If you haven't seen Rocky Balboa yet, go do it now! In the movie, Rocky's character demonstrates how you can be strong and kind at the same time. And I don't want to hear your any logical argument about his age. There's no room for logic and objective debate in Rocky; it's just pure emotion, adreneline, and inspiration.
Seeing Rocky led me to reconnect with something that I've always enjoyed -- working out. Two days back at the gym and I feel like a new person, with more energy and more motivation. I am coming back to a part of myself that has been ignored for way too long.
So as you're living your life of work, eat, sleep, pickup ... try to reconnect with something that you're passionate about. Whether its art, music, skiing, cooking, knitting, whatever. The point is to realign yourself by doing something that you truly love and that makes you feel good. It just pumps you up and makes the other aspect of your life enjoyable too.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
You Take the Good, You Take the Bad
The worst sting is not when you approach and get a bad reaction, but when you fail to approach at all. It's 8'oclock p.m. and I'm on the subway coming home from work. I've spent the last 9 hours reading through an 800-page, very boring trial transcript. I am freakin starving. My thoughts are consumed with the possibilities of what I'm going to devour for dinner.
And then, when I least expect it, she appears. Blonde hair, blue eyes, soft skin, carrying about three shopping bags. She is standing in front of me while I'm sitting, almost towering over me. The subway is packed.
What do I say? She's got a cool ring, say something about the ring. What about the shopping bags, I can banter about that. Hestiation, hesitation, hesitation. Ok, I'm going with the ring. Just open your mouth, Joey.
And ... "This stop is 23rd street, the next stop is 28th street." It's her stop. Damn it. She merges with the rest of the people, and fights her way out of the subway car.
A couple seconds of hesitation and the opportunity is gone. I get off at my stop and try to not beat myself up. I focus on staying present, and realizing that I couldn't have been any different at that moment. But it still stings.
However, the universe always presents new opportunities for you. You just gotta keep your eyes open.
As a walk toward my building, I spot a cute girl walking toward me (I love New York City!) I plan on telling her that she is cute to put a smile on her face. I have no further intent, other than fueling my karma.
Oh wait. She's going into my building. We make eye contact and she gets to the door before me. She opens the door and waits till I arrive (she's a keeper).
I just start talking. I don't even know what I am saying, but she is laughing and smiling. We get into the elevator. We talk more, about work, the holidays, our roomates and living situation. We reach her floor, but keep talking. I'm holding the door open button.
"We're having a little Christmas party Thursday night. No big deal, just some friends coming over to have a few cocktails. You and your roomates should stop by."
She agrees, but only if she can bring a bottle of wine. That's fine with me.
And then, when I least expect it, she appears. Blonde hair, blue eyes, soft skin, carrying about three shopping bags. She is standing in front of me while I'm sitting, almost towering over me. The subway is packed.
What do I say? She's got a cool ring, say something about the ring. What about the shopping bags, I can banter about that. Hestiation, hesitation, hesitation. Ok, I'm going with the ring. Just open your mouth, Joey.
And ... "This stop is 23rd street, the next stop is 28th street." It's her stop. Damn it. She merges with the rest of the people, and fights her way out of the subway car.
A couple seconds of hesitation and the opportunity is gone. I get off at my stop and try to not beat myself up. I focus on staying present, and realizing that I couldn't have been any different at that moment. But it still stings.
However, the universe always presents new opportunities for you. You just gotta keep your eyes open.
As a walk toward my building, I spot a cute girl walking toward me (I love New York City!) I plan on telling her that she is cute to put a smile on her face. I have no further intent, other than fueling my karma.
Oh wait. She's going into my building. We make eye contact and she gets to the door before me. She opens the door and waits till I arrive (she's a keeper).
I just start talking. I don't even know what I am saying, but she is laughing and smiling. We get into the elevator. We talk more, about work, the holidays, our roomates and living situation. We reach her floor, but keep talking. I'm holding the door open button.
"We're having a little Christmas party Thursday night. No big deal, just some friends coming over to have a few cocktails. You and your roomates should stop by."
