Where is the Shortcut to Success?

I hope I am not alone in saying that I have been in a slump. In this slump, laziness takes over and productivity is at a stalemate. I tend to ask myself, "How do I motivate myself?" I tend to compromise and stray away from the solution when it is actually painfully simple. In order to get out of a slump, is to simply do. If I wake up at 7:00AM and my room looks messy, clean it right away. It seems like there is not enough time in a day to get everything accomplished, but it is more efficient to stop thinking and just do. I have become more efficient by doing whatever needs to be done then and there. It is the small steps of action that leads to success. You will eventually learn what is most important after you start getting things done first.  Have a non-zero day. Do at least one thing productive whether it be reading that one chapter in the book lying in your bedside corner to applying for that one barista job downtown. GET SOMETHING DONE. Once this ball of success is moving, it gets easier and easier to push. It's annoying to hear, and every time I hear this phrase, I get a little pissed, but NO PAIN, NO GAIN. It's a phrase that should be embedded in your head every day. But be aware because there is trap that the human mind plays on us. We tend to think comparatively. Working hard is relative. Something is hard because there have been easier times prior. This "easy time" is an illusion. Don't compare things to the past.  It is better to think about now and how to accomplish whatever in the best of your ability. Whatever you do, try your best at it. It will seem like a struggle to study 4 hours a day in college if you compare it to your summer break after 2nd grade always playing outside. Sure, those were good times, but your time is now. Things have and always will be changing. Adapt to these changes. Remember, you deserve whatever happens. If you don't study for that Calculus test and get a 55% on it, you deserve it. If you have a great work ethic and receive a fat promotion, you deserve it. We as humans have grown up with this concept. We know what we have to do to become successful but we have to constantly remind ourselves. You know what to do, start now.

Here's a helpful excerpt that inspired me.

http://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1q96b5/i_just_dont_care_about_myself/cdah4a

Family Time

   After graduating early and moving to a different city, I have been with my parents for 24/7. It is kind of new to me. I usually will be out doing my own things whether it be school, swim practice, or on my own studying. But here, I am basically just going to the public library (with my parents) planning ahead for my trip, college, and other personal endeavors. The weather has gotten nicer which expands my boundaries because it allows me to use my bike as transportation because my dad doesn't like me using his truck. It is startling to think that I have already lived here for one week. I still feel like I am in a transitional period since my surroundings are completely unfamiliar. It is fun being in a new city, but I always have a slight feeling of being lost.

   Going back to always being with my parents, I want to explain that honestly, I don't mind too much. There is a misplaced feeling since I am legally an adult and I am still with my parents, but there should be an understanding because when I leave to college and move out, I won't be seeing my parents much throughout the rest of my life. For example, my older sister is a junior in college and ever since the fall of 2011, we see her maybe 2 weeks of the year. I am trying to savor these last few moments in the nest, but the awkward feeling of being a man-child lurks around me. But with the nicer weather, I can find my own things to do and still have a quality time with my parents. That is one thing about living in a metropolis; there are so many things to do that it is hard to narrow things down to actually do. Saint Paul also comes with a slight culture shock coming from a city that is 25 times smaller. Back in Rochester, I felt a type of bond amongst every person I came by. Here in Saint Paul, I feel every person I meet I probably won't come across long enough to remember. With this type of relationship with others, there tends to be a less caring attitude and less polite. I have only been here for a week so I might not have the most accurate judgement.

I looked into an interesting subject called hedonic adaptation which states that humans have the tendency to return to a state of happiness even with the exposure of positive and negative life changing events. That humans have a set point of happiness and tends to always end at this point whether something dramatic happens or not. This theory is also known as the hedonic treadmill because no matter how hard one works, he or she will end up back where they are. In one perspective, it seems that this theory than diminishes one's motivation to work hard but looked at in a different perspective, it is comforting to know that humans have the ability to adapt well to the surroundings. The world can seem to be full of suffering but knowing that we can adapt and be imperious to the despair and pains is very fortunate.  I found this concept quite interesting because not only is it very insightful, but the whole concept is quite simple. Anyways, check it out so we can discuss it!

Books + Big Building = ☮

Public Libraries are awesome. They are a perfect place to let inspiration flow and conjure up new ideas. Each public library I go to, becomes my own personal niche.

Saint Paul

Moving into a new city has brought me mixed feelings. Growing up in Rochester, Saint Paul is a big change. I'm leaving behind the city that has molded me into the person I am today. With an intense lifestyle transition, I have now landed on one foot in the great Twin Cities. It seems at the moment that this is a very significant point of my life. But I have to keep reminding myself to keep my thoughts and actions organized. Being here provokes a fresh feeling sprinkled with fear of what's going to happen next.

