The Intro: My first day with Nike+ Fuel

So Monday my Nike Fuel band arrived. For many of you who are not up on this system through Nike + it is genius to say the least.

            At a glance, the band is designed with a system called “Nike-Fuel.” Nike Fuel is what you earn as you progress through the day with various activity/movement/exercise, earning you points called fuel.

Once you register and setup your Fuel Band through the directed link you are to download the software Nike+ Connect. This is what keeps record of your activity and daily goals/accomplishments as you sync your band. When first opening the application you are to enter your height and weight so that the band can record your calories/steps/fuel as accurate as possible.

           

After syncing your band, and setting up your account through Nike, you can also download the app to your phone, which is basically the same app you just downloaded onto your computer. Although, it does make it very convenient having the Nike+ Fuel band app on your phone so you can sync your data more frequently and also have easier access. The syncing on your smart-phone is done through Bluetooth.

           

Your band records your data, and there is one small button on your Nike Fuel band. This button is used for everything from syncing your band, to scrolling through your data (calories burned, steps taken, fuel earned, and the time).

           

When connected to your cell phone through Bluetooth, you simply hold down the button on the band, and it will read “Sync,” after a second or two, you than release the button and with the app opened on your phone or computer, you will notice it loading, this means your data from the band is syncing.

           

It’s very user friendly, and easy to get great use out of it. The Nike+ Fuel Band includes a charger, a charger stand, and a link-adjuster. The Nike Band comes with an extra link, so you can tighten the band if it happens to be too large. The bands only run from size small to large, and made me kind of skeptical at first to order a large because I am 6’4 245lbs and normally wear xl-xxl in everything. But sure enough the Large fit great, I even took out the extra link to make it more snug on my wrist. 

 (The tiny red dots are LED lights that grow lighter as you grow closer to your days goal)

           

I setup everything for my band Tuesday morning and began to “#makeitcount,” and sure enough surpassed my first days goal of 3000 Nike Fuel. (You set your goal previous to each day depending on the amount of activity you plan on doing and or committing your self to)

I have already spread the word and have several friends and family interested in the Nike+ Fuel Band and all it has to offer. Being that it has something to offer everyone, regardless if you play sports, or you’re just interested in getting more exercise and daily activity.  My Mother even had me order her one today, she wears a size small, and luckily they still had her size in stock on the Nike Store website.

I find the whole concept of this band genius, although it is not the first of it’s kind, I believe it is setting the bar far above anything else in its category. The band is sleek, and very lightweight, making it barely noticeable when moving around. Not to Mention NBA ALL-STAR Kevin Durant was wearing this band in this past years’ NBA 3-point shootout, so you be the judge.

           

I am so very impressed by the Nike+ Fuel Band because it is so simple yet holds the power to have such a huge impact on society. Not only does this whole system motivate one to be more active through their daily routine, but makes life similar to that of a game, challenging you every day to reach your goal and set the bar high. It gives one a chance to cross the finish line at the end of the day. It gives everyone and anyone that chance to have that sense of accomplishment that they did something contributing to a better quality of life.

            

  (Once you hit you goal and sync your band to your phone this little guy will celebrate with you)

 (The charger is super fresh too)

Overall the Nike+ Fuel Band is so much more than a calorie/step counter, it’s a challenge to a society that struggles with laziness and obesity, and can be the jump-start to a fresh new perspective on life. It’s a breakthrough and I believe the outcome is endless with Nike Fuel. Imagine everyone constantly pushing their selves to generate that much more activity each day in order to hit their goal. As corny as it may sound, everyone can be a winner with Nike+ Fuel. But, don’t take my word for it, just watch as this system continues to grow, and bands continue to sellout minutes after they release. The bands are only available online, and at select Nike Stores. You can follow @NikeStore or @NikeFuel on Twitter for more information regarding restock information, and more. So go grab yours! Good luck!

#makeitcount

-Mike

give them MEAT (Content over filler)

Although blogs have a wide variety of substance/emotion/topics/expression/intention, and the writers/creators are so various and widespread that they could not possibly be conveniently categorized, one thing does remain; Content matters.

I'm not just referring to blogs, I'm referring to one's work in any form, whether it's writing, speaking, teaching, sharing, networking. Whether it's an idea, concept, emotion,  or theory, content needs to be expressed and not freestyled.

Although there are very talented individuals that we have all come across; individuals that can arrive to class unprepared yet somehow manage to relentlessly deliver their final presentation and verbally present it as if they had been constructing it for weeks, most of us refer to this as "winging it."

There are people who can present something that SOUNDS extraordinary and well-prepared, but their content/purpose isn't worth jack, it's more like wordy repetition of random thoughts.

People appreciate substance. They appreciate your conversation/presentation/blog/interview if you deliver depth. The most uninteresting people always seem to skim the surface, are often repetitive of their typical go-to speech (what they believe is so intriguing and inspiring to all ears) and deliver no "meat." It's similar to when one goes to a seafood restaurant and orders crab cakes expecting to get a nice lump of crab meat, and turns out majority of the cake is "filler."

NO ONE LIKES NOR APPRECIATES FILLER.

I encourage you to take time out of your extraordinarily busy schedule and not freestyle your message. I encourage you rather to brainstorm, plan, and imagine what points you are trying to deliver to your readers and listeners, with little to no filler, strictly meat and bullet points. Don't cheat them out of content and meat. Don't cheat yourself from the great depth you could express in your message.  As repetitive as it sounds, quality is much more appreciated than quantity.

Take time, and give them MEAT. 

-Mike

On George Lois book 'Damn Good Advice (for people with talent)'

Slowly but surely I am making my way through the straightforward, in your face writing techniques of Creative Genius, "Ten-Million Dollar Man" George Lois. I discovered this read through a friend, and have been nothing but motivated to pursue life with a fresh perspective, insight, and "discover" things around me.

This is the first book of Lois' that I have read and I'm simply baffled at how clear and precise he delivers his message. Short, sweet, and straight to the point, just how great writing should be when attempting to get the weight of the message across.

Reading books may alter ones perspective. This particular short read has altered my perspective and demeanor. I'm not going to sit here and analyze his words or give you a book review. The book is powerful enough the way it is. So go purchase your copy of George Lois' 'Damn Good Advice' here. Be inspired, be motivated, but most of all be you, not what society says is you. His message is one America needs to hear. Enjoy.