Tao of Simplicity

Advantages of Keeping Your Business Focused and Small

2012-01-24T23:55:00.003-06:00

I like to preach the virtues of keeping things small and simple. This also applies to businesses.

Today, I'm going to list some of the advantages to keeping your business small and focused. For an example, I'm going to use the Valence Group, which is a chemical investment banking firm that specializes in financial advice to firms in the chemicals industry.

Here are 3 advantages:

1. Ability to compete against the "big boys". In the case of Valence, investment banking is a business dominated by a few large Wall Street players. However, Valence can compete against them in the chemicals industry because (not in spite of the fact that) they are small and specialize in that industry. At first, chemical firms might be happy if they can attract a house-hold name from Wall Street but, large, general purpose firms can never give the quality of service and attention as smaller, specialized players.

2. Ability to deliver expert advice. Valence is specialized in an industry (chemicals) where financial transactions involve technical considerations. For example, in chemical mergers and acquisitions deals, plants can't be merged profitably if their processes and outputs are incompatible. Over the years, a firm like Valence, which only handles chemical deals, will have built up a lot of best practice solutions and experience.

3. Ability to attract new business. As chemical firms realize that Valence will give profitable chemical m&a advisory that saves time and money, they will seek them out and give them business. In fact, the larger firms, instead of "competing", might actually hire them as technical advisers and give them a piece of any chemical industry-related financial work they have, in exchange for their experience and know-how.

Words to Meditate On

2012-01-24T23:53:00.001-06:00

osmosis, benign neglect
organic growth
haphazard
simple, natural, elegant, self-organizing
bamboo, jazz
tao

Execution is The Key to Success

2012-01-24T23:52:00.002-06:00

The late Tampa Bay football coach John McKay once said: "You don't beat people with surprises, but with execution."

According to self-help expert Robert Ringer, execution consists of 3 things:

1. A sense of urgency.

2. Attention to detail.

3. Follow-through.

These things may not sound sexy and exciting, but they are the keys to success.

Mom told me

2012-01-17T23:38:00.000-06:00

Content by Donny Vinson

My mom told me about www.Cabletvadvisor.com when I was complaining that I didn't get to watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta and everyone at my office was talking about. After I got the right channels I spent a whole Saturday watching a marathon of the show in catching up on all the drama from this past season. Can I just say that those women are just about the worst example of what it means to be ladylike in the South! I can't believe how they're always yelling at each other and fighting about the petty things when they all have tons of money and most of them even have children. I wonder what they imagine their kids will think when they are old enough to watch the show and realize how ridiculous their mothers were. I would be so embarrassed if I saw myself on not show and I can't believe anybody ever returns for a second season. You would think one would be enough to get the picture!

Accept and Deal With Things As They Are...

2012-01-17T23:30:00.001-06:00

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

by John Wooden

Haiku

2012-01-17T23:25:00.002-06:00

After reading a simple haiku (just within a number of seconds) you feel
free of it. It is like a breeze, like a lightest touch of wind or flame,
so simple that you can't divide it into smaller parts, thus you can't
think of it too much. It touches you tenderly and immediately releases.

Autumn fly
I caught one
And let it fly.

Snow
Sweeping it off, again
Sweeping it off, still
Snow on my sleeves

Educational Products For Your Children

2012-01-12T00:03:00.001-06:00

These days, parents are caught in the middle. They want to educate their children beyond what school offers - to help their kids to compete later in life. However, at the same time, parents have never been more overworked and overwhelmed from work.

On many week days, parents come back home from a hard day of work and don't have the energy and enthusiasm to teach their children.

Therefore, a company like "Mentoring Mind" thrives. They offer tools, games, and activities, along with strategies for teaching, to help mentor kids to develop thinking skills and become learners for life.

For example, one of their product lines are flip charts. They have them on subjects such as critical thinking and cyber bullying. Behind all their products, Mentoring Minds have research which parents can download. For example, they describe how bullying first became a concern in Norway in the 1960's and 70's, following several deaths.

Self-Help is Not About Stress or Strain

2012-01-11T23:19:00.001-06:00

"No thought, no reflection, no analysis, no cultivation, no intention; let it settle itself"....Zen Quote by Tilopa.

How does this quote apply to our lives? It gets to the secret for self-development.

How many self-help books have you read? I've read a lot of them and most of them never seemed to help me - at least at first. At the time I read them, the concepts seemed overwhelming, I didn't have time to do the exercises, etc.

Many of the books conflicted with one another, and my ego "infected" the information. My mind would over-analyze the information, think about reasons why it wouldn't work, and find ways to reject the book, and procrastinate in applying its principles.

At the time, I thought I had wasted a lot of time and money on the books. Then, one day, boom! I started to get it. Nothing from any particular book. I just started to think differently - less ego-driven, more process-oriented. I was more optimistic, more centered, more focused in the present moment.

I attributed my breakthrough not to books, but to an technique. A walking meditation technique I called present moment awareness, where I walk around, concentrating on the present moment.

But, did I have my breakthrough because the books made me ready? Did they work like a primer - getting me set-up to experience a change in consciousness?

Even now, if I go back to the books, I'll start getting confused and sliding back. So, I try to avoid most self-help books now.

So what does this all mean? I think that books point to the truth, but they carry a lot of excess intellectual baggage.

Read the books, but don't treat them like text books from which you will be tested. Just read them as a pleasant exercise. Read self-help information wherever you find it, but approach it in a light-hearted manner. Don't try too hard to apply their principles. Don't expect the books to change you directly. They are setting you up for a breakthrough.

You Will Screw Up

2011-12-13T00:13:00.000-06:00

No matter how careful you are, no matter how much stress you place on yourself, no matter how many hours of practice, you will eventually screw up somewhere. You are imperfect, and will always be flawed.

If you travel with a map, you will go off course from time to time. Your writings will contain typos. During speeches, you will stammer, hesitate, and mispronounce words. You will irritate and fight with your family.

Everyone else on the planet is the same way. Even Superman has his kryptonite issues.

Is this knowledge pessimistic, dark, and depressing? No - it is liberating! You are human! Do your best, then learn to live with the results and forgive yourself and others.

Drown Right Now Into Life

2011-12-12T23:58:00.001-06:00

Living your life in Zen means to exist in this moment. Not the past or the future. If you've read anything about Zen, you have heard that time and time again - but what does that actually mean?

It means that the past and the future don't exist - only Now. Listen to life right now - this is all there is. What is it saying? What is it teaching? Don't overlay it with regrets about the past or fears about the future.

Slow down. Focus on what is going on around (and in) you. Let yourself drown in the sensations and experiences that envelope you.

Getting An Online Education

2011-12-12T01:21:00.002-06:00

A great gift of self-improvement you can give yourself is to go back to school and learn something new - either for personal enrichment or to start a new career.

As an alternative to physically taking a class, you might want to explore online learning. It is a cheaper option that is much more advanced then from even a few years ago. Online education also has the advantages of wiping out geographical distances and making it easier to juggle work and family obligations.

Here is a resource that can help you explore online degree programs:

1. OnlineDegree.com - this is one of the best online degree search portals that let you search for accredited online degrees, schools, and courses. Using this specialized search tool is much more efficient than researching schools through a general search engine - you won't get results unrelated to education, and you can easily limit the domain over which you search, so that your search is tight and efficient. For example, if you are interested in studying to be a medical technologist, you can confine your education search to the domain online degree programs in healthcare.

Mental Success Tool #1: Constant Value Investing

2011-12-12T01:01:00.000-06:00

It might seem strange that my investment Technique, Constant value investing, should be considered a mental tool for success and happiness.

However, I consider it similar to a martial art like Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Akido, etc. When practiced properly, they not only allow you to defend yourself and develop physical fitness, but their practitioners achieve confidence, peace of mind, and loss of self.

This is exactly what happens when I practice constant value investing. At the outer level, it is a simple, but powerful trading system that anyone can use to build their portfolios and save for retirement. At a higher level, constant value investing teaches the philosophical concepts of cycles, rebalancing, and "ready, fire, aim" self-correcting feedback loops.

You develop the confidence to trust yourself, and be patient. Let success come to you. For example, instead of procrastinating on a stock purchase (waiting for the "perfect" price), you buy an initial position in a good stock at a reasonable price, then use market feedback (i.e. prices) to trade around the core position - buying more shares as the stock drops and selling if the stock rises.

Here are all 7 mental success tools.

Life Lesson

2011-12-11T22:12:00.000-06:00

"And maybe that's the lesson here: Find what you love to do — what you would do even if you didn't get paid — and DO it."

- Jeff Goins

Know Your Rights When Debt Collectors Are Troubling You

2011-12-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

During this financial downturn, a lot of people have lost their jobs and are having trouble paying their bills. Many of the businesses they they owe money to will turn their claims over to a debt collection service.

