Niall Doherty's Blog, page 203
December 20, 2016
Momentos: December 1st – December 15th, 2016
Suddenly inundated with freelance leads, five this week alone, two calls with prospective clients this morning. This after two months with next to nothing. As a friend told me last week, it pays to be patient. “Business is a social game,” he said. “The person with the most relationships, with the highest quality relationships, with the best relationships, wins. That’s the whole game.”
2.
We’re twenty people now, pulling tables together in this bar, laughing and joking and having a good time. Meanwhile, this guy’s been sitting alone with a beer for fifteen minutes. I recognize him, actually. He’s me, ten years ago. So I go over and ask him the question I so desperately wanted someone to ask me back then.
3.
Packing everything again, heading to Las Palmas tomorrow, planning to spend the rest of the winter there. Leaving behind two sacks of stuff, having gone through all my belongings and purging relentlessly. Always a reluctance to do that, always a feeling of relief and lightness once it’s done. Sacrifice. It’s how you get what you want most in life.
4.
Didn’t sleep enough this weekend, now staring down the barrel of a week-long conference. Could get messy. I’m supposed to be speaking in front of 100+ people on Wednesday. Gotta be fresh for that. Drastic measures called for. Skipped a pizza party tonight, stocked the fridge full of salads, will be in bed before ten.
5.
Gran Canaria. You. Are. Spectacular. Big group hike today and we witnessed some epic views. Winding roads from the coast up into the mountains, massive ravines and cave dwellings, El Teide in the distance and pine needles beneath our feet. Then back to the metropolis in search of sombreros with guapas all around.
Spectacular views in Gran Canaria
6.
Staying a three-minute walk from the beach. Only €10 to rent a surf board and a wet suit for an hour. And the conditions here are perfect for newbies. So I get out there and try for the second time. Managed to catch a few on my own, and stood up on the board a few times. Going again tomorrow.
7.
Heart racing, waiting in the wings to go speak in front of 100+ people. Practiced this talk a bunch and met enough of this crowd the past few days that it’s like a room full of friends. But I found out twenty minutes ago that I can’t use my on-screen notes as planned. Thankfully I’ve got backup notecards with the whole talk written out. Actually, you know what? Fuck it, let’s try it without them, too.
8.
Well, I got what I wanted. Spending time alone with this girl, stole her away from the party and now it’s just the two of us in this tapas place, sitting by the window, closing in on midnight, me trying to listen more than I talk. And it’s nice. And I tell her I like her. And tomorrow I’ll wonder if I told her enough.
9.
All play and no work… that’s been my week, and I’m left feeling sick and miserable. It’s been worth it – met a lot of good people at Nomad City and had plenty of fun – but now all I want to do is get back into a routine, to wake up early and not feel like like a zombie, to take deep breaths and break the smartphone addiction. To exercise and meditate and get shit done.
10.
Phone beeps. It’s a match. Someone I know. Hmm. No indication all week that there was interest on her side. And she’s leaving today. So I send a message saying she’s a tease. No reply. I bump into her and friends later as they’re heading out and we say goodbye. No knowing glance, no lingering look. Like a different person.
Speaking at Nomad City (video of my talk here)
11.
Buying a bike. The guy here isn’t very helpful. I picked one out and brought it to him, asked if he could inflate the tires. Then he promptly disappeared. I take his pump and start the job myself. He sees me and rushes back. Soy el mecánico, he tells me, grabbing the pump. Fine, go ahead. He does the front. Then the back. Too much. The tire explodes. Well done, mecánico. Well fucking done.
12.
Ups and downs with mi español. Felt like I was making good progress last month but the past week in Gran Canaria it’s as if I’m a total beginner again. Some lady buzzed the apartment today and I had no idea what she was trying to tell me. Sometimes I draw a blank trying to say even the most basic stuff.
13.
Almost a year since I launched 3M1K. Someone asked me today why I’m still working at it so much when I could be making a lot more money freelancing full-time. It comes down to impact. With freelancing I can help businesses. With 3M1K I can change lives.
14.
Waist deep facing the ocean, surf board by my side, sun on my face. Behind me on the prom there’s a big digital clock that reads 16:17 and 22°C. I look left and see several hang-gliders floating beyond the auditorium. I look right and see two beautiful women paddling shortboards out into the magic. Life is sweet and I am happy.
