Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Your First Style Steps: Beyond Jeans, T-Shirts, and Tennis Shoes

Hey guys, if you're a bit sartorially challenged, like me, then this article from The Art of Manliness may be just what you're looking for:
A lot of guys would like to improve their personal style, but they feel a little overwhelmed as to how to start. Men’s sartorial blogs and magazines often showcase photo spreads of male models wearing expensive, fashion-forward clothes that seem inaccessible and/or undesirable, and don’t point that helpfully towards a way forward.

Fortunately, taking your first steps towards upping your style game doesn’t have to be intimidating or involve making dramatic changes to how you dress. Instead, it requires only modest purchases that anyone can make with a minimum of effort and some very basic knowledge. Together, these wardrobe additions will significantly upgrade your look from the basics of jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes, all without breaking the bank, or making you break much of a sweat. 
Think of the following items as the starter set for any well-dressed man:
  1. A Couple of Plain White Dress Shirts
  2. A Casual Sports Jacket
  3. Nice Jeans
  4. Casual Leather Shoes 
  5. A Lightweight Sweater
  6. A Handsome Overcoat
  7. A Good Leather Belt
These items don't have to cost a lot...maybe around $250 and up. Too much? Don't worry because you can build your wardrobe over time:
Take a quick look back over the estimates we made in this list and you’ll see that even the bare minimum investment is going to be more than $200. Depending on your current financial circumstances, that may seem like a lot. 
But remember, this isn’t a package deal. You’re not going out and grabbing these overnight. 
It’s easy to pick up one or two pieces per month, just by browsing around online and keeping an eye out for deals, or by swinging through the mall once in a while. 
Many of these also make good gifts — relatives who don’t know what to get you for Christmas would probably be thrilled to hear that all you want is a leather belt or a couple of dress shirts. 
Take it slow, and remember that the most important part of these upgrades is wearing them. 
You’ll come to see that while the effort involved in trading in old blue jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers, for fitted jeans, a dress shirt, and brogues, will be minimal, the difference in your appearance and the impression you make will be huge.
So, who's going to join me in stepping up their style a little bit? I was already thinking about getting a couple of shirts, so I can start by grabbing a couple of white dress shirts,

Interesting days



Tomorrow - Beer and Pizza DayCanadian Beer DayScrubs DayWorld Post DayBring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School DayEmergency Nurses DayMoldy Cheese DayPet Obesity Awareness DayFire Prevention Day and Curious Events Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Next Tuesday - Global Handwashing DayWorld Students’ DayWhite Cane Safety Day and Chicken Cacciatore Day

Week long celebrations:
October 13 - 19: Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week 
Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month  
November 8 - Guinness World Record DayCappuccino DayCook Something Bold and Pungent DayWorld Quality DayHarvey Wallbanger Day and X-Ray Day

Monday, October 7, 2019

The month in review - September 2019

The week ending September 6:


Monday - "Go For No!" An awesome business book.

Tuesday - "Million Dollar Year" Another awesome business book by the same authors.

Wednesday - "Make It Easier for People to Get to Know You" From The Art of Manliness.

Thursday - "The introvert’s way to get presentations #TBT" From Tom "Big Al" Schreiter.

The week ending September 13:


Monday - "No blog post today" Oops.

Tuesday - "No blog post again" I thought I was feeling better.

Wednesday - "Unboxing...I mean unbagging" Another unboxing FB Live.

Thursday - "The Best Way To Reheat Pizza #TBT" I was recently thinking about this post...I'm glad it came up.

The week ending September 20:


Monday - "How Does Reading Before Bed Affect My Sleep?" From Dr. Michael Breus.

Tuesday - "The Art of Noticing" From The art of Manliness.

Wednesday - "No blog post today" I had a very busy day and didn't have time to post a blog entry.

Thursday - "Happy #TalkLikeAPirateDay! #TBT" Find out how it all got started.

The week ending September 27:


Monday - "Sending holiday cards" This was the subject of my presentation at my Gold Star club.

Tuesday - "Gold Star Visitor Day" Come check out Gold Star for yourself to see if it can help you grow your business.

Wednesday - "Five tips for planning your next vacation with geocaching" How to have more fun on your next vacation.

Thursday - "I'll be back in a couple #TBT" A couple of what?

