My wife and I have been very busy for quite some time. Between the day-gig, music, magazines we publish, and other work, it seems that we are constantly on the go.

Last night, I received an e-mail from a good friend back East, Will Daskal. I responded just a little while ago.

Will is a fabulous watercolor painter, author, fly fishing guru, and all-around great guy. We taught fly fishing together years ago and many an evening we instructors sat around playing music after enjoying a piping hot pizza from our favorite Hancock, New York eatery, La Salette. The restaurant was owned by Alex Conti and his beautiful daughter Tina was a delight. She was more than a waitress, she was a friend.

So, life may be rushing past me, but the e-mail from Will caused me to reflect on how lucky I am that I have such great friends out there. This evening, I plan to relax a bit and think about the places I have been and the people that have shared moments in time with me. They are a colorful lot and a good many memories bring a smile to my face. And, of course, Tina is a one-of-a-kind. What a gem.

If you find yourself in the Pocono Mountains in Eastern Pennsylvania, look for Will Daskal’s paintings in and around the galleries of Stroudsburg. Visit his website here:  http://www.willdaskal.com/

It’s Friday, and the lesson put forth on Wednesday about cooler head’s prevailing and not letting the stress get to you when engaged in a monumental task is continued here in the form of “haste makes waste”.

When you are close to the completion of your goals, don’t be too eager to finish. When you are anxious, and you start to make that final “push”, like an army in a “forced march”, you are more likely to make a mistake that can cost you prescious time and resources. Just keep your focus and hold your present pace and get the job done.

I have said this before and I will say it again, knowing how long it will take to accomplish some task is critical in planning any endeavor. If you are not sure, get with the people that actually DO THE WORK– they are the experts, whether you believe it or not. They can tell you what to expect (but, avoid the cynics and stick with the efficient workers and veterans of the business). Then, delegate authority to those that know the task and can get things done.

Remember, too– If you want to get something done, ask a busy person because they manage their time better. Giving an important task to someone with a lot of time on their hands is a recipe for failure– they can’t manage their time well.

Finishing an important task is like making a perfect golf swing. It starts with a perfect plan (back-swing), a perfect execution (downward stroke), and goes all the way through to completion (point of contact and follow-through).

Like the perfect golf swing, once you are on target, keeping your focus all the way through to completion will enable you to reach your goal. From the “tee” to the “cup”, the winner is the one with the clearest vision and best focus.

Ever have one of those weeks that can’t end soon enough? Sure, we all do. In my case, it does not cause me a lot of stress or anxiety– because I don’t let things rattle me.

When the pace of life or your work, in general, gets hectic, it’s time to get focused.

When you have monumental tasks to complete, break them down into interim tasks and you will see progress. Rather than dwell on the final deadline, plan your tasks in smaller steps that you can complete along the path to the end in view. You will see progress and you will feel closer to the end result– whatever the task– it works!

That is the way successful people complete their to-do lists– one step at a time.

When you are confronted with seemingly impossible tasks, visualize yourself completing them successfully and work steadily until all is finished. Remember, too, accuracy and effectiveness are your most important factors in the completion of any task. It is a waste when you rush through things and have to turn around and redo it because the results were not accurate enough or failed inspection.

Above all, try your best not to worry by using all the tools available to you. Do what you can and if you must rely on others for results without influence on the outcome, be prepared to bow to the inevitable rather than allowing stress to get the better of you.

It has been one week since I last posted. I have been incredibly busy and have had a ton of work to do. I will be busy this coming week and might be working twelve-hour-days, perhaps more. The good news is that I am making good money at the moment, but, I will be glad when the work eases up a bit.

Work hard and play hard, that’s my motto.

Although the next week will bring lots of hard work and long hours, I look forward to it because it will also bring great reward. That is what compels us.

It’s Saturday morning and I was lucky that my schedule opened up and I did not have to work this morning. That means I have time for a nice breakfast and coffee. Not having to rush around in the morning is a great thing. It is a much healthier way to start your day.

When you take time to enjoy your morning breakfast and beverage of choice, you set a pace for the whole day.