She agrees, but only if she can bring a bottle of wine. That's fine with me.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Girl of the Day
This is my first field report after taking the Art of Rapport workshop. It involves the Girl of the Day Challenge, where each day you must approach the most beautiful girl you see, no excuses.
This Monday was my decompression day between AoR and returning to work. So I basically stayed in and watched ESPN all day long. Around 6 o'clock I met up with a buddy of mine to have some beers and talk about my experience with AoR. As we're eating dinner and having one of those discussions about "game" that could easily continue for hours, I see him turn his head quickly to the sidewalk. My eyes turn as well, and I see two long, toned legs scurry down the street. She was beautiful, wearing a short black shirt with black stilletto shoes. I look toward my friend and say, "are you going?" He replies, "It's all you." And I take off, running out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk.
I finally get closer to her, slow down, and ever-so-gently tap her on the elbow. Now, realize this is a beautiful women walking by herself down a New York City street at night. As I tap her elbow and calmy say, "excuse me," she jumps and gasps. Yup, no matter how gentle I tried to be, I succeeded in scaring the crap out of her. So I had to react quick ...
(Stepping back to give her some space) "Woah. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh my God ... it's ok. I'm always on guard when I'm walking alone. Look, I was going to stab you with my key"
"Yikes, I see that. You've got that move down. I'm glad you didn't bust out the pepper spray" (Laughing) ... I just came over to tell you that you are incredibly cute!"
"Thank you!"
"I was just eating in that restaurant and I saw you and ... you made me feel good ... you made me smile. So I had to let you know."
(smiling) "I'm K"
"I'm Joey"
We start to vibe about living in the area, then I go into 3 questions game and we're talking about our favorite childood cartoons. The convo then segues into kareoke (I'm not sure how) and I suggest that we go and belt out some tunes together. She agrees, but when I go for the number, she says ...
"No, I can't give out my number to someone on the street. Give me your number."
"Your not going to call. I know girls" (credit: Daniel).
She laughs and insists that she will call, so I end up giving her my number. To be honest, after she said no to giving me her number, I knew I didn't establish enough attraction or rapport. However, my goal was to honestly approach the most beautiful girl I saw that day. I accomplished that goal. Next time I know to focus on building a more solid day 2.
Tuesday was my first day back at work. I am dying on the subway. It's packed and I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet. I exit the subway and walk like a zombie to Starbucks. Sitting at one of the tables was a really cute girl with a great sense of style. Exactly my type ... funky, yet classy. I get on line and my mind goes into excuse mode: "Get coffee first and then go talk to her ... I can't talk to anyone in the morning without drinking coffee first ... Oh my god I am so tired, blah, blah, blah."
Finally, I realize this is now or never. I know what will happen if I wait on line. She will leave and I will miss the girl of the day. "No excuses" I tell myself. So I get out of line and slowly walk over to her. She is chatting on her cell phone. Perfect.
"Excuse me ... you look really cute this morning. Do you know that?" (smiling) "I was just standing in line and I noticed you ... and you actually woke me up a little bit. You made me smile, so I had to come over and tell you"
"Thank you" (big x-mas tree smile and twinkling eyes)
"That's it for me. I'm late for work and will die soon if I don't have a cup of coffee. Have a nice day" (light kino on arm)
As I'm leaving, I overhear her talking on the cell phone ... "OMG! Did you hear that? That guy just made my day."
Hearing that made my day.
This Monday was my decompression day between AoR and returning to work. So I basically stayed in and watched ESPN all day long. Around 6 o'clock I met up with a buddy of mine to have some beers and talk about my experience with AoR. As we're eating dinner and having one of those discussions about "game" that could easily continue for hours, I see him turn his head quickly to the sidewalk. My eyes turn as well, and I see two long, toned legs scurry down the street. She was beautiful, wearing a short black shirt with black stilletto shoes. I look toward my friend and say, "are you going?" He replies, "It's all you." And I take off, running out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk.