Debt collection agencies specialize in recovering debts. Since they depend on getting people to pay, it is an industry that is ripe for abuse. Many of these agencies employ aggressive individuals with telemarketing skills.

It's important for people to know their rights and fair debt collection laws. Most states have laws limiting how aggressive collection callers can get.

It's bad enough to receive a call from someone trying to sell you a product, but it's much worse when you are already worried about your finances and expenses. Some of these debt collectors abuse callers by preying on the worry - hounding and abusing people with threats to embarrass them by calling their friends, family, and neighbors.

If you get hounded by an aggressive debt collector, you may want to report it and/or contact an attorney.

Watching My 11 Month Old Son and Improvising with my 6 Year Old

2011-12-06T20:52:00.000-06:00

I took the day off work today to watch my 11 month old son, Tarun, while my wife went out to lunch with her friends.

He is currently teething and, like the last time he teethed, is miserable. He made me continually hold him and I had to entertain him. Feeding him was also hard.

Later, I also got a chance to walk my 6 year old son, Anshul, back from school, and then play "Scooby Doo Math" with him.

Anshul loves it when I improvise stories about Tom, Jerry, Shaggy, and Scooby. But, he isn't excited about doing math problems - even though he is good at math. So, I started improvising stories where Scooby and Shaggy have to solve mysteries by solving math problems.

I'm only now getting some time to myself to work and surf the internet. Even though I wish I had gotten more time during the day, I wouldn't change anything. I know, from my 6 year old, that kids grow up fast.

Sooner than I like, my kids will be grown up, and my relationship to them will change. They will spend less time with my wife and I. It is rewarding, fun, and important when I get to spend time with them.

Secret of Success

2011-11-29T23:47:00.002-06:00

"Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success."

- Swami Sivananda

Constructive Playthings

2011-11-17T17:12:00.001-06:00

When I was growing up, my parents bought my brother and I a lot of creative toys to build and play with.

Unlike a lot of today's lines of toys, these toys came with no back story or plot. There was no scripted "right way" to play with them, or complex steps. We just picked them up and developed our mind and imagination.

Now, as a father of two sons, I also want them to play with Math manipulatives that develop their math and logic skills. Also, toys that allow them to use their hands and build creative things.

I still let my older son (6 years) play video games on the computer and iPad, but I want to balance them with real world toys and games. Instead of just working on a screen, he can experience real parts, and develop his motor skills by building.

I especially like it when he uses blocks and connectors without a pre-existing set of plans and, instead, builds his own creations from his imagination.

My 10 month old son loves blocks and tactile toys. He can't build things yet, but he enjoys picking up and banging parts, and putting them in his mouth. At this stage, we need large parts that can't break apart - to protect him from choking.

Even Cleaning Sh*t Off A Wood Floor is Pleasant When Done Mindfully and Without Judgment

2011-11-17T13:16:00.001-06:00

Life is always throwing you unexpected situations.

Just a little while ago, my 10 month old "Zen Master" gave me an opportunity to practice mindfulness. My wife was giving him "free diaper time" and he crapped all over himself and the kitchen floor.

While my wife cleaned and bathed him, I cleaned up the kitchen floor.

I approached it mindfully, and without any anger or wish for things to be different. It happened and things are what they are. Life is perfectly imperfect.

So, it was just me cleaning shit off the floor. No wishing it wasn't there, no thinking, no anger, no regret - just me cleaning. Then, I felt a sense of accomplishment when it was done.

My 7 Mental Tools for Success, Happiness, and Living Creatively From Inspiration

2011-11-16T23:42:00.004-06:00

I like to write and talk about success through simplicity, minimalism, improvisation, and Eastern philosophy - especially Zen and Taoism.

I have 7 mental tools that help me. In seven future posts, I will discuss them in depth. Here is the list:

1. Constant Value Investing

2. Analog Thinking

3. Resetting

4. Minimalist Communication

5. Present Moment Awareness

6. Improvisational Writing

7. Be Interested Instead of Interesting

Secret To Writing Every Day Effortlessly

2011-11-16T01:03:00.000-06:00

Let it flow! It comes from the heart - stop thinking. You're brain wants you to know what you are writing - it wants perfection, intellectuality.

It says you can't write unless you have something worth sharing with the world. Unless it's high quality, you can't write.

But, to be a writer, you do not need anybody's permission. That does not just include other people like editors or publishers, or a paying customer. It also means the harshest critic and editor of all time - your own brain!!

Just because your brain doesn't think you have a "perfect" thought, or something really witty or clever to say, don't use that as an excuse.

In zen, there is freedom because you just be yourself - open mind. Everything is perfect as it is. Just go to the void - and write what comes spontaneously.

"Stock Trading Riches" is now available in Kindle format on Amazon.com

2011-11-10T13:31:00.001-06:00

My book "Stock Trading Riches" is now available in Kindle format on Amazon.com.

Since this is a new format, it's priced for now at $2.99.

They did a good job in the conversion - I saw that the stock tables and programming scripts display well, and the links are click-able.

You don't need to own a Kindle to buy this edition. You can download free readers for PC's, Mac's, iPads, etc.

More Halloween Fun

2011-10-31T08:04:00.001-05:00

Ben and Jerry's Halloween interactive website:

http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T00:42:00.002-05:00

I publish this link on my blogs every year at Halloween time, it's pretty cool:

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell.swf?ihost=http%3A%2F%2Fak.imgag.com%2Fimgag&brandldrPath=%2Fproduct%2Ffull%2Fel%2F&cardNum=%2Fproduct%2Ffull%2Fap%2F3125133%2Fgraphic1

It's How We Treat Each Other

2011-10-24T00:12:00.001-05:00

Please everyone: It is not what religion we are,

it is how we treat one another.

-- Georgia Smith

Minimalist Bloggers, MacBook Airs and IPads

2011-10-21T00:27:00.001-05:00

A few months ago, when my wife could no longer use our old Dell PC, I offered to buy her an Apple MacBook, like I have. I had gotten the Dell from work - but I would not personally ever buy another Windows computer. Apple laptops are too simple, elegant, and robust.

But, she wanted an iPad. I bought it for her online from Apple, and even got in engraved for free. She loves it! It's a beautifully designed, simple to use machine.

I still can't get over how it has no instruction manual! Because of the clueless corporate mentality, even freakin' telephones come with manuals!

At the same time, an iPad can't completely replace a computer. She still sometimes has to borrow my laptop - for example, she is hosting a friend's baby shower and wanted to organize it through Evite. When you create an invitation through the iPad, it interfaces through the popup on-screen keyboard, and you lose the ability to do things like fonts, etc.

I noticed that some of the digital cutting edge, minimalist, location independent bloggers I follow, such as Ev Bogue and Gwen Bell, use MacBook Airs. These cool machines are real laptops but, in terms of size and what they don't have, I see them as a step between a laptop and an iPad.

The late Steve Jobs was a zen visionary - focused on what should be left out is as important (or more) than what should be included.

More Instant Zen Writing

2011-10-17T10:10:00.001-05:00

I am again banging out an instant post using stream of conscious thinking. I am writing out whatever comes to mind, and then I will go back and edit it.

This type of writing is very enjoyable - I can feel a pleasurable sensation in my brain as I engage in this writing.

Writing in this way breaks down the inhibitions and desire for perfection - no logical containers, and allows everything to burst forward as one - no categories or whatever.

It is just a burst of emotions and words.

Bad Luck in World War II

2011-10-08T00:05:00.003-05:00

Talk about fate and bad luck.

I read about a 93 year old Japanese man who become the first person to be certified as a survivor of both atomic bombings at the end of World War II.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on a business trip on Aug 6, 1945, when the city was bombed. He suffered severe burns to his upper body.

The next day, he returned to his hometown of Nagasaki - just in time for the second attack on Aug. 9.

The Perfect Taoist Business!

2011-09-27T23:30:00.000-05:00

As a regular feature of this blog, I've spotlighted online businesses and websites which embody the Taoist virtues for business success. They are not fancy sites (with lots of whiz bang graphics) or complexly organized businesses trying to succeed in many markets, or trying to take on the established giants.

Instead, the businesses I am attracted to are small, simple, niche businesses that only do one thing - but do it well.

This time, I think I found the winner - the perfect Taoist business! It is a custom poster printing business called PosterBrain.com.

Their whole business revolves around a proprietary poster printing process they invented for preserving quality and detail while blowing up digital pictures into large posters.

That's it - a simple, no stress, fun business that makes people happy.

They keep it simple by only having a simple, robust, and (essentially) one-page website. A customer can go to the page, upload a picture, select the poster size they want, choose extra services - like lamination - and pay. custom posters are then usually shipped in 24 hours.

In fact, it reminds me of unix. The unix operating system is built around the philosophy of using and combining small, simple, programs that each do one thing well (again, modeled after Taoism).

This online business is like a unix utility - it does one thing well, so it keeps itself simple and robust. I'm sure PosterBrain.com has no bureaucratic crisis or breakdowns.

