Category: Productivity

Do You Have a “Disease”?

 

Men Drinking

 

I was asked recently what my biggest flaw was.

 

I sat there thinking. Not because I don’t have flaws, but because I don’t know what my biggest one was.

 

I finally answered, “I drink!”

 

They asked “How does that affect you?”

 

Sometimes I don’t get work done because I’m out drinking. Sometimes when I drink too much I have trouble waking up in the morning.

 

I drink. Not often, but at least once a week.

 

I used to drink for no reason. That was never good. Always lead to emotional drinking and over drinking. I admit I knew it was a problem.

 

Then I made the choice to stop and just drink socially, or as a reward for accomplishing a goal. But never again in a non-happy situation.

 

I’m an alcoholic!

 

Not my words. But I have been called an alcoholic.

 

I don’t think I have a problem. But if I do, I’m a man! I can make the choice to stop.

 

So I took a step just to prove a point to myself.

 

I went to an alcoholics anonymous meeting a few weeks ago. I wanted to know if I really do have a problem.

 

I listened to people get up there and tell their stories.

 

But I did not tell mine.

 

Alcoholic
I’ve been there. When i was young. Never as a MAN!

 

Is drinking my disease?

 

I heard a gentlemen say that drinking nearly destroyed his life.

 

He woke up one morning, looked around, and was laying on the floor outside of his home, with no recollection of how he got there.

 

He said after that day, he decided never to touch another drop of alcohol again. Been sober for 2 years.

 

2 Years and he still felt the need to attend alcoholics anonymous meeting for fear of relapse.

 

I heard a lot of them talking about taking things one day at a time.

 

That’s Bullshit!

 

You make a decision, and you take charge of your life.

 

You don’t need a higher power to help you.

 

You don’t need a sponsor.

 

The guy that had been sober for 2 years is weak! He’s not a man. He easily made the choice to stop! He can easily make the choice to never start again. But it seemed like he just needed that pain.

 

People need to stop drowning themselves in a sea of self pity to make themselves feel good, or important.

 

What you need is strength of mind, willpower, and character.

 

Alcoholism is NOT a disease. This applies to everything in life.

 

Addiction is NOT a disease. Laziness is NOT a disease. Being poor is NOT a disease. You name it, many problems that there are support groups for, are NOT diseases! They’re choices!

 

It’s a FAILING!

 

And people have turned it into a church. They worship the alter of self pity.

 

Self Pity
Losers feel sorry for themselves

 

I drink. But it’s not a disease!

 

I left that place with one thing on my mind. I’ve just seen what I don’t want to become.

 

Helpless, Impotent, and Weak.

 

A Loser!

 

Don’t be that person! Don’t be weak!

 

Be a man! You have to be determined to fight.

 

Just make the choice! And Do It!

 

 

See you next time

– Geo

Deal With Stress

 

Life isn’t always easy. We all get the same 24 hours. Some of us just cram more into it than others. Therefore, creating more stress. It can get overwhelming. It can sometimes feel like there’s not enough hours in the day.

 

 

These are 5 ways to deal with stress

 

 

Number 1: Quick Workout

 

Sometimes you just don’t have the time to workout. You may not have those 45 minutes or that hour to spare. Not counting the time it takes to drive to the gym, get your workout in, drive home and freshen up.

 

That’s at least 90 minutes to 2 hours of time that you need to block out in your day. If you don’t have the time, spread it out throughout the day. You will deal with your stress throughout the day. Every hour or so, bang out a set of pushups. Got a couple minutes throughout the day to spare, do some crunches, pushups, lift some weights, whatever you can do, find a way.

 

You’ll be surprised how many reps you get done throughout the day. I have done as many as 300 without even noticing.

 

Try it for 1 day. A quick 2-3 minute workout every hour. Then let me know how you feel in the comments.

 

 

Number 2. Put Fun Stuff on Your To-do List

 

Don’t let your to-do list be all boring, business stuff or work stuff. Granted, if you’re like me and you like what you do, then that might not be a problem. But most people have to do what they have to do, which is sometimes not enjoyable.

