STARS: How I Play and Excel at Wordle

Wordle is the newest game to take 2022 by storm. 5 squares, 6 guesses, no ads, completely free. Very addictive also. So addictive that if you have an imitation downloaded on your phone that you practice with, I wouldn't delete it because both Android and iPhone have been sweeping the other apps. 

I have kept my streak going by developing a plan and not blindly guessing.  I have two words that I use for the first two guesses to get my vowels narrowed and some key consonants. I may have 5 letters but I know I will at least have one. 

I then utilize process of elimination and take advantage of the fact that I have 24 hours to get this completed. I actually do have an app I use for practice (I won't say which one on here) and have formed many word combinations. I will say that common ones like st are good. Also a letter can be repeated if it's in yellow. This is useful in those cases that I only have one vowel. 

During the first three guesses, I do my best not to repeat a letter so I can narrow as many letters down and their placement. We all love the green letters but I will settle for the yellows. It's not a sprint but a marathon. 

I have managed to stay unbeaten thus far in 2022, including 5 guesses on the final try. I only have 2 misses on the secondary app. 

STARS: Early Anger Management

ONE typically doesn't resolve to work on their anger and self control (unless it's eating or spending) at the beginning of a New Year. I had to at the young age of 11. 

I was bullied often in the sixth grade and got into 4 fights, all from defending myself. I was told by the principal that if I were sent to the office again for fighting, I would be suspended. 

I had to learn how to walk away, ignore senseless comments and remarks. I also used my resources such as the teacher and of course my mother. I learned to fight off of school grounds when I had to fight. I had a goal of going to college and graduating and I didn't want to jeopardize this by staying in fights and not being able to control my anger. 

31 years and two college degrees later, I overcome that. I did attend anger manager as an adult but I have managed to stay out of trouble and remain cool in times of crisis and despair. 

STARS: Breaking social media algorithms

We see more and more social media content hidden and not visible. You want to see more of your friends and family and less of others. Moreover, you want your posts to be noticed more. I'm currently working on that with #imjustdrew. 

I am going to start with the blue app, Facebook. 

I ensure that I post enough times during a given day, no less than five and no more than 20 so I won't get hidden or muted. I make my posts as thought provoking as possible to accumulate likes and comments. It's helpful to comment or make your own comments under your own posts. Getting shares and making certain posts public has definitely helped me as well. 

I use popular hashtags to my advantage also to gain higher visibility and notoriety.  I also hide certain posts and people that I wish to keep in contact with but can be a little much for FB. I instead add certain ones to my favorites to see them more. You can do that with your own but I do not like to force that. Tagging certain people in posts is another toll I have found helpful. 

I also post during peak times such as weekdays after 5pm and Sundays after 6pm when more folks are on social media and will see a random status quicker.  

I have grown my overall following over the past 10 years from 20 maximum on a post to a record 1,046 on a post in mid November and certain posts have reached in the 100s on comments and likes. Take back your timeline, it's very doable!

STARS: How I became a better football player

I've renewed my love in high school football through the SC High School sporting group on Facebook.  I watched schools, communities and players really get invested and excited as their beloved teams, children and players elevated. I remember when I had to elevate myself also. 

I was not ready to play, physically or mentally and was about to be demoted to the JV team. I was not letting that happen and was going to start my senior year. 

I simply got it in my head that I would not lose. I plugged in to positive sources such as my own coaches, teammates and even other star athletes in my area. I lived in the weight room, track and bleachers to condition my body. I would watch countless hours of football daily, every level, to increase my football IQ. My former coach, Steve Wilson said "practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice does."  I even watched inspirational football movies such as Rudy and was later compared to him. 

I gave it my all in spring and summer drills. I knew due to our depth I wasn't going to play much but the competition on our team would improve me. I was on the scout team and it did! I gained the confidence of the team, coaches and myself. I earned Player of the Game for my performance in garbage time during the Homecoming game. I kept working, didn't let off in the off-season and earned my starting role on offense as a left tackle. I started all 12 games as a senior, received Player of the Week once and didn't come out on offense unless we had the game in hand. 

To those players already working to shine under those lights in 2022: keep at it! You too can achieve and be mentioned and debated over in message boards! 

STARS: How I lost 3 lbs

Many people are already in weight loss and get in shape mode as 2021 comes to an end. They often don't think about the small things (mini goals) that lead to the big picture. 

I went cardio heavy with stairmaster and treadmill. Nothing fancy; just burning fat and sweating. I did a variation of this, HIIT and weights 4 times/week. 

I also employed a strict diet of rice, grains, veggies and lean proteins with lots of water and fruits and vegetables as a snack. I had to control what was going into my body as well. The goal was a calorie deficit and to do this for 4-5 days out of the week. 

I accomplished losing the 3 pounds this way with a plan of switching it out and around. 4-5 hours per week in the gym and clean eating for the same number of days made that happen.

STARS: How Am I On Time for Work Given My Commute

I have really traveled for work the past six years. I have worked daily in Spartanburg, Charlotte and now Greenville. I not only get to work 30 minutes early 98% and have only been late once, I have time to workout in the mornings.  

I had to fit in my workouts in the morning and allow extra time for gas, delays such as traffic, accidents or a flat tire. 

I simply end my evening earlier and start my day earlier. I watch all of my regular shows on my off days and do minimum during the evenings. I prep my meals and clothes on Sundays so I have little or nothing to do in the evenings. I save big chores and tasks for Sundays or another off day. 

Doing this has allowed me to get up early at a rate of 85% since May and never be late and early as 30 minutes-1 hour arriving to Greenville all but twice. 

Getting more attention from females

Growing up, I struggled to get attention from females, especially ones I liked. This continued well through my high school years. 

I decided in college after a huge heartbreak I wanted this to end. 

I confided in men and women that were mentors to me and believed in me. I was taught to have confidence, speak more for what I want, and to keep it simple.  I was trying too hard and often smothering the person I was smitten by. I also went by the law of averages: talking to more single women than I had in my life. Going to a school with mostly women and the early advent of online dating facilitated this process.  

I have improved to having regular dates/quarterly over the past 21 years, being in 4 serious relationships, forming scores of female friends, and having females in many social, business and romantic connections. I turned the tide and felt the confidence I could ask out a woman and the outcome would be on my side.