Interesting days in review







Saturday, October 5, 2019

Your weekend guide to interesting days- October 5, 2019

This week


Sunday - World Heart DayBiscotti Day and Rivers Day

Monday - Ask A Stupid Question DayInternational Podcast DayInternational Translation DayExtra Virgin Olive Oil DayMud Pack DayHot Mulled Cider DayRumi Day and Thunderbirds Day

October will be Pizza MonthCyber Security Awareness MonthFire Prevention MonthCanadian Library MonthSUDEP Action MonthADHD Awareness MonthMental Health MonthEmotional Intelligence Awareness MonthBlack Cat Awareness MonthFair Trade MonthFamily History MonthDyslexia Awareness MonthComputer Learning Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tuesday - International Coffee DayLincolnshire DayOlder Peoples DayWorld Vegetarian Day and CD Player Day

Wednesday - World Farm Animals DayCustodial Worker DayName Your Car DayRandom Acts of Poetry Day and International Day of Non-Violence

Thursday - Bring Your Bible to School DayBoyfriend’s DayVirus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Yesterday - World Smile DayVodka DayBring Your Bible to School DayImprove Your Office DayShip in A Bottle DayTaco DayWorld Animal Day and Kids Music Day

Today - Balloons Around the World DayCard Making DayWorld Teachers DayChic Spy™ Day and Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day

Week long celebrations:
September 23 - 29: International Week of Happiness at Work
Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next week


Tomorrow - Mad Hatter DayBadger DayNoodle DayChange A Light Day and World Cerebral Palsy Day

Monday - World Habitat DayBathtub DayTeam Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness DayDay of Bullying PreventionFrappe DayPhysician Assistant Day and Architecture Day

Tuesday - World Octopus DayAmerican Touch Tag DayFace Your Fears DayAda Lovelace DayPierogi DayOwn Business Day and International Podiatry Day

Wednesday - Beer and Pizza DayCanadian Beer DayScrubs DayWorld Post DayBring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School DayEmergency Nurses DayMoldy Cheese DayPet Obesity Awareness DayFire Prevention Day and Curious Events Day

Thursday -  Sight DayCake Decorating DayWorld Porridge DayHug A Drummer DayWorld Homeless DayHandbag DayWorld Mental Health Day and SHIFT10 Day

Friday - Coming Out DayEgg DaySausage Pizza DayVet Nurse Day and International Day of the Girl Child

Saturday - Old Farmers DayWorld Arthritis Day and Pulled Pork Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next month


October 29 - Internet Day and Cat Day

October 30 - Checklist DayHaunted Refrigerator NightCreate A Great Funeral Day and Candy Corn Day

October 31 - HalloweenMagic Day and Caramel Apple Day

November will be World Vegan MonthPeanut Butter Lovers’ MonthPomegranate MonthEpilepsy Awareness MonthMovemberAdoption MonthNovel Writing MonthManatee Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month

November 1 - World Vegan DayFrench Fried Clam DayVinegar DayAuthor's DayLove Your Lawyer DayFountain Pen DayExtra Mile DayGo Cook For Your Pets Day and Scented Candle Day

November 2 - Deviled Egg DayNumbat Day and Dynamic Harmlessness Day

November 3 - Orphan SundaySmart Home DayZero Tasking DayCandy DayCliché DayHousewife’s DaySandwich Day and Jellyfish Day

November 4 - Broadcast Traffic Professionals DayUse Your Common Sense Day and Job Action Day

Friday, October 4, 2019

The week in review - October 4, 2019

Monday - "Free Pumpkin Spice Caramels" The second drawing is coming up tonight. "It's very easy to enter...just watch a 25 minute video and you'll receive a ticket to the drawing. I had the first drawing at 8:00 PM Pacific time on Friday and I'll be doing it again for at least the next two Fridays."

Tuesday - "Partial sleep deprivation hinders weight control" From Dr. Michael Breus. "Partial sleep deprivation disrupts the normal levels of two hormones that are critical to regulating hunger and appetite: ghrelin and leptin."

Wednesday - "Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment" From The Art of Manliness. "We begin our conversation discussing what Todd calls the “Standardization Covenant,” including how it developed to serve institutions rather than individuals and why following the standard path often leads to frustration."

Thursday - "Going from top of mind to center of heart #TBT" Based on a YouTube video by Darla DiGrandi-Aguilera. "Most people in business know that it's important to stay top of mind with their clients and prospects, but few actually do anything about it. And those who do are way ahead of those who don't. But how would you like to move beyond those who do stay top of mind?"

Interesting days



Tomorrow - Balloons Around the World DayCard Making DayWorld Teachers DayChic Spy™ Day and Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Next Friday - Coming Out DayEgg DaySausage Pizza DayVet Nurse Day and International Day of the Girl Child

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
November 4 - Broadcast Traffic Professionals DayUse Your Common Sense Day and Job Action Day

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Going from top of mind to center of heart #TBT

Today's blog post was originally published last year:

Most people in business know that it's important to stay top of mind with their clients and prospects, but few actually do anything about it. And those who do are way ahead of those who don't. But how would you like to move beyond those who do stay top of mind?

