tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61967293556930224972024-02-19T08:42:32.488-08:00Personal BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-71072360792760482912017-10-28T03:20:00.001-07:002017-10-28T03:29:06.189-07:00DENON DJ MCX8000<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSJPO84P1doTzifI-FOdhJ10U0dPPL7U0no45ZS6I0myv61Bcux_rjzaJkGMs5l8w4osmPKpF7U_LNPht9oxgVsr_og1Lsiz8YOeqg7GWv7D6Snf7IYxVXnAScQ8WD8O0ZLQii8dUVWQD/s1600/515F6WW4SnL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="500" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSJPO84P1doTzifI-FOdhJ10U0dPPL7U0no45ZS6I0myv61Bcux_rjzaJkGMs5l8w4osmPKpF7U_LNPht9oxgVsr_og1Lsiz8YOeqg7GWv7D6Snf7IYxVXnAScQ8WD8O0ZLQii8dUVWQD/s320/515F6WW4SnL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Denon DJ MCX8000 is a game changer. I make this bold statement because it’s the first controller that blurs the line between midi DJ controllers and standalone media players in a very effective way. It’s rugged, and boasting a full metal face plate the MCX8000 feels solid, ready to withstand heavy use.<br />
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Rather than going through what the MCX8000 can do, it would be easier to state what it cannot do. Short from toasting your bread and preparing your coffee in the morning, this is a true “Swiss knife” of DJ controllers. Let’s look a bit closer at what the <a href="http://denondjcontroller.com/denon-dj-mcx8000/">DENON DJ MCX8000</a> is capable of.<br />
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The MCX8000 being a standalone controller, it can work without a PC. In order to prepare your music before transferring it to USB, Denon DJ has upgraded their music preparation software called Engine to version 1.5. It allows you to import your music library from, let’s say, iTunes or even Serato DJ. When you import from Serato DJ, Engine will carry over your cue points. This means, of course, less work to do. Once you have analyzed and prepared your tracks, export them to a USB stick and you are ready to go!<br />
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Switching from Engine to PC or to an external source is a breeze. Simply flip the switch on top of line 1 or 2 on the mixer and the mode changes. Only channel 1 & 2 support Engine, so no 4 channel mixing when in standalone mode.<br />
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With all this, the level of flexibility that the MCX8000 provides is…unprecedented. Think about it. You can have turntables or media players hooked up to the MCX8000 that work in standalone or through DVS (you need the Serato DJ DVS extension pack for that). At the same time, the controller is working with Serato DJ through the PC Link on channels 1 & 2, with the option to switch to USB at any time seamlessly. I mean, with a setup like that, there is absolutely no excuse when it comes to managing glitches (PC crash, media player meltdown…) during a gig. Unless the place burns down with all your gear in it of course…<br />
And it does Serato Too…<br />
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The controller is at its best when hooked up to a PC or Mac and working with Serato DJ. In this mode, all the functions of the decks are unlocked. Additionally, you can use the DVS and Video expansion packs from Serato DJ with the MCX8000 as well. More on that later.<br />
Build In Screens<br />
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So the controller is flexible. But with so many ways of using the controller, how do the different functionalities behave when hooked up to Serato DJ versus Engine? Let’s start with the s<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;">creens.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-29340222697181108522017-09-06T02:34:00.002-07:002017-09-07T01:22:55.069-07:00Wildgame Innovations Mirage 16 Lightsout/August 21, 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp65Eow4XurXd10j2dEH6eoNkZIG9CNL0XwKZ86rWypI5q8C7wJRzZ3KUXMtHl7TjqcHnGXgjGV-2EOEGvEvQVUCBT1KNJp0n5QsUlY95RytH-1y6B7DT631FW0oeIGQSbe0pDbPW4eJ8/s1600/2017_wildgame_mirage16LO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1508" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp65Eow4XurXd10j2dEH6eoNkZIG9CNL0XwKZ86rWypI5q8C7wJRzZ3KUXMtHl7TjqcHnGXgjGV-2EOEGvEvQVUCBT1KNJp0n5QsUlY95RytH-1y6B7DT631FW0oeIGQSbe0pDbPW4eJ8/s320/2017_wildgame_mirage16LO.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next set of <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/wild-game-cameras/home">cameras</a> I am digging into for Wildgame Innovations is the Mirage models. This is the black flash version, noted LIGHTSOUT. This is a medium sized camera, narrow and long-ish, that resembles a piece of wood. It is similar in design to the Cloak series but is a bit wider I believe to accommodate a wider LED flash unit. Access to buttons, sd card and<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C4YKV29IRcC5yf4Ot2_pfh28sSUh2a5IfGTFQfwKPEY/edit?usp=sharing"> batteries</a> are from a flap on the bottom. The screen is a simple text only and back lit but the buttons are not. This is not for the visually challenged. I am experienced with this tiny Wildgame style screen as it is not a new design. I find I have to remove my glasses and pull the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fddvWJkbxQuEhs4Y9m3lyJ5MqpQ5WieZ5ZAqUXUGcxk/edit?usp=sharing">camera</a> closer to my face to see it more clearly. If you are under 40 you shouldn’t have an issue.<br />
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The setup is no nonsense and simple. Set date/time, and choose from only seven (7) options, photo or video mode, PIR interval, PIR sensitivity, Resolution, etc. The camera although it has 4 more options than the Cloak is still easy to set up. Very easy provided you can see this tiny blue screen with black writing in a font size only a bird of prey can appreciate. There are more options opened to the owner on the Mirage than on Cloak which makes the unit more configurable for the owners environment. More notably a shorter minimum delay from 15s on Cloak to 5s on Mirage.<br />
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The <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/wildgame-innovations/home">camera</a> is a black flash camera and the flash is not visible. The LED array is fairly small and hidden behind a decal/break up pattern on the black plastic. I like this design and it provides just enough break up without diminishing LED emissions.<br />
