MA Shadow

Author Archives: MA Shadow

• What Ship30for30 has Taught Me Day 7

  Posted at 11:21 am by MA Shadow, on July 27, 2025

  What Ship30for30 Taught Me About Writing, Consistency, and Confidence

  A few months ago, I stumbled across a writing challenge called Ship30for30, a 30-day sprint where you publish a short piece of writing (a “ship”) every single day. I’d heard about it before, but like most things that require daily discipline, I pushed it off.

  Until I didn’t.

  And signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my creativity, productivity, and confidence.

  1. Writing Became a Habit, Not a Headache

  Before Ship30, writing felt heavy. I’d overthink every sentence, tweak every paragraph, and sometimes spend hours getting nowhere. But the daily rhythm of shipping micro-essays changed everything. It forced me to focus on ideas, not perfection.

  I learned to write fast, write clearly, and hit publish—even when it didn’t feel “ready.” That shift in mindset has carried over into every area of my life, not just writing.

  2. The Community Was a Game-Changer

  One of the most underrated parts of Ship30 is the community. Everyone’s in the trenches together—shipping daily, offering feedback, encouraging each other. It’s not just a writing course. It’s a movement of people who are serious about improving.

  That accountability was huge for me. Seeing others show up every day made me want to do the same. And some of those writers have become friends, collaborators, and inspiration long after the 30 days ended.

  3. Publishing Publicly Built My Confidence

  There’s something powerful about clicking “Post” every single day. Especially when your work is far from perfect.

  Over time, I stopped fearing judgment and started embracing progress. I started focusing on service over ego—“How can this help someone?” instead of “Will people think this is good enough?”

  That one shift has made me a braver, more authentic writer.

  4. Ideas Are Everywhere Now

  Ship30 taught me to see the world through a writer’s lens. Conversations, tweets, books, passing thoughts—everything became potential content.

  If you’re thinking about joining Ship 30, here’s my advice: Do it.

  It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up. And that simple act—of hitting publish daily—has ripple effects far beyond the page.

  So thank you, Ship30, for helping me ship, grow, and believe in my voice.

  ---

  Currently I am on Day 7 Assignment,

  see post on X: https://x.com/TonyMachado/status/1949424184418820354

  Thanx Tony

  | 0 Comments Tagged blogging, books, creative-writing, life, writing

• Ship30for30 – Hold me accountable.

  Posted at 9:12 pm by MA Shadow, on July 20, 2025

  With all the health issue I had this year I decided to enroll in the Ship30for30 course writing today. I am looking to improve my digital writing and hopefully will help with Copy Writing.

  It looks like they are very aggressive with there course. Something I need. So for today I completed the 5 On-Boarding Modules which consisted of account setup and introductions to the community.

  Tomorrow I will be starting the first module which consists of writing an Atomic Essay (short form writing).

  Looking forwards to start writing and publishing to X (Twitter). I will be doing 30 days of writing and publishing.

  See ya next week.

  | 0 Comments

• I Will Never Understand

  Posted at 12:59 pm by MA Shadow, on March 11, 2025

  Throughout history, the actions and attitudes of public figures have often been scrutinized through the lens of religious teachings. The Bible offers clear moral and ethical principles, and in some cases, a prominent New Yorker’s behavior may not always align with these values. Here are some key areas where biblical teachings and certain actions may be at odds.

  1. Humility vs. Pride

  The Bible emphasizes humility as a virtue:

  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” — Proverbs 11:2

  A well-known New Yorker has often been known for self-promotion and grandiose statements about personal achievements. This contrasts with the biblical call for humility, which teaches that wisdom comes from a modest heart rather than boastfulness.

  2. Truthfulness vs. Falsehood

  Scripture underscores the importance of honesty:

  “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” — Proverbs 12:22

  Statements that are misleading or demonstrably false have been a recurring issue. In biblical teachings, truthfulness is a core principle, and frequent dishonesty goes against the values of integrity and righteousness.

  3. Treatment of Enemies

  Jesus taught love and prayer for one’s adversaries:

  “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44

  Rather than showing grace or reconciliation, a well-known New Yorker has often resorted to public insults and personal attacks on those who disagree. The Bible teaches a different approach—one that emphasizes kindness and forgiveness, even toward enemies.

  4. Wealth and Materialism

  The Bible warns against an excessive love of wealth:

  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” — 1 Timothy 6:10

  An emphasis on personal fortune, luxury, and financial status may stand in contrast to biblical teachings that caution against materialism. Scripture encourages generosity and the responsible use of wealth for the betterment of others.

  5. Adultery and Moral Conduct

  The Ten Commandments explicitly condemn adultery:

  “You shall not commit adultery.” — Exodus 20:14

  Reports of extramarital affairs and inappropriate conduct conflict with biblical values that emphasize faithfulness and moral integrity in personal relationships.

  6. Compassion for the Marginalized

  Jesus emphasized care for the vulnerable:

  “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40

  Policies or statements that lack empathy for the poor, immigrants, or marginalized groups may not reflect the biblical principle of caring for the least among us.

