Showing posts with label amazon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amazon. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Dave Hollis New Book: Get Out of Your Own Way

The book is released today.
Buy on Amazon.
Dave Hollis, husband of self-help guru Rachel Hollis, has written a new book that is being released today.

I've pre-ordered the book, listened to the first 30 minutes, and actually seen Rachel live when she came to Chicago as part of a business expo.

I listen to their three (!) podcasts on the semi-regular.

START TODAY MORNING SHOW (which is, as the jingle says, "The Morning Show That No One Is Talking About.")

RISE PODCAST(which was Rachel Hollis's original podcast, and focuses on organizing and living your best life.)

RISE TOGETHER (which is a couples podcast, about how to have an exceptional relationship and live your best life)


I'm a big fan of both of the Hollises (Hollux?), but probably I'm in the minority in that I prefer Dave to Rachel.

Right now you are either saying "Who Are These People?"  or are saying, "Really?  But you're not a woman!"

Here's a little about them and what I find inspiring.

THE HOLLIS CO. BACKSTORY


Rachel Hollis was an entrepreneur in LA, who among other things, created high-end events like weddings and bat mitzvahs.    Dave, meanwhile, was working his way up at the Walt Disney Company, playing a number of roles over a 17 year period until he ended up as the President of Worldwide Distribution for their motion picture division.  Over time, Rachel's business started to transform into work as an influencer and as an entrepreneur and as an author and speaker.  She has had a clothesline on QVC, a set of journals and other organizational books, and has written two best-selling self-help books:  Girl Wash Your Face, and Girl, Stop Apologizing.  She has also been in demand as a speaker, and as a motivational coach.  Her business really started taking off about three years ago.

               

Click the photo to see it on Amazon
Click the photo to see it on Amazon.

In 2018, Dave quit his job at Disney, and moved to Austin Texas to become the CEO of The Hollis Company, his wife's company.  In various podcasts, he has talked about this transition, and how people thought he was crazy to give up his cushy job at Disney to go work for his wife.  But he really felt like he wasn't growing at Disney, and he needed a challenge and to make a change.  His wife's business was starting to take off (and in the last year, they went from 4 employees to over 60 employees!)  You can read about his departure from Disney here.

The Hollis Family.  Photo courtesy of USA Today.


They have four kids of various ages, including a 2-year-old named Noah who they adopted from their work as foster parents.  Noah is incredibly cute and is the star of a number of their podcasts or video episodes, including Tea-Time with Noah, a short Youtube video series in which  Dave teaches Noah life lessons starting quite early.




One of the episodes of Tea Time With Noah


 WHY I LIKE DAVE BETTER THAN RACHEL


First, let me say, I like them both.  (Pam, don't send me any emails!)

 Both of them have a very direct style of speaking that appeals to me.  Rachel is a literal phenomenon that has millions of rabid followers.  She is super motivating and has a gift of seeming authentic.  (I think she is often authentic, but even when she's not, she manages to seem authentic.  She often talks about peeing her pants on stage and admits to embarrassing foibles, and those are in her stock and trade.) Over the New Year, she released a set of organizational journals only at Target, and those completely sold out, causing a run on them and speculative sales on eBay.


Buy Get Out Of Your Own Way by Dave Hollis on Amazon


But for whatever reason, Dave appeals to me more than Rachel. Here are my thoughts about why:


  • INTRODUCTION. Unlike most people, I listened to Dave Hollis before Rachel and had no idea who she was.  As a result, I think I am more interested in him.
  • HUMOR. I like his direct and slightly wry sense of humor.  Rachel can be a little too endearing for me.  Dave manages to be both funny and earnest.
  • SKEPTICAL  Dave is a skeptic and was not originally really on board for his wife's journey.  I like how he initially resisted and then embraced his own journey.  He's made a remarkable journey of transformation, including becoming a marathoner, giving up drinking, and in general showing up for his family.
    This is familiar to me, as my wife is on a journey of transformation that I am skeptical of.  I'm hoping that I can follow in his footsteps and make my own similar journey.
  • FAMILY.  I love Dave's commitment to his family and the way he parents.  I also admire (and perhaps envy) his seemingly strong relationship and partnership with his wife.  I aspire to have that same kind of commitment/partnership/support in my life.
  • INSPIRATIONAL ENTHUSIASM.  Both of the Hollis's have a direct and inspirational fervor about them, but Dave's somehow speaks to me more.

