In the 21st century, there are all kinds of books about time management, efficiency, getting things done and generally getting ahead in life. I've read a fair number of these and will say that for the most part, if you're able to do all of the things these books tell you to do, I'm certain you could become very efficient. However, I've come to realize that for many of us, myself included, it is much easier said than done.
Enter procrastination. This is a phenomenon that is wide spread, something that a majority of the population engages in. What is it about us that makes us put things on the shelf until the last minute? Why don't we just do what need to do up front? My feeling is that we probably are capable of doing a lot more than we do, so if we start our work to soon, we will quickly get through it and have nothing to do. Rather than take on new projects, we delay the ones we have and spend our time doing other menial tasks.
This is where the art comes in. Procrastination is like singing, anyone can sing - that is use their voice to make noises that fluctuate in pitch - but not everyone can sing well. Not everyone is a good procrastinator. It takes a special skill to put off all of ones work to the last minute, but then to still get everything done before starting on (and then putting off) a new task.
It's taken me over 3 months to get around to writing this post!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sleepless
I can't sleep. It's not a problem I deal with often, but tonight it is the state I find myself in. The constant running of the engine of my mind keeps me from my desired state.
I want to be able to turn it all off, but I can't. The thoughts keep coming, some fantastic dream like thoughts, others come and destroy those bringing me back to reality. I'm busy with many different things right now, which is good, better than being idle and bored.
The days pass quickly, however tonight doesn't seem to be doing the same.
I want to be able to turn it all off, but I can't. The thoughts keep coming, some fantastic dream like thoughts, others come and destroy those bringing me back to reality. I'm busy with many different things right now, which is good, better than being idle and bored.
The days pass quickly, however tonight doesn't seem to be doing the same.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kill Negativity
Why is it that for so many people (myself included at times), our first reaction to even the slightest inconvenience, is to react in anger. The littlest thing can prompt anything from the thought of acting out to a tirade of epic proportions over something that really is nothing more than a minor set-back (if that).
What am I talking about - things like someone cutting you off in traffic or maybe ALMOST cutting you off - what do you do? Give them the finger, was that really necessary? Did that event, getting cut off on your way to work really have that much of an impact on your life?
The reality is that if you didn't react, you would probably forget about it in moments - instead, you get angry and it festers - you let loose through an obscene gesture or you yell from inside your car with rolled up windows, but the anger is still there. You dwell on it and perhaps because of that little thing your whole day is ruined. As a result, you are negative all day at work - you come home and are frustrated with your kids - you go to a sporting activity and try to hurt someone - all the result of some inconsequential moment in your day. At least it could have been inconsequential.
What would happen if, the next time someone bumps into you in a line-up, instead of losing it, you just smile and carry on with your day? By the time 5 minutes has elapsed, you've totally forgotten that anything even happened.
I don't have the answer, but I'm willing to bet that a little less negativity could make things better for the world. And if you don't care about the world, do it for selfish reason. I'm certain there's some scientific study somewhere that would agree with me.
What am I talking about - things like someone cutting you off in traffic or maybe ALMOST cutting you off - what do you do? Give them the finger, was that really necessary? Did that event, getting cut off on your way to work really have that much of an impact on your life?
The reality is that if you didn't react, you would probably forget about it in moments - instead, you get angry and it festers - you let loose through an obscene gesture or you yell from inside your car with rolled up windows, but the anger is still there. You dwell on it and perhaps because of that little thing your whole day is ruined. As a result, you are negative all day at work - you come home and are frustrated with your kids - you go to a sporting activity and try to hurt someone - all the result of some inconsequential moment in your day. At least it could have been inconsequential.
What would happen if, the next time someone bumps into you in a line-up, instead of losing it, you just smile and carry on with your day? By the time 5 minutes has elapsed, you've totally forgotten that anything even happened.
I don't have the answer, but I'm willing to bet that a little less negativity could make things better for the world. And if you don't care about the world, do it for selfish reason. I'm certain there's some scientific study somewhere that would agree with me.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Power of Imagination
I purchased 2 lottery tickets today - tomorrow's 6/49 jackpot is $48 million. As soon as I had those tickets, my mind begins to contemplate winning. What would I do if I had $48 million? The thoughts run far and wide and there really is no boundary out there to contain them. See, to me, $48 million is about the right sum for me to be unable to picture spending all of the money.
