Day #3 of 21… Building The Runway

There are only so many runways to build when trying to accomplish something. I have developed an expertise at runway building. I know how to design and build one; in fact I have built several at one time. I’m that fucking good at runways. If you asked 100 people if they knew about my runway expertise, very few would yield.

I am an expert in nothing. Well, maybe except runways. That’s not a bad thing really. It’s just a place where there is lots of company. Good company.

Life isn’t about what knowledge you have mastered or accumulated, but how many children you have inspired. It’s not about how well your financial portfolio is doing, but if you still smile when a puppy does something funny.

It goes so fucking fast, life does.

So let’s take a look at my day #3 of this 21 day session. It was an okay day. I think I could have done better. This means I left money on the table, meat of the bones, clothing on the hooker and some very good wine in the glass. But I think the real acid test is this: if day #3 was my September 10th, would I be okay with that? The answer is an absolute yes.

If I was an accountant however, I would want to know if I met my analytical objectives for today. To that I would have to say no. But sometimes the experiment is the experiment. You learn from your everyday gambles. I don’t think I can work toward some analyitcal objective. I think it needs to be a human goal. I need to think more about that.

Isn’t life an absolute thrill? A mystery novel that leaves goose bumps on your arms? If not, find some real good Bink-Chai weed (average will even do the trick) and think it over. It really is that good. Both.

So off to day #4. A Sunday. It’s funny how for most of the last several millenia Sunday was a day of worship. How fast is that changing I wonder?

Enjoy today. I mean it!

Smile.

Ciao.

Day #2 of 21… Taking It Easy Today

Day #2 went exactly as planned… I took it easy, and did that very well.

Today I wrote a post to my CoolProteomics blog; something I haven’t done in months. Although it took me several hours to write, I was re-energized with the knowledge that putting more effort into this would be worthwhile for my business.

Outside of that, I didn’t get anything done.

But a good day overall and looking forward to day #3. Now that will be a different story! Much more planned, so little time.

Ciao!

Day #1 of 21… Living Life To The Fullest

You couldn’t get through today without thinking about the attacks. It’s amazing to think it really happened. A bunch of religious extremists flying airplanes into buildings. I hope the virgins they met in heaven are ugly and have syphilis.

So let me ask me this question: Did I live life to the fullest today? A resounding YES. I had a great morning cleaning the house, and getting ready for the day ahead. I sat in the sun for 30 minutes taking in the rays; good for my vitamin D production they say. And just fucking relaxing. Then, I fed the dogs and cats, did some laundry and got ready for my day.

My business day.

The next important question to ask is this: What did I do that was so different today?

So I made two important phone calls I was afraid to make (and has been on my to-do list for months), I called home-based business leads that I haven’t called in years and I made my quota of speaking with 5 scientists today. That is quite an accomplishment. Now, this is only one day, so the real test will come tomorrow and the next day and the next. But every journey starts with one step, and today, was the first one.

I am now pleasantly buzzed thanks to Thursday nights; anyone who read my blog the first 21 days understands the significance to this, and I feel great.

Tomorrow is Friday. A very important day in people relations. Fridays, people are happy the week is near an end, and they are open to suggestion. There are more deals made on a Friday than any other day, so this is the day to close deals, start relationships, make suggestions and pave new directions. I plan to take advantage of that, since I only have 3 of them in this 21 day flight path.

If a totally objective person was watching me today, they may have thought I got nothing done. After all, most of my time was spent doing some pretty basic things. However, what I am trying to do is execute powerful, high impact, far-reaching tasks. Each task will multiply like a ripple in a lake; each wave larger than the next.

I think most can trade time for money, but the real game is to leverage on possibilities, knowledge, talent and timing. That’s what creates opportunities and moments of sheer joy.

So off to another day, day #2. Let’s see where it goes.

And one last time… I tip my hat to those who never got to live their September 12th.

May we all enjoy that day.

9-11… We Must Walk Consciously Only Part Way Toward Our Goal, And Then Leap In The Dark To Our Success – Henry David Thoreau

September 11th is one of those days you can’t possibly forget. You remember where you were and what you were doing when it happened.

And all those loving people.

