Health

This is the year I return to consistent exercise (it's been a few years since). I have hypermobility and TMJ which has required me to change my approach to exercise. In 2022 I found a dentist that provided jaw stability, Wim Hof breathing to help inflammation and established a basic exercise routine out of necessity after a shoulder injury.

My goal is 4-7 days of progressive exercise, 5-7 days of breathwork, and 3-5 days of cold exposure each week.

Wealth

2022 taught me a few important things about wealth.

• Skills are greater than Investing for increasing your cash flow

• Storing provides more options than saving money

• Automate your money payments and storage

This year it is about accumulation and investing in skill acquisition.

Relationships

2023 is the year I will be married to my fiance. In 2022 I discovered NVC or Non-Violent Communication. It is strange to practice but undeniably effective at improving how our relationship functions by changing how we perceive and react to conflict. My goal is to become proficient in NVC.

Experiences

If your own wedding doesn't count as a defining experience I don't know what does! Outside of that, I am focusing less on travel and more on challenging myself to improve and meet the goals I've listed above. Internal over external experiences in 2023.

Business

2022 was the year I launched my first digital product. 2023 will be the year I refine, iterate, and ideate to create more and provide more through services. The goal is cash flow.

Mistake 1 - Health - Overexerted Lifting And Dislocated Shoulder

I was moving salvaged barn wood for use in a garage project. Instead of asking for help or using some form of leverage, I decided to lift a large beam unassisted. Resulting in a dislocated shoulder, 2 months of PT, and 6 more months of recovery back to normal use.

Lessons: Ask for help or use leverage, be aware of personal limits, and prioritize preventative maintenance through fitness to avoid injuries.

Mistake 2 - Wealth - Poor Risk Management Of Crypto Holdings

This year rocked the crypto industry and me along with it. At one point I was considering changing my investment approach based on new information and personal intuition, but then thought, why change what works? Intuition isn't always right, but it is worthwhile to examine such feelings.

Lessons: Build your strategy with available information and don't hesitate to change it if new information breaks your model, understand where your decisions come from (fear and greed triggers), and create rules to overcome emotional influences.

Mistake 3 - Relationships - Not Spending Enough Time With Loved Ones

This is relative to what I want and what I think my shared relationships need. This year I spent time doing shared activities, helping with projects, and offering support. More often than I would have liked, I allowed other life stressors to interfere during these moments.

Lessons: Focus on being present (turn your phone on airplane mode), take a moment to center yourself and leave your problems where they belong, and think about how you want others to remember your shared moments.

Mistake 4 - Experiences - Did Not Prioritize Time Spent On Hobbies

I enjoy many hobbies but rarely have enough time for all of them. Without prioritizing what to focus on I ended up trying to focus on everything. This left me unsatisfied with my progress across all of my hobbies.

Lesson: Choose your areas of focus each year and ruthlessly avoid doing other activities.

Mistake 5 - Business - Inconsistent Output

When progress is slow it is easy to get discouraged. During times of discouragement, it is important to rely on a system that you have developed and trust in your process to yield results. I attempted to optimize my system and became overwhelmed as the complexity exceeded my ability to manage it.

Lessons: Simple systems that track your key performance indicators will provide the most results over time, and complexity increases failure points.

1. Journal daily.

2. Maintain a diet and fitness routine.

3. Write in public about what you learn.

4. Avoid competition and seek collaboration.

5. Don't accept one person's opinion, get 2 or 3.

6. Spend money on learning experiences - take risks.

7. If your job doesn't help you earn or grow find one that does.

8. Learn basic maintenance skills - offer to help others to learn.

9. Get a credit card to build credit ASAP - and treat it like a debit card.

10. Embrace being different and find your tribe online if you can't offline.

11. Make life rules that align with your goals and values. Then follow them.

12. Take responsibility for your present circumstance and act appropriately.

13. Buy assets with your wages - like investments or a downpayment on real estate.

14. You must choose one: Entrepreneurship, college, trade, or military, and now go all in.

15. Be honest with what you want and make a plan to achieve it - expect to iterate.

16. Focus on small daily improvements and know that they will compound with consistency.

17. Follow your heart but let your actions be tempered by your head (use a cost/benefit analysis).

18. If you are hesitating, ask why? If the answer is anxiety do it anyways and overcome perfectionism.

I used to smoke, dip, or drink as a way to "relax".

