by Winston Ash on Coding

Inspired Design

I open up the internet and the first thing I notice are the details. I’m intrigued by the background, the pictures, the theme. In a glance I take everything in. Good or bad? Do I like the headline? What’s above the fold?
 
In that first second, my questions answered and I am satisfied. Then I move on to what I was doing.
 
It’s interesting how our mind works. I’m fascinated how design plays such a huge part in our feelings. My passion wakes up each time I see a website. And that is how I knew. I’m hooked. Web design and development is what I do for fun. Not for the money. But because I can.
 
On to my studies. I’ve been working on learning React. I took two courses through Codecademy and now I’m reading a book, “Learning React” by O’Reilly Media. Why would I read a textbook? Because learning is fun when done for a selfish goal.
 
Let’s talk about my goal some more. The goal comes from long-term strategy. I realize that in the next twenty years – the prime of my life. That the world will change. It will change in ways that I can’t imagine now. But to be an early adopter I need to be in the vangaurd. Leading the way into the future. So, I must learn everything about coding, technology, and robotics. Even if we are only starting now. By taking the long view and getting the foundation set. I will be able to jump on opportunities as they arise.
 
Yes, it’s a long time away. But, no it’s not. It feels like yesterday I was a kid; now, I have a multi-million dollar operating budget and 31 people who depend on me.
 
1% improvement a day. Add the compounding effect and exponential growth. With consistent work for the next few years, I can move into the right place.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Like Wayne Gretzky, I’m going to where the puck is going to, not where it’s been.” quote=”Like Wayne Gretzky, I’m going to where the puck is going to, not where it’s been.” theme=”style2″]
 
by Winston Ash on Coding

#Coding Skills Update

On a mission to crush every single course that’s offered on Codecademy. I love these courses because they give instant feedback. Information, test, response. With feedback like that I gain understanding and knowledge much quicker. Also I make it a game. Do X amount of work; get a reward. I highly recommend these courses if you are like me and need instant feedback, backstory, and examples.

[clickToTweet tweet=”No secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Colin Powell” quote=”No secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Colin Powell”]

I am in love with coding: front end web development, React, JavaScript, and Python. My current learning interests include: robotics, machine learning, data analysis, and business processes. On my bucket list: running a marathon in 2018.

Thanks for reading!

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter and  Instagram where I love to talk about business, politics, tech, self-education, and success.

 

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Compounding Progress

Learning new things always excites me. Getting better at what I’ve been trying to learn gives me the same feeling. While reading through tutorials today I found out something interesting.
 
Reading, thinking, planning, then doing is the best way forward. This allows me to plot a steady course and have linear progression. What got me excited though was that my progression compounds. Which means as I get better step by step I’m also integrating the new knowledge with old. Growing on many levels at the same time.
 

Business:

Ash Media Empire

Current clients are all happy and the workflow is steady. No issues. I’m going to streamline and document the client on-boarding process better. New leads have shown interest. Next week’s focus is adding another client to my roster.
 
Got an ad approved today by Facebook that I liked. That will help me bring more eyeballs to my feed which should help raise brand awareness. Putting out more video content on my Facebook account. The plan is to grow into producing mini tutorials.
 
Instagram received my attention this past month for good reason – I’m a visual person. I create visual content fast and with minimal effort. Once i’ve seen it in my head, the creating process is quick. My go to app is Canva.
 

Fitness:

Running

Today I spent over an hour on the treadmill. The running felt good. No issue completing the mileage at this current pace. Looking forward to going longer distances at a faster pace. Step by step my body adjusted well to this new program. Using the Gipis app for the plan and staying loyal to Runkeeper for logging my runs. The running schedule picks up next week with 2 medium distance runs and an interval run.
 

Nutrition

Eating well has turned into the most important aspect of the health triangle – running, eating, and sleeping. This is also the hardest part. I don’t food prep and rely on my wife for that part. As well I am horrible at portion control. This is still a work in progress. My thoughts are to use measurement to force myself into line. We’ll see if it works.
 
by Winston Ash on Entrepreneurship

#Thinking: Ask Good Questions

Ask good questions.

That is the right way.

You are part scientist, part investigator, part explorer.

Open mind. Eternally curious.

Ready to see the wonders of the world.

Go forward boldy.

Let no one stand in your way.

Bend your knee to no man.

Let truth be your guide.

Reason your weapon.

Start with “Why?”

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Rainy Days

These days are my favorite. Everything about them: smell, feel and sights. The world cleanses itself. And I find calm, joy.

Stuck inside with nothing to do but work. I accomplish a lot and focus on getting tasks done that I have put off. The forced work is a relief. No one else is out and I get the chance to pull ahead. The flood of requests recede to a trickle. And in this space, I grow.

With time on my side; I read, study, and write. All the little things that most times I hurry through. Today though I relax into them.

Funny thing about rainy days. Clarity hits you in the face. The thought that if you couldn’t do anything else; you are doing exactly what you want to. And that – right there – is a blessing.

I love to think. I love to read. I love to analyze. These give comfort to my soul. Pattern recognition is a fun game that has huge leverage potential.

What Have I Found?

[Tweet “Learn from the greats.”]

One sentence that feels like a boulder lifted off my chest. Thinking about having to do everything over for the first time is daunting. I always feel overwhelmed. Stepping on the shoulders of giants and moving the ball an inch; that is something I can do with ease. The structure is there, follow the path and innovate at the end. It works because it has been done already.

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Gut Checked

I can see the moves, the players, and the right strategy. I know what can be done. But does it violate my code? Is this the game I want to be playing? 

My initial reaction is stone cold. I learned it from poker. When dealt a shit hand the best response is no response. Stop. Gather your wits and make a plan. It doesn’t have to take long. You don’t let your initial shock give away your strategy. 

I felt similar emotions wash over me as I listened to these people. And my calm exterior made me hard to read. Or so I thought. Inside though, a raging sea of emotion. Hulk smash. 

Yet I see the moves for what they are – power plays. I have no time for this.