mental exercise

a daily workout to dig deep within... pen to paper. by drgnmeme

[drgnmeme-blog1]

It’s been awhile since I last wrote here and I can feel the effects of the lack of mental exercise. 

I am currently feeling that I am in a rut, anxious, and just focusing on the wrong things.  I know that if I stick with routines, I would not be stuck in this valley of “despair”.

I need to get back into the wagon and stick to my exercises and eat my greens.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Tonight is the fight of the century - Mayweather vs Pacquiao.  Two of the top pound for pound boxers of the world.  A fight that took more than 5 years to make. 

Both are accomplished fighters that took different roads to get there, but made their way by fighting the best. 

The difference is their legacy and their mission.  Mayweather, TBE, The Best Ever versus Pacquiao, the Filipino fighter.  One fights for title, one fights for the people. 

Whatever it may be, they both have something that they fight for, a mission, something that is much bigger than them.

What are you fighting for?

[drgnmeme-blog1]

At the end of your life, when you look back, what do you want to see?  What is the legacy you want to leave behind?  How do you want to be remembered?  

These were the questions that we were asked at a talk hosted by Mike Grewal, a Certified Dreaming Room facilitator. 

Such simple questions can help you look within to find out what really matters in your life. 

When was the last time you asked these questions?

[drgnmeme-blog1]

I love hearing success stories from people, specifically from friends.  My friend Marc Balaban launched a small project with one simple task, to take a 60 second relaxation called Pixel Thought (click to check it out).

I remember him telling me about the concept months back, before getting into Hack Reactor.  He was at best, a hacker who self taught himself, and know, it seems he is a full-stack developer.  The fact that he is a product guy, he will be unstoppable.

Last night, I saw a post on Facebook, that he mentioned it in Reddit, and 8 hours later, he had already 1M unique visitors and a ton of comments and upvotes.  He was #1 for awhile.  Truly amazing.

Whether Pixel Thought becomes an internet sensation or not, I believe my friend is a success and will continue to roll out new products for everyone to enjoy!

[drgnmeme-blog1]

I had the opportunity to attend some sessions at the Business Innovation Summit at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto.  I learned about the sectors in which Canada is excelling in and in which they are falling behind.  Lot’s of talk about collobaration between private and public organizations.  John H. Knubley, Deputy Minister Industry Canada ended his keynote by saying the time is now, stop talking, and do like Nike says and “Just do it!”  He is absolutely right because I find that there is way too much talk on what needs to done versus just going out to do.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

I am leaving for Europe on the weekend.  Rather than excitment, I face an overwhelming amount of tasks to be completed before I leave.  

With stress and anxiety levels are rising, I am surprised that I am getting things done.  I am aware of the feelings but still move forward. As long as I keep get things done, everything will be ok.  Before I know it, I will be in Europe.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Give thanks and be grateful for everything you have.  Listening to the news updates of the Nepal earthquakes is heart breaking.  Imagine the life you and everyone knows changes in a moment.  Living in Toronto, we are lucky to be free from “most” natural disasters.  It’s so easy to get caught up with our every day worries and needs - what to watch, what to buy, where to travel - that we forget to give thanks.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

I love the story of the hare and the tortoise. It’s an awesome story of two distinctly different characters.  First, you have the hare, who is super talented, very fast, confident on his own skills, and very aware of his advisory.  Then you have the tortoise, a slow animal, yet very dedicated.  The tortoise has no care in the world of the hare.

The tortoise reminds me of a quote by Henry Ford:

The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time.

The hare is dedicated, persistence, and knows the goal - the finish line.  He could care less that his competitor is so fast.  He just worries about himself, controls his emotions, and keeps moving forward.

It’s very similar to running a marathon (not competitive that is).  I ran and finished two marathons.  The ultimate goal is to finish.  The difficult part of the race is keeping pace because it is so easy to try to keep up with the crowd, or someone who passes you.