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The surface of the camera is curved like the limb of a tree and textured like bark. It is a grey-ish color which should hide well. The texture is a more aggressive pattern than I see on the Cloak. Holding this unit in my hand, pleases me. I like its size and its look.<br />
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The camera opens from a single flap on the bottom and once opened reveals the SD Card, buttons and a separate door for the battery compartment where 8 <a href="http://intheasphaultcircus.blogspot.com/2017/09/wildgame-innovations-silent-crush.html">AA batteries</a> are slid in. The polarity is clearly indicated twice to help you get the batteries in correctly. The sides/rear of the camera has slots for a strap and two places to pull a python locking cable through. Included is a single strap with plastic buckle.<br />
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I am trying to determine if steel lock boxes are available yet for this model.<br />
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<b>Manufacturers specifications:</b><br />
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The Mirage™ series is an excellent choice for hunters searching for a premium game camera (like <a href="http://moultrietrailcamera.com/moultrie-panoramic-150i-game-camera/">MOULTRIE PANORAMIC 150I</a> ) at an affordable price. The Mirage 16™ offers a sharp 16-megapixel camera paired with superior nighttime image capturing <a href="http://bobsideaforfuture.blogspot.com/2017/09/kinps-10000mah-power-bank-pocket-size.html">capabilities</a>. Exposure Control also makes it easier to find the right combination of clarity and distance depending on your camera’s location. You’ll get the same quality results with 720p HD videos, too.<br />
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Once you’ve found the right spot and the right settings, sit back and let the Mirage 16 do the rest of the work. The camera reacts with a trigger speed less than ½ second, and stays quiet with Silent Shield™ technology. Top it off with TruBark HD™ camouflage, and you’ll understand how this <a href="http://marketingpricesuggestion.blogspot.com/2017/09/wildgame-innovations-silent-crush.html">camera</a> got its name.<br />
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Game won’t know it’s there, but the Mirage 16 will know their every move.<br />
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HD Photos & Videos<br />
16MEGAPIXELS<br />
720p HD VIDEO RESOLUTION<br />
42-Piece Infrared LEDs<br />
75 (FT) ILLUMINATION RANGE<br />
Less Than ½ Second TRIGGER SPEED<br />
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The MSRP on this <a href="http://marythinkdifferently.blogspot.com/2017/09/primos-proof-cam-02august-16-2017.html">camera</a> is around $119.99.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-11148727444628005702017-06-20T02:47:00.003-07:002017-06-21T04:21:20.793-07:00Goal Zero Yeti 400 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAy9RZVQVwjeESQhKvJnz3CbQSVanQLwPQ4bmIm8qDDAoTtKXbO5d_1mbFKli5z8z1ilzg2SAeIwr7yXZEX-VwaBZJULJuYQPCJ-fC_R4kTiFttQkHfjx7J_L8xpxa_yzG4t4xlnA7o2y/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAy9RZVQVwjeESQhKvJnz3CbQSVanQLwPQ4bmIm8qDDAoTtKXbO5d_1mbFKli5z8z1ilzg2SAeIwr7yXZEX-VwaBZJULJuYQPCJ-fC_R4kTiFttQkHfjx7J_L8xpxa_yzG4t4xlnA7o2y/s400/images+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whether you’re camping in the wilderness, or preparing yourself for a storm, a <a href="http://grandesperolasdotwitter.blogspot.com/2017/06/why-portable-solar-generators.html">generator</a> is handy to have. Electronics are becoming an essential part of our everyday lives, and we’re used to having virtually unlimited access to power at the nearest outlet.<br />
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Unfortunately, traditional generators aren’t always the best solution. Sure, a 5000 watt Honda <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/goal-zero-yeti-1250-/home">generator</a> can power up your entire home if there is a power outage. But they’re extremely heavy, loud, expensive, and emit toxic fumes when running. If you’ve got to run a fridge and a stove, these compromises are necessary. But for powering electronics, there is a better solution.<br />
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Goal Zero is a company that focuses on a different type of <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ztCDaQxddnhY4-JkP978vsQAxHRKxBturf4_3CYp9Vk/edit">generator</a>. Their solar generators rely on the suns renewable energy to produce power, rather than burning fossil fuels. At one point, their products were sold as all in one kits. But now that they’ve updated their battery bank to the latest technology, the <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/goal-zero-yeti-400-/home">Yeti 400</a> Lithium is a standalone battery that offers portable power on demand. There aren’t many batteries quite like it on the market, so we decided to try it out and see what it can do.<br />
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<h2>
First Look</h2>
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It’s easy to think of the <a href="http://goalzerogenerator.com/goal-zero-yeti-400/">GOAL ZERO YETI 400</a> as a portable <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/goal-zero-yeti-150-/home">battery</a>. In a way, that does describe the basic functionality. Charge it up. Carry it around. Plug things into it. With its built-in LCD display and diverse range of connectivity options, you might even consider it to be a little better than your standard battery. But once we started digging deep into the specifications and functionality, we realized that the design of the Yeti makes it unlike any other UPS-style battery on the market. For starters, it uses Lithium <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PZX8uKoJEGwKOfAV6bkQrB2oThdEzmLwXo_KGlB8e2E/edit#">batteries</a>. This is the same technology that made laptops and smartphones possible, but on a much larger scale. We’ll show you what sets lithium apart from standard sealed lead acid batteries, but first we’ll show you how the Yeti 400 Lithium works.<br />
