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Raul Colon - photographer, digital marketer & writer living on the beach in Puerto Rico.

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Discipline comes in Different Flavors

January 28, 2015 by Raul Colon

raul-colon-xmaxpartyfit911-puertorico-119 Discipline comes in Different Flavors

My abs hurt a bit. My lack of fitness discipline made me forgot I had any.

Just a few days ago I made the commitment with myself to go back to the fitness studio (it is different from a gym). I work out at a fitness studio that belongs to is a client and friend of mine.

A Bad Year for My Fitness Efforts

In 2014 I cut back on running and working out. This was a bad decision which reflects quickly in my face as I’ve gained weight. I have always struggled with controlling my weight.

Like most people, I get into a routine and when I fall off track, it’s difficult for me to get back on board.

I stopped going to the gym a few times in 2014 and that kept me away for most of the year.

I also did now write as much as I wanted to write. I focused on my goal of reading 52 books in one year but also missed the mark with that goal.

Creating Increases my Discipline Diversity

To be honest I rather create than consume. I rather be active than passive. Although reading is important, keeping a balance is critical.

I returned to the gym to seek a healthy routine and get back on track. I think of how many like me have different flavors of discipline.

When it comes to business I am always able to meet my goals and deadlines.

My friends Jeff Pulver and Chris Brogan have been doing a great job at being disciplined in business and fitness. It’s inspiring to see such successful entrepreneurs doing their best.

Playing to our strengths

We are all humans and we need motivation and guidance. I am also driven by not hurting anyone economically. For that reason I am very disciplined when it comes to business matters.

A sales person establishes a routine to keep their sales pipeline healthy.

If you’re a baker you probably wake up earlier than everyone else. You provide warm and fresh bread when your customers crave and want it.

If you run a food truck like Uncle Gussy’s, you establish a routine to prep your food. On some occasions, that prep takes place days before you serve it to customers. Nicko consistently provides excellent customer service to each customer approaching the food truck.

Nicko offers the same smile and care to the first customer early in the morning and to the last customer in the afternoon. The customer probably doesn’t notice that he has been going non-stop from anywhere to 14 hours at a time.

My friend Andres owns the personal training studio that receives me with open arms when I return from my training hiatus. He is also an example of on-going discipline to keep his business running.

He wakes up at 3:00 a.m. to start taking care and training clients that want to work out early and continues training other clients that rather work in the late evening hours. Andres guides his clients into better health and appearance. But like every other business, creating the right environment to inspire, is one that can be exhausting.

I do the same for my clients when it comes to the health and appearance of their business.

I look for ways to create processes and routines that will make people and their businesses successful.

I guess we all have to play to our strengths. We seek motivation in what we are good at, so we can support our week areas.

So what are your strengths? Are you good at working out? Are you a great salesperson?

Now find one thing you do right and try to use that method to improve one or two weaknesses.

Take your discipline flavors and mix them and see how they can make you stronger.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Clients, Fit911, Fitness, Goals, Professional Development, Uncle Gussys

Revised: GroundHog Day! What Shadow will you Cast?

February 2, 2013 by Raul Colon

IMG_5006 Revised: GroundHog Day! What Shadow will you Cast?

Post Originally Published on 02/02/2012 was reviewed as part of my annual GroundHog day reflection exercise.

After watching the movie GroundHog Day with Bill Murray where Bill’s character perceived every day as the same. It also gave him the opportunity to improve just one day over and over again by learning of his mistakes in the same previous scenarios and trying to correct them.

A Day to Reflect

I use the same scenario to reflect on previous years on how in the past I have spent many GroundHog Days.

I clearly remember how I started doing this exercise in February 2, 2006 I woke up at a crappy hotel room in Blossburg, PA very close to Punxsutawney, PA where the famous groundhog named Phil is monitored to cast his shadow. I ended up realizing I wanted to change a few things and that I was truly not completely happy with the life I was currently living as a Big 4 consultant for KPMG. Working out of New York and living out of luggage from one hotel room to another is not the lifestyle many wish upon themselves much less me .

Since then I have worked towards changing my lifestyle to have more control of where I want to be and  trying to align that to what I want to be doing. Being a dad  motivates me to control what I can so I can spend more quality time with family.

Things have Changed and Improved

Although I find myself re-inventing my business  as a Small Business Owner, dad with a Beautiful Daughter , an awesome business and life partner (@lucymfel), a small group of awesome friends (I would like to list them all but I am afraid I would leave one or two out), living in the tropics not having to worry about cold winters, living near the beach, and most importantly finding myself in great health.

Overall instead of looking for the Shadow I am making sure that where I cast my shadow in the future brings myself and those around me forward.

