Best work memo ever

There was once a military unit that was created by chance. This unit was an all volunteer regiment. Their leader was well read, and disciplined. He selected volunteer candidates based upon enthusiasm and skill. They were different from mainstream units, because they remained mobile, fast, and deadly. They could finish any operation in record time and with optimal results.

            They won nearly every small scale skirmish they encountered and won their campaign sized battles through the use of strategy, planning, and emphasizing each others strengths. Anyone that dared cross their path was dealt with swiftly and with zero remorse. The mission always came first and this team was devoted. If they were needed, one simply requested help, and operatives would be dispatched with full speed to give assistance.

            Their leader realized that once he had his initial team, that any additional members would only slow them down or cause problems, so he kept it at a manageable size. He focused on training, teamwork, and building rapport among the troops. He led by example, and sacrificed his basic comforts to make sure that the team had decent field conditions. He gave up sleep to read about strategies. He trained in the field obsessively and led from the front. Once his troops realized his nearly fanatical devotion to them, they started bonding as more of a cohesive family, not an impersonal group. They knew their leader's goals, and came up with solutions before he could ask them to do it. They studied on their own time, and developed mentally and physically. They turned to each other for strength and guidance when things were tough.

            Their leader was grateful for the privilege of command, and made a point of training them to be the best light operational unit known to man. They took a sense of pride in belonging to an elite unit that few could enter, and they started to become the thing that legends are created from. They brought their leader solutions, not complaints, or griping when things were strenuous.

            Their leader knew that they needed an organizational name because they were becoming well known. A name that would strike absolute fear in the hearts of their enemies, and elation to their allies. The very thought of this group brought a mental picture of professional warriors, crafted by training, experience, and a resilient attitude that displayed confidence and the unyielding resolve to win. They could not be beaten, bought, negotiated with, or overrun.

So their leader named them the Blue Dragon Army.

Wisdom of the Dragon May 2012

I did it.

I walked out of my job three weeks ago. See the Roy Fokker Veritech with retractable wings I'm holding? This was the only thing I had in my cube to remind me of my creativity and soul while in a windowless cube 11-14 hours a day for no benefits and no vacation time. My bosses even made a former Marine take down his USMC poster.

A funny thing happens when you liberate yourself from an oppressor. You get your powers back. All your dreams and abilities return with a vengeance. In 14 days, i accomplished the following:

1. Got a five year 4 subject teaching credential that lets me teach Engineering at high schools.

2. Paid a down payment on my new school, Blue Dragon Academy. I have no curriculum, projects, students, or even a freaking  key to the place yet. And we open June 10th.

3. Interviewed for 2 jobs that pay QUITE well compared to my old job.

4. Got 95% complete on Teen Juggernaut, my next book.

5. Became VP of a car import company.......that i created from the ground up.

6. Put out a Craigslist ad and nabbed 7-14 interns.

7. Got an Executive Assistant.

8. Got a story in the March Air Reserve Base Paper to be published soon.

9. Got an opportunity to be in the news in the next few weeks.

10. Got affliated with MakerPlace. A factory where I can make my own t shirts, engrave anything, create robotics, and intermingle with genuises.

11. Got my new line of Boonie Hats done.

12. Connected with a homeless vets shelter in Alabama. We are going to start donating food to them. I have an operative on the ground, that is ready to start missions.

I did all this in 14 days after being free and left alone. Management doesnt think Im smart enough to get hired, but thats ok. I dont need anyones approval or validation anymore. Im going to OWN my life and make stuff happen.

You are capable of anything you can dream of if you just learn to self educate, give people more than they ask for, and set BIG GOALS. The money will follow. See you in the winner's circle.

The last diet advice you will ever need..........

I have been giving a lot of advice lately.

How do i motivate my kid to study harder?
How do i lose weight?
How do i attract more dates?
How do i make money?
How do i grow my business?
How do i calculate voltage drops across a series parallel circuit?
Im in a city 1300 miles away, can you get me a job?

