RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and is used in many blogs and news sites. To explain it in simple terms, these sites have RSS feeds, which contain all the basic information in each post. You can then use an RSS reader to put all these feeds into the same place and automatically retrieve updates when they’re available! In other words, you don’t have to manually check websites just to see if there are updates or not. It’s all done for you.

The particular RSS reader I use is actually built into the browser I use, called Flock. In case you’re not familar with Flock, it’s a browser based on Mozilla Firefox (which means that Firefox add-ons and extensions work for Flock, too!) that is geared towards social networking. It has facebook, twitter, myspace, an RSS reader, a blog writer, youtube, flickr, etc all kinda built into it. Here are some screenshots of the browser and how the RSS reader works.

If you do decide to use Flock, it comes with a tutorial video that shows how to use it as well. Currently, though, due to the new Facebook update the built-in Facebook function isn’t working. When it does, basically puts Facebook chat and notifications in your status bar so you can keep an eye on things even while browsing different websites!

Granted, Flock isn’t the best for everything. It’s a slower browser than a clean installation of Firefox or Google Chrome, but it can save a lot of effort to keep on top of communication if that’s what you like to do!

Now on to Gravatars. If you want to be more easily remembered, it’s best to have a photo of yourself wherever you make your mark online. That could be on social profile sites like Facebook and Myspace, or it could also be wherever you like to comment on blogs. BUT, it’s honestly a pain to upload images to every single site you’re a part of. Not to mention updating each image if you decide to change the photo.

That’s what Gravatars are for. On Gravatar enabled websites (like this blog), if there’s a place to upload a photo, Gravatar.com will automatically insert your photo if it detects your email. So that way, you can easily change them all at once by logging into your Gravatar account and changing the photo.

Finally, you might also be interested in password managers like Lastpass and Keepass. It honestly is kind of annoying having to type in username and password over and over again, so programs like these help simplify the process. They actually help increase your security, as well. If you get into these, though, put aside a couple hours to figure out how to use them and get them all set up. It’ll pay off immediately once you’re done, but there’s a little time involved with learning how to use the programs.

Hope these tools help! And of course, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help as well.

That, however, just got me to read the entire book all over again. But wow, it’s been five years. It was a fun read, and it was great to revisit it because I saw a lot of things that are important, but I wasn’t at a stage to understand / implement when I first read it. I found a lot of good resources about working with people in general that I might be able to use in the future.

But of course, not to find a new somebody! I already have Mami, who is the most important person to me in my life, and irreplaceable. I decided that I would not leave my foot in the door when I started going out with her, and have never regretted that decision ever since. In fact, I believe that’s part of what has helped us to get this far. Despite that she’s always quick to threaten: “So why don’t we just break up, then?” Mami is Mami =D

Anyways, this is actually a fairly large collection of quotes from the book. Some are the ones that originally shaped my life the most when I read it. Others are quotes that I thought I would find useful in the future. All of them, though, I feel are very significant and important. Keep in mind that this book was written for men to help them understand how to effectively attract women. It is written in a neutral sense in that it doesn’t look to guide the reader in any moral way. Although David, the author, clearly states his personal views:

My perspective is also that it’s important to be honest with people about your views. And yes, this means talking to women about them. In my life, I’ve mostly had long-term girlfriends. And if I tell a women that I’m going to be faithful, then I am.

But if I’m single, then I see nothing wrong with dating as many women as I want.

I thought that would be important as context while reading through this information.

Also, in case you’re not up to making it all the way through, the final quote is one about maintaining a long relationship, and relationships with people in general. If there’s any one extra important quote to read, that’s the one, whether you’re male or female.

They’re in the order that they appear in the book, so I added the chapter and section titles to give some sort of organization to it all.

Part 1: How To Think About Success With Women

Chapter 1: Women Don’t Make Sense

Why Women Are Attracted To Things Like Fame, Money, And Power

“You must behave as if you confidently believe that you are the best thing for a woman, and that you are going to make her feel wonderful inside.

Women can pick up this particular belief, and they respond to it.

Ask yourself:

“How would I walk if I believed that I could make any woman feel great inside?”

“How would I talk if I believed that I could make any woman feel great inside?”

“What would be the expression on my face if I believed that I could make any woman feel great inside?”

“How would I act differently if I were the kind of man that women dreamed about?”

Then start doing these things. when you’re talking to a woman, imagine how good you’re going to make her feel. Fake it till you make it. Just do it. Women will notice.”

Chapter 2: How I Discovered What Works With Women

It’s OK To Be A Man

“It’s refreshing to hear a man being open about [a] controversial topic rather than hiding his ideas. It’s important to remember… “It’s OK To Be A Man.”

If you are who you are and make no apologies for yourself, you will be taken seriously. But if you approach the topic cautiously and act like you’re trying to see if she’s OK with your views, you’ll be seen as weak and insecure.

I’ve found that most women will accept you as you are, but if you try to act like someone that you’re not, then you’re found out, you will be treated with disrespect and ex-communicated.”

It All Comes Down To Your Skills

“If you have some area of your life that isn’t working for you, you probably need a new SKILL.”

-

“Most people are talking to themselves all day long. But most people are talking NEGATIVELY to themselves instead of talking POSITIVELY. Negative self-talk is, in my opinion, one of the primary causes of low self-esteem, giving up, and a lack of interest in even trying.

If you tell yourself something enough times, you’ll begin to BELIEVE it. This new belief will take on a mind of its own, and start creating its own self talk.”

Part 2: How To Communicate With Women

Chapter 3: How To Develop A Personality That Is Irresistible To Women

Be Different In An Attractive Way

“These are the different ingredients that women are attracted to.  It’s up to you to take what you have, and to use this list to augment your personality in such a way that it becomes attractive to the type of women that you’re interested in.”

Your Enemy Is Insecurity And Neediness

“Insecurity and neediness are the two biggest obstacles to success with women.”

The Six Things That Attract Women

“The good news is that as far as I’m concerned, your personality is your GREATEST ASSET in the success-with-women game. Fortunately, it’s the one thing that you can change.”

Personality Traits That Attract Women

“The most successful men I know will tell you that they are only successful because they are able to accept ‘no’ and not take it personally.”

Chapter 4: How To Use Communication And Humor To Attract Women

Humor

“In my opinion, the one most important skill, no matter your looks, height, age, or income – is humor.”

More Nuggets Of Gold

“I believe that women like gifts not because they have value, but because they say “I was thinking about you, I have these feelings for you, and this gift is a symbol of that… So start telling women that you were thinking about them, that you were remembering times with them, that something reminded you of them.”

On Predictability

“People in general, including women, are attracted to the novel… the unusual… the different. Predictability is the enemy of interesting. If you always act predictable, then by DEFINITION you’re not interesting.”

Chapter 5: On Looks And Body Language

“When two people are communicating in person, most of the communication is happening through body language and voice tone, and very little through the actual words.”

Body Language Basics

“I’ve done a lot of work in the area, and I’ve found that by SLOWING DOWN, I create mystery and intrigue. I literally practice slowing down my walk, my gestures, how fast I turn my head, how fast I talk, even how fast I blink.

Also, start taking up more space and opening up your physiologically. If you’re seated, keep your legs and arms uncrossed. Keep your legs far apart and your shoulders back. Don’t lean forward, lean back…

Another way to demonstrate and project confidence is to PAUSE while you’re talking. Pausing on purpose creates suspense and tension.

It’s great. If you combine pauses with serious looks, you will create an air of power and confidence.”

On Cuddling

“When you’re talking to a woman, if you start talking about kissing, cuddling, touching… and you are very specific about it… “I like to run the tips of my fingers over the part of your shoulder where it touches your neck…” a woman will start to actually experience it…

If you can learn how to talk to women in a way that stimulates their imagination, you can get them turned on over the phone.”

Part 3: Exactly What, When, And How

Chapter 6: The Basics of Style and Class, Plus More On How To Fascinate Women

Chivalry

“My experience is that women love chivalry.”

Chapter 7: Where And How To Meet Women

“And contrary to what many men think, women usually love it that you’ve taken the time to learn things like what I’m teaching you. It makes things more fun and interesting for them.”

How To Meet Women

“Don’t try to hide the fact that you’re picking a woman up – be great at it, then get into cocky and funny (and reframe as them picking you up! Ha).”

The Initial Approach

“What I’ve realized is… if you’re going to approach a woman, what you say doesn’t matter as much as HOW you say it (remember the character thing?)”

-

“Just remember, the only power that any woman has in your life is THAT WHICH YOU GIVE HER.”

