Today has been another productive day, with classes, exercise, journaling and blog posts in the morning, and Descript video editing in the afternoon.

Almost one more video is ready. Tomorrow I will do one more, and another at the weekend. I’m starting to get into the bones of using Descript as a video editing platform. In my case, it is not originally a video; it will only be in the future. At the start, the blog posts are the main source and primary form of content.

The blog text is transcribed using AI, and an AI voice is added. I add video B-roll and photos, the title, and the captions, and now I almost have a video.

Descript is an AI video-editing and podcast platform that lets you create almost anything with its AI tools. It can check everything for you and help produce videos much faster than the traditional method. I’ve been thinking about getting 5 videos ready, but now I’m thinking of 10. When I have 10, I will begin uploading them to YouTube 3 or 4 times a week.

Am I enjoying doing it?

I am learning to master the platform, and once I do, it will be easier and quicker, and more pleasurable and gratifying to work with. When we learn to do something well, we feel a good sense of fulfilment.

Again, when I began posting blogs, it was not as rewarding as I had thought at first. Over the months, as I have become faster, more efficient, and better, and as the blogs have become more interesting and better presented, it has become much more rewarding.

When we do something we enjoy and are fully engaged and committed, the time flies by like a train without brakes.

This afternoon, I opened Descript at 2:30 and finished at almost 6:00 p.m. I did not feel the time pass; it flew by. Besides, time passes quickly when you are doing something engaging and productive, or something essential for your own growth, even if it is not very pleasurable at the moment.

When you finish that work, you will feel it was worth it. After X amount of time engaged in it, you get a sense of mission completion and reward.

Tomorrow will be the 1st of November, a new month, and we are moving quickly towards the end of the year. What a year it has been for me, both good and bad.

Now that I am living alone, I have set some priorities for the next 6 months or so. Some I will try to keep, while others I think will be difficult, if not impossible:

1. The obvious ones related to work:

• Blog post every day.

• Post at least 2 videos every week.

• Try to develop Teahogui.

• Finish off Placebeads with a new proposal and packaging.

2. My health needs:

• Workout at least four times a week.

• Swim in the condominium’s pool as much as possible.

• Eat healthy food.

3. My mental health:

• Do not be so anxious. Accept life and the things as they are and trust the divine universe and its selection.

• Think less about Julie. I am much better than I was, but even so, I have to accept the choice I made, understanding that it is better for me in the long run.

• Be happy and believe in myself; be self-compassionate; be my best friend; and don’t be so hard on myself, whilst always believing in my own capacity.

4. And now the DO NOTS!:

• Stop drinking alcohol for the next 6 months. I do not drink spirits; I drink only wine and, at times, beer. For me, it is almost impossible to stop at weekends, but let’s try!

• Stop eating bread! One of my deepest passions in life is bread. It is like alcohol, smoking or even sex for me. I really love bread, but I need to give it a break or put it on hold for a while.

• Getting below 90 kilos would be good. 89, 88 or even 87 would be good, which I think, in a healthy context, is almost impossible for me. I am big, heavy and a little clumsy, so getting down below 90 kilos is difficult. When I moved out on my own, I was almost 98 kilos. I weighed myself this morning, and I am 95, almost 94. Another 5 kilos and I will be below 90, but those last 5 kilos will be hard to lose.

So that is it. I am already creating with Descript, which I had been procrastinating on for so long. In itself, that is an achievement I should have done a year ago.

When we think too much, we are neither doing nor acting. The lack of action stems from too much thought and not enough action.

In bed by 9.30 p.m.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post The Importance of Finding a Little Focus! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

A Monday of difference, two major decisions, and upsets in my life. One is both good and bad, and the other is very good.

Firstly, I finished with Julie. We had been talking since last Thursday, and although it was OK, it wasn’t the same since I have been back in Rio. I see that what we had in England was from a different angle, something not so deep, a little superficial, maybe not as important to her or me as I had thought.

This afternoon, Julie looked for me, and we talked on WhatsApp. The conversation was OK, lukewarm in terms of quality and affection. Then I can’t remember what we were talking about when, suddenly, she said, ‘It is time for you to defend yourself!’

Out of the blue, I didn’t understand it, I thought it unnecessary and insensitive, and found it a little like what a narcissistic person would say. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me, and my world had just imploded, all at the same time.

I have been fending for myself since I was 9, with my mother always trying to attack me at home, and from 17 onwards, when my mother kicked me out. I have been fending for myself my whole life.

I didn’t react immediately when Julie said this. It was clear to me she wanted to provoke a reaction, but I was disappointed, and for me, it was just one more nail in the coffin of our relationship. I did some exercise, and after a while I had to go out to give a class, but I was hurt and disappointed.

A little later, I received a call or a message from her, I can’t remember exactly, asking about that, after I had said I would stay in England for two or three years and then move on. I then answered that if I were with a partner in England, there would be no need to go. Imagine I am happy, either dating or living with someone, etc., and I would contemplate going. It does not make sense.

What this question showed me was that Julie was already contemplating the next 20 years for herself, with risk analysis and everything. For me, it’s completely crazy. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, even when we plan. Life always throws us a curveball, and often our plans or priorities change. It’s part of life’s fluidity.

It was the middle of the afternoon in Brazil and evening in England. I sent Julie a message saying I would like to talk to her as soon as possible. My mind was going at 100 kilometres per hour. I was both sad and confused, but determined to resolve the situation I had got myself into. I am now in a narcissistic prison, and I have to get myself out.

Julie said I could ring her in 30 minutes. I think she knew what was coming and kept me waiting, or just kept me waiting for the fun of it. I don’t really care.

I called, and she answered. After a couple of sentences of small talk, I blurted it all out. I said I was disappointed by what she had said before. She was confused about which part, which I thought was quite funny.

I told her I had been trying and trying for the relationship to go ahead and for us to be good, but it seems to be of no use. I give up; I can’t take it anymore.

I was not shouting, as the Americans say, yelling. I was nervous, but I was communicating at a normal volume. I also said that I did not want to complain or explain, but it was over. She started asking questions, baiting me as she always does. I justified my decision and said I had to go. She insisted, and I insisted that I needed to go and did not want to continue talking. I said goodbye and hung up.

I was nervous but relieved. I then blocked her on my phone. I need to go no contact for some time, or I will go crazy. I am not proud of blocking her, but I needed time and space for myself.

This was the mini earthquake in my day. The second event, besides the regular exercise and classes, was my current meeting with Alex, the web designer. He told me what he was going to do and just wanted my approval. I told him to do what he knows best and not to wait for me to OK things; get on with it so that it would be done as soon as possible.

We discussed future development, and I told him to resolve what had already been arranged first, then we can think about the next phase and move on to other projects.

Focus is vital in life. With it, you can reach your goals, and without it, you’re not able to even get out of your front door. Look at John Wick!

For me, today has been a day of setting boundaries, understanding oneself, staying focused, and despite small earthquakes and tremors in our lives, continuing on the same path you have decided and set for yourself.

In bed by 10:30 p.m.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Monday, the 8th of July 2024: “Navigating Change: A Day of Decisions and New Beginnings”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

It’s Thursday after my birthday, and I’m still feeling its effects, especially since it fell on a Monday and Tuesday was a bank holiday.

The whole week and my routine have been disrupted. Once you break a routine, it’s very hard to get back to the same pace or rhythm as before.

When I had the school, whenever there was a bank holiday, even though it was only one day, the entire week would have been affected; only the following week would I be able to resume a normal workweek.

When we discuss our own personal habits and routines regarding exercise, classes, work, etc., missing a beat makes it difficult to get back to where we were before. It is not impossible, but it is simply hard — you lose it.

I am gradually trying to return to exercising after a bad cold that has been bothering me since the latter part of last week. Now, I am attempting to regain my usual rhythm, even though I am not fully there yet, but I also know that the longer I delay, the worse it will become, which is still very hard.

The lesson is that either you pay the price now with discipline or you pay later with a higher cost and regret.

You regret not having the willpower to be disciplined and focused enough to push yourself towards what you know is good for you, even when feeling lazy, while breaking the laziness barrier is a challenge that anyone can achieve but few actually succeed.

The power of consistency speaks for itself. Consistency enables us to move forward when motivation can fade, vanish, or break down over time. Being consistent is one of the less celebrated or recognised virtues in life and work.

However, with consistency, we can eventually reach our desired destination. We may not do so as quickly as a highly motivated individual, but being consistent allows us to keep going beyond the point where someone motivated might give up if the results are not exactly what they expected or immediate.

I am trying to apply consistency to everything I am doing in my life at the moment.  

• Consistently publishing blog posts from Monday to Friday, ensuring not to miss a day, even on bank holidays.

• Consistently exercising at least five days a week. Even on weekends and when feeling rough after a night out, I remain committed to my work or routine in the morning, at a greater or lesser intensity.

• I am consistent in my relationships with those around me, particularly with my mother, Julie, my daughters, Nalva, and anyone who has regular contact with me.

• Consistent in my word, promises, and integrity, not trying to be someone I am not or would not wish to be. Focused on doing the right thing for the right people with the right intensity, calmness, and clarity.

• And consistent in being kind to myself, in trying to improve to become a better person.

It seems like a lot, and it is; it is much easier to stray off course or lose your way than to stay disciplined and use consistency to maintain your course and focus.

