tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12007286450701331722024-03-14T10:46:47.262+11:00Michael Robert AshcroftMike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-5759230296024494342009-04-13T07:25:00.003+10:002009-04-13T07:29:52.627+10:00New Blog...Please note that I have started a new blog and will no longer be updating this one.<br /><br />You can read my new musings by clicking <a href="http://michaelashcroft.net/blog/">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks.Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-3575287798160182482009-03-27T16:50:00.003+11:002009-03-27T17:24:51.848+11:00Resistance versus AcceptanceI was sick this week (actually, I'm not the only one...I know a few people that have been sick over the past week or so).<br /><br />I'm rarely sick or ill (touch wood) and when some kind of ailment turns up on my doorstep, I usually bitch and whine about it. "Sick! Why the f*ck am I sick? I take such good care of myself! This is bullshit. I don't deserve to be sick. Waaa waaa waaa."<br /><br />Upon reflection, its a pretty ridiculous response to an illness (or any situation life may throw at you). Like complaining or denial will help the situation even one iota. Not to mention you look like a wimp and possibly even an idiot.<br /><br />Being sick this time around has taught me a few things...<br /><br />First of all, <span style="font-weight: bold;">things don't always go your way</span>. Yeah, no shit. No one ever plans to be sick and subsequently, there is never really a convenient time to be sick. "Oh yup, Friday is pretty free for me Mr. Body, so feel free to let me down then - that suits." Please - spare me. Even the best laid plans run off the rails sometimes. If you fall off the horse, get back on it. The measure of the man is how many times he was prepared to get back on the horse, not how many times he fell off.<br /><br />Second, <span style="font-weight: bold;">resisting the reality of your situation does not change it</span>. Sounds simple, but if you can somehow implement that idea into your daily life, consistently, you're a better man than I. Denying a situation, like the fact that you are getting sick, is a strategy destined to fail. Its akin to expecting your car to run with no petrol or thinking you can walk out of the supermarket without having paid for the things you took off the shelf. DUMB! Denying or ignoring those facts does not change the reality. Your car won't move without fuel and not paying for a bunch of groceries could land you in the back of a cop car.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Acceptance is the smartest course of action</span>. Have the nous to recognise a situation for what it is. There's nothing personal about it. Take your ego out of it. "Waaaa, why is this happening to me?" Its useless and it will change nothing. What's more, its unattractive behaviour to see in other people. "Man up" and take responsibility for any situation that comes your way. Face it and deal with it in an intelligent manner. You can only have an intelligent course of action if you accept the situation for what it is and then decide how you're going to go about dealing with it.<br /><br />So next time I see illness on the horizon, I'll give my body what it is really asking for - some rest and little more care.<br /><br />No whingeing - just do what the situation calls for.<br /><br />Wow, that almost sounds....smart?Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-46695525560608181502009-03-05T14:30:00.003+11:002009-03-05T14:49:18.035+11:00Education - The Great EqualiserAfter having an engaging discussion with my girlfriend this morning, I've found it hard to stop thinking about the importance of education. I view it as an equalising 'commodity'. Unsurprisingly, I'm not the first person to think this. A quick search in Google reveals that Horace Mann (what a cool name!), the first great advocate of public education in the United States, thought the very same thing over a 150 years ago.<br /><br />He beautifully articulates why:<br /><br /><h1 style="margin: 0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;font-family:georgia;font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“Education...beyond all other devices of human origin, is a great equalizer of conditions of men --the balance wheel of the social machinery...It does better than to disarm the poor of their hostility toward the rich; it prevents being poor.”</span></h1><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Education is power. Just look at how society functions. When, ever, in the history of human existence, has knowledge and information been such a critical resource in society? The answer is never. And it only becomes more true as the pace of the 'Information Age' picks up.<br /><br />Hoarding, shielding and privatising information is an absolute f***ing joke. Share it, as much as you can, as often as you can, to anyone who will listen.<br /><br />The smarter society becomes around you the better. Information is not a finite resource - its not diminshed by one person using it. In fact, education depends upon people soaking up information and drawing new conclusions from it. That's how we continue to push the envelope of our knowledge.