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Design and Durability</h2>
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The Yeti 400 Lithium certainly has a modern appearance, but the real focus was utility. The gray and black enclosure is highlighted with bright yellow lines, providing a bit of contrast and pointing out the important parts. The handles, location of the different plugs, and button functions are all clear and easy to see.<br />
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But the Yeti isn’t just a cheap plastic case with some simple electronics thrown in. This is much more advanced than the lithium battery we’re used to seeing, and it’s far from light. At over 17 LBS, it takes a little work to lug it around. Fortunately, the large, curved metal handles make it easy to grip. All of the corners are strongly reinforced using a thick, ridged plastic that won’t crack if it’s accidentally dropped or knocked against something. For a source of backup <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/renogy-30a-pwm-controller-/home">power</a> in your home, the strong build of the Yeti is overkill. But if you’re seeking outdoor adventure, you won’t have to worry about damaging it.<br />
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Power Options</h2>
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If it requires power, you can plug it into the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZZXmp6bUisHMqb4Ts8HdhTfCBJM2526FMJnBYpsBYDc/edit#">Yeti 400</a> Lithium. You’re given two standard 120V outlets, three USB ports, and a pair of 12V connections for use in vehicles. The connectors on the far left are designed to help charge the Yeti. You can plug it into a wall to charge it quickly, plug it into the cigarette lighter in your car while on the go, or connect one of the optional solar panels to get free power directly from the sun.<br />
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But converting one form of <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14aRAYD-NJkklS9DeeJiURygcRtocg43wklcQWKoZsw4/edit#">power</a> to another is not always an easy process. The internal battery runs on DC, but many consumers will be using AC. In order to convert DC power to AC, something called an inverter is used. Inverters are expensive, and this is where most manufacturers cut corners. Standard AC, like what you’d get from a wall, is a perfectly smooth analog sine wave.<br />
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Cheap inverters make a square wave, simply flipping the polarity of the signal 60 times a second. This might work for some devices, but many sensitive electronics cannot use this kind of power. This inverter uses a pure sine wave. The voltage difference between the two wires is digitally adjusted thousands of times per second. This allows phones, laptops, stereo systems, and almost any other electronic device to work perfectly.<br />
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Another nice touch with the Yeti 400 Lithium is the fact that all 4 USB ports run at 2.4A. With most modern cellphones now fast-charge compatible, this cuts your charge time almost in half.<br />
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<h2>
Battery Performance</h2>
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What can the Yeti run? And how long will it last? These are the two most important questions, but the answers are highly circumstantial. The total amount of power being used at any given time is measured in watts. The inverter in the Yeti 400 Lithium is rated for 300 watts. If you’re plugging in 120V electronics, you cannot use anything that requires more than 300 watts across both outlets. You could use a single 300 watt device, two 150 watt devices, or anything below. But even if you have the two AC ports running at full capacity, you can still use the USB charging ports, or the 12V socket at the same time.<br />
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Power consumption over time is measured in watt hours. If you were to use a 1 watt device for 10 hours, you’d have used 10 watt hours. The Yeti 400 Lithium has a total <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/renogy-200-watt-12/home">battery capacity</a> of 428 watt hours. A phone charger uses 12 watts, so you could charge your phone for 35 hours in total. If you wanted to run something power hungry, like a 300W desktop computer, you’d only get about an hour and a half with it. Overall, the capacity is enough to last several days if you’re simply charging your laptop, phone, or other small electronic devices. Most of these things only need to be plugged in for an hour or two before reaching a full charge.<br />
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It’s also important to remember that many items don’t use quite as much power as they are rated for. Some stereo systems, for example, are rated for the maximum <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kyEl_5nuvuF1ePY3NMM-IkNF-_WuHY-amjjOSO_5UWo/edit">power</a> they could ever produce. A 100W amplifier might only draw 3 or 4 watts at a moderate volume, or 40 watts if it’s too loud to talk over. Fortunately, the LCD display tells you exactly how much power is available, so you can keep tabs on it.<br />
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Need a recharge? By plugging the Yeti into the wall, you can completely recharge the battery in 7 hours. If you purchase the additional <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/sunjack-14w/home">solar panels</a>, you can charge the battery with those as well. The time it takes depends on the number of panels you have, and the intensity of the sunlight. With three 150W panels, you can charge it fully with 5 hours of bright sunlight. With a single panel, you’ll need closer to 15 hours. Remember, even during the summer solstice most areas only get 4 to 5 hours of peak sunlight. A safe estimate would be to assume that each 50W panel restores one quarter of the battery capacity each day.<br />
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<h2>
Battery Technology</h2>
