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Note: The following story is based on a true story. Two Similar Guitarists, Very Different Responses   Jack and Tim are lifelong friends and passionate guitar players. While not exceptionally gifted at the beginning of their journeys, both guitarists worked hard to improve through practice, private lessons, and playing gigs. Their progress was noteworthy, but they had a long way to go on stage with B.B. King, John Mayer, and other guitar legends.   Both guitarists kept climbing ranks through their senior year. Feeling ambitious, they auditioned for Berklee School of Music – a prestigious music school in Boston – hoping to learn from the best guitar teachers in the world. They prepared day and night for their auditions before arriving and giving their all.  Unfortunately, despite their impressive accomplishments, neither got into their dream school due to the highly competitive nature of the audition process. This news was shocking to both since Jack and Tim were revered as some of the best up-and-coming artists in their town.    How Jack and Tim responded to their rejections developed an asunder rift in their journeys.    Tim decided that if he wasn't good enough to learn from the best teachers in the world, he should hang up his instrument. It was game over in his mind, and his journey as a rising guitarist ended abruptly.    After wallowing in his defeat, Tim chose a safe career in mechanical engineering. He graduated and married his college sweetheart, for whom he played love songs but never went much beyond that on guitar.    From time to time, Tim would open the case where his guitar resided long-term and strum a few chords in meditation, only to wonder what would have happened if he had gotten into Berklee . His what-ifs came in waves as he reminded himself each time that he wasn't cut out for being a guitar legend and was happy with his engineering career.  In stark contrast, Jack was disappointed but perceived the rejection as a detour to his original path rather than a roadblock. His commitment to continuing training and forging a new path led him to become one of the greatest guitarists of all time.   Following his audition, Jack connected with the judges following their decision and collected notes on where to improve. He used the data as his basis to amend his deficiencies independently.    During his journey, Jack worked as a freelancer to control his time while perfecting his guitar craft. He tapped into free resources such as YouTube, local musician forums, and lesson books he borrowed from the library. Luckily, his lucrative side hustles afforded him access to further private lessons to tackle problems he didn't recognize independently.    It took years of grinding, but Jack committed to the process. He posted videos of live and studio sessions on all social media platforms, his website, and music websites. He built momentum little by little with persistence until the right person noticed him at the right time.   It took Jack seven years after his rejection from Berklee to break through, but he did. It's true that his progress was a gamble with no guarantee of a favorable outcome, but the more he connected with his audience through his content production, the more he increased his odds of landing his lucky break.    Unlike his peers, Jack did not have access to an impressive alumni network to vouch for him. He worked on connecting with his community through his artistry and approachable personality. He remained optimistic through various setbacks and plateaus, always asking himself and those he trusted how he could successfully differentiate himself from his fellow musicians.  Around 25 years later, Jack received his first Grammy for his breakthrough solo album, which made him a household name among fellow guitarists. With no music school to his name, he carved a completely different path to success through continuous skill-building and marketing himself throughout his journey.  Tim, now a wealthy executive at a Fortune 100 company, turned on the television that day, only to see his long-lost friend accept the Grammy. Despite having a loving family, a great house, and wealth beyond what most Americans have, Tim's reality sank in. Somehow, he missed the memo that he could have kept going even if he didn't get accepted into his dream music school.    A few months later, Tim reconnected with Jack and offered to fly him out and stay at his place. Jack accepted, anxious to see his old friend from over 30 years ago. As they were catching up, Jack offered Tim some impromptu guitar lessons that turned into a jam session.    Despite the rust, the apex of Tim's playing returned quickly. Mentally, he felt the years he put on were melting away as he communicated his messages through his guitar instead of presentations at board meetings. A subtle youthfulness in Tim's eyes revealed itself as Tim and Jack took turns showcasing their talents.  As Jack prepared to return home, he reminded Tim it was never too late to return to his artistry. Tim felt inspired to play again with a look that his wife hadn't seen in his eyes since his college days of playing love songs. It didn't matter that Tim wouldn't win a Grammy—he only wanted to connect with his lost artistry again.    Tim acknowledged that if he could try again, he would, but he came to terms with his decisions in life. After Jack left, Tim played his guitar a little more often until the end of his days. The haunting what-ifs returned in waves as he recognized that a single decision from his teens changed his trajectory forever.    This Force Separated Jack From Tim    Let's assume Jack and Tim started with nearly identical backgrounds and abilities. Following their stories, we witnessed two contrasting approaches to handling a major setback. What separated their fates was their response and how they carried themselves onward.    Tim decided to end his music career. In his mind, pulling the plug on his passions to pursue a safe career was his best option. He lived a good life, achieved economic security, and raised a loving family. Still, one thing remained in the back of his mind as the years passed: He wouldn't return to his passion until his mid-50s.    Jack chose a dramatically different response and went against the grain. Sure, it wasn't easy for him at first, as he had to accept that he didn't meet a certain deadline.  However, he succeeded on his timeline by continuing to learn and adjust his skills and abilities.  His achievement required more time than normal, but his persistence ultimately won a Grammy.    In the end, both paid different prices for their paths. What distinct factor led to a chasm between their adulthood experiences?     The Deadline Illusion     What separated Tim's and Jack's responses boiled down to the Deadline Illusion : the belief that certain major achievements must occur at a certain stage of life. This relentless façade is a source of frustration, disappointment, and anxiety that weeds out aspiring dreamers prematurely.     Unfortunately, dreamers do not normally impose these illusions on themselves. In fact, most dreamers believe they have all the time in the world, which leads to unending procrastination. As a result, their urgency to act is often stifled as they wonder where all the time went.     So, if the sources are not internal, what external sources cause us to believe in the Deadline Illusion ?      Parents, teachers, and peers are common reasons why we give up on our dreams prematurely.      Before we point fingers, we must recognize that it's easy to blame these agents as malicious culprits. They are only doing what they think is best for our long-term well-being; in some cases, they are correct. However, they tend to overdo it, causing many dreamers to give their ambitions a second thought.     With parents and teachers, they were raised in a stricter world where making deadlines held significant merit. Due to their limited opportunities, they were urged by their parents and teachers to pick something on the straight and narrow and stick with it. Although our options have opened exponentially, it's hard for them to fathom how different the world has become in two decades.     Our peers, on the other hand, will often antagonize us if our performance is lacking, such as on tests, auditions, athletics, and more. Depending on their intentions, their scathing remarks on our shortcomings may cause us to give up on our pursuits if they incur less mental torture in our interactions. We allow our desires for short-term relief to sabotage our long-term aspirations during a period where they can be best cultivated.     Instead of pursuing meaningful goals and dreams, these agents steer us towards secure and complacent lifestyles that avoid risk, confrontation, and drama. Usually, their experience is through a path they were prescribed that provides security. In turn, they believe they have to pay it forward.     However, security often comes at the price of something we all desire: freedom.      Freedom to create. Freedom to dream. Freedom to try. Freedom to explore. Freedom to fail and learn from it.     As we swing the big leagues and give it our all in our younger years, these agents hope we work it out of our system and eventually align ourselves with a more secure path.  They do not consider what's best for the people as they impose these deadlines upon them.     Didn't get into a performing arts college by your senior year of high school? Maybe it's not for you, but at least you tried… now get a safe job. Didn't become an NCAA all-star? At least you can coach and watch others try their luck. Failed math in high school? Don't dream of ever engineering anything.     These extreme rationalizations of our failures attempt to justify giving up on personal goals and dreams. Part of the illusion transitions us to "someday syndrome", where someday becomes an excuse to put off further action because we believe tomorrow is guaranteed. And then, time slips by, and we wonder why we haven't achieved what we wanted yet.     Some Exceptions     In the spirit of transparency, there are some exceptions to the Deadline Illusion. Pursuits requiring peak physical condition are subject to a deadline of our physical pique or being in a certain age group. But everything else? Nahhh.     Here are a few exceptions:     – 1 – Playing Professional Sports     Playing sports professionally requires excellent physical condition. Some people may be genetically built to stay in peak condition for longer periods than others. Still, once that window passes, the probability that a younger, stronger athlete will take them climbs upward.     However, peak physical condition doesn't guarantee victory. Tom Brady played football in his 20s and 30s before retiring in his 40s. Despite his impressive accomplishments, it's unlikely his body would be able to perform at his level of expectations once he reaches his later years.     Others have proved themselves to be quite versatile in their older years. Sir Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in Star Wars, proved quite versatile by improvising the jump to meet Anakin and Obi-Wan without any props or help from the stunt team.     – 2 – Winning Awards Reserved For Younger Age Groups     There are awards out there reserved for younger age groups. These awards encourage younger generations to give their best to their craft. We must be careful not to let it be perceived as a threat to our abilities if we're past that age, but rather, just an opportunity for younger people to improve themselves.     Why Deadlines Once Mattered     The Deadline Illusion wasn't created by accident. There was a time when deadlines mattered because our society didn't have as many options historically as we do today. These changes have dissolved the circumstances that once held these changes true.     Unfortunately, despite the changes, illusions take significantly longer than expected to die out. These illusions live beyond their years as we continue to cling to familiarity and perpetuate their existence. The old saying goes: Most people fear change, even if it's for the better.     Acknowledging that reality has changed is the first step to overcoming these illusions. Before we discuss further steps, here are the major factors that influenced the prominence of these illusions:     Cultural Expectations & Traditions     Many of our expectations about life's trajectory are rooted in our immediate culture and upbringing. Growing up, we adopt perspectives on how the world works from encounters with adults and peers. It’s not uncommon for some cultures to predict the trajectory of their kids' lives from birth.      Could you imagine being told at birth that you’re supposed to be a doctor or a great ruler when you may not have the personality or capabilities to pull it off? In contrast, could you also imagine being told you’ll be a janitor for the rest of your life when you’re capable of much more?  The mismatch of capability and opportunity results in millions leading unfulfilling lives saturated with unnecessary friction.     In America, we have more freedom to explore our interests than other cultures, but with a catch. After graduating from high school, we're expected to pick a path for our careers and ambitions. Because of this pivotal moment, tremendous amounts of pressure around grades, extracurriculars, and other activities are stressed by teachers, parents, and guidance counselors to differentiate students from one another.     In Western culture, it’s common to assume that if we don’t receive admission into a prestigious school, nail an audition for a world-class performing arts program, or win prestigious awards when we’re young, we are doomed to mediocrity.      We watch our peers climb steep metaphorical mountains of achievement, only to leave us behind in the valleys of struggle. These achievements are outstanding for marketing ourselves for future opportunities, but are they worth it?     While competition is healthy in moderation, going overboard on achievement in every category creates undue hardships that sabotage meaningful progress. The endless quest to check every box and amend every deficiency has us running around in an unsustainable manner.       We’ve made it an expectation that we must achieve big in our teens, and from there onwards, we have nowhere else to go but up. But as most of us know, life doesn't work like that. Life has natural ups and downs that we're either fortunate to experience or must endure, but how we handle each season is far more important than always being on the upswing.     Another type of cultural expectation blinds us to the mountains and valleys:     T he Reverence of Child Prodigies    One of the worst comparison traps stemming from the Deadline Illusion  is comparing our adult abilities to child prodigies. When we do this, we make the horrendous mistake of believing that talented children have nowhere else to go but up in their skills and opportunities, contradicting how reality operates.     Social psychologists have dispelled these illusions for many child prodigies. Most prodigies end up far worse off later in life because they don't build resilience to life's turbulence. High expectations coupled with a lack of coping skills turn them to destructive influences such as drugs, sex, and entertainment to distract them from their struggles.     Even with the best guardrails, such as mentors, talent managers, and other adults in their lives, child prodigies are subject to the same influences as their peers. These guardrails may do more harm than good, causing prodigies to rebel and destroy their guardrails to explore what else is out there.     Regardless of our talents and dispositions, we are all subject to the rollercoaster of life. Where we start is influential in determining whether we enjoy or endure the journey.  Starting too far up only sets most of us up for a big fall, whereas if we spend more years climbing up, we get stronger and appreciate the view even more when we overcome adversity.     Nowadays, late bloomers who prove it's not too late to get started are emerging. Grandma Moses painted her first painting at 76. Colonel Sanders started his chain business when he realized social security wouldn't cut it.      These late bloomers have a wealth of experience to contribute, and despite the life problems that come with aging, they persevere.     Lesser Access To Information & Training     Several decades ago, significant barriers stifled educational opportunities for the public. To receive a meaningful education, people had to enroll in schools, know how to use libraries or know carefully guarded masters in a particular field. Often, gatekeepers determine who receives a golden ticket to access such private information.     Thanks to the Internet and its near-limitless resources, these barriers have dissolved. Anyone with an internet connection has access to an ocean of information. We can learn at our own pace and become masters in multiple fields if we pursue them.     While college is still required for a handful of higher-end professions, the rest only require certifications, on-the-job training, and/or a willingness to learn and adapt to a changing market. Even with lower barriers to entry, most of these fields have not reached peak saturation yet.     Anyone can learn to code through training books and coding tutorials. A quick visit to YouTube can reveal how to set up a professional music production studio. Filmmaking is on full display as well.  Want to learn how to become better at sports? Many tutorials will guide you on how to throw the perfect spiral with a football.     The key to harnessing this information is having an innate desire to learn, master, and improve current skills and knowledge.     Different Market Dynamics      Market dynamics greatly influence how we expect professional careers to unfold. The influences that were prominent a generation ago are not the same as those prominent today.     In the mid and late 20th century, most professionals were committed to one company for their career. Job security was real, and most saw losing a job as a black mark. At one point, the resume alone secured the job, and a college degree was a major differentiator in hiring, career advancement, and commanding respect from others in the industry.     Nowadays, these factors have taken a backseat to the power of results, flexibility, and commanding attention. People have learned to look past vivid orators who paint rosy pictures without fulfilling their promises. Tech companies move quickly as they adapt to increasing headwinds in the marketplace. Job security is a career relic that has diminished in its power in professional career choices.     With these changes in the marketplace, the number of opportunities afforded to us has exploded. Still, some continue believing these illusions because they make them comfortable, despite the fact that many stories and data points in the other direction.     Overcoming The Illusion     We can overcome the illusion in the same way we stopped thinking Santa was real– realization. In Buddhism, it's called enlightenment. In Christianity, it's discernment. Whatever you believe, the truth is what we seek.    To sober ourselves from the illusions and enter a world enriched with opportunity and adventure, there are several steps to dispel the illusion once and for all:     Analyze Mindset    This is the hardest step for many of us. It's easy to operate, assuming our actions perfectly align with our perceptions. Depending on its application, this strong sense of self can work for and against us. Ultimately, we believe that perception is reality, even though our perceptions are often beyond their glory days.     The best way to overcome this illusion is to analyze our mindset. As we take inventory of our beliefs, we must recognize which beliefs aid us and which hinder us. It's difficult to know exactly which ones to let go of unless we have an emotionally charged experience that forces our hand.     The good news is that the mindset can be changed and recalibrated. Awareness and acknowledgment are catalysts for change. However, we must recognize that these transformations take time and patience with ourselves as we rewire our mindset.     To best overcome the illusion, we should do what comes next.     Look At Reality As Is     Everyone has dreams and goals they want to achieve someday. These goals naturally distort our perception of reality as we work hard to transform the reality around us. There's nothing wrong with that, but we must differentiate when our perceptions are an asset or a liability.     Therefore, admitting that our perceptions aren't fully accurate is the first step to overcoming these illusions, especially the Deadline Illusion . Once we own it, we'll notice that our world won't end because we're several years past the deadline.    Instead, we'll experience a massive sense of relief as the pressure of hitting a subjective deadline lifts off our shoulders and leaves us free to progress in our own time. This kind of liberation allows us to enjoy the journey instead of rushing it at full force.     As we own and transform misaligned perceptions, we should continue collecting data to verify that we're not subject to the whims of these deadlines anymore. What we do next is also important to ensure that our corrections are concrete.     Read Stories     It's unlikely that we're alone in our struggles. A simple Google search returns thousands of stories from blogs and advice-based forums. These stories are told in one of two ways: either as how they overcame their struggles or to present a problem for other users to read and chip in their two cents.     While our circumstances in our struggles will be unique, other stories can provide ideas to overcome our conflicts. From there, we must piece together what's needed to overcome the illusions that hold our dreams hostage. Whenever we get stuck, we can go back to old stories or find new ones for reference as we change how we approach problems in life.     These stories inspire us with the energy to take control and change our perceptions, but we must keep the momentum moving by doing what comes next.     Get Creative     There's a great caveat about becoming free of the Deadline Illusion : our situation is unconventional. Unlike children who may not be burdened with adult responsibilities, we must acknowledge the realities we face. We may not have as much free time, so we must spend each spare second wisely.     We must recognize that most solutions in life are not obvious. We differentiate ourselves in the process by deviating from conventional wisdom to attempt uncommon approaches to life that aren't popular. In the right company, this is an asset, but the wrong people will view our deviations as an annoyance and liability.     By overcoming the illusion, we're already committed to an unconventional path, so it only makes sense to continue forward. Therefore, we must get creative with executing while ensuring our actions are perceived positively.     There are numerous ways to be creative in our approaches, but we won't be able to discuss tactics here. The best advice to get started is to let your mind explore possibilities per your unique situation and commit to a starting point. Then, go and correct course. Along the way, your results may not match your expectations.    Remember: If we try to swim with the fish and do things normally, we will fail.       Take Action    Being all amped up to overcome our illusions is meaningless without action. Anyone can become aware of it, but acting to transform our lives is the greatest differentiator. Unfortunately, most people will recognize and think they've got it under control, only to slowly creep back into their old ways while burning valuable days and weeks in their lives.     As we get creative with our approaches, trial and error are required to overcome our situations. We are always operating with incomplete information. Therefore, it's imperative to have the right balance between planning and execution. My mix is 20:80, but what works for you might differ depending on your situation and personality.     As we discover our breakthroughs, we should note them and figure out ways to amplify those smaller victories into larger ones. It takes time, and the best solution may not surface immediately. However, implementing a constructive solution that moves the needle forward is better than waiting forever for the perfect solution, which might be gone in the blink of an eye.     Likewise, with failures, we must take note and learn from actions that yield unfavorable results. In these cases, acknowledging failure as a guardrail is crucial in trying better ideas. Failure is the best remedy because it shows that we're fighting the good fight, and we need to keep that momentum going rather than stall out and waste it.      As we continue, keep amplifying what works and redirecting what doesn't. Adjust, adjust, adjust. Before we know it, we'll get to our intended destination if we do not allow the illusion to return.     Overcome Through Action    The Deadline Illusion  is a persistent mirage engineered to keep telling us it’s too late to try. We believe in many reasons, such as getting older and becoming more responsible, recognizing that sometimes people younger than us have more skill and freedom, and other narratives that are not relevant to our lives.     Luckily, we have many more stories and resources to dissolve the illusion right before our eyes. Achievements that were once impossible in our mid-to-later years may now be accessible later in life. We no longer need to work towards impossible deadlines for major achievements, but rather work at a sustainable pace that allows us to enjoy the journey.     While recognizing the Deadline Illusion  is an important first step, awareness is not enough. To overcome the illusion once and for all, we must take action to prove to ourselves that this deadline is utterly meaningless. It takes patience, trial and error, and optimism to overcome it, but it can be done.     What has the Deadline Illusion  held you back from, and what's your first step to dispel it once and for all?

7000 miles. 19 states + 1 province. 25 days. 800 photos. 200 new ideas.   Up to this point, I had never done anything like this before. Either I would periodically take a one-week staycation, or I would travel to familiar sites: my parents’ house, my in-laws’ house, or see some friends from other cities I used to live in. When leaving the area, I would fly to my destination.   This time was different. It was time to pack my bags, see the country from the ground view, and connect the dots from coast to coast.   Up until this road trip, the longest road trip I ever took was after college. I drove from near Erie, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, Missouri, and returned using a different route through Kentucky and West Virginia. The longest day drive stemmed from near Des Moines, Iowa, to Colorado Springs, Colorado.   It was time for another road trip. This time, my journey would be longer in both time and distance to properly visit states, cities, and landmarks that I would otherwise miss.   From California to New York State, I took my time exploring the country by limiting my driving time to eight hours per day. This decision enabled me to see some sites along the way, enjoy the places I was staying in, and visit a few friends without any hurry.   During my road trip, there were a few noteworthy highlights I hadn’t realized until they became apparent to me, including:   On my trip, I visited three new national parks that were dream destinations in my 20s: Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands. When I arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, I realized I finally had a continuous, connected vision from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. I chased and captured my first storm on a pro camera in Western Kansas.   To my surprise, there were no major interruptions or setbacks. Not everything went according to plan, but many good, unexpected surprises overshadowed any setbacks.   I packed lightly with only the essentials. Music is essential, so my guitar and saxophone were at the top of my packing list. During my stay at various places, I never received a complaint about playing either instrument.   Of course, I knew I had to pack my Sony Mirrorless camera to capture beautiful scenery, wildlife, and people along the way. I snapped over 8000 photographs and kept nearly 800 of the best ones.   Additionally, I captured 200 new creative, entrepreneurial, and technological ideas by having Siri take a note for me as I enjoyed the road, scenery, and lodging in strange and familiar lands.   My 5 Realizations From An Epic Road Trip   This reflection documents several key ideas and realizations from my road trip. The old saying goes that evaluated experience is far more valuable than raw experience.   Below are five of the major realizations I had throughout the trip that were reinforced time and time again.   -1- Worst Case Is Exactly That–Worst Case   The idea of a road trip brings mixed emotions: excitement for the thrills to come with bucket list items to knock out, and the horrors of the worst things that can happen.   When it comes to the worst case, it's easy to imagine everything going wrong:   The car could break down, lose a tire, get swept up by a tornado, or get into an accident, A thug could break into the car and steal hidden valuables, I could get hijacked from driving through inner city Chicago to get around a major accident on the interstate,   The list goes on. For all the worst-case scenarios that could happen, none of them happened. That's because worst-case scenarios have barely any probability of occurring.   Mostly, I had an enjoyable experience driving throughout each state. Other drivers were friendly, people enjoyed saying hello, and everybody wanted to get along their way. It was amazing.   While it’s possible that adversity can strike, as long as we do our due diligence to protect ourselves and treat others with respect, there is hardly any reason to believe that any road trip will encounter major adversities. Business operates similarly. We should be aware of possible worst-case scenarios, but we shouldn't spend precious time trying to prevent them when we could be generating revenue, improving our operations, ensuring our stakeholders' successes, and so on. Tim Ferriss, your words make far more sense than ever before.   -2- Every Destination Has An Opportunity Cost   While driving from coast to coast, there are endless opportunities for sightseeing and experiencing new things. There are two sides to the coin in any adventure: the expected and the unexpected.   This reality creates two equally valid temptations:   The first temptation is to spend more time in our current location because there’s no guarantee that the next place we visit will be as good. Here, the opportunity cost is losing time to enjoy hidden surprises. Additionally, we may underestimate how much we appreciate the next destination.   The second temptation is to get to the next destination faster to maximize the time spent there. Similar to the first temptation, the cost is the hidden treasures that may be missed along the way. More importantly, the next destination may not meet our expectations, and backtracking would be time-consuming and fruitless.   With these opportunity costs, is there a way to optimize the maximum enjoyment of a road trip? This question may become a classic in a microeconomics class.   The answer: No .   Complete information is unattainable, and there's no way to know without hindsight. When venturing into the unknown, we will never truly know what is out there until we experience it first-hand. Additionally, what one person perceives as boring may be adventurous for someone else. Therefore, the best course of action is to move forward by making the best decisions possible with limited information and actively embracing our experiences. It’s as simple as that.   However, there is one guarantee: precious time will be lost if we choose to overanalyze how to best enjoy the road trip before proceeding. As we all know, time is not a renewable resource.   Therefore, the best approach to a road trip is to adopt a flexible mindset that maintains reasonable certainty about planned activities while embracing the uncertainty of thrills that appear along the way. This mindset works well in business, too.   -3- Some Plans Wash Out, While The Surprises Make Up For It   Initially, I had about 60 potential destinations to visit. These were national parks, cities, homes of friends and family, and other desired destinations. However, not all plans worked out, while others were a real gamble.   In some unfortunate cases, the weather made enjoying outdoor destinations impractical. Other destinations were closed for maintenance, repairs, staff meetings, or other reasons beyond any traveler's control.   Even when I successfully reached some destinations, they didn’t live up to the hype. The visits, which I thought would be more involved, were short and sweet. In these situations, I found myself with surplus time. It didn’t necessarily make them bad; it just changed the flow of the anticipated game.   On the flipside, there were other destinations I had never heard of before, which turned out to be some of my favorite moments from the trip.   One of my favorite moments was towards the end of the trip. I arrived at my hotel in Goodland, Kansas, and the sun was setting and vivid in color, immediately attracting my attention.   I pulled up the weather radar and noticed some red in the cells 15 miles west of my location, which indicates heavy storms with possible lightning. In my mind, the thought of seeing my first tornado was a thrill. I pounced on the opportunity by grabbing my camera and tripod to drive west towards that vivid sunset. As I approached the Kansas–Colorado border, I noticed a windmill farm where the sun was setting and snapped the following picture:     As the sun disappeared, I noticed that the lightning was increasing in frequency. Sometimes, it was crackling through the sky, and other times, it was slamming the ground. It was scary but captivating.   Before my final moments of escaping the storm and not getting struck by lightning, I captured some pictures with my Sony. Here is one of my favorite moments:     After capturing Mother Nature's display, I bolted to the hotel to shack up and ride out the storm. The microburst brought plenty of lightning and thunder as the near 60 mph winds thrusted heavy rain and dime-sized hail on the town. While the storm was thrilling, there was no tornado. Luckily for me, my car fared just fine. Capturing the storm was a great reminder that plans are always subject to change in business. Adaptability is far more important than a rigid vision. When an opportunity presents itself, it's crucial to pounce before it passes.   -4- There Is Beauty Everywhere   Many people consider coastal states a photographer's paradise for scenic photography. In California, we have ample beaches, numerous mountain sides, and Mediterranean scenery that enjoys some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. The Pacific Northwest and Alaska bring their own natural treasures.   However, all 19 states plus the one Canadian province I visited had beauty. Whether it was wildlife or unforgettable landscapes, every place I visited had something to offer.   I will admit that becoming a photographer has trained my eye to look for perspectives that might be missed or taken for granted. However, it’s one of the most substantial rewards of being a photographer and a skill that enhances all other areas of life, including business.   If we know where to look, change our perspective (and perhaps our mindset), and adjust our focus, we may capture an epic and unforgettable shot. Here is a gallery of a few surprise landscapes throughout North America:     -5- On Average, People Love To Help Out   Many people love to poke fun at the middle of the country for being boring, flyover country. I am fortunate to live on one of the coasts, where I enjoy some of the best weather, food, arts, and technological innovation that life offers.   However, driving through the country–specifically the Rockies and the Midwest–reminded me of a life that goes to a much slower beat. At this tempo, people are more inclined to lend a helping hand for situations big and small. It was a nostalgic reminder of how much I appreciated the people of Iowa during my first two years of college.   Throughout my journey, I met numerous strangers who held doors with a genuine smile. Whenever I checked into a hotel, the front desk agents were terrific and always asked if I needed any additional accommodations. Waiters and waitresses asked thoughtful questions about my travels and life back in California.   People in these parts of the country are genuine and hard-working. Most of them are ordinary Americans with careers, families, and modest lifestyles that move at a far different pace. Others have big dreams and aspirations, as I did growing up, and they are leveraging their small-town roots to learn what's out there for them.   That’s when it hit me that these parts of the country generally value social currency more than anything else. The locals pride themselves on lending a hand to someone in need and ensuring they feel welcome.   While driving from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Omaha, Nebraska, I decided to take the back roads along the Missouri River to change the pace from driving on the interstate. It was only a 180-mile drive, so I figured I had ample time to enjoy the road and stop along the way. Within the first hour, I noticed a persistent clicking in the back of the car, which led me to suspect that something wasn’t right with the vehicle. Naturally, I pulled over to inspect the car to see if I could identify the problem. I discovered that one of my backpack straps was hanging out of the trunk, and the plastic piece at the end kept hitting the car.   It wasn’t even one minute after I pulled over when somebody drove from their driveway to ask if I needed help. She was a very sweet, retired lady who offered me a place to stay and leftovers from lunch.   As wonderful an offer as it was, I told her that I pulled over because a plastic part from my backpack kept hitting the car. She laughed at this and said she was glad to see I was okay. She revalidated the offer if I wanted a place to rest for a little while. I politely declined her offer, but I sincerely appreciated it.   Our encounter was a good reminder that offering to help others is what business is all about. Just remember to be a servant, and not a doormat.   A New Chapter In Business   Even though I didn’t get to do everything I wanted, I had the road trip of a lifetime. I was able to take time off from my business, do some things I wanted to do, and build some new, long-lasting memories that I’m using as a springboard to push me forward in my new chapter. There's something to be said about being able to walk away from the everyday grind and experience different walks of life throughout the country. It's a great reminder that we don't always need to go fast. In business, direction is far more important than speed.   As I return to the city lifestyle, these realizations will serve as cornerstones for moving forward. In my own city, I look forward to uncovering new opportunities with fresh eyes by building long-lasting relationships with my community. Since returning, I've visited new events and asked people about their interests. Perhaps Dale Carnegie is right: you can make more friends in two months by taking a genuine interest in someone else than in two years talking about yourself. Hopefully, I will be able to get my new ventures just right by ensuring they serve the needs of my immediate community.   Should You Do A Road Trip? Yes. Ultimately, I recommend that everyone take a road trip at some point in their lives. A great road trip doesn't need to span multiple states and several weeks. Something as simple as going four hours out of town for a weekend can bring new changes and direction. A road trip represents a break from our natural routines to teach us the humility needed to trust that unfamiliar situations will work out. Additionally, seeing new sites can trigger new ideas, which cannot be obtained from executing the same routines in familiar environments. Along the way, we will capture new ideas and memories that serve as a springboard to build a better future. We will see how the dots connect to identify similarities and differences of distinct cultures and lands far better than if we are anchored in one area.   In addition to the people, we see changes in the residents of Mother Nature along the way. In America, we're fortunate that the wildlife is bountiful. Here are some other wildlife highlights from my road trip:     The pictures seen throughout this article only serve as the tip of the iceberg. For the full photo album of my road trip across America, click here .   Thank you for reading. I hope this article has inspired you to take your own road trip someday!

Think back to a recent conversation, performance, or piece of writing that made an impression. What’s perplexing is that an impression lingers in our minds long after words were spoken, songs were sung, or scripts were performed. Details fade, but the impression remains.   The question becomes, “What was it about that experience that leaves an impression?”   At first, we can speculate about the details, even if they are difficult to recall. However, the details only serve to carry out our experiences. There's a reason that we forget what people say but remember how they make us feel. Therefore, it's how that experience ends that leaves the lasting impression we carry onward.     Even though first impressions set the stage for how we believe our experiences would unfold, the ending ultimately decides whether the impression is favorable or not. In many cases, an experience can start off oddly or unexpectedly, but the finale brings it all together to leave a final mark.   For musicians, this is something we know to be true as we land our final note. Therefore, there are techniques musicians rely on to ensure that songs end memorably.   This reality extends beyond music and has become a principle that applies to nearly all endeavors. From private, intimate conversations to worldwide shows and broadcasts, the final note bears the most weight in determining whether the experience leaves a beautiful memory or misses the mark.   From my experience across multiple disciplines, I know that music is the most effective vehicle to communicate the importance of powerful endings. We don’t have to be musicians or have any knowledge of music theory to determine whether a musician's playing or singing leaves a good impression or sours the experience. We just know. Intuitively.   Therefore, I will demonstrate the importance of the final note using a short and sweet passage on the saxophone. There will be variations of this passage with heavy emphasis on the ending. These demonstration videos will be embedded throughout the article and include graphs to incorporate a multisensory approach to my demonstrations.   The Tension & Release Principle   Many of us have seen thriller movies where suspense dominates the plot. In these movies, we lean in as we try to predict what will happen next, especially in horror movies.   The best thrillers glue us to the edge of our seats as we watch characters navigate mazes riddled with traps. We attempt to predict when these traps will be sprung and ensnare their victims. As tension builds, we brace ourselves for the surprise… whenever that may be.   Out of nowhere, the threat suddenly appears and releases the mounting tension through our screams and sudden gasps. We can't help but become hooked on the drama as we watch it unfold. Seasoned writers know to leverage an unpredictable pattern of tension and release to keep viewers hooked. Thrillers that leave lasting impressions on the audience are created by filmmakers, scriptwriters, and actors who inherently master the Tension & Release Principle . They understand the drama of anticipation and attempt to figure out ways to mount the tension while releasing it at the least anticipated moment. That pattern is visualized on the graph below:   Tension builds up until the release point, at which point tension can either sharply or slowly decline. The cycle often repeats itself multiple times in performing arts, such as music, stand-up comedy, and theatre.   The Tension & Release Principle  applies to our relationships, careers, and hobbies to make them more interesting and engaging. While it may not be as stark and dramatic as a thriller movie, its application significantly reduces dull moments.   In other words, the Tension & Release Principle  is a cornerstone of anything we find interesting.   Music is engineered to provide tension with catchy hooks, memorable melodies, and instrumentation that resonates with listeners. It can be as short as a simple 5-second jingle or a full-blown 1-hour symphony.   Demonstrations of Tension & Release   To better apply tension and release, let's analyze a handful of scenarios through variations of a short, two-bar jazz phrase to demonstrate the differences between utilizing the principle well and falling flat on its face.   Demo 1: No Tension, No Release   Ever had an experience so boring that watching paint dry became a much more appealing alternative?   It happens to the best of us. Unfortunately, life isn’t filled with masters of the Tension & Release Principle . Naturally, we are more inclined to excuse ourselves from these monotonous experiences as much as possible.   When the Tension & Release Principle  isn’t harnessed, the experience drags out and becomes lifeless. Think of when someone goes on numerous bewildering tangents that don’t add up. The incessant verbal droning does nothing but burn precious time.    This level of droning occurs in all types of experiences, including music. Here’s an example on the saxophone of what I mean:     While my saxophone playing was technically correct, its delivery was very flat and monotonous. The playing would pass a technical audition if that's what was required, but it doesn't emotionally connect with an audience.   For most listeners, those two bars became a passive experience. As a result, the listener’s attention shifts from “How will this end?” to “I hope this ends soon.”   Here is a visual curve of the experience:     The curve is flat because nothing happens. Naturally, when there's no buildup of tension, there's nothing to release. As a result, there is no memorable impression.   Here are some other ways where technical competency is demonstrated but doesn't connect emotionally:   A writer who delivers accurate, detailed facts for preventing deforestation but has no stories to use to make an emotional connection and a call to action. An actor who fumbles with the script cannot add relatable characterizations to their performance. A public speaker who delivers the words of a speech but fails to use vocal variety, hand gestures, and ingrained emotion to make an emotional appeal to the audience. A photographer who tells the subject to smile without a compelling reason. A teacher who delivers a monotonous lesson because "it's part of the curriculum."   In short:   No Tension + No Release →  Forgettable Experience   Therefore, we must add tension and release to the experience if we ever hope to capture the hearts of an audience and leave a favorable impression. Demo 2: Some Tension, No Release   We’ve all been in situations where the tension builds and builds and builds… and then, nothing.   We scramble to understand what happened or wonder if we missed something important. Questions run through our minds as we try to make sense of the cliffhanger.   Unfortunately, this is one of the most common experiences. Hype is built around a new idea, product, or service, only to never come to fruition. At best, the lack of delivery is due to negligence. At worst, a con artist who doesn't plan on delivering anyway.   Here's how this situation is demonstrated musically:     This musical phrasing improves on the first video. Some notes were changed, mixed with dynamics, adding some variety to elevate tension throughout the passage.   However, the final note felt like an airplane that wasn't ready to land yet. The tension increased throughout the phrasing, but without the release, it’s difficult for the listener to determine whether that was the end.   Here's the curve of the buildup:     It starts off well, and the experience builds tension throughout, but the final note doesn't release the built-up tension. Instead, it leaves listeners on a cliffhanger. This is why the final note truly counts in musical passages.   Here are other examples across different disciplines of when tension builds but does not get released:   A writer who writes a brilliant passage but has no closing paragraph or takeaway message. An actor who builds up a ton of drama but suddenly disappears, never to be seen again. A public speaker who commands a captivating message, only to say “oops, my time is up” as they step off the stage. A photographer who shoots a photo session but doesn’t deliver any photos. A teacher who asks a question, gets responses, but moves on to the next topic without acknowledging any responses.   In short:   Tension + No Release →  Cliffhanger     In all these cases, tension builds up to the final moment, but there is no resolution. This situation leaves an impression of bewilderment and incompleteness.   Demo 3: Build Tension, Land With Runaway Tension   Ever listened to a brilliant talk, read a beautiful passage, or listened to a talented musician who delivers a phenomenal experience throughout, but then the ending seems completely off from the rest of it?   Something as minor as a contradictory remark, a paragraph that doesn't belong, or a dissonant note can sour an otherwise world-class experience. It doesn't seem fair that such a small segment of the experience taints the rest, but it's the impression that sticks with us.   Here’s a quick example of what I mean:     In this take of the passage, everything was played well until the final note. It soured the mood because it was completely out of place. At best, it could have been a transition note into a different ending that was left incomplete. In either case, the tension spikes dramatically as shown below:     Here are additional examples where tension is built and aggressively throttled by an abrupt ending or incomplete performance:   A grant writer whose work builds a solid case for increasing educational funding, only to undermine it by claiming that its previous spending was wasteful. An antagonist in a movie who suddenly turns into the good guy at the end with absolutely no explanation. A public speaker who delivers a beautiful address to hundreds of salespeople in the solar industry but then pitches reasons to sell oil and gas products. A photographer who delivers a wedding album of distorted photos. A math teacher who cannot follow the simple rules of algebra to solve equations or simplify mathematical expressions.   In short:   Tension + Bad Release →  Agitation   These situations demonstrate that while building tension is part of the game, the release must decrease the tension at the end, not increase it. Additionally, if tension overbuilds, it risks distorting the experience while eroding credibility and professionalism. Given the choice between an abrupt cliffhanger and a tension spike, most audience members would choose the cliffhanger.   Demo 4: Build Tension, Then Release   Finally, after all the tension built into this article, here comes a good example of applying the Tension & Release Principle . Releasing tension that is built throughout is the key ingredient to leaving a lasting impression. Not only is it important to release the tension, but also do so at the right rate–not too slowly, and not too quickly. Additionally, tension must be built at the right rate. Mastering the optimal rate of building tension requires trial and error, high social intelligence, and an intuitive understanding of our workflow.   When tension is built wisely, its release provides a lasting impression that the audience remembers long after the details fade.   Musically, here’s what I mean:     As the tension builds throughout the passage, the final note releases it to emphasize the conclusion. It leaves the final impression that simmers in the listeners' minds. Additionally, a well-placed final note tricks us into thinking everything around it was relatively interesting.   Again, it’s more about the impression that lasts, not the details. Therefore, investing our best efforts into what lands the impression is vital.   Graphically speaking, here is our desired journey.     Across different disciplines, it's important to know how to treat the final note of our work to leave a favorable impression. Here are more metaphorical examples of how a well-placed final note resonates and compels the audience to act:   A writer delivers a thorough article on improving the state of a community, providing tangible action steps with immediate application. An actor delivers an inspiring performance throughout and defeats his adversary at the end. A public speaker leaves their audience with a tangible action plan that can be applied after the round of applause. A teacher has his students think through a problem and reveals the correct answer with a clear explanation. A photographer provides a great photoshoot experience, delivers sneak peeks, and then delivers the final album in a timely manner.   In short:   Tension + Release →  Impression   In each situation, the experience builds optimal tension that captivates an audience. Then, it releases the tension to leave a favorable impression that improves an audience's lives or unlocks peace of mind. That’s the best way to build tension and release.   Applying The Lesson   It’s time to turn our attention to ourselves and figure out how to apply the Tension & Release Principle  to achieve the best results possible.   Having a background in performing arts isn't necessary to master it in our own experiences. However, becoming a master requires creativity and patience through trial and error. For each of these steps, it's important to write it down for progress to become more clear.   –1– Begin With The Ending In Mind   In Stephen R. Covey's classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , the first habit introduced is to begin with the end in mind. Many eager people make the mistake of getting started without determining their ultimate destination.   In a world that values speed, what makes having the end in mind valuable? It's the direction. If the plan is to drive north from Atlanta to New York, we should not choose a highway that travels west towards Los Angeles. Remember this: No amount of speed will compensate for going in the wrong direction.   Therefore, determining our 'why' is the most critical delivery aspect. From there, we can shape the journey to build tension and land on the final note of the journey.   –2– Write Out The Desired Impression   Many beginners make the mistake of defining the end and not realizing the impression it delivers. It's not enough to have intention; execution matters. People are not mind readers, but most have enough social awareness to evaluate their experiences.   The best way to engage impressions is through using a multisensory approach. When landing on the final note and delivering an impression, we must ask:   What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like?   The more senses engaged, the better. Once these questions are answered, we can package it into one final question:   What should the audience take away at the very end?   –3– Connect Tension With Release   It's worth reiterating that tension and release are not isolated from each other. The mechanisms that lead to that impression must be aligned with its delivery. Otherwise, the misalignment may result in more unwanted tension and leave the audience agitated.   When determining how much tension is required, it's best to answer these two questions next:   How much tension should be built right before the release is delivered? How fast should the tension be mounting from start to finish?   