Engaging your Distinctive Character is more than a Unit of Information

HEY GUYS,

Artist Jason Beamguard photo Minnesota 2012

Artist Jason Beamguard photo Minnesota 2012

Having a better life can be likened to modification in restoring an old car. You transform it in your mind first, that is, decide what are you wanting to do with it. Then you go about getting the necessary information and parts needed for that type of transformation, and only then do you begin the work on it.  When it’s done people say – you’ve brought out that cars unique “Character.”  Like that car’s character,  your modifications to self brings out your real character. It requires active participation in challenging new experiences, but not without first conscious reflection upon your encounters in life, and a purpose or direction in which you want those alterations to take you. New experiences alone will not result in core personality changes without the formation of thoughts that can produce your new habits. You see our habits reveal our character. Only by thinking and acting differently does a person attain that quality of character that they seek.

 

It's about engaging with that bright hope that life offers, a hope that makes us brave and expels darkness with light. It does not happen without being able to reflect on yourself, maybe even  laugh at yourself, to allow yourself whimsy, and a love for what you do, and most of all the abandonment of worry of who’s watching.

So empower the rest of your year. Give a look through the list of activities in our Calendar section  and find some new favorite activity to engage in and make it a part of your own regular routine of habits.

Urge For Adventure March 2019

HEY GUYS,

Giambologna's Dresden Mars.

Giambologna's Dresden Mars.

Feel like a God – It’s March named for the Roman God "Mars." So let’s put some action into that step of yours. Own who you are, maybe some New experiences integrated into your core routine  is just what is needed to move you to that next level. You see our habits reveal a lot about what kind of a rut we may have put ourselves into. Small acts of change can over time make significant difference in the quality of one’s life and providing a value of character that is sustainable.

So, give a look through the list of activities in our Calendar section  and find some new favorite activity to engage in or find ideas that challenge you either way, you will come away more empower within yourself. Then make these a part of your regular rituals and routine of questioning and discerning you and your world, it will become an enlightening habit.

March 2019 Month Long Activities

·         Action & Skill Toys Month

·         Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month

·         Asset Management Awareness Month 

·         Brain Injury Awareness Month

·         Credit Education Month

·         Endometriosis Month

·         Girls' in Science & Engineering Awareness Month

·         International Expect Success Month

Ear.png

·         Int’l Home School Awareness Month

·         International Ideas Month

·         Int’l Listening Awareness Month

·         Int’l Mirth  & Humorists Month

·        Irish-American Heritage Month

·         Mad for Plaid Month

·         Hypertension Awareness Month

·         Music In Our Schools Month

·         National Athletic Training Month 

·         National Caffeine Awareness Month

·         National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Month

·         National Color Therapy Month

·         National Colorectal Cancer Month

·         National Craft Month

Seeing.jpg

·         National Crochet Month

·         National Ethics Awareness Month

·         National Eye Wellness & Donor Month

·         National Frozen Food Month

·         National Multiple Sclerosis Education

·         National Kidney Month

·         National March Into Literacy Month

·         National Noodle Month

·         National Nutrition Month

·         National Peanut Month

·         National Social Work Month

·         National Umbrella Month

·         National Women's History Month

·         Optimism Month

·         Play The Recorder Month

·         Poison Prevention Month

·         Quinoa Month

·         Sing With Your Child Month

·         Small Press Month Link

·         Spiritual Wellness Month

·         Transgender Healthcare Equality Month

·         Youth Art Month

March 2019 Multi Day & Weeks Events

WE Days - Empowering a generation of change-makers

WE Days - Empowering a generation of change-makers

“We Day’s”:  Sept 20,2018 - May 8, 2019

Festival of Owls Week:  March 1-3

National Cheer leading Week: March 1-7

National Ghostwriters Week: March 1-7

National Pet Sitters Week: March 1-7

Nat’l Write An Appreciation Letter  Week: March 1-7

Universal Human Beings Week: March 1-7

Your+name+here.jpg

Will Eisner Week: March 1-7

Cowboy Poetry Week: March 2-3

Celebrate Your Name Week: March 3-9

Endometriosis Week: March 3-9

Nat’l Consumer Protection Week:  March 3-9

Nat’l Dental Assistants Week: March 3-9 

Nat’l Procrastination Week:  March 3-9

Nat’l Words Matter Week:  March 3-9

Professional Pet Sitters Week: March 3-9

Read an E-Book Week:  March 3-9

Return Borrowed Books Week:  March 3-9

Save Your Vision Week: March 3-9

Shrovetide: March 3-5

Teen Tech Week: March 3-9

Telecommuter Appreciation Week: March 3-9

Will Eisner Week: March 3-9

Women in Construction Week: March 3-9 

National School Breakfast Week: March 4-8

Fasching German festival : March 4-5

Women of Aviation Week: March 4-10 

Lent: March 6-20

National Day of Unplugging: March 8&9

US Snow Shoe Days: March 8-10

Farm Hand.jpg

World Rattlesnake Roundup: March 8-10

American Council on Education: March 9-12

Girl Scout Week: March 10-16

Termite Awareness Week: March 10-16

National Agriculture Week: March 10-16

National Catholic Sisters Week: March 10-16

International Brain Awareness Week: 11-17

National Bubble Week:  March 11-17 

Orthodox Lent March: 11-April 19

National Deaf History:  Mar 13 - Apr 15

Data Innovation Days: Mar 14 & 15

Special Olympics 2019:   March 14-21

Sherlock Holmes Weekend: March 15-17 (also Oct 25-27 & Nov 1-3) 

