“The sun rises on a new day.  The light sparkles oranges, yellows, pinks, and whites across the rippling, serene surface of the water.  It fills our hearts with the joy, inspiration, love, and energy to make this new day the best ever.” – Aric Monts

The sun rises on a new day.

Seize the new day before it becomes history.  Make change, make joy, make love, and live this day like nothing else matters.

Life is WAY too short to wait for the weather to clear and the sun to come up. Pain is for the weak, dreams are real, and tomorrow is yours; grab it before someone steals it. – Aric Monts-Homkey

Basically, don’t make excuses, there is no time to do something like the present, yes there will be pain, but get over it, and make your future before someone gives it to you.

Cheers!

However, one thing I didn’t expect watching the speed skating event was a powerful quote from Apolo during a side-bar story:

“Before you go to sleep each night, ask yourself this question: ‘Did you do everything you could today to be at your very best?’ ” – Apolo Ohno

It is a fabulous way to review your day just before going to bed.  Did you do your best today? Just think about that for a moment right now.

Instead of waiting until the end of the day, one should always put 100% into everything they do and they should always do their best.  Life is too short to do anything less.

While I was in Texas, I spent a fair amount of time contemplating what success is. Prior to this, I had struggled through college and rushed into a job to pay the bills and found it extremely difficult to find work in my field. I was demoralized. Heck, I couldn’t even get a basic retail job in Texas. So, I started a period of serious reflection and thought hard about what success is and what life was about. More specifically, I formulated the following question which I thought was key:

“What factors are important to living a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, while being successful in the 21st century?”

In July 2005 I made a number of mind maps focused around this topic. The mind map below is a high level look at the basic components of what I felt made success for someone living in the 21st Century. From being in good mental and physical condition to networking with the right people, these are the basic components as I saw them in 2005. This is a reproduction from my notes using a program called Freemind. (click below for the larger image).

Components as Seen in October 2007, how have they changed three years?

Looking at it today, I think I would add a sustainability component along with a mention of goals and the role of music. If you have any feedback regarding the map, please feel free to comment or email me. Note that the above mind map is not to be reproduced without my written permission.

Cheers!

Given that 2010 is upon us, how do you think this has changed?  I can see that I need to add a social media component to the networking component.  Anything else?

Flying at a few thousand feet, descending into KSBA

We left Red Baron Aviation and flew west, crossed the ridge and landed at Santa Ynez.  We then switched pilots (I flew to, Dean flew back) and flew back to SBA.  All I have to say is, “Wow!”. Such a beautiful day to fly.

Dean and I after our flight!

Check out this video of me taking off from Santa Barbara’s runway 15R.  Stunning images of the airport and UCSB.  I can’t believe how awesome of video my Motorola Droid takes!

Aric’s Take Off from Santa Barbara, Jan 14, 2010

Dennis’s Landing at SBA, runway 15R (check out what happens at 3:00, uh-oh!)

Cheers!

So why should the executives have all the fun of spending their days in giant offices, clad in rich, stained wood, with a corner view of the city?  That’s right, workers need to take more action and tell the corporate world that they matter too.  How do you do this?  Simply by customizing your cubicle to the point that no one will be able to forget it.

Custom cubes equal productivity as surrounding ourselves with creativity and objects that inspire us not only provide stress relief and relaxation, but also let us show who we are.  Getting those creative thoughts going in a comfortable environment is a giant step ultimate productivity.

Steps To The Unforgettable Cube

First step is to determine what theme your cube design is going to follow.  This is where your personality comes in, be it a sick sense of humor, conservative eccentricity or liberal modernity.

Once you’ve chosen your theme, right it down and post it on the wall of your cube.  Put it somewhere you will see it regularly.

Second, check your company policy on cubicle decoration.  Understand the limits of cube customization so that you can pimp your cube and not get fired for it.  You might even find vague guidelines that can be pushed a bit that will really take your new, productive cube to a whole new level.

Third, with your theme and company policy in mind, start brainstorming on things you would like to have in your cube.  From desk clocks to storage units to pen holders, think about things that you can add to cube that would make you more productive.  Once you have a list of functional items, think about the artistic side that would enhance the cube.  The majority of the objects that you will place in your cube are going to be artistic, so really think about whether or not you would like to decorate with tapestries, statues, paintings, or a combination of both.

Fourth, start shopping around at creative places.  The goal is to find items that match your theme as cheaply as possible.  Here are some thoughts on places to shop:

1. Thrift stores (one person’s junk is another person’ cube decoration!)
2. Discount stores like BigLots!, Ross, and CostCo.
3. Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
4. Garage Sales
5. Catalogs (clip the page and hang it near your theme)

Fifth, once you’ve acquired the stuff, it is time to start decorating.  Place the objects as free form as possible or as strictly square as possible, depending on your personality type and theme.  Place them knowing that you should rearrange them every few months and even introduce and remove pieces from time to time.  The idea is to keep the environment fresh.

Sixth, if you can, experiment with moving your monitor/computer setup to different areas of the cube. Typically, most cubes are designed to place the monitor, chair and components in a single spot, but play around with it.  Like mentioned in step 5, change things around as frequently as you need to.

Further Thoughts

Just a few additional thoughts on things to include.  In addition to the mandatory productivity items, you might want to make sure you include at least one of the following into your design:

1. Plant (plant varieties are available for well-lit cubes and low light cubes)
2. Clock (use your imagination and have fun with finding the right one)
3. Calendar (helps with visualizing the year, quarters, weeks, etc)
4. White Board (awesome for brainstorming on the fly)
5. Task Lamp (for low light cubes, choose one with a full spectrum bulb)
6. Coffee/Tea mug (you don’t have to put coffee in it, water is better for you)

The biggest thing to do while designing and creating the cubicle to remember is to have fun.  The idea is to create not only a comfortable environment to work in, but also create an evolving piece of art that expresses who you are.   Try it, you will enjoy it!