Consistency speaks volumes; people should recognise its value more and incorporate it into their lives.

So today has been a day of exercise, a walk, a blog preparation and post, a journal entry and of course classes.

A consistent day!

Thank you.

Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Thursday, the 25th of April 2024: “Consistency, and its Power”!!! first appeared on The Long Gringo.

Today was a contradictory day for me. It was the first Friday after carnival and my first full day of classes in a week, which left me slightly confused.

On the one hand, I was eager and determined to get back to work after about a week of doing nothing; on the other hand, I looked forward to slowing down and relaxing since it was Friday. Ultimately, I spent the day working, studying, and reading. Between classes, I learned online, read my book, and updated my Trello account.

I have had a Trello account for quite some time, but I rarely use it as much as I should to plan my work. When I had the school and paid for management/IT/business consultancy, the consultant posted all our meeting minutes to a shared board.

I’m currently taking an online course that emphasises using Trello as a business tool. So, I created two new boards: one for social media and another for new business projects.

Small steps can lead to big goals. We can only achieve these goals by taking small, intentional steps. Some of these steps are planned, while others may appear unexpectedly, but they can help us stay on track and move in the right direction toward our desired goals.

The key to success is to focus, take small steps in the right direction, never slow down or stop, and never look back!

For a late lunch or early dinner, I made a healthy homemade salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, arugula, onions, and peppers, mixed with cold rice, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. It is simple, but it is perfect!

In the evening, Yasmin arrived from her mother’s, and after we talked and caught up on what had been important to her over the last couple of days, she went to her bedroom while I went to mine to read more of the book I am currently devouring. It was nearly a perfect day; despite how it seemed, it was very nice.

Productive, simple, happy, positive, healthy, and nobody died!

In bed by 10 p.m.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.

Richard

Photos by Richard George Photography

The post Small Steps Towards Big Goals | A Productive and Positive Day first appeared on The Long Gringo.

IT IS THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!!!

The journey is more important than the destination. Sometimes the destination changes, but the journey remains the same. It is what we have.

Without it, we have nothing. When we focus too much on reaching the destination, we overlook the journey, where we learn and grow.

We can carry the lessons and experiences from the journey for a lifetime. In contrast, the destination can often be a letdown or a deception because we have placed too much emphasis on it and not enough on the journey to get there.

It is the Saturday before Carnival, and street processions are already underway, with large parts of the city blocked to traffic. Rio becomes hell during Carnival: hot and sticky, with unpleasant smells of urine, stale beer and anything else you can imagine.

It is a military operation to cross from one neighbourhood to another, let alone across the city during Carnival!!! 

I was up very early, and at the end of Leme, I exercised before 5:30 in the morning. Imagine exercising so early on a Saturday morning with few people in the street; it is so good.

Where I exercise at the end of Leme, there is a circular, sunken skate rink surrounded by a half-meter-high, a meter-wide wall; the wall is a kind of elevated stand for people to sit, walk, and stand on.

This is where I work out, on top of the wall, in an elevated position where I can see everything around me, including the beach and the sea, which are only 10 metres from me. I stay on the wall nearer to the beach, whereas the dog owners stay precisely opposite me on the other side of the rink, on the wall.

The dogs play inside the rink and all around it, and often they come to visit me.

Sometimes I start with skipping and then move on to TRX exercises, or vice versa. I like to do 20 to 30 minutes of skipping and at least 45 minutes for a complete workout. I have been going there every morning for more than a year, so I have got to know the regulars.

People like me are always there for a reason. If not for the dogs, it is for exercise, yoga, fishing, or just walking every morning before the Orla starts to get full.

After the workout and checking my phone, I change my trainers to flip-flops and walk back, usually passing first by a buteo near the beach to buy mineral water and nearer home to pass by the Portuguese bakers to drink at least one coffee outside, watching the world go by; it is Saturday, there are no classes, so there is no rush.

The Portuguese bakers are not the most sophisticated in Copacabana. It’s a bit tatty and not the cleanest. The service makes the difference; the people who work there are incredibly kind and helpful, making a world of difference.

When I got home at about 11 a.m., Yasmin was up. We had arranged to play chess the night before, best of three. It wasn’t necessarily a third game; Yasmin beat me two-nil. She played very well, and I was a little distracted.

Later that afternoon, I took Yasmin back to her mother’s, where I talked with her about the possibility of living there before travelling to England. Nalva understood and was very receptive to the idea.

When I returned to Copacabana, the weather changed, and I watched some videos and films.

In bed by 8:30 p.m.

Thank you for reading and supporting my blog. Please check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Richard

The post The Value of the Journey and a Normal Saturday Morning first appeared on The Long Gringo.