Don Kowalewski
Writer. Ad Sales and Marketing. Social Media Content Creator. Aeropress Coffee. Makes the best salsa in the world.
Things I’m Doing: Using Evernote
So I follow this cat named Damien on Twitter and he’s a writer (writes alotta right-wing stuff, which isn’t my cuppa tea, but that’s not really the point of this blog). He writes alot and one day he opined about how much he loves Evernote. He’s not alone in my Twitter feed in his praise for Evernote. But I wasn’t sure, the few times I’ve tried it, how to make it work.
I asked him, he gave me some tips, and in two short weeks, I’ve managed to funnel just about every thought, article, task, list, schedule, and picture into I can think of. It’s on my iPad, my laptop, my iPhone, my computer at work, and if I could install it on my watch, I probably would.
I use it like my own personal Pinterest, but it’s better, actually.
If you’re a writer, or a multi-tasker, or you’re trying to balance home life, work life, hobbies, and other random activities, this is your app.
I fell in love when I got the idea to file the PDFs of my son’s and my daughter’s soccer schedules into it. See, storing a PDF, say, on my laptop is a good thing. It allows me to eliminate another email from my Inbox. But what if I’m sitting in a doctors waiting room and someone asks, “can you come for a follow up on such-and-such date?” And I say, hmmm, maybe, I’ll have to check because I think I have a soccer game that day. Well, with Evernote, I know that no matter what device I have with me, I can check.
I also have a book project I’m working on and my client shared a large document with me and I’ve been able to migrate material, research papers, etc all to a Notebook created specifically for this book.
For my job, I need to track leads, ideas, and sometimes record some audio …Evernote does it all.
Have I sold you on Evernote? Probably not. But if you meet me for a cuppa coffee someday, I’ll probably bore you to death telling you about how great this app is for staying organized across the many categories of your life.
I’ve even copy/pasted some Tweets to Evernote. Yes, I Tweet. I’m known as @donkowalewski on Twitter.
Things I Love: Powerball and Survivor – I Can Win One of Them
Is it the anticipation? Is it simply the fantasy? Tonight the Powerball drawing will award some lucky guy $400,000,000. I hope it’s me.
Also tonight, the new season of Survivor starts on CBS, and after all these years and all these seasons, I still watch it religiously. But I’ve gotten to the point, I watch it almost as a college class or instructional video, because I’m still convinced (as is my wife) that someday we’re going on this show and we know exactly what it’ll take to win.
The good news is, my Survivor dream is still intact. The bad news is, I don’t think I can win the lottery. It’s because of my “electricity theory.” My wife was recently talking to a friend of ours and it turns out he knows somebody who won a rather large lottery jackpot. So, with my “electricity theory”, I can never win the lottery. Why? Well, simple. It’s one thing for a person to know another person who won the lottery. But what are the odds any single, random person would know TWO people who win the lottery?
It can’t happen. It never happens. Twin brothers don’t win the lottery three years apart. A son and his mother don’t win the lottery at different times in different states. It doesn’t happen. It’s awful when it comes to the lottery, that you can write it off as something that “will never happen to you”, but it’s good when it comes to plane crashes. If you know somebody who knows somebody who was in a plane crash, you’re pretty safe. The theory being, your friend isn’t likely to know two people involved in plane crashes on two separate occasions.
Which brings me to Survivor. I know two people who’ve been on The Amazing Race (my other favorite show). But so far, I don’t know anyone who’s been on Survivor. And I don’t know anyone who knows anyone who’s been on Survivor.
So I’m saying there’s a chance.
Oh, and speaking of #Survivor …if you like recaps of shows you’ve watched with your own eyes, I do that sorta thing. I’ll be recapping #Survivor over at spunkybean.com all season. At least that’s my plan.
And I’ll Tweet about @Survivor_Tweet using my @spunkybean or @donkowalewski Twitter handles. Heck, I might even use both. Check me out. I’m all about social media.
Things I Think: We’re Looking for the Smooth Section
First, stop giggling.
Now, let’s talk about my street. It’s an old neighborhood and the streets are showing some cracks after years of snow, ice, salt, and snow plows coming through and tearing things up. I think my home’s value would increase significantly if the township would repave the entire neighborhood. Won’t happen; but it would make the entire neighborhood look better.
The township, instead, does spot-repairs. They fill in the holes with a shovel and some asphalt. Then, occasionally, they’ll realize when the damage is too great, and they’ll re-surface an entire 40- or 70- foot section. And when they do, it’s amazing. My kids have been obsessed with taking their bikes and their razor scooters down to the “smooth part” and just going in circles.
I can’t lie …it’s nice. It’s why I wish they’d resurface the entire neighborhood and rebuild all the curbs.
