Well, for many, and sometimes myself, these cliche phrases hold true mostly inside our heads.  When looking at how productive one actually is over a specific period of time, lets say in the span of a day, then the truth emerges.

What did I actually accomplish today?

That’s the question I asked myself as I installed the newly purchased white board onto my bedroom wall.  My plan was to use this to mind map some of the ideas, and strategies I have for an online media company I’m developing.  It’s funny how excited one gets when dreams live inside your head.  But when it comes time to produce, well, that’s when the reality of getting stuff done doesn’t look as sexy.  And this brings me to my point.  If you’re anything like me, sometimes the ideal picture, that pesky voice inside your head driving you to accomplish that Nobel prize winning feat, can distract you from actually completing the tiny steps needed to get you to your destination.

For example, the dream of a newly published 300 paged, New York Times bestseller, won’t happen until you sit down and stare blankly at the computer screen for what seems like hours on end, just to complete one obviously inferior sentence(For those who struggle with laziness, masking itself as writers block, I feel your pain).  Or maybe it’s the non-profit organization you’ve dreamed up to relieve the world of that particular injustice or evil that won’t do crap until you start being that person in some tangable way.  Begining with one individual.

Well, like always, I’m really talking to myself.  I’m no preacher.  It’s therapeutic and helps me internalize life’s little lessons.  So tomorrow when I’m tempted to look over the master strategic plan, I’ll pause and proceed to complete one simple step of my already obsessively rewritten to-do-list.  Today I was reminded to think a little smaller.  Eat the elephant one spoonful at a time right?  I think that’s how they say it.  Yes, keep the BIG dream alive.  Please don’t get me wrong!  But don’t be paralyzed by irresponsible idealism, or attempting to swallow the big guy, if that image works better for you.  I’m starting to notice that many revolutions were born in silence and obscurity.  One homeless guy begins modeling a new way of life to a few other scraggly uneducated misfits.  Then you look up, and half the world claims to follow Him.

Feel free to holla bizack!

Recommended reading:

The Slight Edge:  Secrets to a Successful Life

So, I’ve decided to radically simplify my life. Re-priorities.  RADICALLY dumb things down, so to speak.  Riding myself of some of those competing objectives that, although important, may not be timed appropriately.

Here’s what I’m in the process of getting “rid” of:

1. The first one is a tough one.  My home. This was more of a financial decision, considering the choice I’ve made to pursue what I really want out of life.  2 years ago, I was fortunate enough to realize a dream of mine in the “purchase” of a beautiful town home(I’m going to miss you baby..but I heal quickly :-).  One thing that I’ve come to realize, is that serving two masters can be tiring.  What I mean by this is, where you have conflicting dreams, something is going to suffer.  And that’s exactly what I think happened.  Along with home ownership, I had the dream of working for myself, pursuing the further development of an online media organization I’ve begun, and exploring some non-profit activites as well.  The two goals couldn’t successfully coexist.  My friend David Risely discusses some of these concerns on his 7 Tips For Blogging Your Way Out of a Full Time Job blog post.  One of the major obstacles for many people, including myself, was finding the time to focus on what I really wanted to do.  That became difficult at times for me when working 40-50 hours per week, to pay the bills.  The largest being a home mortage.
2. All the crap that has been collecting in my garage, and closet, and other convenient crevasses.  Over the past 2 years I’ve realized that there is a fine line between owning something, and letting that thing own you.  I don’t want to sound like some minimalist freak all of a sudden, although I am leaning in that direction.  Nor have I been an extreme pack rat either.

The choices I am making do have some very practical benefits.  I’d like to do some traveling.  All of my business activities are online, which will provide me with a certain degree of flexibility.  I’m not married.  No kids.  And with all the women lobbying for my hand in marriage, this open window of reckless dream chasing may never be quite this large(that was a weak attempt at humor by the way :-).  I’d like to scale down to a couple back packs, lap top, and few other essentials.  A few things may go in storage, and the rest will have to go.

The idea of traveling lighter never sounded so good.  We’ll see if my idealistic fantasising will pan out.

Any advise on simplifying ones life?

P.S.  There are something you shouldn’t dumb down

Well, I’ll save the philosophical surmising for another day.  My point I guess is this.  I’ve decided to more fully embrace a BIG BUT lifestyle.  Yes, I am quitting my “safe” & “secure” job, BUT I hope to better pursue what I am most passionate about.  Yes, I am choosing to do this at supposedly the worst economic times since the 1930’s, BUT, I believe, with some creativity, simplifying my life significantly, and faith in Gods purpose for my life, possibilities will manifest themselves.

