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

Blog negligence and other crimes.

WOW.   I completely suck at keeping up with my blog.

Where to begin?

Here’s the super short version:

I was bored with Taiwan and took off to Australia with dreams of koalas, kangaroos, and picking fruit.  I soon realized a fact that I had forgotten while in Asia:  Western countries are bloody expensive.  Plus, people talk funny down undah.

So, after a rude awakening and a Skype call to my dad, I was back in California after a year and a half abroad.

Best. Experience. Of. My. Life.

Trust me, I plan to write more about this and to write lots more about Taiwan.  But for now, I’ll just let you know that I’m enjoying the sunshine. Oh, yeah… I’m sure you want to know the ever pressing question…

What am I doing?  Well,  I’m getting my Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) so that I can go abroad again at some point.  The travel itch needs to be scratched regularly.   I’m also working on some really cool top secret projects that I will reveal slowly but surely and then BAM! all of a sudden.  You’ll see.  It’s awesome.

Plus, I’m getting in shape and starting to study Muay Thai so that I return to Thailand (not Taiwan, ThaiLAND) and train properly in Phuket.  Awesome.

Anyway, I love you.  I really do.  Thanks for reading and I promise to post some very interesting tidbits from Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia…. and from the day in the life of Heidi.

Things change too quickly in Taiwan…

A lot has changed since I last wrote here. I changed teaching jobs last month right before Chinese New Year. This was stressful and a major change in a lot of ways. However, I managed to make a fairly smooth transition into my new job.

Basically, my old position was really ruining my experience in Taiwan. Working late nights for unpaid work was really getting to me. So I found a better job with normal working hours and more stability. I’m really happy with this choice and I know I did the right thing.

Since I quit my job at Hess, I’ve been able to work on one of my major goals in coming to Taiwan. To study Kung Fu. I’m studying Jeet Kune Do at a small studio right near my apartment. Jeet Kune Do is Bruce Lee’s version of Kung Fu. The studio is covered of pictures of Bruce Lee and we bow to a large picture of him at the end of every lesson. The lessons are almost completely in Chinese and my teacher learned from a man who studied directly under Bruce Lee. I’m really enjoying this and so glad that I have this opportunity to study Kung Fu so close to its origins.

Also my Chinese is getting much better. I’m still far from fluent but I mostly communicate things within necessity. Reading characters is still extremely difficult but I recognize a few. Mainly “woman”. This is VERY useful when looking for the lady’s room in public.

Overall, I’m keeping myself very busy. I work full-time and study Kung Fu and Chinese in my spare time. I don’t feel like I’m on vacation mode anymore so sorry for the lack of posting. I will get up some pictures soon that I’ve been meaning to post of things I see around town.

Taiwanaversary!

So, I’ve been in Taiwan for six months. Pretty hard to believe but times seems to fly when you live in the future.

I feel a little bit lame because I haven’t done tons of things that I’ve wanted to because I’ve been wrapped up in living in Taichung and teaching. Not that either of those are bad things but I definitely planned on seeing more of the island by this point and even some of Asia.

But I have to think of how far I came as well. I now actually consider myself a teacher. I never really thought I would be a teacher but I guess it is running through my veins. I really love it and it’s the first job I’ve had where I don’t often feel the painful sensation of WORKING. Not that I don’t work hard, because I do, but I finally enjoy what I do.

Anyway, I still really miss home in lots of ways. Like burritos for one. I think I might be obsessed with the thought of actually eating real Mexican food. Seriously if someone could find a way to airmail me a burrito then I don’t know what I would do. I really miss walking into a store and being able to recognize and read everything. Also, I miss people actually following traffic laws, In N Out Burger, and the BEACH. Not to mention my beautiful family and my few close friends.

I just want to let everyone know that I’m doing just fine. My adventure is sometimes less adventurous than you’d think. My life has become somewhat “normal” in Taiwan. Well, as normal as life gets I suppose. But I’m finally settled and content with mostly everything and it gets better every single day.

