Try this 30-Day Improvement Guide from "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz

30-Day Improvement Guide

Making improvements involves a process. We improve by taking small steps toward success. We set our goals then act on them gradually. Ideally we all wish we could just take one giant leap and be there but that is not likely to happen for all of us. So in order to improve we plan. An excellent plan as David Schwartz explains in his book, "The Magic of Thinking Big," is to set monthly quotas for accomplishment.

Take a step back and examine yourself. What should you do to make yourself more effective? Use my list below as a reference. Under each of the major headings I've made notes of things I will do in the next 30 days. Then, when the 30-day period is up, I will check my progress and build a new 30-day goal. The idea is to keep working on the "little" things to get you in shape for the big stuff!

A. Breaking Habits

1. Watching TV or being on Facebook B.S.ing  more than 60 minutes per day.

2. Putting things off

3. Hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock twice.

4. Spending stupidly on things like Starbucks twice a day and eating out. Instead I will make my own coffee and pack my own lunch.

5. Ignore gossip - especially in the work place. Change the topic or excuse myself immediately when it approaches me. 

B. Acquire these habits:

1. Taking a close look at my appearance each morning. Does everything I'm wearing make me look successful?

2. Keep an organized calendar of events happening for the month.

3. Compliment people at every possible opportunity.

4. Talk to random people on the street, gym, elevator...anywhere I can.

5. Up my savings to $500 each pay period.

C. Increase my value to my employer in these ways:

1. Learn more about other areas of the company, what the departments do and how they serve the customers.

2. Develop training classes at the company to educate employees on the importance of customer satisfaction and the tools that the marketing department has developed to help ensure customer satisfaction. 

3. Read 30 minutes each day about something that relates to my industry.

4. Keep the company fresh. Improve by developing newer ways to market the company at its services using and helping customers engage easily with the company.

D. Increase my value the value in my home in these ways:

1. Spend at least 2 hours each week with my mother.

2. Connect with my siblings at least once a week.

E. Sharpen my mind in these ways:

1. Invest 30 mins each day reading professional magazines or blogs in my field.

2. Read one-self help book.

3. Continue investing 2 hours in the gym 5 days per week.

4. Make four new friends.

5. Spend 30 minutes daily in quiet, undisturbed thinking.

Life is on track

It feels great to share my life with you. I haven't posted anything in since my Survival Race in the beginning of the month because I have been busy living life.

I've been doing sonly duties by keeping my mother entertained every weekend. I've been to Atlantic City twice this month. First time I lost my tie and the second time I lost the shirt - so if you find any of them please return it. We've also spent some quality time at some German festivals on Long Island where we loaded up on bavarian pretzels and bratwurst.  In all, we have been enjoying ourselves.

Photo from tunneltotowersrun.org

At the end of September I will be running another 5k from the Battery Tunnel in NYC to the Twin Towers site in honor of a deceased firefighter who ran the same route during the tragic 9/11. I must add that I had a minor sport injury (my big toe got jammed) that may affect my performance, but I do not plan on quitting the race. 

I have continued working out 5 days per week. I am noticing a huge difference in my body. I'm doing more reps and sets with heavier weights. I'm running about 4 miles everyday (compared to the 2 miles that I ran before). I could see some abs piercing their way through the flab in my belly. I'm feeling healthy. 

At work, I've taken a closer look at my performance and found ways to improve. This year everything is going to bigger and better. I'm in the process of launching a new Holiday campaign which I am psyched about. It involves 36 elf hats, a digital landing page, mass digital press release and preparing for hundreds of gift donations to deliver to over 50 deserving families. It's quite awesome! I am also considering going back to school. I am thinking about a Law degree - not too sure yet. But it does have my mind working. 

In the meantime, I have managed to save enough money to purchase a home. I am having a hard time parting with it but I am going to begin the search very soon. I'm currently in the process of finding a lender that will finance at least 50% of the purchase price. Wish me luck.

Overall, I have to say life is on track. I'm loving every minute.

Sometimes all you need is some NIKE attitude.

The Survival Race – Riverhead, NY, September 8, 2012 – Sometimes all you need is some Nike attitude that says, “Just shut up and do it.” This weekend a friend and I fought through a friendly, hardcore physical challenge one that was good for the soul. Voluntarily, we ran through pools of mud, crawled under bar wire, leaped over slippery walls then got fire hosed down with freezing cold water. Best words to describe the experience are awakening and refreshed.

The challenge put our strength and endurance to the ultimate test. The Survival Race was a 5k obstacle course that took us through the wet woods, onto sandy beaches then off to the finish line where we dove into a pool of mud to cool down. The race took us a quick fort-five minutes to complete. We enjoyed it so much we have already planned on doing several other races just like it very soon.   

Do we like throwing ourselves into pools of mud? Well, yes, but that is not why we decided to do the challenge. Yes, it was difficult but we did it because we both set goals for ourselves. We promised that we would keep our bodies physically healthy and active and this was the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards for doing so.

Start training and join me at the Tough Mudder, the planet’s toughest physical challenge, on June 1, 2013 – Sign up for team “MUD DEEP’ here - https://www.raceit.com/register/groups/join.aspx?event=13400&id=6306200&group=238226 - password: mudderfacebook

Just incase you are afraid of the Tough Mudder challenge let me share this:

Today the executive vice president of my company passed on some of his wisdom by defining FEAR. He said FEAR stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real.”  And remember think like NIKE “Just shut up and do it.”