Yin vs YangThe Battle for Success in Life

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Life can be very confusing with all the stimulus our mind has to deal with each day. We have bills to pay, family to make happy, work to do, bosses/clients to satisfy, dreams of a better life, and reality standing in our way.

All of this stimulus can really throw a wrench in our ability to prioritize what is really important, and what appears important on a daily basis. There is so much going on that we don’t know what we should focus on. Instead, we try to focus on it all.

I experienced the same type of situation while gaining rank in Jiu Jitsu. When I was a white belt, there was so much going on that I tried to pay attention to, my mind was unable to keep up with more experienced and athletic opponents. Everything my opponent did seemed like a battle for life or death.

Over time, as I got more comfortable, I learned to relax my mind and only pay attention to what is important. You see, all of the stuff I was paying attention to seemed important when I was a white belt. That is why every time my opponent moved, I reacted, or more likely, over reacted. This is because I did not understand what was, and was not important. Since I was not sure, I had to fight every battle as if it was my last.

Now that I am a purple belt (before brown) and carry five years of real experience, I do not react to my opponent’s every move. Each situation I get into, I am able to focus on what is important and disregard what used to appear important. So if my opponent is threatening a move, I know whether or not to take it seriously because I understand my priorities in each position I have experience in. In simple terms, I carefully pick my battles.

Life is much the same, though we don’t gain rank with colored belts. Instead, we gain rank in happiness. Much like any martial art, achieving happiness takes hard work. It is not easy to be happy. In order to truly be at peace with ourselves, we need to understand what we want in life.

On this Earth, no matter who we are, there is one thing we all have in common. That is time. Time is all any of us really have. If every government in the world toppled, and money no longer existed, time would still march on. There is no stopping it. The only thing you can do is roll with it. You can not save time. You have to spend it. So the question is, what do you invest your daily time in?

Valuing your time is a great way to prioritize your focus and motivate yourself. Remember, there is no choice on whether you spend your time or not. You are spending it regardless. Might as well get the most value out of it, no? If you look at the world from the view point of your time’s value, it becomes much easier to deal with the daily negativity and dilemmas we all face.

Here are some examples from my life:

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Someone says something bad about me.

In the past, I might try to confront them. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep until I did confront them. But now, I think of it in terms of my time’s value. Is it worth my time to deal with something somebody said? Or is it better to just move on and focus on my dreams?

I need to pay my bills, but I also have to grow my business.

My bills tell me I should get a job to pay them now. However, time tells me I need to invest as much of it as possible in my business to be successful. This helps me realize that, for me, growing my business takes priority over paying my monthly bills because it is my dream to earn a living doing what I love. It may suck for a little while, but in the end, I will be enjoying the time I spend working, and easily paying my bills.

Which job should I take?

Many of us look at one thing when it comes to work: the salary. We judge each job opportunity by the size of the salary and benefits package. However, when you take time into consideration, the salary does not seem so important. If I am going to spend the MAJORITY of my time doing something, I better be happy while I am doing it, or getting something equal to it’s investment.

If I am going to be miserable, even if the pay is good, it is not worth the time. On the same note, if I am going to spend my time to pay my bills each month, only to leave the job years later and have to immediately find another to pay my bills because I was unable to save, what is the point? I’d rather invest my time to help me climb up the financial ladder, then to just spend all my time moving laterally.

I can’t do that.

No matter what it is, this right here is the biggest bunch of baloney in the entire English language. This phrase should be banned for its lunacy. If all we have is time, then we certainly can do anything we put our mind to. We may not want to do something, or we may be afraid to do something, but saying we can’t do anything is just ludicrous. If we invest the time, anything is possible.

I really want to reach this goal, but I don’t have the time.

Well, if you’ve read this far you certainly understand that you do have the time. In fact, that is all we have. Now, your time may be tied up with other things, but the question is, what is more important to you: Spending your time doing other things that appear important, or taking the initiative to spend your time do what you always dreamed?

I’ll tell you this: No one ever accidentally lived a dream life.

How much do you value your time?

Are you spending the majority of your time doing what you love? Does getting up in the morning feel good, or is it the first of a long series of dreaded events in your day?

Remember, time is all we really have. We get to decide how we spend it and just like money, it is an investment. What are you investing your time in? Is the end result really worth it, or are you just delaying the inevitable?

Only time will tell.