Two Ways Women Think About Men And How You Control This

“I believe that women see men that they get involved with as either ‘long term relationship’ material or ‘sex’ material. You have to make the choice about which category you’d like to be in. By the way, if you get involved sexually, you can usually extend that for the long term.

If, on the other hand, you don’t get involved sexually, but you still buy her dinner, call her all the time, and pursue her, there’s a good chance that you’ll NEVER get involved with her sexually.”

-

“When I email them, for some reason they feel like we’re friends because we’ve emailed back and forth… don’t ask me to explain it… it’s taken me two and a half years to figure it out.”

-

“I’ll tell them that I was about to go do something (so I sound like I have a life) and then say “Well, let’s see… what’s your schedule for the next few days? (I choose a time…) Why don’t we get together tomorrow at about four. Do you know where the blah blah blah coffee shop is? Great… if we get along, then maybe we can go for a bite to eat… but you know, coffee is a safe bet… this way if you’re scary in person, I can say “Oh… hey… um… I just remembered that I have to go floss my cat… It’s really important…” and then we can call it a night.”

This makes them laugh, but it also gets them thinking “Who the hell is this guy to be qualifying Me?” which is perfect.”

-

“Next, when we’re getting ready to hang up, I say something like “Great, it’s going to be nice to get to know you better. And if nothing else, we can just be FRIENDS.”

When You Meet

“I’m just sitting there ACTING LIKE WE’RE BEST FRIENDS. When you act like they’re a best friend, they will rapidly get comfortable with you. I make fun of people, whatever. I just totally lean back and relax. I’m cool and relaxed, but at the same time making comments about how we’re going to be friends, etc.”

Places To Go

“I’ve learned that it’s more interesting to GO somewhere and DO something with a woman than it is to go on a ‘date.’”

Chapter 9: Keeping Her Attracted To You, Or “How To Have A Long Term Relationship”

The Beginning of the End, Or the End of the Beginning

“But first of all, here’s my take on why relationships fail:

When you first start dating someone that you really like, the body releases a combination of chemicals that are quite literally intoxicating. These chemicals cause you to want to be with that person all the time, stay up all night talking to them, and have sex three times a day.

But twelve to eighteen months later, the chemicals change. The intoxicating chemicals are replaced by ‘stability’ chemicals. The ‘stay-up-all-night-can’t-be-away-from-her-have-sex-three-times-a-day’ feeling goes away and the ‘lets-settle-down-and-have-two-kids-and-buy-a-minivan’ chemicals take over. Deal with it…

So now that you know this, how do you keep this whole thing from turning into an episode of All In The Family?

Well, the short answer is, keep up the fun, interesting, unpredictable behavior. Notice the details. Do thoughtful things.

Here’s something that I’ve learned in life: If you want to get back more than you give, then play the stock market. It’s not gonna happen in relationships. In fact, if you want to get a lot back, you’re probably going to have to give even more.

Most people are selfish, and they say “I’m not going to give more than I get.” But instead of getting a lot. all they get is old and unhappy. I’ve found that it’s much better to give a ton and get a lot back in return., not caring about the fact that I didn’t get as much as I gave, than to give little or none and get back little or none.

Relationships aren’t like investing. If you want a lot, get used to giving more. But it’s worth it in the end, because love and attention and humor and fun aren’t like money. If you give them out, you don’t have less. You have MORE. Get it?”

Inspiration is flowing through me like never before! I’m reading a book called “A Private Banker’s Wisdom for an Abundant Life” by Ken Honda （スイス人銀行家の教え、作者：本田健） and every single page I read has something amazing to learn.

I haven’t even been able to do much reading today because I keep having to stop and write out the thoughts that flow from the inspiration I’m getting. But this time, I feel that I have to share what I just read in a chapter about business.

The Six Requirements of a Successful Business

1. To bring happiness to people
2. To involve a great number of people
3. To create cash flow
4. To construct a business that makes everyone involved happy
5. To have the possibility of repetition
6. To bring about emotion, gratitude, and healing

In fact, it is more difficult to successfully do business in a way that does not encompass all of these guidelines.

It’s one of my goals to translate this book, but let me roughly translate the meaning for now.

1. To bring happiness to people

In order to succeed in business, it is imperative to bring happiness to people. Even if you were to temporarily create sales by threatening people or taking advantage of them, it will not bring about any long term benefits. It is the same concept that is found in the story of “The North Wind and the Sun” from Aesop’s fables.