American Chocolate Week: March 17-23

Health Information Professionals Week: March 17-23

National Button Week: March 17-23

Nat’l Inhalant & Poisons Awareness Week: March 17-23

World Folktales & Fables Week: March 17-23

Be Happy Week: March 18-24

Int’l Teach Music Week: March 18-24

National Fix A Leak Week: March 18-24

National Introverts Week: March 18-24

Nat’l Youth Violence Prevention Week: March 18-24

Shakespeare Week: March 18-24 

Wellderly Week: March 18-24

National Conversation Week:  March 19-25

National Cherry Blossom Festival: Mar 20-Apr 14 

Int’l Week of Racism & Discrimination Awareness: Mar 21-27

American Crossword Puzzle Days: March 22-24 

National Cleaning Week: March 24-30

National Protocol Officer's Week: March 24-30

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Week: March 24-30

National Physicians Week: March 24-30

National Kite Month (3/28-5/3)    Mar 28 – May 03

show+me+the+money.jpg

National Money Show: March 28-30

Money Smart Week: March 30- April 06

Nano Days: March 30- April 07

International Dark Sky Week: March 31- April 07

March 2019 Fun, Special and Wacky Days

Mar 01    Fri   Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

Mar 01    Fri   Dadgum That's Good Day

Mar 01    Fri   Dress in Blue Day

Mar 01    Fri   Employee Appreciation Day

Mar 01    Fri   Wear Yellow Day

Mar 01    Fri   Free Dentistry Day

Billie Holiday and Hazel Scott Jazz legends

Billie Holiday and Hazel Scott Jazz legends

Mar 01    Fri   Nat’l Black Women in Jazz & Arts Day

Mar 01    Fri   National Day of Unplugging

Mar 01    Fri   National Horse Protection Day

Mar 01    Fri   National Peanut Lovers Day

Mar 01    Fri   National Salesperson Day

Mar 01    Fri   Nat’l Speech and Debate Education Day 

Mar 01    Fri   Dr. Seuss's Read Across America Day

Mar 01    Fri   Peace Corps Day

Mar 01    Fri   Pig Day

Mar 01    Fri   Plan a Solo Vacation Day

Mar 01    Fri   Purim

Mar 01    Fri   Refired, Not Retired Day

Mar 01    Fri   Saint David's Day

Mar 01    Fri   World Compliment Day

Mar 01    Fri   Self-injury Awareness Day

Mar 01    Fri   Shabbat Across America/Canada

Mar 01    Fri   World Compliment Day

Mar 01    Fri   World Day of Prayer

Mar 01    Fri   Zero Discrimination Day

Mar 02    Sat  Dr. Seuss Birthday Day

Mar 02    Sat  Iditarod

Mar 02    Sat  National Frozen Food Day

Mar 02    Sat  Pasty Day

Mar 02    Sat  Sock Monkey Day

Mar 02    Sat  Soup It Forward Day

Mar 03    Sun Daughters' and Sons' Day

Mar 03    Sun Finisher's Medal Day

Mar 03    Sun I Want You To Be Happy Day

Mar 03    Sun International Ear Care Day

Mar 03    Sun Namesake Day

Mar 03    Sun National Anthem Day

Simplify+Complexity.jpg

Mar 03    Sun National Mulled Wine Day

Mar 03    Sun Princess Day

Mar 03    Sun Simplify Your Life Day

Mar 03    Sun World Birth Defects Day

Mar 03    Sun World Wildlife Day

Mar 04    Mon   Benjamin Harrison Day

Mar 04    Mon   Casimir Pulaski Day

Mar 04    Mon   Courageous Follower Day

Mar 04    Mon   Fun Facts About Names Day

Mar 04    Mon   Holy Experiment Day

Mar 04    Mon   Hug A G.I. Day

Mar 04    Mon   Int’l Scrapbooking Industry Day

Mar 04    Mon   March Forth-Do Something Day

Mar 04    Mon   Marching Music Day

Mar 04    Mon   Nat’l Backcountry Ski Day

Mar 04    Mon   National Grammar Day

Mar 04    Mon   Old Inauguration Day

Mar 04    Mon   Shrove Monday

Mar 04    Mon   Toy Soldier Day

Mar 05    Tue   International Pancake Day

Mar 05    Tue   Mardi Gras

Mar 05    Tue   *National Absinthe Day

Mar 05    Tue   *National Poutine Day

Pancake race.jpg

Mar 05    Tue   Pancake Day Race (held both in Britain and US)) 



Pancake-Race 2.jpg





pancake race 3.jpg

Mar 05    Tue   Paczki Day

Mar 05    Tue   Saint Piran's Day

Mar 05    Tue   Unique Names Day

Mar 05    Tue   World Tennis Day

Mar 06    Wed   Ash Wednesday

Mar 06    Wed   Day of The Dude

Mar 06    Wed   Discover What Your Name Means Day

Mar 6      Wed National Dentist’s Day

Mar 06    Wed   National Dress Day

Mar 06    Wed   Oreo Cookie Day

Mar 06    Wed   Peace Corps Day

Mar 06    Wed   Math Day

Mar 07    Thu Alexander Graham Bell Day

Mar 07    Thu   Nametag Day

Mar 07    Thu   National Be Heard Day

Mar 07    Thu   National Cereal Day

Mar 07    Thu   World Book Day

Mar 08    Fri   Day for International Peace

Mar 08    Fri   International Women's Day

Mar 08    Fri   Middle Name Pride Day

Mar 08    Fri   National Proofreading Day

Mar 08    Fri   National Peanut Cluster Day

Mar 08    Fri   National Retro Video Game Day

Mar 08    Fri   Tartar Sauce Day

Mar 08    Fri   The Crab cakes Day 

Mar 09    Sat  National Barbie Day

DNA Sequence.jpg

Mar 09    Sat  Genealogy Day

Mar 09    Sat  Get Over It Day

Mar 09    Sat  Int’l Fanny Pack Day

Mar 09    Sat  National Urban Ballroom Dancing Day

Mar 09    Sat  Panic Day

 

Mar 10    Sun Check Your Batteries Day

Sun and Moon through the Trees.jpg

Mar 10    Sun Daylight Savings Time Begins



Mar 10    Sun Girl Scout Sunday

Mar 10    Sun International Bagpipe Day

Mar 10    Sun International Day of Awesomeness

Mar 10    Sun Land Line Telephone Day

Mar 10    Sun Mario Day

Mar 10    Sun Salvation Army Day

Mar 10    Sun US Paper Money Day

Mar 10    Sun Female HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Mar 11    Mon Dream 2019 Day

Mar 11    Mon   Johnny Appleseed Day

Mar 11    Mon   Napping Day   

Mar 11    Mon   National Prom asking Day

Mar 11    Mon World Plumbing Day

Mar 11    Mon   Fill Our Staplers Day

Mar 12    Tue Girl Scout Birthday Day

Mar 12    Tue IHOP National Pancake Day

Mar 12    Tue Alfred Hitchcock Day

Home Office

Home Office

Mar 12    Tue Organize Your Home Office Day

Mar 13    Wed Donald Duck Day (also June 9)

Mar 13    Wed Earmuffs Day

Mar 13    Wed Good Samaritan Involvement Day

Mar 13    Wed K-9 Veterans Day

Mar 13    Wed Ken Doll Day

Mar 13    Wed  National Jewel Day

Mar 13    Wed National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day

Mar 13    Wed Registered Dietitian Day

Mar 13    Wed   Smart & Sexy Day

Mar 14    Thu   International Ask A Question Day

Mar 14    Thu   Int’l Day of Action for Rivers

Mar 14    Thu   Potato Chip Day

Pi Day.jpg

Mar 14    Thu   Pi Day (as in the math pie = 3.14159265 etc.)