15.
I’m good at . Was out tonight and met a bunch of people whose names I remember. Raul, Ana, Andrea, Marc, Adil, Nicole, Christian. Helps that I don’t drink. But what helps more is just asking people when I forget or don’t catch it the first time. And mnemonics.
New favorite thing 
December 16, 2016
Momentos: November 16th – November 30th, 2016
About nine in the evening as I’m strolling through old-town Puerto, on the way to meet friends but not sure I want this walk to end. You ever have those times when everything seems clear and perfect and beautiful? You notice and rejoice in all the details, wouldn’t change a thing. That’s me this eve, floating through the streets, violin music and ocean waves, a shining moon in the sky.
17.
Third presentation in three days. They all went pretty well methinks. I still need to ask for feedback, definitely lots I can improve, but I was more at ease up there than expected, enjoyed the process for the most part. I’ll be speaking to 100+ people in three weeks in Las Palmas, now feeling less intimidated by the thought of that.
18.
About twenty people here for my balcony guacamole fun-time get-together at the apartment. German, Polish, Italian, Dutch, English, Slovakian, Romanian… no Spanish actually, hmm. Anyways, it’s great having them all here. Must try host these kinds of things more often. Beats the bejesus out of spending Friday nights alone watching Netflix.
19.
Decided I’ll stay in Las Palmas when I head over there in a few weeks, rather than return to Tenerife. I like it here in many ways, but don’t think I could spend the entire winter. It’s a bit too quiet, mostly elderly tourists roaming about, not much of a dating scene. Las Palmas is the biggest city in the Canaries, should be more my style.
20.
Sun’s about down and we’re at a big old abandoned church hanging off the edge of a cliff. There’s no roof on this thing, but the walls are mostly intact. Some dude can be seen on YouTube walking along the top of those walls, braving the deadly drop. Mostly mindset that, well-trained attention. Put the same width of wall three feet off the ground and anyone could walk it.
Presenting a workshop at Coworking In The Sun
21.
Been a month now since I started experimenting with fixed-schedule productivity, as Cal Newport calls it. I get up at 5:30am and finish work by 1pm. Spend the rest of the day lunching, napping, swimming, practicing Spanish, occasionally something social. I don’t feel like I’m getting any more or less work done, but I’m more relaxed, having more fun.
22.
First time surfing. Out there for about an hour and spent approximately 50 minutes of it paddling. Such is surfing, they say. Didn’t manage to stand up on the board but had a blast still, got a good rush a few times bodyboarding towards the shore. Easy see how people get addicted. Exhausted after and a banging headache. Totally worth it.
23.
By paying most of my usual expenses through my new Chase Sapphire Reserve card the past three months, I’ve managed to unlock $1,500 worth of travel credit. Unfortunately, that credit can’t be used to book Ryanair flights home for Christmas. Guess I’ll have to keep them in the bank for a few adventures next year.
24.
Ten thirty-six. Left a good time at an Irish pub tonight to come home and get to bed so I can be up fresh at 5:30 as usual. Not sure it was the smart move this time though. Discipline is good. Excessive discipline, not so much. But what’s really bothering me is that I didn’t tell that cute French girl I liked her before I left.
25.
Been working on my Nomad City talk the past two days. Asking myself, “How can I make it fun? How can I amuse myself up there?” My answer so far involves adding a few game show-like questions, roping in a beautiful assistant, and throwing sailor hats back and forth with the audience. That should do the trick.
First time surfing. Got my ass kicked 
November 18, 2016
Momentos: November 1st – November 15th, 2016
Spanish lesson with a guy in Venezuela, via Skype. Forty minutes we talk. He’s a trained engineer, but inflation is so out of control there that he’s better off teaching Spanish online, pulling in $800/month compared to $50/month for his average countryman. He’s doing a run to the Colombian border this weekend, can buy rice there at a third the price.
2.
Doing a presentation and two workshops in a couple of weeks at the co-working space here in Puerto de la Cruz. And yesterday I landed a spot as a speaker at Nomad City next month. I’ll be up in front of 100+ people at the latter, easily the biggest crowd I’ll have addressed. As per Psycho-Cybernetics, I’ve started practicing positive visualization.