Anyway, I watched my kids race down to the “smooth part” and realized that’s what we’re all seeking …smooth sailing. We all want a smooth operation and wish we were smooth operators. We don’t like bumps in the road.
But just like my street, some things are out of my control. It’s not always smooth sailing and there isn’t always a smooth part – but when we find it, enjoy it. We should all be so lucky to recognize when things are running smoothly, and hold onto that moment for as long as we can. Go in circles while we’re there. Because, eventually, Mom is going to call you to dinner and you’re going to be back on the rough and bumpy parts of the road, but hopefully the thrill will keep you going. If you keep scooting and working, you’ll get another shot at the smooth part.
I can’t complain. My life’s been pretty smooth. And when things get bumpy and rough, most times it was because I chose that route. But I really want to get back to the smooth part.
I can get there. I just gotta eat dinner, do my homework, and then push my scooter back to where I want it.
Meet me at the smooth part.
I Tweet stuff at @donkowalewski, if you wanna see. Follow me and I’ll follow you.
Things I Did: Bought a Book Entitled “Achieve Anything in Just One Year”
I bought this book called Achieve Anything in Just One Year: Be Inspired to Live Your Dreams and Accomplish Your Goals by Jason Harvey. I didn’t know what to expect. It’s a very different approach, and I like it.
Essentially, you brainstorm a bunch of goals, like “write a book” or “run a marathon” or “learn guitar” or “launch a business” and then he gives you daily tasks with the idea that, if you do the one thing he asks you to do every day, you’ll achieve the thing you want to do.
I’m on Day 5. It’s not easy, but I’m looking forward to where he pushes me, the reader.
Good book and I’d recommend you buy it. Kinda tough to check-out of the library because you’ll need it for 365 days. My library only lets me keep things for a few weeks.
I’ll probably tell you about what I’m doing every day on Twitter if you want to follow-along @donkowalewski.
Things I Did: Signed a Ghost-Writing Client
I once wrote a short diet book, but the author never used it.
I’ve written articles about talking to people in the afterlife, on mobile phone usage in third world nations, and “green living” in Manhattan.
This “ghost-writing” thing is something I stumbled upon and I love it. If you have a blog and need entries, if you’d like to write something for a magazine and your article needs a little spit shine, or if you have an idea for a book but are intimidated by the process of writing it, organizing it, and getting the story out of your brain and onto paper …call me.
Last week I talked to a gentleman with an amazing, heartbreaking, and incomprehensible story that he felt needed to be told. He’d hammered out various details and long sections, but wasn’t sure what to do with it. I know exactly what he should do. He agreed with my concept and story structure, and yesterday he hired me to write it for him.
I hope someday I’ll be able to brag about this project and tell you the title and plot, but sometimes ghost writers just can’t tell anyone what’s up. But I’ll say this …if I can capture his voice, pain, and the turmoil involved, this will be an amazing book. I’m thrilled to be a part of something like this.
Now, if you need me at any time during the next 120-days, I’ll be at my writing desk toiling away. And occasionally I’ll be on Twitter procrastinating at @donkowalewski.
Things I Wonder: Am I Among the Top 1%?
Am I among the very elite at any particular thing? Are you? Aren’t we all trying to be elite at something? Or is it enough for most of us to be very good? Is it ‘OK’ to be ‘OK’.
As I’ve reflected recently, I’ll never be the best point guard in the NBA. I’ll never be the fastest man alive. I’ll never be considered the world’s foremost authority on wine.
So why bother?
Seth Godin keeps pointing out, over and over again, that the world has changed and you can create your own tribe. So, maybe I’m not the most brilliant mind in writing, social media, or marketing. But I’ve begun forming a tribe and in this tribe, I’m very close to being #1. I’m not the worlds greatest husband or father, I can assure you, but in the world where people call me “husband” and “dad”, I’m aiming to stay on top of the rankings (currently ranked #1).
The point is, while there might be an elite 1% in any given discipline, endeavor, profession, or field, not everyone needs the top guy. There’s an entire world filled with the 99% of the rest of us who should find each other and “wow” each other.
And if you do things with an eye on greatness, never sacrificing quality, never missing deadlines, and always following through, who’s to say you’re not “elite”?
Start being an elitist. Start acting like you’re the very best as what you do. Keep doing it and, chances are, you just might be.
What do you do at an elite level? I think I’m among the best at Tweeting about what I’m eating and what I’m doing at random times. Seriously, follow me @donkowalewski and you’ll see …nobody is a bigger expert on myself than I am.
Things I Love: Other Bloggers
It’s week three of my #ShareSunday experiment. I had to pick a new #hashtag because #SS is already pretty popular on Twitter, and since I can’t figure out what #SS means (though I’ve concluded it’s not Nazi related, which is a relief), I’ll just write shorter Tweets and go with #ShareSunday.
#ShareSunday is where I applaud other blogs I read, hoping you’ll take a look, and be inspired by them, too. Usually it’s three blogs, but this week, I’m only talking about two.
Jeff Goins: Writer (you might have to try this URL: http://goinswriter.com/clutter/)
I’ve heard it said dozens of times, but if you want to be a writer, you have to read. First, read the type of books like you want to write and second, read about other writers. Luckily for the modern writer, most authors have their own blogs where they “brain spill”. That’s what I call what is written between projects and books. Think of a writer like an Olympic athlete. We see them swimming and sprinting every four years. In between those times, we don’t think about them. But trust me, they’re out there, liftings weights, running, waking up early, skipping sweets and candy, hoping to stay in perfect shape for another shot at medaling or being invited to the next Olympics. Writers are like that. In between critically acclaimed best-sellers, they’re up early writing, jotting down ideas, and hoping to get back onto a best-seller list again.
Well, reading Jeff Goin’s blog is like having a training partner. He’s an accomplished writer, and I’m not really his peer, but his blog doesn’t make him sound like he’s dictating his next book to a paige he hired to record and transcribe his every word while he sails around the world. He’s slugging it out, writing daily, little by little, and sharing his advice as he discovers it.
Earlier this week, I wrote something for my wife on her 40th birthday, but I almost didn’t …until I read what Jeff Goins said. He said, “learn to write for yourself.” I’ve always kinda felt this way, but assumed it was a completely self-defeating way to write. It’s like saying, hey, I’m going to write about myself and when I don’t sell any books and nobody reads my blog, I’ll blame the lack of readers on the fact they don’t ‘get’ me.”
Message received, Jeff. Now, I’m not going to start blogging about how long my shower was this morning (3 minutes 14 seconds, by the way), but I’ll write what I think is important, interesting, or funny and see if readers like me for me.
Here I Go With All My Thoughts by Megan
Every blog starts somewhere. Every writing life starts with the discipline of writing, which involves learning to observe life, notice things others maybe don’t realize they’re noticing, and learning to express yourself in an unguarded way. Megan started her blog, I wanna say, 2 or 3 years ago inspired by the passing of a dear friend, and she wrote it like therapy (that’s how I saw it) and it’s grown into so much more. Part journal, part creative writing, part motivation …what it’s grown into is a story of a Millenial in her early 20s navigating life. I think everyone wants to write a blog and immediately have 1,000 readers and be asked to be on a radio show to talk about the book she’s releasing, but it doesn’t happen that way. Instead, it starts with hard work and being there nearly every day with something to say. She writes from the heart. Her struggles, challenges, and triumphs are familiar, I think, to almost everyone. Megan doesn’t hide from the bad and sad moments, doesn’t sugar coat her feelings, and is proud of her faith and her friends. Reading it reminds me that blogging and writing must be done in your voice.
As a blogger, I like to read other blogs. Big, small, funny, deep, meaningful, and some with pictures of cups of coffee. I hope you’ll add these to your blog roll and read them from time to time.
I sometimes Tweet some other blogs, so if you want to know more blogs I’m reading on a daily basis, follow @donkowalewski.
Things I Love: Great Coffee
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting at a coffee shop run by the biggest coffee brand in the world (which I won’t mention by name) and thinking, “is this really the best coffee can taste? Burnt and acidic?” And with that question and caffeine coursing through my body, I vowed to figure out a better way to enjoy coffee.
*** Hey, you can brag about your life-changing moments, I’ll brag about mine.
I’d had some scattered “good coffee moments” in my life, like after a good meal at an expensive restaurant, and once while visiting a friend somewhere and he made us coffee in a French Press. I felt great shame for spending more than $2 on a cup of coffee at this big chain, and it wasn’t even good. Basically, I was paying $2 for convenience, and it wasn’t actually convenient. I regularly waited in line for the same amount of time it would take to brew an entire pot at home.
I won’t chronicle my entire coffee journey, here, but I soon discovered the Aeropress and that I actually think an Americano (hot water poured over a strong espresso) is far superior to any other cuppa joe, and I learned about Chazzano in Ferndale, run by a man who turned his passion into his livelihood, and in the process roasts the best beans anywhere in Detroit. Period. And no matter what type of coffee you like or your brewing method, he’ll make sure your tastebuds sing.
Sad as it may seem, part of my looking forward to a three day weekend is so that I can slow down and enjoy good coffee every morning. Slowly. Without rushing around getting ready for work and staying out of the way while my wife and kids scramble to get out the door and to school on time.
Some drink coffee for utility. To keep going. I actually enjoy it better when it makes me slow down. I hope you take a few moments this Labor Day weekend to slow down. Maybe enjoy a great cup of coffee. I’ll Tweet about my coffee all weekend, if that sounds interesting to you. I’m at @donkowalewski.
