Set your own rules and see what happens

I have rules in my life that I've set for myself.



1. Surround yourself with people who are positive and meaningful


Such a natural progression and very easy to do, yet very easy to not do. Recently and not so recently, I've recognized individuals who either throw themselves a pitty part and expect sympathy or they expect you to revolve your schedule around theirs.

I have learned what "live your life to the fullest" means. If you have not, I truely hope you get to that point, sooner than later.

2. Don't let people push you around; this doesn't mean to not take advice

Are you an expert who knows what you're doing as you progress into the area you are choosing to subject yourself to the most?
Example: it took me a few tries to 'get' how to write a cover letter. This tool is essential for me, especially in the job market as I find the best fit for myself. What I like about writing a cover letter is that it makes me think about my jobs, what I've done and how my experience is relative to the companies needs. You have to get straight the point for each job you're writing about (if that's the route you choose to take), making sure you get at least three 'bullet points' as you explain why you're the best candidate.
I have been learning that you must trust yourself and not play "dumb"; if you put yourself in the readers shoes, are you giving them what they want? If you haven't, or something doesn't match up, or you feel unsure of your pitch, don't ask someone else to read it. Make it work. Apply yourself. Think. Then ask.

Helpful hint: I worked for Kwik Trip Inc. http://www.kwiktrip.com/ for four years; I did a LOT more than I thought and realized that after I wrote it out; it equaled at least a page in a Word document). This helped me to break down (yet see the entire picture) and quickly explain what I wanted the reader to know.

3. So when you get the chance, are you gonna take it?

It's a really big, mean and cruel world out there. It also depends what part of the world you've choosen to live in, the culture in which you were raised and the ethics you've learned. Everyone knows at least this much. However, I believe at least 90 percent of people out there want to help you get to where you want to be, but you need to know who you are and what direction you're headed. Going back to rule No. 1; Surround yourself with people who are positive and meaningful.


4. Don't be fake and pretend that you know more than you do or try be someone you're not

This is the biggest turn off. If you can't walk the walk, then ask someone how you can walk the walk. Don't be afraid to stand out, but you have to know who you are before you can really stand out and shine.

5. Big salary, boring job, horrid hours?

Rewinding time a tiny bit here. When I was a junior or senior in high school, one of the things I had to do was take time out in the classroom to figure out the direction I wanted to go in when it came time to apply to universities and colleges.
Bad news: If the job paid big money, I went after it, but then realized the education I'd have to receive (it job would require me to know micro and macro economics) and this was a big turn off for me.

I had a much different attitude in high school and I didn't know it, but I at the age of 18, I was completely unaware of who I really wanted to be. I knew what I wanted to be, I knew where I really wanted to go and I knew that I wanted to make a lot of money. Keep in mind, 'a lot of money' to me was $50K. Go ahead...laugh. I just did! :)

These five rules have lead me to where I'm at now and where I'm headed.

If you do what you love
If you surround yourself with people who are positive and meaningful
If you don't let people push you around, but take their advice to heart and learn from it
So that when you get the chance, you can take it and you know in your heart that you're
Not being fake and pretending that you know more than you do or try be someone you're not,
You'll eventually find peace, be comfortable in your earnings and you won't be bored in this life.

The one thing I can't gurantee anyone though is this: you might have to put up with the rain, aka, icky hours.

In the end, it's up to you. But I've learned over a period of years that this is how it works. Oh and by the way, I'm still learning. I've accepted more today than yesterday or the day before that the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.

California Trip in December; Looking for your advice

Do you live in California? I'm not focused on one area in particular.

I was sorting through a few things in my closet that needed to be put in boxes and I happened to run across this book:

CALIFORNIA'S COASTAL PARKS: A Day Hiker's Guide

I've spoken to @GlobalPatriot and @LeonardoZ about my up and coming trip in December from the 4th to the 11th at the lastest to California.

First off, dates have yet to be officially set, which means the plane tickets have not been bought. My friend and I will be flying since we're taking a rather short trip, but we're looking to schedule in beautiful hikes, a wine tasting hosted by @GlobalPatriot, a few touristy attractions and hopefully at the end of the day, we'll be stayin in a decently priced hotel that is reasonably clean.

We will most likely fly into San Diego for two reasons, one of them a being a wine tasting that will be scheduled at the beginning of our trip and the other being it's less expensive from what I've heard to fly there rather than San Fransico.

Any guidance would be appreciated!