It's really quite amazing when you think about it, that a little inspiration like that allows our minds to go so far. Imagine what could be accomplished if we could be inspired to dream this way because of the salary we take home each day, or the family that we have, or even the fact that we have food and shelter (never mind the internet).
Allow yourself to be inspired and to dream, give yourself permission to go somewhere, but try to dream about what you can do with what you have now and then start working towards it. Instead of thinking about "what if" - what if I won the lottery - if I get a raise - if, if, if, - just get out there and do something to enjoy your life today.
It's really quite amazing when you think about it, that a little inspiration like that allows our minds to go so far. Imagine what could be accomplished if we could be inspired to dream this way because of the salary we take home each day, or the family that we have, or even the fact that we have food and shelter (never mind the internet).
Allow yourself to be inspired and to dream, give yourself permission to go somewhere, but try to dream about what you can do with what you have now and then start working towards it. Instead of thinking about "what if" - what if I won the lottery - if I get a raise - if, if, if, - just get out there and do something to enjoy your life today.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Why I Blog!
I DON'T blog because I'm hoping to be an internet superstar, to make a million dollars from my site or even for recognition. If any of those things happen (not likely) then so be it.
So why DO I blog? It's simple really.
I blog because I want to blog. Any questions?
Why do you blog?
So why DO I blog? It's simple really.
I blog because I want to blog. Any questions?
Why do you blog?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
You Can't Do Nothing for a Living!
Work is a good thing. You are designed to work and success only comes through effort.
I've come across many people (I've been there too) who are looking for an easy way to make money. The get rich quick scheme, the method by which they will be able to retire by the time they turn 30 or 40. What I've learned though is that there is no such thing as easy!
I am not saying that there aren't some ways to make money that are easier than others, but success takes work.
People will point out that there are successful people out there who have "jobs" that seem like a dream. They suggest "if he/she can do it, so can I."
Take someone like Darren Rowse. Darren is a full-time blogger, I don't know how many hours that means, but it is what he does for a living. Many look at that and think, if I could only do that for a living my life would be great. The truth is, success like Darren's doesn't happen overnight, it takes hard work. Darren has been blogging since 2002 - that's nearly seven years now, and I'm guessing it wasn't all money from day one.
Ask Darren the question "did it take hard work for you to get to where you are?" My bet is that the answer is "YES".
Darren is just one example, it's not limited to blogging either. Take "Social Media Consulting", another area that people seem desperate to jump into. Just because you know about Twitter, doesn't mean you are qualified (I'm not qualified by the way) to label yourself a "Social Media Guru". Becoming an expert in something (anything) takes time and effort. There are experts in this field that I trust, such as Chris Brogan or Mitch Joel among many others. If you were to ask any one of them what has brought them to the point they are at, most of the time the answer would be a combination of hard work and a passion for the field they've chosen.
Opportunities will come your way and you will have chances to be successful, but in my experience success will not fall in your lap.
If you are looking for a way to be able to sit at home and do nothing while that money just flows in, you will be disappointed. You can be successful by doing something you like, an it might not feel like "work", but you will still be putting in the effort. The reality is that success takes work and successful people are those that know how to work hard, it is part of who they are.
This is the reason that many CEOs don't retire. Sure, they leave their CEO role, but most go on to sit on different boards or to participate in charity efforts. They are not content to sit around and do nothing.
My hope is that you will find something that you enjoy and that it will bring you success. If you are willing to work, I'm sure you will find re opportunities are out there.
What do you think?
I've come across many people (I've been there too) who are looking for an easy way to make money. The get rich quick scheme, the method by which they will be able to retire by the time they turn 30 or 40. What I've learned though is that there is no such thing as easy!
I am not saying that there aren't some ways to make money that are easier than others, but success takes work.
People will point out that there are successful people out there who have "jobs" that seem like a dream. They suggest "if he/she can do it, so can I."
Take someone like Darren Rowse. Darren is a full-time blogger, I don't know how many hours that means, but it is what he does for a living. Many look at that and think, if I could only do that for a living my life would be great. The truth is, success like Darren's doesn't happen overnight, it takes hard work. Darren has been blogging since 2002 - that's nearly seven years now, and I'm guessing it wasn't all money from day one.
Ask Darren the question "did it take hard work for you to get to where you are?" My bet is that the answer is "YES".
