10 Habits of Awesome Men and Women

November 30, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

There are many habits people follow but not all of them make a person successful and stand out from the crowd. Many habits are actually negatives and make people average or below average. Certain habits are empowering and highly productive to living well. Some would say these are the habits practiced by the Top 10% or perhaps 1% of human beings. I’m going to share my perspective on the Top 10 habits of such high-value people. I’m measuring success in terms of overall health, happiness, stable family life, and enough income to support the people they love. Try some or all of these habits as part of your routine and see how Awesome you can be!

They always have consistent personal grooming habits in terms of hair, nails, skin, and teeth. They aren’t necessarily the most handsome or beautiful people like a celebrity or a model. They ARE very aware of the fundamentals of cleanliness and proper grooming every day of the week.
They wear clothes that fit and are made of natural materials. They don’t care much about big brands and logos. They make sure the clothes they wear flatters their body and are comfortable wearing each piece which projects confidence. They never wear ripped/torn clothes no matter what the fashion trend is. They will often dress up a little better than others in a crowd to demonstrate a little more class and refinement in their appearance without overdoing it.
They take health and well-being very seriously. Such people are regular in physical training and mental focus exercises every day. Stretching and flexibility work is a must for them also. They consume the healthiest foods with the occasional ‘cheat’ meals for fun.
They practice calmness and are polite in all situations. They demonstrate the best manners and use language in an appropriate way. Neither passively or abusively. They are hard to rattle or anger and rarely if ever, found swearing.
They are always learning and growing because they believe in constant improvement. This means reading and listening to the best info from contemporary people and also from ancient wisdom and practices.
They wake up early and have a plan for the day. They have long-term goals and are achieving them. These go beyond money or fame. They are focused on the person they are becoming and living a life of purpose which is their daily motivation. They know they cannot take time or resources for granted so they don’t waste either of these as they carry out their daily mission to be more valuable as human beings.
They have strong relationships that last for many years. They focus on quality friendships they build and maintain over time. Their friends are other High-Value people and those that want to be. They actually care about their network and use it to benefit themselves as well as others as they slowly grow it over time.
They speak clearly and confidently about topics they know. They listen well and are capable of writing well and presenting ideas with convincing points. Such people are always trying to improve their language and speaking skills to better understand the Art of Communication with all kinds of people and ideas.
They can adapt to different situations without complaints or being stuck. They figure out a way to navigate or surf whatever the situation is. They aren’t rigid and don’t follow any dogma but they do have a consistent set of beliefs for living well. They don’t require everything to be perfect for them to get ahead and actually enjoy a certain amount of surprise from time to time as it makes them sharper and keeps them alert.
They have coaches and mentors helping to reach even higher levels of success and to get timely feedback so they know they are always moving forward with the best advice from other high value people.
A BONUS Habit:
They are comfortable saying NO to low-value people and activities. They don’t need to please everyone all the time or to simply be “busy”. They have control over their time and thinking and will make people chase them rather than being slave to the schedules and attention of others. High-Value people become more valuable the less average or low-value things they are doing. By focusing their attention and resources on mostly the important things in their life, they achieve lasting joy and lower stress in life.

I hope you found my list useful and that you can relate to a few of these habits in your own practice. It won’t take a lot of time or money to adopt these but the payback will be at least 10X the effort you put into each of them, over time. Try them out and Live Awesome!

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How to Become a “Brand Name” Kind of person

November 23, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” Tom Peters

So much has changed in the past 3 years. What an understatement! Each of us is a ‘brand’ of sorts. We represent things and create an image in people’s minds when they think of us. How we behave, speak, and move is part of the brand that makes up the person we are. Time for some ‘branding’ changes to make yourself even better! A Brand New Start!

Why? Because you’ve experienced a lot and have grown (hopefully) during this global pandemic. You are not the same person you were when this global health crisis began. You need to recognize this and grow forward.

How? Do some self-analysis and figure out what your 3-5 lessons learned are. What did you do well over these few anxious years and what do you wish you could do better? Most importantly, what kind of person have you become today as a result of what you have been through? Do you like this person?

Where do you go from here? That’s up to you. There’s no going back in time and you can’t un-see or forget what has happened to you and the rest of the world. You can use this to develop new ‘superpowers’ and wisdom about yourself so you come out ahead. Think of it as your personal “Post Traumatic Growth” experience of a lifetime. There will probably be more so take good notes and have serious look at yourself to figure out where you want to be.

