Your mission to make people’s lives better and create an amazing experience for them will motivate you to give it all you’ve got and sacrifice your work life balance in your attempt to achieve this.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu
Category Archives: Motivation
My happy office!
I got out of my office and went to work at my fun office, Starbucks @starbucks @waikelestarbucks on June 25, 2019!! I bumped into an acquaintance from college. Also, as usual, my former business partner behind me was trying to get me to do free work for a former client. 😐 I’m a week behind on my internal deadline on one of my own projects.
Practices: Work at my happy office to increase my productivity. Listen to music to lift my spirits. Get those small wins by consistently working on my projects every day. Be present and grateful.
Crush it my friends!!!
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#myhappyoffice #myhappyplace #starbucks #coffeeshops #productivity #business hustle #grind #work #productivityhacks #productivity #funplace #mindful #mindfulness #grateful #gratitude #music #bose #headset #keepgoing #stepbystep #daybyday #smallwins
Working at my happy office, Starbucks in Waikele, Hawaii!
Filed under Business, Career, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Productivity, Psychology, Writing
I can pull long hours working at my happy office, a coffee shop.
I can pull long hours working at my happy office, a coffee shop. Here, I’m working at Starbucks @starbucks @waikelestarbucks at Waikele Premium Outlets with my friends. I have my Apple @apple Macbook Pro, Samsung @samsungmobile Galaxy S7, and Bose @bose Quiet Comfort 25, my weapons to produce content and IP.
Do you have places to work that lift your spirit where you can maximize your productivity?
Keep crushing it my friends!!!
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#happyoffice #coffeeshop #coffeeshops #happyplace #productivity #business #contentcreation #art #graphicdesign #reading #research #writing #macbookpro #samsunggalaxys7 #bose #boseheadphones #workanywhere #workanyplace #hustle #vision #goals #personalgrowth #selfhelp #selfimprovement #chooseyourself #keepgoing #grit #tenacity
Working at Starbucks coffee shop at Waikele Premium Outlet, Waikele, Hawaii.
Filed under Branding, Business, Career, Computer, Consistency, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Life Coach, Marketing, Mindfulness, Motivation, Productivity, Quotes, Study, Writing
Practices: (1) Focus on what I can control; (2) Work on one thing at a time to maximize my productivity; and (3) Be present and put aside my fear of what may or may not happen tomorrow.
My anxiety level is up today so seeing this post by @riskhappy is motivating me to snap out of my terrible feeling. I’m going to focus and work on what I can control. First, my appointments and work I have to finish dealing with my immediate deadline, followed by another deadline, and then another, and then paying a big bill. The first is extremely important because if I succeed in executing it, I can complete what I need to do for the other three areas in the short-run and long-run.
Practices: (1) Focus on what I can control; (2) Work on one thing at a time to maximize my productivity; and (3) Be present and put aside my fear of what may or may not happen tomorrow.
What are your strategies to alleviate anxiety and stress? I hope you’re doing well! ❤
#anxietyremedies #stressrelief #anxietyrelief #anxiety #stress #worry #fear #business #law #governmentaffairs #entrepreneurship #ecommerce #socialmediamarketing #writing #prioritize #productivity #bepresent #mindfulness #keepgoing #stepbystep #personalgrowth #selfhelp #selfimprovement #motivation #quote #motivationalquote #spilledthoughts #practices
Repost @riskhappy (@get_repost)
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“10 years from now, make sure you can say that you chose your life, you didn’t settle for it.” – Mandy Hale #riskhappy
Filed under Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Goals, Law, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nonfiction, Peace, Positive Living, Productivity, Psychology, Quotes, Success, Writing
Peace is my purpose.
Peace is my purpose.
I became a lawyer and politician with this goal in mind through the laws and programs I created or supported.
I enjoy business because #commerce can connect people when a great value is provided.
I love writing fiction because you can touch the souls of people by evoking their emotions through the struggles your characters go through. If you can make a reader have compassion and empathy for a character they would have disliked or even hated but for the story, then you’ve played a small role in bridging the division created by human judgment. Such stories can be adapted into audio and visual form such as audio books and movies to reach a greater audience.
Nonfiction writing can play a role in our self-development in not just our career but our personal development to attain inner peace. If all of us are at peace, the world will be at peace.
So what do you think about attaining world peace? If we break it down into bite size pieces and work on ourselves and help others every single day, it’s possible right!
May peace be with you! Sending you positive energy!
