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Archive | February, 2012

Amazing Gracie

As I descended the stairs, the hostile man in front of me turned around and spit on my shoes with no provocation. There was no reasoning with him. It was clear that he wanted to fight. This was a familiar situation, and I knew what I had to do in order to neutralize him after having a one-on-one with the one of the world’s greatest not but two days ago.

“I’ve only had one lesson. I need to go back. Looks like I can only use what I know. Is it enough?!”

I distanced myself, readied my hands and body, and has he rushed in…

I woke up in my bed room.

There was no cold sweat nor was there fear but rather a desire to learn more from these guys:

Ryron Gracie (left) and Rener Gracie (right)

Kristal surprised me with a late birthday gift and was able to arrange a private Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lesson (BJJ) between me and one of the best-in-class Gracie brothers, Ryron (he-ron) at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, CA.

Ryron Gracie

All within an hour, Ryron taught me practical defenses and offenses to keep myself sustained in a street fight. It was also made clear that when people want to fight, I have few options:

Run
Get beat up
Control the fight

Rolling with Ryron

There is no telling how good I would be at #3, but I would like to improve. After waking from my dream, I remember feeling a deep need to learn more BJJ, especially with all of the bullying and unpredictability in the world. Kristal and I even talked about doing this together after the wedding, and we agreed that when we do, we would know where to go.

-SO YEAH

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Categories WORD UP

Not a Salesman

13 Feb

After feeling sluggish and indifferent out on the sales field today, I came across this word of encouragement via my twitter feed thanks to Jeff Goins and Blaine Hogan.

[full article]

It’s an empowering message that applies to what I do in both business and in personal matters. Many days I get so caught up with sales numbers and corporate jargon, I fail to craft the art of relationship and rapport.

Furthermore, I overlook emotions when I sell. I become cold and processed.

This simple message displayed above reconnects the nerves within me and allows blood to flow to the heart of why I love doing my job. Interacting with people, relating stories, and meeting needs are reasons why I do what I do. It’s difficult to see beyond the trivial in a customer service-corporate life, but Blaine infuses purpose in almost any menial task with a slogan like this.

-SO YEAH