RISE EARLY. RETIRE EARLY.

Just an average guy, living an above-average life!

Should I be hurtful or helpful? 🤷‍♂️

Last week my kid had a small cough. And even though the doctor checked him out, said everything was fine, wrote a note, etc… the teachers wouldn’t let him back at school until the cough was gone. So, he stayed home with me all last week. Anyway, he’s better now, back at school, but yesterday Read more about Should I be hurtful or helpful? 🤷‍♂️[…]

The moment I wake up. (Before I put on my makeup)

Attitude is everything. It’s more important than how you look, what you wear, or the size of your to-do list today. You can conquer anything with the right attitude. Sooooo…. This morning as you’re standing in front of the mirror prettying yourself up for the day, spend a few mins beautifying your headspace and straightening Read more about The moment I wake up. (Before I put on my makeup)[…]

Love yourself first 💆‍♀️

Stuff to try today… Smile at yourself in the mirror this morning. Wish yourself a great day. 😬 Remind yourself of your top 3 superpowers. (mine are positivity, consistency and typing words 🤷‍♂️) If you screw up today, find the humor in the situation. Everybody makes mistakes, that’s OK! 🤦‍♀️ Own your flaws. They are Read more about Love yourself first 💆‍♀️[…]

Ditching negative thoughts (and keeping good ones!)

Did you know… You can get rid of your negative thoughts by writing them down onto a piece of paper, then ripping that paper up and throwing it in the trash? It’s true. A bunch of studies prove that turning our thoughts into material objects —> increases or decreases our mental impact depending on what Read more about Ditching negative thoughts (and keeping good ones!)[…]

A wish for your week ahead

May your week be both focused and impactful, a combination of smashing your to-do list while having the most fun you can along the way. May you remember your boundaries, protecting your flame so you’re in the best position to help others. May you stay positive and optimistic, celebrating when new opportunities fall in your Read more about A wish for your week ahead[…]

Friday affirmations ☝️

I am capable (actually MORE than capable) of finishing all my tasks on time today. ✅ My work stuff today directly contributes to the awesome life I’m building for me and my family. 👨‍👩‍👦 I will attract positive people and situations today (and leave a positive wake for others) 🙌 My superpower is ___________ and Read more about Friday affirmations ☝️[…]

An apple a day 🍎

Did you know… eating more fruits and vegetables will actually make you happier? 🍌🥦🥕 It’s true! (well, maybe)… A recent study conducted with over 12,000 Australian adults found that consuming more fruits and vegetables boosted their happiness, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. Woohoo! But… since the study was conducted in Australia, and Australians are mostly Read more about An apple a day 🍎[…]

Cheers to you, and me 🍻

Musicians don’t retire. They stop when they’ve got no more music in them.” — Louis Armstrong I don’t know about you guys, but there’s plenty of music left in me. Happy Labor Day everyone. Cheers to all your hard work. – Joel Last nights sunset in Ventura, California

Less is more? 🤷‍♂️

This weekend: Less is more! (unless it’s kindness, love, laughing, intimacy, compassion, generosity, happiness, creativity, fun activities, sunshine….) Hang on a sec, I change my mind: More is more! Wishing you a great weekend, packing it with stuff you love. 😎 Love, Joel “There was no one here at 6am” — From my buddy Cullen Read more about Less is more? 🤷‍♂️[…]

Surfing on top of your problems 🏄‍♂️

“The minute you start seeing your obstacles as things that are made for you, to give you what you need, then life starts to get fun, right? You start surfing on top of your problems instead of living underneath them,” – Ashton Kutcher Happy Friday, positive people!! Today’s reminder: The problems you’re dealing with currently Read more about Surfing on top of your problems 🏄‍♂️[…]

What’s the second right answer?

Here’s a cool little trick to help you think outside the box more… When problem solving, ask yourself: “What’s the second right answer?” This removes the idea that there is 1 perfect solution to every problem, and gets you thinking more creatively. (If you remove sun, you can see the evening stars) Today: Challenge your Read more about What’s the second right answer?[…]

Today’s happiness forecast… 👨🏼‍🏫

Well hello there everybody this is 5am Joel with your monday morning happiness forecast… 👨🏼‍🏫 Today will be mostly awesome with a chance of brilliant. We’ve got a 90% chance of yummy coffee to begin the day, followed by a wave of productivity, energy and optimism. Good vibes will roll in around mid-morning, spurring tranquility Read more about Today’s happiness forecast… 👨🏼‍🏫[…]

Less complaining & more *doing something about it*

“I love to walk regularly, and I used to complain to myself about all the garbage I saw everywhere while walking. Then one day I said: I could do something different, I could be thankful that I have legs to walk, hands that move and a body that can bend. I could pick up the Read more about Less complaining & more *doing something about it*[…]

You deserve a day off

Did you know… The human body creates ~330 Billion new cells every day? 🤯 That’s 3.8 Million new cells every second! Your body is constantly growing, healing, adapting, repairing itself, shedding bad stuff and generating new stuff. That’s a lot of hard work, you being you! And since you’re working so hard every second of Read more about You deserve a day off[…]

Your personal cheerleader 🤸‍♀️

I was thinking the other day… Wouldn’t it be cool to have a personal assistant or someone who’s entire job was to follow you around all day, motivating and encouraging you, telling you compliments, pushing you and reminding you how awesome you are at stuff? Imagine how great you’d feel and all the stuff you’d Read more about Your personal cheerleader 🤸‍♀️[…]

Quiet like Sunday morning

“Randall Stutman, who for decades has been the behind-the-scenes adviser for many of the biggest CEOs and leaders on Wall Street, once studied how several hundred senior executives of major corporations recharged in their downtime. The answers were things like sailing, long distance cycling, listening quietly to classical music, scuba diving, riding motorcycles, and fishing. Read more about Quiet like Sunday morning[…]

July 1st *Self* Worth Report

In the finance community, people update their Net Worth Report at the start of each month… But today, I’m evaluating my *Self Worth* instead. (Self worth is basically the same as Self Esteem… It’s confidence in one’s own abilities and assurance of who they are) Here are some areas in my life and a rating Read more about July 1st *Self* Worth Report[…]

Don’t think. Just do.

You’ve got 100 important decisions to make today… But, if you “second guess” yourself with each decision, it’s actually like making 200 decisions, because each one takes twice as much brain power. And if you’re the type of person who “second guesses their second guess” (me, sometimes! 🙋‍♂️) then you’re really making 300 decisions and Read more about Don’t think. Just do.[…]

nakatomi tower

Counting your good things

Happy Friday! Time to count our good things…. Good thing from this month: My little bro got married and family got bigger! 🥳 Good thing from this week: I got a pretty large mention at work this week that boosted my confidence 👨‍💻 Good thing happening today: Going surfing this morning! 🏄‍♂️ Good thing this weekend: Catching up with some Read more about Counting your good things[…]

There’s a couch on the road! 🛋

You’re cruising along, minding your own business, working hard towards your goals in life… then suddenly a couch appears in the middle of your road!? 🛋 (Sometimes it’s a metaphorical couch, and sometimes it’s a real couch.) You’re momentarily stuck. What do you do now? Do you get angry, complain, blame others, feel sorry for Read more about There’s a couch on the road! 🛋[…]