Think 80/20

Think 80/20

To maximize the value you get in your life, you should apply the 80/20 rule: 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. We should then focus our effort on those 20% causes. This rule can be applied to all the points I wrote above. Let’s see some examples for each point:

Reading

Different books give you different value. So choose the top 20% books that give you 80% of the value. Then, for each book, find the top 20% parts and spend most of your time there. This idea can also be applied to articles.

Experience

Whenever possible, put yourself in the top 20% experiences. For instance, let’s say you have six commitments right now and two of them provide the most value. The 80/20 rule says that you should focus more on those two commitments and reduce or cancel the rest.

People

Choose carefully the people you meet. While we can’t always choose with whom we meet, we can choose the people we spend most of our time with. Make sure that you spend most of your time with the winners of life, the 20% people that can give you 80% of the value.

Application

There are so many good ideas out there, but we can’t apply all of them at once. If we try to do that, chance is we will fail. So start with a few things that will make the most difference in your life. Ask yourself: of all the ideas you find, which one will make the most difference? Then focus on applying only that one idea. Later, after you apply it well, you can ask the question again and start working on another idea.

Bin Laden Dead!

Declaring “justice has been done,” President Obama announced late Sunday that Usama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, marking the end of the worldwide manhunt that began nearly a decade ago on Sept. 11, 2001. Read More…

Home with my heart!

I didn’t leave my heart in San Fransisco, I left it here at home with my amazing girlfriend. However, I’m thankful I was able to spend a week with my parents enjoying the city. Here are some pics of the trip.

Planet Earth

Ran across a great song today that truly inspires me. A positive and beautiful composition. This song was put to a mix of footage from Planet Earth.

Amazing and spectacular.

Coupons

My most recent fascination and interest is the world of coupons. Yes, this is nothing new to most people. Its not new to me either, however, I’ve never really taken the time to clip coupons for items I’m purchasing nor really studied the science behind it. This weekend I did some coupon clipping and decided today I’d do some experimenting at the grocery store.

Armed with coupons and some knowledge about current specials happening at the local Hyvee grocery store I went and purchased the items pictured below. The total amount without coupons was roughly $38 and some change. After all coupons were applied I paid a total of $13 and change for all of these items. Yes, this experiment only focused on certain items and I went a little overboard, however it proved to me that coupons work and can save a lot of money. Just another thing I wish I had started applying and learning more about sooner.

Japan Earthquake

Japan’s most powerful earthquake (8.9 magnitude) since records began has struck the north-east coast, triggering a massive tsunami.

The pictures that are coming out of Japan of this disaster in effect are incredible. The power of mother nature is not something to be messed with. There is a video out there of a tsunami wave washing over the land carrying cars, homes, boats, etc… and its heading right for a road with cars driving perpendicular to it. I pray those people made it out safely, but can you even imagine what that would feel like seeing a giant wave of debris heading for you?

Last year had a lot of earthquakes. This year is still young and we’ve had several with this being a very powerful and devastating one. Makes you wonder what the future holds. Prepare.

Japan Earthquake Images

Japan Earthquake Images…more

Incredible Japan Earthquake Images

Rest In Peace

My girlfriends grandfather passed away over the weekend sadly. The funeral today was beautiful and touching. May he rest in peace. Prayers to all of the family that God will comfort them through this difficult and emotional time.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

http://hosting-tributes-24625.tributes.com/show/John-Donahue-90931405

Gathering Together

Full day of attending services. Glad to be serving a great and mighty God.

Juggler!

A few months ago I got the sudden desire one day to want to learn how to juggle. So while shopping at Barnes and Noble one day I ran across a cheap juggling kit that claimed to be to teach someone how to juggle. Well I got it as a gift and have been practicing ever since. Starting out I just tried to get the feel of keeping two balls going with one hand. Once I had that down, it was actually fairly simple adding a third and getting both hand to work together juggling them in the air.

Today I was finally able to juggle and keep them going for a fair amount of time.

Catching Up!

Mid February and it feels like Spring. Loving it.

I got the opportunity tonight to video chat with three of my best friends who are currently out of the country. It was nice to hear them and see that they are doing well and having a good time. They’ve only been gone for a month, but here it feels like much longer.