4100weeks

Ask yourself . . .

Two great questions to ask yourself each day from Peter Bregman's book 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done . . . 

1. Am I doing what I most need to be doing right now?
2. Am I being who I most want to be right now?

What do you do?

Author Dan Pink detests the question "What's your passion?" In his recent monthly column for the Sunday Telegraph titled Think Tank: Ever felt like your job isn't what you were born to do? You're not alone, he says a more productive question to ask is "What is it you do?" He says that while hot steamy passion is good, it's the long term, calmer true love that is where the enduring magic is. Here are a few more to ask . . . 

What did you do last Saturday afternoon – for fun, for yourself?

What books do you read or blogs do you visit, not for work, but just because you're interested in them?

What are you great at? What comes easily to you?

What would you do – or are you already doing – for free?

 

Why I sit on a cushion, trying to concentrate on my breath

I just finished a five-week course in meditation, one of several I’ve taken over the past ten years, since I first got introduced to one of those ironic practices that seems so simple and yet is so very, very difficult.

Try it. Right now. Close your eyes, and concentrate on just your breath. Any thoughts that come up—say about what you’re having for lunch, or that fight you had with your girlfriend last night, or who’s going to win the big football game this Sunday—just let them pass by like clouds, and return to your breath.

Not so easy, right?

Well, after you master that “basic” technique, it gets even harder. That’s when you start to see some of the ugly stuff you’ve been hiding from yourself. Here’s my beginner’s understanding of it: All that continuous chatter about future plans or ruminations about the past--they kept your mind busy running in circles so that you can hide from things you don’t want to think about. For example, maybe you’re not ready to think about your part in the fight with your girlfriend, or how lonely you feel since your best friend moved.

But when we don’t even know about our ugly stuff, we certainly can’t deal with it, even though it’s coloring a lot of our behaviors.

Here’s a personal example: The day after my final meditation class, I got an email from a higher up at work asking me to do a task I knew I couldn’t do in the time frame outlined because I had two other projects with even tighter deadlines, and I was leaving for vacation in three days. 

I hate saying no. To anyone. But especially to a higher ups at work.  

In this instance, though, I knew I had to send the email, so I did, and then I left for the day. As I walked to catch my train, I could feel my heart beating with anxiety, and I knew it was because of the stupid email. On the train, I closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. Then I thought about whether or not I felt I acted correctly in the situation. I did. I took a few more deep breaths, and decided to let it go, at least until I knew if there was something to even fret about.

If I hadn’t just come off of taking that meditation class? I would have fretted for a long time about whether I could fit the project in, even though I really knew I couldn’t. When I finally sent the email saying so, I would have then stared at my computer, anxiously hitting refresh, waiting for the scathing reply I just knew was coming.

Then I would have gone home, using the time on the train to worry about the response. I wouldn’t really have known what I was anxious about, exactly—so I would have been angry at the guy for making demands I couldn’t live up to, instead of realizing that I needed to learn to be OK with saying no sometimes. I also might not have kept my anxiety focused solely on work—my husband might have got caught up in the hurricane of worry, as might anyone else in my path. My whole weekend might have been ruined by worry, anger, and confusion about what exactly I was worried and mad about.

So, clearly, option #1 is much more pleasant for everyone involved. And it takes daily, 15-minute periods of sitting on a meditation cushion for that scenario to be a reality for me. 

So I signed up for the second part of that meditation class, in hopes it will keep my butt on the cushion, and my worries in check.

(Oh, and that work thing? The message I got in return basically said, “Don’t worry about it.” Glad I didn’t spend much time doing so!) 

 

Intellectual Curiousity

Have you ever wondered why some are curious - not just intellectually curious but curious about most everything?   The smartest people I know all have a passion for learning - not just in classrooms or through study but by constantly seeking knowledge in conversation.  These individuals seem to have an endless passion for knowledge and growth.

The result is often a well-rounded, interesting and capable person that constantly learns through the art of the question.

What drives intellectual curiosity?  I don't know but it's a skill I encourage with my family, friends and associates.

If you are curious, see the following blog by Les Potter.