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#selfdevelopment #personaldevelopment #selfhelp #innerpeace #motivated #determined #hustle #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #gratitude
I’m pictured here working with a former business partner for branding and marketing on 2/13/2019.
Filed under Books, Branding, Business, Career, Compassion, Consistency, Creative Writing, Empathy, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Family, Fiction, Friends, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Law, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Working while riding the bus!
Focused and typing on my @apple #macbookpro while listening to music with my @bose #bosesoundsport as I’m in transit on Honolulu’s awesome bus system on 4/30/2019! Maximizing my productivity! I’m looking forward to Honolulu’s rail system to be completed! Keep crushing everything you’re striving for my friends!
#masstransit #bus #oahu #honolulu #hawaii #workanywhere #workanyplace #onthego #laptop #business #startups #law #socialmediamarketing #marketing #branding #writing #fiction #nonfiction #entrepreneurship #hustle #grind #motivated #grateful #typing #oahu #hawaii #hawaiilife
Working on the bus in Oahu, Hawaii on April 30, 2019!
Working on the bus in Oahu, Hawaii on April 30, 2019!
Working on the bus in Oahu, Hawaii on April 30, 2019!
Filed under Branding, Business, Career, Computer, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Goals, Laptop, Marketing, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nonfiction, Novels, Poems, Productivity, Writing
Embrace the powerful energy from our suffering to boost our motivation on our goals!
There are 4 powerful energy sources to boost our motivation on our goals: Vision, Passion, Positive People, and Suffering. I use these energy sources to fuel my 4 rocket boosters that launches me towards the stars, my dreams.
Today, I want to focus on suffering. It’s a topic that isn’t placed on a pedestal but its superpower can be used for good if we learn to control its power. Many of us let our suffering bring us down. We also try to escape it. Negative people take it out on others. Instead, we should embrace our pain and make the most of this powerful source of energy.
In a previous post, I mentioned how suffering can expand our gratitude. In this article, I want to point out how suffering can boost our motivation on our goals. For me, suffering has been a tremendous motivator in my life. When I trained in the martial arts, specifically Aikido, we learned to take the energy from the on-coming attacker and use it to our advantage to win. Likewise, when suffering comes at us, we take that dark energy and convert it into positive energy by using it in our efforts to develop our mind, body, and soul. For example, my suffering gets me more pumped up to write, read, learn, exercise, meditate/self-reflect, and such. It has worked for me since I was a kid. When someone rejects me or attacks me, I get motivated to work harder. When people I love die, I’m motivated to hustle even more, and I dedicate my craft and success to them.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to turn your suffering into positive actions in your life. Keep crushing it my friends!
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#suffering #pain #energy #motivate #motivational #selfdevelop #selfimprove #drive #hustle #grind #tenacity #perseverance #goals #vision #dreams #quote #quotes #motivationalquotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #nonfiction #mentalhealth #health #psychology #mindset #positivemindset #vision #passion #positivepeople #keepgoing #nevergiveup
Filed under Creative Writing, Goals, Inspirational, Life Coach, Mental Health, Motivation, Motivational, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Quadrupling Down in My Race Against Time – Race Against Time Part X
I have so much #gratitude for Starbucks @starbucks , especially the @waikelestarbucks @waikelepo because the baristas are so nice and the #vibe is good. I can #work there for 10 hours straight. Pictured here are some free samples: a brownie and the Pink Drink! Grateful ! Got my constant companion, my @apple #macbookpro #laptop ! 💻
For the past few years, I feel like almost every month or two, someone I know dies. My last poem was about racing against time. It’s the 9th time since 2004 that I’ve titled a post on my website “Racing Against Time.” We have to go all-out on what we want to do before our time in this realm expires. I’m super #thankful to have lived this long and experienced many things I envisioned #accomplishing but I still have so much more on my mind that I need to execute before I die. I’m quadrupling down on my work and going harder now! 💻
My friends, keep going, keep loving, and keep smiling! 😀
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#keepgoing #hustle #grind #read #learn #write #relationships #consistency #dailyhabits #smallwins #business #career #love #mindful #mindfulness #happy #process #workanywhere #books
#novels #poems #law #fiction
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Computer, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Family, Fiction, Friends, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Law, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nonfiction, Poems, Positive Living, Productivity, Quotes, Stories, Study, Writing
Grateful for Starbucks, the frees samples, and the kind baristas!
I have so much #gratitude for this free sample and the nice #baristas at Starbucks @starbucks @waikelestarbucks !!! My companion is in the backdrop, my @apple #macbookpro #laptop .