My friend, Darla DiGrandi, has been talking a lot about moving from top of mind to center of heart in many of her recent YouTube videos. Darla mentions it 9 minutes into this video, but I recommend that you watch the whole thing...it only lasts about 17 minutes.

SendOutCards can help you to not only be top of mind, but to move to center of heart by utilizing each of the three types of card sends...scheduled, group and heartfelt. Depending on how you use the first two types, scheduled and group, those can be either top of mind or center of heart. The heartfelt cards, as the name implies, put you directly center of heart of the person you send the card to, whether client, customer, prospect, friend or family member.

Everyone needs to be on a SendOutCards account because you never know when you'll need to send a card immediately. The Basic account is for those people who may send just a handful of cards a year. The Enhanced plan is for those who may send a few cards a month...or any gifts. And if you're in business you need the Premium or Enterprise plans. Check out the pricing page for a description of the various plans.

I'm personally on the Enterprise plan because I use the 100 free group sends every month to send a card to my top 100 clients, prospects and influencers (well, I only have 96 at the moment). I send out a card every month, similar to John in the video above, and like him I don't ask for business (although I did point out that the holidays are coming up and I can help with their holiday cards...other than that it's just keeping top of mind). With scheduled cards, you can send a series of cards to one person spread out over several months. You can include birthday and holiday cards, which move more into the realm of center of heart. And heartfelt cards are cards sent specifically to one person such as a one-off birthday card. Facebook is a treasure trove of ideas for heartfelt cards. You can send someone a picture of their kids or grandkids, or celebrating a birthday, or anything else they post. I also send cards to people for the various interesting days in this blog...I've sent a Curling is Cool card, a Lighthouse Day card and a Pierogi Day card, among others,

With the Premium and Enterprise plans you get UNLIMITED heartfelt card sends, including postage to anywhere in the world. And with the Enterprise plan you also get 100 group sends per month (you only have to pay postage). And as of today, you can now get a discount on scheduled card sends with the Elite and Elite Plus add-ons.

Scheduled cards aren't available with the Basic plan. With the Enhanced plan, they're $2.25 each (plus postage), while with the other two plans they're $1.75 each (plus postage). With the Elite add-on, you get 500 "touches" during the year for only $1.25 each plus postage and with the Elite Plus you get 1,000 touches during the year for only $0.99 each (plus postage) and during that year you also get unlimited access to the SOC Campaign Store, worth at least another $85.

There's a lot of information here, so reach out to me and I can help you select the right plan for your needs.

There have been a few changs to the plans in the past 12 months. The Enterprise plan is no longer available. It's been replaced by a Card-A-Day plan which gives you 30 heartfelt sends a month for only $37 and the Premium account is now called the Unlimited account. The Elite and Elite Plus add-ons are also gone, being replaced by the System Package, which gives you 300 system sends (scheduled and group sends have been combined into system sends) for $395 for the entire year...plus unlimited access to the Campaign Store for 12 months!

Interesting days


Today - Bring Your Bible to School DayBoyfriend’s DayVirus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Tomorrow - World Smile DayVodka DayBring Your Bible to School DayImprove Your Office DayShip in A Bottle DayTaco DayWorld Animal Day and Kids Music Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Next Thursday -  Sight DayCake Decorating DayWorld Porridge DayHug A Drummer DayWorld Homeless DayHandbag DayWorld Mental Health Day and SHIFT10 Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
November 3 - Orphan SundaySmart Home DayZero Tasking DayCandy DayCliché DayHousewife’s DaySandwich Day and Jellyfish Day Yum! Nothing like a peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich


Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment

Today's blog post is based on a podcast on The Art of Manliness:
The standard route to success in modern life goes as follows: work hard in high school, score high on your SAT, get into a good college, do well in your classes, get a good job.

For some people, that path works, but for a lot of people, it leaves them disengaged and frustrated because it doesn’t actually lead to a life of fulfillment.

My guest today has spent his academic career studying individuals who have bucked the standard formula for achievement and found success on their own terms. His name is Todd Rose. He’s a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the co-author of the book Dark Horse: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment. We begin our conversation discussing what Todd calls the “Standardization Covenant,” including how it developed to serve institutions rather than individuals and why following the standard path often leads to frustration. Todd then explains his idea of an alternative “Dark Horse Covenant” and what it looks like theoretically and in the lives of those who’ve followed it. He then walks us through the steps that dark horses follow to find success and fulfillment on their own terms, including focusing on “micromotives” to figure out where you fit, making decisive choices, creating your own options, and trying new strategies until you find something that works. We end our conversation with how Todd would like to see the Dark Horse dynamic incorporated into our educational system.
I actually thought it was a really interesting podcast. I've written about the educational system before, which is the basis of the standardization covenant...where people are raised to fit into certain roles in society.

