20 Minutes

I set a timer on my iphone and use 20 minutes the best that I can simply because I don't have the attention for 21 minutes.

So in 20 minutes when I wake up, I do Yoga. For the stretching after not moving for 8 hours, it feels good.

20 minutes memorizing songs on the piano. I don't know how to play but I figure 20 minutes a day memorizing the 50 songs in the piano will help me. I hope.

20 minutes before bed I read. I don't pay attention to how many pages this way and it seems to be much less boring since it's only 20 minutes. It does help me fall asleep too instead of laying there in the dark for 20 minutes trying to float away.

Well this is what I could write for today about what i've been up too. But what about you?

What are you up to? I see there are 4 subscribers but let's get to 5.

Dubai

If you've followed my twitter you'll know that I am currently in Dubai. I'm fortunate to work from home so traveling while working is possible as long as I have an internet connection. Here in Dubai I've learned a few things.

1st.) Being an american is a privilege. I see people who are disadvantaged simply because of the country in which they are born. It amazes me to realize the amount of privilege I have in my little upper middle class lifestyle. I'm college educated, speak only english & know nothing of the middle east except what I'm learning here and from CNN. None of these have hindered my privilege or pleasure while I'm here. Every door is opened, all meals are cooked and all clothes are washed without even a thought from me except to tell someone else to do it.

Trust me, you are privileged if you live in any country that considers itself "Western" because we have rights, liberties & privileges that we will never truly appreciate because we can't truly lose them unless we act a fool in a country that lashes people. I am in a country that drunk driving receives 80 lashes. Think about that...In america we lose our license, pay fines & court fees and eventually get our license back. (Note: I've never had a DUI so there are probably harsher penalties I'm not aware of but still you're not lashed)

2.) Dubai is the largest purchaser of Porsche in the world. It is crazy. I've seen Porsches before but not 10 in the same mall parking lot. There is a level of wealth that we can't comprehend. But with that, there is also a level of poverty completely unbelievable to anyone from a western country. People who will never see a doctor, dentist or the internet in there entire life and they are born today.

3.) Dubai is a city fighting it's own roots. In places in Dubai it seems like NYC and then suddenly you're in the middle of the desert. It's odd to imagine this city has been raised out of sand and water into skyscrapers & islands but when you have money I guess anything is possible.

4.) Seeing people in modern dress and in traditional dress is a bit odd. To see someone in a suit or tee-shirt speaking to a completely covered woman (Must be related by blood to speak to women in traditional clothing) is a bit weird but you can see that the middle east is draped in tradition but being swept up by the materialism of western society.

5.) Come to Dubai if you have friends, family or any amount of money to spend on frivolous items. It's worth it simply for the experience of seeing a landscape change so quickly. The city is in constant construction. Roads change without any warning and it seems like people have no idea how to navigate their own city because they city grows and changes faster than they can even update their in-dash GPS.

Pressure to Succeed can Kill or Create...

Situations in life allow people opportunities. These opportunities come in all sizes...Very big to very small... When you're given an opportunity to excel a silent partner to the situation is created...that silent partner is pressure.

Pressure to perform under conditions that don't usually present themselves unless all the right circumstances are aligned is called a once in a lifetime opportunity...

I've found myself in situations of great pressure when great results were expected of me...To this point in my life, I've performed well enough to be offered a new position or future opportunity...Now I find myself in a similar situation...

Today I stood in the kitchen drinking my coffee, eating granola and listening to Pandora Radio (Kid Cudi Radio). My mother asked me how I'd been...We haven't been speaking as regularly with my schedule & plans for my trip on the horizon.

I told her that I've got a lot on my mind...She asked if the pressure was getting to me, I told her, "I can't complain about pressure to succeed on my shoulders. Everyone around me is pulling for me to make a good opportunity for people around me a great opportunity."

I realize how fortunate I am...I have an awesome job that allows me to travel, learn about the inner workings of online business & gives be great leeway to develop my character as an employee, manager & future business owner.

I've had days where I've woken up and been crushed by my to-do list but I've also had days were I can't believe I have the opportunity to express my opinion at a critical level in a company...So I have to be thankful for the pressure to keep doing well and exceeding expectations...

Truly there is crisis in every situation. I can see crisis as a danger or an opportunity. Any pressure to excel in business, educate myself or become more creative is welcomed because I've always expected myself to be valued in a company for my ideas, process & action.

I've now landed the opportunity to excel under the perfect conditions for success...Now all I have to do is deliver the results...Like Jay-Z says, "Men Lie, Women lie...Numbers don't." It's time for me to make those numbers look nice...



Do you have opportunities in your life that can be seen as a danger or opportunity? Do you have the confidence to make the results? I hope so...