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every person in the world runs into at least one problem a day. When you are a business owner, it can seem like you run into a problem per minute. Every time you solve one dilemma, an even tougher one seems to pop up out of nowhere. 

Dealing with problems is part of the job description for every entrepreneur. If you are not dealing with them, you are certainly delegating who is. Either way, you are going to set the tone for how problems are handled in your business, and better know the difference between problem solving and problem evolving.

If you tend to get emotional, your staff will do the same. If you tend to ignore the problems, your staff will follow suit. If you are waiting for someone to care more about your business than you, you are simply not cut from entrepreneurial cloth. Your business is your baby. Problems come with the business. Therefore, problems become your baby. The question is, are you a problem evolver, or a problem solver?

Problem Evolvers

Oxford American dictionaries states the definition of evolve is ‘to develop gradually, from a simple to a complex form‘. When a problem arises in a business, a problem evolver takes the initial problem and begins to mold it into something much, much worse. Their focus is solely on the problem, it’s possible consequences, and how they can be affected by it the least.

Problem evolvers tend to constantly bring up the problem, it’s inevitable doom, and who is to blame. They focus on the problem, who is responsible for it, and what consequences that party shall face. Instead of focusing on the solution, they make the person most responsible for the problem the target of their energy.

Problem Solvers

To solve a problem, according to Oxford American, means to ‘find an answer to, explanation for, or means for effectively dealing with (a problem or a mystery).‘ Essentially, problem solvers treat problems like a big game. They turn problems into fun riddles and challenges that drive them to find solutions.

Problem solvers never pinpoint blame, even if it is rightfully deserved. They don’t see an employee or a client as a problem. They see the position that that employee or client was put in as the problem. Problem solvers don’t worry about the potential consequences. They focus on how to surpass those obstacles, even when it seems there is no hope of doing so. Problem solvers remain calm, cool, and collected in order to take a fresh approach to the problem. After all, it is a game, and they want to win as much as possible.

The Unavoidable Truth

Truth be told, if you are in business, you are going to have to learn to deal with problems on a consistent basis. The growth of your business, especially if it’s yours, solely depends on your ability to navigate through the daily, sometimes seemingly insurmountable problems that swoop in like rain clouds on a sunny day.

If you can’t avoid them, you might as well learn to enjoy them. Become a problem solver, make it all a game, and challenge yourself to lead your business through whatever storm might come next. You are ready. You are confident. You are excited, because you are a Problem solver. Problems are what you love. In fact, you look forward to them and revel in setting an example for your staff and clients. Handling them is the daily challenge that gets you out o bed in the morning. What once was a burden, now becomes your fuel. Say it with me…

‘I am a problem solver. Handling problems is what I do. I know a problem without a solution does not exist. In fact, the bigger the problem, the more fun the challenge.‘

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

“The whole world is nuts. The only difference is the kind of shell we wear to protect us.” – Pj

Maybe it’s me, but lately I think everyone is a little on edge. I would imagine it has a lot to do with the economy. ‘Everyone is hurting out there, it’s just a matter to what degree’, a client recently told me. When money gets tight, emotions run high, and people can take out their rage in the strangest of places.

A perfect example of this is the other day. I was walking my dog through my development as I normally do. I live in a condo community, where you own everything on the inside, and they take care of the outside. You know, the basic definition of a condo. I stopped to talk to a neighbor about a stray cat everyone knows that animal control scooped up. I got the info I was looking for and continued walking. I stepped on the corner of grass in front of one of the condos when I heard a yell.

‘Hey, WTF are you doing? That’s the 2nd time I’ve seen you step on my grass.’

From out of their garage, this neighbor rapidly proceeded to get in my face with no shirt on. It was almost laughable. I explained to the dude that, first of all, it was not his grass. Second of all, you don’t have to be rude about it. If you would like me not to walk on someone elses’s grass, just ask politely. The dude acted as if he had snapped, and then regained control. He apologized briefly and just asked me to watch the grass he maintains.

Now, imagine being so angry in life that you are laying in your garage, waiting for someone to step on the corner of grass in front of a condo that you are renting. That’s right, not only does he not own the grass, he does not own the house either, yet he is worried about the grass.

I have noticed a rise in incidents like this ever since the economy started to decline. There seems to be more angry drivers, shoppers, customers, clients, and even business owners roaming about the world today. It is very tough out there right now, and the stress can weigh heavily on our minds throughout the day. Then, all of a sudden, one little incident can trigger a nuclear reaction. However, be careful out there. You never know when you might be messing with a blog writer who will tell your story to the whole world.

