10 Goal and Dream Setting And Achievement Tips

We all have things we want in life. When you make it a goal or mission to achieve such marks, it's more worthwhile and rewarding.

Dreaming is easy, goal setting is not or more people would do it. Here are some tips for setting goals.

1. Make them big, but realistic.

It's always good to dream big. However, know your limitations and build your way up. Think like a worker moving up the corporate ladder, or an athlete climbing from amateur to professional level competition.

2. Break goals into small, simple tasks, or sub-goals.

This goes back to the parable about eating the elephant. When you divide a goal into steps on how you will reach it,  you are more likely to achieve it.

3. Write down your goals and post them where they are regularly visible to you. 

Self-accountability comes into play here. You see these goals everyday and you measure and evaluate how close you are to achieving them. Posting them on the bathroom mirror, bedroom wall, and/or refrigerator are all good.

4. Separate short-term and long-term

Obviously being a millionaire or retiring is long term. Losing weight or getting a better job is more short term. Doing this helps to gauge your focus and direction.

5. Seek inspiration and motivation from role models.

These can include your parents, teachers, employers, clergy, and even celebrities. Also, if someone is more successful than you, find out how they reached these lengths. Many of them are actually more than helpful. You want to see where someone succeeded and failed, why and how, and learn from them.

6. Have a strong support system

I've written before about building a strong network. This is very important when achieving goals and benchmarks. Having a cheering section goes a long way. They can help you in the good and bad times, and they understand what you're ultimately trying to achieve.

7. Celebrate major milestones

When you've achieved part or all of a goal, celebrate. Go out with friends and family. Buy that new phone or golf clubs. You have earned these rewards.

8. Break tasks down to one/day to make the big picture easier to see.

If you're doing one thing per day to be closer to completion, it will add up and make progress. Most of us can deal with a small goal each day. Try this and then build on to each one to achieve your ultimate dreams.

9. Stay focused, and beware of the naysayers

There are times where you can get discouraged or bored. Don't lose your focus or your vision. Naysayers and such that do not understand your vision may hurl negative remarks and doubt your way. This should motivate you to keep pushing, for the simple fact that they don't think you can do it.

10. Never give up

Dreams may be altered and even deferred as life happens. However, don't ever give up or give in. There's always a way, just keep digging deeper.

Follow these steps, and you too can be closer to achieving excellence and success

Miguel Cabrera v Chris Davis: Who's Gonna Get The Triple Crown?

Miguel Cabrera, 3rd baseman for the Detroit Tigers, has been quietly dominating the AL and the MLB for seasons now. He's as good of a hitter as you can find, and he also has a strong glove for first base.  He is the defending triple crown champion in Major League Baseball (runs, homeruns, and RBIs). Ole Miggy is in strong contention for a repeat.

However, he is having stiff competition from Chris Davis, first baseman, of the Baltimore Orioles.

Davis had his ups and downs early in his career as part of the Texas Rangers. However, this year, he's having a dream season. Going into the All-Star Break, he led the MLB in homers with 37, and is neck and neck with Cabrera in runs, RBIs and other miscellaneous stats. His slugging and on base percentage is also ridiculous. He was a unaminous choice for both the All-Star Game and Homerun Derby. Also, he is motivating and leading his team to a potential wild card berth.

Baseball can be a slow paced sport, especially if one doesn't appreciate or understand the art and science of it. However, this should be an exciting second half. Who cares that the Yankees are sinking faster than the Titanic? How many people are suprised that Ryan Braun is playing his way right out of the league? Right now Chris Davis is the most exciting player to watch, while Miguel may be the best and most consistent. He has unofficially taken A-Rod and Albert Pujols' place as the face of professional baseball.

Cabrera is undoubtedly headed to Cooperstown. Davis could follow if he can put together more seasons like this one. He is hotter than a Texas summer, and can get as good as he wants.

So who wins the triple crown? I believe Davis can and will unseat Cabrera, but Cabrera still gets at least a share of AL MVP. His stock hasn't had any decline in a while, and the Tigers are a sleeping giant.

Ok so for those that say they can't wait for football because baseball is too boring, watch this story and competition unfold. Barring injury and potential steroid allegations, it can be an epic tale.

