Often, I find it difficult to bring myself back into the moment. It can be a struggle to zoom out from your own problems and gain perspective on this messy planet. Recently, I had a conversation with drummer Gavin Chops (Chelsea Cutler) on Loving Kindness, the practice of cultivating a love for yourself and others. Here are my thoughts on what Gavin had to say:

No one is safe from the negative thought cycle. At your best moments, the most toxic thoughts can begin to run through the mind for no reason at all. Here are some tips and mindsets that have helped me combat the negativity:

The same way you handle the menial tasks will be the same way you execute every task. The boring conference calls deserve the same level of presence as closing the million-dollar deals. College baseball taught me to take care of the small things, like the warm-up, the same way I approached entering the championship game. How do you get into this mindset? What can you do to cultivate an atmosphere of accountability? Here are some tips that have helped me approach the small tasks with a focused mindset.

This morning, I’m feeling inspired by Mike Posner walking across America and wanted to share some words:

Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix special, Sticks and Stones, dropped this past week. I watched the special twice and did not read any reviews until after writing this article. Here are some of my thoughts:

Drinking too much can turn a great night into a slurred slopfest. No one likes the person who repeats themselves every four minutes and can’t hold their booze. Since leaving college, I’ve reevaluated my drinking habits and shifted the focus towards engaging conversations and productive next mornings. Here are a few tips that have helped me embrace more enjoyable nights out:

Hoarding clothes in your closet increases the stress of adding to your wardrobe and decreases buying power. I've been the person that has clothes hanging in the closet that hasn't been touched in years. How can you downsize your closet effectively and get more bang for your buck? Here are some tips and tricks that have helped me trim the fashionable fat:

The first version of any creative pursuit (podcast, YouTube Channel, blog, etc.) will most likely be the worst. Don't let the idea of terrible first drafts paralyze you from starting the journey. As an active podcaster, I know what it's like to feel helpless behind the mic and have frustration running through my veins, but I still sit down every day and do the work. Here are a few words on terrible first drafts that may invigorate you embrace the process:

Starting a conversation with a stranger can be a terrifying experience. Your body walks towards the other person while your mind tells you to turn back. This situation doesn’t have to be scary. I’ve been the guy who stands in the corner the whole night, and I’ve also been the life of the party. Here are a few ways that have helped ease my discomfort and have fun when starting conversations with new people:

Sending a DM can be intimidating. It’s a chance to shoot your shot. The DM can be an incredibly valuable asset in both the personal and business world. What’s the recipe for a great DM? How do you capture someone’s attention who you’ve never met before? Here’s some tried and true advice from an experienced DMer: