Tapping Into Your Inner Expert

“An expert is a man [or woman] who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.” – — Niels Henrik David Bohr

You’re an expert. Yep, you. If you’re reading this right now then I guarantee you’re an expert at something.

Maybe you already knew that. If so, congrats. You’re ahead of most of the population.

Many people think that they are not EXCELLENT at any one thing. Maybe they know they’re good at a few things but they definitely don’t consider themselves experts.

Well, most people (again) are WRONG.

You are an expert at something.

I recently participated in a webinar/Q & A with author Tim Ferriss. He coined the term lifestyle design, wrote the book “The Four Hour Workweek” and helps people build their businesses with mobility in mind.

He often recommends that people define themselves as an expert in ONE arena and run with it. Come out with some information products, sell products, and set themselves up for the coveted four hour work week.

However, many people, can’t think of anything that they are experts at.

Tim offers this suggestion: “Ask yourself: What makes me weird?”

Seriously, what makes you weird? Do you like birdhouses? Synchronized swimming? Building birdhouses whiel synchonized swimming?

Maybe what makes you weird isn’t even that weird at all. Are you really good at snowboarding and like to do yoga? Well, maybe you’re an expert at yoga positions for snowboarders. Sound weird enough to you?

Here’s your homework: Make a list of all the stuff that you enjoy doing. Then rate each item on the list on a scale of 1 – 5. 5 being “I’m really really good at this” and 1 being “Just a hobby”. Then when you’re finished take a look at the list and circle everything that you listed as a 3 or better.

If you think hard enough, you should be able to figure out that you’re an expert in SOMETHING. If not, put the list away and look at it again in a few days. I guarantee that if nothing else, this exercise will get you thinking about yourself and the value that you could offer the world if you’d only tap into it.

How to increase productivity and get things done in three easy steps

Ahh, procrastination. You know what you need to do but you’d just rather not to do… At least not right now.

How many things do you have on your procrastination list? Still want to take that dream trip and haven’t made it? Still want to quit your job and start your own business?

Or maybe it’s just the little things that are adding up. Sure, the laundry will do itself one day. They’ll definitely invent that sometime in the next 100 years. Right, keep telling yourself that

Here is a surefire way to increase your productivity in three easy steps.

1. Make a clear goal.

“If you are not making the progress that you would like to make and are capable of making, it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined.” – Paul J. Meyer

Most people fail to get anything done simply for the fact that they have no idea what they want to do. They have never sat down and WRITTEN out their goals in a clear and concise manner. This inevitably leads to a nagging feeling in your gut that you could be doing more.

2. Write your goals down. Daily.

This is the single best tactic that I’ve learned for goal setting and productivity. No doubt.

Take an old fashion piece of paper. Do it. Now. I’ll wait.

Now: write down three specific goals that you have for yourself. Make one a daily goal, one a monthly goal, and finally a three month goal.

When you write your goals, write them in the PRESENT TENSE.

For example, don’t write “I want to take a trip to Cancun”.

DO write, “I am taking a trip to Cancun. I’m packing my bags and about to jump on the plane”.

Seems silly but it works! The difference is that you’re setting your brain to think that you’ve already accomplished these goals. Now, nothing can stop you. There are no more mental blocks that will allow you to procrastinate further.

Re-write these goals daily to keep them fresh.

3. Dream big. As big as possible.

“You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential.” – Steve Garvey

Most people set their goals far too low. Don’t be afraid of setting goals that seem unrealistic or lofty. These are the BEST goals. It’s better for you to set an “unrealistic” goal and come close then to set an easy goal and reach it without effort or strife.

Don’t be afraid of your true potential. You are capable of far more than you realize.

Now did you write your goals down yet? I’m betting you didn’t. Go right now and grab and piece of paper and a pen and write down three goals. Then take that piece of paper and put it in your pocket for whenever you need motivation or encouragement.

Good luck, I know you can do it!

Arbitrary Sounds

The larynx vibrates

nasal passages open and close

tongues dance around the house

jaws open and shut like a mental drawbridge.

To some, it is gibberish.

To others, it is music.

To even more, it is everything.

Pushing air out of lungs without

a thought of breathing or immediate

survival.

An instinct too innate to fully

understand its origins.

Everyone can participate in some

arena.

Not all are audible and

not all can fully comprehend.

However, all wish to play.

All have something to say,

whether or not they ever

say anything at all.

Living Beats on the Streets

Water jiggling in a bottle

Dreadlocks swaying to and fro

A walk across a busy intersection

All seemingly innocuous movements

often viewed without significance

suddenly

They are illuminated…

suddenly

They are alive.

Your head begins to nod

Your feet beging to tap

You try to stop but there

is no resisting its power.

It brings the world to life

It moves you involuntarily

It give you a new energy

that you once only found in dreams…

Listen and you will understand