A terrifically exciting day, again

Falling back on recycled posts.

Posted by Rick Tompkins on January 26, 2013

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I spent about 5 hours playing Cashflow 101 at a Meetup hosted by Dennis Beckman. Dennis adds quite a bit of extra useful information that increases the value of the game.

Now, I’m watching disc 2 of season 5 of “The Big Bang Theory”. I know that’s a little more excitement that most people can handle, but I am pretty badass!

I haven’t heard from my friend Jessica. I don’t know how she, or her mother, is doing.

I’m still in the middle of transitioning from working nights to working days. It should be interesting to see how this first week goes.

I’ll let you know about this too.

So, only about an hour until my new and improved bedtime.

That’s it for now…not quite 500 – 700 words.  actually, only 129 words up until this point.

I actually spent about 5 hours this past Saturday playing Cashflow 101 with Dennis Beckman again. We played at Better Homes and Gardens Realty in Pleasanton, hosted by Scott and Sophie Piper. I did terrible! So, I played a few more hours online with Elizabeth Walker. Thanks, Elizabeth!

I haven't watched much Big Bang Theory lately, I guess I should go to the library again. But I did see the episode where Howard's mom died. I didn't know that the actress who played her had died in real life.

I haven't heard from Jessica in months. Oh, well.

I lasted on days for about 8 months. It got to be too expensive. I lost the 10% differential from working at night, plus I lost another hour's pay since I wasn't working through my lunch anymore.

Later on this month will be 3 years since I started playing Cashflow with Dennis. And 3 years side Gregory Festo introduced me to SendOutCards.

I guess that's it. I should have a fresh blog post on Friday.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cold-cuts-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mulled-wine-day/ Is it proper to serve mulled wine with cold cuts? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-anthem-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/unique-names-day/ 

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/toy-soldier-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poundcake-day/. Let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-scrapbooking-industry-day/ Do any of my loyal fan scrapbook? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/ I wonder how many rules of grammar I've violated today?

Next Tuesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/day-of-awesomeness/ I celebrate this every day! I'd have to go grocery shopping before I can celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pack-your-lunch-day/. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/organize-your-home-office-day/ I don't have a home, let alone a home office. I guess I'll have to wait for organize your bedroom day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mario-day/

April 3 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-mousse-day/

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tweed-day/ How about a nice tweed jacket? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/find-a-rainbow-day/ 

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walk-to-work-day/ I looked into it, but it would take me about 11 hours to walk to work. Let's celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-party-day/! And last, but definitely least: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fish-fingers-and-custard-day/ I only have one question: 

More on personality types

Here's the link to the first post in this series: Overview.

I'm going to spend a little time today talking about the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. Like I mentioned before, it describes 4 archetypes: Artisans, Guardians, Idealists and Rationals. Most personality type conversations start with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), but I want to start with the general and then go with the specific.

From Wikipedia:

Four temperaments[edit]

David Keirsey expanded on the ancient study of temperament by Hippocrates and Plato. In his works, Keirsey used the names suggested by Plato: Artisan (iconic), Guardian (pistic), Idealist (noetic), and Rational (dianoetic). Keirsey divided the four temperaments into two categories (roles), each with two types (role variants). The resulting 16 types correlate with the 16 personality types described by Briggs and Myers.^[2]

• Artisans are concrete and adaptable. Seeking stimulation and virtuosity, they are concerned with making an impact. Their greatest strength is tactics. They excel at troubleshooting, agility, and the manipulation of tools, instruments, and equipment.^[3] The two roles are as follows:

• Operators are the directive (proactive) Artisans. Their most developed intelligence operation is expediting. The attentive Crafters and the expressive Promoters are the two role variants.
• Entertainers are the informative (reactive) Artisans. Their most developed intelligence operation is improvising. The attentive Composers and the expressive Performers are the two role variants.

• Guardians are concrete and organized(scheduled). Seeking security and belonging, they are concerned with responsibility and duty. Their greatest strength is logistics. They excel at organizing, facilitating, checking, and supporting. The two roles are as follows:

• Administrators are the directive (proactive) Guardians. Their most developed intelligence operation is regulating. The attentive Inspectors and the expressive Supervisors are the two role variants.
• Conservators are the informative (reactive) Guardians. Their most developed intelligence operation is supporting. The attentive Protectors and the expressive Providers are the two role variants.

• Idealists are abstract and compassionate. Seeking meaning and significance, they are concerned with personal growth and finding their own unique identity. Their greatest strength isdiplomacy. They excel at clarifying, individualizing, unifying, and inspiring. The two roles are as follows:

• Mentors are the directive (proactive) Idealists. Their most developed intelligence operation is developing. The attentive Counselors and the expressive Teachers are the two role variants.
• Advocates are the informative (reactive) Idealists. Their most developed intelligence operation is mediating. The attentive Healers and the expressive Champions are the two role variants.