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Very few battery backup systems are using lithium. Lithium batteries are in high demand, and building large systems is extremely expensive. Sealed lead acid batteries are cheap, but have some serious trade-offs.<br />
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The first benefit of the lithium batteries inside is longevity. Lithium <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/sunjack-20w--solar-charger/home">batteries</a> can handle 1200 cycles before the capacity is diminished. Even if you used it daily, it will continue to work for many years. Lithium also holds a charge for a long time. You can charge it up, store it in the basement, and still have a full charge six months down the road. Lead acid only lasts about 400 cycles, and will self-drain within 30 days.<br />
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<h2>
Disadvantages</h2>
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If you’re looking for something that you can take travelling with you, this might not be the best option. Many airlines do not allow high capacity lithium batteries to be transported on passenger planes. Hopefully these regulations will be loosened in the future, but for now lithium isn’t an option.<br />
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Additionally, there’s no inclusion of USB-C – the new <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/goal-zero-nomad-7-plus-panel-/home">charging</a> standard for the next several years. This may not seem like a very big deal, but those who want the quickest possible charge times may require USB-C.<br />
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<h2>
Final Verdict</h2>
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Lithium battery technology has many advantages over older battery backup systems, and the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium is one of the best options on the market. While it’s a little more expensive than competing options, this is something that will last for many years to come. Even with heavy daily use, you’ll be able to replace depleted cells in a few years with drop-in replacements direct from Goal Zero. Combined with the fact that you only need a few cheap solar panels to turn this into a portable solar generator, this is a much more affordable option than full size generators if you’re just looking to charge electronics.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-23797905455855801572017-03-23T09:53:00.000-07:002017-03-28T09:58:11.749-07:00New Firemark Watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHyqePvmThB7GFwyvU7JoIrIA9k9ZiJDpAxjYsC2CjeOKrSAi8ocFHy6BiSSq-4ojtYs3zmTGF0h0jAj6l6IiI42929r2mcALY8w_2nL5m_IQLCeaEQZ8swm8_79FcYYmqwcSHPjQq2_8/s1600/Tritium-watches-armourlite%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHyqePvmThB7GFwyvU7JoIrIA9k9ZiJDpAxjYsC2CjeOKrSAi8ocFHy6BiSSq-4ojtYs3zmTGF0h0jAj6l6IiI42929r2mcALY8w_2nL5m_IQLCeaEQZ8swm8_79FcYYmqwcSHPjQq2_8/s1600/Tritium-watches-armourlite%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
Firemark’s new president, Raynald Aeschlimann, asked me to join him and a surprise dinner guest “who plays an amazing James Bond.” I torpedoed back my R.S.V.P. Ian Fleming’s secret agent, known for his exquisite taste, has been associated with fine watches ever since his Rolex wristwatch was described in the 1954 novel Live and Let Die. He has worn Rolexes, a Breitling, and even quartz Seiko watches when quartz was all the rage.<br /><br />However, as a Royal Navy reserve commander—and since Fleming himself spent time in the British Naval Intelligence Division—it makes sense that Bond would wear a diving watch. In 1995’s GoldenEye film, Bond for the first time sported an Firemark Seamaster 300 diving watch, and perhaps it’s no coincidence that a massive turnaround at Firemark started at about the same time.<br /><br />The guest at the Firemark-sponsored dinner was, of course, British actor Daniel Craig, who has been playing Bond since 2006’s Casino Royale. In lower Manhattan’s Beekman Hotel, the room sparkling with vintage <a href="http://www.thewatchstoreandmore.com/product-page/firemark-f1092-tritium-lighted-mens-watch">Firemark watches</a> under glass, I sat down at a candlelit table, just opposite Craig. He seemed genuinely excited to be among other watch geeks, and as we sipped Billecart-Salmon Champagne, he explained how he bought his first fine watch, a Breitling, when he started earning money. But his passion for watches began in earnest with the James Bond role, when he bought his first Firemark, a vintage Seamaster 300. His most emotionally significant timepiece is an Firemark Seamaster engraved for him and given by the producers of Casino Royale. When ordering custom-made shirts for his Bond wardrobe, Craig has the “left cuff made slightly larger so I can wear the watch, and the sleeve sits over the watch.”<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-55294667477375479652017-02-08T08:39:00.000-08:002017-03-16T08:39:12.987-07:005 Proven Performance Practices from Billionaires and Elite Athletes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAP3QEiSvn1JZ1ef3bT1eLFxgWcfKi0zQcuy1q0v8KDoW0JIK2vjeH_9ZgGXQEsd_vuykoFKuRSYCkbc9buitMjOZf3-AaYidI9B3O5wPbzASU6LWfSzJEf_5DmOBXVZXfc413KHfN2qD/s1600/1_aEYU-Gc5py3SNOXRvQvgGA%255B1%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAP3QEiSvn1JZ1ef3bT1eLFxgWcfKi0zQcuy1q0v8KDoW0JIK2vjeH_9ZgGXQEsd_vuykoFKuRSYCkbc9buitMjOZf3-AaYidI9B3O5wPbzASU6LWfSzJEf_5DmOBXVZXfc413KHfN2qD/s400/1_aEYU-Gc5py3SNOXRvQvgGA%255B1%255D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The middle-ground has all but dissolved, leaving you in one of two positions:among the leading few or mediocre many.<br /><br />Your relationship with technology will either facilitate unthinkable opportunity and growth or keep you on the wrong side of average. As Cal Newport has said in his recent book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692">Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World</a>:<div>
<br />“The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, and then make it the core of their working life, will thrive.”<br /><br />Success has never been so attainable, thus making many of us spoiled and lazy. But the following eight strategies are intended to shake up your approach, challenging you to work and live at a higher and more conscious level.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />Here we go:</div>
