I’m No Genius But This Is Pretty Obvious

By Paco Arespacochaga

When the iPad launched early this year, people were divided about its value and usage. There were those who saw its purpose from the “get go” while there were also those who felt that it was a waste of their money. And then of course, there were those who simply got excited about it because of the fashion statement it was going to create.

Although I still don’t own one, I am leaning toward purchasing the iPad. It just simply makes sense! And I’m no genius to see the importance of what this appliance/device can contribute to my simple daily life.

Let me name a few:

Consolidated Magazine & Newspaper Subscription: If you want to go green and save the planet, imagine how many trees can be saved by simply converting all of your magazine subscriptions on this nifty device?

Online Bill Pay Made Easier: While most of us have adapted the habit of paying our bills online from our desktops and laptops, the iPad has made it easier to pay our bills “on the go” without having to SQUINT at the little smartphone lcd screen.

Virtual Book Library: All your Sweet Valley High, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Tom Clancy, Dan Brown or whoever author you have in mind, and all their catalogue in the palm of your hand. Read whatever, whenever… WHEREVER! Imagine the amount of space you can reclaim at home. I heard that major publishers are releasing their catalog to the iPad.

Virtual Audio Library: iTunes. I don’t need to explain this. *wink*
Movies On the Go: Bring your “digital copy” movie wherever you go. If you need more movies, there’s always iTunes!

Apps, Apps and More Apps: Who isn’t amazed and amused by new apps, paid or free?
And I only scratched the surface of what it is and what it can do.

Now here’s the twist of everything I’ve written. I am not only excited with the iPad from a consumer standpoint. Instead, think about what the iPad, as a digital platform, can do to bring your business/personal brand in front of millions of people.

Now should be a good time to be talking to your marketing team about your online visibility and online reputation. You want to get in now and take as much market share as you can.

This isn’t going away folks. Embrace DIGITIZATION or be ready to lose market share.

Guitarist Series - Otchot Cortes

Otchot Cortes
by Paco Arespacochaga



What would have happened to me as a musician if I hadn’t encountered Otchot Cortes in my life? Maybe, I really wouldn’t be into music the way I turned out to be. I don’t know.

One thing I do know, Otchot thought me how to appreciate music for what it is and for what I could do to alter it. Alter it? WOW!

Otchot Cortes influenced me intellectually. I didn’t care much about his guitar playing style. I was more interested in “why” he came up with a certain part for a certain song. I was more intrigued with his philosophy. I wanted to pick his brains out. He encouraged me to fill my intellect with its own philosophical approach so that my thoughts can permeate through my music, releasing the hook of the song. He was always good at creating the hook!

Every now and then, whenever I think of writing an interesting song or an interesting blog, I simply ask myself… “What would Otchot do?” And from that answer, the choice is mine to follow or go against what his thought process would have been. The results always make me smile!

The Series

by Paco Arespacochaga
photo by Tune Jardinazo aka Clickrhappy

Here I am in Dallas TX trying to figure out what to do with my downtime and it occurred to me that I should write another blog!

Now, for those of you who have been following my blog on Twitter and Facebook and elsewhere, you know that I've been writing about topics that make us realize what we can do to be better. I appreciate the fact that you've liked what I've written.

To pay it forward, I'd like to start a tribute blog to people that have made an impact in my life. I'll call them the "Series". They could be broken into:

• Family Series
• Friends Series
• Guitar Series
• Co-Worker Series and whatever I Can think of.

I'll tag each "series" entry so that you can read it, link it or do what you want to do with it.

Today, I'll start with the Guitar Series

To Fish or Not to Fish

I’ve been helped and have helped. I’ve helped other people and have been helped by other people as well. I’ve benefited from all of the help I’ve received and I’ve felt blessed being able to help others that are also in need.


However, the one thing I’ve found to have been really beneficial to both me and whomever it was that’s helped me was the time spent to have taught me how to fish. And I’ve had quite a handful of “life fishing” lessons from people who took the time to show me the ropes and have taught me the rudiments to fish for my own food and to be able to be good at it so that I can then teach other people how to “fish” till they get good at it.


However, like many of you who have loved ones, we can get crazy and passionate in helping them that we tend to “fish” on their behalf. Instead of showing and teaching them how to cast a net, we set out to sea ourselves and feed them with our own catch. And there's no problem with that... until you're taking away from your own family's catch. But that’s our "nurture" instinct, specially toward other people who also matter to us. But does it truly help them? And does it truly help you?