Planet Taiwan

On July 28th, 2007, I landed on a strange planet called Taiwan. I originally left my home planet in search of adventure, knowledge, and enhancement of opportunity. I found much more than what I had expected.

Taiwan is a very small planet with a dense population. The locals insist on living in small boxes which are stacked up against each other. While on my home planet, these arrangements exist but are usually only populated with those lack the finances to afford a proper house, college age youth, or the elderly. However, this seems to be the preferred living space in this region of the universe.

Transportation can be a scary thing here. Most Taiwanese ride around on gas-powered bicycles that they refer to as “scooters”. They really do scoot around quite nicely. I’ve become fond of my scooter and I’ve even become accustomed to the utter and complete disregard for traffic laws. Sure, there are red, yellow and green lights but these rules seem more like suggestions as they are ignored by most of the population.

Law is a tricky concept on this planet in itself. For example, the police ride around in their vehicles with their lights flashing to alert people that they are on duty. It’s really a nice warning. I take heed to watch my speed and my scooting habits while the lights are on. However, local residents are often spotted running red lights, going down one-way streets in the wrong direction, and generally defying all traffic laws in the presence of these vehicles. I’m confused as to the purpose of these police officers.

The language on Planet Taiwan is another story entirely. People often seem angry when they are talking with each other for no particular reason. Also, it often sounds as if they are singing, constantly confused, or incredibly frustrated. However, I’m learning the native tongue and I can assure you that this is all done for the purpose of communication and not only to confuse aliens such as myself.

Being an alien is a unique position to placed in. I have a special card that I’m supposed to carry around at all times in case my planet of origin is ever enquired about the “law”. The government even gave me a local name of Bu Hei Di. Which I hear roughly translates to “Sea Tree Branch”. It’s a little disconcerting but local citizens make no qualms about staring profusely at me as I walk around. The youth will often point and shout when they see me and their parents do not seem to find this rude and will sometimes join in on the pointing. I can’t really blame them because maybe they have only heard about aliens such as myself from their major sources of media.

My overall impressions thus far have been positive. Often the locals, while surprised by my presence, are ultimately very helpful and sympathetic to my many plights. They respond to my butchering of their native tongue and many even speak my language as well. All necessary goods such as food, gas, clothes, and rent are kept at livable standards. Health care is extremely cheap and widely available. My complaints are often balanced by my rave reviews and I think I will stick around this planet for a time more to see what else is store for me here. Once I have gained a mastery of the native tongue, I will surely move on to other parts in this galaxy which I’m much more comfortable with. For example, I hear Planet Argentina is beautiful with a warm and familiar culture.

Signing out from P.T.,

Your Favorite E.T., Bu Hei Di

A serious apology

I hate that I haven’t been keeping up to date with my blog. Tons of things have been going on in the beautiful island of Taiwan. It’s no excuse to not keep everyone updated but I’ve been keeping myself busy with teaching and studying Chinese.

A little bit about learning Chinese… It’s amazingly difficult and yet fun at the same time. I’m a serious beginner and only focusing on getting my pronunciation correct at this stage. I’m learning Pinyin. Basically, it’s the romanization of the Chinese language for the purposes of study.

My lessons are almost like singing lessons. I have to keep the correct tone and my teacher will often say, “You’re off key”. It’s really challenging but I think I’m getting the hang of Mandarin.

This entry is to let you know that I’m indeed alive and well. The holidays were a tough time for me in Taiwan but 2008 is looking promising. I’m also working on a few entries for my 6-month Taiwanaversary. Yes, it’s been six entire months on the 27th of January. So much has happened and I’m definitely a different and better person than I was when I embarked on this stage of my adventure.

To come:

Nokia moments (the many pictures I’ve taken on my camera phone of weird things in Taiwan)
Possible video morning footage of a nearby park
Temple pictures
And much, much more.