Mar 14    Thu   Save a Spider Day

Mar 14    Thu   Write Your Story Day

Mar 14    Thu   World Kidney Day

Mar 15    Fri   Brutus Day

Mar 15    Fri   Buzzards Day

Mar 15    Fri   Ides of March

Mar 15    Fri   Int’l Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter

Mar 15    Fri   Nat’l Day Action Against Bullying & Violence

Mar 15    Fri   National Shoe The World Day

Mar 15    Fri   Everything You Think is Wrong Day

Mar 15    Fri   True Confessions Day

Mar 15    Fri   World Consumer Rights Day

Mar 15    Fri   World Sleep Day

Mar 15    Fri   Black Press Day

Mar 16    Sat  Campfire Girls Day

Mar 16    Sat  Corn Dog Day

Mar 16    Sat  Curlew Day

Mar 16    Sat  Everything You Do is Right Day

Mar 16    Sat  Freedom of Information Day

Mar 16    Sat  Goddard Day

Mar 16    Sat  International Sports Car Racing Day

Mar 16    Sat  Lips Appreciation Day

Mar 16    Sat  No Selfies Day

Mar 16    Sat  Panda Day

Mar 16    Sat  Play The Recorder Day

Mar 16    Sat  Save The Panther Day

Mar 16    Sat  St. Urho's Day

Mar 16    Sat  Worldwide Quilting Day

Mar 17    Sun Campfire Day

Mar 17    Sun St. Patrick's Day

Mar 17    Sun Submarine Day

Mar 18    Mon Awkward Moments Day

Mar 18    Mon Forgive Mom and Dad Day

Mar 18    Mon National Biodiesel Day

Mar 18    Mon National Public Defense Day

Mar 18    Mon Transit Driver Appreciation Day

Mar 18    Mon Well-Elderly or Wellderly Day

Mar 19    Tue Client's Day

Fertility Goddesses.jpg

Mar 19    Tue Goddess of Fertility Day

Mar 19    Tue National Agriculture Day

Mar 19    Tue National Certified Nurses Day

Mar 19    Tue National Chocolate Caramel Day

Mar 19    Tue National Poultry Day

Mar 19    Tue Operation Iraqi Freedom Day

Mar 19    Tue Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day

Mar 19    Tue Let's Laugh Day

Mar 20    Wed Alien Abduction Day

Mar 20    Wed Bed-in For Peace Day

Mar 20    Wed Great American Meat Out Day

Mar 20    Wed International Astrology Day

Mar 20    Wed International Day of Happiness

Mar 20    Wed Free Cone Day (Dairy Queen)

Mar 20    Wed French Language Day

Mar 20    Wed Kick Butts Day

Mar 20    Wed Kiss Your Fiancée Day

Mar 20    Wed National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Mar 20    Wed Ostara Day

Mar 20    Wed Proposal Day

Mar 20    Wed Rita's Free Italian Ice Day

Mar 20    Wed Snowman Burning Day

Mar 20    Wed Spring (Vernal Equinox)  5:58 pm EDT

Mar 20    Wed Ta'Anit Esther

Mar 20    Wed World Storytelling Day

Mar 20    Wed Won't You Be My Neighbor Day

Mar 20    Wed World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People

Mar 20    Wed World Sparrow Day

Mar 21    Thu Absolutely Incredible Kid Day

Mar 21    Thu Afghanistan Day

Mar 21    Thu Common Courtesy Day

Mar 21    Thu Gallo Wine Day

Mar 21    Thu International Colour Day

Mar 21    Thu International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Mar 21    Thu International Day of Forests and Tree

Mar 21    Thu International Day of Nowruz

Mar 21    Thu Memory Day

Mar 21    Thu National Farm Rescuer Day

Mar 21    Thu National Healthy Fats Day

Mar 21    Thu National Renewable Energy Day

Mar 21    Thu Naw-Ruz

Mar 21    Thu Noruz

Mar 21    Thu Poetry Day

Mar 21    Thu Twitter Day

Mar 21    Thu National Single Parent Day

Mar 21    Thu World Down Syndrome Day

Mar 21    Thu World Poetry Day

Mar 21    Thu World Puppetry Day

Mar 22    Fri   As Young As You Feel Day

Mar 22    Fri   Int’l Day of The Seal

Greel prep for games.jpg

Mar 22    Fri   International Goof Off Day

Mar 22    Fri   Tuskegee Airmen Day

Mar 22    Fri   World Water Day

Mar 22    Fri   World Day of Metta

Mar 23    Sat Be Mad Day

Mar 23    Sat  Endometriosis March Day

Mar 23    Sat  National Puppy Day

Mar 23    Sat  National Chia Day

Mar 23    Sat  National Tamale

Mar 23    Sat  Near Miss Day

Mar 23    Sat OK Day

Mar 23    Sat World Meteorological Day

Mar 24    Sun Awareness Human Rights Violations and Dignity of Victims

Mar 24    Sun International Day for the Right to the Truth

Mar 24    Sun National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

Mar 24    Sun World Tuberculosis Day

The Weight of Grief by Celeste Roberge

The Weight of Grief by Celeste Roberge

Mar 25    Mon Int’l Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic

Mar 25    Mon International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

Mar 25    Mon National Day of Celebration of Greek & American Democracy

Mar 25    Mon National Medal of Honor Day

Mar 25    Mon Old New Year's Day

Mar 25    Mon Pecan Day

Mar 25    Mon Tolkien Reading Day

Mar 25    Mon Vaffeldagen (Waffle Day

Mar 26    Tue American Diabetes Association Alert Day

Mar 26    Tue Legal Assistants Day

Mar 26    Tue Live Long And Prosper Day

Mar 26    Tue Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

Mar 26    Tue Purple Day

Mar 26    Tue Spinach Day

Mar 27    Wed Celebrate Exchange Day

Mar 27    Wed Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day

Mar 27    Wed Spanish Paella Day

Mar 27    Wed Viagra Day

Mar 27    Wed Whole Grain Sampling Day

 Mar 27    Wed  World Theatre Day

Mar 28    Thu Barnum & Bailey Day

Mar 28    Thu Little Red Wagon Day

Mar 28    Thu Something on a Stick Day

Mar 28    Thu Virtual Advocacy Day

Mar 28    Thu Weed Appreciation Day

Mar 28    Thu Manatee Appreciation Day

Mar 29    Fri   Knights of Columbus Founders Day

Mar 29    Fri   National Mom & Pop Business Owner's Day

Mar 29    Fri   National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Mar 29    Fri   Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day

Mar 29    Fri   Smoke and Mirrors Day

Mar 30    Sat  Doctors Day

Mar 30    Sat  Earth Hour Day

Mar 30    Sat  Grass Is Always Browner On The Other Side Of The Fence Day

Mar 30    Sat  I Am In Control Day

Mar 30    Sat  International Folding Laundry Day

Mar 30    Sat  National Pencil Day

Ken Holden’s photo of Jason Bearnguard in the park

Ken Holden’s photo of Jason Bearnguard in the park

Mar 30    Sat  Take a Walk in the Park Day

Mar 30    Sat  Torrents Day

Mar 30    Sat  Virtual Vacation Day

Mar 30    Sat  World Bi-polar Day

Mar 31    Sun Anesthesia Tech Day

Mar 31    Sun Bunsen Burner Day

Mar 31    Sun Cesar Chavez Day

Mar 31    Sun Int’l Hug A Medielvalist Day

Model Morgan Naomie Clarke before and after

Model Morgan Naomie Clarke before and after

Buck Angel before and after

Buck Angel before and after



Mar 31    Sun Int’l Transgender Day of Visibility

Mar 31    Sun Mothering Sunday

Mar 31    Sun National Crayon Day

Mar 31    Sun National Prom Day

Mar 31    Sun National "She's Funny That Way" Day

Mar 31    Sun Terri's Day

Mar 31    Sun World Backup Day





















Site of Contacts 3rd Anniversary

Site of Contacts 3rd Anniversary

by Calvin Harris

3rd-anniversary-golden-edition_1017-4023.jpg

 

It makes me a proud owner and director of siteofcontact.net , to announce that we have moved to our third year of publishing on the 7th of February 2019.  I take this occasion to thank each of you, our dedicated readers for being the central part of SOC’s continued existence.