For some, this will be intuitive, while for others, it requires explicitly thinking it out and documenting the steps as a recipe. We must use our best judgment on what works best for us and proceed accordingly.   –4– Put It All Together   Now that the impression has been formulated, it's time to build a roadmap from start to finish. Determine the actions that will build the necessary tension right before the punchline is delivered.   For those who use the intuitive approach, documenting the process is still highly recommended. While it might require a little more time and effort, it allows us to review what's going on and select aspects of the process to modify and improve.   An important aspect of building the roadmap is making sure it is practical and manageable. If we stretch ourselves too much, we risk building tension beyond what's tolerable for the audience and ourselves.   Therefore, we want to focus on getting it right first and then tweak it down the road as a stretch goal, where appropriate.   –5– Review The Impression   The final part of the journey requires us to imagine ourselves as statisticians. This is where the testing and review begin to further evaluate whether we're leaving the impression we desire on our audience. Once our planning is completed, we must deploy and practice it.   First and foremost, it's important to document and record our work for review. In the beginning, it's difficult to evaluate ourselves, especially if it's a video, because we're not used to seeing ourselves from a second-person point of view. However, the video doesn't lie and will capture everything we do.   Regardless of how cringy it may be, we need to muster the courage to review it to know how we're perceived.   As our own hardest critic, we want to catch detrimental aspects of delivery before others do. The easiest way to do this for ourselves is to have AI generate a list of yes or no questions relevant to our situation.   Once we've done our due diligence, it's time to test it on a smaller audience. Deliver the performance and ask for feedback, especially on the impression a few hours or a few days afterwards. While there may be specific questions we're interested in our own situations, there's only one question that needs to be answered:   Did the impression meet expectations?   If yes, continue optimizing it until there's no point to improving it or a ceiling has been hit. If no, ask what needs to be changed and fix it. Plan on testing the changes again in the near future.   Even if the desired impression landed the first time, repeat the test to ensure consistency. There's nothing worse than a false positive in the beginning. For those who enjoy flowcharts, consider this:   Land The Plane Smoothly   Our experiences will become more mindful with the application of the Tension & Release Principle . It feels good to end things on a good note to know we can focus on what's next. Not all parts of the journey are weighed equally in the eyes of the audience. While many producers become obsessed with making the middle of any endeavor as smooth and perfect as possible, it is often the ending that will be remembered by the largest chunk of the audience.   Therefore, more careful attention should be paid to delivering a smooth landing. Of course, the process of building tension is important, but it’s the impression that stays with us at the very end.   When the ending is mastered, try allowing it to resonate a little longer. Here's a bonus demo to demonstrate what I mean.     In this final demo, the playing was very similar to the previous demonstration. In addition to a few pick up notes, the musical phrase slowed down at the end. This gives the listener permission to breathe a sigh of relief as the music comes to an end. In the graph below, we can see that the green part of the journey lasts just a little bit longer.     Optimal Tension + Optimal Release  →  Optimal Impression As we come to a close on our journey of tension and release, think about how to apply it to our crafts. Becoming a master of the Tension & Release Principle can not only make us more effective in our craft, but enjoy life a little bit more. This combo will help us land our final note in each experience to leave an impression for all to enjoy. Enjoy the journey. Start well, build tension, and release your final note wisely so that you may leave a favorable impression.

M USICAL S ERVICES Music That Resonates With YOUR Audience As a musician, I'm lucky to have the ability to understand how to create music from scratch. Yes, I have perfect pitch and can name that note you just thought or hummed. I've been playing with musical instruments and sound production equipment since 2003, so you know you'll get someone who's been around the block. Although I studied engineering in college, I have been a very active musician who studied music academically and modernly to bring you the best of both worlds. I intuitively understand what makes music communicate an intended message and have the tools to transform a conversation into a track you'll love. Additionally, I am available for studio and live gigs in the Southern California region. MUSICAL SERVICES Arrangements Create fresh arrangement of almost any song that exists to fit your tastes. Compositions Create new music using classical and/or jazz instrumentation. Instruments Musician for hire on select instruments. Production Create modern music across almost any genre of music. Transcription Transform music from what is heard to what is seen. Ready To Create Epic Music ? Whether you're looking for arrangements, originals, or a musician for your outfit, fill out the form for next steps! First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting! F ORREST XYZ S ERVICES The best way to apply skills is to serve others .

SPEECHES Speaking To Inspire & Connect I genuinely enjoy public speaking. It gives me a chance to share ideas , spark conversations , and connect with audiences on a personal level . From MCing smooth and energizing transitions to delivering impactful keynote speeches , I've delivered hundreds of speeches on stages across the United States and virtual platforms. My background in performing arts provided a natural transition to step into public speaking. I deliver powerful messages using my unique background as a deep generalist , relating to vast audiences at profound levels . Explore Speeches BELOW! Let's Go! What Inspires You? Fill out the form with a topic you want to hear about! First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting! WHAT INTERESTS YOU?

D ATA P ROJECTS Raw Data → Transformative Insights I love data and use it in my daily business operations. I understand the ins and outs of collecting, polishing, and analyzing to craft compelling stories . As a former data analyst and engineer, I have analyzed thousands of data sets to unearth hidden stories. I understand how painful it is to work with unrefined data sets mixed with signals and noise. It's crucial to transform them into working artifacts without distorting their core purity. Whether data sets contain numbers, names, signals, or anything in between, I leverage a robust process that uncovers the story to understand the past and make better decisions moving forward. C ASE S TUDIES GO! F ORREST XYZ G ITHUB GO! Let's Talk Data! Fill out the form with a data project you want to see come to life! First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting! F ORREST XYZ P ORTFOLIO Expeditions from various interests to showcase Depth X Breadth .