Young, fat, old, men, atheists, catholics, children, gays, women, pessimists, jews, straight, skinny, muslim, optimists. People with wonderful years ahead of them.

So I got to thinking. I bet every one of those 2,998 people would step into our shoes in a second if they could. You see, if they knew that September 11th was it, they may have treated September 10th with much more reverence and priority.

I know I’m that way with many of my days… hell, I waste more time each day worrying about stupid things, not making a tough phone call, not trying hard enough, or feeling sorry for myself because I may not have reached the pinnacle of civilization yet. What if I took all that emotional, physical, spiritual and mental energy and put it to better use?

Hmmm.

And this is where my new journey begins. A 21 day voyage, beginning on September 11th, 2008 that raises the performance bar every day for the next 3 weeks. Every day will bring another opportunity to mine for gold in all my pursuits, whether they be business, love, health and laughter. The most important part of each day will be to ask myself one question… did I live this day to the fullest? Each day will have its normal twists and turns, and ups and downs, but I will know if I lived it, or not.

So, how do we best respect the memory of those lost that lovely September day? By taking each day we have and making it the only day we have. Because, when you give it some thought, it truly is the only day. Each of us will eventually have our own September 10th, so that’s a pretty good justification for enjoying life today. Don’t you think?

Here we go, another 21 day mission. I know this will be more difficult than my last expedition, but it will also be more gratifying if I succeed.

Another day. At least we have one. Dead people don’t. So let’s do something with it. I know I will.

Laugh… Love… Live.

Day #21 of 21… Mission Accomplished!

I am proud to say that I have accomplished my 21 day mission. My goal was to go without any brain candy or soul slurry for 21 days, and I made it. When compared to all accomplishments by humans across the ages, it meant absolutely nothing. However, compared to what the average fly does in a lifetime, it was really something. I think.

That said, here are a few thoughts as I celebrate the occasion.

A great man once said, ‘If a man does his best, what else is there?’. And that’s what I am celebrating tonight. I did my best. I could not have done it better. So that’s my new theme… doing my best. I think it may be easy to forget that doing our best is very hard work. It’s being in the top 5%. It’s having a fucking blast.

Wow; what a great 21 days. The most amazing thing about this adventure was all the unexpected realizations I experienced. My reason for doing this was initially for my health. The real surprise. However, was how it impacted my state-of-mind.

This pause has been very healthy. I recommend it to everyone. Really.

Okay, all my cards on the table. Tonight, after midnight (in fact, at precisely 12:00:01AM EST) I flew to Amsterdam, Holland and smoked some Indonesian Bink-Chai grass, drank a few glasses of Wolf Blass wine and had a beer. For a night-cap I smuggled down a shot of Black Velvet.

I actually had a great time during my 21 days; probably one of the most important times of my life. That’s just a feeling I have; I can’t explain it yet.

I also thank all those who have read my posts, commented, and spit at me in disgust. I appreciate you more than you know. And love you.

I’m going away for a few days and then I’ll announce the next 21 day mission. I’m looking forward to it. I’d write more but my brain is shutting down; it’s 4:00AM.

Another wise man said, ‘And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.’ Abraham Lincoln said that. General Patton said the first quote.

See you at the next mission.

Day #20 of 21

An inch closer.

One more night and this trek is over.

I have had some time to think about my little accomplishment these last 20 days, and so, I am full of thoughts that never would have materialized had I not followed this path. The thoughts aren’t earth-shattering slices of wisdom; in fact, you’ve heard them before. It’s just that for me, the thoughts have transpired from just words to real actions.

And that is what I am really excited about. Actions. I know that even though I had my doubts on day #3, I still went forward and things started to crystallize. Why? Because I had a goal; I didn’t give up. Imagine if I could apply this template to other things? My business. My writing. My dreams? That’s pretty powerful.

I’m thrilled to have made it this far. As I have mentioned a few times already, I didn’t think I’d last three days. But here it is, the end to day #20, and I’m still clear-headed.

As I enter the 21st day, I’ll be thinking about my next 21 day mission. But before starting that next mission, I plan on partying with loved ones on a lake. I will most likely once again experience a hangover. Or two.

I’ll also begin a new love affair with a nine week old puppy. I have two wonderful, sweet and loving dogs at home, Thelma (my sweet blind dog) and Louise, but they stay close to headquarters. The puppy —currently without a name— will become my companion when I travel to distant lands; playing with the likes of Tesla and Otago. She and I will be great friends and I can’t wait to meet her. I tend to form very deep relationships with our animal friends, so this is such a treat.

Then after a few days, my next project, which will be revealed on day #21, will begin.

It’s past 2am, and I’m tired. It was a pretty shitty week, as far as my businesses are concerned, and I have to pay attention to that. Hmmm. I wonder how I might do that?

See you tomorrow… Allah willing.

Day #19 of 21

If you have been reading my posts, then you know Thursday nights my wife and I go out for a late dinner and a few beers. It started out about 15 years ago when Gail and I thought we needed to spend more time together; it became our standing date. I highly recommend it, especially if you’re raising kids and there isn’t much time to just hang out together.

Without the kids.

I was having another tough business day and had this amazing urge for a vodka martini; I could taste it. I envisioned myself bringing the glass up to my lips and inhaling the dirty aroma, and then tasting the sharp liquid. I love the taste of cold vodka; there is really nothing like it. No wonder the Russians love it.

And then I had a black cherry soda.

At Danny’s restaurant the proprietor, Mark, offered me a one-time special of free beer all night with my wings, the bastard. This time it was my turn to laugh. I can easily deflect the temptations now. It’s a nice feeling, as I come to the end of the line, to know that I have won. I beat the villain. I became the victor. I won the battle. I feel like a competitive swimmer who has the field beat and can coast into the winner’s circle.

This exercise has given me renewed confidence that I can compete with difficult challenges. Okay, everything is relative. I know there are tests in life that are orders of magnitude more difficult than not partying. But climbing a mountain starts with small steps, and sometimes, that first, rather insignificant step, is the most difficult. I think that’s part of the lesson here. If you think you can’t do something, why not accomplish something small first? For some, my little 21 day mission may be a very stiff wind, so maybe it isn’t drinking. But what about overeating, smoking cigarettes, or driving too fast? What I have found is that although 21 days isn’t a life sentence, day # 5 seems a long way from day #21, so it is a fair test.

Join me on my next 21 day challenge. Coming up. Soon. Create your own.

So many good things have come out of my mission; I can’t wait for the next one. The goals will be different, but the spirit will be the same.

So it is off to day #20… wow! I can see the shore from where I am sitting, and it looks awfully good.

One note: Ginger ale and wings go better together than club soda, in case you’re keeping score.

It’s Friday! Can’t wait.

Be safe. Be happy. Be a little crazy.

Day #18 of 21

I had several business setbacks yesterday. One potential client told me to go pound sand, and another found a way to weasel themselves out of paying me a fairly significant commission. C’est la vie, as they say. Still hurts. But the point to telling you this is that although it really did get me down for most of the day, especially in the evening, I had no ambition to grab a beer, smoke a joint or down a bottle of wine. How interesting.

So there goes another day. This day, August 13th, 2008, day #18, is the same day everyone experienced on the planet. It’s like every person is a story, each being written so differently, on the same day. Our relationships are one person reading a page of another or helping to write it. Each day we edit, rewrite, read and hit return. Our stories. Our lives. We are so intertwined with each other, and yet, we can also be so disconnected. What’s really interesting is that one person’s experiences can help write another person’s story… for better or worse. As I move along my timeline, people who I have the absolute privilege of being close to affect my content dramatically. But also, so many I don’t know and will never meet nudge my thinking and contribute to my story… my tone… my story’s ending.

I like to think of all the people who have traveled these roads before me, as books, finished, bound in a beautiful hard cover, sitting in a grand library somewhere. Imagine that, if everyone’s story, all their great moments and tragedies, accomplishments and dreams, written down for everyone to read. I hate the thought that a farmer in Tibet in the year 1022 will never have his story told. Although insignificant our individual lives may be in the grand scheme of things, as a body of work, we are profound and powerful.

And so I offer to you, the reader, who I may never know, the hope that my journey has given you pause in some small way. My hope is that I have contributed to your story. Maybe a sentence. A comma. A nudge. And one day in the future, someone reads the words from that day and may be moved in some new direction. And the story continues.

