Review: My Favorite Wallet

I am a recovering wallet hoarder. In years gone by my wallet has looked shockingly similar to George Castanza's. I'd put everything I didn't need in my wallet, and I'm sure I tilted sideways when sitting on it. I decided a new approach was needed. I've tried many different wallets since then: bifolds, trifolds, even money clips. My current wallet of 2 years is by far my favorite.

The Dopp Regatta 88 Series Front Getaway Pocket wallet has a lengthy name but a simple concept. Designed to fit in your front pocket (which I have never done), the wallet's profile is super slim but still has several pockets for all the cards and licenses you can need. Additionally it has a clear license sleeve, cash fold, and a pocket that's great for a few business cards. After 2 years of hard use, mine's stitching is finally starting to fray. I will be replacing it soon with no hesitation (at ~$20 it's not a big commitment).

You probably don't need that McDonald's receipt from 2003. Simplify your wallet -- your spine will thank you.

Recommended,
BB

Review: My Favorite Undershirts

I try my best to be low maintenance, and I think in most areas of my life I succeed. However, let me be clear; I am now officially an undershirt snob. For years I've bought plain white 100% cotton T-shirts and had to throw them out within a few months because they lose their shape, have shrunk beyond recognition, or simply haven't help up to the washing. I finally got fed up, and so began my hunt for the perfect undershirt.

I've gone through many different brands in my search, but there are two that I think stand up apart from the competitors: The Calvin Klein 365 and the Banana Republic Pima Stretch.

Looks like any other shirt, right? The key to these shirts' success is the fabric. Instead of the typical 100% cotton, these shirts have a blend of around 4-5% spandex. This allows the shirt collars to keep their shape, and prevents the shirts from shrinking up in the wash (very important for guys over 6'3" -- i.e. me). I know spandex has some bad connotations, but the tiny amount in these shirts keeps them comfortable without making you look like you are wearing a Richard Simmons exercise outfit.

There are few things more uncomfortable than having a shirt that's too short under a tucked in shirt. It's like buying a great, comfortable mattress and taking it home to put sandpaper sheets on it. Sure these undershirts cost a little more, but they really do hold up much longer and most guys wear one every day. So buy one or two here and there, and get rid of your old cheap ones as you do. You won't regret it!

Recommended,
BB

Question: Do you have a favorite undershirt? Do you even care?

A Matter of Opinions

This past June, I had a great opportunity come up at work. I was asked to travel to London to speak at an internal conference we have every few years as the representative for our business unit. My audience would be all senior management and the executives of my roughly 20,000 employee company. I shocked myself when my mouth instantly said, "Sign me up!" despite the tightening knot in my stomach.

It was a sweet deal. I got to see London for free, and I had a chance to meet many of my UK colleagues whom I work with regularly. But I was nervous about that presentation. It was looming over my trip. At Westminster Abbey I was reviewing my slides in my head. I passed Big Ben thinking about timing on each topic I wanted to hit. By the time I walked the length of Hyde Park I had perfected the seemingly "off the cuff" joke I had planned to give the impression of being relaxed (hint: this rarely works).

The big night came, and I did the task at hand. My presentation went decently well despite my nerves. I got to everything I wanted to say, and I didn't hear crickets as I left the stage. Always a good sign. Mission accomplished. Now I could relax for the fancy sit-down dinner following the conference.

I was seated next to a member of our Board of Executives. Feeling halfway intimidated and halfway like a hotshot, I struck up conversation. If you think back on the timeframe of this trip, you'll realize that the BP oil spill was still fresh on the world's minds. After a 5-Star meal and a glass of wine, the Board member turned to me, suddenly very serious. He asked, "Ben, what do you think will be the outcome of the incident in the Gulf?"

I stammered for a minute, trying to think politically. Why would he ask me? I'm just out of college! What does he expect me to say? What's the right answer? I simply shrugged and replied, "I don't know what will happen. There are so many ways it could turn out."