Darren is just one example, it's not limited to blogging either. Take "Social Media Consulting", another area that people seem desperate to jump into. Just because you know about Twitter, doesn't mean you are qualified (I'm not qualified by the way) to label yourself a "Social Media Guru". Becoming an expert in something (anything) takes time and effort. There are experts in this field that I trust, such as Chris Brogan or Mitch Joel among many others. If you were to ask any one of them what has brought them to the point they are at, most of the time the answer would be a combination of hard work and a passion for the field they've chosen.
Opportunities will come your way and you will have chances to be successful, but in my experience success will not fall in your lap.
If you are looking for a way to be able to sit at home and do nothing while that money just flows in, you will be disappointed. You can be successful by doing something you like, an it might not feel like "work", but you will still be putting in the effort. The reality is that success takes work and successful people are those that know how to work hard, it is part of who they are.
This is the reason that many CEOs don't retire. Sure, they leave their CEO role, but most go on to sit on different boards or to participate in charity efforts. They are not content to sit around and do nothing.
My hope is that you will find something that you enjoy and that it will bring you success. If you are willing to work, I'm sure you will find re opportunities are out there.
What do you think?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
fusedlogic FoodBank Challenge
In North American culture, Christmas is a time of year when it seems that everyone is generous. Not just within their families, but generally with others, in the communities we live in and beyond. Once Christmas has passed, we move on to the New Year with resolutions for bettering ourselves and become so inward focused that we can lose sight of the generous spirit that so many of us were displaying few short weeks ago.
Just before Christmas this year one of the prominent members of the Social Media community in Edmonton, Walter Schwabe, started an ambitious year long project, the fusedlogic Food Bank Challenge. When I was first introduced to the idea through Twitter, there were two things that stood out to me:
1. The ambitious goal that had been set
2. The fact that this was not limited to being a short-term project
The Timeline
I really like that this project was not limited in scope to just the three or four weeks before Christmas. Giving is something that should take place year round and for those of us fortunate to have steady jobs, I feel that it is our responsibility to give back. It is often easy for us to overlook the needs in our own North American communities, but the reality is that there are hungry people here, just as there are in all other countries in the world. I am not trying to diminish the importance of providing aid to foreign nations who need it, I'm merely trying to point out that there is need right in our own back yards. That need is not limited to a particular season either, and that is where the timeline of this project shines.
Although the project started just before Christmas, the idea is to take a full year to achieve the goals (and it will probably take every minute of that year). The other benefit of a longer timeline is that, if you haven't participated yet, it's not too late.
So What's the Goal
It's ambitious, there's no question about it. So what do you need to do? It's quite simple:
By doing all of this, blogging about it, tweeting about it and doing the things that we all love to do, we can certainly achieve the goal of 1 million photos by the end of a year. More importantly, we can continue to raise the importance of social awareness in our communities and work together to create a better world.
Just before Christmas this year one of the prominent members of the Social Media community in Edmonton, Walter Schwabe, started an ambitious year long project, the fusedlogic Food Bank Challenge. When I was first introduced to the idea through Twitter, there were two things that stood out to me:
1. The ambitious goal that had been set
2. The fact that this was not limited to being a short-term project
The Timeline
I really like that this project was not limited in scope to just the three or four weeks before Christmas. Giving is something that should take place year round and for those of us fortunate to have steady jobs, I feel that it is our responsibility to give back. It is often easy for us to overlook the needs in our own North American communities, but the reality is that there are hungry people here, just as there are in all other countries in the world. I am not trying to diminish the importance of providing aid to foreign nations who need it, I'm merely trying to point out that there is need right in our own back yards. That need is not limited to a particular season either, and that is where the timeline of this project shines.
Although the project started just before Christmas, the idea is to take a full year to achieve the goals (and it will probably take every minute of that year). The other benefit of a longer timeline is that, if you haven't participated yet, it's not too late.
So What's the Goal
It's ambitious, there's no question about it. So what do you need to do? It's quite simple:
- Make a donation to your local foodbank
- Take a picture of that donation (with you if you like)
- Upload the picture to the Flickr Group or the Facebook Group
- Pass the message along and get as many people as you can to do the same
By doing all of this, blogging about it, tweeting about it and doing the things that we all love to do, we can certainly achieve the goal of 1 million photos by the end of a year. More importantly, we can continue to raise the importance of social awareness in our communities and work together to create a better world.
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