According to our friends at Wikipedia, a Manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature, but may also be life stance related.
This serves as a place where I can sum up the gist of what I believe at the moment and how I intend to live. If you’re not interested I don’t give a shit, I just liked the idea of declaring this stuff somewhere so I can figure out who I am.
INTENTIONS & MOTIVES
What I intend to do and be is important. How I feel changes all the time; I may be tired and cranky tomorrow, or I might be motivated. Too often I play and play until outside forces pressure me into accomplishment by threatening failure. This manifesto should act as a reminder at all times of who I want to be and how I want to live so I can be more balanced and consistent.
My Mission: To make everything I do memorable. (I don’t really believe we have inherent missions, but if it feels right to choose one go right ahead.)
My Vision: (This is a placeholder. I’ve got a vision who where I want to get with each role I play in my life. This area needs to be updated before I post it.)
Things I’ve Learned
- Your best friends are the people who appreciate what you like about yourself. Don’t waste time running after people you need to convince to appreciate those things.
- Procrastination is avoided by doing what you love wholeheartedly. Whatever I don’t love, I’ll quit.
- People refuse to understand anything (they think) they disagree with. That’s why (1) most people are ignorant, and (2) it’s sooo hard to talk big concepts with people- you trip over all the things they have deemed off-limits in their minds.
- When you’re beat, go to sleep. One more TV show WILL fuck your morning up.
- It’s a good thing for opinionated people to keep at least 50% of what they think to themselves. Don’t show all your cards, and wait a minute before you say your unsolicited opinion.
- Almost all my mistakes, I’d make over again.
- Struggle (internal or outward) is usually caused by conflict of appetites. (1) Know when to feed an appetites and (2) when to curb it. When you encounter struggle, identify the appetite that needs to be managed.
- People are stupid, and they strive to stay that way. The larger the group the dumber it will be.
- It’s essential to have friends. Having to conduct interpersonal relationships grows your patience, introduces you to new opinions and gives you feedback on your character.
- Having my own life is imperative. I love my child and I love my wife, but for myself and for them, I have to be myself, have my own dreams and goals, and I need alone time and alone ventures
- THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD REPEAT TO THEMSELVES BEFORE GOING OUT
You are NOT subtle, clever or tactful after 6 beers - YOUR CAPACITY FOR WILLPOWER IS FINITE. If I try to keep an air-tight system for GTD, I will run out of the juice needed to maintain. Every once in a while (especially when I feel like I’m hitting critical mass), toss everything up in the air and forget about it all. The next day, get back into the groove. [ref: Running on Empty: Neural Signals for Self-Control Failure]
- Leaders and CEO’s should be 50% enthusiasm and 50% naivety. You don’t get through the dips by being a realist, and neither do you inspire the troops. I, therefore, will never be a CEO. Realists do make great #2’s though.