Anti-Taoist Fortune Cookie

2011-09-20T00:46:00.001-05:00

Today, we ate Chinese, and I got an unusual fortune in my fortune cookie.

I think it was meant to be tongue in cheek. It said: "If You've Got It, Flaunt It!"

It made me think of Taoism, which describes the virtues and advantages of the opposite behavior: "If You've Got It, Be Humble!"

Taoism would recommend that the person "who got it" not show off or try to take advantage of this fact. In fact, Taoism would encourage this person to say no to media coverage.

Don't try to stand out.

Continually Motivate Yourself Through Small Wins

2011-09-18T00:24:00.001-05:00

Today I read a great article at manyblessings.net.

This website is by Jim Sloman, who is a famous author of trading books, as well as a writer on self-help and Eastern philosophy.

In this article, Jim starts off by describing how, during the Civil War, Grant took the strategic city of Vicksburg, Mississippi by first demoralizing the enemy by forcing them to suffer a series of small defeats.

Sloman than turns this advice on its head to find out how to "re-moralize" yourself after failure. The answer is to pick one small battle, and do your best to succeed at it. Then, pick another small chunk and succeed at that. Soon you have momentum on your side.

For example, if you are a student and have been doing poorly in math, then pick a small exam, and work extra hard - concentrate on acing the test. When you have succeeded on this exam, you will get energized and build confidence in yourself.

In other words, small wins or losses create confidence or doubt in your mind. In turn, this mental state results in success or failure in the critical battles.

Sign of the Times

2011-09-05T17:11:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the guest post by Esteban Vinson

I forget how easily I use the internet. I use it for almost everything. I pay bills on-line, shop on-line, register for classes on-line, and make appointments on-line. I use the internet to post pictures, communicate with friends , and even deposit money on-line. I can’t even remember the last time I went to the bank! So when my parents have such a hard time doing things on the internet, I often get asked to help them step-by-step. My Dad, always asks me to send him “detailed” instructions about how to do something on-line. These “detailed” instructions often take me at least thirty minutes to type. Last week , my Dad called me and said one of his friends told him that he used the internet to set up new television service for his house. Of course, my Dad wanted me to send him “detailed” instructions on how to do this! I have to start with the basics. “Go to the web browser (the bar at the top of the page) and type: http://www.Direc4u.com. Next, hit the “return/enter” button and so on. I guess it is just a sign of the times!

Taoism, Baby!

2011-09-05T17:10:00.001-05:00

My younger son Tarun is now 8 months old, and he is Taoist Master.

He is the smallest, weakest member of the household. He doesn't talk or walk. He never makes detailed plans or agendas. Yet, from his lowly position, he affects and changes our lives. All plans have to be made with his schedules (sleeping, eating, etc). He is a leader by influence :-)

Also, Tarun is always alive in the present moment. If he gets hurt, angry, sad, or hungry, he demonstrates his displeasure until the situation is corrected. Then, he forgets it and focuses his attention on something else.

Finally, Tarun has simple needs: Water, milk, soft food, and a warm place to sleep. He doesn't care what kind of car he rides in or how our house compares to others'.
He doesn't need fancy toys or any video games - he's happy with some pots and pans to bang on!

Successful Websites Practice Simplicity and Focus on Fulfilling One Need

2011-08-05T16:24:00.001-05:00

If you want to create a successful new website on the internet today, I believe that you have to think small, simple, and one.

You have to find one need that people want, and then build a simple website that is focused only on providing this need.

For example, one need that a lot of people in the U.S have is for a list of Online Casinos for USA Players. These are sites that allow people to play for free - to have fun and develop your skills.

The reason why a list of Poker Sites USA is in demand is because U.S. citizens are not allowed to engage in actual online gambling for money. People don't know that free sites exist and where they are.

Again, the lesson is that these sites are not trying to be general purpose search engines or directories. Their value is that they are only focused on providing the Best US Poker Sites.

"Perfectly Imperfect" - The Cure For Procrastination

2011-08-05T13:29:00.001-05:00

One of the big reasons we procrastinate is because we feel pressured to do our best. In the back of our mind, we are hearing the message that this book, painting, program, or craft project has to be better then our past projects, otherwise we are unworthy and wasting our time.

If we probe deeper, we see that what we really fear is that, after the project is done, we won't feel good about it - instead we will pick the results apart, with "I should have done this, or I should have done that".

The best way to deal with these thoughts is to just plow ahead and do the project. Trust that your instincts and actions in the moment will handle most problems.

Then, embrace the fact that your project has flaws. Celebrate it! Along with it's strengths, the weaknesses are what distinguishes your project, and makes it unique.

If you did your best while in the act of creation, then celebrate your achievement as being "perfectly imperfect". To exist in simplicity, you can't focus on regrets and tinker endlessly.

Pure perfection is an ideal, but unnatural. Imperfections that exist after you made a good faith effort at something are now a part of your project's nature.

You need to put both the virtues and flaws on the pedestal, and celebrate your whole achievement!

Resources for Online Education

2011-07-20T14:17:00.000-05:00

A great gift of self-improvement you can give yourself is to go back to school and learn something new - either for personal enrichment or to start a new career.

As an alternative to physically taking a class, you might want to explore online learning. The options here are much more advanced then from even a few years ago. Online education also has the advantages of wiping out geographical distances and making it easier to juggle work and family obligations.

Here are some resources that can help you explore Online Degree Programs:

1. FindYourEducation.com - this is an online search portal that lets you search for online schools, degrees, and courses. Using this specialized search tool is much more efficient than researching schools through a general search engine - you won't get results unrelated to education, and you can easily limit the domain over which you search, so that your search is tight and efficient. For example, if you are interested in studying to be a medical technologist, you can confine your education search to the domain online degree programs in healthcare.

2. Federal Student Aid College Finder http://studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/collegefinder/advanced_find.asp - this handy resource can help you find loans, grants, and scholarships to help you pay for your continuing education.

Procrastination When Writing

2011-07-20T13:44:00.003-05:00

Have you ever suffered procrastination when you wanted to write something?

I just suffered procrastination a few minutes ago when I decided to write this blog post. The cause was a common one - the quest for perfection. I started off with the wrong thought: What great and profound post could I write?

That is a sure cause for writer's block! I challenged myself to come up with a great idea - this triggered the critical, self-censuring side of my mind and I could not function creatively.

Fortunately, I was able to quickly apply a cure.

First step, I stopped thinking about writing the "greatest blog post ever" and just cleared my mind, trusting that a topic would present itself.

Then, the idea of writing about procrastination for writers popped into my head. Since I had just gone through it, why not discuss it while fresh in my mind - so I can help others?

The next step is to then write, write, write! Without thinking too much. Just write in a frenzy. This produced the post you are reading now.

If this was going to be a more formal piece of writing - such as an article or part of a book - I would now enter the "edit and polish" phase.

In this case, I only did a little editing - just to demonstrate that even the first draft of frenzied free-style writing is not that bad. So you should trust this process for combating procrastination when writing (aka writer's block).

Simple Ticket Broker Website

2011-06-17T23:58:00.000-05:00

I like simple, uncluttered websites.

Recently, I came across a website for a ticket broker called ACheapSeat.com. They have a clear, easy to use site for finding tickets to almost any event - such as Jersey Boys Tickets, Harlem Globetrotters Tickets, and Taylor Swift Tickets.

You can easily search the site, place orders, and navigate their menus.

Besides events, they also sell sports tickets - such as Yankee Stadium tickets and Fenway Park tickets.

Did Something Impulsive

2011-06-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

I did something impulsive on Wednesday.

I took our 2002 Camry for servicing, and they gave me a 2010 rav4 (small suv) for a loaner. My son and I fell in love with it and got my wife to agree to trade the Camry for it - plus we paid maybe $12k (and an extra $1400 to upgrade to leather seats).

We have the car now, but will drop it off on Monday to get the leather seats installed (they will give us another loaner for 2 days).

This rav4 is now only the third car I've owned.

I owned my Celica for 19 years (1990-2009), so part of me feels like I'm wasting money changing the Camry when it's only 9 years old.

But, I justify the purchase for two reasons:

1. We are pretty frugal in general.

2. Life isn't always about saving money. Sometimes, it is nice to actually enjoy your hard-earned money. I feel good when I drive my new car, and enjoy looking at it.

Blue Sky Scrubs keeps a Simple, Robust Business

2011-06-12T01:54:00.001-05:00

The online company http://www.blueskyscrubs.com is an example of a website business that focuses on one thing and keeps their business model simple.

They specialize in surgical scrubs uniforms, medical lab coats, nursing uniforms, and other accessories.

Because Blue Sky Scrubs keeps its merchandise selection simple and specialized, their website clutter free, well organized, and easy to navigate.

It becomes a snap for visitors to look up whatever types of scrubs they are interested in.