3.
A friend told me recently that the girl he was dating criticized him for crying. Second time he cried in front of her, she told him she never wanted to see that again. In her world, men aren’t supposed to cry. Well fuck that. In my world, a man who cries is a man who expresses himself freely. He’s healthy and alive and experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. It’s your life, dude; cry when you want to. It’s not your tears that need to go, it’s the people who have a problem with them.
4.
Trying to be more conscious of my thinking when I’m doing things like walking to the supermarket, washing the dishes, taking a shower. How can I use that thinking time more effectively? What problems can I work on solving? What visualizations can I practice? Not that letting the mind wander is a bad thing. But ideally it would be a conscious choice, not a random occurrence.
5.
Cheat day. Didn’t have one last week because I didn’t earn it. Making up for it now. Maybe too much. As a friend said to me recently, why is junk food seen as a treat or reward anyway? It tastes good in the moment, sure, but you feel like shit soon after. Wrecked tired this evening and all that crap I put in my body surely had something to do with it.
Getting the work day started at Coworking in the Sun
6.
Back in college I ran into a blind pick during a basketball game and fractured my eye socket. At home that night I tried to blow my nose and a big bag under my eye inflated with snot. Disgusting, I know. That was twelve years ago, but I still feel the fracture sometimes, especially when swimming. Water gets up my nose and seeps in behind my eye. Probably not a good thing.
7.
A year ago in Amsterdam I saw a guy get up on stage and tell a story about his nine “friends with benefits.” Which would have been very inappropriate and in poor taste, except for the fact that he was gay. Interesting though, right? A straight guy telling that story would be labeled a dick. A straight woman telling that story would be labeled a slut. But when the teller is gay, it’s all okay.
8.
You stand in the shower, avoiding the water, waiting for it to get warm, even though you know there’s no hot water and it’ll stay cold no matter how long you wait. But you wait a while anyway. And then you say fuck it and duck your head under and it’s shocking at first but then you get used to it and it’s not as bad as you thought it would be.
9.
The thing that disheartens me most about Trump becoming US president isn’t the man himself. It’s his supporters. To be sure, not all of them are small-minded, misogynistic, xenophobic racists, but seems to me that all the small-minded, misogynistic, xenophobic racists voted for him. Now that their man won, they’ll be emboldened, hateful beliefs justified.
10.
Been thinking of a night in Kathmandu a few years back, walking home from the cinema having seen The Dark Knight Rises. I felt a sense of urgency, responsibility, like I needed to do more, be better. Because there are people in this world – real-life Banes – working hard to bully and destroy and separate. We need more real-life Batmans to counter them.
Epic balcony at the apartment I’m subletting in Tenerife. Thanks Ben and Anita!
11.
Moved apartment yesterday, subletting a nice place from some friends now. Have it all to myself, with a shared pool in the middle of the complex. I’m still not a great swimmer, working at it. Gonna try get in there every day for the next few weeks, battle through the pain period.
12.
Worst day I’ve had in a while, sitting around the apartment, Netflix bingeing, eating shit. Told myself I wouldn’t fall into that today, but did anyway. Maybe I need days like this every so often. Or maybe it’s self-sabotage, feeling unworthy and undeserving at some fundamental level. I don’t know. Will try again tomorrow.
13.
I wonder if it’s a good thing to be living alone again. Having roommates the past couple of weeks motivated me to stay active, forced me to be social. Too easy while living alone to laze on the couch and not interact with anyone, for hours or even days at a stretch.
14.
Bouncing back strong today, as I usually do. Solid few hours of work, a coaching call, hour-long Spanish class on Skype, great progress in the pool, finished editing a video, and been fasting since breakfast. Shouldn’t need to scrape bottom first though to rock days like this.
15.
About thirty people showed up for my presentation this evening at Coworking in the Sun. Went well. Really thankful for the speaking practice I’ve had over the years. Toastmasters of course, the few times I’ve tried stand-up and improv, the many podcast interviews and videos I’ve done. All added up to keep the quiver out of my voice.
