It’s almost Momentum Monday and I have been doing the BeachBody.com Insanity DVD workout and diet for 1 week.

I think a “WAHOO!” is in order.

My wife and I were chatting on the way to dinner with my parents tonight about what I was going to eat. We were going to one of Cincinnati’s classic pizza joints, “Larosa’s.” Larosa’s has great food but lets get real pizza is the only reason to go to Larosa’s.

I had a dilemma, “pizza or a grilled chicken hoagie,” I asked my wife.  She said; “Today is your cheat day, right.” I had an out, even though I chose for Saturday to be my cheat day, I had decided to eat healthy on Saturday any way and my wife was giving me an out to cheat on Sunday. Let’s get honest, “I HAVE BEEN FAT FOR TOO LONG!!”,

I DON”T need a cheat day, and oh, by the way, I am not sure there is even such a thing listed for this workout and diet plan.

I hope to inspire you to amp it up in the pursuit of some goal you are chasing.

Jim Quinn a mentor from my past always said, “99% commitment is a bitch, 100% commitment is a cinch!”

The “Insanity” workout plan I have committed to is over a 9 week period but I am realizing it is really just one day, one hour and one choice at a time.

I choose thin and healthy!

I choose thin and healthy again!

I choose thin and healthy again and again!

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Over the weekend I attended a seminar (Life Success Seminars).  One of the insights I took from the seminar is it is real easy to brag about our faults and forget about our successes.

The word “brag” generally carries a negative connotation which leads many us to avoid sharing our successes.  I believe this social norm has contributed to us focusing on our negative qualities and forgetting our strengths and successes.   Almost all success strategies revolve around the idea our reality is directly related to our thoughts and feelings.  Since society does not accept bragging we need to find new ways to acknowledge our successes.

Many of you have probably heard the term “Bragging Rights” which is interesting in its own right.  “Bragging Rights” connotes deserving or righteousness which is probably what rubs people wrong about bragging in the first place.

With all this negative spin regarding bragging I still think people need to share their light, share their successes.

I suggest “Bragging Right” versus “Bragging Rights.”

So how can you brag right?

• Actions speak louder than words you can start by getting engaged in your work and your relationships.  Engagement lends itself to “showing off” your gifts and accomplishments.

• Another technique is showing interest in others.  By asking others about their successes it naturally leads to reciprocal interest.  The most interesting person is the interested person.

• Sharing your knowledge is another way to show off your skills.  You don’t even need to point out your expertise it becomes evident while you are sharing your wisdom.
• Being bold and tooting your own horn occasionally is always an option as well as long as it is balanced with  a sincere interest in others.

So tell me about 5 Things that you are proud of in your life in the comments area of this post?  Don’t pass up this opportunity to Brag Right.  It’s not bragging since I asked.  It is just sharing.

Image Credit: Sebnem Imece

Howdy all, in case you didn’t know it my life changed 16 months ago when my daughter was born.  I would like to write longer and more researched blog posts but I have to fit them in during unpredictable length naps, my creativity seizes up with the pressure of hoping I can finish before Ella wakes.

Since I still have the desire to share and connect you will, you will have to live with what sh*t I fling at the wall hoping something sticks.

Since I am stressing about putting something formal and “cute” together for you I decided just to share 10 Any-Things with you today.

1. Have you ever considered hiring a personal coach? I recently hired one, imagine that a former personal coach, hiring a coach.  I highly recommend Darla LeDoux of Doux Coaching. No one questions an Olympic athlete having a coach to be the best in their sport, wouldn’t be nice if everyone could have access to a personal coach to be successful at life.
2. Read Seth Godin if you want to know about how to be successful in the new economy.  I read his blog like the bible.  I have a free copy of his latest book Linchpin for the first person who requests it by posting a comment on this blog post.  (I will make arrangements to get it to you via email)
3. Having feelings is not a bad thing it just might be something I forgot how to do.
4. Another outbound link.  I absolutely love the GapingVoid Cartoons. Feel free to purchase me a print if you are looking for gift ideas for your favorite blogger.
5. A 16 month old toddler is a lot more fun than a 6 week old baby.
6. Have the courage to do something average until you get better at it or fling sh*t.
7. Be careful blogging on a low laptop battery, you might lose your inspiration.
8. Buy a good daily devotional book and read it at dinner with your family, sharing a devotional is more powerful than just internalizing it.  I recommend Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (for those who follow Jesus or considering it). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence – Amazon Affiliate Link
9. The long way offers the best lessons and shortcuts are often like empty calories.
10. Top ten list are the easiest way to write a blog post outside of Top 5 lists.

Share your 10 Any-Things in the comment’s area.

I attend one of those “Megachurches,” …..The Cincinnati Vineyard Community Church. Besides their mission “To Love the people of Cincinnati into a relationship with God,” the Vineyard strives to be a relevant source for people to develop their faith.

I had an inkling todays message would tie into Super Bowl Sunday.  I was right today’s message “Get in the Game” was woven with numerous sports themes.  Although their message was about volunteering at the church, the message I received was to “Get In the Game” of sharing what touches me with you, the readers of Expert in the Rough.

I consider myself a bit of an Internet enthusiast and I have set some high standards of protocol.  I never want to be perceived as a spa^mmer or novice who passes around chain letters or be the hundredth person to forward you the latest YouTube sensation….hence I might be seen as a sensationalist.

I figure you have probably already seen it.

During today’s message the pastor shared a video of Jason McElwain, you might not recognize the name but the story might ring a bell.  Jason McElwain better known as “J-Mac” to his classmates and teachers is famous for scoring six 3 point baskets in final minutes of his final and only high school basketball game.  Even if you are unfamiliar with basketball this might not sound like much of an accomplishment but for Jason, who was diagnosed with autism as a child this was almost a miracle.

As I watch the video in church today I thought I should share this on my blog, the message I was hearing was “Brian you really don’t share any inspiring stories about others on your blog, this would be a good one to start with.”  God gives me different messages from time to time and this one is not necessarily earth shattering but what the heck.

I hope you enjoy this video about Jason McElwain.

What touched me about the video were two things:

• Jason broke free of his limitations and it led him to places no one could foresee.
• Small acts by a person in a leadership position can change the world.

Join the conversation.  If you are reading this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, Email or other RSS location click over to http://www.expertintherough.com and leave your thoughts in the comments area of each post.

Expert in the Rough is 4 posts away from 100 blog posts.  If it were a TV show it would be time for syndication or “Jumping the Shark.”

Whenever I find myself with writers block or “judgmental blog post syndrome” I remind myself to just write about something simple and true.

What can be more true than just sharing an experience, opinion or observation?

I will save you an exhaustive list but here is what comes to mind tonight.

• Raising a baby does get easier (don’t tell me about how it gets worse, I need hope right now).
• Men and Women and more specifically me and my wife don’t even come close to thinking or feeling or experiencing the world in the same fashion (how did I miss this for 38 years).
• What doesn’t kill me can make me stronger (see the last two bullets).
• I am so vain, I probably think this blog is about me. (Everyday I work to consider others first and everyday I forget and everyday I get back on that horse)
• I can complete a project asynchronously or in small chunks.
• Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto (asking for help and relying on others is new for me)
• It is OK to take a year or more to achieve a goal (I am on Toastmasters speech 7 of 10 after 18 months) and I am better for it.
• I would rather do it sloppy than do nothing. (Not something most people would admit)
• Learn to say NO 10 times as much as I say YES.  (It leaves room for the big fish opportunities)
• If it does not feel good it probably is not good
• Arrogance is a sly fellow and he finds his way into my life more than I prefer
• Been there done that is a nice place to be.
• Celebrate my friends they are precious.
• Listen for God’s calling and answer it when he calls. (Makes life simple)
• Encouragement may just be the missing link to success in all relationships.  (You are doing great if you are still reading).
• I am jealous of Lady Gaga – what a cool name.  Gaga in the Rough?

I hope you have learned something for yourself in 2009.

If you care to share, post it in the comments section.

Blogging is an interesting recipe.  One part inspiration, one part obligation, one part guilt and a whole lot more work than you could ever imagine.

The thing I like most about blogging is following an inspiration.  The part I hate is following inspiration and not being able to fully cook my inspiration.  The results of my half baked inspirations lay dormant in my Wordpress and Google Docs as drafts or unfinished inspirations.

Over the weekend I was inspired to share these half baked ideas as cliff notes if you will, a title and a 2-3 sentence explanations of what the blog post was supposed to be about.  I hope you enjoy these.

I am going to call it Inspirational Spring Cleaning.

Last Will and Testament

Blog posts are the new cave drawings.  Blog about your ideas, your wishes for the world and someday you just might get quoted.

The Aladdin Factor

One of my favorite books of all time, ask for what you want and people often will give it to you.  So easy, so simple.  My request, read my blog, make comments on my blog, share it with friends.

Get Out of Your Element

This one of my favorites, that comfy life you have been living might just be holding you back from new ideas and new opportunities.  Carpe Diem my friends, stand on your desk and smell the sunflowers.

