Success Is In The Cards

Research on the key factors for success has been crap basically. You either find information for your career, your self esteem, or a sales pitch. I figured there would be experts out there that had it nailed down or had solid information. But alas its about at shallow as a kiddy pool out there. I figured its because in everyday life most people only see success in a tradition way. And they only see the cookie-cutter way to get there. The mind set of "If they did it this way, then I'll do it this way with the same or better results" seems to be the poison of choice. Along with countless books at Barnes & Noble in the 'Self Help' section TELLING you how to conduct your life. At the end of the day no one lives your life but YOU. And no one has had the life experiences you have had and lessons along the way.

With my last entry about shedding my old life, and liberating myself to a new path (life), whatever you a want to call it, I talked about tracking my progress. Well tracking is a great, it helps focus one's self. So I got to thinking there should be some killer research on successful people and traits that are common in all. I found nothing mind blowing let me tell you. I feel that its more like themes than an actual "how to do", for being successful. There should be common factors but how you get to where you get, can vary person to person. Also how long can vary, depending on how the factors/traits are utilized. I think and internalize thoughts more than I should. I started mulling over in my head how I've achieved my own successes and how successful people in and throughout my life have reached their summits. What are the common themes? Not how..........its important, but not critical that we all do it the same way.

1. Sleep

    In high school and middle school I rocked EVERYTHING. My grades where 95s and better. I got into some amazing colleges. Started clubs, got into honor societies, and won competitions. At that time I was going to bed at 8:30PM. Even on nights where I had sport practices, or work. That sleep I got gave me the rest my mind and body needed to achieve greatness. It also helped with focus, retention, and intensity. In college I got like NO SLEEP. I feel this affected my performance major. I always think back and wonder if I just got 8 hours of sleep what I could have accomplished.

This action would be a theme or trait that I feel leads you to success. It readies you're entire being for battle. Some successful people most likely rely on little to no sleep. But for me I think this leads to long lasting success, and more of it.

2. Tracking

    In my last post I spoke about having 4 tracking tools. One for brainstorming, one for workouts, one for "To Dos" on daily basis, and one for the over all picture. Tracking is another trait that leads you to success. You watch and log your progress. It makes you adapt good habits, stick to what you say you are going to do, and keeps you focused. Distractions can slow you down, and derail YOUR progress. One thing I'm going to do every month is collect all my "To Do" list and tally all the items I have completed. What a way to see what you have done! The evidence is so clear. I've also started logging my TV/Lounge time. I want to decrease that as well. Tracking is data. Data is proof. Proof leads to motivation. People always say successful people are motivated, well how does one continues to be motivated and not defeated. TRACKING. Tracking show you data, whether it be progress or failure. This leads to motivation either way.

3. Nutrition

    You can't achieve greatness if you can't sleep soundly, fighting blemishes on your face, not staying awake during the day, and poor workout performance. This is where I falter a TON. You think that donut from Dunkin' is going to carry you through the moment but no! Good nutrition will make you feel better, and increase your progress with your physical achievements at the gym. I could rant about this one for days. But I think Dr. Oz has this subject covered.

4. The Company You Keep

    So the three traits I list can be affected hugely by the company you keep. If they don't support you and your endeavors, or distract you from doing the 3 traits above its detrimental to your success. One friend I no longer talk to would always be negative and make comments that I thought I was better than everyone or that I was too obsessed. Well long story short after breaking off that toxic friendship I got an internship and completed 2 summer courses.......BOOM IN YO FACE. If you date someone that drinks their face off every night and eats McDonald's like is Jenny Craig, then is going to be rather difficult to focus. Surround yourself with people who have similar aspirations, supportive friends, competition, and mentors to get there. Toxic people, and people not in line with your mindset are DISTRACTORS to the process. I don't care if you are trying to be the best kite flyer, if you have someone in your life that says "I hate windy days" limit time with them.

