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The New Apple Watch – Staying in the Moment?

It's interesting to me that the new Apple Watch is being billed as the product that will help us all to better "stay in the moment". It will allow us to be more attentive to our families and friends. It will enable us to lift up our heads from the iPhone screen and interact with the world around us more. What a fantastic marketing message. I nearly bought it... In reality, the only way to disconnect from technology and "be in the moment" is to actually disconnect from technology and BE in the moment. Not to add new technology to the arsenal. If you decide to buy the Apple Watch, do so on its own merit. If you want to start staying in the moment, here's what you can do right now - without adding a costly piece of electronics to your wardrobe; Turn your phone off. Use the Do Not Disturb function. Set up Favorites and change your call screening sections. Put your phone away or leave it on your desk when going to lunch. Turn it on vibrate. Put it on the table face down and don't pick it up. There, just saved you $500. You're welcome:) Here's a link to the article I based these comments on.

By | 2017-09-21T23:16:05+00:00 April 2nd, 2015|Blog, Lifestyles/ Travel, Mindsets|0 Comments

MBWA – Manage by Wandering Around

How I busted two busboys camped out in a walk-in cooler. Topic: Learn valuable things by being unpredictable. College days. I'd been working the night shift while training at a popular 24-hour restaurant. I'd noticed that no matter how many dishwashers we scheduled, they never kept up with demand. Nightly we ran out of plates and silverware. I also observed that the manager who was training me always took a post at the front of the restaurant to greet and seat the guests as they arrived. No one ever had to guess where Mr. Manager was. Therein lie the solution to the dish problem. On my first solo shift I informed the hostess that I wouldn't solely be seating guests during the rush. I told her I'd be wandering around. I knew I was on to something when I entered the "back of the house" and was greeted by wide-eyed surprise. I quickened my pace. And then I found them. They sat together in the walk-in cooler. Two busboys atop a milk crate, sitting back-to-back reading newspapers. The sports section I recall. The look of genuine shock on their faces - both hilarious and priceless. Mystery solved. And two busboys fired. Managers - In a playful, innocently inquisitive and non-undermining way... Ask random (non-accusatory) questions. Show up at unexpected times. Talk to everyone, especially those you don't regularly converse with. Wander around and go to places you haven't visited recently. Especially when the business isn't performing to expectations. You may be surprised at what you learn.

By | 2017-09-21T23:16:05+00:00 March 30th, 2015|Blog, Business|0 Comments

The Conor McGregor Phenomenon – A Tribute to Aldo

The UFC inches toward becoming the WWE, and disrespects a great champion along the way. While respectful, respectable fighters are sidelined from the spotlights, Conor McGregor is paraded around the world by the UFC. Sure, he's a talent - albeit a young and relatively untested one. But there's more to martial arts than just fighting skills. There's discipline. There's respect. As the UFC morphs itself in a Vince McMahon-like circus, as it becomes less and less distinguishable from the WWE, I'd like to take a moment to express my appreciation for the champions who don't find the need to cheapen themselves. Those who see this sport as a profession, not a side-show. Here's to Jose Aldo - for maintaining his professional demeanor in the face of a disrespectful and inappropriate hooligan. Here's to Robbie Lawler for standing up to Aldo, and to other heroes such as Carlos Condit, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and others - who are gentlemen in and (mostly) out of the ring. GSP - I think I understand why you've stepped away. With respect - a loyal fan of a classier UFC.

By | 2017-09-21T23:16:05+00:00 March 28th, 2015|Blog, Tapout XT/ Xtreme Exercise|0 Comments

The Invisible Man

He walked by my tradeshow booth in Rio de Janeiro, his stride clearly compromised by Cerebral Palsy. I watched as he made his way through the crowded corridor towards the escalator. He reached the top of the moving stairs, and was made to wait as at least six people pushed their way in front of him. Eventually he stepped onto the escalator, I watched as he rode downward and out of sight. It struck me that no one in that crowded corridor had acknowledged him. Nor did those who rushed in front of him. Once on the escalator he stood silently in his descent surrounded by the busy buzz of show attendees. Yet it was as though he stood completely alone. The Invisible Man. Though I never saw him again during the event, I see him in my mind's eye stepping on that escalator. And I imagine how bright his day could have been if someone would simply have said hello and talked to him for a moment. And I made myself a promise not to let others be invisible to me.    

By | 2015-03-24T20:49:33+00:00 March 24th, 2015|Blog, Mindsets|0 Comments

A Better Version of Me

Topics: Make Today Right. Never Stop Creating a Better Version of Yourself. Our minds are re-programmable. This is both a blessing and a curse. When we great each new day we have an opportunity to choose. Will today be productive? Will it be a ground-hog day, just a repeat of the last? This is a decision we make, either consciously or by default. When we consciously choose, our day is ours to guide and control. We decide where it takes us and can build upon that choice in the days that follow. When we make the default choice we allow our day to unfold as it will. I choose to awaken to possibilities today. I choose to do at least one thing to broaden my perspective - either by learning a new skill or reading an interesting article about something unfamiliar to me. I choose to be happy today. And most of all, I choose to make a better version of myself in everything I do today.  