I had been doing this for a few years.

Rock bottom for me was when I noticed these coping behaviors led to more coping behaviors. I was procrastinating, unwilling to face my problems directly, and setting myself up for frustration. It was terrible.

How did I break this bad habit?

I reconditioned my positive associations to negative ones.

Everything changed as soon as I decided to quit tobacco products. I found a brand that tasted horrible which removed part of the enjoyment and I reconditioned myself to associate a negative experience with tobacco. Then bit by bit I changed my relationship with alcohol through another form of reconditioning - analyzing my mood after the alcohol had worn off - it was always worse than before a couple of drinks. It is now a social drink and is usually limited to 1.

And honestly, I saw almost immediate results.

• Clear thinking

• Saving more money

• Solutions orientated action

• Development of healthy coping methods

So, if you smoke or drink as a stress reducer, I encourage you to learn from my mistakes.

And quit your net negative coping habits - whatever they may be.

I feel most alive when learning something interesting, making a discovery, or feeling a connection.

This can be a conversation, a project, a book, etc. It is the engagement with life at a level that is deeper than the rapid pace of society. It occurs in moments, and never lasts - it is a driver for a future with the time freedom to explore.

It is important to know what is purposeful to you.

This knowledge becomes the guide for decision making. Purpose steers your ship in directions you may not otherwise sail. It offers creative output instead of closed loop consumption.

If you are searching for your purpose, start with reflecting on the bright moments.

What times did you feel the most present? After what experiences were you thinking the most positively? Identifying these will set you on the path to finding your purpose.

Try new things that align with your reflection.

If you wrote out your reflection, writing may be something to explore. If a moment was teaching another something you learned, find a way to do it again. Reflect on these experiences - how close to that original feeling did you get?

Some activities you expect will align with your purpose may disappoint. That is a sign to move into a different direction - follow it. Don't let ideas of the self hold back your growth.

If you keep searching, you'll find it.

Time, and change, moves slowly in small rural towns.

Values come from religion, community is a priority, and traditions dictate the pace of life.

I went to a Catholic grade school. Community sustained the school, and supported the town - even as a Wal-Mart eliminated the small shops. Each year revolved around religious holidays and local fairs.

That quaintness has a downside: A narrow view of the world.

Books help to expand horizons, but they are not the same as physical experiences. I was already someone who questioned everything, but my delicate world view was easily turned upside down by public high school. That, in conjunction with other experiences, led to a negative outlook. Because the ideals I was taught were so far away from the reality.

The way to expansion is through experience and self-education.

I tried new things, talked to new people, and continuously educated myself until I began to see things differently. I wouldn't say I have the most positive outlook now - But it is trending up.

Your roots are the basis for your present.

You can't escape the influences of your youth. But you can decide how they influence you in the present. Which starts with acknowledging the past - and reflecting on how it has shaped your life.

Pull from the best bits, and let the rest go - you'll feel lighter for it.

Call it chance, luck, or synchronicity, it is amazing how seemingly random but connected events occur.

It began with tracking books on Goodreads.

I had decided to test out Goodreads as a way to track books. I had no plans to interact on the site. Then I received a DM with a request to fill out a form for an idea regarding connecting readers 1:1 to discuss favorite books.

A Goodreads DM turned into an opportunity for personal insight.

I completed the form and followed the requesters links. This led me to another of his projects, Zone of Genius, which was immediately engaging. I signed up, completed the pre-work and scheduled a call.

The opportunity for growth turned into 2 conversations.

In the first call I found some of the insight I was looking for. I became excited to see how the project will be developed. Later, I was invited to complete the 2nd iteration of Zone of Genius - which led to another call.

The 2nd conversation became an introduction to another creator.

My results for Zone of Genius and another's were comparable enough that an introduction was warranted. We met 1 week later and had an interesting conversation - one in which I was immediately exposed to new ideas (Awesome!). This creator wrote a book (I'm reading it now) that resonates with my niche - which gave me a creative boost by association.

