Excellently done. I congratulate you!
Seriously, not many people really finish what they've started in this world. In fact, not many people even get close! You're at the end of a section, and that is a cause for celebration!
Of the tiny, tiny percentage of people who take the time to make the effort to improve themselves, an even tinier percentage finish the very books they were using for that purpose. I mean it, I'm impressed!
Take a moment and bask in this praise. Its important to be well practiced at receiving praise, and not deflecting it. This isn't a time to be super humble and say something like "oh, it was nothing" It was something, and you did it!
You now have all the tools necessary to do awesome things!
What sorts of awesome things will you do? Do you have a 1 year plan? A 10 year plan? What impact will your increased awesomeness have upon our world?
I know you'll be super busy, doing all these awesome things, and, I know that you've not got the thirst for making things even better, yes?
Read on :-)
Mentors & Teams: Think Tanks & Teams
SECTION 1: 1.4.2
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.
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
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
SECTION 1: 1.4.1.4
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
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
SECTION 1: 1.4.1.3
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
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
SECTION 1: 1.4.1.2
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
Mentors & Teams: The Difference Between Mentors, Coaches & Friends
SECTION 1: 1.4.1.1
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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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
SECTION 1: 1.4
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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While great things can and are accomplished all alone, it is both lonely and rare.
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
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.3
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:
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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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:
- 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.
- Breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your stomach to expand before your chest for X seconds
- Hold for 4X seconds
- Exhale for 2X seconds
- Take one big, natural breath
- 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.
, 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
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.2
Awesome exercise must:
1) Work out the majority of our muscles
Recommended Reading: How to choose a martial arts school that's right for you
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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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.4) Be fun, and be done regularly.
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)
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
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6g
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
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6f
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
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6e
ALKALIZING SPICES, SEASONINGS & SWEETENERS
Chili Pepper
Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Protein
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6d
ALKALIZING PROTEIN
Almonds
Chestnuts
Millet
Tempeh (fermented)
Tofu (fermented)
Whey Protein Powder
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Fruits
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6c
ALKALIZING FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana (high glycemic)
Berries
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Health & Energy: Alkaline Oriental Vegetables
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6b
ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
Daikon
Dandelion Root
Kombu
Maitake
Nori
Reishi
Shitake
Umeboshi
Wakame
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: Alkaline Vegetables
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6a
The good news, is that most veggies are good for you. Below is an easy, alphabetical list to aid you in your quest for health!
ALKALIZING VEGETABLES
Alfalfa
Barley Grass
Beet Greens
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard Greens
Chlorella
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Dandelions
Dulce
Edible Flowers
Eggplant
Fermented Veggies
Garlic
Green Beans
Green Peas
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Nightshade Veggies
Onions
Parsnips (high glycemic)
Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Radishes
Rutabaga
Sea Veggies
Spinach, green
Spirulina
Sprouts
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Watercress
Wheat Grass
Wild Greens
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: A comprehensive list of alkaline foods
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.6
Finding a balance of about 60% Alkaline diet is ideal, unless you are battling cancer, obesety, or other serious ilnesses, in which case you would want to consider an 80% cleanse until your symptoms disapear completely.
A source of confusion on these foods is often the debate behind their PH values before and after digestion.
For health purposes, what you are interested in is the post-digestion PH values.
(For example, lemons are very acidic, pre-digestion, but alkaline forming in the end.)
For ease of reading, I've seperated the list into
A) ALKALIZING VEGETABLES
B) ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
C) ALKALIZING FRUITS
D) ALKALIZING PROTEIN
E) ALKALIZING SPICES, SEASONINGS & SWEETENERS
F) ALKALIZING OTHER
G) ALKALIZING MINERALS
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Health & Energy: How to achieve proper hydration
SECTION 1: 1.3.2.1.5
The trick to proper hydration is less complex than solid foods, and still has to do with both quality and quantity.
There are different grades of water. The higher the grade, the better your body will run.
Tap Water:
Chemicals and additives I wouldn't drink unless there was no other option.
Filtered Water:
Great, though not all water filters are created equal. As they are constantly improving on existing technology, I cannot recommend a specific product, though, I can recommend this site for finding the best one for you.
Bottled Water:
Mostly scams and poor products that prey on the naive or uninformed.
However, this site has some fantastic product. (If nothing else, I like having a few of their bottles to transport my own filtered water in, as their bottles are of a much higher quality than the standard fare)
Your body uses up an extremely large amount of water when it is digesting, sleeping, exercising, or having sex. So, drink before those activities, and afterwards.
Your urine shouldn't stink, and shouldn't be dark yellow. Try to drink a little before you're thirsty, as a habit.
To alkalize water, you can use alkalizing drops
, or lemon. To increase your body's health, lower body odor, and massively increase your digestion, you may want to add things like
Your urine shouldn't stink, and shouldn't be dark yellow. Try to drink a little before you're thirsty, as a habit.
To alkalize water, you can use alkalizing drops
, or lemon. To increase your body's health, lower body odor, and massively increase your digestion, you may want to add things like chlorophyll to your water
. Its yummy, and good for you (though I wouldn't mix it with the lemon).
. Its yummy, and good for you (though I wouldn't mix it with the lemon).You may also want to start your day with a green drink
. This ensures you start your day with liquid, and high-liquid-content, alkaline foods. (those mix well with the chlorophyll
)
. This ensures you start your day with liquid, and high-liquid-content, alkaline foods. (those mix well with the chlorophyll)Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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