SOC has gone through countless fly effort steps to even reach this achievement and owes its accomplishments to the wonderful support people, which proved exceptional feedback, contributions, and at times content for our newsletter.  

Without the enthusiasm  and support of our excellent team it would never have gotten off the drawing board. Everyone alike, be it reader, clients  or contributor, played a very important role in the development and direction of our monthly blogs. Our clients and readers who took the time to read blog page after page and to help then provide constructive criticism about our services and products. Their feedback and challenges have pushed us to go ahead and improve vigorously.

Not only have the readers made us a part of their lives but also helped us reach out to the world. They spread the word faster and in a better way than any of our promotional means could. SOC shall remain grateful to you all.

  

We plan to keep improving our content and having our relationships  grow with you our readers and our client services base.  With your continued support, we wish to explore new directions in the coming year.

creative writing.jpg

.

As my personal note, I want to say, It is always a privilege to write for you, and share opinions  and questions,  not because I am expert, I do have some answers, as a guy who has gone through some life experiences and then needed to redefine or recognize success beyond  its conventional or limited ways of  being seen. I’ve given voice to some difficult questions, gone through trials and errors, some with humor and a wink and a nod, so, to those of you who seem to resonate and who have found merit with what has been presented,  I'm excited to continue to share and help draw out of you, lessons that allow people  to engage and realize potential and to see yourselves and  the world anew.

A toast.jpg

A Toast to Us.

Urge For Adventure February 2019

Site of Contact’s anniversary

Site of Contact’s anniversary

Hey Guys,

Our February’s celebration message is to move you along to greater fun and accomplishment in your Life. Goals are all about Consciously Doing, a conscious focus on - frequency, consistency and intensity, are the triangle elements of successful goal.

But first, flesh out your goal set of 2019. I know for many of you that would mean simply to become a better person — be it healthier, stronger, maybe more creative, or developing and obtaining more skills, then again it could be as simple as being a better friend or family member.

Make sure that the goal and habits you are trying to build are actually important to you. Then give yourself credit for the incremental success that you have made. The 2,717 ft tall building Burj Khalifa in Dubai, considered the tallest building in the world in 2008 was not built in a day. It was done incrementally, and you, and your success in reaching your goal will be incremental also. Journal writing is a way to show you your incremental successes as you write daily.

It's your life, so if you feel you don’t have anything to write, I ask you, how are you spending your time? Is it on things that will stretch you? That is, is the activity capable of extending you to a fuller length of your capacities or widening you in order to reach your goal?

The common mistake you want to avoid can be summed up by the statement from author and former dot com business executive, Seth Godin when he said

“Your audacious life goals are fabulous. We’re proud of you for having them. But it’s possible that those goals are designed to distract you from the thing that’s really frightening you—the shift in daily habits that would mean a re-invention of how you see yourself.”

So, who do you tell people you are? Is that in line with what is really important to you? Journaling can help you see the daily pattern. Once you have gotten In-Touch with what is your core. Then you can get out there and discover activities, habits, and techniques for transforming your life, the shift in daily habits that would mean a re–invention of how you see yourself in line with your goals.

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” Thomas Huxley suggest. Huxley also admonishes “The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”

Site of Contact’s -February’s Calendar of events, could be a place to begin. designed with suggestions to ease some fun into your workday or add a needed break to your regiment, so when you return to it, it is with more vigor and enthusiasm. February is a month with so much to offer, like the 1st, a day Feb was a stripe down day, celebrate nakedness, for it was the Work Naked Day! There is still the full week of Dance, Flirting, and or celebrating Carnival and Mardi Gras, then there’s the Special days to celebrate like “Single’s day, or Valentine Day, being with you honey or not.

February activates days for friends and family, like Super Bowl Sunday, or Oscar Night! And who does not like all the food choices that happens when friends and family get together. February’s is a month that highlight new taste to try, smells of aromatherapy, sights and sounds, so let your little grey cells help you rethink your social evolution on Darwin Day, with the Blue and Red Moon, Groundhogs and solar with the Eagles. February a month to make time to celebrated your life. Look below for other


FEBRUARY 2019 MONTH LONG EVENTS

Heart Graphic by Brento Bitenocourt

Heart Graphic by Brento Bitenocourt

American Heart Month

An Affair to Remember Month

Black History Month

Canned Food Month

Creative Romance Month

Great American Pie Month

National Bird Feeding Month

National Cherry Month

National Children’s Dental Health Month

National Grapefruit Month

National Weddings Month

 

FEBRUARY  2019 MULTI-DAY & WEEKLY EVENTS

Man of Color

Man of Color

Carnival Season: Jan 06-March 05

African Heritage and Health Week, February 1-7

Burn Awareness Week, February 3-9

Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week, February 3-9

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week, February 3-9

Celebration of Love Week, February 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week, February 10-16

Jell-O Week, February 10-16

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week, February 10-16

National Secondhand Wardrobe Week, February 10-16

Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 10-16

International Flirting Week, February 10-16

Brotherhood / Sisterhood Week, February 17-23

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week, February 17-23

National Engineers Week, February 17-23

National FFA Week, February 16-23

Telecommuter Appreciation Week, February 24-March 2


FeBRUARY  2019 DAILY FUN, AND SPECIAL DAYS:

Feb 1        Fri   Bubble Gum Day

Feb 1        Fri   National Freedom Day

Feb 1        Fri   No Politics Day

Feb 1        Fri   Work Naked Day

Feb 2        Sat   Candlemas Feast of Purification

Feb 2        Sat   Day of the Crêpe

Feb 2        Sat   Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Feb 2        Sat   Ground Hog Day

