Given these tough economic times (aka the ”tets”), I often get asked for career advice from friends and family. Everyone is looking for improvement in their career, whether it’s to land that first job, get a promotion or strike an independent consulting path. To them, I always say that half the battle is in landing the opportunity. It’s not about flashy suits and shiny shoes … [Read more...]
Open Thread: Who’s Your Hero?
A true and great hero died last week. Most knew him as Robert Succop Whiteside - a decorated (for heroism) World War II naval officer, distinguished graduate of Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon) at a time when it was more prestigious than Yale, successful business man, epic world traveler, and more. I knew him as Opa - my grand-dad. I was one of the lucky ones. We need … [Read more...]
How Buddhism Taught Me Lifestyle Design
I live in a monastery in SE Asia. I've been living here since April when I admitted myself to a Zen retreat. It's kind of like admitting yourself to a mental hospital, only more peaceful. I kid. But it's one of the craziest decisions I've ever made in my short, 20-somethings existence. It's been one heck of a (dare I say) enlightening experience, and has taught me a lot about … [Read more...]
Step One of the Wealth Building Process Starts with Your Career
How many people do you know that have achieved financial independence simply through their investments? Me? Hardly any. But I do do know countless individuals who have busted their tail to become experts in their field of work, saved a healthy portion of their earnings and then wisely invested that capital and achieved a decent return. And for many of these people the … [Read more...]
The First Step to Becoming Extraordinary
The ability to consume information is easier than it has ever been in history. We consume information so readily and passively that we barely have the chance to grasp and internalize the information. But we love it. It feels good, like we are accomplishing something. We read, read and read, hoping that we will soak up that knowledge. If this describes you, well you may be a … [Read more...]