Here goes.

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” – Ben Franklin

This is a pretty simple quote but its simplicity resonates with me.

I have found that as a human race we are often afraid to use our talents to the best of our ability.  We get caught up in the mediocrity and daily rituals of the world and we forget that we were given certain talents and abilities in order to impact others.  Or, what happens more often than not, fear overtakes us.  Thoughts of failure, disappointment, and struggles fill our minds and block out any positive thinking that might have come over us.  At this point, we just don’t bother to use our talents because we rationalize that wasted talents are better than failed talents.  Wrong.

Failure is a fact of life and it is through failure that we experience growth and development.  Failure improves our talents and never destroys them.  Negative thinking and the fear of failure destroys talents.

It is my hope that I will begin to use my talents more often as the year progresses.  I am trying to avoid the fear of failure and fully utilize my abilities to change my world.  I am currently engaged in helping Folk Media, LLC with blogging and community outreach.  I am a people person and a writer so I feel that my talents are used well in my role.  I will also begin to use my passion for video and video editing more throughout the year as I volunteer at my church.  I am starting small but the possibilities are endless.

What are some talents that you have not been using?  What feelings of failure are you harboring that are weighing you down?  I challenge you to spend some time reflecting on those questions and, if you feel comfortable, share with us.

I have been doing some heavy reading lately on productivity and organizing (David Allen’s Getting Things Done) and I realized that it wasn’t that I didn’t have the time to write, it was that I was wasting too much time.  The time that I was wasting could have been sufficient for blogging.

Since I have realized my blunder, I am committing to myself and my readers (you) that I will be posting at least once a week to this site.  I am starting small and that number may fluctuate from week to week, but I will commit to posting at least once a week in 2010.

However, a steady steam of blog posts is not my only resolution for this year.  You will find my other resolutions below.  I have a variety of them and will keep you updated on my progress with each one as the year progresses.

I suggest that you take some time to figure out what you could do in 2010 to improve and push yourself.  It doesn’t have to be anything big.  In fact, it could be a task you perform once a month or only once in the year.  The feeling of accomplishment is second to none.  When you accomplish one goal or task, I believe you have the potential to accomplish anything.

Eric’s Goals for 2010

Financial

• Save each $5 bill until July 1, 2010
  • Action Step:  Empty wallet each morning

Self Development

• Read at least 30 minutes a day
  • Action Step:  Create a schedule that allows for reading time
• Write at least 30 minutes a day
  • Action Step:  Create a schedule that allows for writing time
• Cook at least one meal a week
  • Action Step:  Locate simple recipes and steadily increase cooking skills
• Exercise at least 3 hours a week
  • Action Step:  Prepare to exercise for an hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Focus on self promotion
  • Action Step:  Connect with at least one person each day I to work or anything dealing with Folk Media
• Read at least one chapter in my Bible each day
  • Action Step:  Read my Bible either first thing in the morning or right before bed

Other

• Update ericalpin.com at least once a week
  • Action Step:  Write one or more blog posts on my day off
• Calculate and finish card collection
  • Action Step:  Enter 50 to 75 cards daily
• Stay connected with others through social networking
  • Action Step:  Connect with at least three people a week
• Maintain an updated brand website
  • Action Step:  Update brand website with changes on the first rest day of each month

You’ll notice that after each goal, there is an action step listed.  This action step allows for me to know exactly what I need to do to achieve my goal.  My action steps will change throughout the year but they are essential.  Without action steps, the mind wanders and wonders how to complete the goal.  Action steps lead the way to success.

What are your goals or resolutions for 2010?  What action steps will you take to make sure your accomplish your goals?

What tactics do you use to balance your life when school is in the mix?  Is it easier or more difficult to keep your family on schedule and moving?

If you’d like to share, jot a few ideas in the comments section below.  Keep checking the site for updates because there will be an article published relating to this question.

10.  Use periodical search engines.  You might think that periodicals (magazines, journals, etc.) are a joke but a lot of great information can be found through a periodical search engine.  Many colleges and universities have subscriptions to periodical search engines, such as LexisNexis, but they don’t publicize that they are available for use.  If you want to find out if your school has a subscription, swing by the library or book store and inquire.  It will help a lot with research.

9.  Google really is a treasure trove.  Everyone seems to always underestimate the power of Google.  The Google search is honed to give useful information to the searcher so it’s no surprise that (most of the time) it’s dead on.  Need help studying for your final?  Use Google to get studying tips and even answers to the questions on your review.  The possibilities are limitless.

8.  Pace your learning.  No seriously.  Learning is tough on the brain, especially after an exciting and energetic summer break.  Don’t get too anxious over school and try to get more done than what is expected at any given time.  You’ll burn out.  Fast.  Take it easy and make sure you have more effort put towards the quality of your work rather than the quantity of your work.

7.  Don’t fall behind.  You don’t want to sleep through class.  Skipping class or taking vacation during school can really hurt your academic progress and flow.  I’m not telling you to stay home on on the best weekend of the spring but make sure that you’re going to be able to get back into the swing of things when the sand is out of your hair.

6.  Make it portable.  Mobile devices and MP3 players are all the rage these days, so why not use those hip tools to get your schoolwork done?  There are tons of programs out there that will take a document and translate it into audio.  If you have a newer Mac, this feature is built right in to OS X.  Also, you can download programs that will take PDF files and DOC/DOCX files and convert them so they can be read from an iTouch or iPhone.

