Remember the movie Short Circuit from the mid-80’s? An experimental robot (#5) gets electrocuted and becomes “intelligent”. It escapes from the Army base where it was designed and instead of destroying everything in its path, it looks for “inputs”. “Number 5 needs more inpuuuuts!”

Often times we focus on inputs. We read far more than we write. We watch far more YouTube videos than we upload. And we read more tweets than we post. Most of us probably fall into the 80/20 camp—80% inputs, 20% outputs (or worse!).

What if we all were to up or outputs by 10%, so 70/30? Or more?

If we focused on what we output rather than what we consume, then we are better participants, right? Think about the areas in your life were you can up your participation by 10%. Your blog, your school, your business, your social network, your friends, and your family.

If you want to make a difference, maybe you can focus more on your outputs while being more selective about your inputs?

My family: what I'm really grateful for!

It takes patience and reflection to truly be grateful, it’s definitely not automatic. Living in one of the most expensive parts of the world can be frustrating at times, but I’m grateful for spectacular weather and proximity to world-class venues.

I’m also grateful for the supply and diversity of business opportunities Silicon Valley offers—this is not a one trick pony like many other areas of the US such as Detroit’s auto industry or steel in Pittsburgh.

I live in an area that fosters and supports small business, entrepreneurship, and risk and for that I’m grateful. I live in a diverse region with a large immigrant population. People with many different ethnic backgrounds have come here looking for opportunities; a chance to upgrade their life and support their family. One city is home to both Google, one of the most innovative companies in the world, and a day laborer center—where else can you find such dichotomy and acceptance?

I’m grateful for many other basic but nonetheless amazing things in my life as well like, health, family, transportation, and clean water. The things we assume as automatics.

But I guess the thing I’m most grateful for is having the perspective and understanding that I live in a bubble and most other people in the world struggle far greater than I do. I’m sure 80% of the world population would scoff at my troubles. Poor countries worry about; food, disease, medicine, running water, shelter, and education—not if there is a Starbucks nearby.

Be grateful.