5. Compare But Be You

   Too many times I've compared myself to someone else, and it ended in self mutilating. By all means compare your progress and success to others. But do it with more observation. See whats working and not work for them, and utilize it in YOUR journey. Please do not get caught up in comparing 24/7........you'll lose focus. And its another distractor. They are not you, bottom line. For instance, I'm good at picking up heavy things and putting them down, but give me a body weight movement and I'm toast. If I compare myself to someone that can whip through pull up but they are 95 lbs, that's just stupid. Because I know I can deadlift close to 300 lbs and then can only do 185. But I take lessons from them, such as their form.

6. Intensity

   Nothing was accomplished without intensity. Intensity has a spectrum though and for each of your goals
   you have to take a stance. Intensity can burn you out don't get me wrong but it can accelerate your progress.

7. Accepting Failure

   Sometimes you just gotta fall flat on your ass to make progress. I have fail MANY times, and probably the hardest of most I know. But failure gives you a benchmark for progress. If I was good at everything I wouldn't need success, and the term wouldn't exist. It goes back to that compare thy self at #5. Also failure shows you that you are working hard and the intensity is through the roof. Those that never fail didn't but effort into squat and didn't take a damn risk to say their life. I feel that failure also helps you improve and evolve your process whatever it may be. Plus isn't it great when you have failure stories when you reach you goals and increase your success? "There was a time when I couldn't........and now I can"

8. Consistency

   Here my friends is the sworn enemy of progress and success..........not adhere to consistency. If we didn't walk everyday we would be weaker and lousy at.........and in extremes fail to be able to do it. Without consistency we cannot better ourselves. Eating right, sleeping, following a training plan, and tracking. All of these activities need consistency to be able to show progress and what is/isn't working. As humans, especially in today's world we lack consistency, which in my opinion shows lack of commitment to ones self and pure laziness. We always look for the easiest way to do something and most times there isn't and what is left boils down to consistency. Its like the '10,000 Hour Rule". If you do something for a total of 10,000 your an expert or damn near close. So going back to #2 (Tracking) if I track my progress for whatever I'm trying to excel at for 365 days a year, at an hour each day..........27 years down the road I'm an expert. With that said start with consistency TODAY! I'm in my 20s and I start 5 years ago after college attempting consistency so........I roughly have 22 years left to become a MASTER BALLA. So by my late 40s I will be solid as a mountain. Crazy to think of it this way but you have to start somewhere. Don't let yourself have allowances, its not needed in life. Be a rock. Also consistency breaks bad habits, and gets rid of poor company. How many free throws do you think Michael Jordan made..........A SHIT TON. Its not luck its planned luck.

9. Patience

    With consistency comes patience. You might be a loser, fat ass now, but give it some time and things will improve. I have no patience with myself half the time, and that is the moment were I beat myself up, not in a useful critical way but one where I don't expect failure, and then lose my consistency. Have patience, our world is lacking patience. That's what people embark on those stupid fad diets. That's why people listen to Dr. Oz and pop supplements. Pump the breaks, please and thank you. You work yourself into a frenzy. I take life lessons from PhD researchers, they work YEARS on their research and wait for answers. Some they never get and some they only get a piece at a time. Its remarkable that they have the capacity to endure this. Most times we've been ruining our bodies over years, and its going to take time to get it back to ground zero. Or with our goals there are steps that take time. If we can't have patience for ourselves then can we evoke any other disciplined traits and self control? I think not patience take self control, and living in the NOW.


10. Research & Ability To Adapt

     Here is a trait that I think is an unsung hero and a stealth bomber. Please listen carefully to be successful you have to be constantly researching how to be better. That's it! Research better tracking tools, better nutrition, better fitness advancement, classes to make you better and the list goes on. Hell I've even researched how to sleep more effectively. Through research you find new and improved methods that put you ahead of your competition (yes they are out there). Researching puts you out on this ledge of possibility. It also steers you away from bullshit. Not all information is built the same. Is called continuous improvement people. If I did the same shit every day and every year to get better my progress wouldn't be the same you know? Along with this crazy researching is the ability to adapt. This means if you fail at something you might need to change and adapt. You might have a issue physically.......adapt and find away to keep going forward. Or you have to do a Skype interview. If you can change and adapt with no effort you'll be ahead of your competition. This trait makes you resilient. If nothing bothers your or stops you in your tracks imagine what you can do. This also removes a sworn enemy.......FEAR. Fear is paralyzing in progress and success. If you are in the FEAR ZONE, things slow, and most likely back track. Research possibilities and mold yourself into something new when need be.

