Archive for the ‘challenges’ Category
Making This Year Challenge A Little More Interesting: An Ultimatum
I’ve made up my decision. Well, after talking to a good friend about it all. I am giving myself an ultimatum and it wasn’t something I thought about ever since talking to him a couple of days ago.
I Learned Something Last Year Reading One of My Favorite Writers
Most people wouldn’t consider Steve Martin much of a writer. I didn’t, until I read 3 of his books last year. The guy is just talented in all ways and I encourage people to give him a shot–as a writer–if you are not fond of his films. While I was reading his non-fiction work about becoming a comedian, the section that stuck out to me was, well actually there were a couple:
Practicing the passion- Steve worked his ass off without the much thought of making money from it. He did multiple stand-ups, changed his act, talk to many people, watched and copy, to an extent, his favorite comedians.
Money wasn’t an issue until he couldn’t pay for his lifestyle- Steve started to make some money from his comedic act, but nothing to sustain a life of partying, women, traveling around the country, and whatever else he wanted to do. He knew he had to do something about it.
He gave himself an ultimatum- Steve was nearing the age of 30 and realized that his passion had to make him money or he had to do something else. He just wasn’t making enough money and had to be real with himself. I believe Steve gave himself 3 years or so to get paid.
Tags: challenge
This Year’s Challenge is Difficult
This challenge/goal this year is going to be rather difficult. I knew what I was getting myself into, but didn’t truly know what I was getting myself into. See, the reason why I say that is because this is something that doesn’t have a clear-cut path of accomplishing.
Business is some hard shit, just like becoming the writer. The thing that made becoming a writer more focus-driven and planned out was that all I had to was to write. Once I started writing (which I’m still doing this year) everything became aligned and I started to figure out what I needed to do in order to get better.
Becoming the businessman is something that needs to be thought out and it is more about my character than what I’m selling. I have the product already: my skills as a photographer–but I’m lacking in the areas of selling my idea to other people. It is something that will be a battle but once I continue to put myself in those atmosphere and push myself to get better, I will see my potential growing.
This First Month of Business
On Business: My Brother is Kicking My Ass at Ecommerce
It has been well over 2 months since I have started my business experiment. Each day that passes by I get a clearer view of the next step with it. The post isn’t about me and the struggles I’m having to sell vintage wear (4), but about my bro, so here it is.
I didn’t think I would be saying this, but my youngest brother is kicking my ass at the ecommerce business of etsy.com. I don’t know how to explain it, but it is actually bitter-sweet at the same time. When I started, he was at 40 or so sells. I told him that I would catch him in no time—now he is well over 100 and making over a sell a day.
I didn’t know if he truly had it in him, I have been the one talking about business and expressing what I’ve done in the past, but just sitting back and watching him operate is quite amazing.
Tags: business, ecommerce, experiment, failure, Success
Body Cleansing/Workout Challenge Before my Birthday
7:30 in the morning on a Saturday isn’t wahat I call sleeping in. When I sleep in, I don’t set my alarm, I just let my body wake up when it is ready, and when I that happens I fall back asleep.
The reason why I got up and went through what I did is by far one of the hardest challenges I’ve done this year (this and that).
How this Challenge got Started
When I was drinking a cider beer, Strongbow, a friend challenged me to a workout-get-in-shape-detox challenge. He used to be a trainer and helped many people lose weight. When somebody challenges me I like to prove them wrong. However, the funny thing about this situation was that I already told myself that I was going to go crazy with my workout for 2 weeks (birthday is on the 25th).
My original plain was to run in the morning and afternoon, which is 2.4 miles each stretch, and do some other workout exercises; that I’ve started and haven’t done in some time (squats and push-ups).
I still don’t know what my friend has in stored for me. He did mention that it will be 60% dietary and 40% exercise. From what I can gather right now, I think I will be doing tons of running, tons of fiber eating, and many hours of sleep (which I greatly need). Most of my work out will occur after work. I don’t know what else is going to be involved. However, already, I’m seeing improvements in my body and conditioning.
Tags: challenge, fun times, working out
Business Experiment Has Begun: Etsy.com
I am officially in business! After nearly two weeks of getting my first batch of purses and handbags (22), I finally put all of them online. I haven’t gotten any emails or purchases yet but know with a little of marketing, the business will start to make me money.
I can’t tell much difference from one bag to the next, besides the colors of the bags.
It took me roughly 5 hours to photograph and upload the photos onto my computer, measure and write the descriptions, post onto Etsy. Right now I have a shitty system. I could have done everything in 3 hours.