And the most interesting part? This first contact was right after I had committed to Ship 30 for 30 in April.

Why they were hard to learn, and how they impacted my career growth.

1: Not selling my skills and abilities (or to the wrong audience).

This limited opportunities for promotions, mentorship, and different career tracks. I find this difficult because of my local norms that frown on overt self promotion. And because I thought (wrongly) that my performance spoke for itself.

2: Ignoring real limitations in favor of complacency.

This is waiting for a problem to become the elephant in the room. I had a later start gaining skills in work that is personably sustainable (non physical). It is easy to let complacency overcome facts when making decisions.

3: Not actively working towards building relationships.

This, much like #1, limited and caused missed opportunities. I prefer relationships to be organic, and what I mean is there needs to be a good reason for me to reach out. It turns out there doesn't need to be a reason - it can be casual.

4: Believing that only hard work will be rewarded.

This led to burnout, stress, and anxiety from overwork. I was overly attached to the idea that hard work brings reward - without contextualizing it. I neglected the personal and professional friction that comes from a perfectionistic view of what hard work is.

5: Waiting to begin a side business.

Without a side business (or actively working towards starting one) I was completely reliant on work for fulfillment and envisioning my future. I didn't believe I had the time, knowledge, or ability to get started. I was wrong - it just begins with taking the first step.

All are still a work in progress to improve!

The highs and the lows offer lessons if we are willing to reflect and reframe.

I failed to join the Air Force because of medical history.

When I was 24, I fully committed to joining the Air Force. It was meant to be a source of growth, structure, and benefits that I felt I was lacking in life. If you don't have a purpose, the military will give you one.

I was searching for purpose.

I trained physically and studied for the ASVAB entry test. My numbers for the physical tests were in the higher tier, and I passed the ASVAB with flying colors. Then it came time for medical reviews - I was disqualified immediately because of persistent health issues.

I was devastated.

So I asked myself now what? I had completed a general associates degree in preparation for the officer track (and paid college). What happened next was a moment of opportunity from what I considered my misfortune. I was offered to join a friend in opening his own auto body shop - and I had the basic business knowledge to help him get started.

In return I learned the trade, and met my now fiancé.

Lesson:

For every misfortune there is opportunity if only we can reframe our minds well enough to look for it.

I graduated from University at age 28.

Fast forward a year and I realized the benefits of working as a contractor did not outweigh the costs. I had to move on to continue growing - and receive the benefits from regular employment. I started at a machine tool manufacturer as a night shift painter. The work was difficult and personally unfulfilling.

So I decided to go back to school.

I found a cohort program for working adults that fit my schedule from a major university. That the program was offered nearby was incredibly fortunate. Additionally, I had qualified for various aid packages making this opportunity one I couldn't miss.

I went all in, and graduated as one of the top in my class.

My classmates, professors, and their assignments set off a fire in me during the program. After graduation, I went on to land a corporate position at a different company. Life has improved dramatically since graduating.

Lesson:

When struggling to find your way, look for groups whose purpose is to elevate your thinking.

Today is my 4th day of using Wim Hof's beginner YouTube Video guide. (Link in comments)

Why learn This breathing method?

Here's why - straight from his site:

• Faster recovery from physical exertion

• Improved sports performance

• More focus and mental clarity

• Enhanced creativity

• Stress reduction

• Better sleep

Stress and anxiety have similar symptoms - and both take you out of the present

Whichever you believe to be the problem, breathing techniques are a proven way to bring them back under control. And after only 3 days of practice, I noticed the last 4 bullets were accurate. I'm now considering a 30 day challenge.

The unlock from mindfulness is presence

To be present is generally to enjoy the now. When you are enjoying the now your creativity, engagement, and overall wellbeing improves dramatically. You can be comfortable with your journey and where you are at in it.

When you are present you are living intentionally

When you are living intentionally you are making choices that are your best options. You are building a system for your happiness. And that is something worth doing.

So let's do it!

My University – (Particularly 1 business and marketing professor)

I went back to school at age 26 and earned my degree at 28. My experience was through a cohort based program for working adults. One professor's energy, enthusiasm, assignments, and personality drove my results through uncomfortable situations.