I’m leaving the way, wide open, for some BIG BUTS.  Lets give them some room in ‘09.  What do you say?  Maybe you got an example of where you took the alternative route.  Feel free to share some of the big buts in your life with me.  You know me, I’m all about the big …well…you get the pic. And oh…no pics please

Well for me, just staying focused on the things I know are most important to me has been tough.  I’m the guy that always has a few list around him at all times.  I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing what it is I want to do in life, but I’ve also proved equally talented in becoming distracted by other ideas and things, that just aren’t for me.  I heard someone say something to the effect of, the opposite of right is often good.  And that describes what I see happening.  What’s right for me, often conflicts with perfectly good options.

I’ve never considered myself a minimalist. But I’m starting to embrase this idea. I guess in theory, I’ve tried to make declarations to myself that I would do this one thing, and only this one thing until it was done.  Just focus!  But, I always seem to find myself floating to something else that interest me.

The frustrating thing about this vicious cycle, is how little you actual get done.  I stumblled on a list of the goals I had in 2007, and it struck me how little of them I had actually completed.  Somewhere along the year, I became distracted with some other pursuit.  The dreams and goals that had my strongest affections, had competition.  I’ve learned that for me half the battle is knowing whats important to living the life you really want to live, but the other part of the struggle seems to be eliminating the crap.  The other stuff, that is always lobbying for our attention.  Steadily attempting to derail us from where we need to be going.

So the question I ask myself is, how do I keep the main thing, the main thing?  How do you do it?  Any tips?

I believe the answer is to radically simplify.  Getting down to what really matters, and literally eliminating the other “stuff”.

With that said, I’m cleaning out my house, and giving a bunch of stuff away.  Anyone want some crap?

Segway to my SECRET MOTIVATING FACTOR(Sounds more interesting when you use the word secret).

Here what I’ve come up with to better ensure my success.  Maybe you can find value in this as well.

1.  I’ve considered the “worst case scenario”.  That seems to either diffuse the fear that blocks me from attempting what I truly desire, or it reminds me of what would happen if I didn’t quit doing something I know is hurting me in the long run.
2.  I’ve set a tangible event that will be the culmination of my goals this year(the proof is in the pudding so to speak).  An event seems to focus my mind by giving me a concrete realization of what I am working towards.
3.  I’ve decided to share some of my goals with others via this website(And yes, I give you permission to call me names if I do not succeed ;-).  Having to save myself from the embarrassment of not completing ailure seems to give me an extra boost.  You’ll also be able to check out my progress, or lack of progress.  I’d also like to hear your experiences pursuing your goals this year.

So what exactly does that look like?

MIND, BODY, SOUL

Mind

To never work a ‘9-5′ job again, and to transition into full time entrepreneurial activities.  I’ll share more of what these activities are at a later time, but my desire is to be able to work from anywhere, anytime, with anyone, and most importantly doing only what I love.  That freedom, and flexibility will come at a high price.  There are things I will have to give up.  Other competing, short term wants and desires that I will have to delay in order to pursue what I consider to be of paramount importance to me.

Body

To become the healthiest I’ve ever been in my 29 years alive on this earth.  To prove it.  Do something I think I’ll most likely fail at.  Enter & complete a mini triathlon

Soul

This is the center, and foundation of my life.  The spiritual.  It can be summed up in a term I’ve used to describe my pursuit, and also my desire for those I interact with.  And that is: Explore Truth.  For me, this mantra represents my ability to live the best life I know how.  To wrestle with the heaviest, and most inconvenient questions of my human existence.  To know at the deepest level, what I believe, and to actually live out those values, and beliefs.  Last but by no means least, to be the change I desire to see in this world.  To change lives for the better.

We all seem to be inspired by the story from the individual who has been given the premature diagnosis that all they have left is 3-6 months to live.  I’ve often looked on as this sense of urgency was born in someone else, and vicariously tasted of their reality.  They immediately have a perspective that we deeply desire.  Suddenly everything that really matters, becomes a priority.  Time quickly rivals jewels as the rarest and most precious commodity.  But hasn’t the clock always been ticking?  What’s so different now?

The later part of December gives us a small taste of this ticking clock.  A collective realization dawns on the minds of society, as we celebrate our former years, and solemnly pledge to ourselves that life is more important than we treated it the year before.  Hollywood capitalizes on this moment by releasing their best attempts at weaving these existential narratives into their philosophical box office hits.  Our hearts are warmed for a moment, as we stumble out of the theater.  Reminded that there is more to life, than merely existing.

Well anyway…All of this takes on a certain poignancy for me in this particular year.  Maybe its because I’m staring at the BIG 30, with a treasure chest of dreams still locked away inside.  Dreams beckoning not to be deferred.  Or maybe its the weight of an accruing dissatisfaction with my current life.  Either way, I’ve reached a point of resolve.  R. Kelly called it being ‘fed up’.  The point when a woman, in a bad relationship, decides that she is sick and tired, of being sick and tired, and enough is enough.  My father educated me a couple years ago, and referred to this point as, crossing ones Rubicon.  The cross roads.  Where you’ve realized that the direction you’ve been traveling is no longer the way you desire to travel.  And you are obsessed with changing it.  But this time, you are serious.  Returning to the previous path, is not only not preferred, but is near impossible.