• Rationals are abstract and objective. Seeking mastery and self-control, they are concerned with their own knowledge and competence. Their greatest strength is strategy. They excel in any kind of logical investigation such as engineering, conceptualizing, theorizing, and coordinating. The two roles are as follows:

• Coordinators are the directive (proactive) Rationals. Their most developed intelligence operation is arranging. The attentive Masterminds and the expressive Fieldmarshals are the two role variants.
• Engineers are the informative (reactive) Rationals. Their most developed intelligence operation is constructing. The attentive Architects and the expressive Inventors are the two role variants.

I'm an Architect, which is the Attentive, Informative type of Rational. This corresponds to the INTP MBTI type. We'll talk about Myers-Briggs Type Indicators in a couple of days.

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter basically sorts the 16 MBTI types into 4 groups…NT's, NF's, SJ's and SP's. I'm in the NT category (from my MBTI type of INTP). You can take a 70 question test to determine your Keirsey type, or you can answer these 3 questions:

Do you primarily rely on your senses (S) or intuition (N)?

If you're an "S", do you prefer your life to be structured (SJ) or unstructured (SP)?

If you're an "N", do you rely on your thoughts (NT) or your feelings (NF)?

Keirsey calls the 4 types (or Temperaments) Rationals (NT), Idealists (NF),  Guardians (SJ) and Artisans (SP). iPersonic calls these same types Thinkers, Idealists, Realists and Doers. I think the iPersonic names are a bit more descriptive, but you'll find Keirsey's names to be much more common.

According to the Wikipedia descriptions above, the "S" types are concrete in their thinking and "N"s are abstract.

Please take a moment to answer the 3 questions above to determine your temperament and then read the description of your type. Does the general description sound like you? Can you guess your type and role variant? If not, that's ok. When we cover the MBTI, you'll be able to correlate it to your temperament.

Interesting days

Today - It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aold-stuff-day/ as well as https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fun-facts-about-names-day/ Here are a few fun facts about names. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dr-seuss-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/banana-cream-pie-day/ Maybe I'll grab a slice at Nation's today

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/unique-names-day/ Another names day! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mulled-wine-day/ Sounds tasty! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-anthem-day/ Oh say can you see that today is also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cold-cuts-day/? Togo's or Subway?

Next Monday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/napping-day/ Sounds like my kind of celebration! I'd celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/barbie-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/crabmeat-day/, and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fill-our-staplers-day/, but I'll be too busy napping

April 2 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/peanut-butter-and-jelly-day/ I must've eaten about a million so far, but I think I have room for one more! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-a-lie-day/ This could be an interesting day. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/love-your-produce-manager-day/ If you can't find your local produce manager, then hug a fruit or vegetable. Spend some time reading with your kids or grandkids on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/childrens-book-day/. On a more serious note, today is also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-autism-day/

Interesting days

March is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/umbrella-month/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheerleading-safety-month/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/womens-history-month/

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fruit-compote-day/ What the heck is a fruit compote? And you're awesome! And I'm not just saying that because it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-compliment-day/ And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/plan-a-solo-vacation-day/ sounds like a pretty good idea to me. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/namesake-day/ My first name is Allan. I was named after my father and grandfather. My middle name is Richard and I was actually named after Dick Powell. I also have an Uncle Rich, so it ended up that the 3 of us kids all have our middle names after an uncle…luckily for my sister we had an Uncle Gene, so she became Linda Jean and my brother is David James. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pig-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fun-facts-about-names-day/ Looks like we've got a name theme developing here. And speaking of names, today is also Theodor Seuss Geisel Day, he's better known as the guy who wrote "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham" and about a bajillion other books. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/banana-cream-pie-day/ Like I've said, I'm not much of a pie guy, but I do like cream pies!

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/peanut-cluster-day/ More chocolate covered peanuts? OK! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/womens-day/ A day to recognize the challenges that women face in the world today. And I think many of you should hire a proof reader before you make some of your Facebook posts.

April is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/jazz-appreciation-month/

April 1 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poetry-and-the-creative-mind-day/ seems to be an appropriate way to kick off https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poetry-month/. And let's not forget one of the defining foods of the San Francisco Bay Area, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sourdough-bread-day/ OMG! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fun-day/ What will you do for fun? 

Congratulations to one of my favorite people on the planet, Mary Swarts!

She promoted to the rank of Executive with SendOutCards which means that she helped 5 people promote to the rank of Senior Manager. The company is about helping people to achieve their dreams and Mary is one of the best I know at that.