Some people’s personal “brand” can be defined with a single word like Excellence, Innovation, or Joy. For others, it might be a Life-Long Learner, Trusted Advisor, or Wise Counsel. Figure out the words and phrases that define the brand you are trying to be more of. Use those words more often in your own speech and the way you behave. They will become part of your identity and will drive your ambitions when you do.

A brand is not just a logo, a jingle, or a shape. It’s a life lived intentionally with the best information you have available along with the application of all the good things you know to be true. In short, you should be branded the most Awesome version of yourself over and over again.

Every Day is Voting Day!

November 16, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

Perhaps not literally in terms of local or federal level elections but you and I are “casting ballots” of sorts each and every day. The choices we make about what to watch, where to eat, what to wear, and even who to spend time with, are all a kind of ‘vote’ for something. It’s done through our purchases, our investment of time, and even the energy we bring to a situation.

Somewhere out there in the web of advertisements, marketing, and data analytics algorithms, our daily choices are being tallied up to ‘elect’ a person or service into existence. Perhaps they are already holding positions of power and we are just reinforcing that with our daily routines.

At some point, we will change our minds and behave differently about food or fun, or maybe who our friends are. That’s when we start to support someone or something else in this never-ending election of ideas, services, and emotions.

Just be aware of this fact. Political elections aren’t the only time when your vote counts. You and I hold a lot of power each and every day!

Are You Going To Do Well In Life?

November 9, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

Have you ever felt that the progress you made in your life is not to your expectation?

You can add up your achievements and take comfort in all the things you have done so far. But what about the things you still want to do? When you focus on this, you might get motivated to do more.

It's ok to have things left on your list when your life ends, but what about in between now and then? There is still time left.

You can do more, be more, and have more.

The only thing is that a lot of what we want is hard to do, and we may need more skills or confidence to make it happen. So we go back to feeling unfulfilled and make convenient excuses that only fool us.

This state of inertia and unfulfillment does not have to be your reality. You still have time to go for it; get a few bruises and feel great for making an effort. Others around you are doing what you want to do. Why can't you? Why not you?

Why not?

Can you make a list of your unfulfilled projects, dreams, and goals and do it today, even if you are busy? Sure you can.

Will you feel uncomfortable making this list of essential items left to do in your life? Of course, you will.

But, do it anyway, please.

Many of life’s richest rewards are available to you. But you must ask for it.

There is power in making an intention and acting on your intentions. All hesitation and doubt can be reduced once you ask for what you want.

Asking life for what you want is the attitude that will increase your altitude and make you the bigger success you want to be.

So, answering the question, "are you going to do well in life?" depends on what you do next and what you do today.

Get started by doing the following:

Make a list of all your projects, dreams and goals that you still want to do.
Chalk out which one you will do first, second, third etc.
Create a plan. Do some research. Get a coach and do whatever it takes!
Ask for what you want!
Expect to get it because you are doing something others have already done

I sure hope you do this today. Because if you don’t, no one else will do it for you.

You Are Worthy

November 2, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

All of us want to change something about our lives. It could be our wealth, our educational level, or our fitness capabilities. Everyone is looking for something to improve or change for the better. The most fundamental thing, in my opinion, is to start by knowing your value just as you are today. We all need to begin with love and respect at the very start of any great transformation journey.

There are so many mixed messages and often negative tones about people at the start or the middle of life-changing journeys. Many people on fitness challenges will start by literally hating their body or their whole being and wanting a change. Other people may condemn themselves for their lack of education or their limited financial capabilities. All of this creates a weak and unstable foundation for the required changes. So what should we do instead?

Here’s how I do it and I strongly believe you should consider it too. First, I start by accepting the person I am today and whatever resources, life experiences, and health I have in the here and now. Next, I create what my ideal outcome would be in a given aspect of my life such as my health and fitness. I also associate a strong WHY for the changes I want to realize in one or more aspects of my life. What do I hope to BECOME in the process of the life transformation and why does it matter? Until I like the person I am today and desire a change to become an even better person with more energy, happiness, and fulfillment in life, I won't be successful in the process. I have to know and truly believe that I’m good enough as a human being. I don’t want to be ungrateful or pessimistic in the beginning because negativity cannot fuel positive change or an enjoyable process. I don’t have to sugarcoat anything or lie to myself about who I am but I shouldn’t beat up myself because that serves no purpose.