If you are thinking of receving money from people, then you should plan receive it in a situation where people will gladly and willingly give it to you. If people will line up happily to bring their money to you, then success is simply a matter of fact.

2. To involve a great number of people

In order to succeed in business, it is important to involve as many people as possible. Even if you were able to successfully do business with a small number of people, it isn’t stable. Create a business where, even if the amount of money involved in each transaction is small, the business will support itself should there be enough transactions. In this sense, it is important to create a system that can involve a great number of people.

But to be said in a more concrete manner, create a system where your customers will bring new customers to you.

3. To create cash flow

Generally speaking, novice entreprenuers put everything they have into establishing their businesses, but then forget to create cash flow. The most important aspect is not the sales, but the cash flow. No matter how high the sales are, there is no meaning to it if it doesn’t generate a profit. That is simply no different from volunteering. And determining how to create a smooth cash flow is important as well. Those who are good at creating cash flow are people who are successful at anything they do.

4. To construct a business that makes everyone involved happy

Another very important point is whether or not you can construct a business that can make everyone involved happy. Economically, emotionally, and in all other aspects.

A business that is created on the concept of winning or losing is not a business that will last for a long time. In order to enjoy long term success, every single person involved must feel that things are going well.

5. To have the possibility of repetition

If a business provides a product or service that will be never needed again after one purchase, it will not succeed. The challenge is to create that generates repeat orders.

A dry cleaning or laundering business is an excellent example of this. If you can run a business where repeat business is a matter of fact and customers continue to come, then your business is a strong one.

6. To bring about emotion, gratitude, and healing

In all successful businesses, the elements of emotion, gratitude, and healing are always to be found In other words, feelings such as “Is it really this cheap?” or “Is it really alright for me to be accepting this service?”

Having expectations exceeded is directly linked to emotion. And the love that you show towards yoru customers also evokes emotion, and brings about healing. That is the same for the banks, dry cleaners, or doctors.

Naturally, it is impossible to emotionally move people through things that are ordinary. That’s why it’s absolutely necessary to choose a business that emotionally moves even yourself. A business into which you can pour every drop of your passion.

If you just work at a regular job, there is nothing that gets you excited, much less emotionally move you. By doing something like that, there isn’t even any reason that you would be happy.

The feelings of gratitude and emotion that are associated with a business are are much like gasoline that fuels success. And once the tank is filled with this energy, then the customers and staff will naturally bring in new clients, and the business will grow.

*

In the book, what follows this lecture is the author’s wild success in raising 100,000 Francs (he was in Switzerland) for a charity fund, involving the populations of two countries, getting publicized on television and in newspapers in each country, and even creating a new sister school relationship. All of this within a time period of four weeks. I wish I had the time right now to translate the entire book!

You can’t imagine how excited I am right now! I can do this! I will be reevaluating my business plan based on these requirements!

I finished making my mind.Depositor right before I went to Hong Kong, but I realized that I haven’t actually shown any photos of the finished product. I thought now might be a good time because I just finished printing out a stack of the special black and white mind.Depositor index cards that Patrick made for me!

These are the blank postcards that I bought to print out the mind.Depositor index cards that Patrick designed.

And here they are in GTD action! Each color represents a different category so they're easy to sort through.

Unfortunately, the heat from my laser printer bent the cards out of shape, but they still work!

Here's my version of mind.Depositor 2, I think not bad for a first try at leatherworking.

So here I take those index cards and they stay put nicely under the flap.

The notepad on the other side helps with general notes, shopping lists, etc.

And the outside. It needs some decoration, but it'll do for now.

My Workspace

This is where I work at my new apartment in Japan. I searched long and hard online for cheap yet functional items I could use to set up a GTD workspace. I’m pretty happy with the result!

Here's the entire view. I have two double filing cabinets, a simple table, and a corkboard.

Here is my GTD general reference file in action. I love it because now I ALWAYS have somewhere to put things. It makes life a lot easier.

Here is the GTD tickler file, which reminds me every day of things I need to remember. I can put books and forms in as well, so that they're all ready for me to work on right away. And on top of the cabinet is the amazingly useful automatic labeler.

And this is my "dream board," where I post reminders to keep me on track towards my dreams (among some other items).

And now that I have all my tools, it’s time to get back to work.