<br /><br />Make it your mission to educate someone, on something, every single day. In addition to this, make it your mission to be educated on something, by someone, every single day.<br /><br />The sooner we all get smarter the better.<br /></span>Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-37909241494074293952009-03-05T14:13:00.005+11:002009-03-05T14:25:30.957+11:00How To Change The WorldI was sitting in a coffee shop today, writing in my journal. I'm trying to envision a new future for myself and those around me. Writing about it and articulating my thoughts helps to add momentum and focus my efforts...<br /><br />Then...<br /><br />I started listening to some gentlemen next to me who were talking about politics and leadership. My last post was actually about something very similar - the lack of 'political leadership' (hmmm, is that a contradiction in terms?) in this great country of ours.<br /><br />These men were expressing their similar feelings of angst and discontent with the current political landscape. The lack of radical change that we would like to see come from these people. Peter Garrett came up...they noticed how someone like him who was so passionate about change has come up against the bureaucracy and red tape of our political system. "It has usurped his passion and capacity to change..." they mused.<br /><br />And its true. The system now in place SLOWS change, impedes its course. "Oh, you can't possibly change that without changing all this too...that's too hard. Don't bother." I'm paraphrasing, but this is what the gentlemen believed had gone through Peter Garrett's head once he made it into our political system.<br /><br />Government is becoming an increasingly useless institution in a world that demands and requires rapid adjustment and agile response. That is now up to the individual.<br /><br />If you want change, you have to make it. Don't rely on it dropping out of the sky, because it won't.<br /><br />If you want a different world then you have to shape it yourself. Don't wait. Don't make excuses. Don't watch TV and try and forget about it.<br /><br />Just get on with it. Do it now while we still have a chance.Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-3351509555842404212009-02-09T11:06:00.003+11:002009-02-09T12:13:01.473+11:00We Need LeadersI'm an Australian. Our country is in trouble.<br /><br />This great country of ours needs real leadership. It needs forsight and courage to ensure safety and prosperity for the future. It needs intelligent action. Right now.<br /><br />But our leaders are just talking. And it makes my blood boil.<br /><br />I would love for our leaders to recognise that they can't look to the past to see what to do in the future. We are entering a new era and we will need new ideas and strategies to navigate this uncertain future.<br /><br />That means having the courage to choose options that may appear contrarian to popular opinion at first. But that is why leaders are leaders.<br /><br />Our future depends on you...Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-28988229687538093302009-01-23T10:26:00.003+11:002009-01-23T10:36:25.178+11:00SuccessI've been a fan of Seth Godin's work for some time. Check out one of his latest posts on the five pillars of success:<br /><a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/01/the-four-pillar.html"><br />The Five Pillars of Success</a>Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-60418765267098410152009-01-23T09:09:00.002+11:002009-01-23T10:25:20.478+11:00What Is Fitness?This is a great question and one that is not asked enough.<br /><br />What is fitness? How do we define it?<br /><br />If you have a personal trainer and you asked them this question, my guess is that you'd get a wishy-washy answer. Try it out. Ask one of the girls behind the desk at your local Globo Gym and see if you don't get a blank stare.<br /><br />In the past 4 months or so, I've realised the importance of defining fitness. How can you achieve something (anything) if you don't really know what it is you're striving for? It means you are aimless in your pursuit. The wishy-washy definition will produce wishy-washy results.<br /><br />If you've never heard of CrossFit, then you should look it up right now: <a href="http://crossfit.com/">CrossFit</a><br /><br />CrossFit's success stems from the fact that they bothered to define what they were trying to achieve before setting out to achieve it. Makes sense, right? You wouldn't set out on a trip to Sydney without first knowing what the hell Sydney was!<br /><br />I believe there are two other reasons to CrossFit's success. Firstly, the training rationale is based on evidence. They know the training works, because the proof is in the pudding. There are <span style="font-style: italic;">thousands</span> of athletes that are finding their best fitness as a result of following CrossFit's training principles. The second reason for success, and possibly the most important of all, is the community that has sprung up around it to support those involved. There is a wealth of knowledge given <span style="font-style: italic;">freely</span> in the archives and forums of the CrossFit website. What's more, there is probably a CrossFit affiliate in your area and I can bet you that the people there will be some of the most supportive fitness trainers you'll ever meet. If you live in Melbourne, check out <a href="http://www.crossfitvictoria.com/">CrossFit Victoria</a>.