80's Music

2011-06-12T01:49:00.000-05:00

My teen years occurred in the 1980's and, to this day, I just love 80's music. Fortunately, I can easily watch the old videos and songs on You Tube.

When I watch the old songs from diverse groups such as Dexy's Midnight Runners, Juice Newton, Wham!, Culture Club, etc. I'm struck my how, in the golden age of music videos, how simple the effects and design of the videos were. I am also amazed at how there was so much diversity and risk in those years. So much experimentation.

For example, Taco became famous for re-making songs of the 1930's - such as "Putting' on the Ritz" and "Singing in the Rain".

Unfortunately, today, musical acts are driven by marketing and putting together "packages". We don't see the top acts doing home-grown, clever videos or taking chances with their music.

Secret Santas: Charity Isn't Just For The Rich

2011-06-12T01:43:00.000-05:00

You don't have to be a billionaire or create a complex foundation to engage in charity. One Christmas, an ordinary person started dressing up anonymously in a Santa suit and handed out $100 bill to people in need, without judging them.

Since then, the practice spread. It spread wordlessly - like the transmission of the Tao. Now, many people dress as Santa and give out money.

Something as simple as this can make a difference in people's lives and inspire others.

Simple but Elegant Business Promotion Tool

2011-06-04T01:50:00.000-05:00

If you want to hand out advertising for your business at a trade show or convention, don't use a brochure - they will get thrown out.

Instead, a simple and elegant solution is to personalize and handout something useful. A very good example would be to hand out custom pens.

People won't throw out custom promotional pens. They will hang on to them, use them, and pass them on. If the pen has your name or a catchy slogan (plus contact info), it will serve as a continual reminder to do business with you.

For more personalized product ideas, check out GOPromos marketing products.

Things That Took Me 41 Years to Learn

2011-06-04T01:21:00.002-05:00

Things That Took Me 41 Years To Learn

It is mostly humorous, but three of them are very good:

If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)

Duality

2011-06-04T01:18:00.001-05:00

"The reverse side also has a reverse side"....Japanese Proverb.

Realize that there is a flip side to everything in life. To live in balance, we can't ignore one side. One side shouldn't be diminished by referring to it as the "reverse side".

For example, in the stock market, everyone rejoices when stock prices go up, and get worried or upset when stock prices go down. But you can't have one without the other. If the markets never went down, they would never go up either. There would be no risk so, hence, no reward. Stocks would yield the same rate as savings accounts.

Muscles like your heart work like pumps. They expand and they contract. Both are needed. If the heart only expands, it will burst. If it only contracts, the blood won't get pumped.

What about good and evil? Surely, we can't excuse evil and tyranny? No, an enlightened person does not discard values and feel that "anything goes". They want to stop evil, and believe in self-defense. But, they don't add the extra burden or stress of wishing that evil didn't exist.

Some evil is the price we pay for free will. Would you want to live in the alternative? Where nothing bad happens - because everything is static? Nothing changes, nobody does anything.

The self-developed person knows there are two sides to every story and situation. Life is a balance - we must give weight and value to both alternatives. Sometimes we can improve faster and easier by working from both sides.

Another Simple and Minimal Website

2011-05-29T01:41:00.000-05:00

I like to discover websites that are designed in a minimal and simple style, and are focused on one goal.

An example site is SchoolScholarships.org - which presents free information to help people find scholarships. The site is designed simply with just one goal in mind - how to make it easy for a visitor to locate the right scholarship.

From the main menu here, a visitor can access pull down menus that allow them to click over to scholarships by subjects such as engineering grants, grants for physical therapy students, etc. From links on the side, a user can select scholarships by career interest.

As a result of this design, a visitor starting on the home page can quickly and easily drill down to what they want in one or two clicks.

Dog Blown Away By Tornado Makes It Back Home

2011-05-26T23:30:00.001-05:00

They found the dog on the front porch after 2 ½ weeks – he crawled back on 2 broken legs:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110526/us_yblog_thelookout/dog-with-two-broken-legs-finds-owner-after-storm

Fw: Thought for the day

2011-05-21T01:01:00.001-05:00

Thought for the Day

Let's face it!

After Monday and Tuesday... Even the calendar says W T F!

Personal Tao - "Always dream, even when awake"

2011-05-20T15:58:00.001-05:00

Today I found a really nice Taoist website by Casey Kochmer called Personal Tao, which has the subtitle of Always dream, even if awake.

He has written a book called "Personal Tao", which you can read online or buy.

The site also has a lot of interesting posts.

Ramakrishna on "Crazy Wisdom" Gurus

2011-05-10T11:37:00.000-05:00

There are many stories of gurus resorting to acts of "crazy wisdom" - such as slapping, hitting, and stripping naked - on their followers in order to attain enlightenment.

Here is Ramakrishna's analogy:

There are three kinds of physicians: superior physicians, mediocre physicians and inferior physicians.

The physician who comes, feels the pulse and goes away saying, "You must take the medicine," is an inferior physician. He doesn’t care to know whether the patient has taken the medicine or not.

And the physician who makes the patient understand in so many ways to take the medicine, talks to him nicely, saying, "Brother, how can you get well unless you take the medicine? Dear brother, do take it. I will myself put it in your mouth," is a mediocre physician.

And the physician who puts his knees on the chest of the patient and forces the medicine down his throat when he sees that the patient refuses to take it is the superior physician.

Internet Business for Providing Vital Records

2011-05-07T12:15:00.001-05:00

I like businesses that are small, simple, and focused on solving one problem. VitalChek Express was founded to solve one practical problem - how can someone easily get a copy of a vital document, such as a birth, marriage, or death certificate.

We all saw the news about "birthers" pestering President Obama about releasing his birth certificate, but there are plenty of times that regular people might need access to their records.

For example, you need a birth certificate for applying for a passport, driver's license, or marriage certificate. You might need a copy of a loved one's death certificate for an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Since modern families move around so much, it's possible that different family members were born in different states and locations - making it hard to track down where to send requests for documents.

A site like VitalChek can save you time and prevent the possibility of you sending the request to the wrong government agency. You can conveniently go through them to get everyone's records.

To me, this is a nice, small, niche business.

My Book "Sudoku Fun: Volume 2" Reached #76 on Amazon.com's Bestseller List for Sudoku Books

2011-05-01T00:30:00.001-05:00

My second Sudoku book, "Sudoku Fun: Volume 2" reached #76 on Amazon.com's Bestseller List for the category "Entertainment->Puzzles & Games->Sudoku".

Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin

2011-04-20T13:02:00.001-05:00

Here is an interesting Time article:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1914857-1,00.html

A lot of research now indicates that, while exercise is good for your general health, it's not good for losing weight. In fact, a strenuous exercise program is more likely to make you gain weight.

What you eat and how much is more important than exercise for weight loss.

Getting exercise through natural movement throughout the day – like walking around your neighborhood and taking the stairs vs. an elevator is probably better.

Finding An Online School

2011-04-16T12:52:00.000-05:00

Are you interested in improving yourself by going back to college? For many of us, it can be hard to juggle a full-time job, family, and attend school.

Fortunately, higher education has advanced to the point that you can pursue your degree online, from the comfort of your home.

So which college should you apply to?

You can start with FindYourEducation.com, which is an online search portal for Online Schools and degree programs.

This lets you search more efficiently than a general search engine, and you can do specific searches for degree programs, such as online degree programs in film, or for specific colleges.

Another resource is The National Center For Education Statistics College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

The internet makes it possible for anyone to improve their life and career.

Interesting Article on Walter Breuning, The World's Oldest Man

2011-04-15T22:57:00.002-05:00

Walter Breuning, the world's oldest man, died Thursday at age 114.

The Associated Press article on his death included his story - based on an interview they did with him last October. It's very interesting reading, because they framed his story in parallel with the history of the U.S.

Some highlights:

0. His mother died at 46, and his father at 50, so he didn't have longevity in the family. His advice for living a long life:

      a) Embrace change.

      b) Eat only 2 meals a day.

      c) Work as long as you can.

     d) Help others.

    e) Accept death.

1. His earliest memory is at 3 - with his grandfather horrifying him by telling stories of killing Southerners during the Civil War.

2. In 1912, his parents split up and he had to work on the railroad at 16. He ended up working there for the next 50 years.

3. His mother died at 46 and his father at 50.

4. In 1919, he bought his first car, and said it spooked the horses that he had to share the street with.

5. He got married in 1922, and bought vacant land for $15. The Depression hit and he was never able to build a house. Eventually he sold the land for $25, making a $10 profit.
He never bought property again and was a lifetime renter.

6. His wife died in 1957 - they had no children, and he never remarried.

Pen Densham on Screenwriting Success

2011-04-08T09:58:00.001-05:00

In the previous post, I mentioned screenwriter Pen Densham's interview with publicist Marsha Friedman, and gave his creative solution to writer's block.

