r.o.i.

'rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth' - Thoreau

Return on Investment:  A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment.  

I am always focusing on this word 'efficiency'.  Always considering methods that will streamline, or make things most economical.  And while these thoughts are on my mind while sitting in the Edward Jones office, preparing to discuss my financial investment portfolio (saying that you have an investment portfolio sounds so pretentious!), I'm writing today and thinking about how this philosophy applies to other aspects of our daily lives.  

We have a finite amount of time to be alive.  There are so many things I want to do!  I feel if I don't somehow multiply or compound my interest and interests, I simply won't be living to my potential...won't be able to reach all of my goals...and won't be able to have a complete, fulfilling, and successful day.

Considering all of the chaos and stress and fast pace of our lives, this sounds messy, and cramming, and overwhelming.  You may be thinking, 'Right...there aren't enough hours within a day!'  And you may be 'burning the wick at both ends' as they say, and feeling like there's no catching up.  How could you even consider adding new items to your plate, or reaching for new heights on your success ladder.  Well, it's always wise to consider your r.o.i. first.  And practicing mindfulness throughout will keep you balanced.  


speak the truth
As I age, I find myself searching for the absolute honest truth within things...good or bad...just let me see what's real.  My skin is thicker now.  The insecurities mitigated.  I really don't care about a lot of nonsense that once consumed me...and that frees up a lot of space to accept truth.  

One great truth always being spoken to us is our health.  At Thanksgiving, when we would go around the table and say what we were thankful for, some aunt or cousin, or niece's boyfriend would always say they're thankful for good health.  That not even a thing!  It doesn't mean anything.  It's an arbitrary, general statement used to quickly get on to the next relative.  That is what I thought anyway.  When you, or someone close to you becomes unhealthy, injured, or simply older and aware of new limitations...you quickly understand the fortune of good health.  

That is why things like exercise and diet have such great returns on investments!  They are honest and effective formulas leading to good health.  If you jump into an intense training program and very strict diet tomorrow, the benefits and rewards of doing so will be amazing!  It's a very simple formula.  Aha!  But it's very hard work to implement and maintain.  Otherwise, we'd all be doing it.  

I absolutely love the sport of basketball.  It has given me returns that I never expected...introduced me to so many people that I cherish...allowed me to experience passion and fun and competition and challenge...and time and time again, it has been so very honest with me.  I think this is what I now appreciate most about it.  'You get out what you put in', is a phrase that comes to mind.  I had 'practiced' and 'played' the sport from time to time, but it wasn't until I completely focused and dedicated myself to hours of tailored training, that I came to understand what came from hard work, and how to truly invest in something for myself.  At one point, during the start of my college

basketball career (you can read some more about this time here...on my 'about me' page), I decided to, on top of a bunch of strenuous training sessions, shoot 300 three pointers a day.  Along with that, the coach asked each player to shoot 100 free throws a day.  I think one other player and I were the only two that did this no excuses...7 days a week.  This training...the consistent repetition of movements...the culture that came with always being near a basketball and a hoop...the camaraderie gained grinding out work with others...and the grit earned by winning hard fought physical battles on my own...instilled something in me that I hold dearly to this day.  The actual shooting itself became somewhat automatic for me.  Three pointers felt like free throws.  Free throws felt like layups.  I could feel a difference.  And I was proud of my investment.

Basketball is where I found this.  But you can find this honest earning of truth within a lot of activities.   Learning how to play guitar is where I've found it most recently.  



shopping cart 🛒
I don't buy as many things as I used to.  I scrutinize purchases now to no end.  I sit and ruminate on whether or not I really need this item...really want it.  I totally consider the r.o.i. that this item will bring me over time.  Is this going to be trendy to me?  Will I love it in 5 years?  Can I use it for 2 years, and sell it for what I buy it for?  I highly recommend doing this for any big ticket items you're considering.  Also remember, buying an 'experience' over a tangible item is more likely to be fulfilling.  In this way, money can buy happiness.  I still like buying 'things' here and there though.  Here are some things I put in my shopping cart over the last couple of years:

• road bicycle
• electric guitar
• trip to Disney
• log splitter (for firewood)
• brick and stone walkway

I really want to buy a drone next.  They're just cool ok?  Probably frivolous...I know.  I've been thinking about it though, and may pull the trigger soon!  

proximity

Who are the people around you most?  Are you investing in those that you appreciate and love?  One of the most effective ways to find long term happiness is through your relationships with friends and family.  It starts with you though.  I've mentioned this before...'turn your expectations into appreciation' is what Tony Robbins says, and it totally applies to all relationships.  How do you keep yourself around the people you want to be around?  One simple way to start is to get rid of the folks you don't want to be around.  We often have some people in our lives that empty our bucket.  They are depleting.  They take and don't give back.  And they are unhealthy for us.  Life is too short.  Value your time more, and stop spending it on folks like this.  Once your standard is set, you'll start noticing more bucket filling folks in your proximity.

Music:  Ryan Adams continues to be very inspiring for me.  Here's a great song with just him and his piano.