The Things I Learned Last Week

This was going to be a recurring blog post, something simple like everything I needed I learned in Kindergarten kind of cheesy.  I believe you can drastically improve the quality of your life by taking a few minutes weekly to reflect on your lessons learned.

Follow the Energy

It has been said the only thing more contagious than enthusiasm is lack of enthusiasm.  I recommend you find someone who inspires you and ride their coat tails.

Just Show Up

This is the little brother of the Aladdin Factor.  In all of my years… my desk and couch are the least lucky places.  Opportunity is directly proportional to the amount of time you place yourself engaging people.

Cash for Clunkers

I think this is a fun concept.  Wouldn’t be great if we could trade in negative co-workers, bad habits and other undesirables for cash.  What would you trade in for cash?

Door Prize

I don’t know where I was headed with this one, but if you are still reading and make a comment on my blog I will send you a book from my extensive business and self help library.  In fact tell me what book you want (ala Aladdin Factor) and If I have it is yours.  Otherwise I will recommend the closest book I have to your topic.  Limit 20 people.  A guess that sounds like a Door Prize.

John Denver and 4 Non Blondes

This was my tribute post about how John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” and 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” still impact my life.  Both songs reference a certain age 27 and 25 respectively.  The also reference a great big hill, for whatever that means.  But you realize quickly as I knew you would this is a half baked idea and I am still trying to get up that great big hill of hope.  The truth John and 4 Non were reflecting on life just like I am today 38 years old with a new baby in my life and I must say my perspective has changed.

The Power of Being Real

I might have actually touched on this topic in one of my blog posts.  The act of me sharing these “blog post rejects” is an example of being real.  Who gives an “F” what everyone else thinks.  How many years are you going to live someone else’s life.

The Mirror of Life

Your life is a direct reflection of the thoughts and feelings you have on the inside.  Think of it like a report or an account of your innermost desires and beliefs.  Have you taken the time to look in the mirror or do you prefer to live in the dark?

Blind Faith Strategy

A asteroid or a nuke could end it all today, so aren’t we pretty much always living with Blind Faith.  Life is short so why all of the calculated risks?

100 Ridiculous Things to Do in a Lifetime

This would probably be better titled.  100 stupid things I did in college.  FYI this list does not include urinating off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge just after the start of the New York City Marathon in 1997 but finishing the marathon might qualify if you get my drift.

Tell me about something ridiculous you would like to do in this lifetime.

The Truth about Starting from Scratch

Unless you are headed back to your momma’s womb there is no such thing.  Quit your pity party and take an account of what positive resources you have in your life.  If you’re breathing that is number 1 on your list.

The Quest for Imperfection

Live and learn, live and let die, if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your with.  Perfection is the booby prize in life.

Does Your Monkey Have a Name

We all have something that is holding us back in life.  Maybe if you name it you might be able to deal with it.  That way you can tell that Monkey to get off your back.

Blogs and Babies Need Lots of Love and Attention

Note:  Babies need more attention, I am short sighted to mention them in the same sentence

We is More Selfish than I, Let me Tell you Why

Don’t know where I was headed with this one but sounds like an interesting blog post.

Limit, Restrict and Condense

Twitter is so popular because we are all immersed and inundated with too much information.  WE are now in what I call “The Over Information Age.”  Your greatest opportunity for success is providing products or information in condensed format as we enter this age.

Make a Big Splash, Go For the High Dive

Physics – More speed, mass and velocity equal more displaced water.  Why are you limiting yourself to the 3′ board when you can go for the “High Dive”

Risk

Take One!

Who are You, Am I Talking to a Wall

This must be my bloggers Pity Party Post, nobody reads my blog, I must be a bad blogger.  Sorry for those who do read, you are not nobody.  Even inspirational bloggers have bad days.

Track Your Life, Innocent Moments of Big Impact

Like the day you met your best friend, the day you met your wife.  I like to contemplate if certain life acquaintances or circumstances disappeared how different my life might be.

I still think the day I was going to look at an apartment and the landlord did not show up and I found another apartment down the street and eventually my “wife to be” moved in across the street and kind of changed my life.  I know that sentence has a lot of “ands” and yes that is how you know something was a big impact in your life because “and something else” happened.

Go First and Change the World

The world has enough followers, Earth needs more leaders!

The Great Pumpkin Post

I love pumpkins and I love pumpkin pie.  I also love the “Peanuts” Halloween special “The Great Pumpkin.”  I think a lot of people have excuses about their life that are more in line with being “Great Pumpkins” than being real.  Is there any excuses you need to let go of to start living your “Great Life!”

I feel much better now, I hope you do too.

I can now move on to some fresh topics and new inspirations.  Thanks for reading!

