How to have Awesome Thinking Part 1

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In order to have an awesome mind, you must:

1. Operate from objective reality
2. Raise your blueprint
3. Cultivate the ability for sustained concentration
4. Drive yourself with emotional motivators
5. Learn to separate Truth, from Fact
6. Love growth
7. Embrace Relativity
8. Compartmentalize Emotions & Projects
9. Practice Gratitude
10. Embrace Adversity
11. Be Classy
12. Embrace Fear
13. Be Consistent
14. Understand the difference between Logic & Emotion
15. Be willing to suspend your disbelief

This is not simply a list, but rather, a list of questions for you to meditate on both now, and once you have finished this book.  It is a quick reference guide for you to take stock of various aspects of your life.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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How to have Awesome Knowledge & Skills

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Based on your progress up until now, you already have passion, drive and the habits of an awesome person.  These habits & passions will eventually lead you to self development in those areas, as there is always more to know, and more to master.

The question becomes, how then, does one raise to the level of mastery in their chosen field?

You must have:
1) Mental Toughness
2) Physical Health & Energy

To raise your knowledges to the level of awesome, you will need to be self disciplined, motivated, and mentally tougher than most.  To raise your skills you will need to have the energy to accomplish that which most cannot.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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How to have Awesome Habits

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In order to do awesome things, you must have awesome habits.

We are a collection of habits, both positive and negative.  What we are, is what we habitually do.

So, now that we have our life vision, what habits would this ideal version of ourselves have to utilize, in order to achieve that end?

Were you vibrant?  Did you have lots of energy?  Did you have lots of friends?  Did people come to you for advice?  Did you give to charity?

All these types of futures require habitual action in various areas.  To be fat, one must have the habit of not moving very much, and the habit of giving into temptation, and the habit of activating various mental associations and states to various types of food.

My recommendation is both synergistic and cumulative.  Meaning, "quitting" a negative habit is very difficult, but, replacing a negative habit with a positive one (the proverbial carrot/gum/patch/meditation for cigarette) is considerably easier, as we are often addicted to the action/mental process more than the outcome of the habit itself.

These habits will build off each other and support each other in the same manner that negative habits do.

Its much easier to be fat if you have the habit of watching 6 hours of TV a day, and combine that with the other habits I mentioned earlier.

So, divide what outcomes you want, what eulogies you've written, and gradually live the lifestyle of that person.  If they were generous, make it a habit to be generous.  If they were fit, make it a habit to live a fit life.

I'd recommend checking these out for specific insights into some positive habits.
Life, Love & Martial Arts
Passionate Passive Income

Use what works for you.  Electronic reminders, silent affirmations, meditative running, incantations, hypnotherapy, success journals, seminars, books, tapes/cds, all work, and all work well together.

One thing I like to do, is make my habits easy to start.  Like a cigarette only when drinking with friends, for example, you can make it a habit to do one pushup every morning.  Simple, easy to do... and habitual.  Just like how one cigarette turns into two, so too, do the pushups eventually begin multiplying all on their own.

Momentum.

Make it a habit to be awesome.  Start small, and never, ever compromise your positive habits.

See the bonus section Recommended Awesome Habits for some inspiration!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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How to have awesome motivation & vision

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Each of us has our own passions, our own talents and our own sense of, and path towards, joy and bliss.  The trick, for some, is to find, and cultivate it.

One of the most effective methods for discovering your passion is a method used by three humorous ghosts in an Bill Murray movie, Scrooged.  (I watch this movie with my Mom every Christmas, by the way, for the movie's inspiring message)

The concept is this:  See your death, and see your ideal death, and do a little bit of math.

What I mean by that is, take your current life, and simply multiply it all.  What's the likely outcome?  How many friends will you have, how many lives will you have changed, and what would people say about you?

Take a moment to understand that, and write out the eulogy they would say about you, and any stories or statements that those who attend your funeral would say.

...

Now, shake your body a little, and think about your ideal death.  Sure, its a strange concept, but give it a go.

Think about how you'd like to be remembered.  Who is there at your funeral, and what do they have to say about you?

Again, take the time, and write out your ideal eulogy.  Who did you affect?  How?  In what way?  How is the world a better place because of you?  Who did you inspire to take action?  What sorts of things would these people say about you?  (are these people different people?)

Hopefully it won't take a lunatic with a shotgun to get you to see the light.  Hopefully you'll simply see these two (often radically different) futures and easily be able to pick which one you want to create.

In essence, hopefully you now have all the motivation you'll ever need, both negative (avoidance) and positive (attraction) - keep the positive future in your mind, and work towards that end.

"Every man dies.  Not every man truly lives." - Braveheart

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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How to do Awesome Things

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Step 1 in being Awesome: Do awesome things.


In order to do awesome things, we must have

1) Awesome motivation & vision
2) Awesome habits
3) Awesome knowledge & skills
4) Optionally/eventually, an awesome mentor & team.

4 is optionally/eventually because, eventually, all amazing people acquire a team and a coach/mentor.  However, when you do this accelerative step, is up to you.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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How to be Awesome

SECTION 1
In my opinion, to be Awesome, one must:

1) Do awesome things
2) Help others to do step 1
3) Help others to do step 2.
4) Repeat, magnify, and monitor the geometric ripple effect.

So, just as one must first put the oxygen mask on oneself before one's children, so too must we first become awesome ourselves before we focus too heavily on making others awesome.

"Its easier to lift people up from the top, than it is to push them up from the bottom"
- T. Harv Eker

This blog will be about the journey from 1-4 and back again.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Mentors & Teams: Think Tanks & Teams

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At times, the quality of our think tanks & teams are what make or break the awesome in our lives.

Think tanks allow for one of the most powerful combinations in the universe:
Focused leveraging of information & time.

The momentum and power that comes from the leveraging of time and knowledge is outstanding.  Batman is likely an impossible person.  He's simply too highly skilled & educated in every conceivable thing - from martial arts to memorizing early 50's actors names in case the Riddler decides to include one in one of his obscure references.  

But a team of people calling themselves "Batman Inc." is entirely possible.

To put it into terms possibly more applicable to your own life:  One member of your team is studying SEO, the other, how to evaluate companies, another is an expert in sales and writing copy, another is studying lighting and film, while another is full of creative ideas.

All of a sudden, you've got a pretty awesome website, without everyone knowing all the tools.  Think tanks often ban together to form corporations and teams, or splinter groups with a common vision.

What defines a think tank group is the thinking.  What holds them together with accuracy, is their common vision.

Getting together and brainstorming, as well as sharing progress & challenges is an excellent way to maintain momentum, and avoid getting "stuck".  Common vision is an excellent way to help arbitrate decisions.

Even simply having a place to articulate your challenge to another human being can sometimes queue up your subconscious' own ability to solve the situation itself!

The secret to many awesome people's lives, was that they surrounded themselves with people who played at what, to them, was work.

Said differently, one person's "trash" is another person's "treasure".  You might hate public speaking, while a team member might live for it.

Recommended Reading:  Cash in a Flash

"The more I enjoy doing something, the less I call it work."

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts

Mentors & Teams: Finding & Evaluating Friends

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Of all tasks necessary for evolutionary awesomeness, people tend to get the most sensitive about selective friendships.

The terms "elitist" and "snob" come to many people's minds nearly instantly, so, good for you for being open minded enough to read on.

Regardless of how you feel towards selective friendships, one thing is certain:
How selective we become about who we surround ourselves directly influences which realities we will gravitate towards.

Said differently, we become that which surrounds us.

Loyalty is an admirable trait, and in no way am I saying you should "fire" your friends who don't live up to your highly judgmental standards.  Or that you should ask for resumes when introduced to a person.

What I am saying, is that when you are managing your time, be aware that you will subconsciously adapt to your environment.  You will become your environment.  Observe your environment with that knowledge.  And do what you can to make that environment as awesome as possible.

Recommended Viewing: The Hidden Influence of Social Networks

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts

Mentors & Teams: Finding & Evaluating Coaches

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Coaches are the people in our lives who drive us, inspire us, motivate us, and, perhaps most importantly, are able to look at us as impartially as possible with their trained eyes, and see the areas that need the most improvement.

They aren't always tactful, or even kind, (though its nice when they are) but they always tell us what we need to hear in order to improve.

As with mentors, be selective.  Judge both by results, and by feel.

It should feel empowering to be in the presence of your coach, to see the improvement and possibilities.

At the same time, they should push you past your comfort zones, and encourage growth which, at times, could be painful.

A great coach will be able to empathize and help you through, or provide advice for, those growing pains.

Anything from:
"you're likely to feel some stiffness in your legs after today's martial arts class - remember to stretch your legs!" 
to
"you're likely going to feel some anxiety over this multi-million dollar deal - just remember that breathing exercise!" 
to
"This book is likely going to make your brain hurt - remember to offset the epiphanies with some comic books"


Ultimately, a great coach is like great art:  Subjective and a personal choice.  Evaluate your coach the same way you do your art.  Does it move you?

