How I did it: I followed the Couch-to-5K running plan with the app on my iPhone, registered for The Color Run 5K when they were in town, and voila! The CT5K program was very good and certainly prepared me for the run, which turned out to be quite manageable. Read how I did it…
How I did it: The biggest obstacle to becoming a vegetarian is identifying good sources of protein. We usually get protein from dead animals, but there are other good sources: beans, tofu, nuts, eggs (yes, I eat dairy products), whey, etc. There are veggie burgers, sausage patties and other things that are tasty and good to have in moderation. I resolved that I would not be crazy about this, and would eat meat if there was nothing else available and I … Read how I did it…
How I did it: 1. Started a business on the side while I kept my day job.2. Used Dave Ramsey's "snowball" technique. As I paid off one monthly obligation, I added the amount I was paying to the old bill to my payments for the outstanding balances. That way, I was paying same I was paying before, but contributing more money to fewer creditors, until I paid the cards off. Read how I did it…
How I did it: I used to see the infomercials on TV and think, "I could never do THAT!" It looked too difficult. But when my cousin told me he was doing it, I decided to do it, too. It's a tough program — the toughest I've done — but I soon started seeing the results in the mirror. The program includes an online community where members can cheer each other on and exchange notes. This proved really useful when I had questions. I'm taking my prescribed tw… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Actually, I lived in South America for a couple of years. I met someone who owns a company there, we became friends and he invited me to work for him, so I did. Spanish is my native language, so that was not a problem. During the years I lived there I learned a great deal, traveled, survived riots, killer bees and a couple of murder attempts, and met some great people. Eventually the time came to move on, but I have great memories and coo… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I tilled the soil at a spot by my kitchen door, added new topsoil and planted sweet basil, oregano, mint, rosemary, thyme, and scallions to start. I watered the garden regularly and the plants soon grew strong and tall. They're great to have for cooking, and I like to make mint sun tea — leaving a glass bottle out in the sun with the tea and mint leaves until it's sun brewed — but sometimes I just like to take a basil leaf and crush it in… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Cut back on gluten (bread, pasta).Became a vegetarian.Exercised regularly, including cardio and weights: kettle bell, running, etc. Pick what works for you.Yoga.Changed to eating lighter dinners.Stopped eating like an 18-year-old. Read how I did it…
How I did it: I registered at the local offices of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. You can go to Be The Match, at http://marrow.org. It's easy and free, and if you get called, you can save a life. The procedure is a little painful: they use a syringe to take the marrow from your hip. However, you're fine in a day or two, your body replaces the marrow, and there are no scars. Read how I did it…
How I did it: It took a long time, a great deal of patience and re-focusing persistence, the support of my inner circle and reading books on writing, besides doing my research on my subject matter. And I believe it was Hemingway who said, "writing is re-writing." The next one won't take me half as long (I keep telling myself). Read how I did it…
How I did it: I wrote down the things I wanted, snatched some images of them online, and printed it out. Then I put it up on my bulletin board, where I see it every day as I have breakfast. In no time at all people I barely knew, who had never been to my house or heard about a vision board, started helping me get -- or even giving me -- the things I had included. I even wanted to find a zen meditation group, and had looked for one in my area to no avai… Read how I did it…
How I did it: In a year in which millions lost their jobs in the worst financial disaster since the Great Depression, and in which my own salary was cut in half, I managed to do well by hustling for freelance work and thanks to the faith and support of friends and family. Read how I did it…
How I did it: I borrowed the book from a friend, read it in five days. It's a quick read. Very straightforward and practical. Committed it to memory. Now I try to keep the principles in mind. Read how I did it…
How I did it: I was already living in NYC, having finished my Bachelor's at NYU. I worked for a couple of years and decided to go back for my Master's. Since I didn't have much money, being a starving artist, I got a job at NYU during the day and studied at night, as I wrote in my entry about getting my Master's. It was great. I even took advantage of one of NYU's Study Abroad programs. If you have the chance, do it. Whether you stay in NYC or leave af… Read how I did it…
How I did it: My friend wanted to sunbathe on the roof of her apartment building. I told her she was crazy. It was a hot summer day in Manhattan, and between the sun beating down and the roofing material reflecting the sun back it had to be a hundred and twenty degrees up there. She still wanted to go, however, so I followed. Up there she stripped down to an itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini. It was so hot that the air shimmered around us. We were instantl… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I went to a local Japanese restaurant for the same reason I used to do most things: to impress a girl. The affair spoiled faster than fish on a hot summer day, but I still go to Japanese restaurants. I guess you could say... (wait for it) I love sushi. Do I have any more 'splainin' to do? Read how I did it…
How I did it: I talk to people I know. I talk about my ideas and let them know I write and that I'm always looking for places to publish. In this first instance I happened to meet someone who introduced me to the Editor in Chief of a magazine that happens to publish material related to some of the themes with which I work. We talked, I submitted a piece, and voila! Read how I did it…
How I did it: A non-profit is a specific type of business, but it's still a business and has to be run like one. I've set up a couple over the years and I've found people have silly, pie in the sky notions about non-profits. I researched the issues thoroughly, obtained professional advice from lawyers and accountants, read the relevant laws myself, asked a million questions, and when I was ready, I proceeded. Sun Tzu says successful generals win victor… Read how I did it…
How I did it: When dinosaurs ruled the earth, I became a very good driver. I took lessons and applied myself and became really good. Then I took the test and flunked it. I was convinced I had done well, so I was disgusted with the examiner. I made another appointment right away. When the day of the test came, I was assigned a different examiner. I was still sore, so I drove any old way. I was even a little cocky, leaning into the turns, almost daring t… Read how I did it…
How I did it: There are many ways, but they all come down to sensible eating habits and regular exercise. There is no secret, no magic bullet. Diets don't work, because they are by definition temporary. The real secret is consistency, and for that, you have to want it. Read how I did it…
How I did it: There are plenty of books available on origami. There's very little you can't learn from books. My philosopy professor, Robert Taurek, used to say, "I have a brother who is a medical doctor. There's nothing he knows I can't learn from books." He was absolutely right. Read how I did it…