The same thing goes with business, you meet and read successful entrepreneurs and you can easily get caught up with the things they are doing.

It is so important to know yourself, work to get better, and eventually, you will reach the finish line.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Went out to Startup Grind event in Toronto last night.  Had the opportunity to hear Michael Katchen, CEO of Wealth Simple.  Really loved to hear the passion on changing a regulated industry.  Focused on customer experience.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

I first heard of time blocking a number of years ago.  It’s a way to schedule out your day to focus on tasks that are easy to put aside.  For example, doing prospecting calls, writing articles, and keeping up with relationships.

I have recently implemented time blocking to help me focus.  Now, I have so much work to do and it seems that I can easily get side tracked with email, social media, and phone calls.  With all the interruptions, i find that I am doing “work” but not the work that I need to be doing.

I time block using my calendar - putting tasks like CRM contacts, marketing work, etc.  With the calendar, I get reminders what is happening in the next 15 minutes.  It seems to be working.  I will be keeping up with it.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

How is it possible to feel overwhelmed while being productive?  Does it mean that you have too much work on your hands?

It’s a funny situation to be in.  On one side, you get everything you need to get complete everyday.  And on the other hand, you feel overwhelmed, feeling like work will never be done.

The reality is, work is never done.  You will always have to look at ways to be better, to always improve.  Whether it’s personal or at your business/job.

It’s putting the blinders on, trust the path you are on (or the goals you have laid out).

[drgnmeme-blog1]

What is your vision statement?  Why do you do what you do?  Such an easy question, yet a question that many don’t know how to answer.

I’ve been reading Simon Senek’s book “Start with Why”.  In the book, it he talks about the difference between great leaders and companies, with the rest.  Where great leaders and companies start with their why,  more specifically, why did they get in business first off.  

Whereas, most companies start by talking what they do or how they do it.  Talking about how great their company is, how they deliver value through customer service --- all the what and how.  But nowhere do they mention why the do it.

So, why do you what you do?

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Worst feeling is over-eating!  I went to Korean restaurant and just couldn't stop eating.  Everything tasted so good.

Over-eating is a combination of living in the moment and ignoring all inhibitions.  

It's so bad!

Pizza and Korean food.. my weakness!

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Getting out of the office to visit customers and friends is good habit that I need to do more often.  Yesterday, I spent the entire day visiting customers, dropping in on friends new businesses, and just being out of the office.  It is a great way to keep check in on everyone and also find out what's now. 

As hard as it is to pull yourself away from your desk and computer, it is  very valuable to do it.  Perhaps start with one afternoon a week, or every two weeks.  Just schedule it in.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

As focused and busy you may, be open for interruptions and unplanned social visits.

I have been very busy this week, focused, and getting a lot of tasks done.  Yesterday, a friend messaged inviting their self over, and to go out for some pho.  I reluctantly said yes because I did not want the momentum go to waste.

In the end, it was a pleasant interruption that did not hinder my progress and focus.  It is nice to get visits from friends.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

Going out the ball game is fun.  Went out to the Blue Jays game last night.  They were playing the Tampa Bay Rays.  Jays won 12-7 in an exciting game with plenty of excitement.

Two things I noticed at the Rogers Centre (a.k.a. Skydome), the new turf, the fact that the dome is closed, and will be closed for the entire season, and the fact that the stadium was probably 25% filled. 

What will happen to the stadium?  Will Rogers keep it for the simple fact of prime real estate?  Can they sustain only one main tenant, the Blue Jays.  Could be interesting.

[drgnmeme-blog1]

What does ASAP really mean?  When someone emails you and asks to get back ASAP (as soon as possible), does that mean immediately?

What is the ASAP expectation?  In a world of instant messaging, it brings up emotions as urgent, but is it really urgent or is the person impatient?  I don't particulary like using ASAP, nor do I like receiving it.

So, what does ASAP mean to you?