Recommended Viewing: 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts

Mentors & Teams: Finding & Evaluating Mentors

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Finding a mentor at this stage for you should be easy, because you already know what you want, and have an approximate game-plan as to how to achieve it, or, at the very least, through which means.

So, despite the fact that you are a unique, beautiful snowflake, I'm willing to be that someone has done something, at some time, that is similar... and has been very successful at it.

When you find this person, or persons, immediately pose yourself this challenge:  What can you do for them?  How could you make their lives easier?  What insight could you offer them?

Even something as simple as paying for lunch, or picking up someone's dry cleaning is sometimes enough.  While others may require nearly complete servitude.  Keep in mind, it doesn't matter if someone is a billionaire.  Buying someone lunch is still buying someone lunch.  Its a gesture that shows you appreciate their time.

A note:  World class people of the highest caliber are always looking to serve the world.

If you can not only offer them some form of service, but also show them how them helping you would better serve the world, all the better!

Evaluating your Mentor is simple:

Take out your eulogy, and compare it to what theirs would be if they died within 3 years.  Is it close in ambition? In passion?

The important aspect is:  Is this person someone you want to be LIKE?  (not necessarily "BE", but be LIKE)

For example, someone who is an extremely successful entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering youth through their kayaking program would still be "close enough" for someone who wishes to be an extremely successful entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering youth through their martial arts program.

However, an extremely successful cigarette company CEO might not fit the bill.

Choose your mentors carefully.  Evaluate their life from multiple angles, or, at the very least, selectively listen to their advice based on their reality.

If they are miserable with their wives, but are incredible teachers, business owners and make the world a better place - listen to their advice on marketing, philosophy and influence - but maybe filter out some of their relationship advice.

Remember:  Nobody is perfect.  But everyone is better at something, than you.  Find someone with a large chunk of well-developed pieces of things you want to be better at, and help them out.

If you have a hard time finding this person, ask yourself who the top in the field is, and work your way down to someone you can reach.  Or, find someone slightly better than you and ask them questions until they can't answer you any more, and at some point find out who they go to for advice, and work your way up.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Mentors & Teams: The Difference Between Mentors, Coaches & Friends

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Many people lump their support groups into one large ball.

I would point out that mentors are generally closer to where you want to be than you are, and often will attempt to encourage you towards their reality; while coaches are generally excellent at spotting ways for you to improve, and influencing you to do so; and friends are people who make you laugh, are there for you when you feel up or down, and will encourage you towards their reality.

All are totally awesome, and sometimes people do "cross over" into various areas.  (for example, many of my business associates are friends) but remember:  Do not confuse the three.  A friend's council is different from a coach's, as it has a different objective.  A friend's council is different from a mentor's as they have different realities.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Mentors & Teams

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While great things can and are accomplished all alone, it is both lonely and rare.

(Even Batman has Alfred.)

In order to do awesome things, you're going to need:
1) Mentor(s) or Coach(es)
2) Think Tank(s) and/or Team(s)

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Awesome Breathing

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In order to achieve your ideal weight, be stress free, have abundant energy, and cleanse your body of toxins, you must master the art of breathing.

The good news is, its easy to learn.  The challenge is, of course, remembering to do it, and making the time to do so.

I recommend setting up an automatic reminder where you can find the time to do this sort of thing on a regular basis. Timing it with meals, showers, or exercise regimes works wonderfully, as it only takes about 4 minutes from start to finish.

Ideally, you'll want to do the below 3 times per day.

It is important to follow these steps exactly for optimum results:

1. Connect your tongue to your pallet, assume a straight posture (standing, sitting, or laying down) and face your palms up, keeping your legs, fingers & toes uncrossed.
2. Breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your stomach to expand before your chest for X seconds
3. Hold for 4X seconds
4. Exhale for 2X seconds
5. Take one big, natural breath
6. Repeat steps 1-4, 10 times or more.

For example, you could breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 12 seconds, and exhale for 6 seconds.  The number doesn't really matter, though, bigger is always better as long as you do not feel strained.

For added benefit you may close your eyes, be in nature, or listen to calming music, positive affirmations, or other forms of subliminal tools or educational resources that do not require conscious involvement.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: How to choose a martial arts school pt 2

Transparency:  Secretive vs Open

• Secretive styles are often mysterious and appealing to those seeking "forbidden knowledge", and view questions as impolite.
• Open styles are often up front about their curriculum, and are open to answering questions.