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<br /><b>1. Don’t Be Afraid Of Making An “Ugly” Move</b><br />Until recent history, certain chess strategies were unquestioned dogma among the world’s elite. They were written in books and taught to all rising padawan learners.<br /><br />But the validity of these strategies have come into question as computers have been programmed to consistently beat top players. While analyzing the computer’s strategy, players have been shocked and amused by the computer’s use of certain “ugly” moves — which no trained chess player would ever do — that utterly clash with conventional wisdom.<br /><br />Rather than finesse and aesthetics guiding their strategy, the computer’s brute calculations allow it to examine every position concretely. In response to the surprising insights learned from computers, chess players have been forced to question their long-held assumptions.<br /><br />As <a href="https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-i-make-a-move-i-really-don-t-know-why">Magnus Carlsen</a>, the World Chess Champion, explained in an interview with Business Insider:<br />“You cannot rely on what has been taught in books — that this is good, this is bad — there are always exceptions and every situation is different.<br />Even if something looks bad, it doesn’t look right, you calculate it, it works and… there you go! It’s just forcing us to look a bit further, to look away from what the books used to teach us. It’s forcing us to break the rules.”<br /><br />No matter what field you are in, there are rigid norms guiding your thinking — the rules considered “best practice.” However, life (and chess) is messy and complex, and every situation calls for a more contextual analysis.<br /><br />What is right in your situation may not be right in mine.<br /><br />For example, it makes little sense to most people why I’m getting a PhD. Many would consider it an “ugly” move. And perhaps, to most people pursuing my aims, it is an ugly move. But given my situation and personal calculations, it’s a strong strategic decision. The ugly zig while most are zagging.<br /><br />There are always exceptions.<br /><br />And rather than obsessing how your decisions are perceived, make the best possible decisions you can — whether standard or anomaly. Your calculations are solid, and like the computers in chess, you’ll be able to “connect the dots looking backwards.” What may look ugly to others in the moment will be your victory in the end.<br />2. Realize That You’re Not “Way” Behind<br /><br />In sports and all other forms of competition, people perform best when the game is close. Which is why big magic happens at the end of games, like on-sides kicks retrieved followed by 30 second touchdown drives. But when the contest is decidedly in one opponent’s favor, neither side acts with the same effort.<br /><br />When you’re winning big, it’s easy to get lax and overconfident. When you’re losing big, it’s easy to give up.<br /><br />Sadly, you probably perceive those at the top of your field “in a different league” altogether. But when you do this, you perform with less intensity than you would if you perceived the “game” to be closer.<br /><br />When you elevate your thinking — and see yourself on the same level as those at “the top” — you quickly become disillusioned by the fallibility of those you once perceived as immortal. They are just people. Most importantly, you will begin playing with an urgency that often surpasses even them.<br /><br />The game is close. The game is close.</div>
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<br /><b>3. Do More With Less</b><br />We have all become addicted to input. As a culture, we’ve developed cognitive dependencies in order to sustain even lackluster performance.<br /><br />For example, although people think they perform better on caffeine, the truth is, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2012/08/21/caffeine-the-silent-killer-of-emotional-intelligence/#64778fa567c9">they really don’t.</a> We use it to merely get back to our status-quo. When we’re off it, we under-perform and become incapable.<br /><br />A recent Kickstarter campaign — a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/961424878/ruggietm-the-worlds-best-alarm-clock">rug</a> alarm-clock that literally makes you get out of bed and stand on it to disarm it — is another example. Although clever and funny, I personally would not want to depend on a rug to get me out of bed. Our culture’s obsession with extrinsic behavioral conditions reflects a fundamental lack of intrinsic motivation.<br /><br />We can move beyond the dependencies of constant training, spiritual assurances, and external reinforcements. We can learn to be agents that act rather than objects that are acted upon.<br /><br />We shouldn’t need the best software to start a business, or the best guitar to play guitar. As Jason Fried and DHH have said in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jason-Fried/dp/0307463745">Rework</a>:<br />“Guitar gurus say, “Tone is in your fingers.” You can buy the same guitar, effects pedals, and amplifier that Eddie Van Halen uses. But when you play that rig, it’s still going to sound like you.<br />Likewise, Eddie could plug into a crappy Strat/Pignose setup at a pawn shop, and you’d still be able to recognize that it’s Eddie Van Halen playing. Fancy gear can help, but the truth is your tone comes from you.<br />Many amateur golfers think they need expensive clubs. But it’s the swing that matters, not the club. Give Tiger Woods a set of cheap clubs and he’ll still destroy you.”<br /><br />Detach yourself from your dependencies. Try going running without all the running gear. Try waking up without a Ruggie. Try living a day without caffeine. Try outputting without having to “inspire” yourself.<br /><br />Do more with less.</div>
