Here are my notes in the vlog of Hamza Ahmed about increasing focus:

1. Prioritize Flow
   • Find activities that increase your flow state and then find a way to monetize it so it will be your work.
   • I like the analogy he shared about the simple life of a fisherman. The fisherman will just go to the sea and start fishing in his flow state so he can have a fish to feed his family. But then, due to changes in society, that fisherman was forced to move to the city and started working inside a gray room while living in a polluted and populated city. After days of sacrifices and hard work, that man will go to the market and finally buy a fish to feed his family.
2. More focus:
   • Prioritize sleep
   • Fix your diet. He prefers low to no carbs and use intermittent fasting
   • Communicate with the people around you to set expectations if you are going to have deep work that requires focus and no distraction.
   • Remove distractions by setting your gadgets in airplane mode, removing notifications, and setting your phone in silent mode
   • Prepare everything the night before from to-do list to actually setting your tools in order

Join me in my book club and receive summarized tips and notes from top mentors and books, visit KevinUmali.com/free

I’ve realised that a good body goal for me should be inspired by an Italian Renaissance sculpture. I assume that the body is being considered in Italian Renaissance sculpture as an artwork. In 1504, Michelangelo have finished the statue of David which in my interpretation depicts a fit and a healthy man during his time. It can be inferred that the depiction of David’s body reflects a by product of a natural diet and workout.

To sum it up, follow a natural healthy lifestyle such as whole food diet and working out. Then, just let your body develop the way it should be.

Remember that a healthy body will be a forever work in progress. A healthy and fit body is a result of consistency and not a result of manipulation and politicking. You really have to earn it.

“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” – Socrates

Note: credit to the owner pf the picture of David by Michelangelo

There are small things and trivial matters that we tend to be so attached and involved before but now we just laugh about it. Remember that whatever it is, it will pass. Over long period of time, things will be accomplished in accordance with nature. Everything will go old and will die. And after we die, just like we were born, nothing matters to us.

I read somewhere that a man is measured by what makes them angry. Also, I think I read from the bible that wisdom yields patience. If there will be a time that you feel offended, ask yourself whether your wisdom is not enough that you put so much value on what offended you.

For most of the diseases, one of the most common reasons is genetics. With that, I understand that we have obligation to our successors, to our blood line. 

Whenever you pick unhealthy food, think, and consider that it will affect your bloodline. Whenever you have that obligation in mind, you will think twice. I learned from someone (I can’t remember who said this), “we will do more and exert more effort if the things we are doing are for others than doing things for ourselves.”

Maybe it will be more helpful for you not to only take it as an obligation but might as well an honor. An honor to have the chance to make your blood line better.

Join my book club for free, visit KevinUmali.com/free

I was inspired by Seth Godin’s daily practice of publishing a blog. He had done it for many years consistently.

I have tried doing it before and I quit after 30 days. But the result was enormous. It has built the character of consistency and commitment. It also helped me improve not only my writing skills but also processing my thoughts and being articulate.

Again, I am now at day 4 of publishing content every day. The main lesson so far is to think by starting small. My goal is just to write a few sentences and then suddenly the momentum of writing kicks in and a lot of thoughts are pouring in. So whatever it is that you want to do. Just do it, small and simple at first. Motivation does not have to precede action as action itself also creates motivation.

The two principles that when combined can 10x your productivity are Pareto Principle and Parkinsons Law. I first encountered these two concepts when I read the book 4 hour work week by Tim Ferris.

Pareto principle suggests that the 20% of input is responsible to 80% of output while 80% of input is responsible to 20% of output. With that, it is more productive to focus and deliver first the 20%(vital few).

Parkinson’s law suggests that the amount of work expands relative to the time allocated to it. For example, if you plan to clean your room in 10 hours you can finish it in 10 hours while when you just allocate 1 hour, then you can also do it.

Combining Pareto principle and Parkinson’s Law means you allocate minimal time on vital few activities. It is all about putting constraints in a smart way. We can see that through constraints we humans tend to be more disciplined and productive.