Presentation at Coworking in the Sun. Thanks to everyone who came along
November 2, 2016
Momentos: October 16th – October 31st, 2016
Last night I was on my way to meet someone, running late. I sat there waiting for a tram, stressing about the lateness, somehow forgetting the fact that I was back in Amsterdam, that my favorite city lay sparkling in front of me. Finally I copped it, my shoulders relaxed, my breath deepened, and once again all was right in my world.
17.
Often while traveling you encounter other cultures handling things in different ways. And sometimes you can see that it’s no better or worse than the way you’re used to; it’s just different, and it works fine for them. Other times, you encounter a culture handling things in different ways, and it’s simply fucked up and wrong.
18.
We go for a walk in the park, hand-in-hand-in-pocket, stopping off to mimic statue poses, and mess around in the playground. Big kids, the two of us. Always fun with her. And bittersweet, since I’m constantly leaving town – I’ll be on a plane in six hours – leaving her behind. But I’m at peace with that, and I think she is too.
19.
There’s a saying in business that most companies hire too fast and fire too slow. Similar with me and friendship. I make friends quick and easy, but take far too long to cut toxic “friends” loose. Let someone go today, should have done it much earlier. Final straw was a casual insult he threw my way, and realizing that I’d gained zero value from being connected to him all these years.
20.
My sublet here in Berlin is ending a week earlier than expected, so moved my flight to Tenerife forward and will be heading there on Tuesday. Berlin has been okay, but only okay. Doubt I’ll be back next summer. If I’m going to have a home base (or two), it should be some place I love living.
Amsterdam. Still beautiful.
21.
Describing my daily routine, and he’s a bit taken aback by how disciplined I am. “How aren’t you a millionaire already?” This coming from a guy who’s making six figures a year online. I laugh at his question, though I ask myself the same thing sometimes. Thought I’d be much further along financially by now. But hey, at least I’m taking the scenic route.
22.
I’ve often felt nostalgic when leaving a place, thinking how this may be the last time I cycle past that church, or climb those steps, or visit that cafe. Not the same significance here in Berlin though. Feeling indifferent towards this city. That said, it’s been good to me. Met some great people, had some nice times.
23.
You ever think that there may be something out there you’ve yet to try – some sport or activity, maybe even a job or a musical instrument – that you’re destined to love? Something transformative. You’d try it one time and think to yourself, “How haven’t I done this before? This is it! This is what I was born to do!” I reckon there’s something like that out there for everyone.
24.
My most productive month this year, by far, was January. Had a tight deadline to finish the content for 3M1K and get the thing launched, and the only way I was able to do it was by not checking email or Facebook before 6pm every day. You’d think I would have kept that habit, but no, fell right back into distraction mode in February. Cal Newport’s latest is pulling me out again.
25.
Tenerife is a big island. So big it takes 90 minutes for the bus trip from the airport to my new home town of Puerto de la Cruz. And I step off that bus into a tropical rainstorm, get drenched going to pick up keys and finding the apartment. But I’ve got a big stupid smile on my face all the while.
Hike to Punto de Teno in Tenerife. Thanks to Sonja for the photo
October 21, 2016
Momentos: October 1st – October 15th, 2016
Three words: freedom of expression. Been thinking a lot about that recently. Why not tell that guy you like his shirt? Why not bop along to the music in your ears while walking down the street? Why not tell that girl she looks cute? What consequences do we fear? Most of them aren’t real. The rest aren’t likely. What’s holding us back?
2.
8:04pm, alone in the apartment, on the couch with my feet up, computer on my lap. It’s quiet in here, dark outside. The remains of a cup of tea beside me, some camera equipment, a tissue with blood on it, my backpack, a chopping board shaped like a pig. It’s quiet in here, dark outside.
3.
Spent the past eight hours hammering away at the redesign for this very website. Fasting today, so only had quick breaks for tea and pee and that was it. The hours slipped on by, hardly noticed them, in a trance with the machine.
4.
Sam Harris and William MacAskill in my ears, talking about effective altruism, moral illusions, existential risk, and other mind-bending topics. “If you’re listening to this, you’re probably in the top 10% of wealthiest humans on the planet. And if you earn more than $55k a year, you’re in the top 1%.”
