Best Selling Author Chuck Blakeman chimes in on the difference between riches, wealth and true freedom.
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www.ChuckBlakeman.com
www.ChuckBlakemanSpeaker.com
www.CranksetGroup.com
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That’s a humbling realization.
When I used to race motocross, I would only ride just fast enough to pass the guy in front of me. It’s the reason I rarely won races if I was leading the pack; the only way I would win is if there was a rider in front of me, baiting me to ride faster!
From the relationships I was in, to the businesses I started, looking back I now realize I would only do enough to keep the other person happy, or make enough money to pay the bills. This was also the reason I stayed in relationships far after I knew I didn’t want to be in them. It’s the reason I worked at jobs that I knew wouldn’t fulfill me, and the reason I never had the level of success I knew I was capable of. Whether it was in my relationships, my fitness, or my businesses, I never truly committed. I would become comfortable where I was currently at, and then I would convince myself it was good enough.
Four years ago, I had no concept of what my “Best Self” even was, let alone being on a path that would allow me to develop it.
My health, wealth, relationships, and self-mastery are clearly defined with a picture of what I want it to look like.
Creating my Best Life is an ongoing process with lots of challenges and setbacks, but now I have the awareness. Now I know what I need to do on a daily basis to take the steps necessary to be a better version of myself.
I am far from perfect, and that’s ok; because I know that I am on the path to my Best Self.
My word for 2015 is: Commitment
What’s yours?
There is a big difference between being productive and being efficient.
When I think about structuring my day and getting things done, my mind immediately goes to the word productivity. Or at least it used to.
How productive can I be today? I would ask myself this almost daily.
That is until I realized that I was being inefficient with my days and wasting my most precious resource of all, time.
Productivity means little if it comes at the sake of being inefficient.
What I used to create in an entire day, generally takes about half that time now. It’s not because I am more productive, it’s because I’m more efficient.
So how can you use your time to efficiently produce more every single day?
Well I’m glad you asked!
I have never been a big fan of lists; especially “To Do” lists, and I have found that using this next method sky rocketed my efficiency to help me make more money in less time. It was formerly used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower , and later adopted by Jim Rohn. Eisenhower’s Box allows us to differentiate between urgent and important, and see what items we need to take action on first. (See diagram below.)
For most people, focus comes and goes; usually depending on the urgency or engagement level of the desired activity. Focus isn’t some ninja superpower that only a few of us possess, it is a skill.
Personally I have 3 things that help me focus. The first is my breath, the second is my WHY, and the last one is rewards. I use my breath to center myself, then I connect with my big picture vision, and finally I remember the outcome/goal/reward I have set for accomplishing the desired task.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to run! Sprinting refers to the method of using the Pomodoro Technique for 25-50 minute work intervals where you turn off all distractions, set a timer for the desired time, and focus for the entire time. After I finish one, I take a 5-10 minute break and either meditate, move my body, eat, or entertain myself (whatever gets your mind off the work you were doing). Continually working in this “sprint” like fashion helps me stay fresh and dramatically increases my efficiency.
As a busy entrepreneur, or aspiring entrepreneur you probably have lots of distractions. The internet alone is enough to distract us for hours without end!
So what is one to do when another day threatens to end and there are still things left on your “to do” list?
How do we focus when every 10 seconds our attention is being pulled in a hundred possible directions!? This is something I have struggled with since becoming an entrepreneur. Every day I wake up and I have a blank slate. I can choose to work, play, eat, and sleep whenever my heart desires! So here are the ways I have found to combat distractions, and increase my productivity:
The way we start our day has a HUGE impact on how we feel. So start your day with a ritual that will balance your mind, jump start your body, and get you into massive action. Read more about my morning ritual here.
When you’re about to sit down work, what is your mind trying to distract you with? Food? Sex? Working out? Humor? These are all common distractions that our mind loves to tempt us with in order to increase pleasure and decrease pain (work). Even if we love what we do, our mind will attempt to distract us from time to time and we must recognize our crutches so we don’t fall prey to distractions.
When distractions loom, it can be easy to give in and do it “just this once.” When we are solely focused on the task at hand, we can lose sight of the bigger picture. It is also proven that we are more likely to give up (or not even start) if we don’t have a clear vision of why we’re doing what we’re doing. In order to reverse this, have your big picture vision written down so you can look at it whenever procrastination rears its ugly head. This will connect you with the reason you chose to do it in the first place and give you inspiration to step up and take action.
Wake up, snooze, get out of bed, bathroom, coffee, shower, get dressed, go to work. This is how the majority of Americans start their day (or some variation thereof). It’s a cycle that continues day in and day out. So when I talk to people and they tell me they don’t have energy throughout their day, I always ask about how their day started!
When I first heard this, I didn’t think much of it. I’ve always gotten great sleep (minus the nights I overloaded my body with alcohol), and I figured I could “power through” my day. Then about three years ago a guy named Phil Drolet of The Feel Good Lifestyle came to live with me, and he was studying Tony Robbins’ Hour of Power. Being ever curious, I figured I would give it a shot and see how it worked for me. Well after 30 days, it worked so well I never stopped!
