More. Better. Faster. Success Strategies for Creative Professionals Gordon P. Firemark

in this episode, I'm exploring some strategies for keeping your mind sharp and mental status on track. NOTE: This is NOT intended as psychological or medical advice. If you are in mental distress, SEEK HELP from qualified professionals. We're talking about tools like: ✔︎ Gratitude Practice ✔︎ Meditation Practice ✔︎ Forgiveness ✔︎ Activity - keeping the brain active and engaged with puzzles, games, exercises, and creative activity. ✔︎ Nutrition - "Brain Food" and avoiding toxic foods, beverages and drugs.

This is the first episode in a a mini-series on health and self-care. This time, we're exploring exercise, along with some of (my) limiting beliefs and how I'm reframing them as I commit to exercising more.

Life is like a symphony, with ups and downs, many surprises, triumphal marches, and instruments in sync with each other.  In music, harmony refers to the combination of complimentary notes. In our daily lives, we seek harmony in our relationships, in our activities, the people and things around us. This episode explores the nature of harmony, some misconceptions about it, and strategies you can implement to achieve and maintain greater harmony in all aspects of life.

Focus and Distraction Intro I’m Gordon Firemark, and I’ve got a problem. I have a really hard time getting focused. Staying focused. I’m easily distracted. I’ve never been diagnosed, but I’ve probably got a minor form of ADHD. I love to have lots and lots of things going on. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. But it can also be a detriment. Getting things done can be a real challenge... a test of willpower Staying focused when we need to is hugely important. Fortunately, I’ve been able to learn some skills for getting and staying focused when I need to... and you can do that too. Start with goals - know what you really want/need to accomplish Be specific Write them down Prioritize Be clear about WHY Break own the goals into action steps. - a plan Map the path to completion of each task. Once you’ve settled on your plan, WORK IT. Be methodical and systematic Allocate the time for “deep work” Minimizing interruptions The power of ritual - getting into the Zone Create an environment conducive to focus Quiet? Hubbub? Too much quiet can also be distracting One Thing! Eliminate the common distractions Mobile Inernet Phone, etc. Quiet your mind Meditation Breathing exercises Visualize being in “the Zone” Tools Try some music - http://www.focusatwill.com has specially designed music tracks with specific tempos and beats to get the brainwaves optimized for focus. To Do lists Set a tomato timer. (Pomodoro method). https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique Stay on task for 50 minutes, then take a short break. Switch tasks from time to time. If you’re feeling the pull. When you know you’re only tied to one task for a short time, it’s easier to stay in the zone.

In this episode, we explore the masks we wear, and how to be more authentic about who we are, what we believe, stand for, and care about.