#grateful #thankful #starbucks #waikelestarbucks #apple #macbook #hustle #grind #work #workanywhere #mobileoffice #business #law #writing #creativewriting #fiction #novel #book #writersofinstagram #mindfulness #mindful #dailywork #stepbystep #dailypractices #dailyhabits
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Computer, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Law, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nonfiction, Novels, Productivity, Study, Writing
Grateful for the public access room at the Hawaii State Capitol!
The public access room at the Hawaii State Capitol is my office when I’m there. Grateful for those who created this service for the public for as long as I can remember, dating back to when I was volunteering for my friend when he was a State Representative, the late U.S. Congressman K. Mark Takai while I was Vice President of the #studentgovernment at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
My daily #practices : #mindfulness and #gratitude
#hawaiistatecapitol #publicaccess #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #thankful #gratitude #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #office #pc #computer @apple #macbookpro #workonthego #hustle #grind #law #lawmaking #business #entrepreneurship #governmentaffairs #government #privatepublicpartnership #honolulu #hawaii #oahu #dailypractice
Filed under Business, Career, Computer, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Gratitude, Laptop, Law, Mindfulness, Motivation, Productivity
Just My Soul and I
Just my soul and I.
We talk and laugh.
Sometimes we cry.
We travel to the heavens with visions.
Clips of action of what could be.
We don’t need much.
Only ideas on how to get there.
Because we’re relentless in getting there.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 3/17/19 –
#poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #writing #writings #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #fiction #nonfiction #novel #novels #book #books #quote #quotes #motivational #inspirational #emotions #selfdevelopment #selfimprove #selfhelp #mindset #positivemindset #lookwithin #mentalhealth #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #thankful #gratitude
Filed under Blog, Books, Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Inspirational, Journal, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Motivation, Motivational, Nonfiction, Novels, Poems, Quotes, Writing
Want to be productive? Grow your hair long and/or closely watch children grow up.
Here’s two strategies I use for my productivity: (1) Grow your hair long and cut it when you finish some of your goals; and/or (2) Have your sibling or siblings or an immediate family member have children because you will watch very closely how fast they grow up, which will make you work harder to get things done.
We can grow our hair long anytime. I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager, even when I was a politician and government attorney. As for our loved ones having children, well, this is a bit more tricky. Have fun with this strategy!
Here are pictures of my 10-month old niece and I with our long bangs on October 20, 2018 in San Mateo, California.
Crush all your goals my friends!!!
#productivity #strategy #growyourhair #longhair #bangs #children #family #time #tracktime #hustle #grind #work #career #business #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #attorney #law #job #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #happiness #vision #goals #dreams #execute
Filed under Business, Career, Community, Consistency, Creative Writing, Creativity, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Events, Exercise, Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational, Life, Life Coach, Motivation, Motivational, Nonfiction, Novels, Positive Living, Productivity, Quotes, Success, Training, Writing
Growth Mindset
I’m a strong believer in having a positive mindset in order to be happier and more fulfilled in life. In this post, I would like to point out the importance of us having a growth mindset, which is believing that our abilities and intelligence can be developed. We can develop our knowledge and skills by reading and practicing everyday. The more we work on our knowledge and skills, the better we get. If we keep up this daily practice, over time, we may attain the knowledge and become very good at the skills we envisioned ourselves achieving.
I like to schedule in my Google calendar blocks of time to learning and building skills and I color code them according to the subject matter. I count each 30-minute period of learning or practicing as a “win” in my Count My Wins program I created for myself. This program gives me a natural high from the happy chemicals released when I finish each 30-minute self-development session. I’m a very curious person so I push myself even in areas I’m unfamiliar with. I really want to become a better person mentally, spiritually, and physically.
Have fun in your self-development! Crush it!
3 of my daily practices: growth mindset, mindfulness, and gratitude.
(I took a picture of these plants and trees in Waikele, Hawaii on March 12, 2019. They represent growth in our growth mindset practice. I’m always mindful of the beauty around me. I’m grateful to experience such simple pleasures.)
#growthmindset #learn #read #skills #skillset #skillsets #practice #practices #dailypractice #habits #selfdevelop #mind #body #soul #positivemindset #mindset #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful #thankful #trees #plants #sky #simplepleasures
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Technology has made it easier for us to produce and consume.
Technology has made it easier for us to produce and consume. When I started an Internet retail store selling Hawaiian themed products back in 2002, customers were increasingly becoming more comfortable on buying products online. Now, it’s a part of our lifestyle. It’s such an exciting time where we don’t need offices and brick and mortar stores. We can bypass the gatekeepers and provide value straight to the consumers. We can research and learn online. We can produce content and services on our computers. We can communicate with one another in many ways. It’s also a great time for artists and entrepreneurs to disrupt markets and be found. I just love this time period and it will keep getting better!