Even if you aren’t messing with a blog writer, it is important to not let the stress and emotions get the best of you. Currently, as I write this, I can think of many of my friends who would love to have their biggest challenge be navigating the current economy:

• My great friend, and ex-MMA fighter, who is now paralyzed after a motorcycle accident.
• My good friend growing up, who let drugs ruin his life, and now lives 50,000 miles away in Hawaii, unable to reconnect with his past out of fear of relapsing. He can’t even see his mother anymore.
• My sister’s friend who lost her sister in an automobile accident.
• A Cop in a town near me who’s 2 year old daughter just died from a rare sickness.

These are the kind of things that make us sit back and think that money problems are really no big deal. One way or another, we will get through them, and move on. Life is too big to stop for money issues, and so should we be. Why let some bills and debt ruin the days we are blessed to be above ground? So times are bad, economically. That does not mean they have to be bad overall.

I hope this post is a reminder to everyone of the important things in life. It sure is for me. It’s important to focus on your family, health, and happiness, not on the bills you can’t pay, or the job you hate. All of these things are changeable. None of them are life threatening, and in a few years, you may even sit back and laugh about it.

Until then, let’s all try to smile a little more during these trying times. Whether we are doing real good, or having the worst day, the fact that we are able to do one or the other, is really what we should be smiling about. I learned this first hand when I was hospitalized at 18 with Crohn’s disease. At the time, they did not know if I would get better. I remember all the little things I used to be concerned with kind of dissipated into thin air. They just seemed so trivial now that my quality of life was in danger.

Hopefully, it does not take a serious disease to teach you this valuable lesson. However bad things may seem, just remember, they could always be worse, just like they could always be better. At the end of the day, what’s really the difference? A good day is great, and a bad day makes you appreciate the good ones. Either way, we always win, no matter what our mind tries to tell us.

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every Wednesday is usually Personal Development in Business, but today it’s just life in general…

Normally, a personal development post talks about what changes you can add to your life to make it better. However, this post is more about addition by subtraction.

You see, the other day, I thought of something that really has boggled my mind. I was thinking about the concept of ‘perfection’ that is held so dear in our society. Here is the definition from Oxford American dictionaries…

Perfection: the condition, state, or quality of being free, or as free as possible, from all flaws and defects.

Perfection is something we all hope to achieve in certain areas. It is a concept that is held in the highest regard. In baseball, the best a pitcher can do is throw a perfect game. In bowling, the best is a perfect score of 300. When taking an exam, we hope to achieve a ‘perfect’ grade of 100.

However, what was really bothering me was this question: ‘Does perfection really exist?’

Is there such a thing and is it natural? To me, perfection does not exist, except in the minds of humans. Animals, and other life, have no concept of perfection. Babies, when they are born, also have no concept of perfection. In fact, without the word, there would be no such thing. There would just be life.

The world is not perfect, by all accounts, but yet is it? Maybe the balance of imperfections and flaws is what keeps the world going. Maybe trying to make everything ‘perfect’ by human standards achieves exactly the opposite in life.

The yang of this yin is that because perfection is held in such high regard, imperfection is something we are all embarrassed about. Our imperfect body, or our imperfect credit score, or our imperfect relationship history, etc.,  is something we all tend to be embarrassed about at one time or another.

With this in mind, I started to think of a world where the concept of ‘perfection’ does not exist. Suddenly, everything started to make more sense to me. If you eliminate the idea of perfection, what you are left with is trial and error. On some trials, there may be no error. On other trials, there will be nothing but error. Regardless though, they are both held in equal regard. They are a trial. Perfection is just one possible outcome of the trial. It is an expectation that we create in our mind.

So why do we spend our lives striving so much for something that really does not exist?

We strive and strive to be perfect in school, college, work, business, our hobbies, and our social life. Yet, if perfect does not exist, how will we ever really achieve it? Why when we make a mistake, or fail to be perfect, do we get so down on ourselves? Being imperfect is actually the most natural thing on this planet, so why not enjoy it?