Already Thinking of a New System of Operation
Tags: entrepreneurship, Etsy
Research Series Week: Part 2 - Making Work Work for Me
We know how much work sucks, whether we want to admit it or not, we spend so much time there and results in being super tired when we finally get home. But, there is a way pass all of this, there is something we can do about this whole dilemma.
What I Learned from my Uncle
I was talking to my uncle a couple of months ago about how he gets so many things done at work. He told me that he doesn’t do much, he is the supervisor and has develop systems, templates, and whatever else anyone can think of that will help him not spend time doing the same shit over and over again. He laughed about my situation and told me that I need to do the same thing. I pushed it off and continued to do what I did.
So, my thing now is to spend as little time with the repetitive, mundane activities and task that I perform constantly. There are plenty, and should be easy with the paperwork-driven nature of my job. This type of work system isn’t going to change at all and what I have learned is that there isn’t a point in me changing the status quo, I have to just do what I can to make my work-life easier.
Can’t Change the Makeup of Corporate America
Tags: day job, productivity, systems
One More Day and Counting Til the East Coast Road Trip
One more day until I start my east coast road trip. My emotions change left and right, and now they are near the scared-as-shit side of the meter. I know it will change throughout the day and also the day of. I still need to get a hotel room in Detroit and New York. I need to call the car rental places to make sure they can hold the car for me, since I will be arriving so late at night. I have to ask a co-worker about what I can do in New York for a day. I also have to finish packing, reading a book, and whatever else I’m stressing about.
Science Experiment
Throughout the trip, I will treat it as a science experiment. I will do a before and after post. Something on the scale of what I plan to do, what I think I will learn, and whatever else I’m thinking or feeling at the time. The next post will consist of what I actually did, what I actually felt, and what I learned about the whole experience. I will, of course, have pictures of all that I do. I will also video record what I see and the overall makeup of the road trip experience.
Concerns:
Tags: airplane, east coast, excitement, scared
Update of Goals from the last month
I have begun my long 4-day work week. I chose Monday’s off, because I always hated preparing for work on Sunday’s and I will always have a 3-day weekend. This off-day will be spent by more writing, resting, and figuring out what I want to do as a second monetary means of surviving. I’ll fill yall in, of what I”ll learn from this experience. I was able to complete some goals that I set at the end of last month before I started my Monday’s off.
Here is a breakdown of what all got accomplish and what didn’t:
Novel writing - I didn’t get to my goal of 100 pages, but I did get to a point of significant measures. I have got the main character active (he better be active, the story is centered around him) and at the point I’m at now will help me go back and finish the beginning part of the novel. I will soon perform the 24 hours of writing, once I get back from my trip. I don’t know what I will be writing, but should be a fun experience trying.
Business Idea - Figured out that I don’t have the time, money, and more importantly, dedication to recycle paper for profit. So, I am back to the drawing board of figuring out what I want to do, more on the basis of my passions, rather than something I am looking at as an exit strategy.
Tags: goals, Monday's Off, writing
The Trip to the East Coast: Detroit to New York…Solo Road Trip…All I Want to do is Get Lost…
I have been thinking about this for some time. Everything made sense, when I sat down and decided what I wanted to do for a 4-5 day stretch. I could chill in Houston and be totally rested, travel to California that I have done so many times, I could visit friends who I haven’t talked to in awhile, or I could get lost.
My girlfriend nudged me to go on a trip with her friend’s husband. I didn’t want to do that. This trip was more than a look-good-on-the-beach away from my girlfriend type of vacation. She is going on her own trip, and I wanted to do something for myself.
It took me a couple of days to think about it. I was still not sure if I could do it. The start destination was set, but the end wasn’t. I questioned myself so many times, I was like, “Do I really want to do this? Why do I want to waste money right now? What will I learn about myself? The distance is too too far.”, everything went through my head and of course, like any reasonable adult I almost pulled the plug.
The last time I got lost was nearly 2 years ago. I decided to go to Japan on my own for 2 weeks. Once I bought the plane ticket, things started to happen. It was quite magical the way events happened. I bought the first ticket and still have to buy the return flight ticket, still apprehensive on going.
Tags: being lost, Detroit, east coast, New York, road trip, self discovery
My Upcoming Road Trip!
- @YEAdamMcFarland The full screen editor are badass, I get plenty done, but there shouldn't be a reason for so many choices. 12:37:20 PM November 13, 2009