<br /><br />If you have a goal of improving your health and fitness this year (or anytime in your life), I highly recommend going back to the fundamentals. Figure out what it means to be fit and healthy. Then, and only then, can you create a plan and a path to move you forward. After that, you'll really start to see some results.<br /><br />Personally, I think CrossFit has got it nailed. A broad and functional fitness that is useful in everything that you do. Its my choice and I've never felt better.Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-33500120824968334292009-01-22T09:05:00.005+11:002009-01-22T09:30:01.666+11:00Making Those ChoicesIts a brand new year and what better time than to make some life changing decisions.<br /><br />Over the past few weeks, I've been setting the wheels in motion to steadily change my life. I've resigned from my job. I've started a business with a friend of mine. I've changed my diet and started a new exercise program. I've joined a band with my brother and a friend. I've booked in to become a strength and conditioning coach, with a view to becoming a CrossFit accredited trainer. I'm starting a discussion group called Penny University with my girlfriend.<br /><br />To be honest, its been a little scary. I think that's a good thing. It means I'm on the right track. More often than not, the things we need to do most are the things we're most afraid of.<br /><br />For example, I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to survive financially once I quit my job. But I have enough faith in myself to know that I'll figure it out. Its more important for me to quit the work that I find so unfulfilling every day. I'm reminded of a quote that I heard from <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/">Seth Godin</a>, "Life is too short to be stuck in unfulfilling work." Its time to pursue the things that genuinely interest me, because then the work is effortless.<br /><br />Mediocrity is crap; why bother striving to produce something average? I want excellence. To experience it and to produce it. Excellence speaks for itself and makes the world a better place. More importantly, its exciting and challenging to strive for excellence.<br /><br />I'll be writing a lot more about how I'm going with these changes. These are exciting times.Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-20829522401270872212008-09-04T10:26:00.000+10:002008-09-04T11:01:31.794+10:00Choice Is Your Power In This LifeEvery so often I'm struck by the simplicity of choice - the one power you have in life. The world of cause and effect. Everything that we do boils down to choice.<div><br /></div><div>The smoker who develops lung cancer made choices that led him or her to that consequence, just like the Olympic athlete who wins a gold medal made the choice to train twice a day for four consecutive years. Extremes like this help make the point of choice obvious. But the concept of having a choice and consciously making one sometimes gets lost in our daily routines. Habits (or the continuous act of making the same choice) can be both empowering and insidious. I definitely find this to be true in my own life where in the face of having made the same choice over and over, I forget that I can in fact make a different choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is, more often that not, easier to identify this kind of behaviour in others than it is in ourselves. The perfect irony exists when people who are adept at preaching are no good at heeding the lessons the teach. Like the overweight personal trainer or the smoking doctor. And therein lies the human challenge. Though we often know the right choice to make, we go ahead and make a different one that doesn't support what we're about. The question I ask is why?</div><div><br /></div><div>We choose to drive to the shops when we could (and now that we're the fattest nation on earth) probably should walk. In doing so, we stay fat and propagate climate change. We choose to stay in the jobs we detest instead of taking the courage to quit and find something fulfilling. In doing so, we waste years of our lives and tolerate a depressed level of existence. We skip the gym and eat pizza instead to put value on our mouths instead of our hearts. We walk past the beggar and sneer at him for being a slacker instead of showing compassion for those less fortunate. We complain and we whinge instead spending that energy on affecting positive change.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every choice we make produces a result. If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got.</div><div><br /></div><div>The answer then - to all of your problems - is remarkably simple. Make different choices. The major hurdle is fear. Very few of us practice flexing our fear-defeating muscles, meaning that we struggle to muster the courage to make the big choices that would set us free and help us correct our courses. I am definitely guilty of this. But courage, strangely enough, is a habit too. Practice it and you will get better at it. Practice making the choice that you believe is the right one and your life will undoubtedly change.