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. 

STARS: Healthy Beard Growth

I've been wanting a longer, downward growing beard for quite some time. I've accomplished that over the past few months by following sage advice and doing the proper things. 

I started training and grooming my beard hair the same way I would head hair. I went to the ethnic section at Walmart and purchased the proper comb, brush and oil (Cantu) that would work with my type of hair. 

I applied Cantu several times/day to keep it from drying out and would pick it out and brush it almost as much. I would wash it out very thoroughly a few times/week as well. 

I would shave and trim around the parts of my face that weren't making my beard look favorable. I started noticing more growth just a month in and keep allowing to take its course.  The Cantu oil was really helping also.

Nearly five months in, I have achieved a good looking length and mane of beard. It does feels different but it's a good type of feel. The maintenance is less now as I mostly pick and comb it now and use minimal oil to avoid excess growth. 

STARS: Picking Out The Ideal Refrigerator

I had been trying to get a new refrigerator for the past two months. I can afford it and I have a good credit line with Home Depot. I kept running into barriers such as size, design, being out of town, my home being located too far out, etc. 

I knew delivery was my first option since I don't own a pickup truck and I have perhaps four reliable friends that do. I also shopped from the two Home Depot stores that would deliver to my home: Rock Hill and Gastonia.

I then got the dimensions for the fridge I would need: height: 67'', width 30", depth 31.5". I only had wiggle room on the depth. My best two options were French door and traditional since the side by sides were no longer available in the required dimensions. 

I shopped around and decided to go with a French door design, especially after seeing one at my aunt's house. I checked and ensured I stay within dimensions, budget, and distance proximity. 

I'm not going to lie, I was really concerned because my current fridge was about to bite the dust and I had already had failed attempts. I ensured I was off from work and home just in case I had to rent or borrow a truck to get the first fridge on the display room. 

I was able to get the refrigerator I desired and so far I love it! I have work to do far as installing the water line for the icemaker and adjusting the shelves. It is brand new, beautiful, and it works and fits. 

I didn't give up nor deviate from the size. I want others to know this isn't always an easy process but it's worth it.