Where’s the curiosity among today’s students?

by Les PotterLes Potter is a Senior Lecturer at Towson College in Maryland

I’ve noticed that among my Millennial students, there is a disturbing lack of curiosity. I wonder if I am the only person who feels this way.

This concerns me because it has employment implications. A lack of curiosity may well hurt graduates’ hiring prospects. The Washington Post reported May 17, 2009, that after contacting eight to 10 area schools, about 35 to 40 percent of seniors are graduating without jobs or a predetermined plan in place. Typically, that number is 10 to 15 percent.

Given, this is the worst economy we’ve seen in a long time. Companies are hurting, and jobs are scarce. But that is all the more reason for graduates to pay attention to every detail that will help them secure a good job.

Why am I saying there is a lack of curiosity? This past spring semester, I had approximately 75 students in four classes. I interact with these students in class twice a week. I talk with them in the halls. They come to my office for things. They participate in our PR Group, the student professional association chapter. Yet in all of these interactions, only occasionally will someone ask a question of any substance. Few make observations that capture insightful interest in or understanding of things. Most never even comment on their surroundings. They seem oblivious to a deeper exploration of ideas and concepts, not only the abstract or obtuse, but the practical as well, like how to get and keep jobs in communication/PR/IMC.

In short, they seem to be devoid of curiosity. Some specific examples:

• Students rarely if ever ask about the working world. I spent 35 years earning a living doing what I now teach. It seems to me that that might provoke some questions. College is a time of becoming exposed to many new and different ideas and concepts. Why then are there so few probing questions? Why so few substantive questions about careers and work?
• Students don’t ask why things are the way they are. They seem to accept everything at face value.
• This is a personal, nonscientific observation, but I think it tells us something; students don’t seem to notice things around them. A specific example of this is that students do not see things in my office. I have a small but nicely appointed office with a few carefully chosen decorations, like interesting photos and original art. I purposely designed my office to be an interesting and relaxing place to visit or work. But students don’t comment on photos, memorabilia, etc. They don’t even see these things.

It does not hurt my feelings that students who visit my office do not comment on my artwork. But it does bother me that they don’t even notice their surroundings. What if it was a job interview? The ability to converse easily, perhaps initiate a conversation about a unique photo or piece of art, is a plus for the job seeker. The ability to build rapport and sell yourself with employers is critically important.

As a manager who hired, trained, and terminated many employees in my career, the ability and willingness to ask probing questions is a competitive advantage for job seekers. 

One of my more memorable supervisors got furious at employees who didn’t demonstrate curiosity. He blasted employees who “were not the least bit curious at why sales were flat, or why this project did not work, or that process cost so much, etc.” In general, he wanted curious employees who dug deep to find better ways of doing things. Those employees were favored. The employees with curiosity were trusted with more meaningful assignments. They got raises and promotions. But first, they got hired.

As May graduates try to enter the job market, I think a sense of curiosity is a big plus.

 

Twenty Five things you must do before you become fertilizer?

 The intro usually reads something like this:

 25 Adventures you can complete for $200 or less?

17 Perfect Weekends? 

20 Vacations you must take?

15 Best Outdoor Towns (you must live in)?

45 Expeditions that will challenge your body and soul?

99 ways to build perfect abs (avoiding McDonalds not listed)

Are "Bucket Lists" Overrated? I don't know but they always inspire me to "shed my protective shell" and find new horizons. This really good link from Outside Magazine will give you 50 new ways to make the most of your 4100 weeks.  Remember to always consult your doctor if you are under age 79.5 and wear a helmet to avoid becoming premature fertilizer.

http://outsideonline.com/adventure/lifelist-index-sp.html

Are you in flow?

According to the Harvard Medical School HEALTHbeat e-newsletter, focusing on things that make you happy can help make your life longer and healthier. When you find yourself totally immersed in what you are doing you reach a "state of intense absorption" or "flow." Here are the clues that you are in the flow . . .