When we start from a position of love and kindness to ourselves, we can make our journey and all the struggle we are bound to face, much more manageable. We are ALL WORTHY of Love and also Progress. Since we can all improve ourselves at any point in life, we need to recognize this and move forward with this in mind. I wish you all the most Awesome of Life Transformations. Smile and enjoy the ride.

The Voices in My Head

October 26, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

I hear things in my head all the time. You probably do too. Relax. You are probably not suffering from any mental health disorder since we all have ideas, thoughts, and programming in our subconscious that influence who we are. I want to share some of my voices and how they help drive me forward.

I’m the youngest child of immigrant parents. I was just 5 years old when my parents came to Canada and we have seen a lot of hardship and challenges in the early days. My parents had to do physical labour jobs to pay for basic housing, food, and clothing for my siblings and I. I’ve seen my parents push themselves hard each day for decades and actually become stronger as a result. My parents have grit, determination, and a clear mission to make life better in Canada for the family. They have achieved this, By the Grace of God!

My experiences since childhood shaped a resilient group of voices in my head which is a good thing because I could have easily become fearful, resentful, and even ungrateful for all that my family went through in the early years. Instead, I observed, remembered, and absorbed the key lessons and the voice in my head keeps reminding me to PUSH FORWARD when times are tough. My inner thoughts tell me things like, “My parents didn’t come this far to just come this Far!” and “Falling, hitting speed bumps, and facing adversity are all part of the process of growth. I only FAIL if I give up!”. Sometimes I hear things like, “You have to live up to your full potential and what you are doing today isn’t helping!” These kinds of very honest and empowering thoughts help me develop the hardness in my mind. Sometimes the voice is practically YELLING AT ME to make a course correction or to get back up and on track. As a result, I refuse to accept failure in myself and believe that every experience I face is an important life lesson on my Awesome journey.

My parents have retired but they still inspire me with how stoically they faced the challenges over the decades and how they are still able to maintain a sense of gratitude and peace about the experiences. With the right perspective and hard work, we can be driven forward by the voices in our head and become the kinds of people we were supposed to be. It’s worth paying attention to the voices in your head and taking the right actions to keep moving FORWARD!

The Secret To More Success In Any Field

October 19, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

Have you ever wondered why some people do well while others don’t? Is it because they are disciplined or are more committed than others?

What is their secret? What clues might we discover that explain their extraordinary results?

A study of top performers might point you to a host of reasonable ideas for success.

For example, you can have a motivating vision and commit to an action plan. You can implement a time management system and become more productive. You can even learn to sell better by adopting a consultative approach and closing more deals. And if you like, you can become a master negotiator and reach new heights.

But there is one thing that leaves all these things in the dust⎯being a good communicator.

The most critical and rare ability that a person can possess is the gift of speaking well!

You will stand out when you can communicate with others in a clear and memorable way.

Not only will you stand out, but you will get paid better than your peers, whether in terms of money, recognition or bigger promotions.

Oddly, we all speak, and many of us may take it for granted that we are pretty good at it, but as they say, there is always room for improvement.

It doesn't matter which profession or business you are in. But, if you can explain things well to others, motivate them, help them to consider new ideas and teach them concepts, you can only do better whether you are a teacher, salesperson, doctor, politician, personal trainer or parent.

Top performers and leaders we admire are excellent communicators, and we can join them if we work at it.

Here are a few good ideas to ponder on the road to improving your speaking prowess:

As Zig Ziglar once said, "shy salesmen have skinny kids." Don't be shy. Speaking to an audience of one is usually easier than talking to many, but good communicators are willing to do it. The more you do something, the easier it gets; speaking well and being memorable are no different.

Another idea is to read a variety of things and topics. As you do so, make mental or written notes of what you are soaking in. These things you read about will become great conversation pieces and can supply you with examples or stories to share that may enhance your conversations.

And as the musician asked a stranger how to get to Carnegie Hall was told “you get there by practice, practice, practice.” You too need to practice. Good orators and memorable speakers are not born.

Of course, you can study the art of speaking and even identify a few role models, but in the end, the more you do it, the better you will get. And the fantastic thing, you will develop a style that you will own that is uniquely yours.

So get out there, start a conversation, and see yourself as a great speaker! Life is too short to ignore the opportunities you have to improve yourself.