Speaking of Frank at Chazzano, you gotta watch this. Then, pay attention to his weekend hours (Friday, August 30: 7am-4pm; Sunday, September 1: 9am-6pm; Monday, Labor Day, September 2: 10am-3pm) and make your way over there this weekend.
Things I Do: Coach Soccer
The soccer season is back. Am I talking about Barclay’s Premier League, which started last Saturday morning and brought with it 9 hours of glorious futbol on various NBC channels? Yes. That’s part of it. But the next part is even better …my daughter’s team had their first practice, last night, and I’m an assistant coach.
Some people reluctantly raise a hand to coach when their kids are little, especially when the sport is soccer. Soccer has a bigger following now compared to when I was younger and nobody’s father knew a thing about the sport, but it’s still a sport unknown to most men my age. Men who are fathers themselves. It’s never a problem finding a former basketball, football, or baseball player to coach a youth team. And most of the dads helping out likely played those sports a little bit, themselves. That’s not the case with soccer.
Except with me. I’m that guy. I played two sports as a kid. Basketball and soccer. Genetically, however, I was never destined to be a basketball player. Nowadays, I might have struggled with soccer, too. But in the late 80s and early 90s, soccer was a great sport for a kid standing 5’4″ and weighing in under 150 pounds.
I never thought I’d enjoy anything more than playing soccer, but I think I’ve found it – coaching soccer. Maybe I like coaching, or maybe I’m just really lucky that for the past 5 years I’ve watched little pee-wee girls go from playing soccer because their parents forced them to play something, to seeing this same group thrive, develop a competitive streak, and love soccer. They listen. They improve. They don’t like when they lose. When you’re a coach, regardless of the sport, those are the intangibles that make the long non-paid hours worth it.
It’s one thing to love something, like soccer. But it’s another thing to help other people see what an amazing game it is. Like with parenting …manners and academics are important, and when my kids show me it’s important to them, it warms my heart. And for me, it’s that way with social media, if I can make an aside. So many people tell me social media is a waste of time. I love when I can show them otherwise and if you use it the right way, it can be highly rewarding, engaging, and informative.
That’s how I’ve come to feel about soccer and the kids I coach. If somehow my enthusiasm became contagious, and it’s part of the reason this big group of girls love soccer, too … that’s what it’s all about.
I hope you got a real “kick” out of this blog entry. That was a pun, right? I sometimes write puns on Twitter and you can follow me @donkowalewski.
I know there’s no such things as Daddy or Dad Blogs, but this is what they’d sound like if there were some. And they’d sound like this Huffington Post article from @stevewiens. Hilarious.
Things I Love: My Wife and Her Birthday
Yes, I’m going to do it. I wasn’t going to write a blog entry about my wife, but then I read Jeff Goins‘s blog post Three Ways to Write for Yourself, and I changed my mind.
It’s not like a thousand people read this every day. And even if they did, I would write this anyway.
My wife turned 40 today. I’ve known her for 25 of those years, I’ve been in love with her for 22 of those years, been with her for 21 of those years, and I’ve been married to her for 16 1/2 of those years.
Is it “true love”? It must be. I know for me it is. For so many reasons, I can’t imagine loving her more than I do, and I’ll never figure out why she loves me. She’s amazing. She’s committed and consistent and fair and strong and honest (truly, she never lies, ever) and funny and way smart and works hard and is a great mother and an amazing daughter and though sometimes quick with a temper, who can blame her? I do that to people. Yet, she never waivers. She loves me despite the fact I’m not always consistent or fair or honest or smart and I slip up from time to time.
Because she loves me, even despite six months ago doing the craziest thing I’ve ever done, and because she’s so great, I just have to accept the fact she sees a greatness in me I don’t even see in myself.
And isn’t that the best definition of love? I mean, with her, what I love about her is obvious. I’m not trying to put a spit shine on anything. For me, I always feel like a work in progress, and she’s making sure I get wherever I’m going. She makes me a better person.
I turned forty last month, and now she’s “joined the club” as everyone pointed out on Facebook. For me, it was lonely and gave me a bit of anxiety. Seeing her gracefully and beautifully flow into her fifth decade, totally on top of her game and comfortable in her skin, inspires me.
I wish there was a gift that could capture how happy I hope this birthday is, and how much happier I hope all her next birthdays will be. She’ll have to settle for a rolling cooler and an exercise-activity-sleep monitor as gifts representing my love for her (and 3 losing lottery tickets …dang!).
So, happy birthday to the best gift I was ever given. I hope someday to be your greatest gift.
I’ve never Tweeted about my wife. Not sure why. Seriously. Don’t believe me. Follow me at @donkowalewski.
Don Kowalewski 