88. Not just an ordinary coffee

It takes a lot to impress me…

but this coffee was something else.

It wasn’t that it was a Chinese single origin roast, it wasn’t that the aroma was immaculate, it wasn’t even the ceramic mug it was served in.

It was the smile, the talk, the care.

Coffee isn’t just the drink- it’s the experience.

And I will remember Al, my Barista.

His kindness will bring me back to his coffee shop.

Products don’t drive sales, experiences do.

87. Neutral ground

is a fallacy.

There are things actively fighting for your attention all day every day.

The overstimulated generation.

In war; soldiers go prepared with suitable equipment, knowledge, and strategy to tackle the enemy. This is to ensure the best possible outcome rather than to be surprised. As Sun Tzu said in Art of War, “Every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought”.

When your life is able to be swiftly taken away by the device in your pocket you have two choices:

1. Build your defence- develop restrictions, habits, and systems

2. Wing it- depend on your finite determination to navigate through distraction

Busyness prevents time to reflect and develop rational thought, a war strategy.

You have the enemy at your doorstep and you do not even know it because you haven’t had that time to zoom out.

Truly step back from distractions; understand your tendencies, triggers, and where all your time is going- is this what you want to be remembered for? If not you need to get a plan in place quickly or you will lose the war.

86. Cheap, good, fast

you can’t have all three.

Something of quality is sacrificed in achieving speed and cost.

Price is increased with improved standards and immediacy.

Then if you want something with little economic cost, the journey that has been undertaken will be complex, sacrificing elsewhere.

Like all things in life you need to decide what hill you want to die on- the values, morals, and priorities you have.

In turn, this will then orient how you use your time.

Different times will call for a different focus- but how will you want to be remembered; cheap, good, or fast.