This is in the last two weeks. I realize now that my gift in life is to direct, counsel, and teach. I am a speedreader. I can go through a book at a ridiculous rate and i read five sources of information every day. Chances are, if you need something, I can pull out the answer. The highest amount of questions involve weight, so here you go:

There are several goals for people that want to alter your weight. Either just to lose some quickly or to tone and maintain muscle. They require different battle plans. Both of these I have tested and both work. I have been a lean 195, and am now a muscular 225. Here are two takes:

Plan 1: LOSE A SET AMOUNT IN THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME:
1. Promise yourself you will absolutely commit for one month minimum. Write a small contract with terms, date it, and sign it.
2. Buy tupperware. You need portion control. Get a cooler. You are going to start taking your lunch to work everyday plus you will save money.
3. You must start some type of walking/running/sport that you can do four times a week. YOU NEED TO SWEAT.
4. You will eat 4-5 times a day but much smaller portions. Have as much salad and tuna as you want. Water based soups are ok too.
5. You MUST give up flour completely. No exceptions. I know its a little weird, but you can even have fast food if you must, just throw away the buns.
6. One soda a month, IF THAT. Just drink water, or small quantities of juice. Powerade and Gatorade have less sugar than straight apple juice or cranberry.
7. Make a chart to gauge your progress. Weigh yourself every friday and write it down.

If you can maintain with NO cheating, you will see results. I challenge you to follow these steps exactly and tell me that you don't lose a minimum of 10 pounds after a month.


Plan 2: MAINTAIN MUSCULAR TONE (not bodybuilder tone, but lean muscle tone)
1. Induce ketosis by eating the list of foods found on my previous entry on this blog. Give up flour completely at first.
2. Get a gym membership and do medium weights for your level of comfort. Better to do high amounts of sets than max out. You want lean, supple muscle, not bulky, bodybuilder muscle for this plan.
3. Try to get three sessions of 30+ minutes of cardio a week. If you can, combine gym, THEN cardio, the weights are a great warmup.
4. Eat five small meals a day and portion out your foods. Your main diet should be natural, non processed foods. Almonds, apples, white cheese, coffee, tuna, pork chops.
5. Get a caffeine based supplement. The energy boost will help during workouts.



Remember guys:
1. Being obese is a choice a person makes for whatever reason, if you chose to eat wrong and gain weight, YOU CAN CHOOSE TO EAT RIGHT AND LOOK THE WAY YOU WANT.

2. A little altering of your foods can have HUGE results.

3. If you live in SD and need a running partner, call me.

4. I have been heavy or chubby for the majority of my adult life. When i figured out this plan and maintained a certain look and weight, my confidence tripled and i started realizing some serious successes. I want to see that for you.

Would you padlock the Space Shuttle?

Welcome Blue Dragon Army,
I want to discuss the REAL 1% of this nation. Not those whiny, trust fund protesters that will follow the whims of others without having an objective, a stated goal, or direction.

I'm talking about "silent geniuses".

What's a silent genius?

I am meeting more and more of them and their stories scare the hell out of me. They usually have the following in common:

1. Perform horribly in school and many fail out.

2. Perceived as stupid or lazy by others. This is a misnomer- they are bored.

3. Usually do not have a good role model in their life to guide and support them in their greatest time of need.

4. Have talents and abilities that dwarf those around them. Sometimes they are aware and sometimes they aren't. It's about 50/50.

5. Do not feel that formal education challenges them or that they belong there. Some are kinesthetic learners that REQUIRE movement and active participation in order to learn and achieve.

My friend Kelly summed it up best. Her story was fascinating. Started at a low position with a power company. Worked around lawyers and professionals and started learning more about paperwork and company procedures than anyone. Started getting promoted. OFTEN. Today Kelly is a program manager with 30 people under her. She is also a mom of 3 and is writing a book. She obtained a Master's degree and is going to pursue a PhD. She admits that she has OCD and some mental peculiarities but that they have helped her. She said something that struck me as interesting- "The company sent me a to a psychiatrist. Apparently, I know more than everyone around me, work circles around the execs, and keep getting me promoted because Im a hard worker, AND THEY WANT TO MEDICATE ME?"

How many Einsteins, Edisons, and Jobs are out there that simply need someone to pay attention to them, and guide them to the right path? How many kid are sitting quietly alone, hating the world and their lives because they are misunderstood or ignored?

It makes me angry. VERY angry. And I'm going to do something about it.

Operation Blue Vengeance

*Warning- This is by far the stupidest thing I have ever done in the name of fitness. I strongly encourage you to use common sense in meeting your health goals. I have no compunction about telling you I don't play with a full deck.


Ive always been fat.

Its hard to admit but feels great saying it. My weight shifts like a rollercoaster depending on how busy i am, if Im dating someone, life events, diet, blah blah. Ive gone through life while my skinnier, or more muscular friends had way more female attention. Its evolutionary, just like guys are attracted to girls with big boobs because subconsciously, it sends a message for nursing healthy children later. It is just as normal for girls to be attracted to thin, fit guys, or muscular guys because they will be good providers and breed good genes.

About two weeks ago, my buddy Jack came into town. We all went out and had a great time. He's a good dude and takes care of himself.

This is what I looked like at the time. I wasn't fat but I wasn't feeling too hot about myself. Plus that ugly ass beard wasnt endearing me to the ladies.







I was kind of dissatisfied with my appearance and there was an incident that I wont mention here but my friends know about it, that got me motivated to get back in the game. My buddy Jeff who just got married, often talks about having a Stathom body and we joke about training methods that border on the psychotic.

Jeff and I at his wedding. Jeff is clearly better looking than me..lol------>










At this point, my self esteem was hovering in the negative numbers. I wasnt dating anyone, I didnt feel attractive, and I needed a very intense kick in the ass to be THAT GUY again. On the Fourth of July, I devised a plan. I locked myself in my house for 8 hours and worked on my Doctorate until midnight. I told myself that I would mentally go back to Basic Training. But for my life. A self imposed cycle of hell that would involve sleep deprivation, minimal food, intense concentration, very close attention to what I ate, and more back to back workouts than I had ever known.

Ive done this before. Two times. When I was preparing for officer school, I went on a regiment of Bacardi and Diets, and chicken wings, and lost 21 pounds in a month and a half. I was running about three times a week.

When I had to pass my medical exam, I found out that I needed to lose 14 pounds in 14 days (Jesus, can anything be easy in my life?). By going to the sauna, running 7 miles a few times a week and giving up water for two days, I made it.

By a pound.

So that first night, I slept 5 hours and mentally programmed myself to get up quickly and that this would be a new lifestyle. My body was not pleased. Work was kind of brutal and I was sleepy. The second day I woke up on four hours of sleep and after work went running.
Over the next 9 days I slept no more that 4 hours a night and was getting up at 5am to run or hit the gym. I was on a restricted diet of small portions. Almonds, apples, a little bit of Jacked supplement in the mornings, and chicken. I was doing my regular floor workouts and started getting into a routine. One of my very good friends invited me out and I got to meet her friends. Annie Monroe is an angel and has come through for me numerous times. I am forever in her debt. I hadnt been out in a long time. As a grad student, I had forgotten the simple pleasure of just being out with a group of friends.

Annie and her hot friends----------------->



My mind started to become sharper, I was more aware of my surroundings, and was waking up before my alarm. I was making better life choices, weighing better options and a funny side effect occurred.

As I slowly built back my confidence, girls started noticing me again. I was now running at Lake Murray four to five times a week. I was watching Army Ranger training videos. I ran with recordings of Navy Seal cadences. I had developed a completely different mindset of confidence and a positive attitude.

The crowning moment came two days ago. I went to the mall that day and some blonde girl did a triple take at me and stared at me for a solid 10 seconds.

That has never happened to me before in my life. If I hadnt hesitated, I would have gotten her number but I was in awe. This stuff happens to JD, not me. I always joke that I'm a martini 7, which means a girl has to have a few strong drinks before I even get above average.

Jeff summed it up best. He stated that by depriving myself of sleep and eating a lot less, I had instilled an edge, a mental survival mode that girls could pick up on. I was alert, ready for anything, and well, kind of a badass.

Jesus, if i was an insomniac, Id be pulling hundreds of ladies....lol

This experiment ended today. For the first time in my life, I bench pressed my weight. I finished with a 6 mile beach run after the gym that was brutal. When it was done, I weighed myself and was happy to note 196.4.

Lowest weight in 12 years.

In 13 days, I lost about 15 pounds. I feel amazing, and more confident than ever. I have a wonderful outlook on life, and best of all, my heart doesn't hurt anymore. I can calm down and work on being successful. Its a whole other world, I can tell you that. Just the way people treat you, the way your clothes fit better, and your general leadership abilities increase.

I wouldnt recommend this for everyone. But if I inspire someone to say, "I've had enough, if Rob can do this between finishing a Doctorate, running a company, working 55 hours a week, writing a book and being a reservist, I can do it."

I believe in you. And if you need help, guidance, or someone to keep on you about reaching your goals, I am always available.

Change comes from frustration and motivation.

Remember:

The brain controls the body, but YOU control the brain.



Carry on.

R.

You CAN make a difference. Get involved in a Blue Dragon Project!!

Happy Sunday Blue Dragon Army!!

As I sit here at my desk working yet another revision of my dissertation, I have had a great weekend of creativity. I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of Blue Dragon and as we get closer to official launch (June 20th), I am very excited at the things we will accomplish.

This is why I need YOU. I have several open projects that could use creative writers, donors of products or money, and new ideas. Here is what is currently being worked on:

Blue Dragon Store- Ever wanted to sell to a large market? Got a product that fits in with Blue Dragon's three goals (end childhood obesity, help low income kids go to college, and help wounded vets) ? Ill stock your product in the online store and help you with shipping or anything else. I have a potential market of over 80,000 people and once we launch, your product could get some SERIOUS exposure.

Teenage Juggernaut- I am writing a book for teens to find their successes and have a plan BEFORE they graduate high school. This book will cover self esteem, business creation, money management, and making better choices in a recession economy as a young person. I am open to chapter suggestions, ideas, and useful websites to help teens.

Blue Dragon Wealth Building Series- Do you have a great idea for saving money? Have you figured out a good way to generate income? Are you good with money and have useful websites to share? I'm looking for your tips or even a chapter for my upcoming DVD series.

Remember that your help, ideas, donations, and support go to help low income kids go to college, and wounded vets. I wouldnt have it any other way.

Change The World.

Rob.

The Family Curse?

Most of us seem to have normal families. They are supportive, fun, and genuinely care about our well being. Too often, though, I talk to my friends and they are in the same boat I am. What do you do when you have a family member (or in my case 94% of total family) that is committed and hell bent on ruining their lives with poor life decisions, apathy, or just a negative attitude towards life?

This article is dedicated to everyone that made good choices, grew up into healthy adults, and walked away from the garbage foisted upon them by unloving or uncaring family members. Its not a bitching session, I want to keep it positive. I just want to tell you that you aren't alone. Its more common than you think and you aren't a bad person for feeling that way. How often do we hear this crap:

*Oh its ok, hes always been like that.....

*You know he drinks a lot and is always sorry in the morning....

*You just have to put up with her, shes family.....

*You're not perfect either you know, we all make mistakes.........

I have news for you. Its all garbage. Enabling, lazy garbage. Its completely frustrating to strike out on your own, bust your butt to succeed, work harder than you have ever known and constantly get a "that's nice dear, but let me tell you about my back...................."

Its enough to make me want to scream. Growing up, I didn't really have a good grasp as to the extent of how bad it really was but as I grew into an adult, I started REALLY getting a big picture overview. Here are some gems:

Relative 1: Multiple DUIs, experimented with drugs for decades

Relative 2: 2 statuatory rapes, just got 25-life for conspiracy to commit murder

Relative 3: Dropped so much acid in the 60s, went crazy as an adult. Mindset of a 9 year old at 65.

Relative 4: Alcoholic, Drug use, married a felon who dealt meth out of the house and got sent back to Pelican Bay.

Relative 5: Took daughters to Mexico when they were 15 to marry them off.

Relative 6: Been in prison all over the country, meth addict

The purpose of writing this is to tell you that you are NOT a product of your environment. I have a few good relatives, but for the most part, this is the stupidity I had to encounter and deal with everyday growing up. I get sick of people making excuses for dumb behavior. You're an adult and I have news for you.........

The results of your life are contingent upon the choices you make, the people you associate with, and your overall decision making abilities- Rob Garcia

I left at 18. I had to. There was no other option. And you know what? I started learning, and growing as a person. I still have phone conversations once or twice a year, but once you get away from bad influences, your life starts to shine. It really is that simple.

I surrounded myself with good friends. People I can depend on that are not codependent or overly dramatic. I don't have a ton of them, but they are all very important to me and know they can turn to me for solid advice, or encouragement.

So here's to you. Remember, that if you got out of a bad environment or have a family member that constantly has you saying, "What the hell have they done THIS time?" You aren't alone. Congratulate yourself for being more mature, wanting better things for yourself, and for being strong.

R.