5.
The biggest regrets we have in life are usually the things we don’t do, the chances we don’t take. I have to remind myself of this regularly, because it’s so much easier to be passive, to keep your mouth shut, to stay where you are. So much easier… but only in the short term. Remember: playing it safe is the riskiest thing you can do.
New wheels
September 30, 2016
Momentos: September 16th – September 30th, 2016
On a flight to Belgrade, you ask if you can sit in business class (no), you ask for a tour of the cockpit (no), you ask the fidgety lady beside you if she’s okay (kinda). On the bus from the airport, you ask people how to say hello and thank you in Serbian (zdravo, hvala). At the hostel, you ask to check in two hours early (yes) and if you can climb out on the roof to look at the view (yes).
17.
A driver named Pavel is waiting for me at Boryspil airport, my name on a sign. He doesn’t speak much English, loves Chris de Burgh, greatest hits playing as we speed towards Kyiv. A certain song comes on and I hear a sniffle, look over and see Pavel wiping a tear. Once upon a time, a lady in red must have broken his Ukranian heart.
18.
19.
Jesus Christ, Kiev. $35 for a three-course meal for three at one of the finest restaurants in town. $8 for a zip line across the river. $0.15 takes you to any metro stop in the city. And all the while you’re getting whiplash from the abundance of beautiful women roaming around. Was thinking Berlin every summer, but this place has me thinking twice.
20.
Wheels just left the tarmac in Belgrade, five-day trip at an end. Eyes heavy and brain foggy after it all. Like the weather outside. Taking a breath… gratitude… remember. Had adventures, met people, ate well, stayed healthy. Above the clouds now, cotton wool carpet below. A pretty girl serving me orange juice. Tis a privileged life I lead.
Serbians don’t forbid you to walk in dangerous places. They just want you to know that if you do, you might die.
21.
Paid a German lady €120 today to shoot a laser at my face in an attempt to remove a couple of warty things that’d been bugging me for a while. Vain, I know. Was thinking not to mention it here but it’ll be in my next finance report anyway so might as well. Which is part of what I like about those reports. They force me to be more honest, more accountable.
22.
Starting to get a bit chilly now in Berlin. But not to worry: booked flights to Tenerife yesterday. Will be heading there November 1st, planning to stay through the winter, get some good work done, improve my Spanish, learn to surf, try get a proper tan for the first time in my life. Should be a good spot for shooting a few videos too.
23.
Doing this 90 Day Money Game with the 3M1K crew, and I set myself a goal of $45,000 in proposals by the end of November. Started slow the past couple of weeks but spent this afternoon submitting three proposals worth a total of $8,200. Back in the saddle again.
24.
What do you do when you’ve arranged to meet someone at a certain time and it’s ten minutes after and there’s no sign? I used to stick it out, would always bring a book so I wouldn’t mind waiting. No big deal, I’d say when they finally showed. But it is a big deal. It’s disrespecting my time, the ultimate non-renewable resource. I’m not waiting around anymore.
25.
Scrolling through my Facebook feed today and I see a pic from one 3M1K member exploring Japan, another in Tenerife, and a video from a third paragliding in Nepal. A fourth recently moved to Israel, and there’s an email from a fifth telling me he just landed his first gig at $75/hour. So glad I built that course.
Monday in Kyiv
September 18, 2016
Momentos: September 16th – September 30th, 2016
On a flight to Belgrade, you ask if you can sit in business class (no), you ask for a tour of the cockpit (no), you ask the fidgety lady beside you if she’s okay (kinda). On the bus from the airport, you ask people how to say hello and thank you in Serbian (zdravo, hvala). At the hostel, you ask to check in two hours early (yes) and if you can climb out on the roof to look at the view (yes).
17.
A driver named Pavel is waiting for me at Boryspil airport, my name on a sign. He doesn’t speak much English, loves Chris de Burgh, greatest hits playing as we speed towards Kyiv. A certain song comes on and I hear a sniffle, look over and see Pavel wiping a tear. Once upon a time, a lady in red must have broken his Ukranian heart.
18.
19.