I finally get closer to her, slow down, and ever-so-gently tap her on the elbow. Now, realize this is a beautiful women walking by herself down a New York City street at night. As I tap her elbow and calmy say, "excuse me," she jumps and gasps. Yup, no matter how gentle I tried to be, I succeeded in scaring the crap out of her. So I had to react quick ...
(Stepping back to give her some space) "Woah. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh my God ... it's ok. I'm always on guard when I'm walking alone. Look, I was going to stab you with my key"
"Yikes, I see that. You've got that move down. I'm glad you didn't bust out the pepper spray" (Laughing) ... I just came over to tell you that you are incredibly cute!"
"Thank you!"
"I was just eating in that restaurant and I saw you and ... you made me feel good ... you made me smile. So I had to let you know."
(smiling) "I'm K"
"I'm Joey"
We start to vibe about living in the area, then I go into 3 questions game and we're talking about our favorite childood cartoons. The convo then segues into kareoke (I'm not sure how) and I suggest that we go and belt out some tunes together. She agrees, but when I go for the number, she says ...
"No, I can't give out my number to someone on the street. Give me your number."
"Your not going to call. I know girls" (credit: Daniel).
She laughs and insists that she will call, so I end up giving her my number. To be honest, after she said no to giving me her number, I knew I didn't establish enough attraction or rapport. However, my goal was to honestly approach the most beautiful girl I saw that day. I accomplished that goal. Next time I know to focus on building a more solid day 2.
Tuesday was my first day back at work. I am dying on the subway. It's packed and I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet. I exit the subway and walk like a zombie to Starbucks. Sitting at one of the tables was a really cute girl with a great sense of style. Exactly my type ... funky, yet classy. I get on line and my mind goes into excuse mode: "Get coffee first and then go talk to her ... I can't talk to anyone in the morning without drinking coffee first ... Oh my god I am so tired, blah, blah, blah."
Finally, I realize this is now or never. I know what will happen if I wait on line. She will leave and I will miss the girl of the day. "No excuses" I tell myself. So I get out of line and slowly walk over to her. She is chatting on her cell phone. Perfect.
"Excuse me ... you look really cute this morning. Do you know that?" (smiling) "I was just standing in line and I noticed you ... and you actually woke me up a little bit. You made me smile, so I had to come over and tell you"
"Thank you" (big x-mas tree smile and twinkling eyes)
"That's it for me. I'm late for work and will die soon if I don't have a cup of coffee. Have a nice day" (light kino on arm)
As I'm leaving, I overhear her talking on the cell phone ... "OMG! Did you hear that? That guy just made my day."
Hearing that made my day.
Friday, December 15, 2006
La Dolce Vita
Although I knew what the phrase meant, I didn't fully understand it until my senior year of college. It was at the end of another drunken, racous and energy filled Thursday night. During a drunken rambling with one of my best friends, I expressed how great it was to be young, healthy, full of potential, and have the support of family and friends to do anything I wanted. My friend turned toward me, and with a very content smile on his face said, "It's La Dolce Vita, baby."
However, over the past year, I've learned that the sweet life, or being content, is not really determined by your life circumstances. Rather, it's how you live your life and how you approach your life circumstances.
I'd like this blog to serve as a journal for a new chapter in my life, as an instructor for PickUp 101, a company dedicated to making the lives of men and women better.
Oh, and I don't speak Italian fluently. I, like many other Italian-Americans of my generation, only learned the good stuff. I can say: fuck you, I love you, I want to eat, and I have to go to the bathroom. So basically, everything I really need to say in life, I can say in Italian.
Caio.
However, over the past year, I've learned that the sweet life, or being content, is not really determined by your life circumstances. Rather, it's how you live your life and how you approach your life circumstances.
I'd like this blog to serve as a journal for a new chapter in my life, as an instructor for PickUp 101, a company dedicated to making the lives of men and women better.
Oh, and I don't speak Italian fluently. I, like many other Italian-Americans of my generation, only learned the good stuff. I can say: fuck you, I love you, I want to eat, and I have to go to the bathroom. So basically, everything I really need to say in life, I can say in Italian.
Caio.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)