11. NEVER GIVE UP (Persistence)

      The one that wins races, competitions, or bonuses are those that NEVER GIVE UP........no for any reason. Persistence is the final trait that I feel makes or breaks progress and success. No matter how many times that person gets 1st place and you get 3rd place matters, what counts is that you never give up trying to beat them. While there striding at a #1, you are gaining on them day by day. Persistence to me is the ability to not be weak and to never give up on yourself. Persistence takes loads of energy hence why I stated  the first 3 traits. You have to put you feet on the ground every morning when you wake up and do something that works toward your progression to success, in what ever category you are in. You have to be willing to be the person working an extra hour, or utilizing even the small moments in life. Think about the successful people in your life...........they NEVER GIVE UP. Once you slack someone else will get ahead. Even if its a small advancement each day...........you are making ground, and in turn motivating yourself.


This by no means bases on scientific fact. But this is what has worked for me or I see in others. I'm going to follow my own advice of course. Lastly be YOU. If not then you are just like the rest of the poor sods on this earth. I look around and all I see are IPADS, Coach bags, headphones, running, and lean cuisines. If I follow this "normal" path how boring first off but I'll never be better. I don't care about what normally is cared about. I just know I have a plan, and now I broke down the traits I need to adhere to in order to be successful. I have the tools and the attitude. I'll be a lone wolf before I'll join the pack.........cue the Hang Over jokes.

Seriously who give a fly fuck about what we should be doing ,or what's important to others. From my perspective others are concerned with being obese, have shit they don't need, attracting the opposite sex (or whatever your orientation) when they are lame as hell, and "fitting in". Fitting in sucks! I hate how other people dress for one, and the men women pick, seriously?


Ok go forth and prosper and by all means don't listen to be and create your own blog to rant on...........I mean that's what I did

Unleash The Beast Part 2

So this weekend I got to witness some incredible athletes. It was insane!!!!! During the two days spent watching men and women pushing themselves to the limit, and making personal bests during competing was inspiring to say the least. But after such a weekend I found myself not thinking like a groupie, fan or spectator. I started to think "I can do this". I decided last night I'm going to unleash the beast. I never give up, I'm super competitive, and critical of myself. With just who I've been my whole life I can achieve this crazy notion of fitness. Its not to look sexy or to look cool..........its to prove that I can do this. I truly believe I have what it takes. I've been overlooked for special programs but I'll just put in the 100% effort and time for myself.

Last night I put together four tracking tools. It seems obsessive but it'll be a trail to my success. Hopefully these good habits and mindset pollute the rest of my life as well. I'm ready to shed my old life, in return for a new beginning. I know I won't miss the excessive drinking, sleeping less than 5 hours, being at all the parties, or in the "scene". I won't miss the eating of crap that my body can't handle. For pete sake I overcame a four year battle with an eating disorder without medication or help from a mental health professional. But I'm going to track and plan like no other. Success does not come all of a sudden, but it is something that is well thought out.

I have to admit I'm afraid. Afraid to live this crazy life style that doesn't mirror our current society. Afraid to abandon this image of me that people think is me, but its not. I may lose friends along the way, and have massive haters that think I'm too critical. But all I know is I'm not enjoying the current moment and I'm less than thrilled with how I've been conducting my life. What I used to think was important was crap. I also wanna rock other competitor's lives..........fuck yeah I'm standing next to you competing.

I'm looking at this as a liberating experience. Where it will take me we'll see. I hope to not recognize myself, and shock the hell out of people and keep them endlessly guessing whats next.