 

So throughout the day, sprinkle some fun stuff in your agenda. Maybe give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to play ball. Close to the end of you list, catch a Laker game. That just makes you excited and will help you deal with your stress.

 

You’ll think to yourself “YEAH!”

 

 

Number 3. Take a day off

 

It’s good to have a lazy Sunday. You can get so stressed out throughout the week that you need to take some time off. You just need to deal with your stress.

 

How do you know when to do it? When you are so overwhelmed that you aren’t being productive anymore. If you’re not being productive, take the rest of the day off. Even if you’re burnt out by 11am or by noon.

 

Go to the beach. Watch a movie. Spend time with the kids. Just take your mind off of your stress.

 

Then come back, and CRUSH IT when you’re ready.

 

 

Number 4. Stop pretending

 

You don’t have to impress anyone. If someone wants to know something you don’t know, don’t pretend that you do. Don’t let their stress become your stress. Just be honest and say you don’t know.

 

What’s the worst that’s going to happen? They will perceive you as weak? Or dumb?

 

Oh well. You honestly don’t know what you don’t know. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn. This puts in your mind to learn something new. That’s intelligence.

 

 

Number 5. Get Rid of the People Causing You Stress

 

This is the most important one to me. It was the most important when I started venturing out on my own, and it has not changed.

 

There was many people that didn’t believe in me. Many people saying “Maybe you should get a steady job with a steady paycheck.” Or “Why do you spend so much time on the computer?” Or “How come you don’t want to come to the bar with us, you never want to hang out.”

 

Even my kids mother wasn’t a believer. “You’re neglecting us!” Yeah! Neglecting them while they were sleeping. I wouldn’t even sleep in. But she thought I was just wasting time on the computer. But of course I can’t get rid of my kids mother. Or my son. (Not that I want to)

 

But other people, even family, you just have to distance yourself. They can affect you negatively. It can take a toll on your productivity.

 

Get rid of those negative nancies, or as Victor Pride calls them, those crabs in a pot.

 

 

Focus on the positive in your life.

 

Take these tips and start improving your productivity immediately.

 

You won’t regret it.

 

 

See you next time

 

 

Geo

Stress

 

Stress is one of the biggest health problems that can affect men. Not cancer or disease. Stress!

 

I asked 5 of my biggest influences and here’s what they had to say about what causes them stress and how they dealt with it.

 

6 Causes of Stress and how to beat them

 

 

Stress Cause Number 1: All your friends are married and having kids and you’re worried your with the wrong person.

 

How to beat it: You need the right person. If you don’t have anyone or even if you do, you need to ask yourself these questions about what you want in life.

 

First and foremost, do you like her? If you aren’t attracted to her, you’re wasting your time.

 

Do you get along well together?

 

Do you have the same likes and dislikes? Even if you don’t, you can have conversations about each others interests. So that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

 

Does she respect you and what you do?

 

Does she respect your family and your friends?

 

Does she try to fix arguments instead of fight?

 

Does she share with you?

 

If you’re answering Yes to these questions, you have a keeper. If you answer No to any one of them, it’s time to let it go and move on. Find a new one or focus on yourself.

 

Sometimes you have to make a choice. My idol Victor Pride made the decision to make his business his life. Therefore he will never be married or have kids. That is a choice he made.

 

So make a choice.

 

 

Stress Cause Number 2: Your friends, family, or boss are hassling you to do anything they think you should do and you’re getting fed up with it.

 

How to beat it: Get away from it. I’m not saying run away. I’m not saying let that problem boil. Get away from it for a bit.

 

Go to the restroom. Wash your face. Just get yourself away from the situation completely.

 

If you’re angry, if you’re mad, you’re going to say stuff that you don’t mean in the heat of the moment. Don’t let that play out. Take a minute or 2, go back calmly, and figure out a way to fix the situation.