I am grateful for all the blessings I have at the moment and for all of you who support me continuously.

My cousin Berni Xiong  would say that we learn from our mistakes and my other good friend Robbie Vorhaus would say to focus on One Less thing we want to remove from our lives and One More thing we want to add into our lives.

What Shadow have you Casted?

What can you work towards fixing in the future where it brings lots of benefits and blessings?

Is there anything I can do to help you feel free to contact me directly.  

 

Filed Under: Professional Development Tagged With: Goals, One Less One More

2 Divided by 365

December 28, 2012 by Raul Colon

RIMG1397-1024x768 2 Divided by 365

A day like today makes me reflect on how In May 2010 I was surprised by many emotions. For years I had a constant battle with not understanding if I was fit or not to become a Dad.

Curious enough the universe aligned and one afternoon in May 2010, I was surprised by reading test results that my other half Lucy was pregnant with my child who I quickly fell in love with.

Those first few days of hearing the news where full of many emotions. I was scared, happy, nervous, but I was lucky enough to have an external force helping me understand that everything was going to be ok.

At the time I was close to celebrating my two year mark of being my own boss, which helped sustain Lucy and I. Things did not work out how I wanted, but looking back I can clearly see Lucy and I where missing inspiration; our daughter Daniela quickly became our that spark.

I guess the business needed something to help me focus on being leaner. No longer could I attempt projects without committing myself completely. No longer could I focus on helping others without first helping myself.

My Inspiration

Two years ago on this same date I had the unique experience to see my daughter for the first time. It was a surreal experience. I remember the moment as if it where seconds ago. I remember the first picture I took and  the many I would take later on.

Within an instant, I  looked into her eyes and I felt a connection with something that was created by a part of me in a unique and loving way.

From that moment on I realized my energy needed to be shifted into putting all the needed resources in this beautiful being who is now my two year old daughter.

There are many milestones along the way. She has grown so quickly and I have been privileged to be next to her most of the time.

Some people might not understand why I have shifted my style of work to focus on spending time with my daughter but I realize my time with her is limited.

–       I cherish and I am grateful for every moment.

–       As I see the small little girl that one-day will become a strong independent woman.

–       As I hear her celebrate and repeat that she turned two years old, I realize soon enough those numbers will  add up quickly and I need to make the most of my time with her.

–       As I write this I will sit down and analyze what goals are tied to my daughter in the next year.

–       I want to make sure I get to laugh more than 365 times.

–       I want to make sure I get to hug her more than 365 times.

–       I want to make sure I get to kiss her more than 365 times.

–       I want to make sure I do many things 365 times before she is three.

–       So maybe one day she can laugh, hug, kiss and love her loved ones every year more than 365 times.

Daniela Happy Birthday from your Dad who loves you dearly.

PS: Maybe one day she will find this on the Internet and read it to my grandsons and granddaughters. Thanks Lucy for doing such an awesome job and being an awesome partner in this challenging but rewarding journey.

PPS: I hardly edited this post and published it as I wrote it so Please bear with the typos.

 

Filed Under: Family, Featured Tagged With: Business Goals, Daniela, Family, Goals

Visualizing the Impact Equation

October 24, 2012 by Raul Colon

IMG_4962-1024x753 Visualizing the Impact Equation

A book that covers online communications and starts with the phrase:

“Ceci n’est pas un social networking book”

Is a book I definitely want to read!

Before I continue writing about this great book that helps us understand how communicate and create relationships with current emerging technologies, I want to explain that I am a big fan and admirer of Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.

I also have had the privilege to work with Chris in the past on projects for Human Business Works (My company is a Strategic Partner). I also had the privilege to finally meet Julien Smith this year at SXSW and we also tend to like the same type of shoes.

RIMG0177-1024x768 Visualizing the Impact Equation
Me & Julien Smith

Both of these individuals have taught the online communities they belong too how to create healthy  relationships (business and personal).

Having read Trust Agents a few years ago, I appreciate how they continued some concepts into the current environment of online communications in 2012.

Their new book,  The Impact Equationir?t=cis02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1591844908 Visualizing the Impact Equation (Affiliate Link), measures how we create relationships by creating an  impact in the way people see and perceive things.

Explanation of Impact

Chris and Julien explain the purpose of the book in the first pages mentioning that the Impact Equation is about considering the person at the other end of a relationship.

Considering what would make a difference to that individual who connected with an idea and how they would perceive it.

Impact Equation Formula

The formula they shared with us in the book is IMPACT = C * R * E * A * T * E.

The letters stand for Contrast, Reach, Exposure, Articulation, Trust, and Echo. I would go into explaining a bit more how each of these elements work from my perspective and how they complement each other to create Impact but it would be a much longer post.