Twitter has changed the world with a simple little question “What are you doing?” I know you haven’t asked but I figured since you are still reading you just might be interested in all of the “balls I have in the air.”  I won’t be limiting myself to the Twitter standard 140 characters, instead think of this post as a Twitter Novel.  A short story updating you about your favorite Expert in the Rough.

I started the Expert in the Rough blog initially with the idea of sharing the wisdom I had learned reading all the experts, but with my spin.  I then thought personal branding just might be the blogs focus, but I have settled into the idea that Expert in the Rough is just my personal inspirational blog.

• A place for me to test the waters
• a place to practice writing
• a place to find discipline
• a place to let the voice inside out,
• a place for you to find ideas and inspiration (I try to convince myself it’s for you) blogging can feel so damn narcissistic sometimes.

I don’t think it’s an accident that last year my creative juices came alive, I believe the spirit of my little girl Ella, cooking in the womb might have stirred up something inside of  me.  If you take a look back I was on par to hit a 100 posts late last year, I was on fire, but I am barely over 80 almost a year later.   I was silly to think that I could possibly continue my blogging with a baby on the way.  For the record, YES I was high on blogging and I had no idea that a newborn was like Kryptonite for blogging.

I hung up my blogs so to speak, and accepted the fact that I had a higher calling but the voice inside started to yell,  “YOU GOTTA BLOG.” The truth is my hard work leading up to the birth of my baby has served me well.  Even with 6 plus months of limited time to blog, my momentum is still strong.  YES, life is settling in and I have found some slivers of time to let my voice out so to speak.

Over the last few months, I have come to terms with my new life.  I have decided Expert in the Rough is going to be a blog about whatever I want to write about, whenever I want to write it and YOU WILL LIKE IT!!!  I have learned blogging is more broadcast and less conversation.  However, my goal is the latter.   I was reading a book this past week and it said, the only way to be successful writing is to write from the heart.  So here it is.  From the heart.

So, what in the world am I up to?

• Raising my beautiful daughter Ella
• Learning what it means to be a family man
• Holding on to my arrogant belief that I can beat the down economy, a good application of arrogance by the way
• Writing from the heart at Expert in the Rough
• Letting my worlds collide; work, play, and passion I no longer separate, I am Brian Monahan no matter the circumstance
• Meeting Point Cincinnati, my Social Media Experiment to provide a venue for the Cincinnati Meeting and Event Industry to Collaborate
• Do You PK? Pecha Kucha Night Cincinnati – a project I am collaborating on with other Cincinnati area visionaries bringing Cincinnati a new medium for presenting
• InnerWorks, LLC a collaborative business with family and friends, created so we all could share our unique experiences helping others to live their dreams.
• Prestige AV & Creative Services, my employer who graciously allows me to live out my dreams and mix and match my passions with my career, and provide for my family
• Taking it day by day, lowering my expectations for the short term, having faith in putting one foot in front of the other.  Post by Post, Word by Word
• Checking off speech after speech at Toastmasters, on the road to the speaking career I have always dreamed about
• Expert in the Rough – you’re here, I think you probably get it by now

I thought this might clear up “What am I doing?”

The story of the day is Americans are staying home to celebrate Independence Day due to the economic conditions.

Vacations, fireworks shows and celebrations have been canceled or scaled back.  For some this may be discouraging but I find it refreshing.

Americans have been spending money they do not have for a long time and a dose of responsibility is what this nation needs to rebound.

In my sheltered world do we really have it that bad?  Many of us may not be able to spend money we do not have this Independence Day but we will have the opportunity to enjoyit  in the fashion we decide.  We are free to do as we choose.  Yes the government interferes with our money and commerce but the big picture is we don’t live in Iran or North Korea. If you really don’t like it here you might want to check out the other options available.

When we are unhappy about something our government does not shutdown Twitter or prevent us from communicating our opinion.  We are free to have our own opinion and share it.

In the United States our biggest worry is how will I maximize my life in a system that is for the most part free.

Here is my top ten list for what it means to be American.

1. I am not a victim, I live bold and free
2. I love America and do not bash it but serve it
3. Serve others (even those without obvious needs) (we all have needs)
4. I am thankful for those who have sacrificed for me.
5. I support our troops and their welfare.
6. Our President is American not Democrat or Republican.
7. If you don’t like something do something about it
8. Responsible – I am repsonsible for my own lot in life, period.  Nobody is going to bail me out.  Not even Obama.
9. Freedom is in our spirit, not our laws.
10. I have an opinion and I share it without fear of government.

Thankfully, I have no worries about being killed or jailed today for sharing my opinion.  I live in the United States of America.

What does it mean for you to be free?  Seriously!