Most of the time, the people who've ask for help and support aren’t the most sensitive about issues their "fishermen" are having. For example, in the past, I’d go ask for help from any of my aunts without conscious regard if they were capable of helping me or not at that specific moment. And sometimes, I'd feel bad if they couldn't spare me a "fish" or two. (how selfish!)


I would remind whoever that was helping me that they “committed” to fish for me! (was I even entitled?) I didn’t even care if that person was even in good shape to “fish” for me. It was all for my benefit at the expense of other people. It was their fault if they disappointed me. (how absurd!)


Falling face flat on the ground a decade ago made me realize that I had to learn how to fish for myself. I had to be a fisherman and not a mere consumer of someone else’s catch. I realized that the more I “set out to sea” to acquire my own catch, the more other “fishermen” were willing to help me out.


It wasn’t long until I had “seasoned” fishermen teaching me better principles on HOW TO FISH and how to multiply my catch exponentially. I earned the respect of others and I felt good about myself. I counted my blessings and have shared them as well. And it has been better, both for me and the person that I've helped. The result always yields a different kind of pride.


Now stop for a moment and think about where you are in the sea of life. Are you by the shore, waiting for the fishing boat to set in so that you can ASK (not buy) for some catch. Or are you out there with the rest of the fishermen, casting your net and taking home your own catch no matter how little… no matter how great?


Enjoy the week!


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Photo by Andy Zapata Jr.

Are You a Player or a Spectator?

By Paco Arespacohaga

At an early age, I learned that only 10 people (max) could play basketball at any given time. The rest will have to sit in the sideline or on the bleachers. They’re called spectators. The people on the court are called players. My dad, who was an avid sportsman, would always ask me if I was a player or a spectator. I remained silent. Playing sports wasn’t my thing. I did play sports but I was mediocre at it. I was better off being a spectator. But I had to please my dad.

In my mind, his question reverberated my thoughts… repeatedly I asked, “am I a player or am I just a spectator?” I was nobody at school. I was certainly not Mr. Popular. But I really refused to be a spectator. I was determined to find my voice, to find my calling, to find what I was good at and to really be good at it!

People close to me were really pigeon holing me to be a spectator, to remain on the sidelines. I REFUSED! (So should you if you’re in this place right now!)

I found refuge in music. I knew it was what I wanted to do. I told my parents I was going to pursue it and be a “player”. It was my calling! They gave me their blessing. As a matter of fact, my mother tried to be in every show I ever had up until the day she died. My father supported me in silence. After he passed on, I learned from a lot of people that my father would keep stock of my CDs in his car, randomly asking his peers or friends of his peers if they knew a musician named “Paco Arespacochaga”. Whether the answer was a “yes” or a “no”, he’d proudly hand over a poster of my band and a CD and claim, “the drummer of that band is MY son!”

I made a living being a musician. I was a player. I was in my playing field and I played the game well. I had many spectators. Moreover, they were called supporters or followers. They supported my body of work and I showed them how grateful I was. I still am!

But the lesson I learned from my father’s question was priceless. It became the gauge to whatever endeavor it was I was trying to achieve or accomplish. In everything I did, the question was clear, was I going to be a player or a spectator?

As a lover, as a father, as a husband, as a brother, as a musician, as a friend and as a person, I have to be a PLAYER. I can never just sit in the sideline. I HAVE TO PLAY!

Make it a great day!

The Summit of My Life

By Paco Arespacochaga

38 pushing 39 is a verbal statement running around my head. It can be depressing though. And while I try to smile at the minute accomplishments under my belt, pride fully engulfs me when I am reminded that I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world and am the father of two of the brightest kids in world. All of a sudden, the world becomes a better place again.

And it really is! But then I realize that I may just be at the summit of my life. Or maybe I’ve passed it. Or maybe, I’m way beyond it… the summit of my life. I don’t know and I don’t want to know. I do want to hope. I do want to hope that I live long enough to see my children have children of their own. I want to live long enough to enjoy life with my wife and just laugh and smile at the joy that is while watching the sunset beyond the horizon.

And though everyday seems to be a struggle, everyday remains a blessing, an opportunity to right what is wrong. And to take one step closer to ones dream. And like most, I do have a dream!