Healthcare provider(s)

I, like many others, have persistent health challenges. I have found 4 individuals who have made a huge impact on my overall wellbeing. Which translates into a better quality of life, and a mindset shift towards a positive future.

The Ship 30 For 30 Team

Dickie Bush and Nicolas Cole's course has helped me create new habits, modify existing habits, and see new possibilities. The other team members and shippers are the foundation of this wonderful community. The course and ongoing experiences have rocketed my personal progress forward.

The Scouts

As a teenager, this organization may have been the difference between making some bad decisions and really bad decisions. The people I’ve met in this organization have become mentors, lifelong friends, and act as a larger support system. My experience has been inspirational towards contributing as a volunteer today.

My current place of work

Good, bad, ugly, regardless of how I feel day to day the bottom line has been overall growth. Skill ups in several areas, and many challenges have resulted in personal and professional advancement. If it weren’t for some of the challenges I may not have began publishing online – and that makes work something to be thankful for.  

This framework will help you solve the challenges life has, or will, throw at you.

Step 1. Clearly identify the problem

What problem is causing you the most pain right now? Why? Create a list in order of most painful to least. Focus on the most painful problem.

1. Not enough income

2. Health issues

3. Loneliness

Step 2. Brainstorm solutions

What options are available to change this? Google search can be helpful here. List out possible solutions.

If the problem is income, then possible solutions could be:

1. Skilling up through certifications/courses

2. Starting a side business

3. Earning a degree

4. Career coaching

Step 3. Research the solutions

Narrow down solutions based on how likely you can accomplish them. If there is little chance of increasing income through starting a side business, then consider career coaching. Your best solution is based around applying your resources to your circumstances.

Step 4. Create a plan to achieve the solution

In our above example, career coaching is the most likely solution to earning more income. Next, apply the same research method by identifying different coaches, and narrowing down the list based on your circumstances. If you are in the mining industry, a tech sector coach may not be the right fit.

Step 5. Execute the plan

You've identified the right solution and now need to initiate action. Email the career coach, book a call, and follow the expert's advice. If all goes well your income has increased. And if not? You may have chosen the wrong problem, solution or execution.

Reflect, and repeat the process.

There are a few things that stand out as red flags when meeting or getting to know new people.

1: Inconsistent stories

I once knew a guy who had a story for everything. It would be one thing if his life experiences matched his stories. It is another when the stories are outright falsehoods.

If there is a willingness to lie about experiences, that person will likely lie about other things as well.

2: Being overly familiar

It is enjoyable engaging with someone pleasant and interested in a conversation. Another entirely if a new unknown person begins acting like you best friend an hour after first contact. Learning and respecting each others' boundaries is important.

3: A mean sense of humor

Humor is helpful for keeping life in perspective and making heavy situations light. It says a lot about someone if their humor relies on low blows, one-upmanship, and cruel jokes. It is important to contextualize our humor (it is as unique as each individual), but there is no place for harmful humor.

4: Discounting and minimizing

Minimizing accomplishments, discounting feelings, and generally being oppressive rather than open with others is a flag. Doing this to yourself because of low self esteem is a problem, but it is another entirely to gaslight others.

5: Not asking questions or contributing to the conversation

Asking questions and adding commentary is how relationships are formed, and sustained. Without either, there is no interest. And little reason to continue conversing.

Knowing the origin of your values is important

I'm an Eagle Scout. When I think of values the Scout Law is the first thing that comes to mind. It states: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

These 12 points are foundational for good character

Ancient stories and fables have taught these same values. Many religions do as well. And these lessons are still as valuable then as they are now.

Consider each of these points, and write down what first comes to mind.

Here's mine:

• Trustworthy - Self aware and a follower of the Golden Rule.

• Loyal - Understanding of a bond and the implications of duty.

• Helpful - A willingness to make time available for others.

• Friendly - Understanding there is no net gain for meanness.

• Courteous - Thoughtful of others.

• Kind - Generous with resources.

• Cheerful - Staying positive and maintaining hope.

• Thrifty - Wise with finance and creative with what's available.

• Brave - Courageous and willing to take risks.

• Clean - Physically and mentally conscience of health.

• Reverent - Respectful, spiritual, and acting accordingly.