In this picture, I was working on my @apple Macbook Pro in the lounge of a hotel on March 6, 2019 before my lunch meeting with a law client in regards to business contracts and business documents. Isn’t this lounge and all the plants beautiful!
I’m so grateful for technology and all of my technology toys for work! They make the hustle fun!
My daily practice: mindfulness and gratitude!
#technology #internet #online #apple #macbookpro #laptop #computer #workanywhere #law #businesslaw #transactionallaw #contractlaw #agreements #contracts #attorney #lawyer #business #entrepreneur #waikiki #oahu #honolulu #hawaii #hustle #grind #work #fun #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful
Filed under Business, Career, Computer, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Gratitude, Laptop, Law, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Productivity, Quotes, Writing
My awesome REI Bookpacker Plus backpack with all my gear to make me a mobile office.
In the past year, I’ve stopped using my briefcase that I got from the University of Hawaii at Manoa bookstore when I was a college student and turned to my awesome REI Bookpacker Plus backpack that I used while a law student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. It’s so comfortable and sturdy, great for walking and moving about in the bus transportation system in Honolulu, Hawaii. Briefcases aren’t comfortable to carry. Backpacks like the REI Bookpacker Plus has cushion and support for long walks.
My REI Bookpacker Plus also has a lot of space and compartments to put all my useful things. My backpack carries the following: good luck charms; Apple MacBook Pro; plastic folders of different colors from Office Depot and Fisher, which holds my business material; black gunmetal Bose Quietcomfort 25 noise-cancelling headphones; black Bose Soudsport wireless headphones; space gray Apple iPod; plugs and cables for my devices; batteries; black Imation flash drive; black with silver designs samurai umbrella by Waterfront in Japan; UNIQLO black foldable windbreaker hoodie; black Fossil sunglasses; black with gold accent Perry Ellis prescription glasses; several pairs of Dailies AquacomfortPlus contact lenses; Victorinox Swiss Army knife with my first and middle name on the transparent frame that my mom and dad got for me when they went to Switzerland; blue-purple with gold accents Parker dress pen; blue Eagle Scout pen with a rubber end to touch the screen of my phone, great for designing ads; pens; mechanical pencil; eraser; gray Totoro foldable reusable bag; black blue gunmetal Tiger Sahara stainless steel water bottle; hand sanitizer; napkins; and food and snacks.
The one thing I need is a portable charger to recharge my smartphone. I’ll reward myself this once I achieve a major goal.
All in all, I’m pretty functional as a mobile office with the gear I have in my backpack. The only times, I need my office is to work on my finances with my Dell PC desktop; scan, copy, and print in color and black and white documents on my Brother Inkjet All-in-One, or print large amounts of documents quickly in black and white with my Dell laser printer. I’m extremely grateful for my backpack and all my useful things in it that help me to maximize my productivity. It makes work fun!
My daily practice: gratitude!
#mobileoffice #portableoffice #smartphone #laptop #backpack #goodluck charms #folders #headphones #ipod #mp3player #umbrella #plugs #cables #batteries #flashdrive #umbrella #windbreaker #hoodie #sunglasses #glasses #contactlenses #pocketknife #dresspen #pens #mechanicalpencil #eraser #reuseablebag #waterbottle #handsanitizer #napkins #food #snacks #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #useful #products #fun
Filed under Business, Career, Clothing, Computer, Exercise, Fashion, Gratitude, Laptop, Mindfulness, Motivation, Music, Productivity, Study, Success, Writing
From the Middle, Suffering Expands Our Gratitude Practice!
From the middle, suffering expands our gratitude practice by making us more present and aware of the light in a mass of darkness, which is all the good things we have in our lives. Here are my 10 examples of how suffering can expand our gratitude practice:
1. When a loved one dies, we’re grateful for the time we had with that person.
2. When our romantic relationship falls apart, we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to experience romance.
3. When we fail at a goal, we’re grateful for the lessons we learned from the failure.
4. When we face financial hardship, we’re grateful for every little thing we have that helps us get by.
5. When we provide value for others and get attacked by opposition or critics, we’re grateful for our ability to create value for others and evolve.
6. When facts in litigation aren’t believed where we face fines, jail, or unfavorable rulings for business, divorce or our personal life, we’re grateful that we had the opportunity to tell what happened.
