Twacks Second Valuable Share In Week Two

STOP PRESS: I've just realised we're now in week two of the second assignment. YAY. That means this can be my Twacks Second Valuable Share In Week Two. Boom Twackala. I originally had another title and then spotted the date. One week gone, good or bad ?

I had a blaze of a day yesterday and was literally bubbling over with ideas, thoughts and

bizarre snippets that were crawling over each other to be released upon the unsuspecting world. So much so, that I couldn't get it all down on paper or digital notepad. I had the vain hope that it would still all be accessible today. Computer says no. So instead I have donned my white coat and asked my good friend Professor Twack to give you some of his unique thoughts. I give you, the four steps to success from the diary of a madman, in glorious Technicolor.

The above isn't strictly true, I did have a couple of roughed out scrawls that may well have turned into some beautiful and sublime. Another 'blog post' (That's for you Rosana) put paid to the one, as me going on about some of the possible upsides of 'Shiny objects' would have fallen on some very unaccepting ears. Quite right to, there's a time a place and now was not it.

The other was about 'brain' stuff and I just wasn't in the right place to delve into the mysterious, misunderstood and mostly undiscovered world of the cerebral hemispheres. What a difference a day makes. If I had had another twelve hours available yesterday I would be sat here now, smugly sipping Pina Colada's and wondering how it was that Barry Manilow is still popular today as he has ever been.

That segued nicely into the title of the blog. As I was sat looking blankly at the screen, single tear rolling down my cheek, wondering why Miss. Inspiration had left me at the alter. I thought I would give you a page or two from my diary. Then we came up with Diary of Madman. Then I found out that it was also a song by Black Sabbath. Who knew ? Not me, for sure. Although a closet fan of Ozzy Osbourne, the 'Heavy Metal' genre was never my thing. He's 70 years old and were it not for a recent fall, was still scheduled for some gigs, the stamina of the man.

Diary, yes indeed. The last month and a bit I have been working my way through 'Personal Power II' by Tony Robbins. Is he a Marmite man ? I know some aren't keen on his approach or his style. I think it's about the third or fourth time I've worked my way through this program. I like that each time it rekindles a flame that you'd forgotten all about. I have notebook on the kitchen worktop and in between t-shirts, shirts and trousers I will add a few 'reminders' that will act as bullet points. I personally think it's all about taking what we think will help us from anything that we have to hand.

You may read a book and if you get just a couple

of really useful tips then all is good. I see plenty of names splattered across blogs, Jim Rohn, Harv Eker and Napoleon Hill to name just a few. Now and then I will see a name I don't recognise and a make a point of reading something they have written in the hope that it will add to my catalogue. Anyway.

I opened my notebook this afternoon and went to the first page of my notes. I should add that they are notes so will find their way on here through my own filter, sorry in advance. There in my elegant calligraphy, as I only prepare notes using a quill, were the words:

"Making A living Or Designing A life"

So, if there are any doubters out there, on the validity of my time management, 'quiet thee down'. That was tongue-in-cheek. I just thought it was fitting, considering what we are trying to achieve here. The next set of hieroglyphics were to do with two major forces that we have in our lives and how they affect us. 'What drives you ? Inspiration or Desperation ?'

Is that the same as the carrot and the stick ? I wonder. Or is it more to do with pleasure and pain. Are you driven because you are trying to move away from the 'pain' as in, you're not going to put up with it anymore ? Or is that you are seeking the ultimate pleasure that will come when you have succeeded in your quest. Do you think of the 'pain' and by not taking action, it will be more painful for you ? Is the need to avoid the pain greater than the desire for pleasure ? Make sense ? Finding the right leverage on yourself as far as continued motivation is key.

The Four Steps

1. Know Your Outcome- Clarity is power, I've said that before but it just sounds great. What is it that you want. What are you aiming for. Your vision. Your goal.
2. Take Action and move towards your goal. Make a decision. Make a change.
3. Take notice of the results of your actions. Are they working ?
4. If whatever you are doing isn't working, stop and try something else. Keep trying until you do succeed.

I think, after reading through these four steps that it is almost definitive. Sure, there's plenty of technical whosit wotsits that you'll need to address but the template is as above. Decide what you want to do, take action toward that, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Cliche, love it. Apply the famous words, not verbatim though "The definition of madness is doing the same over and over again and expecting different results"

Well now, I believe my time is up anymore would just be a waste as I'm sure we've covered enough. I hope you have found value in at least something I have written, if so, then I have digested another sliver of the assignment pie. I am still hungry though, you have been warned.

Be well.

Ooo. Before you go, I've just heard a quote in a film I'm trying to watch.

"Everyone wants happiness, nobody wants rain. But you can't have a rainbow without a little rain"

Seacrest out.