Summer came and went and I'm not gonna lie, it was a toughie. There were times over the past two-and-a-half months when I was so catatonically depressed, I could barely get out of bed, never mind post blogs. I stopped running, writing, socialising, and basically being me. I could have posted my journal ramblings but that would have meant blacking out all the swear words and the negativity that seemed to be consuming me. I have endured much in my life and always charged at it with a never-ever-quit kind of evangelism. This time was radically different because all hope seemed to be gone.
Read MoreMaking Your Dream a Reality.
Whether managing an award-winning successful business in London, publishing a book, competing in various ultra-marathons, or taking on projects with big vision, there are certain characteristics I've needed in order to succeed. I don't profess to know any great secret to getting things done but I have learned along the way that there are a few methods—all learned, I might add—that help me see a project through. Discipline is essential if you want to succeed at anything. Whether you are an artist, musician, writer, photographer, or whatever, it is important to invest in yourself. This may mean removing distractions while you work (phone, Facebook etc.), getting regular sleep, and eating healthy. People with good self control are less conflicted and make better decisions.
Read MorePowering Down.
Annoyed, impatient, anxious, envious. That was pretty much my mood at the beginning of the week. I had said to my wife in the middle of March that April would be a reset month for me. No book launch, no ultra-marathon, no promotional work to do. I anticipated time away from the Internet and more time outdoors with the good weather arriving, and yet, there I sat on Monday afternoon wanting to throw my iPhone at the wall and just step out of the world for a while.
Read MoreRuminations.
I once read a really humorous book based on observations of the French. It said that the beginning of the year here is in September, when the kids restart the school year and the French have all come back from vacation. It struck me the first year I was here just how many businesses and shops completely shut their doors in August and take the month off. Bakeries, flower shops, estate agents and the like are all closed for a solid month. Forget about capitalism, vives les vacances!
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