Use: Sport vs Self Defense

• Styles intended for sport are often competitive, and teach sport fighting.  Sports are filled with rules to ensure the safety of the fighters, which means that you are effectively learning to strike areas of the body which will do the least harm.
• Styles intended for self defense can be competitive or cooperative.  Self defense can be taught just as safely as a sport style, but its application can range from neutralization of a threat to outright termination.

Character:  Students & Staff

Just as you can observe the body type of the majority of consumers of various food outlets, from organic groceries to McDonald's, so too can you observe the mindset of a school's students.  Ask yourself, are these people more, or less, like how you want to be?  Are they happy?  Are they determined?  Disciplined?  Make sure that where you're going is filled with students and instructors who walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: How to choose a martial arts school

Everyone should take martial arts. The question is... Which combination works for you?

Many people do not know that there are different types of martial arts, or different ways of teaching them.  As training in the martial arts has been described as the biggest decision people have made for themselves and their children, I strongly urge you to make an educated choice.

Method: Hard vs. Soft

• Hard styles are "hard' because they focus on the joining of objects through speed, power andstrength.  Often times they will put emphasis on sparring.
• Soft styles are "soft" because they focus on the manipulation of pre-joined objects through redirection & leverage.

Development: Internal vs External

• Internal styles are "internal" because they focus upon breathing & meditation techniques, and often incorporate flowing movements and skeletal alignments.
• External styles are "external" because they focus more upon cardiovascular development and strength training.

Mindset: Competitive vs Cooperative

• Competitive schools will often have "fight teams" and focus on winning/losing, competitions andtrophies.  (Sport application)
• Cooperative schools will focus on helping each other train, improvement of self esteem and aptitude.  (Self defense application)

All of the above examples can, of course, be merged together.  There can be hard and soft styles, internal and external focus etc.  The important thing, is to find your perfect mix, or have a professional help you find it.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Awesome Exercise

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Awesome exercise must:
1) Work out the majority of our muscles

There are few exercises that work out the majority of your muscles.  Martial Arts, forms of dance, swimming and mountain climbing are some of the more well rounded forms of exercise.

2) Have aerobic and anaerobic components.

You'll want to have both speed, and endurance.  While aerobic exercise is excellent for your cardiovascular system, and promotes the muscle's abilities to maintain exertion for long periods of time, anaerobic exercise will develop the muscles' abilities to function for short bursts of high intensity.  For a martial artist, the anaerobic provides the ability to hit in short, accurate bursts, and the aerobic provides the ability to recover in between combinations.

3) Challenge us.

Without a goal on the horizon, we tend to jog a little slower.  Without a black belt on the horizon, we tend to train a little less.  Find goals within your exercise, and monitor them.

I would not recommend using weight as a goal (as muscle gain can provide frustrating "weight-based" benchmarks, while pants-size goals, or simply aesthetic goals are considerably more beneficial)

4) Be fun, and be done regularly.

What do you honestly do in your life, regularly, that isn't in some way fun?  How hard is it to get you to do those things?  You want your exercise to be stress-relief, to be fun, to be challenging, and enjoyable!  This is why I love martial arts so much.  You barely realize you're exercising, and the results speak for themselves.

Recommended Reading:  How to choose a martial arts school that's right for you

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Minerals

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These are just some helpful minerals to help you understand so-called "multi-vitamins" and supplements.

ALKALIZING MINERALSCalcium: pH 12
Cesium: pH 14
Magnesium: pH 9
Potassium: pH 14
Sodium: pH 14

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Miscellaneous Alkaline Foods

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Here are a few things that didn't quite fit into the other categories.  All yummy alternatives and additions to your alkaline diet.

ALKALIZING "OTHER"
Alkaline Antioxidant Water
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bee Pollen
Fresh Fruit Juice
Green Juices
Lecithin Granules
Mineral Water
Molasses, blackstrap
Probiotic Cultures
Soured Dairy Products
Veggie Juices

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Spices, Seasonings & Sweeteners

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Praise be, there are some sweeteners and spices that are good for us!  Usually when you tell people they have to limit their sugar, you can see their expressions pale.  Fear not!  The below is quite alkaline.

ALKALIZING SPICES, SEASONINGS & SWEETENERS
Chili Pepper
Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Protein

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Most find the biggest challenge with finding sources of protein in their alkaline diets.  It should be noted, that the majority of the veggies section are also quite high in protein.

ALKALIZING PROTEIN
Almonds
Chestnuts
Millet
Tempeh (fermented)
Tofu (fermented)
Whey Protein Powder

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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