn’t always feel that way, but constraints in life are a good thing, especially of we can accept them and let them direct us.