Jesus Christ, Kiev. $35 for a three-course meal for three at one of the finest restaurants in town. $8 for a zip line across the river. $0.15 takes you to any metro stop in the city. And all the while you’re getting whiplash from the abundance of beautiful women roaming around. Was thinking Berlin every summer, but this place has me thinking twice.
20.
Wheels just left the tarmac in Belgrade, five-day trip at an end. Eyes heavy and brain foggy after it all. Like the weather outside. Taking a breath… gratitude… remember. Had adventures, met people, ate well, stayed healthy. Above the clouds now, cotton wool carpet below. A pretty girl serving me orange juice. Tis a privileged life I lead.
Serbians don’t forbid you to walk in dangerous places. They just want you to know that if you do, you might die.
21.
Paid a German lady €120 today to shoot a laser at my face in an attempt to remove a couple of warty things that’d been bugging me for a while. Vain, I know. Was thinking not to mention it here but it’ll be in my next finance report anyway so might as well. Which is part of what I like about those reports. They force me to be more honest, more accountable.
22.
Starting to get a bit chilly now in Berlin. But not to worry: booked flights to Tenerife yesterday. Will be heading there November 1st, planning to stay through the winter, get some good work done, improve my Spanish, learn to surf, try get a proper tan for the first time in my life. Should be a good spot for shooting a few videos too.
23.
Doing this 90 Day Money Game with the 3M1K crew, and I set myself a goal of $45,000 in proposals by the end of November. Started slow the past couple of weeks but spent this afternoon submitting three proposals worth a total of $8,200. Back in the saddle again.
24.
What do you do when you’ve arranged to meet someone at a certain time and it’s ten minutes after and there’s no sign? I used to stick it out, would always bring a book so I wouldn’t mind waiting. No big deal, I’d say when they finally showed. But it is a big deal. It’s disrespecting my time, the ultimate non-renewable resource. I’m not waiting around anymore.
25.
Scrolling through my Facebook feed today and I see a pic from one 3M1K member exploring Japan, another in Tenerife, and a video from a third paragliding in Nepal. A fourth recently moved to Israel, and there’s an email from a fifth telling me he just landed his first gig at $75/hour. So glad I built that course.
Monday in Kyiv
September 15, 2016
Momentos: September 1st – September 15th, 2016
Been planning out my days and weeks more thoroughly on the calendar, and it’s giving me huge peace of mind. Can see very clearly now if I have time to take on more client projects, and having full days blocked out for different activities makes me way more focused and productive. Not sure why I resisted trying this for so long.
2.
Admiralbrücke. Tis a bridge over the Landeswehr Canal in Kruezberg where all the cool kids seem to hang out on a warm evening and drink beer and play music. I drop by with a friend for an hour. It’s a Friday night, solid week of work behind me, tempted to stay longer and be social. But no, been in these situations before. They don’t get me where I want to go.
3.
This morning is my reward. Sitting out front of an empty cafe by 9:30, exercise, meditation and a good breakfast already behind me, a good book in my hand and a cappuccino in front of me. I’ll stay here for four hours, finishing the book, making notes, getting where I want to go. Then I’ll float home, all in love with life like.
4.
Before quitting nightlife, my Sundays would be short and lazy, trying to recover from two late nights and readjust my sleep schedule. Now I try get to bed by 11 every night of the week, and up by 7 every morning. Today, a Sunday, I cycled ten miles, did a tough 90-minute Freeletics workout, followed by a three-hour walking tour. Much more fulfilling than a couple nights out bantering with strangers.
5.
Spent all day writing out a script and a shot list for my next video. Enjoying this kind of work. It’s a nice challenge, pulling a lot of different skills together, and I’ve been pleased with how the last few videos turned out. Not sure if all the time and energy I’m investing is worth it financially, but I’ll keep going for another while regardless.
Stopping off at Gendarmenmarkt on a walking tour of Berlin.
6.
Haven’t been dating at all here in Berlin. Was happy enough the last few weeks to focus on fitness and business. That’s wearing off now methinks. Feeling more of an urge for female attention, female company, that feminine energy. And sex of course. Will have to try get back into the swing of things while still steering clear of bars and such.
7.
There’s a cemetery not far from where my apartment here, 160 years old, the most beautiful cemetery I’ve ever seen. I was there this morning, the sun slanting through the trees, a squirrel on the path and a robin on a headstone. The Brothers Grimm are buried there, and the guy who almost assassinated Hitler. Not a bad place to rest.
8.
7:21am as we hop a high fence into an abandoned amusement park on the outskirts of Berlin. I brought gloves for climbing and pepper for dogs, have my cards hidden in my pack so they can’t ID me if we get caught. We’ll find broken dinosaurs, a rusty roller coaster and a lonely Ferris wheel. And we’ll only have to run once.
9.
Another morning out exploring, hopping fences, shooting video. Very atypical for me as I’m usually a stickler for the routine, but I love that I can shake things up whenever. Rode out on the bike this morning with a big smile on my face, Cat Stevens playing in the soundtrack of my mind, thankful I can do what I want, find a new way, make it all true, make it undo.
10.
I’ve lived almost entirely in cities since moving out of the country homestead at eighteen. I never much liked cities growing up, preferred the quiet and solitude of the sticks. I like them now, with everything available and convenient, especially social interaction. But I suspect I’ll return to the countryside eventually, be surrounded by more green, more animals, fewer people.
Exploring Spreepark, an abandoned amusement park on the outskirts of Berlin.
Thanks to Xavier for the photo. More photos and info about the place here.
11.
At Templehof for the first time, a former airport, now a park. I’m on a yoga mat, under a tree, ten others sweating nearby. I’m probably the least flexible person in the class. The teacher has us release three om’s apiece as we relax in child pose. On the second, a nice chunk of bird shit lands on the mat next to my head. Namaste.
12.
Back in the Thunderdome this morning. Ever since I laid eyes on that thing my goal has been to traverse the “ceiling,” swinging like a monkey. It’s about 30 feet across, 13 feet up. I couldn’t even get a quarter way across six weeks ago. Today I traversed the length of it, easy. All it took was a little consistency. Been in there 21 mornings since I found it. Baby steps get you places.
13.
Published that video last night. Getting some nice compliments on it, and it’s generating some decent subscribes and social media attention. The best part about that whole video project though was that it was entirely self-directed. I came up with the idea and was able to spend several days making it happen. Autonomy. It floats my boat.
14.
They have this thing in California called Equine Therapy. First you choose a horse, and the horse you choose says a lot about you. Then you have to move your horse from one end of the field to the other without touching him. The way to do it is to lead assertively and he’ll follow. If you doubt yourself at all, maybe look back to see if he’s still coming, he senses your doubt and quits following.
15.
Got a big long email today, asking me to explain myself on a bunch of topics. Why are you so focused on business and money? Why do you live such a solitary lifestyle? Why are you so self-scrutinizing? That kind of thing. And I could reply back, but the older I get, the less I feel the urge to justify how I live my life. I’m very content most of my days. I wonder can the people asking these questions say the same.
Training for Strong Viking Brother Edition 2016. One month to go!
Posted by Niall Doherty on Thursday, 15 September 2016
Jeremy Weyman, are you ready??
P.S. The place in the video is the "Thunderdome" you may have heard me mention a few times. It's in a little exercise park near my apartment, open all hours and free for anyone to use.
In the comments below, let me know which of the above Momentos is your favorite. Which can you relate to?
September 12, 2016
Win A Copy Of The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck
Enter the giveaway below.
The more entries you rack up, the better chance you have to win.
September 1, 2016
Momentos: August 16th – August 31st, 2016
Trying to get past that habitual urge to do everything myself. I’ve long found it tough to let go and outsource and collaborate. But sometimes you realize that the actions and beliefs that have gotten you so far have become the very actions and beliefs stopping you from going any further.
17.
Couple of Skype calls today with other web devs. Amazing what you can learn by reaching out to peers and role models and asking if they wouldn’t mind sharing some insights. But asking, listening, taking notes… that’s easy enough. The tough part is taking that new-found knowledge and putting it into practice. What actions will I take as a result of those calls today?
18.
Giving the nightlife a rest for a while, having concluded that it’s a poor way to get my social fix. Wrecks my sleep pattern, and I rarely meet the kind of people I want to meet in bars and clubs. Going to try be more social with exercise instead, on the lookout for some group yoga sessions, might dabble in a few new physical pursuits.