Bald Man Issues

Male-pattern baldness has gone on for centuries. About 20 years ago, many men came up with many ways to deal with thinning and disappearing hair. Rogaine came on the market, as did commercials for various men's hair clubs. We all remember the tagline "I'm not just the president, but I'm also a client."

Many guys, such as myself, opted for a different approach: shaving the remaining hair and going completely bald. Surface-wise, this doesn't seem like a bad idea. Bald heads on men have been stylish since the 70s with Isaac Hayes and Telly Salvalas.  It reached a peak in the 90s when Michael Jordan was king of the basketball world and had a bald head also. Men liked the clean look, and women found it sexy.

I will admit, since I started shaving my head in 2006, women look at me differently, and often with greater amour. I have been compared to Fat Joe, Pitbull, Goldberg, Tom Joyner, and other such bald celebrities that have skin light as myself.

However, many men shave their heads trying to fight the costs of Rogaine and hair clubs. They fail to realize the overall maintenance involved in maintaining a cleanly shaven dome.

First, buy some quality razors. I have tried clippers but many of them often do not give me the close shave I like. Also, don't use the same razor repeatedly like you would on other body parts. Bumps and such rise on your head faster.  Also, be very careful, even with a regular razor. It is so easy to cut yourself. I've been doing it for seven years and I still occassionally nick myself.

You also should shower and rinse immediately. This will make most bleeding and stray stubble disappear, and give you more of a smooth and clean look.

There is maintenance involved in maintaining even a bald head. I know guys that still go to barbershops and let them do the work. For my head, I don't shave it everyday because my skin is sensitive. I don't like to go more than 2-3 days because the remaining hair I have starts growing faster, and often in patches.

So to my fellow bald men, come on and give it a try. But be mindful it is no picnic. Any and all suggestions are always welcome.

2013 Mid Year Cowbell List

2013 has been quite a year so far. Lots of happenings: births, deaths, record breaking weather and news events. However, there are always some things that could use more cowbell.

I look back at the first half of 2013. My guess is many people are getting tired of being on my lists. The number of repeat offenders aren't as high. Here's who made my Hall of Shame this time around.

Repeaters:

Nicki Minaj. You start all that drama with Mariah Carey, act bizarre again at the Grammys and then quit Idol. Perhaps you should try your hand at doing high end escorting.

Kanye West: First you neglect your baby mama Kim for most of her pregnancy. Then you name your child North, for North West. I shake my head at the torment that little girl will face.

The NBA: Getting too predictable now come playoff time, and the Dunk Contest is a joke. I am an avid NBA fan and I don't know half the guys that put on these slack dunks.

Newbies:

Manti Te'O: Man the world was your oyster. You have helped lead my Notre Dame Irish back to prominence. Then you go and get duped by an online chick. For a Notre Dame student, you weren't very smart with your heart.

DMX: Please stop driving, heck just move to an island and hide out for a while.

Autozone: You were once a huge help to the mechanically impaired such as myself. Now you won't even change a car battery or a headlight. You are on this list and my blacklist.

Mark Sanford: Running for Congress after you deceived my state, South Carolina, and you still win. I believe in forgiveness, but you don't need to be in politics.

Pistorous: You inspired us in the 2012 Olympics by running with no legs. Now you go and murder your girlfriend. Pitiful.

Jesse Jackson Jr: You have a condition that you need to properly treat, especially if you're going to be in the public eye. Also, become your own man. You are not your father.

Harlem Shake: How in the world did that dance make a comeback? It was cute when children did it, but that dance should have both an age limit and an expiration date.

Online voting contests: They are flawed, rigged, and shouldn't be taken seriously.

NCAA Selection Committee: You need some actual coaches, or at least someone that knows basketball picking the tourney field. Every year you out of touch clowns make more mistakes and stupid mismatches.

Sherwood Brown: I dub you "Fro-Locks" due to your inability to maintain your dreadlocks. I was impressed with Florida Gulf Coast and your "Dunk City" style of play, but the hair man, the hair!

Rutger's men coach and program:
You all need Dr. Phil right about now. You should know you cannot treat a student athlete like this and expect to get away. Look at Bobby Knight.

Ray-J: You have redefined thirst. Guess most of us don't appreciate something until it is gone.

Katt Williams: You need anger management man. You could easily be the best comic in the game right now, but you can't keep your hands off of Target employees.