Feb 2        Sat   Play Your Ukulele Day

Feb 2        Sat   World Wetlands Day

Feb 3        Sun  Carrot Cake Day

Feb 3        Sun  Feed the Birds Day

Michael Stokes Photography.jpg

Feb 3        Sun  Superbowl 53 Sunday




Feb 4        Mon Create a Vacuum Day

Feb 4        Mon Stuffed Mushroom Day

Feb 4        Mon Thank Your Mailman Day

Feb 4        Mon World Cancer Day

the Pig.png

Feb 5        Tue  Chinese New Year’s -Year Of The Pig

Feb 5        Tue  Chocolate Fondue Day

Feb 5        Tue  National Weatherperson's Day

Feb 5        Tue  Safer Internet Day

Feb 6        Wed Lame Duck Day

Feb 6        Wed National Chopsticks Day


Feb 7        Thu  E-Day

Feb 7        Thu  Send a Card to a Friend Day


Feb 8        Fri   Boy Scout Day

Feb 8        Fri   Kite Flying Day

Feb 8        Fri   Laugh and Get Rich Day


Feb 9        Sat   Toothache Day

Feb 9        Sat   Bagel and Lox Day

Feb 9        Sat   National Pizza Day

 
Grammy Award

Grammy Award

 

Feb 10      Sun  61st  Annual Grammy Awards

Feb 10      Sun  Umbrella Day


Feb 11      Mon Clean Out Your Computer Day

Feb 11      Mon Make a Friend Day

Feb 11      Mon Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

Feb 11      Mon Make a Friend Day

Feb 11      Mon National Inventors Day

Feb 11      Mon White T-Shirt Day



Feb 12      Tue  Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

Feb 12      Tue  Darwin Day

Feb 12      Tue  National Lost Penny Day

Feb 12      Tue  Plum Pudding Day


Feb 13 Wed Get a Different Name Day

Feb 13 Wed World Radio Day


Feb 14 Thu Ferris Wheel Day

Feb 14 Thu Library Lovers Day

Scientific Mating.jpg

Feb 14 Thu 14 National Organ Donor Day

Feb 14 Thu 14 Valentine's Day



Feb 15 Fri Gumdrop Day

Singles Day

Singles Day


Feb 15 Fri Singles Awareness Day

Feb 15 Fri Susan B. Anthony's Birthday




Feb 16 Sat Elizabeth Peratrovich Day

Feb 16 Sat Do a Grouch a Favor Day

Feb 17 Sun Random Act of Kindness Day

anniversary.jpg

Feb 18 Mon Battery Day

Feb 18 Mon National Drink Wine Day

Feb 18 Mon Presidents' Day


Feb 19 Tue Chocolate Mint Day

Cheryy Pie.jpg

Feb 20 Wed Cherry Pie Day

Feb 20 Wed Hoodie Hoo Day

Feb 20 Wed Love Your Pet Day

Feb 20 Wed World Day of Social Justice

Feb 21      Thu  Card Reading Day

Feb 21      Thu  International Mother Language Day



Feb 22      Fri   Be Humble Day

Feb 22      Fri   George Washington's Birthday

Feb 22      Fri   International World Thinking Day

Feb 22      Fri   National Margarita Day

Feb 22      Fri   Single Tasking Day

Feb 22      Fri   Walking the Dog Day



Feb 23      Sat   International Dog Biscuit Day

Feb 23      Sat   Open That Bottle Night

Feb 23      Sat   Tennis Day

Feb 23      Sat   World Sword Swallower’s Day


The Oscars.jpg

Feb 24      Sun  91ST Oscar Night     

Feb 24      Sun  Tortilla Chip Day

Feb 25      Mon Pistol Patent Day

Feb 26      Tue  Carnival Day

Feb 26      Tue  National Pistachio Day

Feb 26      Tue  Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Feb 26      Tue  Tell a Fairy Tale Day



Feb 27      Wed No Brainer Day

Feb 27      Wed Polar Bear Day

Artist unknown

Artist unknown

Feb 28      Thu  Floral Design Day

Feb 28      Thu  National Tooth Fairy Day


Urge For Adventure January 2019

Looking towards the Future Mike Harris & Chris Asher

Looking towards the Future Mike Harris & Chris Asher

January 2019 Fun, Interesting & Offbeat  Celebrations

2019 the year.jpg

January 2019 Monthly Events

 