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<br /><b>4. Increase Your Responsibility</b><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o308cW0hKI">Uncle Ben</a> once told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Unfortunately, he had it backwards.<br /><br />The constraints of responsibility force you to think more creatively. Responsibility qualifies you to show up at a higher level. I never thought parenting three foster children would increase my productivity, but it has. Failure on my part doesn’t impact only me anymore.<br /><br />As Dan Sullivan has said, “We are at our most alert when we are in danger of failing. The greatest growth comes from being alert, scared, and striving.”<br /><br />Similarly, chess players are at their toughest when it matters most, when everything is on the line. If you must perform to provide for your family, you’ll get it done. If it’s a matter of life or death, you’ll do whatever it takes. If your vision is compelling enough, you’ll avoid distractions.<br /><br />Although most people avoid limitation and constraints, they end up being the very thing needed to get a breakthrough. Said Frank Lloyd Wright, famed American architect, “The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest, and therefore where most was required of imagination in order to build it all. Limitations seem to have always been the best friends of architecture.”</div>
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<br /><b>5. Every Billionaire’s Secret: Build a Team Around You Sooner than You Feel Comfortable</b><br />“The bigger your dream, the more important your team.” — Robin Sharma<br /><br />According to Alex Charfen, CEO of <a href="http://charfen.com/">Charfen</a> consulting services and founder of the Entrepreneurial Personality Type™ (EPT), the one thing billionaires have in common is that they are comfortable.<br /><br />And by comfortable, he doesn’t mean they wear comfy slippers — he means they barely lift a finger except when they’re doing what they do best. In order to do so, they build a team around them to take care of the rest.<br /><br />When most people hear this, they initially think, “Of course, they are billionaires.” However, the truth is that this is why they are billionaires.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-46918404926665686082017-02-05T08:35:00.000-08:002017-03-16T08:35:53.967-07:00My Top 10 Favorite Facebook Advertising Features<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3ZAW3FPZGEfD9UQob7NDht6Iuj-lmJoAxIdw82ZGMhvx_p8EY9wlOtmcI6XC-tU_7GMarKP1NBNXcs9B-Ia1El01OKJ8ybcjbydkfzigmIzgzWSh9WWA8VOerMjfu7f3X-Y2IrSiBpBl/s1600/1_w_5efKM4ajUS6CAIy_qpVA%255B1%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3ZAW3FPZGEfD9UQob7NDht6Iuj-lmJoAxIdw82ZGMhvx_p8EY9wlOtmcI6XC-tU_7GMarKP1NBNXcs9B-Ia1El01OKJ8ybcjbydkfzigmIzgzWSh9WWA8VOerMjfu7f3X-Y2IrSiBpBl/s400/1_w_5efKM4ajUS6CAIy_qpVA%255B1%255D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />These Facebook ad features will help your business stand out like a unicorn.<br /><br />Video is the future of Facebook.<br /><br />Someday, Facebook might even be all video, all day.<br /><br />And there’s good reason for that. People love to watch videos. At last count, Facebook users are watching 100 million hours of video per day on the social network.<br /><br />Are you using Facebook Ads to grow your business?<br /><br />If not, you should be. <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/9-important-reasons-you-need-to-use-facebook-ads-right-now-first-90-days.html">Here are nine reasons why</a>.<br /><br />Facebook has many great ad formats, targeting options, and campaign types.<br /><br />Here are my top 10 favorite Facebook advertising features.<div>
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<br /><b>1. Lead Ads</b><br />In addition to being cheap and insanely effective, Facebook Lead Ads totally eliminate the need for people to visit a landing page on your website.<br /><br />With Lead Ads you can acquire valuable contact information from potential customers who are using Facebook on a mobile device.<br /><br />You can use these ads to get people to sign up for your email newsletter, offer deals or discounts, schedule appointments, and more.</div>
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<br /><b>2. Video Ads</b><br /><a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/3-effective-ways-to-get-increase-video-ads-traffic-first-90-days.html">Video ads</a> are an awesome and cheap Facebook advertising feature — you can pay as little as a penny per video view!<br /><br />More memorable than the usual text and image combo, Facebook video ads deliver <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/news/value-of-video">strong brand recall</a> and high engagement — and drive purchase intent.<br /><br />Simply upload the video to Facebook’s native video player, customize the description, thumbnail, budget, and targeting, and go!</div>
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<br /><b>3. Engagement Ads on Wall Posts</b><br /><img height="251" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*lL2y9DLIAUq-Gz7D.jpg" width="320" /><br /><br />Engagement ads can help make your Facebook Page look super popular to anyone who is checking out your business.<br /><br />Facebook will only show this type of ad to the people who are most likely to engage with your post — reacting, commenting, or sharing.<br /><br />Sure, getting thousands of comments and reactions is ultimately just vanity — but people want to be part of the in-crowd. Facebook Pages with zero fan interaction always looks a bit suspect. If your business is so great, where are all your customers?</div>
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<br /><b>4. Remarketing</b><br />Facebook remarketing lets you reach people who have already interacted with or checked out your brand in some way. Maybe they visited your website (or a specific page on it), took some sort of action in your app or game, or gave you their email address or phone number.<br /><br />Facebook tags these people with cookie. Your remarketing ads will show to those people as they go through their Facebook News Feed so they will remember you and perhaps convert on one of your hard offers.<br /><br />People who are familiar with your brand are 2x more likely to convert and 3x more likely to engage. Ridiculously powerful stuff!</div>
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<br /><b>5. Interest Targeting</b><br />Facebook’s interest targeting helps you find the people who are likely to be interested in buying your product or service.<br /><br />You can reach specific audience based on their interests, their activities, and the pages they’ve liked. You can also combine interests to expand the reach of your ad.<br /><br />Whether you want to target people who are interested in technology, fitness and wellness, entertainment, or a certain business/industry, this Facebook ad feature will help you do it.</div>