BET's The Game: one word: terrible. This show took a month hiatus and now it's back. It needs to leave for good.

Charles Ramsey: you became a hero by saving those girls. However, you are a WorldStar coon at the same time. You are like everybody's drunk uncle and that's not a good look.

Lauryn Hill: Will you ever get it together again? Your mishaps make me miss the 90s more and more

Chad Johnson: You have great hands, but they should be kept to yourself. 

New Looney Tunes: OK there are some classics that should be left alone. Tom and Jerry has already been ruined.

Aaron Hernandez: I guess NFL players do think they can get away with murder. Well guess what, you PLAYED for the Patriots, not the Cowboys or the Raiders. And you're not Ray Lewis.

Paula Deen: Few are suprised with your behavior. Your past has caught up to you. And speaking of caught, that's why you've been crying and apologizing. You're not sorry.

Let's see what else 2013 has in store for us.

Seven Fantasy Football Tips For Anyone Starting or Wanting To Improve

I love sports as many already know about me. Playing fantasy sports these past five years has intensified that love. I play fantasy football, basketball, baseball, and even NASCAR. I'm very competitive and I love matching my sports knowledge and expertise weekly.

The sport I'm more accomplished in is football. I have made the playoffs in at least one league every season except for my very first. I have a third place trophy, and am back to back champion of my company league.

Getting here wasn't easy, although I know football very well. I had to learn the ins and outs of fantasy, player trends and such. Here are seven tips to help you improve your playoff hopes and championship dreams.

1.  Do your research before the draft and season

Fantasy football is not a game where you can go in blind and randomly set a lineup or draft a team and expect a winner. You must watch the games, especially the pre-season games. They show you who may be a breakout player or sleeper this season. Also, use tools such as fantasy articles and magazines with player rankings and cheat sheets. Yahoo! and ESPN both have awesome research tools for free. Both provide extensive draft kits which are worth studying. Finally, watch podcasts and fantasy football specials during the preseason and weekly to help with your lineup. My two favorites are NFL Fantasy Live on the NFL network and Matthew Berry and his various views. Most of us that have won in fantasy owe a debt of gratitude to Matthew. He has become a renowned fantasy guru.

2. Don't draft a QB too early.

Even if you miss the draft and have to go with pre-rankings or if your league is really deep, wait until about the 3rd or 4th round at the earliest to pick a QB. Yes I realize they are often the highest scorers weekly. However, the first few rounds are for building your core. I don't ever take someone like an Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, or RG3 early. That goes for the Manning brothers as well. I would recommend a solid 2nd or 3rd tier starter such as Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, or even Josh Freeman. I've won the past two years with backups from the waiver wire such as Dalton two years ago, and Russell Wilson last year.

3. Evaluate weekly and even playoff matchups

This is when the question of who you will sit or start comes into play. Usually teams play better at home. Some play better on turf than natural grass and vice versa. You may be facing the 49ers defense that week in San Francisco and think twice about who you start. Also, weather is a huge factor, especially after November. Teams tend to throw less in the cold, and team defenses shine more. Look at offensive lines also. If they are paving the way for the running game and/or allowing few sacks, you may have some sleepers worth starting. It's a weekly chess match.

4. Know your league settings and know them well.

Read your league description before the draft so you can see the points values, roster positions, and even the playoff weeks. This will help keep your squad sharp on a weekly basis. Also, if your waiver wire closes during the first Sunday game, that is also important, especially for your research and scouting. 

5. Always look at the free agency pool and don't be afraid to trade.

You have to manage your team weekly, especially when the bye weeks arise. There may be several weeks where your stars aren't playing, and you need proper depth. Analyze the matchups, how hot a certain player is, and his overall potential. Being proactive can help build you a championship team simply from the pool.

However, at times, it may be beneficial to trade. Don't be afraid; dissect the trade and ensure that your needs and the other owner's needs are met. You can definitely trade your way to a championship. One of the biggest mistakes in all of fantasy sports is to fall in love with a player. That stud could yield you one or more missing pieces. However, don't trade out of desperation, or because it's a bye week and you are short on players. Think long-term.

