I hate Gary Vaynerchuck or whatever his name is.  (The Rev3 wine guy.)  I hate him cause he’s 100% right and has beat the snot out of 99% of the bloggers out there.  I had never heard of him last year, and in a few short months his name is EVERYWHERE.  Damn his luck!  */me Jealous rage is over.*

In all actuality, he’s successful for very obvious reasons.  His tenacity, and passion directly contributed to his success.  On just his tenacity alone, I applaud the hell out of him. 

I forgot where I read this but I had it pasted to a notepad doc to review later.  It’s one of those 10 tips type things, that we’ve all ready a Million different times.  Gary’s list is a bit edgier, and I appreciate that.  Thus, a post for you. 

• “answer every single email and every single comment on your blog’ for the rest of your FREAKING life.”
• “content is king but marketing is queen and the queen runs the household”
• “you have to go to every meetup you can possible go to”
• “pump out content - if you don’t produce something every day you’ll be out hustled”
• “‘Hustle - you have to work your face off.”
• “you need eyeballs - the easiest way to do this is to become part of the community”
• “induce conversation at every turn for the rest of your life”
• “your job is to create a connection”
• “be you and be every flaw”
• “it’s about putting up good content, creating conversation and spend 10% of your time working out how to make money”
• “if you’re not good at monetizing, get a bus partner that can.” do what u do & bring in others who can do the other stuff.”
• “if you’re a shy guy - become the greatest shy guy on earth”
• “don’t drink hatorade”

Oooopsies, I should have re-read the last one before I posted my jealous rant above.  :)  Anyways, good job Gary and a wish for more continued success!!

I admit it, I did watch “From G’s to Gents,” and I did enjoy it.  Fonzworth really impressed me.  My only issue, is I think it’s very difficult to transform someone, or teach someone these skills in around a dozen TV episodes.  A better option would be for elementary school’s to include Gentlemen / Lady classes in their curriculum.  Could be a class that covers chivalry, class, charisma, respecting others and their property.    (In all honesty, it would do more for our youth’s exposure to culture
than the damn Square Dancing lesson’s I had to take in P.E.)

I was lucky, my folks instilled this stuff into my head at a very young age.  My dad used to swat me when I didn’t get the door for my mom / others, and quite frankly the best networking / relationships I’ve had have been 100% due to this stuff.    

Regardless,
http://www.king-mag.com/online/?p=7981

50 Rules To Being A Gentleman

For dudes who split bills on fast-food dates, KING offers a template for sophistication. Relax and take notes.

The Gentlemen Panel: Fonzworth Bentley, Pacino Bing, John Delgado, Gerrell Gaddis, Damon Gales, Claveria “JoJo” Gumersindo, Rashaun Hall, Sheldon Hall, Grant Hill, Chris Mathis, Adam Matthews, Zach McCall, Mark Rooney, Jalen Rose, Anslem Samuel, Chiun-Kai Shih, Musiq Soulchild, Jamal Sullivan, Q-Tip, Greg Watkins, Pat Wilcox

50. A warm iron and a can of spray starch can do wonders. Invest in them even if you don’t wear slacks and button-ups regularly.

49. “If you buy one pair of shoes and one suit per year, you’ll have a nice collection soon enough. It’s an investment. Also, know your measurements and sizes, because you might find a woman who wants to hook you up and get a suit made.”—Chris Mathis, 36, barber

48. Wearing a fitted hat on your commute to work with your business suit or with just pants and a dress shirt isn’t a good look.

47. “Tone down the bagginess a bit without wandering into nut-hugger territory. Showing your ass and boxers is not appealing in any setting.”—Anslem Samuel, 31, magazine editor

46. Find a good tailor.

45. T-shirts should fall just below your waist, and the seam of the shoulder should be right on your shoulder.

44. Wear a belt. It’s called underwear for a reason.

43. Don’t try to outdress a woman. She should be the center of attention and should not feel that she’s underdressed.

42. “The world is bigger than your hood and the places your favorite rappers represent. Try to travel to a place where your cell phone won’t work. That’s when you know you’ve actually gone somewhere. If you can’t afford to put your passport on pivot, try reading a book or travel guide about the place you’d like to visit.”—A. Samuel

41. Barnes & Noble should be your best friend.

40. “[As far as books], start with the classics: Catcher in the Rye, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Odyssey, Crime and Punishment.”—Q-Tip, 38, rapper/producer/actor

39. If reading books the size of War & Peace seems daunting, peruse different types of magazines—ones covering art, architecture, design or photography.

38. Try not to go straight to the sports section of the newspaper.

37. Watch the news, preferably more than one channel. Suggestions: BBC, MSNBC, CNN and, yes, even FOX News.

36. Being open-minded and aware of the world around you shows class and sophistication, but avoid seeming pretentious by being modest instead of showing off what you know.

35. “There will come a time when you outgrow the dudes you grew up with. Have a beer with them once in a while, but it’s OK to move on and be friendly with new people.”—Adam Matthews, 36, journalist

34. Go easy on the slang, especially among those who are already judging you based on race and age.

33. Don’t just talk the talk.

32. Look people in the eyes when you greet them and shake their hand.

31. “Take criticism with an open mind. You can improve from listening to superiors and by changing your actions to serve them. Don’t mess with the pack order—it’s there for a reason.”—A. Matthews

30. Be on time to meetings—early if you can.

29. In meetings, don’t hold conversations at the same time someone else is speaking. Let the person finish his point before giving yours.

28. “Memphis Bleek had one good line: ‘The strong move quiet, the weak start riots.’ Don’t be the guy who always needs attention on him or starts problems over small stuff.”—Mark Rooney, 31, salesman

27. Don’t talk down to coworkers, including subordinates. You may be above them in rank, but as a human being, you’re on a level playing field.

26. “Look for the people who will make your job easier. You can’t do everything yourself, so you’re going to need help. These people will be pivotal to your success. And always thank them and show your appreciation when they come through for you.”—Claveria “JoJo” Gumersindo, 36, quality management

25. Don’t be afraid to share the spotlight in your workplace. Rather than being self-centered, work together with somebody of equal ambition. You don’t always have to be in the front seat—the backseat is cool.

24. Don’t think because someone has money, he’s a good businessman; there are people with no money who are better.

23. “You don’t want to do anything and everything just for a buck. I’ve walked away from deals a number of times that I think were good deals, but I didn’t think they were good people.”—Grant Hill, 35, Phoenix Suns small forward

22. Learn more about food and where to eat it cheaply. Most cities have great ethnic food; you just have to go to a specific neighborhood to get it.

21. If you initiate a dinner date or meeting, then you should expect to pay. That works both ways.

20. At a restaurant, let women order food first, and stand up when a woman leaves the table.

19. Avoid unnecessary use of expletives in public, especially in the presence of a woman you’re trying to impress.

18. Unless your Fight Club membership is in danger of being revoked, walk away from altercations.

17. Always put your napkin in your lap at dinner. Stuffing it in your shirt is grounds for getting slapped.

16. Caveman behavior at the dinner table isn’t good. Use utensils, avoid chewing with your mouth open and don’t leave a messy plate.

15. When eating out, always tip more than 20 percent. Waiters live off of customers’ kindness. And you don’t want to make other people at your table reach into their pocket to cover your cheapness.

14. “Treat older women as if they were your own mother.”—C. Mathis

13. Always have a woman walk on the inside of the sidewalk and on the side of parked cars in a parking lot, basically using your body as a barrier from harm.

12. Sometimes the best movies are in the independent market. Documentaries are great educational sources, too.

11. If you’re trying to have a relationship, let the woman know. If you’re not, and you’re just trying to hit, let them know that, too.

10. Brush your teeth, gargle or have a breath mint before getting up close and personal.

9. If the opportunity presents itself on the first night, don’t pull a condom out of your wallet. She’ll get the impression that you’re premeditated and will be turned off.

8. Even if you’re having a one-night stand with a woman, be respectful. Jay-Z might brag about kicking women out five minutes after having sex with them, but he’s not having sex with your date—you are. Casual sex needn’t be disrespectful. In fact, it’s more fun when its not.

7. “Don’t fall asleep when you’re done. Just because you got yours doesn’t mean the night is over.”—JoJo

6. “If you’re not into oral, you better get into it. Not with every woman, of course, but someone you’re serious with.”—C. Mathis

5. “If you want her to be your devil, treat her like an angel.”—Gerrell Gaddis, 32, songwriter

4. Don’t ask about the last guy she was with; as in, “Was I better than he was?” Being competitive is a young man’s game.

3. Never forget to introduce your woman as your girlfriend, spouse or otherwise to people when you’re out at functions together.

2. Avoid public fights with your woman. Keep things private to let her know there’s an exclusive world that you and her share.

1. “Young guys should pump their brakes. Don’t have kids until you’re 30, and look at her family and background to know what you’re getting into.”—C. Mathis

Great Leadership article I read from Entrepreneur.com. Check it out Here, or read on below.

1. The successful leader has a vision:
   Think things through and know where you want to go and how you want to
   get there. Work with others to ensure a vision is followed through.
   Direct the actions and resources toward making it a reality.
2. The successful leader communicates well:
   Articulate a vision clearly to others. Encourage two-way communication
   between managers and non-managers and always be available to others.
   Strive to be succinct and specific about directions and instructions.
   Above all, a good leader avoids generalizations and ambiguities that
   can lead to misunderstanding, conflict and poor performance.
3. The successful leader supports and guides the employees:
   Start by helping others clarify and achieve goals by identifying and
   removing any obstacles. Provide the resources (time, money, people,
   information and equipment) needed to complete the task. Don’t reprimand
   others who make mistakes when taking a well-calculated risk. Instead,
   critique and analyze what went wrong and what went right. Next, work with
   the employee to correct the error. Decide whether another attempt at a
   previous goal is necessary, and offer encouragement if it is. During
   the entire process, provide appropriate feedback to ensure positive
   attitudes and actions. Serve as a model of good attitude and use
   approaches that others can emulate.
4. The successful leader believes in his/herself:
   A good leader possesses a strong sense of confidence, built upon years
   of learning, experimenting and at times failing–but always growing. Be
   aware of personal strengths and limitations, and demonstrate those
   skills and talents without boasting. Assume responsibility for faults
   and personal errors without hiding them or blaming others, and know
   that if a mistake occurs, it does not equate inadequacy. A successful
   leader believes that he or she can turn around a negative situation by
   re-examining the variables and other circumstances–with input from
   others, when necessary.
5. The successful leader creates the atmosphere that encourages others to grow and thrive:
   Know that no one individual possesses all of the answers. By
   appreciating the role that motivational techniques can play in
   improving employee performance, you can work with others to increase
   organizational productivity and improve individual job satisfaction.
   Here are some tips on how to create a motivational atmosphere:

   • Ask people their opinion rather than telling them yours.

   •
   When people ask you for solutions, have them come up with answers or
   options rather than telling them the best way to resolve a situation.
   Discuss the merits of their views and how to make them successful.

   •
   Provide positive feedback when employees voice their opinions. Offer
   suggestions or try to resolve challenges. Reinforcing behavior on your
   part will encourage more spontaneity, thinking and innovation on their part.

   •
   Ask questions, even when you don’t know the answer. Ask employees
   challenging questions that encourage them to think, plan and react.
   Above all, encourage employees to challenge themselves.

   •
   Encourage employees to take appropriate risks. Support them when they
   do and also when the outcome of risk-taking isn’t positive. In those
   cases, evaluate what went wrong and encourage other, more appropriate
   risks.