I recommend for you to pre-order the The Impact Equation book which will give you a deeper understanding including neat exercises that will help you put what you learn into practice.

Unconventional Business Advice from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith

What resonated with me was how Julien and Chris explained their unorthodox approach at providing unconventional business advice. For those of you stuck into the Business as Usual way of doing things, feel free to skip this book.  If you want to take a look at new ways of doing things, understanding how the online eco-system of business works, then I recommend you order a copy and give one away to each of those key stakeholder of the business you work in or own.

You Don’t Need Permission

When you are searching to find yourself and follow your dreams, you don’t need anyone’s permission. There is emphasis on the idea that everyone has a chance to get heard with these new business models.

Community of Wealth = Cheerleader + Mentors

It also speaks of the wealth of having a community supporting you. This motivates me to continue working as hard as I can in my own small business while having cheerleaders such as Gabriel Pagan, Margie Clayman, Chris Brogan, Rob Hatch, Mark Hayward, Robbie Vorhaus, Nando Caban, Nomar Duran and Lucilla Feliciano.

It’s about how much you are willing to work.

Using emerging technologies levels the playing field by focusing on quality, commitment, and results in order for businesses to deliver.  Having money is critical but this alone will not drive your business.

On occasions I see individuals with capital to start a business but lacking drive and commitment. These new platforms of communication will help you with overcoming many obstacles if you put forth the effort and commit to them.

Staying Visible

Contrast is the Unique Selling Proposition as Chris and Julien explain it. When you become too similar you become invisible.  I have spent the past year working on new business models. I try to work differently from rest of the people offering what can seem to be similar services to ours. By being different we stand out from the crowd. By being visible we increase the probability of working with customers that have similar interests to ours.

What Ideas are better Creative or Business?

Part of a chapter is dedicated to the importance of driving your business via creative and business decisions that align to your overall goals. Finding a purpose in both type of ideas will help you understand the importance in analyzing both. It also explains at a high level that each one is driven depending by the objectives you want to reach.

Visualizing the Book

I was privileged enough to get an Advanced Uncorrected Proof copy.  When we look at text we might miss out on visualizing the problem that a business book is trying help you solve.

Chris and Julien had a unique way to help me visualize some ideas in the book. They created a competition, where readers took pictures of images and embedded a book quote with it.

By using textography on pictures taken with my iPhone and Camera, I was able to take a few pictures and align them to quotes in the book. I also tagged them on twitter with the Hashtag #ImpactEQ

IMG_5006-300x225 Visualizing the Impact Equation IMG_4965-300x221 Visualizing the Impact Equation

IMG_5015-300x225 Visualizing the Impact Equation IMG_5002-300x225 Visualizing the Impact Equation

IMG_5193-300x225 Visualizing the Impact Equation IMG_5063-300x223 Visualizing the Impact Equation

An Experience

As with Trust Agents, Chris and Julien created an experience for their readers. The book is out this week and I can already imagine the types of experiments Chris and Julien will attempt to make the book even more functional.

So far I am very thankful for the privilege of receiving an advanced copy and getting to see first hand the great knowledge Chris and Julien have to share.

When are you ordering your copy?

Order Impact Equation Now…

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Business, Community, Featured, Professional Development, Reviews, Social Media Tagged With: Book Reviews, Business, Chris Brogan, Community, Community Building, Goals, Julien Smith, Online Community, Small Business, Social Media, Trust Agents, Work Life Balance

New Milestones

June 6, 2012 by Raul Colon

RIMG0326-1024x768 New Milestones

I am currently entering new endeavors where they are not all connected directly from partnerships to new projects. I need to make sure to continue delivering on previous commitments while trying new things.

I love to Experiment

I’m a strong believer in non-stop experimenting and as time goes by I want to make sure that I have no regrets.  Every interaction and time invested will eventually return something back. Its what you make out of what you receive that will decide where you are headed next.

Past Milestones

Today mark’s 20 years of when we moved over to Puerto Rico when I was a kid and 4 years since I started CIMA IT. I personally think that things are looking a lot better than how they have looked on average the past 4 years. I give it my best every day to get closer to where I want to be.

I realize I need to focus even more on critical areas that can make me stronger. That will be the only way where I can be able to achieve my new milestones and change a few things that need to be improved.

A few days ago I saw the previous video from Gary Vaynerchuck where he sent the message that before we change the world we need to change our small world around us.  We might not be able to change many things that affect us directly, but we always have a choice on how to deal with even those things we might not be able to change at this moment.

Are you up to the challenge of changing your small world first?

How do you work towards keeping all your ideas, dreams and goals in check so it can lead into changing the world around you at least? 

What milestones do you have in place?

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Goals, Professional Development

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