7. When we can no longer drive a vehicle, we’re grateful for public transportation.
8. When our health declines, we’re grateful for still being alive and having what abilities we still have.
9. When we are wronged by people, we’re grateful for all the positive people in our lives.
10. When our life appears to be in turmoil, we’re grateful that we were born to even have a shot at life.
3 of my daily practices are shown here: the middle way, gratitude, and listening to music (Im wearing Bose Soundsport)!
#middleway #gratitude #buddhism #music #practices #dailypractices #bose #bosesoundsport #grateful #thankful #mentalhealth #health #mindset #positivemindset #mindfulness #mindful #peace #innerpeace
Filed under Buddhism, Business, Community, Compassion, Consistency, Creative Writing, Empathy, Entrepreneurship, Failure, Family, Friends, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Live the middle way. From the middle, we can see the light in every dark situation.
Live the middle way. From the middle, dark and light is one. From the middle, we can see everything, dark, light, and everything in between. If you can see the light in darkness, then you can be grateful in your darkest moments.
Humans are prone to judging others and experiences. From the middle, you don’t jump to conclusion that someone is either dark or light, good or bad. From the middle, you don’t jump to conclusion that an experience is dark or light, good or bad.
When a person lashes his or her anger at you, you’re tempted to label that person as a dark person. When you’re in the middle, you’ll see the light, in even the most hateful person. You go deeper and have empathy for that person who may have suffered deeply at the hands of others.
When you experience suffering, you may feel tempted to label it as darkness, which will drag you further down into sadness, frustration, and/or anger, all negative emotions that pushes away your happiness and negatively impacts everyone you interact with. From the middle, you’ll be able to see the light in even the most darkest of situations.
From the middle, suffering expands our gratitude practice by making us more present and aware of all the good things we have in our lives. Here are my 10 examples of how suffering can expand our gratitude practice:
1. When a loved one dies, we’re grateful for the time we had with that person.
2. When our romantic relationship falls apart, we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to experience romance.
3. When we fail at a goal, we’re grateful for the lessons we learned from the failure.
4. When we face financial hardship, we’re grateful for every little thing we have that helps us get by.
5. When we provide value for others and get attacked by opposition or critics, we’re grateful for our ability to create value for others and evolve.
6. When facts in litigation aren’t believed where we face fines, jail, or unfavorable rulings for business, divorce or our personal life, we’re grateful that we had the opportunity to tell what happened.
7. When we can no longer drive a vehicle, we’re grateful for public transportation.
8. When our health declines, we’re grateful for still being alive and having what abilities we still have.
9. When we are wronged by people, we’re grateful for all the positive people in our lives.
10. When our life appears to be in turmoil, we’re grateful that we were born to even have a shot at life.
2 of my daily practices: the middle way and gratitude.
Waikele on the early morning of February 22, 2019.
#middleway #middle #practice #buddhism #light #dark #good #bad #empathy #compassion #love #grateful #gratitude #thankful #mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #health #staypositive #positivity #positiveliving #peace #innerpeace
Filed under Buddhism, Business, Career, Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude, Health, Life, Life Coach, Love, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Writing
Fade Out or Keep Going?
Fade out or keep going? What are we chasing after in this competitive and sometimes cruel world? Money? Power? Fame? When you reach it, you get attacked by others and punished more severely. Is it worth it? I think most of us want to be happy and at peace. There’s something beautiful in fading out from the craziness of society to be with your own soul in a peaceful and quiet life. Maybe live a simple life near the ocean or up in the mountains. It sounds so nice to meditate, read, research, write, create art, produce content that helps others, build a service for others using technology, and only hang out with those who lift your spirit. I’m not saying to completely cut ourselves off from the world. We could still continue our hustle to create value for others from afar, only coming back to society for our loved ones and for our most passionate projects. Do you feel this sometimes? If this was possible would you try it?
This is a picture of the sunset in Waikele, Hawaii on 2/19/19.
#fadeout #keepgoing #money #power #fame #peace #innerpeace #alonetime #meditate #happiness #simplelife #ocean #mountains #sunsets #clouds #family #lovedones #lifestylebusiness #write #read #research #fiction #nonfiction #poetry #art #music #content #contentcreation #technology #services
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Dreams, Mentors, & Daily Practice
Since I was young, I would dream or have visions of what I wanted to achieve or experience. I observed people who were at a level I aspired to be. Then I would relentlessly work on my skills & knowledge everyday for hours. Over many years, usually at least 7 years, I would attain my dreams or at least a portion or variation of them. I would like to note that I had many failures too.
