Blog 229 – Keep an Iron in the Fire
Branding irons were used by cowboys in the old west to mark cattle. They would place the iron in a campfire to get it hot enough to do the job. It might take a few minutes or more before it would be hot enough to do the job, so in order to be efficient when […]
Blog 228 – September 11th 2001
The world changed on that day. I remember, it was a cool early morning on Bainbridge Island. We lived in a small cottage near Manitou Beach with a detached little garage where I was puttering. I’d been restoring a 1967 Airstream 30′ trailer, and my garage was part workshop and part man cave. I had […]
Blog 227 – Morning Routine is Essential to The365Commitment
So, you want your day to go well? As your morning goes, so your day goes. Get a morning routine. If you are thinking of making the The365Commitment, then consider starting by establishing the habit of a morning routine. It is truly a great and foundational habit with many benefits. Something well started is well […]
Blog 226 – Draining the Pool of Anxiety at The End of the Day
Taking action (when I “know” it is right) regardless of feelings is very helpful. BUT, when plowing through a series anxiety inducing tasks, I notice that near the end of the day I feel the effects, a sort pool of anxiety has built up. All day long I’m getting things done and ignoring fear, discomfort, […]
Blog 225 – What if Your Life Was a Documentary?
My research this morning (on how to live better) led me to some interesting advice. “Pretend you are being filmed by a documentary film crew.” This advice assumes that people would behave “better” if they know their behavior was being recorded and would one day be viewed by other people. I’m not sure about this […]
Blog 224 – Marcus Aurelius Concurs
Marcus Aurelius ruled Rome in the second century. His philosophy was Stoicism, and he left many writings providing advice on how to live. Although The365Commitment is not based upon or even directly inspired by Marcus Aurelius, it turns out that 2000 years ago or so he laid out a similar framework for improving oneself and […]
Blog 223 – One Change at a Time – or- Race Team Discipline
I know a man who runs a race car team. Former Operations executive who became a general contractor, which became so successful he was able to start a racing team. We were talking about strategy and increasing the performance of the car. He said, “I have one hard and fast rule that we always follow, […]
Blog 222 – The Habit of All Habits
Today I broke the ice on my workout routine. Woo hoo! Some kind of nasty flu bug hit me in late July and laid me out. I was slammed to the pavement and stomped on – metaphorically speaking. So, here we are in early September. I still have a residual cough, and have been avoiding […]
Blog 221 – Force Yourself
Since I’ve been on the 365 Commitment journey for the past year and eight months, the idea getting what I want in life underlies the whole effort. Or rather, exploring what it is about myself, my behaviors, my habits that has kept me from getting want I want in life, inhibited the development, or unfolding, […]
Blog 220 – Skill Up Your Monkey to Manage Your Elephant
I’m into mind hacks; finding ways to solve problems in behavior or thinking that create a positive outcome instead of the negative outcome we have been experiencing. For example, when in a heated conversation, where emotions are running high, I learned about the power of asking oneself the following question “what do I really want […]