Yesterday I was in a class with one of my mentors, Karl Wolfe.  We did a really cool exercise where you had to imagine you were dead and write your own eulogy.  The point was to get us thinking about our life and how people perceive us.  It was a difficult exercise and I felt like what I wrote was pretty sucky.  Then we read them in front of the group and got feedback.  One thing I said really stood out to the group, “It was a shame he died before he really shared his value with the world and I think it was the thing he regretted most.”  They pointed out that I was living my life in the future and completely discounting the little things that I did which added value to their lives.  Simple things like listening to them, offering advice, sharing a resource or contact who could help them out. When they started sharing these experiences with me a light bulb went off in my head. I had been skipping over the details and finer points in life by only focusing on the big picture.

Rather then connecting with the people around me and Read more…

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You landed a hot date, congratulations! So now what?  You might have exchanged a few texts, played a little phone tag, performed some Facebook creeping or even Googled their name.  You are excited to spend more time with them but you have no idea where to go on your first date!  Unfortunately for most people, dating is often hard, scary and booby trapped with rejection lurking around every corner, so don’t blow it by screwing up something simple like picking the first date venue.

This list will ensure that the logistics of your first date are as smooth as silk so you can really get to know him/her while having the most fun and avoiding the awkward “So what do you wanna do?” conversation.

The most important factor to consider while choosing a venue is location.  The closer to home the better, and bonus points if it is in easy walking distance.  Spending a lot of money on first date is a big no-no because it often gives the wrong impression.  If you have to spend a ton of money to have fun then you are missing the point of a first date, which is to connect and get to know him/her better.  The best first dates usually end at your place so keep this in mind while choosing from the venues below.  Dinner and a movie… I don’t think so!

1st pick: A Dive Bar
Let’s face it, alcohol is a widely used social lubricant.  Most people like the idea of meeting someone at a bar because it is a public place conducive to fun and conversation.  But bars come in all shapes, sizes and price tags.  This is why dive bars are great.  They are laid back, inexpensive, full of characters who can be the target of hilarious people watching conversations and they usually come fully stocked with GAMES!  Games include darts, billiards, shuffleboard, arcade games, basketball, karaoke, etc…  And a great way to break the ice is with some friendly competition that takes you back to your childhood.  Games are fun, interactive and if you really pay attention, you can learn a great deal about someone’s personality by observing their behavior while they play games.  Find a local dive within walking distance of your dwelling and you are set!  And for those of you who are completely against drinking and/or bars, you can get all the perks mentioned above by going to an arcade!  Price Range: $0 – $25

2nd pick: Batting Cages, Mini Golf & Bumper Cars Read more…

Popularity: 30% [?]

You just met someone amazing and this guy/girl is different from all of the others. The stakes are raised and you may find yourself scrambling. Should I call? Should I text? Should I email? Where to go? What to do? How to behave? What do you do on the perfect date???? Here are five tips to make this simple and easy.

#1. You Don’t Have to Bust Your Wallet.

Spending a lot of money on first date is a big no-no because it often gives the wrong impression. If you have to spend a ton of money to have fun then you are missing the point of a first date, which is to connect and get to know him/her better. If you’re rich, resist the urge to flaunt how much money you have. Don’t feel the need to do something extravagant just because you really like the person. It can come across as “try hard” and can be a real turn off. To find fun and inexpensive first date ideas, see my Best First Date Ideas.

#2. Pressure = Bad

A first date can be a very high pressure situation for a lot of people, especially for those who don’t date a lot or usually date people they have been friends with first. Never Read more…

Popularity: 6% [?]