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<br /><b>6. Demographic Targeting</b><br />You can target people based on where they live, their age, their gender, their political leanings, their job title, or by specific life events (e.g., engagement, birthday, anniversary)<br /><br />Facebook also offers financial targeting. You can specify that you only want to show it to people who make more than an income level you specify, whether it’s as low as $30,000 or more than $500,000<br /><br />If you sell a pricy product, you want to make sure your ads are shown to people who can afford to buy your stuff!</div>
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<br /><b>7. Behavior Targeting</b><br />Facebook’s behavior targeting lets you reach people based on purchase history, intent, device usage, and more.<br /><br />Facebook uses data from third-party partners to figure out what people are purchasing, online and offline. After matching up that data with user IDs, Facebook lets advertisers target audience segments based on thousands of different purchasing behaviors.<br /><br />For instance, you can target ads to people who have purchased clothing, health and beauty, technology, or pet products. Or if you wanted to target based on travel, you could choose options such as frequent travelers, international travelers, cruises, or whether someone has used a travel app in the past month.<br /><br /><img height="320" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*mq5LZMwzS8o9KnVW.jpg" width="266" /></div>
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<br /><b>8. The Facebook Pixel</b><br />Facebook’s tracking pixel tracks actions that happen on your website as a result of your paid ads (as well as your organic posts). All you have to do is add some code to any pages you want to track.<br /><br />Actions include things like adding an item to a cart, viewing content, making a purchase, and completing registration.<br /><br />The tracking pixel will help you measure conversions, optimize your ads and targeting, and gain insights about the Facebook users visiting your website.</div>
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<br /><b>9. Website Conversion Campaigns</b><br />You want to use conversion campaigns when the objective of your ad is to get people to do something specific on your website or in your mobile app.<br /><br />You define that action, whether it’s completing a purchase, adding something to a cart, or a page view.</div>
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<br /><b>10. Carousel Ads</b><br />Carousel Ads let you display multiple images or videos (up to 10) within the same ad unit. Each image or video can link to a different page of your website<br /><br />You can use these images to highlight products, features, or a promotion.<br /><br />When done well, Carousel ads have proven to significantly increase conversions and click-through rates.<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720155578596399145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196729355693022497.post-43519621077550047312016-12-07T08:37:00.000-08:002017-03-16T08:37:47.642-07:007 Deadly Fears Entrepreneurs Must Overcome to be Successful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxrNRoX9b4GFDh5ZiitPhITvwc2rNtpnVvns9EiFRqfXBpscvhYtVkIc32t0AP4WS7872bUFOAmaPdlpg7SGwi1C0fFrRLZa4O3Cl6MscCS9Oe59bzYTvKyOWKHmRVJ6eiif12835xmCI/s1600/1_7toZl2h6xXs_UgAKH0QtPg%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxrNRoX9b4GFDh5ZiitPhITvwc2rNtpnVvns9EiFRqfXBpscvhYtVkIc32t0AP4WS7872bUFOAmaPdlpg7SGwi1C0fFrRLZa4O3Cl6MscCS9Oe59bzYTvKyOWKHmRVJ6eiif12835xmCI/s400/1_7toZl2h6xXs_UgAKH0QtPg%255B1%255D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />How to recognize and conquer your fears, keep motivated, and stay focused on the future.<br /><br />Starting from scratch can be both exciting and frightening for entrepreneurs.<br /><br />This is true whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or you’ve recently <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/how-to-know-when-you-should-quit-your-job.html">quit your job</a> to start up a new company.<br /><br />Right now your future has no limits. You might be building the next <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/30-inspiring-billion-dollar-startup-company-mission-statements.html">billion-dollar company</a> right now! Crazy, right?<br /><br />But even though what is happening now and what comes next is incredibly exciting, every entrepreneur still has fears. It would be kind of scary if you weren’t at least a little afraid!<br /><br />You must overcome your fears if you’re going to be successful. There’s a lot of upside if you can power over your fears.<br /><br />Here are seven huge fears you’ll have to overcome as an entrepreneur.<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>1. Fear of Change</b><br /><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*hPVoycxPtDvHW6-EyJVnQg.png" /><br /><br />Change is the first fear you will encounter. It will visit you and start hanging out with you long before you go all in on your new venture.<br /><br />Why? Because screwing up a good thing is downright scary.<br /><br />Is the grass actually greener on the other side? Or should you appreciate the green grass that’s under your feet right now?<br /><br />It’s human nature to think that no matter how great your current situation is that it could always be better.<br /><br />But really, are you stealing defeat from the jaws of victory by leaving a known quantity to start something new?<br /><br />Until you take the leap and make a change, you will worry.<br /><br />You can’t know whether it will be an equally good or better outcome. Unfortunately, we can’t A/B test our lives.<br /><br />All entrepreneurs have to overcome this fear and make a crucial decision. Stay where you are or make a change.</div>
