If You Chase Two Rabbits You Will Not Catch Either One -- Praise for the Book, "The One Thing"

A mentor recently passed along a book that has completely reframed the way I look at focus. It's called, The One Thing and I highly recommend it. 

I've found myself underlining, highlighting, doggy-earring the countless insights and strategies that seem so obvious yet rarely practiced. Here's a very brief rundown of my takeaways so far:

1. Level up your focus.

2. Not all things matter equally.

3. You have to create a domino effect in your life -- success begets success

4. Do the right thing and then the NEXT right thing.

5. When you improve the right skill your results improve. 

6. Find the ONE thing and LIVE it. 

7. Be aware of the "The 6 Lies Between You and Success."

-- Everything Matters Equally

-- Multitasking 

-- A Disciplined Life

-- Willpower is Always on Will-Call

-- A Balanced Life

-- Big is Bad

8. "When everything feels urgent and important, everything seems equal. We become active and busy, but this doesn't actually move us any closer to success." (My number one challenge!)

9. Success isn't a game of who does the most -- be aware of to-do's that masquerade as priorities.

10. You can think BIG and still go small -- busy vs. productive.

This book will be a revelation for a lot of actors and artists because you can't compare our industry with anything else in the world. It's an incredibly a solo and sometimes lonely endeavor, success can be nebulous, and opportunities rare.

As a result, we often cling to something that will make us feel as if though we're inching closer to our dreams without taking into account its actual usefulness. 

I know I've made countless "to-do lists" over the last 10 years that often gave the elusion I was being productive, while in actuality they were just keeping me busy. 

Pick up this book and figure out how to turn your "to-do list" into a "success list." 

Happy reading!

https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509656362&sr=8-1&keywords=the+one+thing

Travel

There's a great TEDx Talk online called, Travel More & Buy Less:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlCqyZEXM1I&t=889s

The talk got me thinking about my own insights into a little globetrotting, something I've been very fortunate to do a great deal of. Here are my quick thoughts on how to take action on seeing the world:

1. Decide where to go. I suggest picking a destination that speaks to you for any number of personal reasons like culture, historical landmarks, and even cuisine. Research the country thoroughly through publications like Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, Frommer’s, and Time Out to name just a few.  

YouTube and type in the name of the place you plan to visit.  You might be surprised to find a virtual tour of the city, or country. Finally, visit sites like Yelp, and speak to people who have already visited the places you want to visit. You may even have a friend who is originally from, or has lived in the place you want to see.  

2. It doesn’t need to be far. Try not to take for granted the wonderful places at your fingertips. The belief that you have all the time in the world to see something is a dangerous assumption. If it peeks your interest and you don’t need a passport go check it out.

3. Consider visiting a place out of your immediate comfort zone. Often the most rewarding part of my journeys was debunking silly misconceptions about different cultures and countries. In turn, being respectful and inquisitive about each location’s customs allowed me to be a positive ambassador from my own home. “Good travelers are always curious, fearless, and without prejudice.”  - Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain

4. Always be a tourist. Just because your trip must eventually come to an end doesn’t mean your curiosity has to. When you return home maintain that tourist’s sense of curiosity and wonderment with your surroundings. Find creative ways to stay wide-eyed. 

Lessons Learned Traveling the World

Last summer, I had the great fortune of traveling to several countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It was an opportunity to re-connect with friends, see parts of the world I hadn't visited before, and much needed reflection.

I wrote each day about my journey, while asking someone in each new place for the best piece of advice someone had ever given them. The insights were profound, while refreshingly simple.

http://www.worldambler.com/ 

On the very last day of my journey I found myself in Warsaw, Poland. My final discovery was perhaps the most poignant -- at least at the time:

Living life on your own terms, which is to say, an existence of nonconformity is like any other meaningful pursuit. It takes practice and time to hone your craft. But in time, you slowly get better and better, eventually skilled at shooing away the chatter and noise of those who project their own fears and failures upon you. The notion that you must live a certain type of life wanes in its ability to ruffle you because you have become a master craftsman in living life the way you see fit.

Invest

Yesterday afternoon, I interviewed an old friend for the, To the Prospective Artist: Lessons from an Unknown Actor podcast. 

https://soundcloud.com/hy9btjy0cxsu/to-the-prospective-artist-interview-with-a-young-actor-reynaldo-piniella

I'd known Reynaldo since he was just a kid at 19 years old. Yet, he always exuded a poise that was not common among most of his colleagues. I certainly didn't possess it when I was his age.

I wanted listeners to gather insights and apply the lessons he'd learned during his journey as an actor over the past 8 years. What I realized while listening to Reynaldo's wise insights and discoveries was he got to where he is by investing in his education. 

He spoke about how building community, pursuing hobbies outside of acting, and traveling had played important roles in his development as a person and not surprisingly as a more compelling storyteller. The student had truly become the teacher. 

Invest in your education then pass on what you know.