Two Simple Steps to Achieve Happiness

I challenge you to follow these two steps throughout the next day, week, or even month. See if this change in mindset does not effect you in the most incredible way. Whatever task you have at hand, or whatever goal you are trying to reach, I want you to try a different approach. Instead of trying to do everything perfect, I want you to try this…

1. Clear your mind of the idea of perfection. It does not exist. The task you are about to undertake is simply a trial. No matter how you do, you will have learned from experience and be better for it.
2. Focus on the task, and not the outcome. Do the best you can, and do not judge the results. Simply doing the best you can is all that matters.

I have found this thought process to be quite liberating. Suddenly, the pressure that society places on us to live these perfect lives is gone. Not only that, but now when I notice other people’s imperfections I realize, they are just like me. In fact, that’s what makes them unique. Where I have succeeded, they may have failed, and vice versa. All Human beings are equal in this regard. Never has a person lived a perfect life, so why do we strive to do so?

Striving for something that is impossible to achieve is only going to produce unhappiness, and a lack of satisfaction.

I think that is why, regardless of the incredible advances in technology, work, sports, and other areas of life, we as humans, and especially Americans, are never satisfied. Nothing is good enough for us, except a concept that does not exist except in our minds.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter in the comments section below…

If you enjoyed this, please share by Stumbling it. It is much appreciated.

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At Yin vs Yang, we feel that humor is one of the best ways to deal with everyday life. Nothing provides more humor for me then my pets. Anytime I’m having a bad day, I simply chill with my cats and dog. They bring a joy to my life not possible to translate into words.  All the late night walks, accidents, vet bills, and annoyances that come with the responsibility of a pet do not come close to matching the joy they provide in life.

With that in mind, enjoy this video of some unexpected, and choreographed, animal clips. Being a pet lover, this definitely brought a smile to my face.

Enjoy the weekend!!!

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I read an article on Yahoo the other day about how another 100 brand new species were discovered recently. I was intrigued that so many new species could be discovered in today’s technologically advanced world. Doing some further research, I learned a shocking piece of news:

In real life, nearly 15,000 to 20,000 new species are discovered each year. According to a recent report from IISE and its partners, 2006 saw 16,969 species named-the first time in scientific literature. (from here)

Think about it. In 2008, even after the invention of all this modern technology that is rapidly shrinking the world, over 15,000 new species are discovered each year. That’s right, over 15,000 and I’m not just talking about some remote, hidden species. This includes frogs, bats, plants, insects, fish, dinosaurs and more. Last year, a brand new species of mushrooms were discovered on Imperial College’s campus in London, right under everyone’s nose!

You may be wondering why this news is so intriguing to me. Well you have to look at it from a YinVsYang perspective. If there are tens of thousands of new species all throughout the world waiting to be discovered each year, think about how many opportunities there must be. Think about how many ideas people have not thought of. Think about how many exciting solutions to problems that people have not yet discovered. Think about how you can discover them.

If you see the world through this point of view, opportunities will open up right before your eyes. I know I sometimes feel there are limited opportunities out there as I’m sure some of you do. It can be tough to keep a positive outlook, especially in today’s economy, where even Las Vegas Casinos are struggling to keep their doors open. However, the opportunities out there are endless, I promise you. You just have to open up your eyes and keep looking.

Someone out there today is going to capitalize on opportunities that help them achieve all of their wildest dreams. Someone is going to believe enough in themselves to start the ball rolling on an idea they have always had. Someone is going to see opportunities where no one else has before.

The question I’m asking is: Why can’t it be us?

This tag line from Nike is one of my favorite of all time. To me it sums up everything about the sports mentality in three words. It’s a shortened tag, from the line, “Don’t talk about it, just go out there and do it.” It shouldn’t only be Nike’s tag line. It should be yours as well.

Many people, including myself, talk about things that we want to do. We either make strong defining statements, drastic claims, or emotional outbursts to back up our fervent word. We not only convince others of our focused intentions, we sometimes convince ourselves as well.

In doing so we set up a pattern that can go unnoticed for many years. We begin to convince ourselves of many things through our words, never looking back at the reality of the situation. Because we set high expectations, we expect ourselves to naturally live up to our word. If we do not reach the expectation, we usually have a valid excuse that has convinced us it is not our fault. However, it is easy to set the expectation. It is much harder to reach it.

I do something like this everyday. Sometimes, I even realize I am doing it as the convincing words are leaving my mouth. However, I am aware of it more than ever. Over the last three years, since I really became aware of this pattern, I have focused my attention on my actions, not my words. It’s a funny thing when you do that, because it sucks the bullshit right out of you.