Like most nights, when all is asleep and I am the only one awake in the quiet of my living room, I am reminded once again that I am 38 pushing 39, fervently hoping that I am not as close to the summit of my life.

Don't Beat Your Goose to Death!

by Paco Arespacochaga

Remember the story of the goose that laid golden eggs? His master got greedy and impatient and wanted the goose to lay more eggs in one day, he thought that he would just go ahead and open up the goose to get ALL the eggs. He did just that and killed the goose and discovered NO EGG!

Instead of ending up with more, he ended up with NONE!

And this holds true in life as well, no matter who you are or where you are or what you are, you have a GOOSE in your life that lays GOLDEN EGGS for you. Think for a moment who this is or what this is? Once you've determined it, ask yourself how you've been treating this person or object or intangible possession that has been continuing to give you wealth.

We may not no it but we often beat the heck out of our "goose" in a rush to get more "golden eggs"! Why? Greed perhaps? Ignorance maybe? Why?

Some companies treat their employees this way. Management make them work to the point of breaking their morale. There are managers who are guilty of this as well, for lack of management ability perhaps? Or maybe from upper management pressure brought down on them, we'll never know. Sales people are also guilty of the same "sin". They take every last ounce of revenue they can take from their clients.

We do this to our loved ones too! We take... and take... and take some more! And take again! And when the "goose" is dead, we're lost.

Stop for a moment and appreciate the people that have been crucial to your success. Stop for a moment and give them a hug or a note that says "thank you". Stop for a moment and look at that masterpiece that is giving you residual revenue. Be thankful for your intellectual property. Be proud of it. How about that talent of yours that got you to the top of the charts? How are you valuing your talent? Are you abusing your body?

Relax for a moment. Be thankful and learn to appreciate what you have and be patient. Love the goose that lays your golden egg and you will be wealthy for the rest of your life. Beat it to death and you die with it.

Have a great day ahead. No one can make it miserable without your permission!

Thinking of Embarking on an Unknown Journey? Go!!!

by Paco Arespacochaga

But don't fool yourself. It won't be easy. Yet it will always be fulfilling.

The mere embrace of taking the first step toward the "unknown" is always admirable, most often envied. And the people who dare brand you as "foolish" should look at themselves in the mirror and admit to themselves that it is them who is foolish for not taking the first step... for not taking that leap of faith.

What to Expect When Embarking on an Unknown Journey...

Expect the unexpected. And it will be plentiful. Be ready. It will be a roller coster ride. Have fun. Smell the roses along the way. It will be long. There will be hills. There will be days where you wish you hadn't taken that first step. But there will be rewards as well. There will be trials and challenges along the way. There will be thoughts of discouragement but persevere.

Everyone who is successful had persevered, probably more than you and I. And that's why they are where they are. While you and I were contemplating, they were doing. While you and I were complacent, they where moving. While you and I were experiencing instant gratification, they were creating their long term satisfaction.

There Is No Fail-Safe Switch!

The methodology of embarking on an unknown journey is to disable the "fail-safe" switch in your mindset. You cannot go on a journey with the thought that if you ever fail, there will be something to fall back on. You cannot fail! It's should be a one way street. And the reason why failure will never exist on this path is because you will be better than you were the moment you take the first step. You have to move forward and win! You have to strive hard to succeed.

How can you fail when every step you take forward is a step ahead of whoever remains still? Ooh! I like what I just wrote!

Appreciate the Journey

Sometimes, what's at the end of the journey is not what we expect it to be. Don't feel let down. It was really the journey that we were meant to experience. The destination always becomes the point of origin of the next unknown journey!

Live life!

The Power of Social Networking

By Paco Arespacochaga


Anybody who thinks Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedin, Myspace, Twitter and others like it will go away sometime soon are in for the biggest shock of their lives.
Social Networking Sites and Social Media Sites serve a very important purpose, which is the ability to connect the right type of people with other people, products and services. Yes, social media does this so effectively, it would be suicide for an individual and a business owner to not take advantage of it.

News travels almost instantaneously in the social media domain that it is both effective and scary. Come up with the next best invention and in less than 5 minutes, your “followers” or “fans” or “friends roster” know of the news right away. Commit a major blunder and you’re all over the wire in a heartbeat as well.

However, part of the hurdles of why some people refuse to get on with this new medium is because of its learning curve. Well let me tell you that developers of famous social media sites have made sure that their sites will let most of us experience a steep learning curve, which means we learn how to navigate through the site in the least time possible.