Write Your Own Ending

October 12, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

We all know that this life is finite and tragically, it’s very short for some people. For many of us, we can expect to live past the age of 60 years and have generally good health. When it’s our time to say goodbye to this existence, we will be remembered by the loved ones we leave behind. Someone may even give a short speech about how our life impacted theirs. Sadly, we won’t be around to hear anything they will say about us. Why not help them write that speech while we’re still alive and with them?

Sounds weird, doesn’t it? The way we will be remembered is based on how we live each day. Let’s make a conscious effort to be aware of mortality and our impact on the significant people in our lives as well as the rest of the world. Pay attention to your inner voice and how you sound. Look around you at all the things going right in your life and be a helper for good when something is going in the wrong direction. Give more of yourself whether it’s your time, knowledge, or a few dollars of assistance to help someone who can really benefit from your kindness and attention. Put aside some time each week to volunteer or care for someone who is lonely or unable to do things for themselves.

There’s no guarantee someone will write wonderful things about any of us when we are gone. If we live the right way each day, there’s a 100% chance that we will be forever written in their heart as someone who mattered to them. In the end, that kind of speech makes all the difference in the world.

How Much Time Do You Have Left?

October 5, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

The carefree days of youth are filled with dreams that will be accomplished one day in the future. When we think of it, each decade that goes by brings us closer to the final act and curtain call. So, after a certain age, your time is running out.

Fine, that is true for everyone, but what are the implications for you and me?

Well, on the one hand, we should try to make our day-to-day activities highly productive, so we make the most of time, and on the other, we can try to make time count more since it's a precious resource that is ticking away.

May I suggest that you consider your time the only thing you have left and use it wisely?

Here are three high-impact things to adopt in your philosophy of using your time left on this earth.

Think of time as an essential possession. So please don't waste it on useless pursuits and things that add little or no benefit to your life—for example, scrolling social media apps.

Do an audit of your time and identify the things you know are as above and strike them or minimize them and become of the things you know are building your best life. Think of high-impact activity.

Next, delegate things that others can do, so you mostly do the items with your time that cannot be delegated—for example, spending time with loved ones, exercising, building your skills, career or business with your core talents. For example, if you are in sales, you are more valuable to your cause by selling than you are doing paperwork.

Bonus tip: for max productivity and deep work in terms of the one thing, so you enjoy a four and a quarter hour work week: time block high impact activity. Set the time and do the work. Don't wait for inspiration because that train comes late or sometimes not at all.

So there you go, a friendly reminder that "don't waste time," especially if you want to live your most awesome life.

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Between A Monk and Monkey

September 28, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

Life can be hard sometimes. It’s challenging to figure out how to live in a constantly changing world. The two extremes are the life of a monk and the life of a monkey. Neither is ideal but there is a middle road between these extremes and that’s what we should aim for.

A monk’s life is filled with separation from the world, a vow of celibacy, and a minimalist lifestyle of little to no possessions. The daily routine is very harsh with little to no personal time. On the plus side, there is a code of conduct as well as clear principles to live by. The routine allows for self-discipline and mental clarity and the distance from the material world allows for less anxiety about what everyone else is doing.

A monkey’s life is a wild and crazy experience with no particular rules or routines. Everything happens in a group with other monkeys vying for the same food and resources. There’s no dress code or restrictions on what not to do. Each monkey is always looking at what the others are doing and scanning the environment for an opportunity to exploit like food to steal or territory to control. It’s a carefree and dynamic experience that encourages learning, adaptation, and growth.

As I said, neither a monk nor a monkey’s life is something a human being is likely to find sustainable or satisfying. A hybrid kind of life between the two is where the magic happens. Combining the self-discipline and routines of a monk with the ability to adapt to changing conditions like a monkey is the perfect mix for a modern human being. Having the ability to say NO to harmful things while having the flexibility to see opportunities and take advantage of them makes for a powerful personality. Learning to take the best of both personality types is what makes you a complete person that can live anywhere and perform at your full potential. As usual, the middle path is the best way to live today and for the future. Find out what your ideal mix of attributes is and become that Awesome person!

Are You Aware Of Your Gift Of Awareness?

September 21, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

Have you ever taken an evening stroll down a dimly lit street while on vacation? Do you recall being just a little bit more aware of your surroundings? Did you notice things more acutely with your eyes and ears and your sixth sense to feel alert? Was it an effort, or was it more turning on your awareness?