Three more days on my journey to somewhere.

Day #19 coming up.

Carriage return.

Day #17 of 21

What is so wonderful about each day are the amazing surprises that occur around the planet. With that in mind, here are some of today’s observations.

I just finished watching Michael Phelps win two more gold medals in Beijing and thought about how much pressure there must be to win. “Winning isn’t everything,” the great Vince Lombardi once said, “it’s the only thing.” Although I have never had that kind of competitive drive, I could imagine how using chemicals to win must be so tempting. In a way, it’s the reverse reason for overindulging with alcohol, blow or weed.

Some argue, and most of the time they are right (although at times overindulgence is simply because you have had a great day!), that overindulgence occurs when one is trying to take the edge off of a particularly mediocre day. So maybe today’s performance wasn’t one of those gold medal moments; I imagine even Phelps has those days. But for most of the world, mediocrity is the norm. The problem is that most people want to medal in something… so when they can’t, when life is a struggle and they get discouraged, they drink. Consistent overindulgence simply means something isn’t right in your life. That certainly rings true for me quite often. 

I look back on my reasons for partying too much and most of the time it is because I can’t seem to reach my goals; I procrastinate. Here’s the ironic part: drinking or snorting or smoking —whatever the poison— will guarantee I will never have a chance at a medal! So it’s a catch-22. I indulge because I am not where I thought I’d be by now, and my overindulging will make certain I will never get there. And the spiraling down continues. Thank goodness for 21 days.

What do Olympic and professional athletes do? For them, they can’t afford a mediocre day. If they are seen as mediocre, they are likely to fall from grace and lose their positions, jobs, and prestige. To avoid that, they drink before the pain. Their drinks are performance enhancers to elevate their position and keep them in the race. For the rest of us, we overindulge because often, the pain is daily and the results are the same each day. Mediocre.

Ideally, we should look at each day as an Olympic event. Whatever it is we do —like keystroking data into a database— pretend there is a Russian, French, Chinese and Canadian judge watching your every move. Go for the gold each time you key in one more set of data. You get the picture.

This brings me closer to my evil diabolical plan. It actually fits in nicely with my new 21 day mission, which will be announced soon to great fanfare.

It is past one in the morning. I am pretty tired. And it is the 17th day of my exile from indulgence. Although I didn’t win any medals today, I know tomorrow I have another event. In fact, several. And the judges are family, friends, clients, acquaintances, pets and creditors. So I’m in the hunt for a medal… and I know I’ll be up for it.

Everyday is an event… so go for it.

4 more days… can’t wait.

Day #16 of 21

This is the 3rd Monday I have been on this path… and so I am very much looking forward to ending this mission. I have learned a few things that are very important for the rest of my life.

First — I know I am not chemically dependent on anything (note: for those thinking about doing this, 21 days may or may not be the right length of time to clean out your system; everyone is different, so use some common sense and listen to what your body is telling you), and if I wanted, could continue this pilgrimage indefinitely… although we all know that ain’t happening.

Second — I now understand that I must give this incredibly complex and wonderful body a rest after any alcohol and chemical intake. If you read what I posted on day #7, you’d realize how important it is to honor this machine… if anyone reading this has not cleared themselves out lately… please consider doing so. I now know my body will only be as good as its maintenance.

Third — I think this has been one of the best mind-body-spirit events of my life only because it has taught me so much about myself and what I can accomplish. There is nothing like moving forward in your life when you come face-to-face with your own addictions and crutches… it is painful to learn, but liberating to know you can beat it.

Fourth — and this is the most important — I am going to savor my next glass of red wine, the wonderful aroma of ganga and a Belvedere Vodka, dry, up, with olives. I look forward to seeing these old friends again, just not as often this time around.

There are only 5 more days to go on this journey, but as we all know, when one journey ends, another begins. And that is what I’ll be writing about on my new mission. I will be announcing my new 21 day mission next week, so stay tuned.

That’s about it for day #16. Life is sweet. Even with its many challenges.

Enjoy the tough times, and you will really love the good times.

Ciao.