If you haven’t started, go ahead and get your feet wet. Try it out! Meet you people and promote your products and services. It might be the next big push you’ve been looking for.

It's Not Always About You

by Paco Arespacochaga



Don't even think that life revolves around you. Don't even think that YOU ARE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. With or without you, life goes on. When something goes wrong and when you think life is unfair to you, think again? It may not be the case.

The fact that you're reading this blog means life has been good to you! You're breathing while someone is on his deathbed clinging to life. You're connected to the web while other people haven't even seen a computer. You've got reading skills while others are being taken advantaged of because they don't know any better.

In spite of all of these, the world is NOT you!

Yet you can make a difference by touching lives. And the even better news is, you've got your whole life to do it! Start with your family... wife, husband, son, daughter, and then move on to your "middle circle".

Let other people lift you up. Your job is to lift them up.

If you embrace the thought that it isn't always about you, then you'll be able to see life differently and appreciate it even more.

...but I can only speak for myself!

Paco In the House - the Community

By Paco Arespacochaga

Paco In the House is a venture I am truly proud of. Looking at the vision of what it could be as opposed to the visibility of what it currently is, I am even more excited. I know that someone with more resources and a deeper pocket may take the idea and run away with it. But I’m not scared. Competition is healthy. Besides, I do have differentiators that make Paco In the House stand on its own despite its “indie” status.

So what is Paco In the House all about? It’s an Internet show that’s part Talk and part Reality. I would lean on the part Talk part of the show because the Reality part is simply a byproduct of the show concept.

The goal of Paco In the House is to entertain its audience through interviews and behind the scenes of anything and everything, and where the audience can participate as a future guest or a constant commentator. As vague as it may seem to be, the focus of the show is actually defined. In essence, I would like to create a platform where everyone is given the opportunity to share what they have to say or offer to the rest of the community. In this case, it’s the Paco In the House Facebook community.

As of this writing, the community is 155 strong. Not much compared to other Facebook pages that are out there but it’s growing!

How does joining benefit you?

You get FREE video “shout-outs” from me, for one thing. And if you think there is no value to a shout-out, why do you think talk show hosts are doing it?

You get to come be on my show where I interview you about YOU and about WHAT YOU DO. This is huge! Not because I’m in it… who cares, right!?! It’s HUGE because now you have this video of YOU, that’s informative, which you can post on your site, your facebook page and wherever you want to post it. No porn sites please! And you get to do this ROYALTY FREE!
If you believe what you do will benefit a lot of people, yourself included… send me a note or a message at pacointhehouse@gmail.com and let’s see if we can come up with a something that will benefit YOU!

How then do all these benefit ME? It’s simple. My helping you succeed gives me the opportunity to succeed. My helping you gain credibility gives me the opportunity to become credible, eventually. My helping you to become a “household” name gives me the opportunity to be one too!

If you haven’t joined the Paco In the House fan page, you can do so by clicking this link.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Choices. And More Choices

by Paco Arespacochaga

It’s Crazy But It’s True
By Paco Arespacochaga

A time will come when you will have to make a choice. It will be a life changing decision that will require wisdom, a lot of wisdom. It will also require understanding, a lot of understanding from you and for you on most part. The bottom line is that there is no cookie cutter route to this. A friend of mine calls this the moment of being “caught between a rock and a hard place”.

So what do you do when you’re up against the wall, pressed to make a decision? What do you do when you know that this decision will not only impact your life but the lives of people around you? What will you do?

Personally, I would pray and seek guidance from the Lord. I would meditate and spend some quiet time. I’ll fast if I must. Other times, I just jump in headfirst and deal with the consequences or the rewards afterwards.

The point is, at some point, you have to come to terms with yourself. You will have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. You will have to learn how to avoid pleasing everybody. At some point, you will also have to learn to stand up to what you believe in!

I learned to stand up behind my “life changing” decision-making, the hard way. Yes there were memories and opportunities that were given up. Yes, there were lives that were affected by my decision at the time. And yes, there have been rewards as well.

The one thing I am most proud of is my family, or what I define to be my family. I know it’s not perfect to some of you. But make no mistake, it may be crazy but it’s true, I have the perfect family.

I am proud of who I am surrounded with. I am even prouder to be part of their lives however big or small. Go make it a great day!