Ben Franklin said: “Haste makes waste.” and he applied that principle in his own life, yet he was one of the most productive people of the time. He worked at an even pace, but he never really stopped working. His mind was constantly occupied with thoughts of industry, education, community improvement, and the problems of building a fledgling nation. Doctor Franklin, as he was called, became world-famous for his inventions and his political work, but few know how he gave much to society. Every Sunday Franklin met with a core group of friends in what they called the “Junto Society”. In those meetings they discussed what was needed in society. That group founded the first public library in Philadelphia, the first hospital, the first university, and more. They added street lamps, sidewalks, and helped people start businesses to boost commerce. All of this great progress, yet Ben Franklin knew how to stop and smell the roses.

Weekends, Gotta Love ‘em. I hope you have a great weekend. I will enjoy mine.

In my last post I mentioned that I ordered a Zoom Q3 video/audio recorder. Cool gadget that it is, I have not yet had time to sit and play around with it. My schedule has been too busy and will be through Saturday midday. After that, however, I hope to start using this new tool as I mentioned– to explain what I mean when I say that you want to be in “your zone” (your comfort-zone).

I hope to have something ready for early next week.

Using the right tool for the right task is essential. A picture really can be worth a thousand words and video even moreso. So, that’s the plan and I hope that everybody benefits from it.

The videos will be used to explain core principles of turning your dreams into realities. The book helps fill in all the details and explains, in greater depth, the methods of relaxation and visualization. The videos will give you the concepts and the book will help you refine your visualization and comprehensive plan for your success.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what about video.

I just ordered a Zoom Q3 mini video camcorder with recording studio quality audio capability. The device sports two high-quality condenser mics that record stereo audio tracks on your videos. This is perfect for the task I have in mind.

In the near future I will begin posting videos that feature elements of my book, “Get Happy, Write Away” and explain how to use your “comfort zone” to your advantage. Contrary to what you have heard, your comfort zone is not some place to leave behind, it is really where you want to be. I’ll explain more about that in these videos.

I have other uses for the camera/recorder, too, but this is a great tool for any speaker, coach, or mentor. Although Zoom has been marketing them with musicians in mind, and truth be known, that’s how I discovered the device, I plan to use it for music, too.

Look for the videos coming soon.

Today is the last day of sunshine for a few days (if the weather-man is correct). I plan to make the most of it.

John Denver wrote “Sunshine On My Shoulders” as a celebration of life, but it was both joyous and mournful. The mood was deeply contemplative and yet the lyrics were simple and very direct.

Some of the greatest “hits” in music history were the simplest. Songs to which people relate are the best way for the artist and the listener to connect with each other. There is an empathy that emerges when the audience can relate to the performer’s music. That is the secret to a great song. It moves people.

So, today, I will enjoy a day of music and sunshine. Life is good.

My current project for Tricorn Publications is working on putting the Federalist Papers together in eReader format for the Palm and iPod Touch/iPhone. I hope to have it done soon, but, it is an extensive work– eighty-five essays on the constitution of the United States of America and on the government of the (then) fledgling nation.

When I am finished, it is my hope that people will download the book and read it thoroughly.

We study history in order to understand ourselves– as a people, as a nation. We study history so that we can learn from it and not be doomed to repeat it. We also study history to remember our founders and the risks they took and sacrifices they made in breaking away from the British Empire and the protection of King George. Yes, the 13 colonies were protected by England– and they were abused by England. Aristocracy in England saw the colonials as “rough” and second-rate citizens at best. They looked down their nose at them, even influential people like George Washington and Ben Franklin.

When the Federalist Papers are ready to go live, I will announce it here and on Twitter. They will be FREELY AVAILABLE to all readers in the eReader format.

Yesterday I had a learning experience… Some times it is too windy to barbecue.

My wife wanted barbecued chicken (cooked on the grill). She was insistent and I, being the good-natured fellow that I am, tried to accommodate her. I started the charcoal burning and closed the bottom vent on the grill. Coming back a few minutes later, I opened the lid to the grill and a huge flame leaped about four to five feet in the air. I was singed. My hair-line is farther back than it was and my eyebrows and eyelashes are almost totally gone, but I immediately washed the burned residue of my frazzled hair to get rid of the brown mess that resulted from the experience and I applied a cold washcloth to my face, to prevent any blistering. Lucky for me I was not burned and my eyes are okay.

If it is windy, don’t barbecue– at least not with a charcoal grill.

In normal weather, prepare your grill by making sure that it is far enough away from other objects that there is plenty of room between the flame and anything else. Be very careful raising and lowering the lid on your grill.

I have great reflexes and my reaction was was quick, but, not quick enough. I was not injured, but, I was singed. All I can say is this: That won’t happen again.