19.
The Olympics are happening. You’re probably hearing names you’ve never heard before, stars are being born. But consider this: there are athletes elsewhere in the world right now, not in these Olympics. They’re training hard for the next. Endless mornings in empty gyms, four more years of sweat, toil and sacrifice before we’ll know their names.
20.
In bed by ten last night, up before seven this morning, a Saturday. Cycled to the park in the rain, stretched, did some balance work, stopped to watch the rabbits on the way home, then to a quiet cafe for some deep work, strategizing. Felt good, foregoing the cheap thrills, avoiding the self-sabotage, being kind to my future self.
Vegan donut time with Justin P. Moore, he of The Lotus and the Artichoke
21.
There’s a great little place in Berlin where you can get a baked potato with a truckload of toppings for just €4. There this evening, sitting across from a legend of lady who started a quiet revolution, talking about drugs and dance and God and what we wish more men understood about women and vice versa.
22.
A friend forwarded me along a great email from Primoz today, all about how to connect with and befriend people you’d like to have in your life. It’s pretty simple actually, just two steps (emphasis mine):
Add value to someone you know by doing something others wouldn’t do for them.
Keep doing this consistently over time until (and after) you build a strong relationship.
23.
Sat down this morning and planned out the next four weeks. I’ll be visiting Dublin, Belgrade, Kiev, and hosting a few visitors here in Berlin. I blocked out days for client work, days for shooting video, days for editing, and so on. With that done it’s easier to see what more I have time for, how much more I can afford to say yes to.
24.
Starting a new thing with the 3M1K crew: The 90 Day Money Game. I’m aiming for $15k by the end of November, which means $45k in proposals. Scary shit. Waiting on Skype today for a prospective client to come online for a call, found a part of myself wanting him to no-show. Easier that way. Let’s me off the hook. But he showed, and a better part of me is glad he did.
25.
Above a pub on the south bank of the Liffey, something special is happening, a celebration of feminine art and creativity. Eight ladies take turns speaking, dancing, sharing poetry. None trying to make an impression, all striving for free expression. I believe everyone has a masculine and a feminine side. Tonight, my feminine is aglow.
Howth Head on a spectacular Saturday
26.
Ten out of ten contentment today. Rambling around Dublin, exploring, shooting video, banter with strangers, a playful vibe. Coffee with a 3M1Ker, lunch with a new friend. A wander through St. Stephen’s, up and down Grafton, winning several smiles. A kind note from my host, a warm welcome from family. A day in the life of a lucky man.
27.
Out at Howth Head, a beautiful spot in this small country – my small country – that I’d never been to before. Yellow gorse, purple heather, green grass, blue sky, white sails. People walking happy dogs and gulls floating on the breeze. Been around the world and seen places my countrymen will never see, but here on the island they’ve all seen more than me.
28.
When you’re tired, the best thing you can do is take a nap, or get to bed early and have a good long sleep. But when you’re tired, willpower is lacking, and so you’re more likely to make poor decisions. Example: instead of going to bed, you laze around watching Netflix, maybe stay up late to watch a few more episodes. And then you’re wrecked again the next day.
29.
A friend is traveling around Europe right now. Someone wrote on his Facebook, “I envy you so much it’s ridiculous.” I don’t know that person’s situation, but I know my friend’s. He worked 14-hour shifts at a hospital for a year and banked $100k. Now he’s doing whatever he wants. No big secret, no magic bullet. Work hard, make it happen.
30.
Back into my routine in Berlin, back in the dome at 7am this morning, hang strength has dipped a bit thanks to the few days without training. Catching up on client projects and other bits and pieces the rest of the day. Squeezed in the nap and a good bit of reading. Now I’m on hold with the fraud department of a credit card company in the US.
31.
Growing fond of this city. Strolling around the neighborhood this eve after another solid work day, a friend crashing at my place treated me to gnocchi alfresco, then to the park at dusk, plenty of peaceful people buzzing about, stumbled across a concert in the open air, the scene rich with satisfied smiles and an orange glow under the fading sky.
Sunset in Berlin
In the comments below, let me know which of the above Momentos is your favorite. Which can you relate to?