    Once again, both Rachel and Dave are inspirational to me, but I resonate more with Dave.

A TRANSCRIPT OF DAVE'S MOTIVATIONAL STYLE

I happen to be listening to an older START TODAY show in the gym yesterday, and Dave said about ten things that resonated with me.  Here he's talking about his book and how he had to make time to write every day.  (This is about minute 22.5)

(I apologize if there are any transcription errors)

Another thing I learned - writing a book requires every single day commitment to finishing the book. Everyday you have to get a word count in.

I was going every day for five hundred to a thousand words every single day. It didn't matter what day it was -every day. Once I started I had to do it and what I want to say here- the life lesson for whatever you're trying to pursue, if you want to do the hardest thing that's going to have maximum Impact—You have to commit to doing it every day. 
The reason why we're so cuckoo about our morning routine and doing our gratitude practice and unintentional goal-setting. We do it everyday.

Everyday.
Every.... Day.
Because priming yourself to have the kind of day that you want to have is the way that you have the kind of day that you want to have and forcing myself into a habit.

It had me writing everyday and had me not questioning if I was going to get back at it tomorrow. 
Even Saturdays and Sundays? Even Saturdays and Sundays.

Even on holidays? Even on holidays.

Even when you're on vacation? Even when you're on vacation.

If you want to have a life that looks a certain way, you need to find a way to engineer that life with the habits and routines that you know will help you get where you want to go.
I have to do it every day.
And the great thing was I walked into it not loving the idea of doing it everyday, but I did it every day. I didn't necessarily feel like I was going to be able to do it every single day, but I did it every single day.

I walked in some days with confidence that I’ve got a great story to tell and I walked in other days not thinking I could actually put the words in the paper and- I did it every single day.


This is highly inspirational to me, this idea of doing something every day no matter what.   And it's something I need to do more in my life.   There were probably three other segments in THIS EPISODE ALONE that I found inspiring.  (He talks about the need for an editor, and the fear that people he sent the finished book to would criticize it, and all of those spoke to me directly)

 Rachel also talks about this stuff as well, but for some reason, I find Dave's fervor more inspiring. (And I think I am in the minority) It could be that I see myself more in him because he and I are guys.  But I think mostly his style just resonates with me more.

Anyway, you slice it, I'm excited that his book has come out, and I plan to read it cover to cover, and soak the inspiration out of it any way I can.

 Dave also offers an online coaching program, which I am NOT going to join.  (See my previous post about spending money on stuff like this.)

Thursday, April 23, 2015

EARWORM: Where Did You Get That Hat? by Al Simmons

 I've been a fan of Al Simmons for a long time.  I saw him first at a festival in Canada, where he did a showcase of delightful comedy/novelty songs that I would play in my car and sing along with long before I had a child.  And since I've had a child, I continue to play those songs.

Al is a Canadian performer who tours all over the US and Canada.  His show has a lot of visual comedy, audience participation, (including the hilarious "Don't Make Me Sing Along" which of course, is a singalong), and lots of crazy costumes and props.  Another of his songs that I really like is the eye exam song "I M 4 U" , in which he sings a series of letters and numbers that work out as words also)

I M 4 U
S I M, S I M
G I 1 2 B 4 U 4 F-R  (say them out loud for full effect)

Now sing them fast!  Here's the video to practice!


One of my favorite songs of his is actually not his, as it turns out.  Where Did You Get That Hat is a Tin Pan Alley song first done in 1888 in Joseph J. Sullivan, a blackface comedian and acrobat. Al sings it (and adapted some of the lyrics) and he does a great job with it.

The song lyrics are great, about a hat he inherited from his grandfather, and now everybody wants to know where he got the hat.

The chorus goes:

Where did you get that hat?
Where did you get that tile?
Isn't it a nobby one,
And just the proper style?
I should like to have one
Just the same as that!
Where e'er I go they shout:
"Hello! where did you get that hat?"

When Al performs it, he has a number of crazy prop hats that he wears.