And on this New Years night, when all contemplate their most treasured goals and dreams.  When the hope of a new life, a better way, challenge the nagging reality of doubt, procrastination, and fear.  I ask myself why & how will this year be different.  Both in what I attempt to do, and how well I complete what I set out to do.  Interestingly enough, the simple act of sharing what my goals are in specific detail seems to help me guarantee how successfully it’s realized.  But for now I will simply share what I think will help me in 2009. I have some huge changes I will be making in my life.  And to be frank, I’m excited.  Tomorrow I’ll share in detail, some of the changes I’ve been toying with for many months, but will finally be taking action on.  I’m also interested in what plans you have for the new year.  Feel free to share!  It’s almost here!!

More food for thought:

1.Ask yourself, if what you are doing day after day, is what you LOVE to do.  Is it what you are most passionate about.  If the answer is no, then make this year the year you change that.  Life is short.

2.Share your journey with a trusted friend, in person, or via a blog.  But however you do it, communicate the steps you are taking to live out the very reason you are here.  This will apply some positive peer pressure and accountability.  And if you don’t quite know why you are here, well, let’s make 2009 the year you find out.

I’ve included some video clips, that have inspired me below.  Enjoy!

P.S.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” Thoreau. (Walden).

Over the weekend, I also spent some time, sitting on my behind, rewatching an underrated movie called Equilibrium.  I won’t say it’s one of my favorite flicks, and for those who know me, my list is very short, but there are many aspects that I really appreciate about this film.  Here’s a snippet from a scene that grabbed my attention.  I’ve also included the video below it.

Mary: Let me ask you something.
[Grabs his hand]
Mary: Why are you alive?
John Preston: [Breaks free] I’m alive… I live… to safeguard the continuity of this great society. To serve Libria.
Mary: It’s circular. You exist to continue your existence. What’s the point?
John Preston: What’s the point of your existence?
Mary: To feel. ‘Cause you’ve never done it, you can never know it. But it’s as vital as breath. And without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock… ticking.

Do you agree with her reasons?  Why are you alive?

Social Media

My youngest brother Kyle is a nerd. Hmmm…wait, let me rephrase that, because he may read this! My brother is a cool, full time, work at home in his boxer shorts, nerd. And in all actuality I really admire the guy. As kids, when my other brother and I were more interested in playing computer games, or shooting hoops, he was fiddling with GW-Basic code. If you ask him, he’ll tell you he was well rounded, and he’d be right. But, out of all of us, he had the heart for internet technology.

Over the past few years, some of that interest has rubbed of on me. And no, I have not started coding. I’m still wondering what Javascript has to do with a caffeinated beverage. But please do give me a round of applause for knowing about 2 lines of html. Whoo Hoo! I have really come to appreciate the immense power that the “regular” guy can posses, with even an elementary understanding of what the internet and more specifically, what social media can provide.

Thousands of bloggers pour online every single day. Not to mention the explosion of Social Networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace, where people are organizing, sharing ideas, spreading news, and even making money. And some are actually even able to do this full time, from the comfort of their home office. My friend David Risely, is a perfect example of a very successful, full time blogger. I have to admit, the idea of leveraging this power to earn, while potentially being able to do it in my pj’s, is very intriguiging. But even more intriguiging to me, is how I, how individuals can use the power of social media to make a positive difference in the world.

Here are a couple of great examples of people who have really harnessed the power of Social Media for social change.

Anybody heard of Barack Obama? Check out what Business Week had to say on how he’s effectively utilized Social Media.

Social Media Exchange, describes itself as “An initiative devoted to helping NGOs leverage social and mobile media for positive social change in Lebanon.” On Wednesday October 15 at 6:30 p.m., they have announced they will be testing the impact of simultaneously blogging during this day on a single topic, poverty, together with thousands of bloggers from around the world.

That’s power…

The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened

“By their fruit you will recognize them (speaking about wolves dressed up like sheep).  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bares good fruit, but a bad tree bares bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bare bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bare good fruit….Not everyone who says “Lord Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven…but only those that do the will of my father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons, and in your name perform many miracles, then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you.”

It’s tempting to live an obligatory kind of Christian life, where you just say/attempt to do the right things, because you are “supposed” to.  BUT…A tree doesn’t have to think about what fruits it produces right?  so should a true Christian have to continually remind him/herself to tell people that their a Christian.  Or are their characteristics that reveal themeself naturally?  IF of course you are connected. (I believe being connected is an obnoxious focus on eating HIS Words every day, and prioritizing them over & above pastors, preachers, and other 2nd/3rd party human influences)…

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”