Here is his advice for screenwriting success, which I found really interesting because of its unexpected practicality, and he touches on my these of keeping your writing minimalist, terse, and concise:

MF: What advice can you give aspiring authors who want to turn their stories into screenplays?

Pen: In Hollywood, I describe screenplays as the enemies of people's weekends. Frequently decision-makers go home with five or even ten screenplays. The first thing they look at is the last page to check the number and see how much they are going to have to read. Shakespeare once said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” Brevity is certainly the secret to screenplay writing. Screenplays are condensed passion.

Books and novels are the complete reverse, an opportunity to luxuriate in a warm bath of words, day after day, as one explores the complex, thematic storytelling that only books allow. To translate a novel into a screenplay, one must bear in mind that if you took out all the white space in a script and combined all the words together, there's probably only 40-50 pages of text. Essentially, a movie running an hour and a half or two hours is a short story and seems to follow an almost invariable rule of beginning, middle and end.

So to translate a novel to the screen, one must find the essential bones that give the story strength and structure, and compact only what you need to keep the audience knowledgeable of your characters, the tone and the plot's goals, and streamline it so that it fits the structure of a feature film. The great thing about working from a novel is one has already established the entire canvass and you are now picking out the strongest points of the composition, which is in many ways an easier task than imagining something brand new.

MF: You've sold a number of screenplays and concepts to studios over the years. Is there a formula to selling something you've written?

Pen: There is a terrible, but possibly highly accurate, perception that Hollywood executives have the attention span of a gnat. Not wanting to insult gnats, one might explain that both have much shorter life spans and deserve to live in this way. Actually, Hollywood buyers are this way because there is so much material being pushed at them, and original and different material is very hard for them to trust. Thus we frequently see sequels and remakes instead of new and original material, even though the marketing analysis people tell us that audiences desire fresh and different stories.

The tools to capture the attention of your film buyer are to explain your material to them in terms of successful previous hits, thus Jaws in outer space = Alien. North by Northwest meets James Bond = The Bourne Identity. The Haunting meets The Blair Witch Project = Paranormal Activity.

Every executive is looking for a hit. That is their goal in life. So by defining what you are selling in terms that have already succeeded, you give yourself a large advantage. When a movie is being sold, frequently it comes down to a poster or a selling line like "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water" that must motivate tens of millions to go to the theater. It's unfair, yet rational, that our art has to come down to a catch phrase; we are asking the studio to invest an enormous quantity of money and maybe we have to hold their hand a little to help them through the scary parts.

Writing Advice From Screenwriter Pen Densham

2011-04-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

I subscribe to the newsletter of publicist Marsha Friedman, and the latest issue had a very good interview with Pen Densham - who dropped out of school at 15 and became a successful Hollywood screenwriter ("Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves", "Back Draft", "Moll Flanders").

He had some great advice for writers. I really liked his creative response to writer's block:

MF: Pen, let’s start with talking about the blank page, which is the scariest thing to many writers, myself included. What’s your advice on slaying that dragon?

Pen: One of the most vital things any creative person can do for starting their work is to commit a murder. The victim will pose as your best friend, but in reality, he’s your worst enemy when it comes to initiation anything artistic. It's your own inner voice, the critic that we each seem to have, who so helpfully tells us that our work is probably a waste of time, that someone else has already done something better than this, that people will line up on the streets and point at your car as you drive by, laughing at you for even attempting to do something original.

This inner critic thoroughly deserves to be assassinated, because its opinions are patently wrong, destructively useless and seem to be part of every human being's psychological equipment. It has many names. I call my personal one “The Golem” but it can also be called “Perfectionism” or “The Voice of Writers Block.” We don't invite this character into our lives. He or she seems to have slipped in through some evil side door and taken up an obnoxiously self-confident residence in our brain, sitting in judgment of us.

In order to eliminate this parasite, one has a gigantically potent weapon… don't try to make your work perfect. In fact, deny this character any power by choosing a mindset that says you are just writing a piece of crap. Yep. Crap. This decision frees your true soul from the clutches of Mr. Vanity (Golem), because there is no power to criticize crap, and the strange thing is, as you write without self-criticism, letting whatever comes out of your head fall onto the page, you are probably writing something of superb quality that, with a few tweaks and tucks in a rewrite, will surprise you with what you accomplish and thoroughly route it around our creator of procrastination, our internal critic.

Simple, No Frills Website Saves Money On Printer Ink

2011-04-01T00:29:00.000-05:00

I love the internet because it is full of examples of businesses that have the traits that I admire: small, simple, and focused on one thing. They serve a great need because they keep their overhead low and allow us to buy things we need at a reasonable price.

For example, buying replacement Kodak ink cartridges from a local retail store can be very expensive. These stores have overhead needs (employees, heat, electricity, etc.) and they fill them by charging full price for high-margin, recurring expenses like Kodak ink.

Instead, I found a simple, easy to navigate, no frills website called InkGrabber.com. They don't have the high overhead needs of brick and mortar stores, so they offer Kodak printer ink at very reasonable cost.

Meditation vs. Sitting Meditation, Zen vs. Zazen

2011-03-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

I recently received the latest newsletter from Bright Dawn - which is the Institute for American Buddhism.

In this edition, the Rev. Koyo Kubose wrote a front page article on meditation, and his view is a lot like mine.

He also makes two distinctions: there is "sitting meditation", or zazen, which is the formal practice of sitting in the lotus position on a cushion, and meditating.

But, "meditation" also occurs in a more informal and general form. For example, you can "meditate" while eating, walking, or doing the dishes. This is the kind of meditation that I engage in. This is living life purely in the moment - with so much concentration that you lose yourself. This is zen.

Zenni Optical - The Eyeglasses Disruptor - Was Mentioned on TV

2011-03-25T00:48:00.001-05:00

I came across a TV news report about Zenni Optical, which is an online company I've written about before.

They are an example of the simple, cheap revolution that is disrupting the normal way of business. Instead of going to an eyeglasses store and spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of glasses, you can buy a pair of prescription eyeglasses from Zenni for only $11.90 a pair.

All you need is your prescription and your pupilary distance. Then, you can see a virtual pair of yourself with different eyeglasses.

In the news report, they compared the quality to a pair of glasses from a local optician and found the pairs of about the same quality.

So, Zenni optical might be able to save you a lot of money.

This shows that a lot of the cost of eye glasses are due to high margins. You can pay $300 or $11 for a similar pair of glasses. The difference is that the optical shop needs the money to pay its rent, suppliers, employees, etc.

Usually the difference between competitors in commodity businesses are a razor thin margin. By holding down costs through keeping the business simple and minimal, Zenni is able to price themselves dramatically different. This is an example of a disruptive business.

Capitalism has always made progress in improving people's lives by this type of creative destruction.

"I Did Do Something. I Made You."

2011-03-25T00:35:00.000-05:00

"Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, 'Great God, how is it that a loving Creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?'... God said, 'I did do something. I made you.'"

-- Sufi Teaching

New Age Writer Stuart Wilde's Tips For Improving Your Writing

2011-03-20T00:58:00.000-05:00

New Age writer Stuart Wilde wrote a blog post on how to improve your writing.

He is another advocate for clarity, brevity, and simplicity. The idea is to paint a picture using as few words as possible.

He offers a few clever exercises such as "write a paragraph as an incident using only forty-six words that includes a dog, a priest, a broken egg and a lily. The forty-six words must be exact."

How Self-Confidence Breeds Self Control

2011-03-11T12:03:00.001-06:00

Joy Paley is a tech and science author and you can also find her work on www.onlineschooling.net as well as www.phlebotomist.net

You may be wondering how you can turn your life around. If only I had a secret bullet, you say, where I could simultaneously deal with the several areas Iíd like to improve; my health, my productivity at work, and my personal creativity could all use a boost, and the general feel of lag that comes around the holiday season isnít helping.

Deep down, your probably recognize that your seeming inability to achieve the goals you want stems from some more vital source than just being too busy to work out or not having the time to finish that book of short stories. Self-doubt and a general lack of self-confidence is likely attacking your motivation and keeping you from believing that you can get what you want, on a fundamental level. Let me show you how nurturing your self confidence can manifest itself throughout your entire life.

Exercise and Health: Remember how good it feels to have worked out for an extended period of time? That increased muscle tone and the satisfaction of taking care of yourself made you want to keep going to the gym, to push those results even further. Making positive choices inspired you to make even more, to keep that positivity flowing.
Happiness: One source of happiness is emotional stability. Being confident in your life choices and the general direction of your life will let you enjoy your partner and your social life on a much deeper level. Instead of constantly comparing yourself to others and worrying about being ìgood enoughî youíll find yourself enjoying your friendsí accomplishments as much as your own. You wonít have to worry as much about emotional instability, sudden mood swings, and a lack of control over your internal state.
Creativity: Having self-confidence in your own abilities will help you fully explore and hone your skills with a higher level of self-control. Refusing to be overly harsh when judging your own work will free you up to be more productive and to develop your skills. Self doubt slows down the creative process like molasses, and keeps you from making interesting breakthroughs. Self-confidence will inspire you to trust your work; this trust will give you the drive to keep coming back and making it better.