Mary was the first person to receive one of the new SendOutCards floral arrangements last year in Las Vegas. Our CEO, Kody Bateman, could see her leadership abilities back then.

And yes, this is the same person who calls me a hug mooch! But c'mon, it's worth it!

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/floral-design-day/ Thank you to the people who design the beautiful SendOutCards arrangements. The people who celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sword-swallowers-day/ need to be careful, otherwise they may knock a tooth loose. Luckily it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tooth-fairy-day/. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-souffle-day/ Which I think will go very well with https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-that-bottle-night/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/namesake-day/ Who were you named after?  How many of you remember Arnold? Not the former governor. And not this Arnold either:

But Arnold the Pig?

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pig-day/. And this sounds like a great idea to me, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/plan-a-solo-vacation-day/. And let me just tell you how smart you are for reading this blog post on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-compliment-day/

Next Saturday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/crown-roast-of-pork-day/ Don't think I've ever had this, but it looks good enough to wear (as well as eat). And one of my favorite foods, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cereal-day/

March 28 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/something-on-a-stick-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/black-forest-cake-day/ I think it would be kinda messy to combine the two of them

How to get Starbucks to pay for your home-based business

How do you get Starbucks to pay for your home-based business? Just follow my simple 90 day plan! This plan consists of a single step, repeated for 90 days. What is this simple one step plan? Don't go to Starbucks. That's it!

I'll give you the numbers that I'm familiar with. SendOutCards costs $395 to sign up as a distributor. A grande mocha at Starbucks costs $4.15. Ninety times $4.15 = $373.50! You'd only need to come up with another $21.50 to start your own business. Now, if you don't want to even come up with $21.50, then stop going to Starbucks for 95 days…that will be $394.25. You'll need 75 cents! Still too much? Then 96 days without Starbucks and you'll also have $3.40 left over!

But why am I picking on Starbucks? For a couple of reasons…Starbucks is a discretionary expense and you'll never get rich by drinking coffee. Unless you sell SoZo Coffee like Chris Maslanka.

There are many network marketing/direct sales companies out there, besides SendOutCards and Sozo Coffee. There are lots of products or services you can offer and they have different costs of getting started, so you may need more or less than 90 days to get started depending on what company you pick.

Some companies and people that I'm personally familiar with are Dan Walden with health and wellness company, Xango. Or if you want your home to smell nice, then check out Cathi Rickly with Scentsy. Or how about a combination of health & wellness and smelling good? Then check out JoAnn Hall with essential oil company doTerra. How about home and health products by Melaleuca offered by Marie Lamantia? Or how about a service company like LegalShield? Then contact Billy Lazeuz. I could go on forever, but I think you get the idea.

How big is the network marketing/direct sales industry?

Or roughly the size of the first four industries put together!

Now getting back to Starbucks. How would you like the government to pay for half of your Starbucks coffee from now on? Just start your own home-based business and meet your clients and prospects at Starbucks and discuss your business.

But no matter what company you may decide to go with, remember SendOutCards…the relationship marketing company. We can help you grow your business, no matter what it may be. Whether network marketing or something more traditional.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kahlua-day/ would even warm up a polar bear. Or how about some fresh strawberries?

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/floral-design-day/. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-souffle-day/ I don't know if I've ever had a soufflé of any kind! Let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tooth-fairy-day/ or https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sword-swallowers-day/. And after such a busy day, how about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-that-bottle-night/

Next Friday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/frozen-food-day/ I eat a lot of that. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/white-chocolate-cheesecake-day/ I don't eat a lot of this, but it sounds good! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dress-in-blue-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dentists-day/. And of course, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/employee-appreciation-day/ If you're self employed, it's ok to appreciate yourself. Since I go by my middle name, I celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/middle-name-pride-day/ every day

March 27 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spanish-paella-day/ Can't say that I've ever had it. How about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/quirky-country-music-song-titles-day/ What are some of your favorites?

Gravestones and rocket ships

Another busy day, so I'm going to re-use one more of my Empower Network blog posts. I promise to have something fresh tomorrow!

Posted by Rick Tompkins on March 03, 2013

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It’s time to borrow from the Empower Network blog Click Here And Watch It NOW.

Gravestones And Rocket Ships

Trying to make everything perfect before you start just means you are going to be sitting on your ass until you die.  You might as well order your tombstone engraving now:

Died broke waiting for the perfect moment to get started.  If only he would have had 100 more years to put on the finishing touches.  R.I.P.”

That’s what my gravestone was going to say until recently. I finally decided it was time to do something besides waiting to retire with my $100,000 401k! So, when Gregory presented me with the SendOutCards opportunity last March I decided it was time to go for it. I’d been in various businesses over the years, including a couple of network marketing companies but I never really did anything with them…I was waiting for the stars and planets to line up.

So, this time, not only did I sign up for an opportunity but I decided it was time to do something with it. So, I did. And like I said yesterday, most of what I do is listen to conference calls (which I did before), go to networking events (which I never did before) and meet people one on one (which I never did and would’ve never considered before!). And I blog (which I’ve done a couple of times before). I got a new SOC customer to sign up today, in part because of the blogs (I think)…that’s 2 in the past week.

“A rocket that is getting sent to the moon is off course over 90% of the time.  Making constant adjustments, of a fast moving object, are what brings it in to its desired destination.”

One of my favorite sayings these days is “Save time and effort, start with Plan B”, because nothing will ever go as planned and as long as you understand that and take it into consideration you can continue moving forward.

So, launch your rocket ship now and be off course most of the time. And if you do, your gravestone may say something like:

“”Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
―    W. Clement Stone”

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chili-day/ Erik's Deli sounds like a winner! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pistachio-day/ I'll have to grab a bag of those!

Tomorrow -  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kahlua-day/ I think this deserves some serious celebrating! Good thing it's on a Friday! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/polar-bear-day/ I think some of you on the east coast are starting to feel like polar bears.

Even polar bears have had enough of winter!

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/absinthe-day/ Never tried it. Is it any good? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/nametag-day/ I have mine. Do you have yours? And let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheese-doodle-day/

March 26 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spinach-day/ I actually do like a good spinach salad. May be a good day to go to Sweet Tomatoes. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/make-up-your-own-holiday-day/ What would yours be? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/nougat-day/ Hmmmm. A 3 Musketeers bar (or 3) may be in order. And of course, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/purple-day/

What is Ayurveda?

Time to quit being lazy and post something new. This is a followup to yesterday's post on "Particle Physics and Ayurveda".

Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India. Although suppressed during years of foreign occupation, Ayurveda has been enjoying a major resurgence in both its native land and throughout the world. Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years.

More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life,Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.

Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces, most people have one or two elements that predominate.

For each element, there is a balanced and imbalance expression. When Vata is balanced, a person is lively and creative, but when there is too much movement in the system, a person tends to experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing. When Pitta is functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly, disciplined, a good leader, and a good speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and may suffer from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a person is sweet, supportive, and stable but when Kapha is out of balance, a person may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus congestion.
An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a person’s ideal state of balance, determine where they are out of balance, and offer interventions using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage treatments, music, and meditation to reestablish balance.

A simple questionnaire can help you determine which ayurvedic element is most lively in your nature. Take the dosha quiz here. Answer the following questions as honestly as possible and see which element(s) receives the highest score.

The Chopra Center's approach to health and wellbeing fuses the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with the most advanced developments in modern allopathic medicine. We offer ayurvedic lifestyle consultations. We also teach the practical tools and techniques of Ayurveda at all of our programs, seminars, workshops, and retreats. Bring Ayurveda into Your Life

From http://www.chopra.com/our-services/ayurveda

Like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda is based on 5 elements. In TCM the elements are wood, metal, fire, water and earth; while in Ayurveda the elements are ether (or space), air, fire, water and earth. The 3 doshas are made from combinations of 2 of these elements…vata is ether and air, pitta is fire and water, and kapha is a combination of water and earth. Most people either have a primary dosha, or maybe a combination of 2 doshas…bi-doshic. A few people tend to have equally balanced doshas and are considered tri-doshic. Here is an excellent article describing the doshas some more and discussing bi- and tri-doshas http://earthsongayurveda.com/sample-post/.

I tend to be very strongly Vata. Be sure to take the quiz above and let others know what your dosha is by commenting below.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-covered-peanuts-day/ I better pick up some Goobers or Mr. Goodbar today. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clam-chowder-day/ Still looking for some good clam chowder. Don't most restaurants serve clam chowder on Fridays?

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chili-day/ One of my favorites! Maybe Erik's Delicafe Chili in a sourdough bread bowl. Yum! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pistachio-day/ Another favorite! 

Next Wednesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/toy-soldier-day/ I remember these toy soldiers well, just like the ones in Toy Story.  It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-scrapbooking-industry-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/

And let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poundcake-day/ whose name comes from using one pound of each of its ingredients: butter, eggs, flour and sugar

March 25 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pecan-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/waffle-day/ Or you can celebrate both by having pecan waffles! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/manatee-appreciation-day/ Are manatees really the origin of the mermaid legends? And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tolkien-reading-day/