Al also does a number of other songs, including a couple of songs that are all really bad puns- one about vegetables:  ("The Celery Stalks At Midnight")   and another about tailoring ("Sam's Men Wear")

His latest show is all about music and invention.  He talks about the science behind taking junk and turning it into instruments that make music.  The show is appropriately enough called "Sounds Crazy" and the short video clips I've seen are hilarious.

If you have an opportunity, you should see him live.  Your kids will thank you for it! (And you will probably thank yourself also!)

(and here's some of the songs mentioned above, as well as a link to the album on Amazon.)


 

Saturday, March 28, 2015

I am Already a Winner! (Dove Men+ Care edition)

Last month at the Dad 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, something remarkable happened to me.

I didn't have an epiphany that I should give it all up and join the circus (no, that happened years earlier-- if anything I am trying to run away from the circus, but they keep finding me!)

Nor did I make a love connection (happily married, thank you very much)

I didn't even make some lifelong friends (well, actually I did, but that's not the point of this particular story.)

I won a prize!

I've probably been to 15 blogger conferences of various sorts, where they've given out hundreds of prizes.  But I never won anything until today.  Unlike my friend Lorne Jaffe, who has probably won at least one prize at every conference I've ever attended with him.

But somehow, I managed to win one of the door prizes from DoveMen+Care!  (But don't feel bad for Lorne, he managed to win one also!)

Well, this morning my prize arrived in the mail.  It's the Dad's Bedtime ToolKit, filled with a bunch of cool gifts.

Here's the unboxing sequence!


 



My son is 6 and well past sleep training, but we do have some 18 month old twin cousins (and my sister in law) who are going to enjoy the sleep training light tremendously.  And a giant mag-lite, has always been on my wish list.

And a big red toolbox (my old toolbox is a little beat up to put it nicely.)

And of course, a $50 Amazon card will ALWAYS come in handy.

Also for my fellow activist dads-- please note that the Amazon card they sent me is just for Dads.  So we are not ENTIRELY left out of the equation-- but I am still a big supporter of #amazon family!)


Anyway, thanks DoveMen+ Care and Dad 2.0 Summit for the prize.  I love it!  All of it!

(And next year I want an Apple SmartWatch!  You've whet my appetite for winning and created a monster!)

#realstrength




Saturday, March 7, 2015

EARWORM: How Great Can This Day Be? by Lori Henriques

Lori Henriques is a Portland based singer whose music I just love. I hear a lot of it on Kid's Place Live, and everytime it comes on I smile.  Soon I'm tapping the steering wheel.  She's very catchy!

Listen to this NPR review for a great overview of her latest album :

http://www.npr.org/2014/12/18/371721047/music-review-lori-henriques-how-great-can-this-day-be


She's got a cabaret/blues/jazz feel, with very smart and clever lyrics, an amazing voice, and real music chops.  She was classically trained, and it shows.

 I especially love the song "How Great Can This Day Be?" which gives you a great question to ask yourself every morning, and "Vocabulary" (from a previous album) which encourages the listener to collect large words as a hobby instead of stamps, or record albums.


Speaking of which, click on any of these albums, and you could soon be collecting Lori Henriques songs, which would not be a bad thing at all.



Watch the video of "How Great Can This Day Be?"

Thursday, March 5, 2015

It's time for Amazon Family #amazonfamilyus

The German Amazon Family Program.  (Image from Consumerist)
Amazon.com  has a  marketing program designed for parents.  It gives bulk discounts and rewards to parents for staples and supplies such as diapers, wipes, and many other baby supplies that you need when you are a parent, especially the parent of a baby.

When my son was younger, we used the service extensively (well, until we ended up finding out that Target diapers were the only ones that really fit him properly, and that other diapers would end up with, as they say in the industry "imperfect leakage control".  But that's a different blogpost.)


In Germany Amazon's parent discount/reward program is called Amazon Family.

In Austria it's called  Amazon Family.

In Canada it's called Amazon Family.

In Japan it's called (you guessed it) Amazon Family.

In France it's called (right again!) Amazon Family.

In the UK it's called (how did you get so right?) Amazon Family.

Would you like to hazard a guess at what it's called in the United States?
I'll give you one try?

Well, if you had guessed Amazon Family, you'd be wrong.

For reasons which seem to  have little to do with reason, their US based parent program is called Amazon Mom.  As if dad's aren't parents.