What do you want to say about your accomplishments for the year on December 31, 2010?  These are goals both small and large.  Large goals might be “bought a house” or “paid off my credit cards”, where as small goals might be along the lines of running a 10k, cleaning our the garage, or even cooking healthy.

The Goal Hierarchy

When setting goals, start with the big picture.   Decide on two or three life changing events, purchases, changes, etc.  These are the goals that will give you direction in the coming year.

Then, with your big picture goals in mind, break them into smaller goals. You will also add in some smaller accomplishment goals at this level.  Accomplishment goals include travelling, learning to cook, or even cooking at home twice a week for two months.   These smaller goals will be accomplished and replaced with other goals.

Finally, there are short-term goals.  These are daily or weekly goals that build up to the accomplishment goals, that also build up to the big picture goals.  Short term goals might be researching a topic, making phone calls, or even attending networking events.

Try to be as specific as possible! A goal of losing weight is doomed for failure the moment you thought of it.  Instead, lose 20 pounds by the end of June and participate in two 5k runs is a MUCH better goal… you can visualize the outcome and it is more personal to YOU.

Example

In 2010, I plan to move to town from my current place in a rural area.  So, my big picture goal is:

Move downtown in a one bedroom/large studio apartment close to work with hardwood floors and a full gas kitchen.

With this goal in mind, I will set the following accomplishment goals:

• Determine what are of town I want to move to.
• Build a new budget and determine exact amount of monthly rent I can afford
• Research property management companies to determine who will make a good corporate landlord

The following are accomplishment goals, unrelated to my big picture goals:

• In my current/new place, create a creative, inspirational and inviting reading/working area with an arm chair and lighting.
• Travel to Colorado to visit my mom’s resting place
• Inspire three people to set and meet fitness goals

My short-term goals that can be accomplished over the period of a week or two might include:

• talk to friends who live downtown to get a better understanding of where I should live.
• Visit three rental properties by the end of the week.
• Spread the word to friends that I am moving and need a place to stay.
• Make sure my check book is balanced so I can create an accurate budget in Excel.
• Price arm chairs for my creative space

There you have it, a hierarchy of goals.  Setting up this hierarchy will help guarantee the success of meeting your goals in 2010.  Please don’t look at the creation of goals as a burden…  in fact goal setting is a lot of fun and gives you the chance to have the inner you come out and shine.  Listen to your heart, right them down, modify them, re-write them, and have enjoy the experience of planning your future.

Tools

Setting goals is one thing, tracking them is another. Tracking leads to accountability, which leads to success.   Here are a few tools you can use to track your 2010 goals (in no particular order):

Joe’s Goals (http://www.joesgoals.com/)
An awesome, web-based tool that is super simple to use.  Simply setup the goal and then click away.  Has email reminders if you haven’t tracked your goals lately.  There is also a great sense of community and group trends to inspire you.

Training Peaks (http://home.trainingpeaks.com/)
Geared more toward fitness and nutrition, Training Peaks offers a browser based interface to track your workouts, nutrition, goals, and overall health.  I personally have been using it as a Premium subscriber since May-2009 and have found it to essential part of my triathlon training routine/planning/recording.

Day of discovery:

1) Sleep is important

2) You never know what you are going to end up with at the company gift exchange

3) Running in the cold is very motivating

4) Never venture downtown during the holidays unless driving a Sherman tank

5) Customers will tell you what you niche is

6) Sometimes life is so busy you have to just stop & read a book

7) Illogical business decisions succeed when you are lucky

… phew!

What have you discovered today?

Take a look at the chart below, which graphs the national average cost of regular gasoline since August 1990. (data source)

US National Average Cost of Regular Gasoline (per gallon)

See anything that jumps out?  There are some rather interesting trigger points that are dependent upon changes in international and domestic political climates.  Not to mention two wars?

Anyone want to take a stab at when and what is driving some of the changes in this chart?

Take the holidays for instance.  Starbucks makes the following changes:

A) They decorate their stores with garland, lights, ornaments, and holiday cheer.

B) They introduce their signature snow flake, red coffee cup.

C) They add seasonal appropriate food items to the menu, including Grandma’s Turkey Sandwich for Thanksgiving and Cranberry Bliss Bar for Christmas.

Seeing these changes drives home the point that the holidays are here.  You can even set your clock by them.

This year, Starbucks has added an extra special cutie to their line of heart attack inducing treats, the polar bear iced sugar cookie.

Starbucks Polar Bear Iced Sugar Cookie

Starbucks clearly has fun with defining the holidays and delivering delicious, seasonal treats, but does very little to help America solve its obesity problem (I am not blaming obesity on Starbucks).  At 440 calories, it has more calories than a grande mocha.  Consuming the two together, one will have consumed nearly 800 calories of pure junk.  Heck, it is the holidays, right?

As large and as cute as it is (reminds me of the Coca Cola polar bear of yesteryear), don’t be fooled, it contains 15 grams of sugar, 15 grams of saturated fat, and just 1 gram of protein.  Yep, this cutie is an artery clogging treat that one should have one of this year.  It is the epitome of holiday indulgence.

The next time you get your favorite coffee drink at Starbucks, grab one of those cute polar bears and enjoy a few minutes of yummy-ness.  Then go to the track and run it off.  Starbucks’ fun of defining the holidays is a the perfect example of appealing to your customer’s sweet side while embracing seasonality.