One can greatly increase performance via skillful management of a contractor.

I have had great contractors, mismanaged others, and had to get rid of a few. From various industries:

Video editors, accountants, graphic designers, lawyers, real estate/rental agents, photographers, etc..

Independent of industry, the same problems occur:

The work is not up to your client's standards.

“A really intelligent man feels what others only know.”

-Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

From Wikipedia: Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Enlightenment.

I have noticed that, in a 5 day week, I will usually have:

(2) days that I feel really good about the direction of my projects(1) day where my self-confidence is low and I question if I can really make it happen(2) days of even-keel progress with maybe a few 15 min up and down swings

Overall, the situation is just about the same on any of these 5 days. But my perception isn't.

What can I learn from this?

1. Don't get too high, don't get too low. It is never as bad (or as good) as it seems.2. Reread some of the best stoic philosophers -- stoicism is a great tool for building mental toughness.3. When in doubt, get back to the basics4. Recovery time is necessary. If my projects are "in motion", maybe walking/reading time is the best move. Never underestimate recovery time.5. Use freedom to block off the internet. Web cleansing fasts.

A few months back, I was talking with someone at a hotel pool. She was in her early 30's and fed up of the dating game. The summary of her rant: "I just feel like, at my age, guys should come after me. I shouldn't have to change."

The reality, by law of evolutionary biology, is that men seek fertility as the most important factor in a women. From a peak in the early 20's, women decrease in long-term value to men.

She feels entitled after so many years in the game to remain firm with her belief. That she deserves more now. Yet her value is actually less than when she was 23.

If her goal is finding a husband, she needs to do the exact opposite and adapt more than she ever has...

It wasn't my place to tell her this. A close friend, with a lot of tact and kindness, should tell her, although I doubt it will happen. And who knows if she would listen. But if she could understand and more importantly accept this law of nature, she would be better off.

Sometimes, we aren't at our best. For whatever reason. Tired, distracted by fantasy football, errands, eating junkfood, a feeling of laziness. 

I usually struggle so much on these days not because of lower production. I have difficulty handling the stress caused by knowing that I didn't make much progress. Negative thoughts creep in like: "I'm not cut out fon this" and "my life is wasting away". 

Today, I am fasting on coca tea. It's lunch time, and getting kind of tough. Strong cravings for food. Having done this before, tonight will be the real test.

I may not make a ton of progress this afternoon. Maybe just walking and reading. Tangible work is limited to a solid hour and a half of work this AM. Tomorrow I will be better.

So I'll take it. I am against a strong defense (resistance) today. The 49ers D. And my franchise left tackle isn't playing. After this post, I am going to shut down and know that I gained a few yards today. And it's okay. 

Never has learning from others been so accessible. If you don't take advantage of it, you are missing out. The following list takes approx 5:30 hours and costs less than $30. It could even be less than $20 buying used books or free if you have a good library nearby.

3 (short) Books: 5 hours - $27 on Amazon Kindle

2 Essays: 15 minutes - Free

1 Podcast: 20 minutes - Free

Listed here in my subjective order of importance:

About 2 months ago, I attended an entrepreneur's meetup in Medellin. Of the 8 of us that went, I would say that about 4 of us were really throwing down: making 5 figures in profit a month.

Now Tim Ferriss, while not the first person to live the lifestyle, is the first person that brought the idea of a location-independent lifestyle to the masses. 

When I brought his name up, I got a rather negative, unimpressed reaction.

"Oh yeah, that guy. He is a great marketer, but he talks a lot of bullshit."

"Go to body building forums and they rip his 4-Hour Body workout plans to shreds."