Archive for February, 2009

Failing: it can be better than succeeding

Feb 26

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Self improvement | 4 Comments

This past week I had first hand experience in failing something that I was fairly sure I’d succeed at. After the initial disappointment I actually discovered that I will learn more having failed than I would have if I’d passed. I have little chance of becoming complacent in my efforts now that I know I need to do better. I will now focus more intently on achieving the goal I failed to attain on the next attempt. Whilst I certainly would like that shiny certificate in my hands, I honestly prefer the knowledge I gained and the experience I will gain from having to push harder and do better in the future.

I believe that in any failure there is a positive. You just have to find it and then use it to your advantage. Don’t let any failure stop you from aiming high. Failures should push you to do more than you’ve done before. To become a better person. To be more than you thought that you could be.

Tags: failure

The art of the journal

Feb 17

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Self improvement, Yourself | No Comments

In previous posts I have asked “if you don’t know where you are how can you know how to get to where you want to?”

A simple enough question.

But how do you know where you are? Which tools do you use to know where you are? Do you have guides? Do you have a map?

Keeping your own journal is a wonderful way to keep track of what you’ve been doing, where you are now and where you might be headed. You can jot down as much information as you deem necessary in your journal (it is yours after all). Here are a few things that you might choose to record:

your achievements
your failures
what you’ve eaten
what exercise you’ve done
how you feel (physically and emotionally)
what your current goals are
your outlook
who you’ve met
what you are reading

Numerous notable people have kept a journal (or diary) including:

Anne Frank
Leonardo Da Vinci
Che Guevara

Here are some great online resources:

So, get to it. You may even find that your writings inspire others.

Another example of uncommon sense – eating for type two diabetics

Feb 11

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Health, Nutrition | No Comments

The Type 2 Diabetic suffers from insulin resistance. His/her cells have become resistant to insulin. Consumption of carbohydrates leads to the release of insulin into the bloodstream. Too much insulin leads to insulin resistance. So, how would you treat a Type 2 Diabetic?

If you answered “By getting 60% of dieatary nutrients from carbohydrates” you’d be following the American Diabetes Association’s plan. And you’d be wrong. That’s right the association that exists for diabetics has things ass about.

If you answered “Eat less carbs” – well done. It makes sense – uncommon sense it would seem.

Eating less carbs and therefore reducing your production of insulin helps with the issue of insulin resistance.

Sometimes, even those you think would know everything about a particular area are way off the mark. Be careful. It’s your body, not theirs.

Tags: insulin resistance

Ten questions to ask yourself

Feb 9

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Self improvement | 2 Comments

Where will I be in ten years time?
If I could do one thing – right now – to change my life for the better what would it be?
Should I really eat this piece of cake?
If I worked 10% harder or smarter, what would it get me?
What am I prepared to sacrifice to get what I want?
Which books should I be reading if I am to succeed?
Am I surrounded by the right people?
What does it feel like to be in his/her shoes?
Am I as good as I think I am?
Can I spend my time more wisely?

A little bit of perspective goes a long way

Feb 8

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Uncategorised | 1 Comment

This post is a little off topic…

A close friend and business partner was yesterday caught in the worst fires that the State of Victoria has ever seen. He was lucky to escape with his life…just. He lost his house and most of – if not all – of his possessions. He suffered some burns. Over 60 people lost their lives. Many more are missing. Over 650 homes have been destroyed. I almost can’t fathom it. I’ve been dumbfounded all day.

Why am I writing this? I don’t know. Maybe as a release. Maybe to show how stupid we are most of the time; bickering, petty troubles, complaining, worrying… I don’t know. Times like these certainly can make you think. They should make us stronger. I hope they will.

Thank you for reading.

Tags: fire, friends