STAY FOCUSED. HARD WORK WINS EVERY TIME. PUT THE BLINDS ON. BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND BEAT YOURSELF UP UNMERCIFULLY

Synapse Overload

The dreams just keep coming! My brain is on hyper drive these days. A few nights ago I had a dream that I was doing roller derby, how balla is that. I was the speed demon on the flat track, whizzing around the bends.......the other jammer could catch my pace and the opposing team couldn't get me down. I was in my version of Whip It.........suck it Drew Barrymore. I was the ultimate vamp, with ruby red lips, eye make up for days, and fishnets highlighting my power thighs, and caressing my big ass.

It was an amazing feeling in the dream to be so feminine but so brutalizing. It was like having an alias. So I got to thinking what would my derby name be? Here's one I could try on for size.........IRISH CARBOMB. Boom.........I just blew you mind! Did I not? But then I got to thinking the names are usually Names + A Pun formula. So then I got nerdy, and let me tell you its hard to think of one with this iron clad formula. Wait I got one Helen Degenerate, Helen (Hell)? I need to practice more right?

Well this weekend I'm going to put on a pair of roller skates and take a few laps. Do some visualizing, and who know I might try out for my area's league. But I don't have a tattoo, and I fee like I need one. I'll pick up some of those cloth "tattoo sleeves" at the dollar store and be a bad ass. I haven't been on skates in awhile but here goes nothing right. You're never too old or set in your ways to break free of your routine and find another dimension of yourself. I mean I've been coined in having "at 15 personalities". But maybe this is just another avenue to feel alive, and to escape reality with a bunch of kick ass bitch in tights, shit ton of makeup, gnarly tattoos, and roadrunner-like skates

Wax That Shit

So the other day I got waxed. What a fun way to be liberated! Imagine a doctor office type thing to lay on with 2 sets of track lighting on the most beautiful part of your body. In walks my waxer.....the FUNNIEST person ever. She was a hoot at 60 something, jewish woman from New York City. I felt like we had been friends forever. She told me the best stories about people.

She waxes this male porn star, and he is in her word "deformed" haha. She was like "can you imagine having to put that in your mouth or give it a hand job.....more like two hand job (cue big parallel arm movements up and down)". I was laughing so hard. This woman has a job that I could live with. People are at their most vulnerable when they come to you, plus you can talk about all sorts of raunchy shit..........I feel like that's what people expect. If I waxed men I'd have a 5 part rating system. Plus I feel like when you have people spread eagle with wax on their crotch, they feel like they can confess anything in that moment. Hell might be better than therapy. Wax = Therapy. Freud missed the boat on this gold mine.

Oh and she only takes men by referral........you dirty boys you. She and I also came to the conclusion that the porn industry was the new form a of circus all the social outcasts and weirdos go there. A break through in my therapy session, I love to be naked, I'm pretty darn comfortable how I look physically, and that I look DAMN good down there........alabaster from my head down to my ass, HOLLA!

Nudity And Dr. Suess

I would be naked in a field
I would be naked in a car
I wold be naked on a stage
I would be naked in the hall
I would be naked with a ball (wow now I'm rhyming)
I would be naked in a dance
I would be naked even if everyone else where wearing pants

I would be naked on bike
I would be naked on a hike
I would be naked on a beach
I would be naked on a boat

I just want to be NAKED...........ways to get there:

1) Nude Beach
2) Body painted........so liberating, artistic, sensual, explore many sides of who you are
3) Pose nude for an art class
          (Wouldn't you like to know how others view you, I would love to see the different canvases!)
4) Swing in a hammock naked
5) Bath House

Another personality of my is the exhibitionist.......NOT the way you think though. I just want to learn how to stripper pole dance, dance topless with body paint on, dance naked in the middle of drum circle, do circus type moves, dance to a rhythm and a beat. Sway, and catch the sensuality of a song.....

Why doesn't the world just want to be free of being rigid. I mean women where skirts up to their ass. Why do we hate to get naked just because?