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how to pan for gold...in books though

'I'm wondering what to read next,' Matilda said.  'I've finished all the children's books.' - Roald Dahl

Music:  I found this artist, Jose Gonzalez, while watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  This song fit into the film so nicely.  It would be so cool to choose songs for a movie.  Who gets to do that?  Anyway, I highly recommend the movie and Jose's music!  Click here to listen while you read. 

As I mentioned on my Reading List, there are some books that I just know...I don't need the whole thing.  I just want the small bits of gold that apply to me.  I only use this technique for non-fiction works.  Obviously, I want the entire story within a novel and don't recommend 'panning' a piece of fiction.  

In much of what I've found within non-fiction, an author does some great, focused research related to what they want to write.  They then present it in a way that works for them.  They also have to tell somewhat of a story with it...present it in a way that flows nicely for the reader...and usually attach some case studies (anecdotes about people applying the book's theories).  Sometimes, I can tell that I love everything about the idea and everything related.  In that case, I take it all in.  

What is she thinking?  Where is she traveling?

On the other hand...and actually most of the time...I don't want all the extra fluff.  I take the author's unspoken word that their idea works for the case studies presented.  Just be careful with this, because they're obviously not going to tell you stories when their information is arbitrary or ineffective.  That would be counter-intuitive.  I rely on myself though, to find the valuable nuggets of information, the ones that apply to me, and discern as to whether or not I agree or disagree with them.  This usually takes me 10-15 minutes, which means I can 'pan' one book a day!  Here's what I do:

1.  The first thing I do is read the title and author.  Duh!

2.  Then, I go in the back sleeve and find 'about the author'.  I like knowing the background information of the architect here.  They might have been fed from a silver spoon...might have 5 kids...or none...might have run some marathons...might enjoy their gun collection...or live off the grid.  What I also find here are websites related to their cause, or that they recommend.  

3.  Find the Table of Contents, look over it quickly to see what stands out to you, then dog ear the page.  You might be returning to this page a bunch.  

4.  Get a blank piece of paper, or notebook, or journal...and a writing utensil.  #2 Ticonderoga pencil is my go-to.  That was a joke.

5.  Here is where you start panning for gold!  First, check the end of chapter 1 for a 'review' or 'summary' or 'wrap up'.  Some authors use this for each chapter, and it's so helpful for us as gold panners.  If so, simply jump to each one of these, and write anything down you feel you need.  Here's an example of a quick review from How to Talk to Anyone, by Leil Lowndes:

Since all of the gold had a grey background in this book, it was easy to spot. All the other writing was a longer hand version of this...and stories of when her friends tried this. Unnecessary! 

You may find a piece of information that you want more of in that summary.  If you do, just go back through the chapter quickly, looking for the terms that apply, and just take what you need.

If the chapters don't have the summaries, you'll have to work a little harder.  But all you have to do is rotate your pan in the water, sifting and scanning for information relative to you.  Most of the time there are bold letters, or headings that will help in your search.  

Always use the dog-eared Table of Contents to keep you guided throughout, and as a reference for what to find... and where.  

You may write down a lot.  You may just write down 2 bullets of information...2 nuggets of gold.  You may have a photographic memory and not have to write anything down.  It's up to you.  Since my own memory is more bronze than gold, I do have to write something down.  I also enjoy having a folder in my drawer where I keep my 'sheets of gold'.  I know that I can quickly go back and find what I wrote down...access the inspiring notes to keep me practicing a new habit...or find that author I liked to help me find that other book he or she wrote.  Here is an example of one of my sheets of gold (from the book Raising a Self-Reliant Child by Alanna Levine):

I simply write the title and author on top, and then some notes below.  My handwriting should tell you that I'm doing this fast.  Hopefully, I can read it when I go back to it!

Here's another one with less notes.  It's from the book 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, by Karl Pillemer:

That's it!  Again, this takes 10-15 minutes, and you can pan a book a day! You'll be rich before you know it.  Think of all of the great research you can access...the great authors and innovative thinkers...the people who have failed and then found the most effective ways to succeed...the parents who know what works.  You can use all of their blueprints.  It's very handy.  By the way...I've spent a lot of money on education up to this point.  I'm very happy I did, and I'll probably continue to do more.  However, all of this gold panning I've been doing...all of the 'acquisition of knowledge'...has been totally free, from my public library!   A guy I play basketball with told me, 'that works just as good...all the greatest minds in history are right there on the shelf.'  Nicely put right?  Thanks Matt!

This is your pass to free gold!

One last note...often I email the author, thanking them, and letting them know that their information was helpful.  Sometimes their email address is in the 'About the Author' section.  If not, some quick Googling can usually find it.  I think they deserve the gratitude.  I also see it as networking, and connecting with these folks I have a lot of respect for.  You can consider them mentors in absentia...and think of them as part of your own Circle of Elephants that I mentioned in another blog post.

I've been surprised at the emails I get in return.  Most of the time it's a secretary or publicist that writes me back, telling me they'll forward my message on.  Sometimes though, the author writes back, happy to hear from a reader.  And now you have a specialist in your contact list!  Last week, I was happily exchanging emails with Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric.  Someday, I might want to ask him a business question...and it's fun to know that he might actually respond!  I'm still waiting to hear from Warren Buffett.

Good luck in your journey finding and becoming gold!


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