• You lose awareness of time. You aren’t watching the clock, and hours can pass like minutes. As filmmaker George Lucas puts it, talent is “a combination of something you love a great deal and something you can lose yourself in—something that you can start at 9 o’clock, look up from your work and it’s 10 o’clock at night … .”
• You aren’t thinking about yourself. You aren’t focused on your comfort, and you aren’t wondering how you look or how your actions will be perceived by others. Your awareness of yourself is only in relation to the activity itself, such as your fingers on a piano keyboard, or the way you position a knife to cut vegetables, or the balance of your body parts as you ski or surf.
• You aren’t interrupted by extraneous thoughts. You aren’t thinking about such mundane matters as your shopping list or what to wear tomorrow.
• You are active. Flow activities aren’t passive, and you have some control over what you are doing.
• You work effortlessly. Flow activities require effort (usually more effort than involved in typical daily experience). Although you may be working harder than usual, at flow moments everything is “clicking” and feels almost effortless.

10 minutes of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Below is a fantastic 10 minute multimedia overview of Dan Pink's outstanding book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (narrated by Dan). The book explains how intrinsic motivation works and how each of us can find the surest path to high performance, creativity, health and well-being.

"Junk in the trunk or jelly in the belly?"

You see a gazillion articles on weight management and fitness.  You watch the Biggest Loser and Jamie Oliver trying to save Huntington, West Virginia from the obesity epidemic.  Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dr. Laura, Dr. Gupta, Dr. Rosenfeld  and maybe even Dr. Pepper are telling you to take care of yourself.   Your friends, family and insignificant others nag that you that you need to watch your diet and start exercising.  You have been informed, preached to and maybe even abused by those that care about you and a gaggle of experts.

So, how can 4100weeks help convince you that to take care of your body?  Not a damn thing if you ignore all of the advice presented 24/7 by the web, print media, television, radio and practically everybody but Rosie O'Donnell.

Balls in your court...4100 weeks  of quality  life or the alternative?

Write us back and tell us what  caused you to make a lifestyle change to take care of your body.  Or not.

Navy Seals Philsophy Statement

Have you ever struggled with writing your personal or company mission, purpose or philsophy.  Look a the meaningful power in the composition of the: United States Navy SEAL Philosophy "In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation's call; a common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations forces to serve his country and the American people, and to protect their way of life. I am that man. My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes who have gone before, it embodies the trust of those whom I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident, I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day. My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own. I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond. We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates, and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations. I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish the mission. I am never out of the fight. We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of the mission depend on me — my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete. We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required, yet guided by the very principles I serve to defend. Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail."

So what does 4100 weeks mean?

According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, the average life expectancy for a U.S. citizen is approximately 79 years. That’s 4100 weeks before you become organic compost  and a legend (maybe in your own mind but that's OK).  And we all know life is turbocharged most of the time. Tick, tick, tick . . . 10 years have gone by . . . tick, tick . . . another 5 years  . . . Have you ever thought about how many weeks you have left? Are you living those weeks? Really living those weeks? Doing something you love, in a place you love, with people you love? Some people pack 4100 weeks of achievement, adventure and action into their lives while others consider multi-tasking: Drinking Bud Lite to reduce calorie count while munching Cheetos in greasy recliner simultaneously dreaming of doing yet watching others live life on TV and listening to the clock tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . another 10 years gone. 

Which category do you think Richard Branson of Virgin fame falls in? How about you?

OK, so if you want to watch TV, let’s make it a story of living life. Secondhand Lions is a great example of how to fill 4100 weeks. It's a story about two cousins played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. These old guys  squeezed  the juice out of life. They were soldiers, entrepreneurs, adventurers, guides,  farmers, lion tenders, good Samaritans,  mentors, characters and unsuccessful pilots. These boys lived fast and hard until the end and had no regrets.

On 4100weeks.com, you’ll find stories about making the most out of life, finding your path, embracing adventure and success in your career and personal life. You’ll find stories of life-living heroes. These heroes are people that make it happen, superheroes and everyday heroes that:  Run the bases, slide hard, love to learn, test themselves, live like there is no tomorrow, give back, get their uniform dirty, find new challenges, treat their mind and body like a temple, pass their skills on to others, start new businesses, don't waste a moment, make no excuses, don't always succeed but always try, love the challenge of a start-up, know the journey is part of the reward, know that family is everything, live their values, never stop learning, think readers are leaders, believe that old is a state of mind. like to count countries or states visited, have fear but push through it, know that 25 push-ups are a start to 30, like to read about it but like to do it even more.