Dad bloggers have taken up the cause to get Amazon to acknowledge that dads are parents too, as a way to honor my friend and recently deceased Dad Blogger Oren Miller, for who this was a cause celebre. 

Over two years ago, Oren wrote a very funny post about this, and how he is always getting emails that say Dear Mom, and inviting him to listen to a free audio book after doing Yoga.

 Here's Oren's original post-- it's a great read.

Why You Should Sign the Amazon Mom Petition [A Blogger and a Father]

And the money quote from Oren:

Why are we OK with letting England be more progressive than we are here when it comes to fatherhood? They have a queen! They are ruled by a freakin' queen! We can do better than that!


There's a petition to sign on change.org  with nearly 5000 signatures on it.     I'm a signatory, as is just about every other dad blogger I know.

There's a hashtag #amazonfamilyus  that in the last 48 hours has had over 6 million exposures.

Chris Routly of Daddy Doctrines has been spearheading the new effort, and there's been a spate of coverage about it:

(Incomplete list:  Source Chris Routly)
I urge you to do whatever you can to help Amazon make this change.

Tweet, sign the petition, and please share this post with your friends.

Thank you for your support!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Giving Up Diet Coke

Today marks the 15nth day since I've had a Diet Soda.

Now, this may not seem like a big deal to you, but I've been drinking diet coke (or coke zero, or tab, or diet pepsi, or pretty much any low calorie soda) since college pretty steadily.  I don't drink coffee, and it was my caffeine of choice for a very long time.  And there were days where I'd easily drink 4 or 5 cans, or a couple of 32 oz glasses.  I had a pretty serious habit.

I didn't give it up for Lent, or for political reasons, or for financial reasons.  I didn't even give it up for health reasons (well, not entirely.  I've known that diet coke was not a mystery superfood for quite some time.)

I've been reading a book by Mark Bittman(NY Times Food writer) called VB6-- in which he elaborates on a scheme he came up with when he was 57 to lose weight, feel better, and not die.

The plan, such as it is, is to eat lots of whole foods mostly vegetables, make meat a treat not a staple,, not eat lots of prepared items, and before 6 pm, eat a strict vegan diet-- after 6, you can go crazy within reason.  He's a food critic, and since he mostly eats crazy food at night, it made sense for him for that 6 pm deadline.  He says in the book that 6 is an arbitrary number that worked for him, and if you want to eat your meat for breakfast go ahead.  He also says he's not a doctor, that it worked for him, and that his work as a food critic showed him that the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is in fact sad.

I highly recommend the books.  To find out more about VB6-- look at the books at Amazon below-- you can browse through them and pick up a couple of recipes for free.




I've been following this advice for the last  month or so, and I've lost about 15 lbs (although on a big person like me, that could easily be water weight)  And 15 lbs is literally a drop in the bucket of what I need to lose.  (I'd like to lose about 65 more lbs.  And even if I did, the American Medical Association would still consider me on the borderline of obese! Thanks Obama!)


What appeals to me about VB6 is that it's not about counting, and it's relatively strict, but gives a little leeway EVERYDAY. Before this I was having some success by counting all of my calories using Lose It, and following a low carb diet recommended by the 4 Hour Work Week guy.

 When I started following the diet, I continued to drink diet soda.  I decided to quit for a couple of reasons.

A) to see if I can.
B) to reduce the amount of chemicals I'm putting in my body, which can't be good.
C) to drink more water, which EVERY diet recommends.

I've got a full 12 pack of soda in the fridge, and although I've been tempted to break the seal, and I've had a couple of caffein headaches, so far, so great.  I've been drinking almost entirely water, and a couple of times I've had tea.

Since I've decided to quit, I have been reading a lot more about how addictive diet soda is, and how damaging it can be (And you can probably hear my wife saying "I told you so" in the background!)

I might have diet coke in the future, but I'm not sure that I'm good at regulating my usage-- I may be an aspartame-a-holic.  (Is there a 12 step program?)

Here's a couple of the articles  I've been reading.

http://www.workoutaustralia.com.au/news/why-diet-soda-and-fat-free-foods-make-you-fat

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/diet-soda-health-risks_n_3581842.html

http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/lose-weight/myth-diet-soda
(from which the infographic was taken)


What's your relationship with Diet Soda?