I learned this lesson both through business and through Jiu Jitsu. In business, many employees, co-workers, and customers make claims all the time that fail to ring true. You might even be one of them. In Jiu Jitsu, though, the lesson is much more blunt.

Men have an ego thing around other men in sports. It is a competitive environment no matter how friendly the game. Men who like to compete, do not like to lose. However, in Jiu Jitsu, there is no real way to get better at it, other than losing. Once, you lose enough (some more than others of course), you start to pick up the essence of the game and move up a level. It is a constant ride like surfing on a wave. You have your ups, and you have your downs. Ego, however, is thrown out the door.

Not much an ego can do for someone when they are tapping feverishly from being submitted for the fifth time in a row. Words really don’t make it any better. A loss is a loss no matter how you twist it. So with Jiu Jitsu, it is put up, or shut up. There is no talk of what you can do. We spar every day. No need to talk. As Nike says, you just do it.

There is a few tricks I’ve learned to help solve this problem. Now, remember, this is a work in progress. You will be amazed at how many times this happens, trust me. So just start with the basics. Here’s what I do.

When a moment pops up where you feel a definitive claim is made, remember, that there are two times you can look good. The first, is the easy one. You can boast about what you will do. For example, let’s say someone is talking about getting in shape. Being the prideful SOB you are, you claim in just a few months, you will be in such top shape, you will run under a 5.5 minute mile. You know what kind of shape you can get into and you are determined.

Of course, as the 1st month goes by, you have ran about 5 times, and worked out straight for three weeks, only missing 2 days of the 4th week. However, by the time the second month comes, other things have started to take your attention. You find a job that takes a little more of your time. You meet a new girl. You start a new hobby. Little by little, that determination for your goal is beset by excuses. You start to tell yourself a job is more important than some boast, even though you could workout after work. You start to make excuses to your friends, explaining what is going on. But the bottom line is, no matter how good the excuse is, you did not live up to your word.

The Second time you can look good, is when it counts. These people usually don’t speak much when all the macho talk is going on. But when it comes time to put up, boy do they put up. They stick to their word like glue, and they accomplish everything they set their mind to. They know the hollow glory of making claims. More importantly, they also know the exhilarating feeling of triumph.

That feeling is the key to fixing this problem for me. In the back of my head now, I envision the two feelings. I remember how hollow others unfulfilled claims sound, and I remember the triumphant feeling of accomplishing a goal. So when I am about to make a claim, I usually just smile now, and say nothing. I smile, because I am picturing the triumphant feeling, and I know that is the only one I want.

Nothing is higher regarded in this life than someone who does what they say they will. It’s why one of the most thrilling moments in sports is the prediction, or the guarantee of victory. It’s just so rare that people live up to their word. That is also exactly why it is so important to do so. We don’t want to be like everyone else. We want to be exceptional, or we would not make such bold statements. We have to realize that nothing spoken will make us exceptional. Only our actions will.

So whatever it is you want to accomplish, just f’n do it..

For those of us that workout, our goal each time is to push the limit of our stamina. Whether measured in reps, minutes, or miles, most of us continue to push the limits of our body. But what if I told you it was not your body setting those limits? What if I told you it was really your mind?

The mind is a very powerful tool. It is so powerful, that it’s greatest trick is making us forget it exists at all. We run as far as we can. As soon as we start to breathe heavy, sweat, and our limbs tire, we know we are pushing the limits. But again, the limits of what? Have you ever just kept going when you think you can’t any longer? The trick is, you can, and you know it.

During exercise, we utilize a lot of our body’s energy. Our body naturally sends warning signals to let us know that we are using this energy. Those signals come in the form of sweating, tiring, and heavy breathing. This makes us think that our body is trying to tell us to stop, when actually it is just your mind interpreting your body. The key is to understand what your body is telling you. It is saying that you can not continue much longer this way. Well, here is 1 simple way to keep on going and increase your stamina during workouts….

Breathe.

That’s right. Just breathe normally. Sounds crazy? Maybe not. When we reach our supposed limit, it is not because our body can not take it anymore. It is because our mind thinks it can’t. Part of the reason is because of the way your mind is interpreting those warning signals. Your mind sees that you are breathing heavy and translates that to mean you can’t go any further or do anymore. All of a sudden, that doubt creeps into your head, and you begin to rationalize why you have done enough.