We all have a gift of awareness, especially self-awareness or conscious awareness. It is helpful for a journey on a dark street and also important to living an awesome life.

What you are aware of, you are in control of; what you are not aware of is in control of you⎯Anthony de Mello

Awareness is a faculty of being human. As far as we know, all humans have awareness but do they use it as an occasional flashlight or a floodlight? I propose that having expansive awareness is beneficial to your life.

You are always a servant to what you are not aware of. Once you are aware of something, you are not affected by it in the same way.

The more you observe yourself and watch yourself in the sense of awareness, the more you will succeed in life.

There are two critical areas to become more aware of your habits and your thinking.

Become Aware Of Your Habits

You might agree that good habits are the difference between success and failure in any goal you set for yourself, be that for health, career, finances or learning. We need to eat the right food for our body, focus on results at work, spend wisely and invest for our future, and set aside focused time to learn a new skill. If we are "un-Aware," we will likely develop chronic illnesses, never get promoted, retire poor and stay at the white belt level of life when we could have become black belts over time!

Be Aware Of Your Thinking

What you think is what you feel. What you feel is the reality of your life. Thinking into success and thinking into a good experience of life is a little-known principle of living. Positive thinking is good, and so are ideas like reframing so you see things more positively, but they are not explaining the subtle but constant relationship of thinking to feeling. Most people are convinced their feelings are generated by the circumstances or people around them. When the sun is out, and your best friend behaves in a way that pleases you⎯life is grand. When it's grey outside and your best friend is in a mood⎯your mood is off. Well, this is not the source if you think about it. It is your thinking about how much you like the sunny day and how much you like your friend’s amiable mood that is the actual source of your feelings. So be aware of your thinking.

By becoming aware of your habits and your thinking, you might find life going very well for you.

You might feel more at ease with things in general because you are not reacting to them. Instead, you are watching yourself as if you are an audience member watching you on the stage of life. Observe yourself with your innate gift of awareness and see what magic transpires in all aspects of your life. Awareness. Awareness. Awareness. It’s worth paying attention to!

How To Write Your Next Chapter

September 14, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson -poet and essayist

The last 2+ years have been an extraordinary test with more uncertainty on the horizon. We’ve seen people fall apart but we’ve also seen entire communities and nations come together in strength and cooperation that inspired others to do the same. What happens next is unknowable but still worth preparing for. How can you do this? I offer some thoughts that help me work through the current challenges.

The first step is to figure out where you stand today in terms of health, satisfaction, mindset, and finances. How are your relationships and what are your goals for the future? Has anything changed or accelerated as a result of the global pandemic? What have you had to put on the sideline for now? Take a complete audit of your situation and mindset in the present moment.

The next step is to figure out how you can improve one or more areas of your life each month. Pick one or two aspects of your life and determine what the immediate next step is to make your situation better in some meaningful way. Keep doing this every month from now on until you are satisfied with each aspect of your life. Just remember that some things like relationships and health will never be ‘fixed’ or done with so they will be open loops that you can always develop more success in with consistent effort even if it’s small amounts of energy required.

The third important step is to take a step back and develop a perspective on where you want to end up once things have settled down. How do you want to come out of this experience and what do you want to become? Every major moment in history has some lessons for us and transforms us in one or more ways. What do you think your transformation is or needs to be when you feel you have come out the other side? We are all changed by life’s experiences as we age and some dramatic events in our lives cause even faster changes as well and have a rapid aging effect on some.

It’s not going to necessarily get easier and there are probably more epic events on the way -Be prepared! What story will your face tell and what narrative will you pass on to the younger generations about how you not only endured but learned to thrive in these revolutionary times? I hope the book of your life is full of emotional stories that highlight your courage, vulnerability, strength, and your commitment to keep moving forward.

The Formula To Live Awesome Revealed!

September 7, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

“You are not a tree. You can move.”

Jim Rohn

By Ahsan

Do you find some days you are unstoppable and on others, not so much?

It's like you are on a roll, and everything is going your way, and then boom, something comes along that either slows you down, starts a bit of chaos, or becomes overwhelming.

As a goal-oriented person, you want to make daily progress but keeping that feeling of momentum becomes elusive.

Just when you feel dialed in and figured things out, that feeling of inertia rolls in, and the whole thing becomes unpredictable.