When I was about 9 years old, I was determined to become a better soccer player. I admired a skilled & speedy soccer player, Shane Uemoto who played as a wing forward on the Pearl City High School soccer team & had number 12 on his jersey. I loved the exciting way he played the game & how he was well-liked by his teammates. Shane was also a very good student, eventually becoming an accountant as an adult.
I would often practice soccer by myself for many hours in addition to the practices with my team. I would train by myself at parks or in my yard until dark & run up & down the hill of my street or at parks to build up my speed. I played with the ball in the house & watched soccer videos over & over on ball handling & strategy. I ran several miles from my house to Pearl City High School to get a peek at Shane & his teammates practicing. I remember riding a school bus on a field trip & I had a vision of Shane running alongside of the bus. Funny right! 😅 Anyways, after a number of years, I ended playing as a right forward on the Pearl City High School soccer team. I scored a whole bunch of goals & assisted others in scoring goals. I proudly wore the number 7 on my jersey & was so elated to live my dream!!!
As an adult, I continue to work hard daily on my dreams & observe amazing people in public service, business & the arts, areas I have a passion for. I’m just as relentless & obsessive as I was when I was a kid in love with soccer. I may not be wearing number 7 on a soccer jersey but it’s in my soul everyday.
#dreams #vision #goals #mentors #virtualmentors #soccer #sports #publicservice #politics #politician #attorney #business #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #art #writing #fiction #nonfiction #passion #habits #dailyhabits #practice #dailypractice #consistency #determination #tenacity
Filed under Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, Events, Exercise, Goals, Inspiration, Law, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Politics, Productivity, Writing
1st Exercise of 2019
I ran 4.19 miles on the 1st day of 2019! The sun was out, and the air was crisp and cool. I’m wore my 2017 @honolulumarathon shirt, @asics Kayano 23 shoes and socks, @underarmour shorts, and @armpocket case for my @samsungmobile Galaxy S7 Edge. I really enjoy using my @bose soundsport for exercise and everyday use. In 2018, I exercised 214 times. I plan to exercise at least 200 times in 2019 but with more intensity. Have fun with you 2019 exercise goals!
#run #running #runner #runners #jog #jogging #jogger #joggers #exercise #sports #health #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #spiritualhealth #mind #body #soul #honolulumarathon #bose #bosesoundsport #asics #asicskayano #underarmour #samsung #samsungmobile #galaxys7edge #goals #vision #hustle #tenacity
Filed under Consistency, Exercise, Goals, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Motivation, Positive Living
Keep Reading & Learning!
My niece and I at the library. Kids love reading and learning, and so do we. Keep going and crushing it!
#family #children #kids #library #libraries #reading #learning #writing #knowledge #knowledgeispower #mindset #desire #vision #drive #tenacity #keepmoving #hustle #grind #life #career #business #health #everything
Filed under Inspiration, Life Coach, Mental Health, Motivation
Exercise is a Super Practice
I ran just under 3 miles in the crisp air. Exercise is one of the key practices to boost our physical, mental, and spiritual health. It’s a super habit, along with sleep and gratitude that makes us feel unstoppable with what we set ourselves out to do!
#exercise #exercising #run #running #runner #runners #jog #jogging #jogger #joggers #practice #practices #habit #habits #dailypractice #dailyhabits #goal #goals #vision #unstoppable #health #mentalhealth #spiritualhealth #mind #body #soul
Filed under Exercise, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
2018 Honolulu Marathon
I ran my 11th Honolulu Marathon on Sunday December 9, 2018.
#honolulumarathon #marathon #marathons #marathoner #running #run #runner #exercise #gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindful #mindfulness #accomplishment #goal #goals #health #mentalhealth #mindset #happy
2018 Honolulu Marathon
2018 Honolulu Marathon.
Filed under Exercise, Goals, Gratitude, Motivation
One Percent Improvement Everyday
Entrepreneur James Altucher @altucher , author of “Choose Yourself” and Podcast show host of the James Altucher Show, encourages us to improve ourselves by at least 1% everyday. Whether we are learning, producing content, and/or building relationships, our improvements will compound over time! Here, I’m at Starbucks @starbucks at Waikele Premium Outlets @waikelepo in Hawaii on this awesome Saturday, December 1, 2018!
Keep going my friends! Crush it!
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#jamesaltucher #businessman #entrepreneur #business #author #writer #podcastshow #podcast #virtualmentor #learn #read #write #content #service #products #buildrelationships #relationships #selfdevelop #improve #hustle #grind #daybyday #stepbystep #tenacity #determination #momentum #quote #reinventyourself #chooseyourself
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Inspiration, Motivation, Writing
Step by Step
Step by step and we’ll get there. My 10-month old niece crawling up the stairs with me on 10/21/2018.
#stepbystep #smallgoals #goals #consistency #dailyhabits #habits #practice #dailypractice #hustle #grind #patience #family #baby #niece #sanmateo #california #mindset #positivemindset #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #happiness #joy #love
Filed under Consistency, Family, Goals, Gratitude, Inspiration, Life, Motivation
Taking Chances
My niece and I at our @airbnb in San Diego, California on 10/16/2018. She’s a bold one in my family.
In life, we take chances. After studying, learning, planning, and strategizing, we have to take that leap if we want to find out what’s possible. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Everytime we grow.
With Warmest Aloha,
Jon
#family #love #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindset #mentalhealth #positivemindset #quote #quotes #quoteoftheday #quotesofinstagram #motivationalquotes #motivation #life #career #business #plan #strategize #study #learn #grind #takechances #execute #win #lose #grow
Filed under Business, Career, Family, Motivation
Boy & His Daruma
When I was newly in this world, my grandma Ellen Sakai got me this awesome display for Boys Day from Japan protected by a glass box showing a baby boy and his daruma. They are determined to reach their goals despite others saying they can’t. A daruma is a doll that reminds you of your goals. You paint one eye when you have a goal and color in the other eye after you achieve it. A daruma is round so it will get back up when it is knocked down. The Japanese Zen have a saying, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” I grew up very focused on what I want, even one track mind at times, obsessively attacking my most passionate goals. I’m always thinking about them even when I’m not working. I’ve learned to tame my obsession for my goals by understanding that there are things I can’t control, so I focus on what I can. Good luck on your goals! With Warmest Aloha, Jon
#grandma #family #daruma #darumadoll #boysday #goals #dreams #determined #focused #obsessed #ambition #drive #tenacity #life #love #career #business #writing #quote #quotes #motivated #excited #gratitude
Children of a Neverending Summer
The children of a neverending summer jumping off a stepladder into the ocean. As adults, life can come at us hard. Children remind us to live in the present moment. They clearly define mindfulness by the way they live. Beautiful Haleiwa, Hawaii with my friend Mike who added comments on the moment. We reminisced when we were children. We could relate on how these children felt, not wanting the moment to end, playing until the last drop of sunlight.
#children #beach #ocean #sunset #clouds #mindfulness #gratitude #haleiwa #hawaii
Filed under Happiness, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
Take the energy from your suffering to boost the power of your creativity.
Take the energy from your suffering to boost the power of your creativity.
#writing #thoughts #quote #quotes #mindset #positivemindset #positivity #positiveliving #mentalhealth #negativity #creativity #positiveenergy #motivation
Filed under Creativity, Mental Health, Motivation, Writing
No Hurricane, Back in the Groove!
Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Gratitude, Hawaii, Mindfulness, Motivation, Writing
Leaving Gifts For You
Death is always here.
Keep working on the future.
Leaving gifts for you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #148, 8/18/2018 –
#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Mindfulness, Motivation, Poems, Writing
Running Outdoors
No pill can pack all the health benefits of exercise. It’s good for our mind and body. My favorite is running outdoors. I’ve enjoyed running since my days playing soccer.
#exercise #running #run #outdoors #health #mind #body #waikele #hawaii #mindfulness
Filed under Exercise, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
Stranger, I Want You.
Your smile, your look.
The way you dance to the beats.
Stranger, I want you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #140, 7/4/2018 –
#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Inspiration, Motivation, Poems, Writing
This is how to work around the clock at Starbucks!!!
To keep working around the clock at Starbucks, this is how we do it. Rotisserie chicken, salad, and inside the Starbucks cup is instant Miso soup made by Amano from my friend who I met at Starbucks. Someday, I’m going to write a “thank you letter” to the founder of Starbucks! Have a Happy 4th of July!!!
#work #hustle #grind #productivity #entrepreneurship #business #starbucks #waikele #hawaii
Filed under Business, Career, Consistency, Entrepreneurship, Motivation, Productivity
Work
After an awesome meeting, I changed into comfortable clothes, and got to work at one of my favorite offices, Starbucks.