6. The successful leader manages by walking around: By getting out of the office and
   walking around the department, plant or building to interact with other
   employees, you get an opportunity to see people on the line doing daily
   tasks. Create an opportunity to informally chat with employees and
   learn something more about their work challenges and lives.
7. The successful leader acts and reacts in an honest manner: Authors and creators of The Leadership Challenge program
   Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner report that honesty is the No. 1
   characteristic of superior leaders. Honest leaders easily build trust
   and confidence. Their employees are more apt to work harder, ask
   questions and respect leaders who come across as honest. Employees will
   also accept critiques, whether positive or negative, from leaders they
   trust and believe.
8. The successful leader creates and fosters a learning environment:
   Recognize that increased knowledge, more job experience and challenging
   different mind-sets increases worker satisfaction, motivation and
   productivity. Frequently encourage others to think outside-the-box and
   see issues from alternate perspectives.
9. The successful leader perseveres:
   Don’t deflect from achieving goals simply because obstacles exist or no
   answer is readily available. Continue in your pursuit of excellence
   despite barriers and criticism, and encourage the same attitude in
   others.
10. The successful leader shares successes: Know that positive outcomes are rarely the result of only one person’s attempts or input. A self-confident entrepreneur shares the limelight and accolades with others who contributed to the final product or service.

Full article Here.

Tou’che Art of Manliness…  I will likely steal from you soon…

Great blog I just found through Digg.com.  The post that brought me in was ‘Talk Like Frank Sinatra.’  Much more appropriate than the ‘Talk like Andrew Dice Clay‘ post I was working on…  Great blog!

Talk Like Frank Sinatra

February 11, 2008

Old Blue Eyes. The Chairman of the Board. Frank Sinatra was the epitome of American male coolness. When he walked into any room, his confident swagger created an electric charge. Women wanted to be with him and men wanted to be him.

Part of Sinatra’s manly and cool presence came from the way he talked. See, Frank had a way of livening up every part of life, even the English language. He peppered casual conversations with phrases and words that to the uninitiated sounded like a bunch of gibberish. Yet it left people intrigued, and wanting to be part of the seemingly exclusive fraternity that used this secret lingo. It not only created a magnetic attraction, but simply sounded damn cool.

Below is a dictionary of the secret man language of Frank Sinatra. Throw a few of these words into your conversations among friends. You’ll probably get a few raised eyebrows but like Frank, you’ll add spark to even the most mundane interactions.

    * Bag — As in “my bag,” a person’s particular interest.
    * ‘Barn burner — A very stylish, classy woman.
    * Beard — A male friend who acts as a ‘cover,’ usually for extramarital affairs.
    * Beetle — A girl who dresses in flashy clothes.
    * Big-leaguer — A resourceful man who can handle any situation.
    * Bird — A euphemism sometimes used in reference to the pelvic section.
 

Read More Sinatra-speak at the ArtOfManliness

It’s my bag.
–D

I had the…. pleasure?  of listening to the people that live above me squabble last night.  They chose 2am for the main event. Not wanting to be rude, I decided I might as well give them the attention they were obviously after.  (They have to realize although this is a ‘luxury’ apartment, the walls really aren’t that thick and they easily were training in the art of ‘thou who shout’est loudest wins.’)

Ever notice these relationship/domestic arguments always hit the same topics and same scripts?  Agenda Point 4, cheating.  Agenda Point 7, You’re a Crazy B$%ch.  It’s always the same.  One of these days it’ll get Dane Cook’ish with the ‘Are you out of your F’in mind.’  I’ll be there to hear some REAL sh%t drop in the league of you killed JFK, quit hiding the space alien under your bed, or I’m going to tell everyone that you stole my thongs.
  
However, after listening to this scripted break-up scene, I realized culture has managed to sneak in a new topic of argumentation.  I’m noticing more and more domestic fights/issues that bring in MySpace as evidence.  So and so posted this, such and such is higher than me on your top eight, this says you’re single etc. etc.

I ask you this - When will MySpace be a valid member of a jury trial?  Further, when will your Twitter acct., your blog, Digg profile or whatever be no longer a tool of your own self-branding, but evidence used against you?  Can you imagine an accused killer using his Digg voting or something as an alibi?   

You’re not in my top eight,
–D