</div><div><br /></div><div>Choice is the power of your life.</div>Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-5338880854835029272008-09-01T08:17:00.000+10:002008-09-01T09:07:43.796+10:00Are We Becoming Allergic to Stillness?Each morning I walk from my apartment building, through the backstreets of Windsor, to the train station on my way to work. I actually really enjoy this walk. The morning is quiet, still and calm. Noise is sparse - limited to only a few birds chirping away in the trees. I also enjoy the solitude. Ten minutes to just walk and be by myself. No need to talk. Just a chance to listen and connect with the waking world around me.<br /><br />As I get closer to the station, the noise picks up. Cars scoot past, people are walking, talking, running, working, cleaning, etc. The stillness is disrupted. I'm more accutely aware of everything that is going on around me because of the stillness that has preceeded it. The quiet allows me to better appreciate the loud.<br /><br />However, as I passed a number of people on my walk to the station this morning, a thought stayed with me. <span style="font-style: italic;">Are we assaulting our senses?</span><br /><br />Many people that I pass on my way to work are trying to fill each moment they have with something to do. Take, for example, one man I stood next to on the platform this morning (well, I actually couldn't stand next to him because he was pacing up and down). He had headphones in his ears, coffeee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He looked quite incapable of sitting still - even for just one minute. He could well have been allergic to stillness and quiet. His brain is being sent stimuli signals from his ears, mouth, hands and nose - something being registered with each sense, allowing him to be occupied for every second.<br /><br />I looked around and I saw, in varying degrees, people doing exactly the same thing. People constantly fidgeting with their phones, lighting up one cigarette after another, listening to iPods, so on and so forth. Very few people were content to just be there, still, and enjoy the morning for what it was. They somehow needed to be distracted from the 'boredom' that would ensue from having to simply not be doing something.<br /><br />I found this so strange and I wondered if it was a product of the type of culture that is developing all around us. Why are people behaving like this? Are we addicted to just doing "stuff"? Even when that stuff is relatively meaningless? Where did this need for fidgeting come from?Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200728645070133172.post-44770545827027628252008-08-31T12:08:00.000+10:002008-08-31T12:41:24.860+10:00The Maiden PostEveryone has a first post - so here is mine.<br /><br />I was hesitant to actually start a blog.<br /><br />I believe the ubiquity of the 'blogosphere' is a double edged sword. Now, more than ever, anyone and everyone can have a say and share their thoughts with the people of the world. This is indeed a great thing - voices that, even just 20 years ago, would never have been heard. If you have an interest in something, there is no doubt that someone, somewhere has a blog about it.<br /><br />But for every great blog there is a score of others that are total rubbish. Ranting, raving, whinging and generally carrying on. I sense that blogs are quite therapeutic for some people, allowing them to share their problems and frustrations with others - somehow sharing the load. And there are a LOT of people doing this. The internet is like a big online counseling house.<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span><br />Notwithstanding all of this I think that blogs, on balance, are a great thing. It is human nature to want to share with others and blogs facilitate that want in an amazing. If you have something of real value to share with the world then others will want to read it. No doubt about it. The meteoric rise of someone like <a href="http://www.stevepavlina.com/">Steve Pavlina</a> is perfect testament to this point. Steve has written more than 600 articles, on various topics, and he now makes a living from writing and sharing his ideas with others. He says the key is to just start doing what you love, right now, for free and that money will eventually follow. I think this idea has a lot of merit. I credit him for me even thinking about ever writing a blog.<br /><br />I like writing. I like sharing ideas. I like asking people (and myself) questions that really make them think. So here I am. Sharing what I think with the world.<br /><br />My hope is that you find what I write thought provoking - to the point where you want to come back to read more. The world is a fascinating place. There is so much to experience and even more to share, and ironically, I think that the best experiences <span style="font-style: italic;">are shared.</span><br /><br />Time to experience and time to share. Life is too precious for anything less.Mike Ashcrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148036196104589768noreply@blogger.com0