Adopt A Rescued Bird Month

Bath Safety Month

Be Kind to Food Servers  Month

Birth Defects Month

Black Diamond Month

Book Blitz Month

California Dried Plum Digestive Month

Celebration of Life Month

Cervical Health Awareness Month

Children Impacted By Parent's Cancer Month

Clap 4 Health Month

Financial Wellness Month

Get A Balanced Life Month

Get Organized Month

International Brain Teaser Month

Int'l. Change Your Stars Month Link

Int'l. Child-Centered Divorce Month

International Creativity Month

Int'l. New Year’s Resolutions for Businesses Month

International Quality of Life Month

International Wayfinding Month

International Wealth Mentality Month

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

Menudo Month 

National Be On-Purpose Month

Nat’l National Braille Literacy Month

Nat’l National Clean Up Your Computer Month

Nat’l National Codependency Awareness Month

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

National Hot Tea Month

Nat’l National Mail Order Gardening Month

Art+of+listening.png

National Mentoring Month

Nat’l National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month

Nat’l National Personal Trainer Awareness Month

National Polka Music Month

Nat’l National Poverty in America Awareness Month

National Radon Action Month

National Skating Month

National Soup Month

Nat’l Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month

National Stalking Awareness Month

National Sunday Supper Month

Nat’l Volunteer Blood Donor Month

Oatmeal Month

Self-help Group Awareness Month

Self-Love Month

Shape Up US Month

Teen Driving Awareness Month

Train Your Dog Month

Thyroid Awareness Month

Walk Your Pet Month

Worldwide Rising Star Month



January 2019 Multi-Day & Weekly Events

Carnival Season: Jan 06-March 05

Diet Resolution Week: Jan 01-07

New Year's Resolutions Week: Jan 01- 08 

Silent Record Week

Silent Record Week

Silent Record Week: Jan 01-07

Someday We'll Laugh About This Week: Jan 02- 08

Home Office Safety and Security Week: Jan 06-12

Nat’l Folic Acid Awareness Week: Jan 06-12

Dating & Life Coaches Recognition Week: Jan 06-12

National Lose Weight/Feel Great Week: Jan 06-12

Elvis' Birthday Celebration Week: Jan 07- 09

Int'l Consumer Electronics Show: Jan 08 -11

No Tillage Week: Jan 08 -11

National Soccer Coaches of America Week: Jan 09 -13

National Mocktail Week: Jan 13-19

Hot Heads Chili Days: Jan 17-18

Nat’l Fresh Squeezed Juice Week: Jan 17-23

Week of Christian Unity: Jan 18-25

Bald Eagle Appreciation : Jan 19-20

Int'l  Snowmobile Safety & Awareness Week: Jan 19-27

Clean up your inbox.jpg

Clean Out Your Inbox Week: Jan 20-26

Healthy Weight Week: Jan 20-26

Hunt For Happiness Week: Jan 20-26

Projecting Professionalism

Projecting Professionalism

Nat’l Activity Professionals Week: Jan 20-26 


Nat’l Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week: Jan 20-26

National Handwriting Analysis Week: Jan 20-26

National School Choice Week: Jan 20-26

Sugar Awareness Week: Jan 20-26

No Name Calling Week: Jan 21-25

International Hoof-Care Week: Jan 22-25 

Sundance Film Festival: Jan 24- Feb 03

Meat Week: Jan 27- Feb 03

National Medical Group Practice Week: Jan 28- Feb 03

Tax  Theft Awareness Week: Jan 28- Feb 03

US Nat’l Snow Sculpting Days: Jan 28-Feb 03

January 2019 Daily Events

Jan 01 Tue      Bad Hangover Day

Jan 01 Tue       Copyright Law Day

Jan 01 Tue       Commitment Day

Global Family

Global Family

Jan 01 Tue       Ellis Island Day

Jan 01 Tue       Euro Day

Jan 01 Tue       Fruit Cake Toss Day

Jan 01 Tue       First Foot Day

Jan 01 Tue       Global Family Day

Jan 01 Tue       Mummer's Parade

Jan 01 Tue       New Year’s Day

Jan 01 Tue       New Year's Dishonor List Day

Jan 01 Tue       Polar Bear Plunge or Swim

Jan 01 Tue       Public Domain Day

Jan 01 Tue       Rose Bowl Game

Jan 01 Tue       Tournament of Roses Parade Day

Jan 01 Tue       World Day of Peace

Jan 01 Tue      Persons Surnames Z Day

 

Jan 02 Wed      Cats Day

Jan 02 Wed      National Buffet Day

Jan 02 Wed      National Motivation and Inspiration Day

Jan 02 Wed      National Personal Trainer Awareness

Jan 02 Wed      National Science Fiction Day

Jan 02 Wed     Pet Travel and Safety Day

 

Jan 03 Thu       Drinking Straw Day

Jan 03 Thu       Earth at Perihelion

Jan 03 Thu       J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan 03 Thu       Memento Mori "Remember You Die" Day

Jan 03 Thu       National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

Jan 03 Thu       Festival of Sound Sleep Day



Jan 04 Fri         Dimpled Chad Day

Jan 04 Fri         I Am A Mentor Day

Jan 04 Fri         Pop Music Chart Day

Jan 04 Fri         Tom Thumb Day

Jan 04 Fri         Trivia Day

Jan 04 Fri         World Braille Day

Jan 04 Fri         World Hypnotism Day

 Jan 05 Sat        Bird Day

Jan 05 Sat        National Keto Day

Jan 05 Sat        Nat’l Screenwriters Day

Jan 05 Sat        Monopoly Game Day

Jan 05 Sat        Twelfth Day

 

Jan 06 Sun       Cuddle Up Day

Jan 06 Sun       Armenian Christmas

Jan 06 Sun       Epiphany

technology+in+hand.jpg

Jan 06 Sun       National Technology Day

Jan 06 Sun       No Pants Subway Ride Day

Jan 06 Sun       Three Kings Day



 

Jan 07 Mon      Asarah B'Tevet

Jan 07 Mon      Blue Monday

Jan 07 Mon      Divorce Monday

Jan 07 Mon      Golden Globes

Jan 07 Mon      Handsel Day

Jan 07 Mon      Harlem Globetrotter's Day

Jan 07 Mon      I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day

Jan 07 Mon      International Programmers' Day

Jan 07 Mon      Orthodox Christmas

Jan 07 Mon      National Bobble-head Day

Jan 07 Mon      National Tempura Day

Jan 07 Mon      National Weigh-In Day

Jan 07 Mon      Plough Monday

Jan 07 MonThank God It's Monday



Jan 08 Tue       Bubble Bath Day

Jan 08 Tue        Man Watcher's Day

Jan 08 Tue       Argyle Day

Jan 08 Tue       Earth's Rotation Day

Jan 08 Tue       National English Toffee Day

Jan 08 Tue       National Poetry at Work Day

National Shop for Travel Day

National Shop for Travel Day

Jan 08 Tue       National Shop For Travel Day

Jan 08 Tue       Midwife's Day or Women's Day

Jan 08 Tue       National Joy Germ Day

Jan 08 Tue       National Winter Skin Relief Day

Jan 08 Tue       Show and Tell Day at Work

Jan 08 Tue       War on Poverty Day

  

Jan 09 Wed       Balloon Ascension Day

Jan 09 Wed       Dance Day

Jan 09 Wed       Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Jan 09 Wed       National Cassoulet Day:

Jan 09 Wed       National Static Electricity Day

Jan 09 Wed       Panama's Martyr Day


Jan 10 Thu League of Nations Day

Jan 10 Thu       Honor Peculiar People Day

Jan 10 Thu       Nat’l Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Jan 10 Thu       National Oysters Rockefeller Day

 

Jan 11 Fri         Cigarettes Hazard Awareness Day

Jan 11 Fri         Morse Code Day

Jan 11 Fri         Nat’l Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Jan 11 Fri         National Milk Day

Jan 11 Fri         Secret Pal Day

Ginger haired face.jpg

         

Jan 12 Sat        Eagle Day

Jan 12 Sat        Feast Your Eyes on Fabulous Wild Men Day

Jan 12 Sat        National Hot Tea Day

Jan 12 Sat        National Vision Board Day

Jan 12 Sat        Kiss A Ginger Day (Red Heads)

Kiss fmale Ginger.jpg

 

Jan 13 Sun       Rubber Duckie Day

Jan 13 Sun       Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)

Jan 13 Sun       Korean American Day

Jan 13 Sun       Make Your Dream Come True Day

Working Your Plan

Working Your Plan

Jan 13 Sun       National Sticker Day

Jan 13 Sun       National Sunday Supper Day

Jan 13 Sun       Public Radio Broadcasting Day

 

 Jan 14 Mon      Caesarean Section Day

Jan 14 Mon      Dress Up Your Pet Day

Jan 14 Mon      International Kite Day

Jan 14 Mon      National Clean Off Your Desk Day

Jan 14 Mon      Organize Your Home Day

Jan 14 Mon      Ratification Day

 

Jan 15 Tue       Alpha Kappa Alpha Day

Jan 15 Tue       Humanitarian Day

Jan 15 Tue       Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

Jan 15 Tue       National Bagel Day

Jan 16 Wed      Appreciate A Dragon Day

Jan 16 Wed      Civil Service Day

Jan 16 Wed      Doing absolutely Nothing Day

Jan 16 Wed      Fig Newton Day

Jan 16 Wed      National Quinoa Day

Jan 16 Wed      Religious Freedom Day

Jan 16 Wed      Without A Scalpel Day

 

Jan 17 Thu        Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day

Jan 17 Thu        Cable Car Day

Jan 17 Thu        Get to Know Your Customers Day

Mentoring Day

Mentoring Day

Jan 1 7 Thu        International Mentoring Day

Jan 17 Thu        Muhammad Ali's birthday

Jan 17 Thu        Judgment Day

Jan 17 Thu        Kid Inventors' Day

Jan 17 Thu        National Bootleggers Day

Jan 17 Thu        Popeye Day

 