What values would you add, and what do they mean to you?

I've held 3 positions since I consider officially starting my career journey.

1: Assistant Manager and Technician of an auto body shop

This was a startup where I worked as a contractor wearing many hats (still in business 6 years later!). This role taught the importance of knowing your customers and suppliers. Whether they were rural or urban, tech savvy or not, trusting through online social proof or word of mouth.

2: Industrial painter, and machine assembler of machine tools

Self employment makes certain aspects of life difficult, so I went back to working for a company. In this role, I learned that there are unacknowledged truths in most businesses. When you can't reasonably compromise, make the decision to move on.

3: Continuous improvement specialist for an automotive brake manufacturer

Understanding a problem allows for identifying the best possible solution. And using data from similar business cases helps sell top management on the necessity for a change. The lesson: Culture change is hard, and should be initiated when the problem is understood - and with a data backed solution.

5 other lessons learned:

• Prepare yourself for retirement early and take care of your health.

• The ability to follow directions and think creatively is a skill.

• There is a quiet honesty to working with your hands.

• Work smarter not harder and conserve materials.

• Customer service is the heart of any business.

I've been in manufacturing for 6 years. Here are 5 solutions to common problems in the industry:

1: Understand the macro trends in the labor force

There are 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring each DAY. It will take time to skill up the younger labor force - and adjustments to the relationships between company and worker. Prioritize the values of who you want to hire to draw their interest, and retain their talent.

2: Understand how inflation has effected wages

With rampant inflation, a dollar does not go as far as it once did. This makes it a necessity to remain competitive with wages. Top talent will leave if they learn they are underpaid.

3: Discuss and implement developmental plans

Today, most people want to know they are working with purpose towards something. Usually a promotion offering growth and pay increases. Having individualized development plans goes a long way in keeping employees on task and present.

4: Seek to only have Value Added training

Constant training promotes a learning environment - Unless it is executed on principle and not on purpose. Measure the success of training and adjust or eliminate that which is ineffective.

5: Create workflows that allow for flexibility

Not all work requires someone to complete it within the same hour as another person. Use tools and task tracking apps to allow for asynchronous work. If async is not possible, keep disciplined logs of information for reference if there is an emergency manpower change.

5S implementation is challenging, especially if a system is already in place.

What is 5S?

There are several definitions depending on the version you follow. Here is the most common definition from ASQ: Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

1: 5S is only meant to keep things clean and tidy

That is a part of the whole. But, it is also to instill discipline, reduce safety risks, and increase quality by uncovering problems. This results in more consistent production - and ability to meet customer demand.

2: 5S is a standalone process

It is a part of a larger system. The "S" for standardize is more specifically relating to cleaning and maintenance tasks. If this is later expanded to work instructions, the discipline for following 1 established way of working is already set.

3: 5S is best used on the factory floor

This is a cultural change. It is impactful to have offices implement and maintain 5S. Especially if the initiative is from the top down - lead by example.

4: 5S won't replace existing systems

Existing systems everyone knows how to follow, and a new system is disruptive. There will be pushback. Work to translate the existing system to the new 5S system, and eliminate the old ways.

5: The process is over once the system is in place

It has just officially begun. The "S" of sustain must be maintained to continually reflect results. This is where regular auditing of 5S areas plays an important role.

Writing is everywhere.

Every time you open your phone you see written work from many sources. The article with the best headline wins your attention - unless the content doesn't deliver on the headline promise.

Attention spans are shortened.

There are more tasks to accomplish and projects to keep up with for each person than at any other time in history. The collective cognitive load has increased. So humanity has built tools to manage this (apps).

Convenience is incredibly important.

What is easily available gets read. This is why it costs a premium to get an ad in front of many people. It is also why platforms like Kindle have been so successful- it is more convenient than carrying a stack of books.

Artificial Intelligence can imitate writing.

Programs can be trained to replicate writing styles and generate content. Does this help or hurt a writer? And at what point will it be indistinguishable from an actual human's written work?

One thing is for certain:

The frequency of sharing thought is increasing. And to participate requires writing skills. If there wasn't a Collective Unconscious before the internet - there is now.

Our Collective Intentions manifest our future - and it starts with writing.