To get back on track, you try everything, like organizing your workspace, starting with just one small step, time blocking your schedule, going for a 15-minute walk with your gaze at the horizon, and you might even think there is a thing or two wrong with you.

How can you get yourself back on track and stay on track?

What magic formula exists that would make those inevitable downward slides temporary.

Introducing the best ever Formula To Live Awesomely:

Constant Gratitude + Right Attitude = Rising Altitude

That's it. Reread it. Does it resonate?

If it does, memorize it. Teach it. Own it!

Allow me to flourish the points just a bit.

Constant Gratitude is more than just being grateful by recounting things in a journal at night. Instead, let your mind (that has free will to think whatever it wants) dwell on all the good stuff you have. Example: having a job or business, money to spend, a feeling of self-reliance, and personal freedom.

Right Attitude is your personal version of thinking excellent and helpful thoughts and kicking bad and unhelpful thoughts to the corner. What you think is constantly creating your moment-to-moment reality. Every step of the way, your sovereign ability to think what you think will determine your life experience. Let that sink in.

Rising Altitude is also a personal definition. Some people want to be the CEO of a conglomerate, while others are content with having a rising sense of accomplishment in their defined areas of life. Better relationships with loved ones, career or business achievement, improved health and mental resilience, and living in well-being regardless of the topsy-turvy world we live in. Define what the mountain top of excellence looks like for you and then get after it!

So, ink the formula in your mind and noodle it. See how it really can apply to you. Then, share it with like-minded people in a one-on-one discussion and see what insights come to you.

Here it is again:

Constant Gratitude + Right Attitude = Rising Altitude

That’s it. Go be your most Awesome self!

Train Like Your Life Depends On It!

August 31, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

The next time you go to a gym, don’t just go for some random exercises or to do a “workout”. Go with a purpose and plan for the kinds of movement patterns and weight you will be lifting. Ask yourself if you are focusing on building strength or endurance? Are you trying to maintain muscle as you age or grow new muscles for some future challenges? How about your brain’s capabilities? Figure out what kind of mental fitness you are doing that can help with balance, calming the mind, and turning on your focus for important tasks.

When you look at physical and mental training this way, you have a more effective way to train and you get practical benefits from the sweat and time invested. Better physical health isn’t just limited to your heart and your muscles becoming stronger. Your brain and everything related to your mind also gets a boost so thinking is less strenuous and clearer. A healthy brain requires a healthy body to carry it around and get the nutrients needed to feed that brain.

Look up ways to specifically improve your mental health through physical training, breathing practices and nutrition. All of these are much better and safer than pharmaceutical drugs. The choice to simply walk through a forest or park trail a few times a week can make all the difference in the world. You can also pay attention to your different breathing patterns throughout the day and try to get to deep breathing as much as possible to calm down and focus.

By occasionally doing hard workouts, you stress your entire being and push effort to a new level. You prove to yourself that you can do challenging things and you have what it takes. That’s how courage and confidence are developed and maintained.

The quality of your life is dictated by your daily habits and mindset. With the proper training, you can be ready for anything and that includes, a very stressful life situation so please, train with greater purpose the next time you plan to do something physical. It can make all the difference in the world.

Would You Be Compassionate To Your Enemy?

August 24, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

A lot is going on in the world today, and the future of humanity sometimes seems headed towards a period of decline. We have wars, racial and religious tensions, and children who lack love, security and even food.

But now and then, we hear about kindness and compassion at times when you would least expect it. So lean in to read about one such remarkable story from not too long ago.

Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England.

His B-17 was called “Ye Olde Pub” and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters.

The compass was damaged, and they were flying deeper and deeper into enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.

After flying the B-17 over an enemy airfield, a German pilot, Franz Steigler, was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17.

When he got closer to the B-17, he could not believe his eyes…

In his words, he “had never seen a plane in such a bad state”…

The tail and rear section was severely damaged. The tail gunner was wounded, and the top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage.

The nose of the plane was smashed, and there were holes everywhere.

Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at the English pilot, Charlie Brown.

He saw that Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.

Aware that Brown had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn around 180 degrees.

And then Franz did a remarkable thing.

He escorted and guided the stricken plane back to the North Sea and England.

He then saluted Charlie Brown, turned away, and headed back towards Europe.

When Franz landed, he told his commanding officer that he had shot down the B-17 over the sea.