-Wake up, don’t snooze. Do you really want your first action of the day to be a “no?” Hitting the snooze button is a way of saying I’m not ready to start another day.
-Drink water. After hours of hibernation your body needs life force (that’s what I refer to water as!). Drinking water will let your body know it’s time to get rolling. Dehydration is not an option!
-Go pee. If you’re properly hydrating throughout the day you’ll probably need to pee first thing.
-Meditate. Since January 2nd 2012 I have been meditating on a daily basis. The days when I feel my best are the days I start with meditation. This time of stillness allows me to connect within and cultivate my power. I dedicate anywhere from 15-45 minutes every morning.
-Visualize. After my meditation I go straight into visualizations. This is a 10-15 minute process that lets me see myself at my best, doing the things I want to do, and giving my mind a roadmap for the reality I want to create.
-Movement. Some days it’s 15 minutes of yoga, others it is a run or a bike ride. I always connect my mind and spirit with my body. It helps me feel alive!
-Sustenance. I either cook food, or make a shake/drink a juice, but I always give my body fuel to power my day.
-Take action. I start my day feeling like I can conquer the world!
My process takes me anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes every morning. This routine gives me the foundation in which I build my days upon, and for the past 3 years it has helped change my life.
No.
We all operate differently, so see what works for you. Take a few of the suggestions from above and make them your own. Try new things, see what works and what doesn’t!
The three keys are:
However you choose to do that is entirely up to you.
Start your day intentionally and you will intentionally change your life!
When I first started my journey of awakening I was so excited to consume as much content and knowledge as possible. I read books, watched training videos, attended online webinars, and did weekend events, all so I could get more.
For 3 years I continued in this pattern of learning and absorbing information in order to expedite whatever awakening I thought I was having. I had been conditioned to think that more is better, and I wanted to consume as much as possible.
I read hundreds of books, watched thousands of videos, and attended about 100 days of training. Like an over ambitious runner, I was burning myself out! Slowly but surely I could feel my enthusiasm waning as I became discontent sitting on the the receiving end of all this information.
First, I grew tired of merely talking about theories and concepts without having actually experienced them first hand. You can only read or talk about manifestation or Law of Attraction so many times! Second, I figured out that, like a lot of people my age, I don’t learn by reading and listening.
I am a kinesthetic by nature, and sitting for hours watching someone on stage talk down to me doesn’t allow me to integrate information as well as putting it into action.
I consumed a TON of information, and after 3 years I learned that I knew more than most people on the topics of consciousness, mindset, holistic living, and following your passion.
Most of this knowledge was conceptual. Sure I put some of it into practice, and undoubtedly became a better person. I realized however, I was wasting my time by being too scared to take action.
Starting the end of 2013, I decided to start having more experiences to put all the conceptual knowledge I consumed into action. I was intentional with the events I attended, and began to step outside my comfort zone by getting into action on a regular basis.
Things I did in 2014 that I previously only thought about doing:
-Started working with The Evolution Room facilitating transformational experiences
-Worked with an EMDR therapist to release trauma from past personal experiences
-Did the very first All In 4 All Life weekend immersion
-Experienced an ayahausca ceremony
-Started to connect and hangout exclusively with people who inspired me to play bigger
-Went to Burning Man
-Worked with over 100 people; either 1 on 1 coaching, or through The Best Life Road Map, my online training program.
One of my biggest takeaways for 2014 was that less is more.
Putting this into action meant going to less seminars and trainings, and taking more action on the things I had learned. I also realized that, like a physical workout, the mental and emotional stress I was going through needed time to integrate. Taking time to relax and rest was integral to my 2014 success!
Those were the words I thought to myself as I stood waiting for the man to take my order.
“So what’ll it be?” he says.
“I’ll have the brussel sprouts,” I said.
If this were 5 years ago Matt I would have been more tempted to fall into my deep seeded anchor for comfort food and ordered the macaroni and cheese. But this is 2014 Matt, and I know my body, AND 2 months from now Matt, will thank me.
Of course, I still indulge in pleasures.
Finding that balance is an on going process for us all.
And they affect every area of our life; from relationships, to diet, to exercise, and any long term goal for that matter.
We must check in within.
Early and often.
So the question I have for you right now…
What do I have to give up right now that will get me what I really want in the future?
Be with that for a minute, and let me know what YOU are ready to give up.
Comment below or email me MattRitcheyCoaching@gmail.com
[postcta]
Enjoy the now,
Matt
Not having a phone, or any other device to connect with the outside world, allowed me to be RIDICULOUSLY present. Not worrying about checking my phone, or what other people were doing, or what was going on in Facebook Land, I was able to connect more deeply with people by focusing 100% of my energy on the present moment, and not only listening better, but being able to contribute to my life experience more richly by being aware of my surroundings and all my 5 senses.
In this day and age it is so easy to pick up your phone when you’re bored. Instead, let’s create a culture that says hello to people and is present with their current surroundings!
The time is now, who’s with me?!
I already wrote about my Burning Man experience last week. Check it out here. Since I am STILL getting lessons and transformations a week later, I wanted to share some of the gifts I received already.