6. Learn from your mistakes and move on

Certain leagues love to remind you of that bad trade you made, or that player that you dropped that ended up being #1 in yards and touchdowns. It hurts, it really does. But you will not forget it. Just don't let it destroy you. You are playing a game of chance as it is. Learn, keep growing, and keep improving.

7. Have fun, talk trash, but don't let it get personal.

The game of football is supposed to be fun. However every league has cynics that make fantasy football their whole life and love to badmouth and trash the decisions of others. In trades, they may be telling you how to run your team and what you need to do to improve. Good trash talking and discussion is always fun. However, keep it on your league's message boards and don't allow it to escalate to personal attacks. Behave like civilized adults and don't forget what the game is really about.

That being said, have fun and good luck with your fantasy football season!

Music Review: Karesh Skraps

Recently, I profiled up and coming artist Karesh Skraps. Now after listening to some of her songs more, including her lead single "Could You Be The One?" , I'm giving my views on her overall music, style and sound.

Karesh performs romantic and dance ballads that are catchy and soulful. She puts a lot of emotion and passion into her music. She produces and writes many of her songs along with David Sparks. "Extra Extra!" is more for the club. "So Stupid" shows how we have all played the fool in love and realize that mistake. "One" is her signature song and it's for those of us trying to pour out our hearts to that special someone.

She definitely has a lot of range. Her style is more like Mary J. Blige and Christe Michele, with her carrying long, tough notes in a soprano tone. She takes more of an alto tone on "Stupid."  She has the neo-soul side also, similar to Jill Scott and Floetry. Her music is deep and has a lot of feeling.

This year thus far has brought some revival to a declining music industry. Mary J. and Beyonce' are touring once again. Kanye West and J. Cole have newly released albums. Jay-Z's newest release "Magna Carter Holy Grail" comes this week. Karesh is definitely rising on the scene at a prime moment.

Her album is set for release by the end of the year. Continue to watch her progress via YouTube and Reverbnation. Also, keep up with her performance schedule and catch her live. She puts on an awesome show.

What has happened to the NBA?

The NBA suffered through a rough patch in the post-Jordan era that ended around 1998. Ten years ago, a draft filled with superstars brought the league's excitement and ratings back up. This class included Miami's Big 3 of James, Wade, and Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and Tayshaun Prince. Another big three formed in Boston in the summer of 2007, soldifying the league's revival and assuring that the Western Conference wasn't going to dominate.

Then Miami formed their big 3 and recently won their second straight championship.  Before that, the one and done rule came into effect, meaning you had to go to college for at least one year before going to the pros.

Yes this all sounds exciting but this year is where things started getting stale and predictable. The Heat have been title or bust for three years now. The league needed ratings, people in the front office needed to get paid. All of this happened, especially thanks to Miami playing two back to back seven game series. David Stern is laughing his way to the bank. He had to create a good matchup, the team built for a dynasty, and a classic powerhouse in the Spurs. A matchup made in Heaven.

Yes the NBA is a business. However, knowing how the end result is going to be is hardly worth tuning in for. 

It seems David Stern feeds off of dynasties and fair weather fans, as I mentioned in a previous blog. It was the Bulls in the 90s, the Lakers and the Spurs for a little while, and now the Miami Heat.

The NBA has gained such power and control rapper Jay-Z used halftime of Game 5 to announce his new album release "Magna Carta Holy Grail."

The one and done rule is to blame as well. Players aren't staying in school long enough, ruining college basketball. The NFL and MLB are also driven by money, but at least they require a student athlete to stay in school for three years. The NBA controls basketball at basically every level, from fanbase to styles and fads, and even gameplay and strategy.

It's all about the money, from GMs, coaches and players alike. They are all paid well for their efforts, and can't seem to get enough money.

The players definitely deserve their salaries, that was part of the agreement made during last season's lockout. However, the fans invest good money and time in watching games, tickets, and team merchandise. They deserve competitive, exciting ball.

I'm sure many would like to see different challengers win more, like the Thunder, Clippers, Grizzlies and Pacers are doing. However, love or hate LeBron, but seeing him and the Heat (or any team) continue to win and dominate is quite boring after a while.

Pretty soon fans will wake up and realize this. Then David Stern and company will need another plan to effectively market the league and make it more competitive.

Realistically, the NBA may never be the same again. It may get worse as ownership and players get greedier for money and accolades. It's always good to hope though.