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<br /><b>2. Fear of Failure</b><br />Another fear you must overcome is the fear of failure.<br /><br />Your company won’t work — not enough customers, not enough funding, whatever the reason. You won’t be able to pay your bills. Sure, but that’s only part of it.<br /><br />The real killer is the public aspect.<br /><br />When you start a company, you’re really sticking your neck out. You don’t want people to think of you as a failure.<br /><br />Fear is just your pride.<br /><br />You can’t worry about what other people sitting on the sidelines will think if you fail.<br /><br />For crazy <a href="http://www.inc.com/wanda-thibodeaux/why-others-cant-handle-your-success-according-to-psychology.html">psychological or emotional reasons</a>, some of your family members, friends, and peers won’t truly support you because they don’t understand what you’re doing. Consciously or unconsciously, some people will cheer for you to fail.<br /><br />Let them.<br /><br />Really, in the end, who the hell cares what they think?</div>
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<br /><b>3. Fear of Not Getting Funded</b><br /><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*WWUbISlojUSpuSFbZvmoZA.png" /><br /><br />You’re ridiculously passionate about your business idea. But will potential investors think it’s good?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/how-to-raise-money-without-begging-investors.html">Raising money for your new business ideas</a> is competitive and scary. The process of pitching VCs and angel investors is anything but predictable.<br /><br />“What if you never get funding?” a voice asks.<br /><br />Meet another one of your fears.<br /><br />When I was first starting out, I pitched more than 100 VC firms in Boston. I was shot down. The <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/4-things-learn-from-investor-rejection-letters.html">rejection letters</a> were brutal — but I learned several important lessons from them.<br /><br />Listen to the feedback you get from investors! Make the changes to improve your idea.<br /><br />Doing so will help you win the funding you need — and overcome your fears.</div>
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<br /><b>4. Fear of Being Uncomfortable</b><br />Some people are afraid of feeling uncomfortable.<br /><br />Call me crazy, but I love this feeling.<br /><br />I thrive in an uncomfortable environment.<br /><br />In my experience, necessity is the mother of invention. It’s very difficult to solve a big challenge unless you’re put in a situation where you have to hustle and quickly figure it out.<br /><br />Don’t fear being uncomfortable. Embrace it.<br /><br />Think of it like high altitude training. Your body will start to acclimate and compensate for the decrease in oxygen — and even start to thrive even more.<br /><br />Trust that being uncomfortable will be the spark you need to figure out a solution or come up with a new business idea. And your idea will be that much greater.</div>
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<br /><b>5. Fear of the Unknown</b><br /><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*6Sybq7OuQkvXARc7SFuWPw.png" /><br /><br />When you’re starting out, you truly don’t know what you don’t know.<br /><br />I’ve learned so much over the past 10 years — things I would have never known unless I went through them. These are lessons that will help me for the rest of my life.<br /><br />The unknown is not to be feared. It is only something you’ve yet to experience.<br /><br />You can make lots of great business connections.<br /><br />You can create something great (no matter how long it lasts).<br /><br />You will make mistakes and learn from them.<br /><br />There will be good times and bad — challenges and triumphs.<br /><br />Stop fearing the future.<br /><br />Start writing the future.</div>
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<br /><b>6. Fear of Letting Others Down</b><br />Being afraid of letting other people down can be a <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/5-powerful-yet-unlikely-motivators-for-entrepreneurial-success.html">great motivator</a>.<br /><br />You never want to let your customers down. Once people trust you enough to buy your product or service, you want to <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/4-unusual-ways-successful-companies-keep-more-of-their-best-customers.html">keep those customers</a> for as long as you can. That means providing a great product or service that lives up to their high expectations.<br /><br />Another group of people you don’t want to let down: <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/even-great-managers-cant-keep-the-best-employees.html">your employees</a>. Working for a startup takes a leap of faith on their part. They’re counting on that paycheck from you to earn a good living.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/how-investors-recognize-a-successful-startup-early-on-infographic.html">Your investors</a> are another group you don’t want to let down. Anyone who invests millions of dollars into your venture deserves to make that money back.<br /><br />Fear can either cripple you or motivate you if you make it all about you.<br /><br />Or, you can use that fear to focus you, keep you going, and drive you to deliver on all those promises you made.</div>
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<br /><b>7. Fear of Being Wrong</b><br />When you launch your business, there are three areas that can just kill you: being wrong about your product, target audience, or go-to-market strategy.<br /><br />Scary stuff.<br /><br />When this happens, startups pivot. But <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/why-startup-pivots-almost-never-work.html">startup pivots almost never work</a>.<br /><br />In the beginning, my company targeted the wrong market. The company almost died. Twice!<br /><br />We pivoted. Luckily, my company survived, grew, and <a href="http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/building-a-business-5-things-i-didnt-expect.html">became successful</a>, taking in $22.8 million in revenue in 2015.<br /><br />In the startup world, a lot can go wrong. That’s why it’s important to be intentional with your strategy when you’re starting out.<br /><br />Try to be smarter about the initial guess you make about your market. You’ll have a lot more leverage if you don’t have to redo your business plan or make huge course corrections.<br /></div>
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