I consider myself a generous person and consistently give to those around me. However, sometimes I have a hard time receiving (coming from a place of UNworthiness). Having never been to this event before I had no idea what to expect or prepare for when it came to giving/receiving. I was BLOWN AWAY at the spirit of giving that is present on the playa. I received a scarf, a necklace, a bracelet, and sunglasses; this is on top of the countless food, water, hugs, and love that I received every single day! My ability to receive on an everyday basis has gone up tremendously after seeing what is possible at Burning Man. How can you receive more in your life?
3 days into my Burning Man experience I took a shower. It wasn’t until 7 days later, after I got to my hotel in Reno, that I took another one. About 4 days after my first shower my mind started to say “It’s been awhile since you’ve showered, you’re dirty, you need to be clean.” Not 5 minutes later I found myself in the middle of a dust storm, dancing with beautiful people at sunset. In this moment I could feel the inner beauty radiating from those around me and I realized that being clean on the outside was a distant second to connecting and having fun in the present moment. I decided that my need to be clean was mostly in my mind and I didn’t want to waste any of my playa time “getting clean!” What activities are you missing out on because of some excuse you made up?
Being in a committed relationship and going to Burning Man without my partner presented me with numerous opportunities that tested my integrity. It was really amazing to be able to play within the boundaries we set for our relationship and still connect deeply and have an amazing time. I saw lots of nudity, danced, cuddled, gave massages, and even slept next to beautiful women. There were moments when my primal brain wanted to cross the lines of the boundaries we had set, but my integrity kept me from acting on them. Being conscious of our thoughts and 100% accountable for our actions is the only way to truly have an open, transparent relationship that is built on trust. Where have you let integrity slip in your life?
The energetic exchange of giving and receiving is beautiful thing. This I have known for a long time. What I didn’t fully grasp was that they come from the exact same space. When we are fully giving of ourselves and our energy, we are wide open to receive! When we are in this space and align our thoughts and actions with what we wish to manifest, receiving them comes faster and more easily than I ever imagined. Being in service to others opens the channel for us to receive that which we are most aligned with (not always what we most desire). How can you give more fully of yourself today?
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is something one can easily develop at Burning Man. With so many amazing events and people to connect with, it can distract us from the present moment and cloud our judgments when tapping into our intuition. I realized early on that I couldn’t see it all. I decided I would go wherever the moment took me and fully enjoy who I was with and what I was experiencing. Too many times in life we wish we were with someone else or at another place and it takes away from our enjoyment of the here and now! I am making the commitment to be more present and fully engaged (keeping my phone in my pocket) to wherever I am at in that moment. What is stopping you from being fully present in THIS moment?
It has been a week and I am STILL integrating all the lessons and transformations I experienced at Burning Man. In order to fully “get” what Burning Man is all about you have to experience it for yourself. Do what I did after hearing all the amazing stories last year; mark the dates off on your calendar and commit to going, you won’t be disappointed 🙂
10 days off the grid. No phone, no watch, and no contact with anyone other than the people standing in front of me. Complete presence. Epic adventures. Self expression and soul expansion. These were the intentions I had going into Burning Man 2014.
It’s like trying to describe the color blue to a blind person; sometimes life has to be experienced to be truly understood! So let me give you a glimpse into MY experience…
Imagine a place in the middle of the desert that has no water, food, or civilization to speak of. Then imagine 70,000 people coming together for a week to create a thriving community based on 10 simple principles.
After months of communication, planning, and then some last minute packing, it was amazing to roll into Black Rock City with an early entry pass to start setting up our camp. This was no ordinary camp site: we had two large geodesic domes, a 100 foot shade structure, a bar, a kitchen, and a lounge area ready to accommodate 110 people! The community and collaborative effort to put it all up (and take down 10 days later) was truly transformative. I got to meet new people, connect deeper with acquaintances, and laugh and dance while we “worked.”
Once everything was set up and everyone arrived a simple thought occurred to me: I can do whatever I want! This was a beautiful alignment to the mantra I had been practicing:
The Playa, as it is often referenced, had hundreds of theme camps from TEDx to the Orgy Dome. It was filled with beautiful art, crazy mutant vehicles, and amazing sound stages playing the likes of Carl Cox and Skrillex. You could get a healing session, play twister, and visit the human car wash all on the same street!
The diversity of things to do constantly amazed me…
The beauty of the entire week was the complete randomness of it all. I never knew what time it was (except for sunrise and sunset), and I rarely made plans to meet up with people (and when I did they rarely worked out the way I planned). I was completely in flow and went whenever and wherever my heart desired. How often do we get to completely break free of structure and do whatever calls to us in that moment?
I felt so blessed to be surrounded by amazing people from all walks of life (our camp had 18 countries represented). I got to connect with entrepreneurs, visionary leaders, healers, and badass ninjas who are doing awesome work in our world!
The adoption of the 10 principles (see photo above) really brings people together and creates a container (albeit a LARGE one) for everyone to feel safe, play, and be accepted. I know personally I will never be the same!
If you’re reading this and have never heard of Burning Man before, well, now you have. And if you thought it was just some crazy drug fueled hippies partying in the desert, well, it is.