 

 

Stress Cause Number 3: You just lost a loved one. You don’t know how to deal with it. Trust me when I tell you this could make a Major impact in your life. It distracts you from work, pleasure, and everything else in your life if you’re just grieving all the time.

 

How to beat it: Don’t dwell on it all the time. Give yourself time for it. Everyday or every other day, give yourself 5 to 10 minutes to let go and just grieve about it. Preferably do it at a time after productivity and do something physical after. So maybe after you’re done working for the day, before you go to the gym.

 

If you work out after, your endorphins rise, and your mood will enhance. This will keep the memory of your loved one alive without being disrespectful or distracting, allowing you to always remember them.

 

 

Stress Cause Number 4: Other people’s well being is based on your success. Sometimes focusing on yourself means that you’re focusing on your family. On your wife and kids. On your parents. Brothers and sisters. Multiple people that depend on you.

 

How to beat it: Focus! Focus on the right now. Then focus on the future. When it gets stressful, just breathe. Breathe and be aware of the situation you’re in. Visualize what you need to do, and if you’re doing it. Don’t overthink it. Know that you’re doing the right thing.

 

 

Stress Cause Number 5: You’re not over the Ex.

 

How to beat it: Think of all the things that you liked about them and write them down. The ask yourself, is she the only girl with these qualities? If you answer NO, then you can move on.

 

This is a sort of To-do list of things to find in a new woman. Easy!

 

 

Stress Cause Number 6: Success is just around the corner. You KNOW success is just around the corner. If you can just get over this last hump.

 

How to beat it: Just do it! Don’t overthink it. Be aggressive. You know what you have to do. Don’t try to make it perfect. Just do it.

 

 

Beat these causes of stress. Live a stress-free life and be on your way to a better one.

 

 

See you next time

 

 

Geo

Douglas Merrill
Douglas Merrill

 

Having a to-do list is important. I first became interested in to do lists when I read a bio on Douglas Merrill.

 

A simple google search on to-do lists will give you many results but you will find that these 5 tips from Douglas Merrill are the most common.

 

5 Ways to Make a To Do List I Learned From Douglas Merrill

 

Tip 1: Write it Down – Writing it down makes it more likely to get done. People forget. Paper remembers.

 

Tip 2: Be Specific – Don’t be vague. Be as specific as you can and make sure it’s attainable. Not just a simple “Make a lot of money.” Also not “Make $100,000 in 3 months.” Be reasonable and realistic.

 

Tip 3: Date It – If you don’t have an end date, you will push it back further and further. Make it a goal to achieve by a certain date.

 

Tip 4: Make It Good – Don’t be negative about it. Instead of saying “Don’t eat this or that.” Instead say “My reward will be a Bacon Cheeseburger on Saturday if I stick to my eating plan all week.”

 

Tip 5: Keep it Simple – Keep goals for different areas of life, such as my SWIFT action board. Then learn to balance those goals and prioritize.

 

 

Until Next Time

 

 

Geo

Electronics I cant Live Without

 

Let’s face it! Electronics rule our lives! Everywhere you go, people are on their phones or tablets. Even at home. They have become part of our everyday lives and now we can’t imagine life without them.

 

5 Electronics I Can’t Live Without

 

Iphone
Iphone

 

Phone – Specifically, my Iphone. It’s simple to operate and lets me stay connected with my email, contacts, and social media at the press of a button. Apple has it figured out. Iphones rarely, if ever, act up or break down. Just make sure you have a case. This also eliminated the need for an ipod, as all the music is on my phone, and a digital camera, although it’s good to have one for better quality pictures. But for the quick snap, the iphone does an ok job.

 

 

LG Tone Infinim
LG Tone Infinim

 

Bluetooth Headset – I’m a big fan of the LG tone series headsets. I’ve owned all of them since the original. They are not exactly noise cancelling but they have a great sound quality. Right now my 2 go-to’s are the LG Tone Active for the gym, and the LG Tone Infinim for everything else. I have them around my neck all the time that sometimes I forget its there. Another benefit is that they can be concealed well under the collar of your shirt, so it works with any style. It is great for phone calls and music.

