Author: Steve Bloom

March 12, 2014

The Dangers of Playing it Safe

You don’t have to go far to hear the dangers of taking risks. When I was young, I was taught about “stranger danger”. As I got older, people told me about the threats to travelers.

We’re reminded of them every day in the news. Turn on the TV and it won’t take long to find dozens of reasons to be afraid and not take any chances.

But what about the dangers of playing it safe?

Look back on your life and think about all the times you took the safe, easy route. What experiences did you miss? What awesome people could you have met?

What seemed so scary and risky at the time now seem like missed opportunities.
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March 6, 2014

Please Take My 2014 Reader Survey

Steve Bloom 4 Comments

Reader Survey

It’s hard to believe, but I’m only about a month away from the four year anniversary for this blog!

It’s been a long, crazy journey. When I first started, I only had a handful of people visit every week. Now I have thousands of regular readers.

Many of you have reached out to me through social media or emailed me to tell me what you like and don’t like about my blog. I’m very appreciative about the feedback and always want to hear what you think.

In fact, I want to hear from more of you. So I’ve created a quick survey.

Would you please take a few minutes to fill the survey out? By doing so, you’ll be helping yourself. Why? Because you’ll be helping me make my content even more interesting and relevant to you.

Your input is important to me. Whether you’re completely new to my blog or have been a reader for years, your feedback matters.

I’ll give every reply my full attention and consideration. I’m more than willing to make changes based on one person’s opinion.

It’s very easy to fill out. Feel free to write one sentence or full pages. All questions are optional, but I hope you fill out as much as you can.

Click here to be taken to the survey!

Thanks in advance for your help. Above all, thanks for reading. I consider it a privilege to write for you.

Steve
photo credit: Henry Faber

March 3, 2014

6 Things I Loved About Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Steve Bloom 20 Comments

When I was in college, I put going to Mardi Gras on my bucket list. The opportunity to do heavy drinking and party with a lot of topless women was very appealing.

My circumstances have changed a lot since then. I rarely drink now and I’m married, so picking up women just isn’t going to happen.

But I still wanted to go just to see what it was all about.

One of the advantages of moving to Houston last year is its proximity to New Orleans. When the Mardi Gras season rolled around, I was just a five hour drive away.

So I finally got a chance to go this year. And, wow, I was glad I did.

My hotel was only a block away from Bourbon Street and the French Quarter – a five minute walk to all the partying and festivities.

Now that I’ve experienced it, I can honestly say that Mardi Gras in New Orleans has a lot more going for it than beer and public nudity.

Here’s what I loved about it:
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February 26, 2014

Be Like Water

Steve Bloom 18 Comments

Life is full of resistance. There are obstacles and barriers all trying to keep you away from reaching your dreams and goals.

My advice to you is this: be like water.

Well, it’s actually not my advice. The source for this comes from a forty year old interview with martial arts star Bruce Lee.

Most people know Bruce Lee for his fighting prowess, but he was also a big proponent of Eastern philosophy. Cobbling together various aspects of Taoism, Confucianism and just about anything else he could read, he pulled together a life philosophy that was uniquely his own.

This approach was reflected in his fighting style called Jeet Kune Do. It relied on experimentation to get results. Basically Bruce Lee would incorporate any styles or moves into his own that worked. If they didn’t work, he’d get rid of them.

I find this philosophy fascinating because it works in most areas of life. Learn what’s useful, leave out the rest. Don’t waste your time and energy on things that won’t help you achieve your goals.
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February 18, 2014

8 Reasons to Never Give Up

Steve Bloom 20 Comments

I’ve accomplished quite a few things in my life. Over the years, I’ve learned to set big goals and take solid actionable steps in order to make them happen.

But as I look back on everything I’ve done, I can’t help notice how many of them I had seriously considered giving up.

In fact, some of my proudest accomplishments were nearly tossed aside simply because I didn’t know if I could keep going anymore.

Yet in each case, I persevered. I kept going despite the doubts. I kept pushing past the fear and ultimately reached my goals.

Whatever goals or dreams you have, you’ll inevitably feel like giving up. It’s a fact of life. If you pursue something long enough, you’ll give it serious consideration.

As someone who has gone through that doubt, I can honestly relate to how tempting it is to throw away a big goal.

But those who reach the finish line push past that feeling.

Here are eight reasons you should keep going.
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February 9, 2014

Why Being Rich Is Not Necessary for a Good Life

Steve Bloom 35 Comments

What’s the one obstacle holding you back from living the life you want?

Without hearing your responses, I can already tell that money is probably mentioned far more than anything else.

How do I know this? I hear it all the time.

“If I only had enough money, I could…”

“I could live the life I want, if I had the money…”

“If only I were rich…”

Many people seem to assume that living an amazing life is dependent on how much money you have. It’s as if being rich is an instant one-way ticket to the good life.

But perhaps by focusing too hard on money as a solution to your problems, you’re missing another possibility:

You don’t need a lot of money to live a great life.
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January 28, 2014

How to be Disciplined and Focused When Your Dreams Overwhelm You

Steve Bloom 15 Comments

*Note: This is a guest post by Vishnu of Vishnu’s Virtues.

“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.” – Tony Robbins

As someone who toiled as a courtroom lawyer, survived a dozen political campaigns, is passionate about community organizing and making a difference by working for non-profits, I have had more than a dozen jobs in the last ten years.

Throw in my penchant for reading, writing and blogging: I couldn’t keep up with myself.

You too are brimming with ideas, business and life plans.

Filled with life dreams and countless directions you could run in.

All the options may leave you feeling overwhelmed and purposeless.

You’re likely asking yourself what you should be doing with your life.

What were you sent here to do? How do you find what your “thing” is?
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