I’m always on the lookout for tips n’ tricks to up my productivity game and make it easier to accomplish more. Such is the case when I’m trying out tools to add to my productivity toolbox. Once in a while, things tend to stick around and become so indispensable, so effective, so CRUCIAL to success that I use them each and every day. I could probably live without these things, but I wouldn’t want to!
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It’s been well documented how crucial the first Ironman movie and Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of the hero has been to the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Time and again I come back to this movie, and although I do enjoy seeing Tony kick ass in the Ironman armor, I think my favorite moments from this film are seeing Tony designing and creating the armor and its various pieces in his home workshop. This masterfully designed workshop is housed in a truly enviable dream garage that would make Bruce Wayne jealous!
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After 5 good years (mostly) at a local YMCA, I decided I’d had enough of crowds, waiting on equipment, and having to deal with times and days the gym wasn’t open, etc. My wife and I were going to build a garage gym and it would be GLORIOUS. But where to start?
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In my daily explorations of the internet and its never-ending supply of productivity related content, I often come across sentiments dismissing the concept of “motivation”. David Goggins, the noted former Navy seal, endurance athlete, author and all-around bad ass, says “don’t be motivated, be disciplined”.
What’s up everyone? I hope everybody had a warm and restorative holiday break. This article is somewhat of a follow up to my 2019 Year in Review. I honestly had a great 2019 and I hope to build on my successes from last year. In this piece, I lay out my overall thoughts for moving forward in the new year, as well as my specific goals for 2020. Let’s talk about that word, goal, a little, shall we?
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As the year draws to a close, I am reflecting on the goals and habits that were important to me in 2019. Like many of you, I see the end of the year as a chance to look back and see what went right, what slipped through my grasp, and what I can improve as I go into the new year. Of course, my brain is already exploding with ideas of goals to strive for in 2020, but I know I have a better chance of success if I pause to take note of an obstacle here, a tweak there, and formulate my plans with this important context in mind.
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As a child growing up in the 1980s, my first experience with Batman was through the Superfriends animated show. After watching the show, I wanted to be just like those heroes. I vivdly remember going out in my neighborhood to patrol the mean streets of suburban Raleigh, NC with underwear proudly worn on the outside of my pants (oh yeah). I donned a blue cape (a blanket) which flowed off of my cereal and juice infused, four-year old frame. Yes, you could say I was a full-on Bat fan from the very start.
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In the book The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, the author dedicates a chapter to corporations and how habits affect their business. In this chapter, Duhigg introduces the concept of keystone habits. These are behaviors so powerful that they can change and affect most or all other areas of your life. These habits are important for businesses and are absolutely transformational for the individual.
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Last Friday we had our new piano delivered to the house. I say new but really it’s just new to us. It’s a Kawai upright from the 1990’s that’s been refurbished and it’s waaaay more piano than my playing warrants. It’s also a much nicer instrument than I thought I’d ever be able to afford. I’ve been a professional musician (saxophone) most of my adult life and while in college and afterwards, I’ve always enjoyed playing through chord changes and the odd part. I never really developed any worthwhile facility though, and now that we finally have a nice quality instrument in the house that’s a joy to play, I plan to make some serious progress.
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