You don’t need motivation to get things done; all you need is a reliable system. — Motivation is the sugar-rush of your desires. It is exciting, energizing, and oh-so-yummy… until you get a stomach ache and need to take a nap. It’s short-lived, short-term, temporary. It is not to be counted on for any real results or efforts. It’s a lie that you need it in…

Lessons from prominent figures of history. — They say history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Well I hope you like poems. The past is full of them. Situations that show themselves over and over again. Instead of ignoring them, you can learn from them. You can apply them to the verses of your own life. In…

Or is it ok to work yourself to the bone? — My days were filled with one activity: meditation. Stillness was my objective. For in that stillness, I hoped, would come a surge of ideas newly unlocked. And it worked. Each day my mind filled with increasingly wiser suggestions. Chapters for a book, insights into philosophical problems, and more. But boy…

In stillness comes the clarity to act. — The fight was over. I had lost. Which is good — it was my fault in the first place. I was caught up in ideals. Of what constitutes a good relationship, a good marriage. I was measuring myself against the stereotypes of sitcom couples. Of fairy tale ever-afters. And I…

Flip selfishness on its head to cultivate better relationships and get what you want in life. — Relationship-drift was creeping in. I could feel it, though I didn’t understand it at the time. The restaurant was silent, save for the Japanese-style elevator music playing softly in the background. The waiter had just left. Our sushi would arrive shortly. Yet between me and the person sitting across the…

To worry about regret is to worry about reality. — I returned a book recently. I try not to do that too often. It’s the whole finish-what-you-start thing. But I just couldn’t push on. Before I caved though, I first did what I often do right before returning a book. I went on Amazon and checked the reviews. Because I…

Make your mornings better through subtraction and replacement. — There are many wonderful things you can do in the morning. Things that can help start your day right. Yet there are just as many things you shouldn’t do. Things that, if done, will make you feel crabby, sleepy, and lethargic. Following are eight things I strive to not do…

Do you let the ads just come right in? — Hulu was on sale recently. Their entry-level package was priced at $12 for 12 months. We bought it. We didn’t need it. But it was $12 so… why not? Well-played Hulu. Well-played. That said, even though it was comparatively cheap, I want to get my money’s worth. I’m the rare…

Indulging your in-built memory creates a net positive for your life. — “Don’t forget the ranch!” The pizza would be ready at 5:30. I had a few hours until then. And whatever I did, I needed to remember to ask for ranch. If you’ve never had ranch with pizza before, try it. It’s awesome. I’m told this is just a California thing…