By | 2015-03-23T16:26:43+00:00 March 23rd, 2015|Blog, Mindsets|0 Comments

The Apple Graveyard Pt. 1

Topics - Editing down life. Untethering from “things”. Less possessions = more happiness. Somewhere between Buenos Aires, Bogota and Miami I must have dropped my phone. I noticed the upper screen was cracked on my return flight to San Diego. I was playing a hidden object game called Secret Society, and when I located the last object it rested just below a spider-web crack I hadn’t previously seen. Not the first time I’d cracked the glass on my phone. Actually it was the third this year. I decided while deplaning that I’d spent enough money fixing screens this year. That I would live with the cracks and keep using the broken phone. After being home for three days and seeing more than enough Apple commercials, I re-entered negotiations with myself. I weighed the $100 screen fix versus the upgrade to an iPhone 6. As is my way, the iPhone 6 won.  To be honest, the negotiations didn’t last long. Under a minute I’d guess. Once I finished setting it up my new phone, my cracked iPhone 4s was retired to my bedroom, officially becoming a $400 alarm clock. It sat on top of my previous alarm clock, a $250 iPhone 3. Casting a shadow from above them was my iPad 1 - which was retired when I bought the lighter, faster iPad 2 Mini. Together, a $1,200 suite of high priced alarm clocks lay to the left of my bed. I knick-named the area my Apple Graveyard. I then impulsively decided to make it an equal opportunity area. I brought in a few more products to show them where they’d all likely wind up one day. A great big pile of outdated and expensive technology [...]

By | 2015-03-20T18:07:51+00:00 March 20th, 2015|Blog, Mindsets|0 Comments

I quit!

Some eight years ago I began chewing Nicorette gum in an attempt to quick my nicotine habits. Instead I developed a nicorette gum habit. Usually two 4 mg pieces at a time, even before bedtime. Usually 20+ pieces a day. Yesterday, around 3 pm I realized that I hadn't yet chewed any gum since I awakened that morning. Literally, a little voice inside said "you can quit today." So that's what I did. I experienced this same "little voice phenomenon" 3 ½ years ago when I quit taking prescription pain medication. I was expecting wild withdrawals, instead I simply stopped. My inner voice told me it was time, and in fact it was right. If you have a habit you'd like to break, tell yourself now that one day soon you'll hear your own "little voice." And when you hear that voice, promise yourself that you'll listen.  

By | 2015-03-16T20:51:15+00:00 March 16th, 2015|Blog, Mindsets|0 Comments

A Simple Phrase to Change Today

"I am grateful". Hear your mind's voice say it, then take a moment to consider all the reasons why you should be grateful. ...to have a voice that others can hear, to have a thought that you can share, to have a friend that you can call. ...to have a life that is yours to guide, to have access to words and music that inspires, and to have the gift of today and the promise of it becoming whatever you choose it to be. When life's little surprises arrive, remind yourself..."I am grateful".        

By | 2015-03-12T18:21:44+00:00 March 12th, 2015|Mindsets|0 Comments

Beyond ALS Guest Blog Post on Survival

I had the great honor of being invited as a guest blogger for my friend Jose Cofino's website Beyond ALS. Jose is a true Second Starter, please read his story when you visit the site via this link;   http://www.beyondals.org/article/5862-beyond-survival-thriving-after-adversity   Thank you Jose for asking me! Truly an honor!

By | 2017-09-21T23:16:05+00:00 October 6th, 2014|Blog, Mindsets, Starters® Stories|0 Comments

30 Things to do Before You Die

This is a re-broadcast of something tom my Facebook feed. I love it! Stop worrying about debt. Forgive your ex-lovers. Stop trying to control your outcome. Look in the mirror and love yourself unconditionally. Leave the job you hate. Find your purpose and live it full heartedly. Adopt a furry friend. Don't feel guilty for holiday weight gain. Trust that everything is in its right order. Travel to the place you keep thinking about. Try something that scares you daily. Be open to change. Let go of your past. Stop trying to change people. Stop looking for answers outside of yourself. Stop thinking you did something wrong. Be your weird, crazy, beautiful self. Follow your heart. Risk everything for love. Reject rejection. See the world as a beautiful, safe, and loving place. See everyone as equals. Give up all attachments to stuff. Recognize the journey is the reward. Stay hopeful and optimistic in difficult situations. Welcome all life lessons. See the opportunities in every challenge rather than give up. Live your values. Inspire others by your own bigness. Play with the world.

By | 2014-09-26T19:19:42+00:00 September 26th, 2014|Blog, Lifestyles/ Travel|0 Comments