Founder Journal

by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

How Things Work

Love math and science. They are basic. Both describe the world. And the more we understand, the more beauty.
 
Representation of the natural world. They describe magic. Yet, who believes.
 
The deeper you go the more you see. Down the rabbit hole. Does seeing equal understanding?
 
Or more questions?
 
Are answers needed or are questions enough?
 
Funny thing. We spend our whole lives with questions.
 
And each time we answer one, our world expands.
 
Infinity and beyond. Words define our world.
 
The point of thinking. To lead our action.
 
So, where do your thoughts lead you?
 
Me: Deeper.
 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Better questions

The thought struck me hard. Like a lightning bolt.

Maybe I don’t need the answers. Maybe I need better questions. 

The pursuit of knowledge. Of truth. The way forward. 

Will I ever know all? No. But, I will know more. 

And my quest began. My mind ached for knowledge. More and more. 

No time to relax. 

I poured over books. Took classes I thought I didn’t like. Read everything, always. And I didn’t form opinions. 

I analyzed. Looked for patterns. And searched. 

That was how my days were consumed. Bit by bit. Each story, article, and headline. Consumed, analyzed, and categorized. 

Will I ever find answers? 

… 

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

To Doing Less, Better.

The world abounds with endless opportunities. The question is, “what quest do you seek?”

Ahh, the beauty of life is as the driver you must decide.

And I found the keys. Do less, better.

My time used to be spent trying to be the best at a bunch of different activities. My thoughts were that doing a lot well would make me a more well-rounded person. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The focus is what I needed. Trying to be the jack of all trades left me subpar, to say the least.

Recently, I’ve stopped. Now, I just do what I am the best. The rest of it I delegate. What a relief. No more having to focus on things I’m semi-interested in. No more faking.

I race to do more work now. Becuase I am fully engaged with things I like.

Husband, Manager, Owner, Coder, and Runner. That’s it. My sights are set. And the finish line doesn’t move anymore. Funny these things all have one thing in common – Infinity.

I learn and read yet there will is always more to learn and do. Infinite depth. Being the best is a never ending process. And these guideposts allow me to go as far as I want. No limits.

The freedom drives me to work harder. Because as Spiderman says, “…with great freedom comes great responsibility.”

 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons, Founder Journal

No

I will say no. Every single day.
It’s a promise. 

Saying those two letters allows me to say yes to my life. 

No, thanks. 

To fast food, reruns, and sitting on the couch spaced out watching TV. And to the many other things that take away from the good works I have been called to do.

And that’s what it feels like to me. A calling. That higher purpose to provide value. Speak my mind. And help others through my example of success. 

Hard days are normal.

Yet everyday is a good day. I woke up on this side of the grass. And even under a foot of snow; the grass is greener. 

So, you want my answer?

No, to what you are offering. And yes, to what I want. 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons, Founder Journal

Vacation Time

It’s that time of year again.

People going away. Spending time with family and loved ones. It’s also that time where we really feel the sting of friends and family members that have passed. Not a fun reminder, but always in the back of our head. This year let’s celebrate the ones no longer with us – celebrate their life.

Vacation Plans

Worked hard all year. Now time to relax and evaluate.

What worked this year? What will I adjust for the upcoming year? Lots of questions to answer. But, no pressure. Relax. Evaluate. Plan.

This year, I have solid goals.

But, goals aren’t enough. This is what I’ve learned. The process to get to the goals has to be defined and clear. Most importantly thinking through what can throw you off the straight and narrow. And accounting for that grey area.

They say planning is art and science. Now, I understand.

What has helped me recently:

  1. GTD – This framework created the needed clarity, space, and organization that allows me to focus.
  2. Calender – Hard edges on items that have to be done including early reminders to get started. Works wonders to know how to effectively use this tool.
  3. Evernote – I have been able to accurately track my lists, assignments, folders, and projects.

Worthy of Your Attention:

  1. Gary Vaynerchuck: Want to learn the philosophy behind doing business in the 21st Century. Focus Areas: Marketing, Self-awareness, and Building Businesses. I have re-read his books and they are the basis for my business style.
  2. Seth Godin: The man is great at pattern recognition and spelling out exactly how to accomplish what you want. Read most of his books and have subscribed to his daily blog for about a year now.
  3. Austin Kleon: Need help with your creativity. This is the man to read. He keeps it simple, to the point. Love his style of writing and what he has to say, mostly.

2017 … Here. We. Go!

Get out there and do something. Anything.

“We each walk the path that we have chosen.” – Choose Wisely!

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Traveling

I feel good when I travel. Allows me to focus. My mini-reboot.

Got to the hotel. Went running. 1st time this month and felt great.

And then ended up in my favorite place. A bookstore.

Sometimes, I look for an independent bookstore. And yet, I went with old faithful. Barnes and Noble.

Walking the rows of books I was awestruck. Think about this. The huge amount of knowledge in a bookstore. It is taken for granted. Not me, I respect it.

We live in great times. Our troubles are tiny compared to the generation that saved the world. The least we could do is get educated.

Read a book. That’s what I enjoy.

So, as I lay tonight in my hotel. I’ll read a new book. And think of times past. Strategize for the future. After, I finish documenting this day.

[clickToTweet tweet=”What you read when you don’t have to determines what you will be when you can’t help it -Oscar Wilde” quote=”What you read when you don’t have to determines what you will be when you can’t help it. – Oscar Wilde” theme=”style4″]