Cultivating Self Confidence

You can see the benefits that can happen from really gaining a sense of self-confidence in your life. Getting to that state isnít always easy, however. Here are some posts to get you started.

Shock and Awe Journalism: How We Feed the Panic Machine

2011-03-11T12:02:00.000-06:00

This guest feature was written by Kirin Smith who is also a staff writer for onlineschooling.net and has previously worked as a forensic scientist

The outcry is universal. People want less sensationalism. Viewers demand more from their news other than fire, explosions, violence, and misbehaving of celebrities and politician. What do the people then receive? Shock journalism.

How can there be such a disconnect between what people say they want from their news outlets and what the news outlets offer? Are journalists so infatuated by the shock that they report on only the sensationalism without any regard to viewers? Or are there mixed signals from people demanding more newsworthy stories and what they eventually choose to view?

Economics of Journalism

Shock journalism is great for the news industry; it's inexpensive and quick to turn into a news story. Journalists can even use information from a previous story to create a news story to be aired at a later time. This recycling of news is ideal for journalists required to meet a 24-hour news cycle. Previous stories are restructured quickly and with little expense to the network, maximizing profits while still fulfilling the obligation of provided viewers with something new.

Sharing news among networks is also prevalent in the industry. While there is an appearance that journalists are battling one another to get the most exclusive story, notes, sound clips, and images are actually all shared in a "I'll scratch your back if you scratch my back" gesture. According to the University of Southern California-Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, collaborative partnerships commonly occur amongst news gatherers to extend financial resources. Journalists share information to ensure good favor with other journalists on the next event. This action limits the amount of coverage with all journalists using the same information.

Why Viewers Tune In?

The shallow, mass-produced shock journalism stories stimulate just enough interest to keep people captivated. Christopher Peterson and Martin E.P. Seligman, in the article "Values in Action (VIA) Classifications of Strengths," explain that as shock journalism intrigues a viewer, the story is incomplete. The viewer is left with an empty feeling. Rather than being turned away by such a draining story, the viewer acts in contrary; they are supplied with such limited information that they demand more. Journalists only report enough to keep viewers interested. Viewers are then coerced to incorporate their own analysis in an attempt to complete the story, but they're never satisfied because they don't have the real answers. When the viewer becomes an active participant in the new story, journalists are sufficiently doing their job in shock journalism. Viewers that are active particpants signify a want for more, even though more will never be enough.

A recent example of shock journalism is the proliferation of Charlie Sheen in the news. After last year's accusation of threatening his wife, Brooke Mueller, with a knife, the actions of Sheen continue to dominate the headlines. Sheen's $500 thousand splurge on escorts and drugs, and his erratic behavior on the "Two and a Half Men" set has been well documented by journalists. A report on the troubles of a celebrity like Sheen is the ultimate example of shock journalism. People's interest is quickly grasped because it is a celebrity story; Sheen's troubles only encourage the viewers' attention. The reoccurence of Sheen in the news supplies journalists the opportunity to incorporate past occurences in recent news events. Viewers insist a resolution as to why Sheen, with so much money and popularity, is behaving in such a manner. Journalists continue feeding the viewer's intrigue with just enough information while supplying little resolution.

Shock journalism is a self-perpetuating engine that feeds off of human curiosity and want for every event to be resolved. Only when viewers realize that shock journalism offers nothing more than information scraps will journalists begin reporting a news story that is as in-depth as it is important.

Personal Growth, Travel, and Expedia Coupons

2011-03-10T11:21:00.001-06:00

A great vehicle for personal development is to travel. Your mind gets refreshed, as you take a break from the familiar and experience new sights, sounds, and people.

Travel is not only for the well-off. A trip can be as simple as driving to a near-by city. But, if you want to fly somewhere, one way to keep it affordable is to buy airline tickets from a site like Expedia.com.

What many people don't know (and I recently learned) is that you can save even more because there is a site where you can get Expedia coupons.

An Expedia coupon can really save you money on car rentals, airline tickets, cruises, etc.

In fact, we are thinking of traveling to Minnesota soon to visit some old friends. Since we now have two kids, we are thinking of renting a van. I'm thinking that, with an Expedia.com coupon code, I can really save money on the rental.

It's been a while since we saw our friends. At that time, their son was an infant. Now, he is over a year old, so it would be good to see the change in him.

Also, after 2 months of taking care of our new son, we can use a break and a change in surroundings.

Babies, Tao's Sapling, and Zen's Beginner's Mind

2011-03-10T11:10:00.002-06:00

My second son, Tarun, is now 2 months old. After doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and pooping, he is starting to become of aware of his surroundings and respond to us - especially with a heart-warming smile!

He reminds me of the green sapling of Taoism - which symbolizes flexibility. In a storm, the wind bends the green sapling while the old hardened tree breaks.

He also reminds me of the beginner's mind concept in zen. He is an empty vessel, teeming with potential. He is not filled with preconceived thoughts and notions, so all things are possible.

We can't (and probably don't) want to go back to being a baby, but we can always try to be more flexible and open-minded.

Keep Business Simple and Focused

2011-03-04T03:05:00.000-06:00

So many businesses mess things up by getting distracted, and trying to focus on too many opportunities. They tend to complicate their business over time.

I recently read about a carpet cleaner services austin. This Texas carpet cleaning business has been successful for 25 years because they keep things simple.

They stayed focused on providing carpet cleaner services austin, and gradually expanded into providing naturally complementary tasks such as operating a mexican tile cleaning austin and fabric upholstery cleaning austin.

By not pursuing opportunities outside their realm of expertise, The Steam Team was able to master their field, build up loyal clientele, and stay up to date on the latest techniques related to carpet and floor cleaning.

A Few Zen Quotes

2011-03-04T02:59:00.001-06:00

“The only Zen you find on tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there”

- Robert M. Pirsig

“I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.”

- Billie Jean King

“Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.”

- Shunryu Suzuki

Zen and Boiling Water

2011-03-04T02:58:00.001-06:00

Tonight i just surfed the net, randomly Googling 'instant zen'.

I started to read some of the pages, and felt my mind strain.

I then was hungry and decided to have some hot instant oatmeal and some decafe tea before bed.

i had started the kettle of water, and now it started to boil. I left the computer and turned off the stove, lifted the kettle, and poured the water in my cereal bowl and tea cup.

All the while, I concentrated just on what I was doing. I suddenly realized that, when I do everyday activities like this, I feel at peace, zen-like.

Whenever I go searching for web pages or books for inspiration, I actually take a step back.

I no longer need books. They are actually detrimental. I need to stop seeking and just live my regular, every-day life.

Another Example of Successful Business Through Simplicity and Focus

2011-02-24T09:58:00.001-06:00

Here is another example of business that succeeds through simplicity and focus.

This online company, Blue Sky Scrubs, keeps it simple, and specializes in the narrowly targeted niche of scrub sets - including medical lab coats and other accessories.

Because Blue Sky Scrubs keeps its merchandise selection simple and specialized, their website clutter free, well organized, and easy to navigate.

It becomes a snap for visitors to look up whatever types of scrubs they are interested in.

Amazing Revolutions in the Middle East!

2011-02-24T09:49:00.000-06:00

An amazing thing is happening in the Middle East! We are watching as history unfolds in real time!

A wave of democracy is sweeping that region - very similar to the revolutions that occurred in Eastern Europe around 1989-1990.

In that case, the enemy was totalitarian communist rule. In this case, it is unseating dictators that have been in power, unchallenged, for decades.

Why is it happening now? Why, for example, is Gadhafi being challenged now - after 42 years?

It's simple - the people there, after seeing what happened in Tunisia and Egypt, now believe and imagine it can happen to them.

To me, this is like the 4 minute mile. Nobody believed it was possible to run a mile in under 4 minutes - so nobody did. Then Roger Bannister did it, and several other athletes soon followed.

Belief is a powerful thing.

Simplicity + Focus = Success on the Internet

2011-01-19T16:33:00.000-06:00

I'll say it again - the secret to success on the internet is simplicity, focus, and getting to the point.

For example, there is a great car site called CarConnection.com. I recently went there to do research on a ferrari. While the other car sites simply extended an offline dealer show room mentality to the internet, this site is successful because it is designed specifically for the internet. It has the utility and features that car lovers want in an online site.

The designers made CarConnection a one-stop car portal that allows readers to place classifieds, review cars (such as the Honda Accord Crosstour), and discuss topics like insurance, financing, and auto shows.

These features are built around the main function of the site - which is to discuss cars. There are pages and pages of space devoted to both specific models (e.g. Lexus Is-350C and car families (e.g. Gmc Yukon Half Ton).

