Be strong,

The waves vibrate

And message delivered.

Fear abandoned,

The source is I.

Yes ladies, you heard me right, it is not dead, it's just under cover. Like Jack Bauer infiltrating a Columbian drug cartel, Chivalry has assumed a new identity and trying to fit in or die. Men blame their lack of chivalrous behaviour on women (as we do with most things) and to be honest we are a bit confused with what should be done and what should not be done. I believe that most men would like to open doors, help little old ladies cross the street and help neighbours with their groceries, but, how many times has this backfired on the average man? In today's world of sexual innuendo it seems that every gesture is framed as a possible attempt to hit on the person on the receiving end of the gesture. Just recently, I saw two ladies moving a table down a flight of stairs. They seemed to be struggling a bit, so I asked (I've learned from experience that you just don't rush in to help anymore!), "Would you like some help?". To which the response was, "I don't need a man to do anything!". Now, it was clearly said as a joke but with undertones of determination. Like most things in life, men aren't necessary to women, but we are nice to have . The statement really took me by surprise. It's not that I was being macho, but more that I was genuinely willing to help, if it were two men doing the same job I would ask the same question. To be clear, there are jerks out there, men who have no regard for anyone in the rush of getting through their day. However, there are some diamonds in the rough.

So today ladies, take a step back, look around you and see the hints of days gone by where men still do the little knightly things that make us nice to have around......sometimes.

Airing your deepest thoughts on the Internet has never been particularly appealing to me. I like the concept of blogging, a journal that embraces technology and allows you to write. There are many people who can communicate much better by writing than by trying to express emotional issues verbally. The anonymity of being able to say something is no longer there though, but should one be ashamed of their own feelings? Maybe saying what you feel may encourage someone to assist you if you have an issue or it may uplift someone if it is motivational. Being a professional, with your life increasingly scrutinized before you actually meet a prospective employer it may not be the best thing to put your life in digital bytes for the world to see (and remember!). Will we be seen as weak if we speak out on our frustrations? Or will we be seen as open and willing to share. It depends on the content I suppose.

I've lived my life always chasing the cheese. A life of reactionary decision making rather than having the luxury of using the blueprint that has been shelved for such a long time. I can honestly say, I have been blessed. Firstly, with parents who have done just about anything and everything to provide me with the best life anyone could have. Yes, there were tough times but I can never forget, repay or give enough thanks for the sacrifices they have made for me. Next, my wife, who has stuck by me now for 17 years (10 years married). We were both very young when we met and in the years we have become very good friends. Yes, being married is frustrating at times but would I rather be single and lonely? The grass is always greener on the other side and sometimes the temptation of crossing the fence enters your mind but I believe tending to your own garden can give you much greener fields in the long run. My daughter has been so much of a star in my life that I cannot even begin to express. I am not the model dad that I see around me. Being a young father I have never felt prepared but I try to steer her on the right track. I am a tough father, like my father before me but I hope I can raise my daughter half as well as my father raised me. There are also many people and extended family members who have passed through my life. I say this because I've met so many amazing people, in person and via the web and have had to say goodbye too many times.

With all of the things I've faced, the highlights and the lowlights, I still feel a bit frustrated. I believe I am an ambitious person, I have been gifted with the ability to adapt quickly. I can learn anything very quickly, even if just the basic concepts. I have, however, been stuck in first gear for a long time. The clutch is down but I can't seem to shift. We all have killer ideas, but what differentiates the really successful among us is the ability to execute. My brain wanders way too much. I've had great  (okay so maybe not great but promising at the very least) ideas and just let all of them sit next to the blueprint, get covered by dust and get executed by others. I've seen people I've confided in, take my ideas and run with it, complete it, execute it. Good for them. I then look at my shelf and see the pile of ideas on paper and feel depressed. Can anyone blame them for executing? No.

Will I continue to chase the cheese? Or will I start milking the cow to make my own cheese? I will tell you one thing though, I've had enough of chasing.

The now iconic book Getting Things Done by David Allen, provides an excellent blueprint for, erm, getting things done. Some people seem to be able to work so efficiently that it is irritating while others struggle to accomplish one task. After struggling, like most people, I've come up with a very simple solution to my problem which may help you:

1. Lists are good - Writing things down in lists have a two fold purpose, the most important of which is that you have the task written somewhere so it can get out of your head and it also provides a way for you to prioritise. You can choose your medium, it doesn't have to be paper, it could be on your phone, your computer, your arm (okay so maybe not your arm) but you get the idea. This tip is taken directly from Mr. Allen's book.
2. Do one thing at a time - We can't multi-task. Focusing on one thing at a time is the key to getting things done. All of the people who seem to be super human and appear to be doing a million things at once don't, they just put it on a conveyor belt and work through the items individually as they come in.

Give it a try today and hopefully it will work for you as well.

Is the glass half full, or half empty? I say neither! The glass should ALWAYS BE FULL. All you have to do is imagine a smaller glass. Does this sound like a load of horse crap (or worse, bull crap)? There are too many people who are unhappy with life because they seem to be looking over the fence and wishing for more. While there is nothing wrong with ambition and striving for more, to be happy, you have to realise that what little you have is a blessing. This is easier said than done, as we all know.

This train of thought can make one lazy though and some will fall into the trap of settling for what they have and never trying harder. I would challenge people to always strive for a bigger glass. This may sound contradictory but you can be content with what you have while working to achieve more. I don't have any scientific facts or studies to back this up but it's a simple concept that I think should be adopted by more people.

I spent the evening yesterday without my computer (mostly). I spent some time with a friend, helped my daughter with her homework and played some Wii. It was quite a refreshing change and I think this is something that most IT developers need. The ability to let go. This is something I have struggled with a lot in the past but learning to change my ways. I went to bed at 2 AM but I am functioning at 100% today with only 5 hours sleep without even the smell of coffee!

So today, take a walk at lunch, do something different tonight, pick up a hobbie but get away even if it is just for a short period.

This is just a completely random post about several small things that have been whirling around the periphery recently. Firstly, I've almost completed Seth Godin's excellent Small is the New Big. This book is a must read simply because it reiterates the need for independent thought. You may have the next huge idea but because most of us have been brainwashed by cleverly scripted marketing and publicity campaigns we believe that the way it was done by the huge organisations it is the only way of making it big. It's not. Mr. Godin concepts are rooted in common sense and I believe they are the right way to go.

Alexandra Burke was the winner of X-Factor, congratulations to her. Now, I never watched American Idol in the 8 years I lived in the states and only started watching X-Factor because there was nothing else on but on Saturday I actually voted, and twice! I understand the concept of this program and it's about money for the creators and producers of the show, however, after listening to this young woman sing, this show (even though it may be a money making farce!) does provide some people who are truly talented get the exposure that they probably would not have received had they not been on the show.  This concept actually proves part of what is in Mr. Godin's book, give control to the customers and you may just have a smash hit on your hands...good one  Mr. Cowell!

It's amazing how comfortable I feel at the gym. I am very self concious about my size however at the gym I go to it's really cool that you can work out and people are so very supportive. The staff is great and the place is always very clean and in order. I think this is one of the reasons I've been going so consistently. The next stage is for me to start eating right!

Clint Eastwood is one of my all time favourite actors/directors. He truly is very good and won't be duplicated any time soon!

I'm 31 today...4 more years to achieve my goal of makin my first million...better start working!