Yesterday, I Biked from Rochester to Saint Paul

Previously living in a long term suite, a condominium was found in Saint Paul. With my bike the only oversized item, it had to be transported someway from Rochester to Saint Paul. Why not ride it? I mean that's what it's made for, to transport itself. Due to weather, I biked a day earlier. Leaving at 6 AM, I arrived in Saint Paul downtown at approximately 5:30 PM. What an adventurous ride. I kept people updated online via instagram, here are the picture I took.

Last Day of Work!

Work has finally come to an end. Although it was only a month, it was a nice release to walk away. I have improved my ability to communicate with people and I feel less awkward making small talk. At my barista job, while I would foam the milk, I would always try to conjure up a conversation with the person waiting for his or her drink. I also formed a small relationship with the regulars who come. One thing I learned about serving coffee, Indians always drink their coffee with cream. Not one customer who was Indian drank black coffee. It brings curiosity to how what nation a person is from affects how one enjoys coffee. Anyways, it was a good run of work and I am proud of the small sum of money I have saved towards my future endeavors.

New Gear!

This week has been a spendy but exciting week. Besides the long hours at work, when I did have free time, I bought some fancy new gear for my trip. I bought a hiking backpack made by High Sierra which is even waterproof! I also purchased a hefty chain that can cut diamonds to protect my bike from raiders. Yesterday, I received my water proof pannier bags (they go on the rear of my bike) and today, I was able to attach them to my bike because my friend helped me attach a bike rack to the back of my bike. Although I've spent around $400 in the past few days, it is satisfying because it was my own money. All the gear I purchased are in my existence from the sweat as I made an infinite amount of lattes, cappuccinos, and Chinese food.

Today was a nice break. After working double shifts at both job three days in a row, not having to get my face covered in mocha syrup or chicken grease is a really nice. At home, we have sold most of our big belongings and now we are trying to sell the smaller things. We had a small house sale (similar to a garage sale but in the house because it's Minnesota and it's cold outside) and I helped organize and sell. Afterwards, I biked to an old friend of mine who is back from college for spring break. We drove out of town to a Cabela's which is a huge store for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and camping. The store was pretty overpriced but I did end up buying a durable pot for my everyday cooking and drinking. Honestly, it was a nice get away to be with a good friend just driving and listening to music. When we got back to his place, he helped me install the holding rack and pannier bags on the bag of my bike. Elliot, if you are reading this, my deep gratitude. As I was biking back home, my back was pretty soaked from all the mud produced by the melting snow but it was still a thrill to be outside after a cold winter.  I have an odd feeling of excitement due to the fact that in exactly one week, my family and I will be homeless. Let the freedom dawn upon us!

We Should Start Seeing Other Bicycles...

Last known photo of my beloved Univega fixed gear bicycle. This piece of fine machinery has efficiently got me from point A to point B without fail. I do hope your new owner grows a similar bond of trust and love.

Why hello there (;

2014 Specialized Compact Secteur

Piling in the Cheddar

With one month left in Rochester, I have strategically dedicated the rest of my stay to work and to generate a decent sum of money to fund the trip. Along with my normal job as a barista, I have reluctantly crawled back to my former job as a Chinese Chef (more mellifluous than "cook").
Having 40+ hours of espresso dripping/orange chicken flipping brings me into the world of the minimum wage survival game. I keep in mind that the more grease staining my apron and sugar-free mocha splashed in my eyebrows, the more I will be able to appreciate biking towards a setting sun on a empty highway.

February 26th 2014 First Post

Early mornings are always the prime part of my day. I've started getting used to waking up at 5AM and it gets easier every morning. The first thing I do after washing my face is brew a cup of coffee while reading in the kitchen with one light. There is a surreal stillness around me; it is peaceful. This morning I continued to read "The Catcher in the Rye" where Holden goes out on a date with a girl he thinks is phony (like everyone else he meets).  Then I went to the local YMCA for my usual workout and shower. Coming home I took a quick nap. A friend advised me that 20 minute naps are the most beneficial because anything more than 20 minutes either interrupts the REM cycle or causes grogginess. After, I went to Hy-Vee which is a Midwestern grocery store joint to get my job back as a Chinese Chef. Not the most enjoyable job, but it pays pretty decently for my age. I'm currently at the public library doing research and updating this blog. I haven't opened it yet because I am still learning the basics of how to use this site. Hopefully my formatting and posting skills improves by the time you are reading this.

Here's a relevant picture of my favorite childhood comic.