Also, the CarConnection is not an example of a pioneering early 1990's site. This website was started after the more famous car sites were created. This site has simply found a place because it provides good information in a good format.

So, while some people think the "golden age" of the internet is over, I think that today is the best time to be involved in computers and the internet. More and more, today's online world is designed around symbiosis - or the idea that millions of niche websites and players are interdependent, and feed off each other's success.

Always Keep Things Simple

2011-01-19T16:23:00.000-06:00

If there is one rule for success, I believe it's "keep things simple". I know that, ironically, that advice sounds, well, simple. But, don't underestimate how hard it is to follow.

Human nature is such that we have an urge to complicate things. We think it shows off our abilities, sophistication, and intelligence. We hide behind complexity to mask our insecurities. We think that if we only do the simple stuff, we are "naked" - there is nothing special to distinguish us and we are replaceable.

The truth is we are replaceable no matter what we do. Employees, businesses, suppliers, vendors, etc. - they can all get replaced by their competition. But, if you keep things simple, and succeed, and give a delightful experience to your customer (everyone has a customer), you have a better chance to stick around.

Simplicity, success, and customer delight go together because, when you keep things simple, they tend to be robust - less goes wrong, and there is less to maintain and less to breakdown. Simplicity leads to accuracy, reliability, and lots of "up time".

FreeCatcher.com: Elegant Site for Free Samples and Products

2011-01-18T23:14:00.000-06:00

I love to spotlight simple, elegant, and successful websites. I don't think a site has to be fancy and perfect to succeed. Instead, you just need an easy to navigate site that services one niche.

Today, I'm spotlighting a new site called FreeCatcher.com that simply specializes in helping visitors experience free stuff. The site has a very simple and useful navigation function - the sidebar lists reference topics that allow you to quickly locate offers you are interested in. For example, you can look under the "cell phones" category to find offers for free cell phones.

I have recently used FreeCatcher.com to request free samples of a new Cream of Wheat cereal with cinnamon. I just followed the link, typed in my address, and now I should get the cereal sample in the mail. It was quick, easy, and cool!

I like the fact that the site is a clearing house for all types of free offers - including internet download, samples by mail, printable coupons, and even a simple reminder such as a famous breakfast chain is offering a free stack of hotcakes on National Pancake Day. This makes the site a useful tool that a user would want to look at daily.

My experience with FreeCatcher.com is that it is worth it to check it out. It can be fun and profitable to get free stuff!

Ace Greenberg, Goals, and Long Term Planning

2011-01-18T22:54:00.000-06:00

I'm currently reading a fascinating book called "House of Cards" - which details the rise and fall of investment bank Bear, Streans, and Co.

One of the fascinating characters in the book is Ace Greenberg, the former CEO, and a legendary Wall Street trader. During his tenure, Bear was successful and grew wildly - in terms of revenue, earnings, and employees.

Yet, unlike many CEOs who talk about setting ambitious long-range goals and plans, Ace focused on day to day success in the present moment. His philosophy for the firm was to be opportunistic rather than strategic.

In other words, everyone tried hard to succeed each day. Instead of the firm trying to allocate capital by predicting which areas of finance would get hot, they let the market decide through performance. Each department at Bear could reinvest money generated from itself. This way, money was automatically allocated to the areas that were hot and successful.

I think we can do this in our own lives and careers. Instead of wasting time trying to forecast the future down to finite details, and getting stressed out about things that might or might not happen, we should just focus on a few simple things we enjoy and are good at, and keep refining it.

Reviews For Tutorvista

2011-01-14T21:58:00.000-06:00

I've written before about the elegant idea that was invented to harness the brainpower in India and use it to offer online tutoring in the United States. I liked this idea because kids whose parents are well off can always afford the cost of a bricks and mortar tutor but, for families of less means, they can really benefit from online tutoring.

It looks like I'm not the only one to TutorVista Review. Other people are also discovering TutorVista and Reviews for TutorVista.

I was impressed with some of these TutorVista Reviews because they were balanced and listed both the pluses and minuses. If I was a parent and looking at Reviews of TutorVista to see if it was something for my child, I would want an objective TutorVista Review - not just a glorified press release.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see Reviews of TutorVista in Wikipedia.

Emotional Attractiveness For Success

2011-01-14T21:45:00.002-06:00

I just read Tim Sander's foreword to Michael Port's Book Yourself Solid. That book is about how self-employed service professionals can build their business, and get clients, and also experience self-growth, and joy.

In the foreword, Sanders (who wrote the book The Likeability Factor), says that Port's advice can be summed up as:

1. Make yourself emotionally attractive.
2. Live on the right side of the Law of Reciprocity

I think that these two rules will not only help you in your career, but in life itself.

"Make yourself emotionally attractive" is about making sure that your clients (and all people) who come in contact with you have a good, emotionally uplifting experience. It is not enough to just be technically skilled at your job. He says that the emotional brain is two dozen times more powerful than the logical brain.

This means, for example, that if you are a better car mechanic than Fred down the street, but Fred does a better job of making customers feel happy, satisfied, and taken-care-of, then customers will go to him.

"The Law of reciprocity" is that people reflect back the energy, value, and generosity you give to them. If you treat them right, and give them a lot of value, then they will stay your customer, they will support you, recommend you, etc.

If you use them, or give them a very basic level of customer service, then they will not be loyal to you.

I'm Included in a Wall Street Journal MarketWatch Article on Bloggers

2011-01-12T14:44:00.001-06:00

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/blogging-all-the-way-to-the-bank-2011-01-12

Elegant Niche Website for Online Dating Sites

2011-01-08T22:58:00.000-06:00

I like to spotlight interesting niches websites that succeed because they focus on helping people with a specific need.

In this post, I'm writing about TruDating.com, which is a web directory that specializes in Online Dating Sites.

Most web directories tend to focus on listing general websites, but that business is controlled by the major search engines. Instead, TruDating.com fills a need by specializing in helping people finding the right Matchmaking Services for their needs.

This type of service is needed and valuable because there are literally thousands of dating sites on the internet - and many of them specialize in a certain demographic. Even dating services which target the general population may end up being known for a certain characteristic - depending on the types of people who populate the site. For example, one site may be good for short term dating, while another site may be right for people looking for long term relationships and / or marriage.

Being able to Meet Singles Online is hard enough without the heartache and wasted time of looking on the wrong sites.

By using Trudating.com, you can narrow down and focus on the right dating web sites for your needs.

The Race: Hummer vs. Model T

2011-01-03T21:46:00.001-06:00

True Story:

Several years ago, Forbes Magazine sponsored an off-road race over hilly terrain between a 1921 Ford Model-T and a Hummer.

Guess which won?

The Model-T kicked the Hummer’s butt!

The Model-T was designed with rugged, ingenious simplicity, for a time when America did not have a lot of roadway.

Moral(s) of the Story:

They don't make 'em like they used to

Less is More

Keep It Simple

Self-Help is Not About Stress or Strain

2010-12-18T16:44:00.000-06:00

Real Spirituality is to Lack Expectations

2010-12-06T13:03:00.000-06:00

Pure love for God even does not bother about salvation. It lacks expectations and, so, is devoid of a need for rewards.

- Surjit Saund

The True Way To Pray To God

2010-12-06T13:00:00.000-06:00

The true way to pray to God is to love him by honestly practicing the spiritual teachings and accepting whatever happens in life without regrets.

- Surjit Saund

The Steam Team: Austin, TX Carpet Cleaning Business Has 25 Years of Success By Focusing On the Basics

2010-12-04T01:05:00.001-06:00

So many businesses mess things up by getting distracted, and trying to focus on too many opportunities. They tend to complicate their business over time.

I recently read about a carpet cleaner austin. This Texas carpet cleaning business has been around 25 years because they keep things simple.

They stay focused on providing low moisture carpet cleaning austin, and gradually expanded into providing naturally complementary tasks such as operating a floor tile cleaning machine austin and suede leather cleaning austin.

By not pursuing opportunities outside their realm of expertise, The Steam Team was able to master their field, build up loyal clientele, and stay up to date on the latest techniques related to carpet and floor cleaning.

Great Minds, Average Minds, Small Minds

2010-12-01T15:05:00.002-06:00

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

More Stream of Conscious, Instant Zen Writing

2010-11-30T17:25:00.000-06:00

Instant writing. I like it when I get carried away and just start writing. This is zen minimalist writing. Instead of reading and trying to paraphrase an article, this is just reading because you want to and then becoming an interesting person.

Then, you open up a word processor, and just start writing. Just have an idea in mind, or don't - it works both ways.

Just have the fun and thrill of improvising and creating an art - which is a quick, short article that inspires, educated, or entertains.

You are done with the article when it feels done.

Another Example of Online Success By Simplifying To One Niche

2010-11-24T00:25:00.000-06:00

One of the best ways to succeed online these days is to make it simple, and specialize in one narrowly targeted niche.