  7. Repentance and Forgiveness

  The Bible teaches that acknowledging one’s mistakes is crucial:

  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” — 1 John 1:9

  A refusal to admit wrongdoing or seek forgiveness runs counter to one of Christianity’s most fundamental teachings—that true strength comes from humility and repentance.

  Conclusion

  A well-known New Yorker has often claimed a connection to religious values, but biblical teachings emphasize that faith is demonstrated through actions, not just words. While no one is perfect, the Bible calls for humility, honesty, compassion, and repentance—principles that all leaders, public figures, and individuals should strive to uphold.

  | 0 Comments Tagged bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus

• 12-Week Year

  Posted at 7:26 pm by MA Shadow, on October 20, 2024

  “I’ve been using the 12 Week-Year program to track my goals and tasks, and it’s been an eye-opening experience. After taking the introductory course and watching several YouTube videos, I’ve gained a solid understanding of the system. I initially started with a simple spreadsheet to organize my goals, and it’s been helpful in visualizing my progress. Alongside that, I’ve been using Remember The Milk to manage daily tasks based on due dates, which has kept me on top of things.

  Now, I’m looking into transitioning to Notion, as it offers the flexibility to integrate everything in one place and sync with my calendar for a more streamlined approach. This would help me consolidate my tools and reduce the friction of managing multiple platforms.

  So far, I’ve really committed to tracking my goals and tasks, and the impact has been noticeable. The sense of structure and clarity it’s provided has allowed me to stay focused, and I’ve genuinely felt a growing sense of accomplishment as I see progress toward my goals. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward.”

  | 0 Comments

• Trying to do an AI Blog Post

  Posted at 10:22 am by MA Shadow, on October 6, 2024

  Hey Friend, Let’s Talk About 12-Week Planning!

  The following was my attempt at doing a blog post using AI. I used ChatGTP and just noticed WordPress has there own version.

  You know how sometimes you set these big, ambitious goals for the year and then get overwhelmed because it feels like you have forever to achieve them? I recently stumbled upon this method called 12-week planning, and it’s been a total game changer for me. I thought I’d share it with you—maybe it could help you, too!

  What is 12-Week Planning?

  Basically, instead of looking at an entire year, you break your goals down into 12-week chunks. It’s like creating mini-quarters for yourself. This way, you can really focus on what you want to achieve without feeling like you have to sustain that energy for a whole year.

  Why I Think It Works

  1. Laser Focus: It’s so much easier to concentrate on a few things over 12 weeks rather than getting distracted by a whole year’s worth of goals.
  2. Frequent Motivation Boosts: Hitting smaller goals every few weeks gives you that feel-good moment often, which keeps your motivation up!
  3. Flexibility: After 12 weeks, you get to reassess what worked, what didn’t, and pivot your plans for the next cycle. It’s like a mini reset!

  How to Get Started

  Step 1: Define Your Vision

  Start by thinking about what you really want to achieve, both in your personal life and career. Ask yourself questions like:

  • What do I want to accomplish this year?
  • Which parts of my life deserve some attention?

  Step 2: Set Your 12-Week Goals

  From that bigger vision, narrow it down to just 2-3 specific goals for the next 12 weeks. Make sure they’re:

  • Specific: Clearly define what you want.
  • Measurable: Know how you’ll track your progress.
  • Achievable: Challenge yourself, but keep it realistic.
  • Relevant: Ensure they align with your bigger goals.
  • Time-bound: You’ve got 12 weeks!

  Step 3: Break It Down

  Once you’ve got your goals, break them into smaller, actionable steps. Create a weekly and daily plan so you know exactly what to tackle each day. This could be things like:

  • Daily habits you want to build
  • Weekly check-ins to assess progress
  • Key milestones to hit

  Step 4: Schedule It Out

  Use a planner or your phone’s calendar to block out time for your tasks. Prioritize what needs your attention first, and don’t forget to schedule in breaks! Seriously, self-care matters.

  Step 5: Review and Adjust

  At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on how things went. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust your plans if you need to. And at the end of the 12 weeks, do a big review. Celebrate what you accomplished!

  A Few Tips

  • Be Flexible: Life happens. If something isn’t working, don’t hesitate to tweak it.
  • Get Accountability: Share your goals with someone who can help keep you on track—friends, family, a mentor—anyone who can cheer you on!
  • Celebrate the Wins: No matter how small, take the time to celebrate your achievements. It really helps keep the momentum going.
  • Practice Mindfulness: Take some time for yourself to decompress and stay grounded. It’ll help you stay focused.

  Wrap-Up

  Honestly, 12-week planning has shifted how I approach my goals. It’s way less intimidating and so much more manageable. If you give it a shot, I think you’ll find it helps you stay on track and feel accomplished.

  So, what do you think? Want to try it together? Let’s tackle our goals and hold each other accountable!

  | 0 Comments Tagged goal-setting, goals, motivation, personal-development, success

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