Worthwhile Blog Posts from Elsewhere

There are a few blogs I read on a regular basis (you can see some of them on my blogroll to the left), and there are certain individual blog posts that I go back to semi-regularly because the content is just THAT good.  I thought I would take the time and share with you some of my favorites:

1. Planning your career. It seems like everybody has their two cents to add when it comes to giving career advice.  Some are more valid and useful than others, but I found the three part posts by Marc Andreessen one of the best around.  That’s because they are not only useful, they are insightful and practical.  I try to send it to the college kids I mentor, but actually, the advice is equally applicable to anybody who wants it:
   • Part I: http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/09/the-pmarca-gu-1.html
   • Part II: http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/10/the-pmarca-guid.html
   • Part III: http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/10/the-pmarca-gu-1.html
2. Deliver a presentation like Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs is one of the best showman in business today.  When he speaks, everybody listens.  This post by Business Week attempted to break down the elements of Job’s speech that make him compelling as a speaker.  Each elements outlined in the post is not entirely new or revolutionary, but the post is an all-in-one package that’s good for reference or quick reminder for when we are putting together our own presentations: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732.htm
3. How to connect with VIPs. Have you always wanted to reach an important person whom you feel can mentor you, help you close the deal of your life time, introduce you to your next job, or simply to learn from?  If so, you may find this post interesting to read.  While I’ve never tried out the techniques discussed in the post for the purpose of reaching out to those I don’t know, I have used it to engage those I barely know.  And it works!  I hope you find it useful in your life as well: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/10/how-to-get-george-bush-or-the-ceo-of-google-on-the-phone/

Love Lessons from the Centenarians

While poking around for some research on user behavior, I came across a study conducted by Evercare called the 100 @ 100 survey.  The objective of the study is to provide insights into one of the fastest-growing segments of the population.  According to the study itself, “the anecdotal survey of Centenarians is meant to provide a cultural snapshot of the lives and lifestyles of Americans who achieve and surpass the 100-year-old milestone by remaining active and independent.”

The findings were interesting, but I was drawn to the section about achieving lasting relationship.  Here is what the wise Centenarians have to say about cultivating lasting love:

• Be honest with each other “even if the truth sometimes hurts”
• Have fun and laugh together
• Respect each other’s independence
• Say “sorry” even if you don’t feel you are wrong

Pretty good advice, I’ll say.  For the full report, go here: http://www.evercarehealthplans.com/pdf/2008_Evercare_100@100_Survey.pdf

Heeding the “Wear Sunscreen” Advice

I recently got a brand spanking new iMac and decided to reorganize my iTunes. It has been a work in progress for a few weeks, but I finally finished it this past weekend. While I was going through my collection of music, I came across the “Wear Sunscreen” song that originated from a speech written by Mary Schmich of Chicago Tribune. I thought it would be fun to see how many of the advice she dispensed I actually practice today.

1. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Ugh, I failed at the first one already. I don’t take advantage of my youth half as much as I should. I should do more while I am still physically able to do so. This is a good reminder, actually, for me to start running more seriously again! I think I should finally learn how to swim as well.
2. You are not as fat as you think. I think I got over this one a while ago. I am no longer as fit as I was when I was 25, but I’ve come to accept that I will never be able to get rid of my muffin top!
3. Don’t worry about the future. I used to be much more of a planner and freaked out when things didn’t go according to my plan. I think I’ve loosen up quite a bit since, and the only real worry I have is running out of money in retirement.
4. Do one thing everyday that scares you. I notice I’ve lost the adventure side of me since leaving the east coast. I don’t scare myself enough…definitely not living life to its fullest.
5. Sing. I do. Maybe not often enough, but I definitely enjoy singing along to music on my iPod and the radio.
6. Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. My heart has been shattered twice, and that’s enough to learn this lesson!
7. Floss. Does three to four times a week count? I figured that’s better than nuthin’.
8. Don’t waste your time on jealousy. This is a hard one and something I try not to do but at which I fail miserably sometimes. Like the speech said, “Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.” Indeed, the race is only with myself, and I need to remember that!
9. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults. I fail in one but succeed in the other. I suffer from a brain defect that does not allow me to remember emotions that’s happened in the past. This has served me well, especially in getting over tough times.
10. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Alas, I threw away all the love letters I received from my first ex. He wrote me some of the most romantic letters, and I really wish I had not burned them!
11. Stretch. Ugh, not enough!
12. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. I believe I will succeed in whatever I choose to pursue. The only criteria is that I must love what I do (or grow to love it if I don’t initially). I may not know my calling in life, but I definitely don’t feel guilty about it. I believe in time, I will know.
13. Get plenty of calcium. Yup, one calcium citrate pill a day with my breakfast!
14. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they are gone. This piece of advice comes a little late for me. I’ve had too many knee injuries in the past, and I do miss their healthy state.
15. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. I consciously try to live a life of no regrets. Sure I make mistakes, but I try to learn from my mistakes and move on from it. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I am not. But life is a journey, and I hope to get there sooner rather than later.
16. Dance. Again, don’t do enough of this, mainly because I am lazy!
17. Read the instructions, even if you don’t follow them. I usually read the instruction only after things have blown up in my face. And no, I still don’t follow them.
18. Do not read beauty magazine. I don’t usually.
19. Get to know your parents, you’ll never know when they will be gone for good. That’s why I am taking this upcoming trip with them. I intend to have lots of fun even if they drive me crazy!
20. Be nice to your siblings. I don’t treat my siblings any better or worse than the way I treat my friends. Should I?
21. Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. I really only have a handful of friends I hang on to. A few close friends are worth then thousand acquaintances.
22. Live in NYC onces, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Never lived in NYC, but visited plentiful while living in Boston. I know exactly what this advice is saying. And this is year 4 in Northern California — is it time to pack up and leave before I become too soft? Will I ever be soft?
23. Travel. Yes, 8 hours and counting before I board that plane.
24. Respect your elders. I am not sure how to respect people who don’t respect themselves or me.
25. Don’t expect anyone to support you. No, that’s why I am obsessively saving money today!
26. Don’t mess too much with your hair. I am probably one of only a handful of gals who don’t own hair brushes. I use a comb instead!
27. Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. I truly believe everybody has something to teach!

On that note, I am off to catch a plane to Asia. I hope to have access to the Internet while I am traveling, but I may be too busy to update this blog. I will see you in 2H, ’08.