 

Get the LG Tone Active Here and the LG Tone Infinim Here

 

 

Ipad and Macbook
Ipad and Macbook

 

Laptop and Tablet – I have a Macbook and an Ipad I use these interchangeably. Mainly for work. I do all my marketing for my cleaning business online. I also manage my niche sites online. At home and at the office I use the macbook. On the road or on the field I use the ipad. It eliminates the need for paperwork and they sync to each other. I also have another tablet, a Barnes and Noble Nook that I use for reading and entertainment.

 

Last but not least…

 

Capresso Carafe Coffee Maker
Capresso Carafe Coffee Maker

 

Coffee Maker – I drink a lot of coffee. So I need a good coffee maker. I currently use the Capresso Carafe Coffee Maker. I make my coffee in the morning and it keeps it warm throughout the day. 1 full pot gives me 10 servings. When I travel, I don’t take it. So I use the next best thing, even though it’s not electronic, a Melitta pour over coffee cone. I love making my coffee using the drip method.

 

Get the Capresso Carafe Coffee Maker Here. Get The Melitta Coffee Cone Here.

 

 

What are you go to electronics that you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

Until Next Time

 

 

Geo

Work Smarter

 

Got office work? It can be very easy to get distracted. Especially if you work from home on the computer or if you work alone. Here are 4 easy tips to make your office life or home office life easier and more productive.

 

1: Stop the Gossip

When a co-worker is trying to talk to you about their night out on the town, it isn’t helping you get your work done. Other people, either at work or social media, will consume your time if you let them.

 

The Solution? Tune out the distractions. Keep the social media off while working. Only open business emails. Wear ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones if you work from home or if permitted at your job. If someone tries to approach you, replace open ended answers such as “How are you doing?” (which leave them open to conversation), with a quick “What can I do for you?” It may seem a little rude, but you will get more work done than everyone else. If you work for yourself, this is the only way to go.

 

My business is in the service industry, carpet cleaning, commercial lot cleanings, painting, and other service areas. But I also have office work when it comes to marketing, creating marketing material, meeting setups, emails, client databases, etc. All stuff that I don’t necessarily get paid for. But I have to do it. So I get it done quick without distractions and that leaves time for other ventures and family time.

 

 

2: K.I.S.S

Im a big believer in the philosophy of Keep It Simple Stupid! It’s always good to have a to do list, but some people make their to do lists overcomplicated or try to do too many things at once. Trying to do too many things or having many windows open on your computer will only frustrate you and slow you down.

 

Take a few minutes to organize yourself and separate what has to be done today – schedule meetings, write your material, finish a report, etc.. – from your list of things that can wait. You should only have a few items that take priority on you list on any given day.

 

In a future post I will show you my custom to do list which I use to prioritize different aspects of my life on a weekly basis.

 

 

3: Don’t Be Afraid to Outsource

Sometimes you have so much to do that you just can’t do it by yourself. And it seems like everyone these days is outsourcing work to places like China and India. So why not follow suit and pay someone in another continent $5 an hour to do the work for you. I personally use fiver.com and upwork.com to take care of some of my busywork such as organizing databases and some graphic design for marketing material. You can also have a virtual assistant, which I have yet to try.

 

Basically anything that can be done by computer or by phone can be outsourced.

 

 

4: Short and Simple

Responding to a business text or email shouldn’t take more than a minute or 2. If it’s a receipt, send it asap, but keep the message brief. “Thank you for your business” says it all. With potential, just set up a meeting time and place. Just keep the email messages and phone messages short and simple. Soon, people will get the hint and will also respond with similarly short messages. If you have and email autoresponder, you can set that up explaining to contacts that you will only be checking emails at a certain time. Same goes for voicemail. People will rethink the reasons they are emailing and calling.

 

There you have it. Keep your office life simple and you will get more done in a shorter amount of time.

 

 

See you next time

 

Geo