What Dreams May Come

For the life of my I never remember my dreams but this past week they were so epic how could I not. First one was of a man standing across from me, I can't remember the face. BUT I do remember is large penis and how it kept growing and swelling. It was white and beautiful let me tell you. Then a few nights after my dream was of serial killer nature. I was hiding out in an abandon cave covered with snow hiding and trying to defeat this killer. They continued to kill on a college campus. Then the third wacked out dream was of how I went to work out and the work out entailed at hang power clean twice my weight.......let just say that A TON for me. My dreams usually come true in some way or faction. With that said I have no clue how these are related....I believe they are fear based. I think I need to stop eating so close to bed time.

My interpretation of my dreams are..........I will find a man with a big beautiful penis but I haven't met him yet, stop being afraid of going back for my masters, and create a plan to increase my fitness.

I believe stress and fear are at the root of these dreams. Why do I find life so funny but yet it gets the best of me at time. People say I'm too hard on myself but I think of it in a much different way. If you aren't critical on yourself then how do you identify your weakness and where you lack to become better than you were yesterday? That vision of myself is not me stoning the current me in public! Its of what I want to become and should. Why spend everyday just being the same person you were the day before or tomorrow? I know I can be better...................................................

My next step to being a better me is being social this weekend but in a nondestructive way. Actually opening up and meeting people. Hell who knows a new guy. The old guy, I don't even miss and he bored the hell out of me in a way.

So here I am rambling on about many levels of sub conscious. Those dream are too detailed not to mean anything to me. But instead of dream..........I plan to go out and get shit done

FOCUS.....CALM.......PLAN.............In the end RANDOM

Its funny how life sends you little reminders to get off your ass and do the things you want to do with your life. To do the things you keep thinking about when you have quiet moments. A friend of mine just crashed at my place on their way to Europe. They are backpacking by themselves and crashing on couches. Now I've been researching trips to Europe and Asia, but of course I was dragging my feet. After witnessing this awesomeness of my friend........needless to say the fire has been lit under my ass. So right now I'm thinking Russia, and some countries around there to start my globe trotting adventure. In life you can't wait for people or the right time to accomplish the things you have on your mind. You have to rely on yourself.

This friend no only inspired me to quit dragging my feet for my international longings but it got me thinking about how many other ideas I have or are currently hesitating on. I talked about this vision of who I want to be. Some of this vision is complete.......other parts I need to get working on. Now health, wellness, and fitness is a category I'm dragging my feet on. I know I can be powerful, fast, and strong. Oh and did I mention I have the potential to look like a sexy bitch. With that said I got a salad today.....my body has already started jumping for joy. I want to be an unstoppable force physically. I want to stop carrying around extra weight.......its literally holding me back from moving fast. I want to be  the muscle bound speed demon.

Another idea I need to throw into high gear is grad school. Now there's a challenge! What the hell do I want to do with my life, or the next stage of my life I should say. I want to do great things, and have fun doing them. This idea is the least developed mainly because the vision I cannot see yet. More contemplation needs to occur. I just want to instill effective change in the world. At least that's a start on the vision. I want to fix shit. That's that basis of it all really.

Lastly I want to focus on myself, then family, and then friends. That rest doesn't matter is just extra noise I find. I want to ignore the distractions: booze, silly men, acquaintances, other peoples opinions, society, what I think I should do vs. what I REALLY want to do, other people's progress, other's lives, and lastly my own bad habits. Now the questions are how do I accomplish so much? Well if I get fit etc.....I'll feel better to accomplish anything. Also if I quit hesitating I won't have regrets that haunt a person's thoughts. I will surround myself with people who care about me and support me in ALL my crazy adventures.

But really all the possibilities lie inside of me. I can be my own worst enemyy at times. I have a hard time getting out of my own head. So hopefully through "dumping" here I can start to FOCUS, and ACHIEVE a peaceful presence through not hesitating or thinking WAY too much.

Right now:
1) I've eating a salad
2) Blogging to cut the noise, and thinking too much out of the day
3) I've slept 7.5 hours
4) I've laughed
5) I plan on running hills tonight and doing push ups
6) I got a 90 minutes massage yesterday
7) I've narrowed my travel plans to 6 European countries
8) I've pick 2 summer courses to take

All little steps, but they are heading in the right direction. FOCUS, CALM, and PLAN are my key word. But RANDOM will always be my guiding light