He never told the truth to anyone.

Meanwhile, back in England, Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told everyone at their briefing what had happened but were then ordered never to talk about it.

More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the German Luftwaffe pilot who had saved his crew. After years of research, Franz was finally found. Franz had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.

The two pilots met in the United States at the 379th Bomber Group reunion…

… together with 25 people who are now alive…

… all because Franz showed mercy and compassion and never fired his guns that day.

When asked why he didn't shoot them down, Stigler later said, "I didn't have the heart to finish off those brave men. I flew beside them for a long time. They were desperately trying to get home, and I was going to let them do that. I could not have shot at them. It would have been the same as shooting a man in a parachute."

Today we need more compassion in the world.

Today we need more understanding and love in the world.

Today we need to think about compassion instead of shooting people down because they are different from us.

I've Had ENOUGH!

August 17, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more,

that is poor.”

Seneca

Everywhere I turn I keep seeing the toxic pursuit of MORE for the sake of having more. The constant lust for riches, fame and unlimited time is poisoning the human experience in my opinion. Everyone from celebrities and influencers to the college student next door is trying to cash in on quick money making schemes and hacks to encourage their audience to want more things. It’s driven by envy and greed and it isn’t making society happier so we must change things!

Wanting some things is natural and part of human existence. When we constantly want more such as luxury goods and properties, as well as unlimited time to travel or eat, we lose our perspective on life. We forget we are here for a finite time and to help each other. Everyone from the past who tried to just keep accumulating riches was not happy in the end. It’s a trap that keeps us enslaved to our passions and money.

These are some Tips to get out of the race for more shiny new things:

Look at your own life and make a list of what you truly want right now. How much of that list is necessary and how much of it is driven by envy at what others have or, the social conditioning telling you what you should want? Stop and think for yourself to catch any outside influences tricking you into their revenue generating schemes.
Remember a time when you had less and how you felt. How happy were you and how complicated was your life in terms of paying the bills, relaxing and the time you spent enjoying what you had? Now that you have more things, are you truly happier and do you really have more time or wellbeing?
Look towards the future and estimate what your minimum future needs will be to enjoy the life you expect to be living 10+ years from now. What is the least amount of things you need to have to have an enjoyable future based on the way you want to live?
Cut out all the excess in your life such as subscriptions you don’t use, clothes you don’t wear and media you shouldn’t be watching. Just by reducing this junk, you will have more time and feel better. You will also eliminate the need to compare and desire new things so often.

The desire to have some good things is a normal part of human existence. We all like nice things and that’s ok. What’s not ok is being unhappy all the time because we don’t have the latest, the shines, the largest, or the ‘best’ things in the world. Most of the world doesn’t have those things either and probably never will. The goal should be to BECOME the best person without those things and live the best possible life not desiring so many things. That comes by understanding what is Enough for you and what makes you happy as well as the reasons why. I hope you develop a healthy relationship with things and remember that the right people in your life are the ones that should be the most important ‘things’ you should be seeking. The rest is just decoration and clutter after a certain level of items.

My 7 Tips for Wellbeing

August 10, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive –

to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

Marcus Aurelius

Everyone seems to be looking for a silver bullet or hack to improve their lives. Maybe it’s physical health or mental fitness or perhaps it’s overall wellbeing. I don’t promise to have all the answers but I do have some good suggestions collected over many years that I want to share with you. Give some or all a try for at least a week and see how much better you feel.

Do some simple exercises before breakfast each day. This could be as simple as 5 pushups, 5 air squats and 5 forward bends or Yoga Child pose holds for 5 seconds each.
Take 10min walk after Lunch and dinner at least 5 days a week. Pay attention to your surroundings.
Do strength training exercise for 30 minutes 2 to 3 times a week on alternating days such as Mon-Wed-Friday. It doesn’t have to be anything close to your maximum potential. Just some light to medium weights will cause good metabolic changes in your body.
Get to sleep on time at least 6 days a week and rise up early to start the day. d
Make your Mission in Life clear written down. This is the WHY you do what you do each day. Read it every day.
Remember that discipline is not a 'punishment' or a bad word. Discipline is freedom from sickness and worry when you consistently practice good behaviour because you know it's good for you. Make discipline a part of your identity.
Indulge yourself once or twice a week with foods you like and taking a step back from work or chores. Make this the reward for being focused and productive the rest of the week. As long as you reserve a meal or a full day at maximum, your overall well being will not suffer.