Jan 18 Fri          Bean Day

Jan 18 Fri          International Fetish Day

Jan 18 Fri          Thesaurus Day

Jan 18 Fri          Winnie the Pooh Day

 

Jan 19 Sat        Brew A Potion Day

Jan 19 Sat        Popcorn Day

Jan 19 Sat        Tin Can Day

Jan 19 Sat        Whisper, 'I Love You' Day

Jan 19 Sat        World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Jan 19 Sat        World Quark Day


Jan 20 Sun       Camcorder Day

Celebration of Life Day

Celebration of Life Day

Jan 20 Sun       Celebration of Life Day

Jan 20 Sun       Inauguration Day

Jan 20 Sun       National Cheese Lovers Day

Jan 20 Sun       National Disc Jockey Day

Jan 20 Sun       National Pro-Life Day

Jan 20 Sun       Penguin Awareness Day

Jan 20 Sun       Stephen Foster Day

Jan 20 Sun       World Religion Day

Jan 20 Sun       World Snow Day

 

Jan 21 Mon     Tu B'Shvat (Sundown)

Jan 21 Mon      Martin Luther King Day

Jan 21 Mon      National Crowd Feed Day

Jan 21 Mon      National Day of Service

Jan 21 Mon      National Hugging Day

Jan 21 Mon      Rid World Fad Diets & Gimmicks Day

       

Jan 22 Tue       Celebration of life day

Jan 22 Tue       Come in from the  cold day

Jan 22 Tue       Roe vs. Wade Day


Jan 23 Wed      National Handwriting Day

Jan 23 Wed      Measure Your Feet Day

Jan 23 Wed      National Pie Day

Jan 23 Wed      Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day

 

Jan 24 Thu       Beer Can Day

Jan 24 Thu       Belly Laugh Day

Jan 24 Thu       Int’l Mobile Phone Recycling Day

Jan 24 Thu       National Compliment Day

Jan 24 Thu       National Peanut Butter Day

Jan 24 Thu       Talk Like A Grizzled Prospector Day

 

 Jan 25 Fri        A Room of One's Own Day

Jan 25 Fri         Fun at Work Day

Jan 25 Fri         Macintosh Computer 30th Anniversary Day

Jan 25 Fri        National Big Wig Day

Jan 25 Fri         National Irish Coffee Day

Jan 25 Fri         National Pre-school Fitness Day

Jan 25 Fri         Opposite Day

Jan 25 Fri         Robert Burns Day

Jan 25 Fri         Thank Your Mentor Day

Jan 25 Fri         Women's Healthy Weight Day

Jan 25 Fri         Fancy Rat & Mouse Day

Jan 25 Fri         Dental Drill Appreciation Day

Jan 25 Fri         Fruitcake Toss Day

Jan 25 Fri         Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Jan 25 Fri         National Peanut Brittle Day

National Seed Swap Day

National Seed Swap Day

Jan 25 Fri         National Seed Swap Day

Jan 25 Fri         Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement

Jan 25 Fri         Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day

 

Jan 26 Sat        International Customs Day

 

Jan 27 Sun       Auschwitz Liberation Day

Jan 27 Sun        Chocolate Cake Day

Jan 27 Sun       Compliment Day

Jan 27 Sun       Intl Commemoration Holocaust Day

Jan 27 Sun       National Bible Sunday

Jan 27 Sun       National Geographic Day

Jan 27 Sun       Punch the clock day

Jan 27 Sun        Squirrel Appreciation Day

Jan 27 Sun       Thomas Crapper Day

Jan 27 Sun       Viet Nam Peace Day

Jan 27 Sun       World Leprosy Day 



Jan 28 Mon      Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Jan 28 Mon      Data Privacy Day

Jan 28 Mon      Daisy Day

Jan 28 Mon      Grammy Awards

Jan 28 Mon      Gone-ta-pott Day

Jan 28 Mon      National Kazoo Day

Jan 28 Mon      National Pediatrician Day

Jan 28 Mon      Rubber Duckie Day

Jan 28 Mon      Thank A Plugin Developer Day

 

Jan 29 Tue       Curmudgeons Day

Jan 29 Tue       Freethinkers Day

Jan 29 Tue       Library Shelfie Day

Jan 29 Tue       National Plan For A Vacation Day

Jan 29 Tue       National Puzzle Day

Jan 29 Tue       Seeing Eye Dog Day

Jan 29 Tue       Thomas Paine Day

A variety of croissants.jpg



Jan 30 Wed      Croissant Day

Jan 30 Wed      Escape Day

Jan 30 Wed      Inane Answering Message Day



 

Street Kids Awarness.jpg

Jan 31 Thu       Inspire with Art  Day

Jan 31 Thu       Backward Day

Jan 31 Thu       Hell is Freezing over Day

Jan 31 Thu       Appreciate Social Security Day

Jan 31 Thu       Street Children Day















Tools For The Self Directed Life

An Effective Strategy To Keeping Your Focus

 By Calvin Harris H. W., M.

Self Adjustment.png

 

We are daily bombarded with more information and communications, sometimes its call new and improved, and the pitch we receive is that to get it will allow us to  Have it all, be it all, and do it all. Particularly if it applies to our careers. Sometimes we think that utilizing all the new information that comes our way, is the only path to success.

The result is, you find yourself spending more hours, downloading cool new apps, and trying to keep up on social media. Now I ask you, how is that working out for you?

Inherent in that behavior is the risk factor of burnout. You can find your time and energy being drained away and add to that  Instant connectivity through our phones and computers and your time and energy is really gone, and yet, the time for your path to success becomes less and less and is really under pressure to happen at all.

Have it all, be it all, and do it all. .  is a lot easier said than done.  To say “yes,” too often means ending up overwhelmed. But how do you prioritize competing priorities to stay ahead without driving yourself crazy?

You need to stop, step back, review and analyze where your attention has gone, then recalibrate new habits to invest your attention wisely to get ahead.

 

I Suggest An Attention Charter

Book Deep Work by Cal Newport

Book Deep Work by Cal Newport

A quick overview about an Attention Charter and Why  You would want to  create one. Starts with a Georgetown University computer science professor, Blogger, and author named Cal[vin] Newport. Newport popularized the Attention Charter in his writings about the “intersection of technology and society.“ In his blog - Study Hacks Decoding Patterns Of Success, He points out the impact of new technologies on our ability to perform productive work and to lead satisfying lives.

TheAttention Charter is a document that lists the general reasons that you’ll allow for someone or something to lay claim to your time and attention. For each reason, it then describes under what conditions and for what quantities [of time] you’ll permit this commitment.” – says Mr. Newport.

It takes a bit of effort to create these guidelines and then set them as habits, but once you do, your attention is no longer distracted whenever something comes along demanding your immediate attention. Instead of reacting in the moment—and thus losing sight of what’s truly important—you would follow your outline charter.

This helps you own your time, and to be more intentional with it. You’re the one setting the limits and yes, that can be scary, but it can lead to better results. You could even spend fewer hours in a week working on projects and yet find that a greater portion of your time is spent being proactive on what actually matters.