It's never too late to find fulfillment in what you do for a living...in fact, it's selfish of you to not pursue what will create the best you that you can offer the world.

Here are the show highlights:
  • What do people typically think success looks like?
  • What is the “standardization covenant”?
  • How higher education fails our search for fulfillment 
  • Successfully pivoting from the standard path to the dark horse path 
  • How to figure out what gives you fulfillment 
  • Knowing what motivates you and the power of micromotives (and how it changes over time) 
  • Balancing risk with practicality in pursuing fulfillment 
  • Picking vs. choosing 
  • Knowing your strategies 
  • Why you should ignore your destination 
  • Utilizing this approach in K-12 education environments
I highly recommend that you take 45 minutes and listen to the podcast!

Interesting days



Tomorrow - Bring Your Bible to School DayBoyfriend’s DayVirus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Next Wednesday - Beer and Pizza DayCanadian Beer DayScrubs DayWorld Post DayBring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School DayEmergency Nurses DayMoldy Cheese DayPet Obesity Awareness DayFire Prevention Day and Curious Events Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
November 2 - Deviled Egg DayNumbat Day and Dynamic Harmlessness Day

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Partial sleep deprivation hinders weight control

Today's blog post is based on a blog post by Dr. Michael Breus.
A comprehensive new review of research related to sleep and weight gives us some perspective on what we’ve learned about the complicated relationship between the two. Researchers examined studies from the past 15 years on the possible influence of partial sleep deprivation and weight control. They emerged with a broad consensus: partial sleep deprivation appears to have a significant impact on weight—how easily it is gained, lost, and maintained. Partial sleep deprivation, in this case, is defined as sleeping fewer than six hours per night. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly one-third of working adults in the U.S. are sleeping no more than 6 hours per night, an indication of just how broadly lack of sleep may be contributing to our culture’s problems with weight.
I know that during the week I currently get between 5 and 5 1/2 hours of sleep (on a good day), although I often make up for it on the weekend (which isn't a good strategy either).

Why does a lack of sleep cause weight gain?
This review revealed consensus among multiple studies about some of the ways that sleep can influence weight. Partial sleep deprivation disrupts the normal levels of two hormones that are critical to regulating hunger and appetite: ghrelin and leptin. I’ve written before about the role that these hormones play in the sleep-weight connection. Studies show that even mild and short-term sleep deprivation can result in imbalances to these hormones that govern appetite. 
Ghrelin is a fast-acting hormone, produced in cells of the stomach, which spurs appetite and drives us to eat. Ghrelin may particularly increase appetite for high-calorie foods. There’s evidence that ghrelin may also direct fat towards the midsection of the body, where it is most dangerous to health. When the body is deprived of sleep, production of ghrelin increases. Research shows that even a single night of sleep deprivation can elevate ghrelin levels—and appetite. 
Leptin is a hormone that suppresses appetite by communicating to receptors in the brain that the body has the energy it needs to function, and doesn’t need to take on more. Leptin is produced in white fat cells throughout the body. The amount of fat in the body, then, influences the amount of leptin produced. When leptin levels are lower than normal, we’re less likely to feel full after eating. Food also appears more enticing to people with low leptin levels, according to research. Low sleep suppresses leptin production, making us more likely to feel ongoing pangs of hunger. Even short-term sleep deprivation has been shown to reduce leptin levels.
Here's a blog post about the different kinds of fat...some fats actually helping you lose weight!

Be sure to check out the blog post above...it tells how to increase brown fat...the kind that helps you lose weight.

Getting enough sleep is very important in weight loss, along with diet and exercise.

Interesting days


October will be Pizza MonthCyber Security Awareness MonthFire Prevention MonthCanadian Library MonthSUDEP Action MonthADHD Awareness MonthMental Health MonthEmotional Intelligence Awareness MonthBlack Cat Awareness MonthFair Trade MonthFamily History MonthDyslexia Awareness MonthComputer Learning Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today - International Coffee DayLincolnshire DayOlder Peoples DayWorld Vegetarian Day and CD Player Day

Tomorrow - World Farm Animals DayCustodial Worker DayName Your Car DayRandom Acts of Poetry Day and International Day of Non-Violence

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Next Tuesday - World Octopus DayAmerican Touch Tag DayFace Your Fears DayAda Lovelace DayPierogi DayOwn Business Day and International Podiatry Day

Month long celebrations:
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
November will be World Vegan MonthPeanut Butter Lovers’ MonthPomegranate MonthEpilepsy Awareness MonthMovemberAdoption MonthNovel Writing MonthManatee Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month

November 1 - World Vegan DayFrench Fried Clam DayVinegar DayAuthor's DayLove Your Lawyer DayFountain Pen DayExtra Mile DayGo Cook For Your Pets Day and Scented Candle Day