The web has matured to where it is really hard to create a general commerce site to compete with large online retailers. Today's successful websites are opportunistic - they spot a specific need and fill it.

One company with successful and clever niche idea is Blue Sky Scrubs, which specializes in scrubs clothes - including discount nurse uniforms and accessories.

Because Blue Sky Scrubs keeps its merchandise selection simple and specialized, their website clutter free, well organized, and easy to navigate.

It becomes a snap for visitors to look up whatever types of medical uniforms they are interested in.

We Don't See Things Objectively

2010-11-24T00:13:00.001-06:00

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."

- Anais Nin

We like to think that we view things objectively. We grew up being taught the scientific method, and how to learn by observation. Two people may argue over a theory, but we believe that, if they observe the results of an experiment designed to test the theory, they will come to the same conclusion.

But this is not what happens in real life. Two people can observe that same event, but they "see" something different. We filter objective information through subjective thought processes which reflect our current level of thinking.

Our egos want us to be right, so we instinctively want to interpret results to prove our point of view.

Samurai Trader's Maxim

2010-11-23T23:25:00.000-06:00

One of my mentors for trading was the late Edward Toppel, who traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and wrote the book "Zen in the Markets".

In his book (and on a book mark I have) he gave the samurai trader's maxim:

Expect Nothing, Be Prepared for Everything

This advice would apply to a samurai warrior headed into battle in feudal Japan, a trader entering the market, or anybody trying to live their life.

You need to prepare, train, and plan for any condition or scenario that can arise. At the same time, you have to be flexible and egoless - the world does not revolve around you and things don't always go our way.

You will be happier, lighter, and more successful if you accept results of things you don't control and make the best of them.

Math Education Is Important

2010-11-21T02:12:00.000-06:00

I find it shocking that many parents excuse their kids for not being good in math. They say that math is hard and that they weren't good at it.

But today's kids need math more than ever. Today's economy is driven by technology - the most important jobs require data analysis, statistics, logic, and calculations. Most importantly, we live in a global world where European and Asian students are taught much more advanced math at an earlier age.

If you are a parent, and not good at math yourself, you can get your child expert math tutoring from a website called Tutorvista. They offer an online Probability calculator, as well as other study help, for K-12th grade students, as well as for college students.

They are strong in algebra skills such as Prime Factorization and Equivalent fractions.

Another area where students need tutoring is geometry - with concepts such as Isosceles triangles.

Some other areas that Tutorvista can help with include Line plot, Linear programming, and Bar Graph.

Become Emotionally Attractive

2010-11-21T01:45:00.000-06:00

I enjoy Tim Sander's foreword to Michael Port's Book Yourself Solid. That book is about how self-employed service professionals can build their business, and get clients, and also experience self-growth, and joy.

In the foreword, Sanders (who wrote the book The Likeability Factor), says that Port's advice can be summed up as:

1. Make yourself emotionally attractive.
2. Live on the right side of the Law of Reciprocity

I think that these two rules will not only help you in your career, but in life itself.

"Make yourself emotionally attractive" is about making sure that your clients (and all people) who come in contact with you have a good, emotionally uplifting experience. It is not enough to just be technically skilled at your job. He says that the emotional brain is two dozen times more powerful than the logical brain.

This means, for example, that if you are a better car mechanic than Fred down the street, but Fred does a better job of making customers feel happy, satisfied, and taken-care-of, then customers will go to him.

"The Law of reciprocity" is that people reflect back the energy, value, and generosity you give to them. If you treat them right, and give them a lot of value, then they will stay your customer, they will support you, recommend you, etc.

If you use them, or give them a very basic level of customer service, then they will not be loyal to you.

Orson Welles On The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

2010-11-17T18:00:00.001-06:00

Director / producer / actor Orson Welles was a gifted speaker with a genius, dry sense of humor:

Here Orson Welles Roasts Dean Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKR0i-51S4&feature=related

Here, Orson Welles pays tribute to Jimmy Stewart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMKxTS4_FJM&feature=related

Online College Rankings

2010-11-15T18:13:00.000-06:00

Are you interested in improving yourself by going back to college. For many of us, it can be hard to juggle a full-time job, family, and attend school.

Fortunately, online education has advanced to the point that you can pursue your degree from the comfort of your home.

Which college should you apply to?

Degree Jungle just produced a ranking of the best online colleges.

They rate these schools by a composite score among several metrics - including student/faculty ratio, cost, acceptance rate, percentage of students receiving financial aid, etc. You can even filter the results to find the top online colleges by each metric.

The internet makes it possible for anyone to improve their life and career.

Success Means Taking Action

2010-11-15T18:05:00.000-06:00

If you want to have success in your job, business, or life, one of the things you must do is take action.

It is very easy for people to identify the few, critical tasks that should be their priority. The problem is that the most critical tasks are also the scariest.

We humans end up reluctant to take the first step on these tasks. We know they are important, but something within us makes us reluctant to begin. Instead, we end up doing less important tasks that do not contribute towards our goals.

We don't need to analyze ourselves and try to figure out why this is. Instead, the good news is that we must just force ourselves to begin.

Once we begin, the hesitation falls away and the task becomes easier and easier.

Annual Halloween Greeting

2010-10-28T01:01:00.001-05:00

Here's my annual Halloween greeting.

Enjoy!

Simple and Minimal Scholarship Site

2010-10-17T01:16:00.001-05:00

I like to discover websites that are designed in a minimal and simple style, and are focused on one goal.

An example site is SchoolScholarships.org - which presents free information to help people find scholarships. The site is designed simply with just one goal in mind - how to make it easy for a visitor to locate the right scholarship.

From the main menu, a visitor can access pull down menus that allow them to click over to scholarships by subjects such as engineering scholarships, black scholarships, etc. From links on the side, a user can select scholarships by career interest.

As a result of this design, a visitor starting on the home page can quickly and easily drill down to what they want in one or two clicks.

Minimalist Site As A Creative Writing Tool

2010-10-17T00:50:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago, I stumbled (literally - I pressed the "stumble" button on my Firefox tool bar) on a minimalist site called oneword.

The home page is very minimal and briefly explains the simple idea behind the site:

You click the "go" button, and you will see one randomly selected word and will have a cursor prompt. You have 60 seconds to write about the word. The idea is to write as much as you can without thinking, censoring, or editing.

So, basically, this is a creative writing tool.

Pigeon: Impossible

2010-10-15T18:10:00.002-05:00

Very good animated short:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjUAnPc2VA&feature=player_embedded

Three Blind Mice: Actual Jazz Improvisation - Example of Cooperative Freedom vs. Anarchy

2010-10-13T18:17:00.000-05:00

TV in the 1950's was very interesting.

I like how, at the end, the host says:

Jazz improvisation involves talented individuals who are not individual anarchists - they still have respect for the group. At the same time, the leader does not try to govern them and the laws of the group are designed to grant each member of the group maximum freedom. Which is a great way to live and create music.

How Ad Agencies Are Changing With the Times

2010-10-13T00:36:00.001-05:00

I was just reading a website of an Advertising Agency that seems to understand that the internet is changing the media world.

Their website itself shows that they understand the internet. Their website isn't flashy, with whiz bang effects that take time to load. Instead, there website is simple, and to the point.

They make a good point about the importance of an agency created in the digital age. In the old days, there were only a few TV channels. TV, radio, and newspapers did not have to compete with internet surfing, podcasts, or interactive online games. People had longer attention spans. You could advertise in the mass media and reach a lot of people.

Today, there are plenty of specialized cable channels, and plenty of online alternatives. Audiences are fragmented. Now, instead of trying to reach a lot of people with a mainstream commercial, the best way to reach people is to create targeted commercials and run them in these different niche media outlets.

Digital media is now interactive, and gives advertisers the tools to track the effectiveness of campaigns.

In this new environment, if you use a standard Advertising Agency that uses the old techniques, your advertising won't be as effective as it could be. For example, you would not want your agency to create bland, generic advertisements that are not targeted to anyone in particular, and then try to run them on different channels.

Instead, this ad agency would probably create an ad that appeals, for example, to fans of cooking shows and run that on the cooking channels. They could create another commercial for home and garden channels, etc.

This particular agency would also use online tools to track traffic and conversions for online advertising.

Clearing Clutter

2010-10-13T00:35:00.001-05:00

I try to always clear my email and paperwork.

In today's world, we drown in information - both electronic and paper.

I lose my creativity and feel suffocated when my mail boxes are full and I have paper and notes lying around.

Ever since I became interested in simplicity, minimalism, and the present moment, I have become more sensitive.

The most powerful number is zero! Excess information causes paralysis and represses you!

I see that people (including me) have a tendency to take too many notes, hold onto too many emails and paperwork.

I try to error on the side of deleting too much.

I have found that most of the time, when I delete something (like a bill, invoice, or email) that I later need, I can get a copy of it from the provider.