Forgiveness

Here's another topic from Canfield's book that is a personal adventure: Forgiving. Intellectually, it makes a lot of sense. Emotionally, it's a beast. I, like most think, "Sure it would be great if I didn't think about someone I absolutely loathed all the time. But that person is always going to come to mind. It's just human nature." While this is true, the pain can be lessened.

The best way I've found to "forgive" is to write a letter to the person. Write a letter from that person to me. And finally, burn both letters. It's a nice symbolic ritual, and I found it eases the pain. Then move 1000 miles away. Ha! Time and distance do wonders though.

Business Cards

I got a useful tip about business cards from a local entrepreneur. I handed him my card, and he looked at it. "I can't read your name, Mike." He said to me. "If it's dark and loud, and I don't hear your name, I'm never going to be able to pretend to know it by glancing at your card."

Up to this point, I thought the business card was simply about transferring contact information, and I had chosen a beautiful script font for my name. It's perfectly legible in normal office light. But, business cards aren't for normal office light. These tiny slips of cardboard are for bars, back alley deals, networking events, conferences, etc. If you're well advertised on the Internet, there isn't any reason you can't use an Ocean's 11 style business card.

Make your name MASSIVE. The whole point of a business card is to get someone to remember you. Make it easy for the person you're meeting. Let them hear, read and say your name.

Following Advice

Advice and decision making is one of those things you just have to do. Make lots of choices. The more choices you make the more you'll understand what decisions were smart, which were stupid, and why each idea matured or evolved the way it did. Here are a couple quick tips if you're stuck.

1. If you parents or someone that cares about you suggest something that doesn't take a lot of effort is legal and isn't going to unravel your master plan. Do it. We often get tunnel vision and small tweaks can go a long way toward improving our lives. You don't have to agree, instead of arguing save your energy and just get whatever it is done.
2. Listen for hesitation when asking for advice. No one wants to rain on your parade. If you're making a major life decision and three or more people hesitate before answering, rework the plan. 
3. Keep your hand out of the cookie jar. If your only reason for not following advice is "that doesn't get me what I want," maybe it's time to figure out a plan to get something similar, better and more lasting. Better to take the pain of not having something or someone upfront than the devastation caused by your crazy plan blowing up in your face.
4. Look it up on the Internet. There are lots of people that are smarter than you.
5. Sleep on it. No good decisions are ever made in the wee hours of the night.