What he said next had a real impact on me. He said, "Ben, I know you dont know what will happen. No one knows. I asked what your opinion was on the matter."

Having an opinion is a simple way to show you have thought about an issue, weighed it against what you know and believe to be true, and come to some conclusion regarding its outcome, value, or effect. You don't have to present it as truth. You don't have to be right. I often learn something and let my thought process end at "Oh, interesting," but I'm trying more and more to know how I think and feel about what goes on in my life and the world around me. It sounds weird to have to consciously form an opinion, but that's where I had somehow wound up.

All of this has been a long-winded story to make this point: people who play an active role in their own lives form opinions on things that matter, and this perspective was my London souveneir.

-BB

Have you ever felt like you don't have enough opinions? What helped you overcome this?

Review: RunKeeper App for iPhone

When RunKeeper announced they were giving their app away for free during the month of January, I decided to give it a try (Zero is my favorite price). I am by every definition an amateur runner, and it's something I've always struggled with getting motivated to do. While the app normally costs $10, after several weeks of use I can honestly say it would be well worth the money.

Image Courtesy of CNET

RunKeeper has some great features:

• GPS tracking of your route, pace, and elevation change
• Automatic syncing of run data with the RunKeeper website
• Ability to play music while you run
• Records tons of useful information to track your progress as a runner

Having a record of my best times, average pace, longest distance, etc. has helped me stay motivated and given me goals to reach for in my runs. In my experience the app is 95% accurate when you are running with a clear sky, and a little less so when running on trails in dense woods (even then RunKeeper does a decent job of interpolating your route when it gets a signal).

There are a lot of features I've yet to take advantage of (I'd love to get an iPhone mount and use it on my mountain bike), and so far I haven't turned into Louis Zamperini, but I have been very pleased with the software's features, ease of use, and ability to get me off my butt.

Recommended,
BB

The Decision Illusion

"I'm very decisive" 

"I just know what I like"

I've heard this statement come in many forms, and I can picture in my head the people in my life who might be saying it. Often when a variation of this phrase is spoken, it is done so with pride. After all, good leaders can filter out the noise and make hard decisions -- a very worthwhile trait. However, these statements of confidence flow all too easily from the mouths of the self-absorbed.

"I know what I want" can often be confused with the reality of the situation -- sometimes the statement would be better phrased "I don't care what others want." The best leaders I've encountered have taken time to see the views, concerns, and opinions of those around them prior to making a big decision. 

Don't get me wrong. You can't live life trying to please everyone, and you can't always put yourself last. I've been guilty of this. Inevitably you will stretch yourself too thin, and you will be left with little knowledge of who you really are because you've spent your life trying to be the person others want you to be. God made you to be the best version of your broken self, stuck in a crazy web of relationships with other messed up people.

This is just an exercise in "centered-ness." The next time you hear one of these statements come from your lips, and you are saying it about a decision that will affect other people, ask yourself a few questions:

• "Have I considered how my decisions are affecting the people I have influence over?"
• "Have I sought other's opinions on this issue?"
• "Is this the right decision, or the one the benefits me the best?"

Am I wrong? Tell me in the comments!

-BB

ACROSS THE POND

We've waited. And waited. And Waited.

The time has come. Tindell and I are going to London! My company is sending me to work in our headquarters office in Epsom, UK. I had the chance to visit Epsom briefly this summer, but I'm looking forward to more exploring. 

We still don't know all the details, but we're considering staying somewhere halfway between London and Epsom for easier access to work and play. We will be there for only a short 6 months, but we hope to fit a lot in. Here's where you can help:

1. What activities should we do within the city limits of London?
2. What places (cities, countries) should we visit outside of London?
3. Any tips on London life (commuting, fun areas, etc.)?

Leave a comment if you have anything to contribute. Updates are certainly to follow! This could be a great opportunity for us to see a new part of the world and broaden our horizons. I hope to capture a lot of our times overseas on this blog.

Cheers!

BB