5.  Google Books can save you money.  It’s the first day of class and you haven’t bought your books yet.  Don’t – check online first for free digital copies.  I made this mistake last semester and found out that I could have saved a bunch of money on my car insurance books.  If you don’t need the book for class, this can be a lifesaver.

4.  Get to know your teacher.  Sure, no one wants to be perceived as the class brown-noser but it might be a good idea to at least introduce yourself to the teacher.  This can prove helpful at the end of the semester when your grade is resting at an 88 or 89 percent.  Should you get an A?  Your chances are better if you were personable and diligent throughout the semester.

3.  Network like it’s your job.  Networking with other students can help you make friends, land sweet jobs, meet significant others, and hold you accountable.  Yes, that’s right.  If you network with the other people in your class, chances are you’re going to talk about school work.  There is always that one day when you don’t feel like doing the assigned questions.  Your friends could sway you do them and it might pay off on the final exam.

2.  Scheduling is your best friend.  This point is especially true in an online environment.  Schedule the time you will set aside for your school work and stick to it.  Once you break your schedule, it’s all down hill from there.  You may not be a scheduling type of person but at least give it a try.

1.  Make learning fun.  This, of course, is the most important tip.  You can make learning whatever you want it to be.  It can be boring, engaging, stressful, or a timeless journey.  Figure out ways to make learning your own.  Get together with classmates at the local coffee shop for Flash Card Blitz every Thursday night.  Learning is what you make of it.  Don’t let it waste you away.

What are your tips for the college student?  Have any great college success stories?  Share them in the comments below!

What low budget summer activities did you participate in?  How did the low budget activities compare to the activities that cost a bit more?

Be sure to share what you did and how it turned out in the comments below.  Look for a similar question as fall approaches…

1. Exercise Regularly – This is probably one of the most important aspects of staying healthy.  You don’t need to workout three times a day to stay in shape.  Instead, try a variety of activities (running, biking, aerobics, etc.) in order to give your body a chance to get itself in shape.
2. Eat Moderately – I can tell you from experience, eating healthy is not easy and, believe it or not, you don’t need to in order to live a healthier life.  The key is moderation.  Instead of eating fast food four times a week, try to gradually cut back to once or twice.
3. Partner Up – Accountability is another important aspect of becoming healthier.  Find someone who shares your same goals and interests and hold each other accountable in your quest to be healthier.  It can go a long way.
4. Get Sleep – Your body should get six to eight hours of sleep each night in order to function properly the next day.  If not, you’ll be feeling tired, worn out, and irritable.  Getting plenty of sleep at night is a key part of staying healthy.
5. Eat Breakfast – Eating breakfast is essential to starting your day in a healthy manner.  You should eat a balanced breakfast but, in the end, anything is better than nothing.  Too busy in the morning to stop and eat?  Invest in some miniature cereal packets or cereal bars.
6. Brain Exercises – Not only should your muscles be exercised in order to stay healthy, but you should exercise your brain, too.  Problem solving, creative thinking, and logic games are a great way to check this off of your list.
7. Lifestyle Choices – Researchers estimate that 70% – 80% of your life expectancy is based upon your lifestyle choices – drinking, smoking, eating, sleeping, and exercising (just to name a few).  If you’d like to start living a healthier life, changing your lifestyle habits would be a huge step in the right direction.

But, then I got to thinking, “Why not just make a list of things you’d like to do sometime in your life?” So, I did it.  Well, kind of.  The best part about it is that I’m already able to check one thing off of my list.

If you’re expecting a firm list of items that I’d like to accomplish within my life, you’re going to be somewhat disappointed.  Right now, I only have a few “things to do” in my mind, not on paper and as I mentioned before, one of those items can be crossed off – giving blood.

My church recently hosted a blood drive and at first I was reluctant to give because of fear.  Not of needles, but of just the process overall.  I didn’t know how much they would take or if I would be the only one giving.  It turns out, all my questions were answered and I was in good company for the whole process.  It made me feel great looking down at the bandage on my arm and knowing that I will save a life one day.

The other items on my “Big Picture Things To Do” list will come over time – getting promoted to a management position, getting married and having a family, and meeting the President of the United States.  I’m in no rush to complete these activities because I know that they will come in their own time and if they are part of my life course.

I challenge you to create a “Big Picture Things To Do” list and work toward accomplishing all of the items on the list.  There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment and a sense of completion.  Why not dream big?

Have you ever considered bartering or trading goods/services?  If so, what would you trade/need?

Look for some articles in the future about this topic.  It’s pretty amazing how people can just be satisfied with the goods and services of other people!

The same thing can happen in life.  We go through life and we sometimes feel like we are trapped in section 208, away from the world, alone, and desolate.  The world seems to be passing us by while we are  standing still.

But, it doesn’t have to stay that way.  There are plenty of things that you can do to get back down to the front of the concert and back into the interaction of life.  Maybe you need to release some stress in your life (job or other obligation), renew a friendship that was lost, or connect with other people.  Join a club, team, or church group.  Living life in community is a great feeling.

Today’s Challenge: What do you need to do today to get out of section 208 or make sure that you don’t wind up there?  What steps are you going to take to ensure that you interact with life and not let the world pass you by?

If you have moved from the nosebleed section to the front row in life, how did you do it?  What advice do you have for others?  Share with us in the comments!