#starbucks #entrepreneurship #business #development #grind #tenacity #momentum #hawaii
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Motivation
Start-Ups
I have so much gratitude for my business partners, especially my FBO partners who have been working with me for almost three years, and all of us are pushing forward and taking on challenges without pay for all these years in addition to other projects we have for ourselves or with other groups. Trying to make personal ends meet while developing start-ups are tough and takes patience, but the process of learning, building new skills, and expanding relationships gives us a high. We’re seeing the destination of each goal getting closer and closer with our daily grind. My heart is with all of you as you strive for your goals. Fall down seven times and get back up eight (Japanese proverb). I’m cheering for you!!!
#startups #business #entrepreneurship #law #businesslaw #development #construction #aviation #fbo #books #novels #nonfiction #events #music #musicevents #energy #housing #dreams #goals #gratitude
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Events, Festivals, Goals, Gratitude, Infrastructure, Law, Motivation, Music, Productivity, Promoter, Writing
Happy Offices!
Sometimes it’s hard to work at an office so that’s why we have our happy offices. I get pumped up with good energy at coffee shops. Gotta do anything that helps us to keep moving forward. Have a great Saturday!
#happyplaces #happyoffices #office #business #work #writing #dailypractices #stepbystep #goals #starbucks #waikele #hawaii
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Motivation, Productivity, Writing
Hard to say goodbye.
No matter what challenges we have, there are always many things that are good in our lives. Hard to say goodbye. My niece and I.
#niece #sister #family #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Motivation
Attacking Our Long-Term Goals
When attacking my long-term goals, it usually takes 6 to 7 years for them to manifest. I have one goal that is on its 12th year. To quell the worry monster inside us from wondering if we will get there, or if all these years of work are worth it, we can keep working on each project step by step, day by day to knock off many small wins until we reach our vision. Each small win gives us a dopamine rush or feelings of accomplishment! Also, we can be like water, and adjust to receive different variations of our dreams.
#goals #dreams #stepbystep #daybyday #education #sports #exercise #health #career #politics #law #business #entrepreneurship #writing #fiction #nonfiction #books #aviation #nonprofit #charity #process #progress #mindset #patience #determination #relentless #tenacity #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Gratitude, Law, Life Coach, Motivation, Novels, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Sleep is Important
Having enough sleep is important for our mental and physical health. It’s a challenge for me because I’m always thinking, even when I want to sleep. I can read and write for many hours, even until sunrise, which I’m trying to avoid. If I get 7 or more hours of sleep, I add a win to my daily wins journal. I had almost 9 hours of sleep last night, my 70th time sleeping 7 or more hours for 2018.
#sleep #rest #health #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #stressrelief #anxietyrelief #practice #dailypractice #goals #selfdevelopment #mindfulness #peace #innerpeace
Filed under Consistency, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
Keep Going
Sometimes it’s hard to produce work. Forcing myself to keep going, and it becomes fun again as the momentum builds. Reading and writing this afternoon and evening of Saturday March 24, 2018.
#habits #tenacity #persistence #determination #goals #writing #reading #business #entrepreneurship #fiction #novels #creativewriting #starbucks #waikele #hawaii
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Motivation, Productivity, Writing
Wrote 71,343 Words for My 2nd Novel
For one of my projects, my second novel, a historical, suspense and romance story, I have to do a lot of research and reading on Iraq from 2003 to 2011. I also got input from my female friend who was born and raised in Iraq and endured the war. I wrote 71,343 words so far. My goal is to have 80,000 to 100,000 words. It took me 8 years to finish my first story, a historical, suspense, paranormal and romance novel based in Honolulu, Hawaii and the spirit world, that received some interest but it hasn’t been picked up yet. This one is taking me 4+ years so far, much faster. Maybe I can finish my third fictional writing in 2 years? Here, I’m writing at McDonald’s in Waikele on the evening of March 20, 2018.
#writing #research #reading #read #iraq #iraqwar #book #books #novel #novels #fiction #historical #suspense #romance #creativewriting #mcdonalds #waikeleoutlet #waikele #hawaii
Filed under Books, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Love Story, Motivation, Novels, Study, Writing
My REI Backpack
Switched to my REI backpack today since my other backpack started to fall apart near one of the straps. This was my backpack during law school. Lugging too much stuff. Got R2D2 (my Macbook Pro) and my samurai umbrella. Ready to do some evening work!
#backpack #rei #walk #walking #exercise #work #writing #business #entrepreneurship #hustle#grind #tenacity #macbookpro #samuraiumbrella #mindfulness #gratitude #hawaii
Filed under Consistency, Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Gratitude, Motivation, Productivity, Writing
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 