Posts tagged "work"

3
histories work career russia

Apr 02

The Russian bath house as a metaphor for life

As I sat in the Russian & Turkish bath this afternoon, in a zen-like state of euphoria, I thought about how the bathhouse experience (at least, the way my Russian ass knows it) is much like the pursuit of happiness in life.

When I first got into the hot Russian sauna, it did not feel very good. Even still, I knew that the longer I stayed in there, the better I would feel afterwards. This is what I learned the first time my dad took me to a sauna in Russia (he taught me to stay in there for a while before coming out), and the payoff was amazing.

Now, having experienced the payoff, I deal with the initial discomfort of a hot ass sauna to get to that gold at the end of the rainbow.

Same thing goes for running out of said sauna, and dunking myself in an ice cold pool. The first time I do it, it sucks! It’s crazy cold, and shocking to the senses. But still, I know it’s worth it in the long run.

Once you repeat this pattern for 2-3 times, the 3rd time coming back into the sauna from the ice cold pool is nothing short of nirvana. Your body is refreshed. Your mind is clear. The pace of your breath, clean and steady. I finally got there! And what’s more, I don’t remember any of that initial discomfort I felt when I first got in the sauna and then ran into the pool. None of that matters, now that I feel so damn good.

Life to me is the same. The sauna and the pool represent hard work as you pursue what you love. It might suck at first, but if you know how good the pay off is you will do it anyway. The more you do it, the better it feels…until you reach the payoff! Succeeding while doing what you love. Nothing could be better.

The thing a lot of people struggle with is their first rewarding experience. Experiencing that payoff for the first time is what will drive you to get back into the heat in search of that feeling again. A lot of people don’t get there, so they’re not willing to grind it out at first because they don’t know if it’s worth it or not.

Hard work ALWAYS pays off. So, if you haven’t had your moment of zen yet, grind it out until you do. Then, you’ll be hooked!

That’s what hard work looks like…not really.


24
New York City new york living lifestyle advice money motivational work career

Jan 15

thechriswayoflife asked: hey! once i graduate from college, i am moving to new york city. which is next year.. any tips, etc..?? :)

Yes, indeed. Here are some essentials. If I think of more, I will post them as well. 

1. Start planting seeds immediately 

Seems like you’re already doing a bit of this, but recently I’ve become a firm believer in the seeding or fishing approach (pick your metaphor). Plant a ton of seeds, and a few of them will grow into something plentiful. Cast out a bunch of lines, and see which one bites. It’s really a numbers game over time, so make sure you connect with a lot of like minded people in NYC as early as possible, let them know what you’re about and what you’re looking for and stay in touch. Something is bound to go down somehow, somewhere, guaranteed. 

2. Make sure you know what you want and where you want to be within a year or two 

Number 1 made me think of this one … it should probably be first on your list, actually. Have that end game all planned out (or at least loosely planned out). See a vision of yourself living in New York, working at X, hanging out with Y, getting published by Z … or whatever. The more articulated your end game is now, the easier it is to tell people what you’re looking for when you make connections .. and the easier it will be for them to figure out how to help you. So many people don’t know exactly what they’re trying to do .. they’re just trying to “get put on” or whatever. Well, if you’re talking to someone in generalities and just trying to “make it” somehow someway regardless of what that means, it will let people know that you haven’t done your homework and you’re basically wasting their time. 

3. Make sure NYC is definitely your first stop after college

It wasn’t mine, man. A friend convinced me to take a detour through Chicago. I was going to move straight to NYC in 2007 right after college but without any experience and looking to get into the music industry, I was looking at an assistant gig with a major label working for peanuts. If I did that, I would be living out of a cardboard refrigerator box within 6 months. Instead I went to Chicago, gained a few years of experience in a city that was a little bit cheaper and easier to handle, then came to NYC guns a blazin’. 

4. If NYC is definitely the first stop, then get smart about money immediately 

Read some stuff about personal money management. For real. When I got my first gig after college and I wasn’t broke broke no mo’, I went HAM … as in, throwin’ dough around like I really had some. Luckily this all went down in Chicago, so it wasn’t as crazy as it could’ve been if I did the same thing in New York. When you come out here, you need to know how to manage your money so you don’t end up broke and in debt. 

5. Make sure your living situation is chill 

Everyone in New York seems to have a Craigslist nightmare story. Choose roommates wisely, and if you’re going to live with someone you already know, try to pick someone who will be a helpful and positive influence.

6. When you get here, stay focused 

I can only assume you’re moving to NYC to get somethin’ poppin .. as in, make shit happen. Well, make sure you do that and don’t get distracted by how fucking fun New York can be. You’re going to have a lot of fun, but make sure you’re working your ass off too. Otherwise, what’s the point of living in the most expensive city in the world? The reason it’s so expensive is because landowners and landlords know people are willing to pay the high rent in order to be close to the action … they’re trying to make shit happen, and willing to pay for the location. It’s like an investment in your future gangsterism. Feel me? 

7. A short word on side hustles … 

Everybody out here got ‘em. You got your main gig, and your side gig. If those overlap somehow, even better. Part of it is for the extra dough, and part of it is for the extra fun you have. And the extra people you’re going to meet. And the extra opportunities you will be exposed to. So much extra. 

8. Move to Brooklyn 

Right out of college? For real, if you’re rolling with family dough definitely get a dope ass spot in the city….otherwise move to Bushwick. 

9. Choose your friends wisely 

Sort of relates to #5 … when you make new friends in the city, make sure they’re good for ya. You will meet some party motherfuckers out here and they will want to go out constantly … they will talk to you about all the shit they have going on when they don’t do shit but drink PBR and spend (someone else’s??) dough senselessly. Definitely keep a party crew around, but find some people that are into the same productive shit you’re into as well, just to keep a good balance and keep your eye on the prize. 

10. Buy groceries and learn to cook 

If you’re not in the habit already, get your cook on. Save money and make yourself a more awesome person. 

You will notice a common thread in the list above: work and money. But I mean, that’s pretty much a common thread for this city. Work hard, play hard, be smart with your money and don’t let the city chew you up and spit you out. Instead, use the city and all it has to offer to further yourself personally, professionally and perhaps even spiritually. 

Have fun, young homey! 


4
work life advice give a shit please motivation inspiration

Feb 27

Please give a shit

If I’ve learned anything here or anywhere else, it’s the importance of giving a shit. If you don’t give a shit about something in your life, it’s probably not worth your time and quietly makes you more and more pissed off every day that you’re spending time on it. Here’s my favorite example: 

Your boss just handed you an assignment you don’t agree with

Give a shit: I’m going to knock this out of the park, then maybe do it my way too and show my boss why my way is better or, 

Understand the subject so much so that I’ll be able to sell my boss on a better idea right then and there. 

Don’t give a shit: 

Reluctantly do a half-assed job, bitching and moaning the entire time, only to produce something lack luster and then feel like you did your boss a huge favor. And since you didn’t communicate any of your own thoughts, you just portray to your boss that you’re wack at your job. At least that’s the face you put on. 

So, why the hell would you waste your time or anyone else’s? Give a shit. Do good work. Voice your opinion. Kick life in the ass daily.