That extra time, could be used to take better care of yourself, maintain healthier relationships, and maybe even to sleep better!

 

 

How to Create an Attention Charter

data-clipart-verification-3.jpg

Your Attention Charter is a list of guidelines to help you weigh competing priorities.

It is not a blanket ban on all of your activities. Emails, phone calls, and meetings are going to happen it is inevitable. The trick is coming up with the right proportion  of time vs activity to be vital in keeping to your visions of success, while not having these activities distract from reaching that success. In fact some of these activities can be an integral part of your equation for achieving success by focusing on the big picture.

For example, you might limit yourself to:

  • Only attending meetings with a 60-minute time limit and a clearly defined agenda

  • Not to respond to text messages between certain hours (9 and 5 ) unless it’s during a break, lunch, or an emergency

  • Not to access a certain website (social media, porno, etc.) during certain times frames of your day.

  • Not to schedule social or professional contacts for 3-hour lunches more than twice a month

  • To travel to a educational/ industry/professional  conference each quarter

You decide the guidelines. They can be as general or specific as you like. Notice how the examples above aren’t too strict. They allow for certain exceptions or situations where you would want to engage in the activities. It’s not about banning things; it’s about being more intentional with our choices.

Your focus is to think through the different ways you could limit distraction. Once developed, you want to have this list available, written down on paper or on your computer, or laptop or phone for reference when you need it.

Radhika Nagpal, a computer science professor, used some of these principles to earn tenure at Harvard. She calculated the maximum number of hours she could devote to her career each week without neglecting her family. Working from that limit, she created rules for herself (like traveling only five times a year) that allowed her to advance her career without getting burned out by unimportant distractions.

 

Enforcing Your Attention Charter

Okay, you’ve created your Attention Charter, and you are ready to make them habits. You might find  when getting started it tougher to stick to it, or you slip up, at first that’s okay. Do the best you can. The point is to practice and exercise the new habits when you can. Just a few better choices each day really add up.

hand hold different cable.jpg

You might, like me, have to confront some bad habits you’ve been struggling with for a while now. In moving pass bad habits Willpower will only get you so far, yet conscious focus and practicing the tools will keep you on track.  

Computer or Apps Junkies might find Website blocking apps empowering in blocking distracting websites, apps, or even the entire internet during hours when you need to be productive.

Small steps or goals at first, there’s no shame in starting small. After you become comfortable with the habits you’ve set with those guidelines, you can gradually add more. Your Attention Charter will evolve with time too, as the new habits become a natural part of your daily process.


 Make Better Choices—Without the Burnout

A workday can feel a lot like an obstacle course or tug-of-war for your attention.

Fortunately, by developing a focused attention on new  habits, like in the use of an Attention Charter, it will help you choose which direction to move without responding to compulsions  in the moment.

wise old man by  Artist Otunga.jpg

Like Mr. Newport, I have to admit  I’m still monkeying around with my own attention charter. In other words, you’re hearing about this as a fledgling project, before I’ve made it into full functioning habits. Yet I’ve already found value in it, as one of us whose battle against distraction both unavoidably important and unavoidably nuances.

 

I’d like you to try it and then email me a comment and let me know what you think!

Living Your Priorities

The Power of Consistency

How small habits repeated consistently turn into big things by Calvin Harris

Heracles battling the Lernaean Hydra, Rudolph Tegner.jpg



 The truth is, the process of success and achieving your wildest dreams is not a matter of Will-Power or positive thought, as much as the Simple habit of showing up day after day.

When you show up with focused attention day in, day out for a set period of time, no matter how small, it’s inevitable you will reach where you truly want to be. Opportunities will begin to present themselves.

Author, Ayodeji Awosika, says:

 “When you show up and keep putting your work out there, good things start to happen. You make new connections, people reach out to you, opportunities start to present themselves.”  

Steal Like an Artist.jpg

 But before we get there, Austin Kleon a writer and artist living in Austin, Texas who wrote the book “Steal Like An Artist”,  makes the observation - “Lots of people want to be the noun without doing the verb. They want the job title without the work.”

The world seems to be facing an epidemic, and are in shock right now and that is because everyone wants to be successful, yet no one is willing to put in the work to be successful. You Can’t Be the Noun Without Doing the Verb.

We as a culture have become instant gratification seeking drones, that have been dumbed down and turned into dopamine seeking instant messaging, Facebook likes, and Netflix zombies at the expense of our dreams and desires.

For many, it is easier to simply talk about the work, rather than to actually do the work. What I mean by doing the work is to put into action the power of thinking, and comprehending, an orderly and rational way to carry out activities. While in the motion of carrying out those activities one arrives at a state of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Blogger Anthony Moore suggest:

“Most people will continue getting high on the dopamine of solely “dreaming” and journaling about their ideal life, without ever doing any meaningful work to make those goals happen.”

I go along with the idea that  ‘Its time’ that people start realizing you can’t be the noun without doing the verb.

You can’t be an athlete, if you never train.

You can’t be a writer, if you don’t write.

You can’t be a mathematician without using the principles of mathematics.

In what areas of your life, are you calling yourself the noun without doing the verb? It’s time to get consistent.

 

 

‘Consistency’, Anthony Moore puts it this way

 “Consistency is a bit like a million dollars. Everyone wants it, everyone knows it will make their life better, but it seems impossible to ever achieve it.”

Becoming consistent at anything you want is not elusive, it can be as simple as rethinking badly formed habits or finding how things are being put in the wrong order. To start forming new habits.

This does not mean, that this correction, or becoming the best version of yourself is likely to happen overnight, old behaviors don’t shake loose that easily.

Start with small steps. Focus on constancy and frequency, rather than intensity and allow the habit to slowly become a natural part of your Being. Become the Conscious builder of your life. Srinivas Rao wrote,

“Build the identity of the person you want to become.”

Blogger Reece Robertson tells us:

your renovation.jpg

 “This is preciously how I developed my morning journaling habit. I didn’t force myself to write an entry straight away. Rather, I would get up every morning, write the date in my journal, and then close it again.

Once that was a natural part of my morning routine, I began to journal for 15 minutes before getting into my reading and writing and haven’t stopped since.

Start small, learn the routine, and develop a process you can stick to.”

 

 

To recap, own the fact that you want to build the identity of the person you want to become. That you will cultivate the power of consistency. That you will make a pact with yourself to show up today, tomorrow, the day after that, and so on.

It will be a certainty that your life would be very different in a year.

Own that You are done holding yourself back, and you will be making more progress. having more joy and satisfaction from life. To develop more confidence, through self-discovery of being the Noun by your action as the Verb.

It starts now.

The majority of goals people pursue don’t require innate talent, or working a 12-hour a day — in most cases, they lack old-fashion consistency.” -Zdravko Cvijetic (content creator, entrepreneur and the founder of Zero to Skill).