The key to increasing your stamina is to ease your mind. The way you do this is by breathing. By inhaling and exhaling at a normal pace during heavy workouts, you put your body & mind at ease. Now, I know when you reach your limit it is not easy to breathe. However, you have to force yourself to breathe correctly. Take deep inhales through the nose, hold it, and exhale through the mouth. Do this 4-5 times, or as long as it takes to steady your rhythm.

What happens is most people’s breathing starts to match their heart rate during exercise. That is why you are out of breath. You need to breathe normally, even when your heart rate increases. Slowing down your breathing rhythm is the best way to ease your mind. As you start to breathe normally, your body releases some of its tension, and all of a sudden you have the energy to once again continue on.

Now, when lifting weights, or sparring in boxing, muay thai, or brazilian jiu jitsu, the same technique applies. Instead of breathing only when you exert the energy, try to control it. Be aware of the breathing pattern you have. If it is not a normal breathing pattern, I guarantee you will tire quickly.

In boxing for instance, during sparring, many guys tire quickly because they are trying to hit hard. What happen is their breathing starts to match their rhythm. So when they throw a punch, they are throwing it will all the tension and muscle they can, because they are not breathing correctly.

This is why you will see a more advanced guy look fresh after a few rounds, and a less advanced guy trying to quit 2 minutes into the first. People all like to say it is their cardio or they are not in shape. This may be true. But it is also their breathing. When they gain experience and become more comfortable, they start to breathe regularly during the sparring sessions. All of a sudden they think their cardio is 100x better when actually it is their mind that has grown accustomed to it. Instead of being tense, their experience allows their mind to be more relaxed and comfortable, which helps their breathing.

Inhale……..Exhale. It’s that simple. Try it next time, and see if you can pass the boundaries your own mind has set.

Right now Winx is crying by the door to go outside and chase birds. Aslan is skittishly checking out his food bowl to make sure I have not set any sudden traps out of the blue today. Bugsy is rumbling up and down the stairs chasing a crumpled orange sticky. As soon as it gets pushed under a door or table, he will come right back to my office for a new one.

I have 3 cats that live in my house: Winx, Aslan, and Bugsy. I am particularly fond of cats, as is my wife. We both love dogs, and all animals for that matter. Without these pets, I don’t know what home would be like. Each day, they put a smile on our faces countless times.

Pets have a way of balancing out your life. You look forward to seeing them when you are away. They have a special relationship with just you, and no one else. Pets also liven up the house by bringing a spontaneity unlike any other. Nothing like being awakened by CAT WARS at the crack of dawn to start your day.

Today’s blog is just to express the joy that having a pet become part of the family brings. If you have one, I’m sure you already know. If you don’t, maybe you should check it out. It is a responsibility, but well worth any of the work that comes with it.

Give thanks to your pets today. Show them you love them. May everyone’s pets out there all live safe & healthy lives. For I know my life is healthier because of them. However, please excuse me right now because I have to go.

Bugsy is back for another crumpled, orange sticky.

So I wake up nice & early this morning from my cats re-enacting Wrestlemania on my bed only to realize it is Monday, my absolute favorite day. Most people hate Mondays. It is the day they have to get up early and go back to work after one or maybe even two days of nice relaxing rest during the weekend. It is the day that starts their dreadful weekly routine leading up to the almighty weekend. Ugggh!

Well, for me, they are nothing of the sort. For me, Mondays are the most important of all days.

Monday is the day that starts your week. They are the beginning. Most people always focus on the finish line, in this case, the weekend, instead of enjoying the journey. When you are at the beginning on Monday, it is the furthest point from the finish line. However, if that is yin, lets look at the yang.

Mondays are the day you get to start fresh. It is like a small new beginning. It is a day to set goals, and plan out the attack plan for the week.

Today is the day you can actually go to the gym, make that Jiu-Jitsu class or start that new workout, and get back on the right foot.

Today is the day to start that diet you’ve been talking about, or start that project you’ve been dreaming to do.

Today is a day you can start anything. It is the perfect day to do so. Whatever plans you want to make, whatever tasks you have to do, or whatever things you want to accomplish that up to this point have only been talked about….today is the day to start.

That’s why Mondays are my favorite days. It’s up to each of us to take advantage of them.

Feel free to comment below on what you plan to do this week. Don’t be scared. Make that commitment now and see if you can reach your goals for the week. Good luck….and enjoy the day!