So there you have it. You probably heard of some or all of these points before. Now is the time to act on the ones you haven’t been following. That’s how you Live Awesome!

How to Grow Through Stress

August 3, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better.”

Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder

We live in stressful times. What an understatement! The truth is that every moment in history has had it’s challenges and the future will likely always have many periods of time that are considered challenging. It’s just part of being alive and existence in this world. So what can we do about it? How are we supposed to live and even thrive in these conditions?

Figure out the good kinds of stress and wrong kind. Exercising and recovering correctly causes muscle growth. This is easiest way to understand concept of anti-fragile. Anything that adapts and becomes better as a result of pressure, instead of breaking down. Your mind is another example of antifragility.

Determine what’s in your control and what’s not in your control. Stop worrying about things outside of your immediate control. Focus on what you can control and live accordingly. Make the most changes and adjustments in this area of your life.

Use these moments of stress to become stronger and more resilient. Figure out what’s needed at this moment in time and the near future so you can prepare for what happens next. Get ahead of the situation as much as possible and train regularly.

It’s not only possible to get ahead in tough times, its absolutely necessary for our survival. There is no neutral position in life. We are either improving or falling behind. No one escapes challenging life situations and still claims to have a fulfilling life. The key is to frame your experiences correctly and let them fuel your growth into a better human being. That’s how you grow to become the person you were meant to be.

Who Do YOU Think You Are?!

July 27, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Shazad

“There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd
Please tell me who I am”

The Logical Song by Supertramp

When someone asked you what you want you wanted to be as a child, what was your answer? How did that change when you became a teenager and then a young adult in college or university? Did you change your answer again when you got married and had a family? Who do you think you are today?

What we think and believe about ourselves matters so much. it shapes our daily choices and transforms our lives through a collection of activities we do or do not engage in. Stopping to think about what we wanted in the past as children and now as adults are helpful to figure out the present and future life we want for ourselves.

Start today and figure yourself out by asking yourself these questions and writing down the answers:

What did I want to be when I grew up and what were my reasons?
Who did I look up to then and who do I respect/admire today?
How did I describe myself in high school and what would I say about my identity today?
Am I the kind of person I thought I should be when I was younger? Describe how you do or do not meet your childhood expectations.
How do I think I need to change to align with the person I believe I should be in the future?

So, what do you think about your answers to the brief identity questions above? I hope you are starting to figure out what makes you the person you are as well as the kind of person you want to be next. Make it Awesome!

What Type Of Person Are You?

July 20, 2022 Shazad Ahmad

By Ahsan

Who do you turn to when you want to share your feelings or ask for advice?

Do they have certain qualities that you deem essential?

I came across this story that I think you will like.

It illustrates that there are four types of people you will encounter in life.

You may like this story because it will guide you to the qualities of being wiser, more trustworthy and even bolder.

A Gift Fit For A Prince

A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was confused.

"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.

"This is a gift for a future king," the sage said. "You’ll see in a minute why I’m giving these to you.”

“Fair enough,” the prince said. “Go on.”

The sage continued, "Look carefully at these dolls. You'll see a hole in the ear of each one."

The sage handed him a piece of string. "Pass it through each doll,” he said.

Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear. But, unfortunately, it came out through the other ear.

"This is one type of person," said the sage. “Whatever you tell him goes through one ear and out the other. He doesn't retain anything."

The prince put the string into the ear of the second doll. It emerged from its mouth.

"This is the second type of person," said the sage. “Whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else."

The prince picked up the third doll. The string did not emerge anywhere from this doll.

"This is the third type of person," the sage said. “Whatever you tell him stays inside and is never uttered to anyone else.”

"All right," said the prince. "So what are you trying to tell me? What is the best type of person?"

The sage said nothing and handed him a fourth doll.

When the prince put the string into the fourth doll, it came through the other ear.

"Do it again,” said the sage.

The prince did as he was told. This time the string emerged through its mouth. When he put the string in the third time, it did not emerge at all.

"This is the best type of person," said the sage. "To be trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.”

As you can see, there is a time to ignore the whispers that reach your ears, a time to keep a secret, and a time to defend what is right.

The road of life we travel on may call us to be any one of these "dolls," and being the best means that you are balanced.

So be the best you can be and share this story with others so they can be enriched like the prince.