everyone’s talking about this

This device you see here has been the starter of  many conversations and laughs at parties.

It’s a breath alcohol tester.  It gives you a rating on how hammered you are. I like to carry it with me at bars just to make sure no one drives home above the limit.  JK.

Okay actually because it’s just a lot of fun! Everyone gets curious to see what there rating is.  It becomes something to talk about.

It doesn’t have to be a nifty gadget either.

It’s when your buddy mentions at a party how godlike amazing Under Cover of Darkness (click to  have a  listen!!) by The Strokes sounds.

Or that favourite author or killer new Iphone app – it’s why two people start chatting and relating to one another.

You do it without thinking in conversation all the time.

So that’s also the warning: make a product that can incite conversation! That is the cornerstone of any marketing.

habits

Everything you’ve done up until this point is because of certain habits.

Back in 2009, I had a goal of reading 40 books. I read 28.

Then in 2010, I had a goal of reading 50 books, I read 40.

This year my goal was one book a week. I’ve read only 30 far. I’m built weak I know.  By the way, I’ve come across recently an article on reading a book in one hour  from the Personal MBA website by Josh Kaufman. Click here to check it out.

Anyways I know you’ve heard how good reading is for you. You don’t accept things on face value.  If you read a variety you relate different ideas together, string them together. Gives more confidence about what your talking about it…. I mean if you can’t talk about it casually you don’t know it. And EVEN if you can talk about it casually, doesn’t mean you know it.

But this all came about taking some small steps that eventually became a habit. I actually enjoy reading for leisure now.

Back in university days, I barely read anything outside the text books compared to now. This changed rapidly, as I read books like the awesome Four Hour Work Week. I decided I wanted to go backpacking! Traveling with family is fine, but backpacking with friends sounded unreal.

One of the places I visited was sunny Australia.

Now ever since I watched the movie Point Break I wanted to sky dive. Remember the parachute scene?( click here cos it’s awesome). So I finally did it in Mission Beach on the East Coast.  I remember this day fondly. It’s that feeling you were suppose to be dead, but you were still alive!! I loved it.

Soon after landing, the Aussie Sky Dive man, John, had the nerve to ask me “Why is this so amazing to you?” I was a bit dumbfounded by his question. Then he mentioned he jumps out of a plane 4-6 times a day, 5 days a week. It became not such a big deal to him, but a routine. He was curious how his regular job resulted in one of the most adrenaline packed day of my life.

Well John, because its not usual to jump out of a plane. There are so many ways to interpret this, but I think the main thing for me was keep doing things that stretch you, ignore your lizard brain – could be as simple as waking up on time every morning.

why do you write this blog?

I am sick today, lying in my bed. So here’s a post.

Lately I’ve been getting this question from friends.. “Neesh, can i ask you something? yes anything I usually reply back. Well why do you write all the time on your blog, it’s not like you’re making any money hahaha!! ” Very Funny.

True I haven’t made any money. I haven’t inserted any ads. I actually want to get rid of these weird ads I suddenly see on my blog. Anyone have knowledge to get rid of them?

To get back on subject I did this  to improve my writing, number one. Also to learn and share the little (or lot depending on your experience) I know of marketing and business.  Improve my critical thinking. Be a better man!

For instance, it has indirectly made me better at sales. For example, I was doing some spring cleaning a while back (back in Spring) and found my amazing old 32 GB white 5th Generation Ipod !! This is the version before it went all fancy with Ipod Touch. It was just loaded with the coolest hits of music, like the best music up to 2008ish. Seriously it was awesome for about 3 mins till I realized, I need to sell it. I already bought a replacement one and have an Iphone, this needs to be utilized by someone else.

So I made bet with a friend, that we have still maintained today – who can sell the most on kijiji, craigslist? I put all my copy writing knowledge to the forefront. And it worked.  I sold it for 120 bucks, which I was quite pleased with. The buyer was thrilled too.  I know it may seem like nothing. But it came about from this self study.  

So to make a long story short. There are indirect benefits to all of this. It’s a way to meet interesting people. That would be ideal, but it also keeps me accountable.  See how I’ve progressed. So that’s the lesson I can take from this experiment so far.

Oh and whenever someone only judges you on how much money you make, show them this clip: