On the beach, Playa Papagayo, Costa Rica
On the beach, Playa Papagayo, Costa Rica
I have one simple wish: to be free to travel or stay, work or play, be among good people or secluded alone with my thoughts – whenever and wherever it pleases me and my loved ones. Is that too much to ask? I don’t think so.
Some people have trouble identifying what they would do with their time if they never had to work again. I could easily fill a spiral notebook with things I would do, places I would go and skills I would learn.
It’s not that I’m lazy or afraid of hard work. After all, I’ve served 19+ years in the military and started two companies along the way. I just want to live life on my terms sooner rather than later.
My biggest fear is accepting a hum-drum existence until I eventually die. To me it is much better to go after my ideal life, even if I fail repeatedly. I’m no more talented or gifted than anyone else, but the idea of wasting my potential makes me sick. I refuse to be content with mere contentment. Even if I fall flat on my face, at least I can learn from that and know that I gave it a shot.
Why I have this blog
I’m sure you were wondering. :-)
I’ve blogged off and on since 1997 (remember Geocities?). I helped others blog to promote their businesses as early as 1999, except it was called a journal or online diary back then.
I posted my reasons for having this blog here, but I can sum it up easily:
1. I like to share my experiences with others and hear what you think of my ideas, recommendations, business plans, etc.
2. It’s sort of my online laboratory and diary, where I can scrapbook and catalogue what I learn, where I fail miserably and what I get right.
3. It’s a good way to connect with people like you.
This will also be my main base of operations for my online businesses and it will serve as a way of interacting with all of my potential buyers. I may eventually introduce some things I recommend but I promise that if I am selling it, I will fully disclose that.
My topics of discussion here will vary among my interests. Since this is my personal blog, I won’t paint myself into a corner by confining the topics to a niche or two. I think it will be better for the content to unfold and speak for itself.
Professional background
I am on Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force and I currently work as an IT manager at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. I’ve been an IT systems architect, trainer, web developer and project manager, and I’ve led deployments of IT systems around the world supporting military operations and exercises.
I’m also an entrepreneur in web and mobile application development, networking and consulting. In 1999 I founded Black Cat Web Consulting, a web design and network consulting company. Black Cat developed business and e-commerce web properties and provided IT solutions for small businesses in the San Francisco Bay area during the Dot-Com boom of 1999-2001. Immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks, I was deployed to the Middle East and was unable to sustain management of Black Cat Web Consulting, and therefore closed the business in 2002.
In May 2011, I launched my second business, GURUniverse, a mobile applications and system design company. GURUniverse will develop applications for web, iOS and Android devices, with an emphasis on learning, personal development, lifestyle design, and…fun.
That’s right – fun. It’s not a typo. “If it’s not fun it’s not done,” is our company motto. Life is too short to be bored or frustrated, even while doing something “worthy” like learning a skill, improving your mental or physical fitness or managing your life more effectively.
What’s my fuel? (and what’s yours?)
Everyone has to have fuel to light the fire that ignites you, and sustains you as you go. It’s important to know what that is and keep it in supply. Without it, you’ll fizzle.
This is how you find your fuel:
1. Begin with the end in mind. What does success look like? What does it feel like? If you don’t have a clearly defined goal, how can you have any direction? Figure that out first, otherwise you’re in la-la land.
2. What are your reasons for wanting to achieve your goals? WHY you want to achieve them is more important than HOW. Answer the WHY and you’ll find a way HOW. Know clearly what the rewards are and dangle these in front of yourself at all times. I have pictures that remind me of my rewards strategically placed at home, in my car and my office at work. It’s going to be tough to achieve your goals. You have GOT to keep the WHY in mind always.
3. Build your success team. If you can find someone who is already living the dream, someone who has already accomplished your goal, you should model their habits, techniques, patterns, etc. Share your goals and plans with close friends, supportive relatives and likeminded colleagues. Find, network and interact with others online and offline who can give you constructive feedback, ideas and share their expertise with you. Beware the haters and naysayers – some people will be threatened by your ambition and confidence. Some people believe success is all based on luck, looks and natural talent. It’s a cop-out some people use to make themselves feel better. Don’t let their negativity sway you from believing in yourself. As James Cameron said regarding risk taking, “Luck is not a factor. Hope is not a strategy. Fear is not an option.”
With all that said, this is my fuel:
- Within two years I’ll be free to spend my time as I see fit and be where I want to be. I’ll no longer be tied to a specific location and schedule in order to support myself and my family; I will have cut the tether between my time and my income.
- I’m doing this because it’s how I’m made to live. I’m wired to be an entrepreneur, to operate by my own clock and find my own ways to be successful, and the more freedom I have to set my own schedule and create something of my own, the happier and more successful I’ll be. I’ve always been the kid who refuses to do homework but knocks science fair out of the park. I’m by no means better than anyone who works well in a structured environment and flawlessly executes precise instructions. I’m just different. The world needs both of types of people.
- I make the most of every day and I love what I do, even the things I do to make a living, and produce actual value for others, something I’m very proud of. My accomplishments along the way toward my goal are excellent fuel.
- My success team is vitally important to me. I have good friends to bounce ideas off of and their belief in me amplifies my confidence and enthusiasm. I have a super-smart, type-A wife/best-friend/consigliere who gives me a reality check, sympathy and/or a good idea when I need it. And I have models and mentors I follow, study and learn from.
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