As much as I try to avoid mainstream media, checking my email is often accompanied with the latest news about which celebrity is back in rehab or how many months probation another received. At the same time, I browse TEDx conference videos and find some of the most influential and inspiring stories from individuals who have gone through the worst physical, psychological, and emotional pain. If it ever comes up in conversations, I am just as liable to question how an individual with so many resources can fall victim to alcohol or drug use. Upon further inspection, it is obvious that resources mean little when it comes to success, happiness, and fulfillment.
Change the Rules and Make it Work
While I have never seen the show, one of the mentors of Project Runway, named Tim Gunn, wrote a book entitled “Gunn’s Golden Rules” where he emphasizes many of his own life lessons to “make it work.” In fact, throughout the portion of the book that I read, this motto was of paramount importance. It helped me to think of some of the stories in my own life when I felt fulfilled while lacking resources and simply making it work.
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According to the Washington Post, around 30% of young adults bite their fingernails. I must admit I am a bit surprised by the relatively low number, but until a few months ago I was part of this unfortunate segment of society. My parents told me to quit for years and I somehow managed to continue gnawing while wearing braces. For some strange reason, as my business started to take off and I needed to meet clients and influential businessmen, I just quit. I wanted to build a successful business and every single detail had to be just right.
My shift in diet was much the same way. Even though my mother [Click here to continue...]
Every man has, at one point or another, faced extreme adversity and utter failure. Many of these failures help to define us, make us bitter, or scared. In some cases, the failures push men to do great deeds. In line with this universal truth, the fathers of Texas were some of the largest failures in United States history. Among their ranks were disgraced impotent politicians, land swindlers, serial business failures, and an expecting father who fled his wife and debts. Despite all of these flaws and misdeeds, the heroes of the Texas revolution became some of the most revered figures in the state and country’s history.
These men realized that the past did not define their present and future. Every one of them had an integral part in settling Texas and fighting for independence of the state. Similarly, as most of us struggle with our own past and failures, it is important to realize that every day is a new chance to leave a positive mark on the world as the men of Texas did.
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These days the word “productivity” has a lot of different connotations. In many minds, this conjures a robotic, capitalistic mindset driven to produce as much profit as possible. My friend, Henno, and I have developed a productivity challenge with another goal. Rather than focusing on specific job, school assignment, or project in a rigid environment, we have co-opted the challenge for ourselves and others in an effort to make better use of time.
In many ways, you are your habits. Our goal is to use the 30 day productivity challenge to build productive habits so that it becomes second nature after this period of time. Obviously, this challenge does not fit for everyone so feel free to co-opt this into your own program in order to reach goals that you have set. Let me know what you think should be added to the comments and I may even use your ideas!
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Before delving into the topic of being wrong, I want every reader to first partake in an exercise. Try to think of the last time you said to yourself or another human being “I’m wrong.” I’m willing to guess it wasn’t today, it probably wasn’t yesterday, and if you can remember the last time at all, it was very long ago. Despite what you’ve been raised to believe, despite the value system promoted by society, being wrong is not only a fact of life, but it is a privilege. When you embrace how often you are wrong and recognize your ego is impeding your ability to learn from these mistakes, you will find an opportunity to grow far more as a person.
How Does Society View Wrong-ness?
The dichotomy between “right” and “wrong” is evident in almost every important aspect of our lives. [Click here to continue...]
