Emily Stewart, over at Vox.com, wrote up a good look at the anti-mask folks. It’s done respectfully and with taste, which I greatly appreciate in the current climate. I’ve been struggling to comprehend this mindset, so deeply appreciate such an article. With today’s environment of “gotcha journalism” and “pwning” your opponents, Ms. Stewart’s approach is refreshing. I’m reminded of Steven Covey’s principle of listening with the intent to understand. An uncommon yet critically needed approach.
Category: Productivity & Effectiveness
As a long-time executive assistant and project coordinator, I continually search for ways to eek the most out of my time. This is my collection of tips and tools to master your time.
Om Malik: How Do We Look At The Present?
I always appreciate the wit and wisdom of Om Malik. Today he tweeted this, which gives me great pause:
I don’t know how to look at the present – 56 percent of 2020 is over or that 44 percent of 2020 is still left. What do you think?
— OM (@om) July 24, 2020
2020, a year of havoc and confusion, of transition and destruction, forcing to face our histories against our deepest resistance. Such a dramatic and violent reaction? Will we survive?
Half done or half over? Perhaps a question of optimism: half-full vs half-empty? In this time of pandemic, optimism seems myopic. But, I believe the opposite. Humanity holds what it needs to overcome our destructive tendencies. So I hold on to hope.
Quote of the Day: Stan Lee
I struggle with putting too much stock in the opinions of others. I guess it’s natural to want friends, etc, to support and validate your thoughts.
However, if you are seeking to do something new and innovative, you will come up against natural human resistance to change. No matter how good an idea, some well-meaning people will challenge it.
Take their critique, analyze it, then make your own decision. You have to live YOUR life. Ensure that you won’t face regret.
On the other side of this coin: I seek to ensure I’m not “some idiot”. I don’t want to reflexively crap on the ideas of others. What do I know, anyway? I’ve made many wrong predictions in my life. I’m not clairvoyant!
When I’m asked my opinion on such things, I try to focus on details and on what challenges I perceive. I seek to help clarify and refine a vision, not damage or destroy them.
I want to help people achieve their goals and dreams, not damage them. “Leave people better than you find them”.
What makes a good life?
This TED Talk was just sent to me: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | Robert Waldinger. I’ve seen this video before and greatly appreciate the insights brought to light.
Here’s the basic framework. Harvard started a study around 80 years ago looking at what makes us happy and healthy in life. Having a study like this last this long is very significant. Dr. Waldinger is the 4th director of this study. It gives us a rare glimpse into positive living, one that hasn’t existed before.
In my youth, I believed, like so others that wealth and fame were the keys to an awesome life. There are many studies showing that a majority of people think the same. Turns out, that’s wrong.
“Good relationships keep us happier and healthier”. Social connection is life-giving, loneliness kills. This isn’t the number of friends, etc, but the quality. Also, living in conflict is destructive. The people who were the most satisfied at age 50 have the best health in their 80s. And good relationships are not only good for our bodies but also our minds. Ultimately, having people in your life that you KNOW have your back, that will be there when the times go bad, this is what will make your life satisfying.
I’m glad to have the benefit of the wisdom from this study without having to have lived a full lifetime, to use this knowledge to make a better life, not simply reflect back. And I want the same for you. Take a few minutes out of your day and go watch this video.
Reading Recommendations for May 25, 2020
I spent my Memorial Day morning catching up on email and reading. The scope of “keeping up” overwhelms me at times. The only solution I found to not letting this stress me? Accepting the lack of a solution, and that I must choose my focus. So, most of the stuff that comes into my inbox gets deleted.
Here are a few things that caught my eye today:
- “My Dad and Henry Ford“, a comic on The Nib. There’s been a lot written lately about Ford’s antisemitism. I appreciated this story’s personal touch.
- As I’m committed to continuous self-improvement, I found “9 Questions That Will Help You Make the Most Out of Every Day” enlightening. I created a daily checklist in Evernote based on these questions.
- “Four Hard Facts That People Need To Swallow” provided a reminder to accept people, especially flawed people, as they are.
- I’ve long struggled with comparing myself to others, and to the inner misery that this can create. Sinem Gunel wrote this article over on Medium, “Happiness is Found on The Other Side of Comparison“.
- “A 3-Minute Hack for Focus You’ve Probably Never Heard Of“. I’ve long used music to create focus. Calm, tranquil music that is. There’s now a label for a specific type of focus music: “Binaural Beats”.
- Related to the above, I have yesterday’s Pacific Notions (via KEXP) playing this morning to help create focus. I’m unsure if this falls exactly under “binaural beats”, but it has a similar effect for me.
That’s where I find myself this morning. How about you? Anything inspiring and insightful come into view for you?
The Real Reason Why You Can’t Stop Thinking So Negatively
Photo by Gui Spinardi from Pexels
The Real Reason Why You Can’t Stop Thinking So Negatively
I found the article (from Medium) above insightful. It speaks to a challenge that I find tempting: blaming external forces for my challenges. The line ‘“I’m just a messy person” excuses you from taking responsibility for the mess’ really strikes home. It reminds me of the power of self-talk, of those mental scripts that I often don’t even think to check. They happen so automatically that I’m not aware. For years I’ve known about this, and yet I still find these scripts running in the background. And I will continue to create new ones, to take responsibility for what’s in my mind, and seek forward motion.
What about you? Are you aware of such thoughts, and how corrosive they can be? Give the article a read and let me know what you think.
“Just Keep Missing” by Gavin Aung Than
I discovered Mr. Aung Than this week and already posted one of his comics earlier. However, I wanted to post one more. As someone who struggles with my identity as an artist, who fights frustration and feelings of futility, and the demon of perfectionism, this one spoke quite loudly to me. And knowing so many who walk/walked the same path, I felt deep value in sharing this one. Keep to the path, face down that ugly voice within, fight, and keep creating. The world needs more beauty.
Free and Useful Tech Tools for Students
This week I started my coursework for my new career: full-stack web developer (for more about that decision, head here). In the few days since courses launched (online, as we’re still practicing social distancing), I discovered/reinforced the importance of several tech tools.
I started experimenting with this about a week ago. I’d seen ads for the free app, and, well, haven’t been too interested. I think I’m a solid writer. But I finally wore down and decided to try it. I’m actually quite pleased. And, as the syllabi that I’ve read the past few days state pointedly, grammar, spelling and syntax in the online posts are a part of our grades. So, that much more valuable. Though less delightful, but important, I’ve seen I’m not so perfect a writer. Having these, shall we say “nudges” helps make me that much better. So, I recommend it.
2. Evernote
This tool is one I’ve been using for at least 10 years. It’s my journal, and main note-taking tool. Articles I’ve read, want to read, brainstorming sessions, projects I’m working on, travel info, checklists…all of this an more are dumped into this tool. The searchability is great! And the ability to customize your organization system is excellent, too. Whether you prefer to have custom “notebooks” or you prefer to “tag” notes, you’re covered by Evernote. I also appreciate that there’s geocoded information in the notes, and also a number of third-party tools to explore.
I’ll post other ones as I discover them. Do you know of any I should explore? Leave a comment and let me know.
4/16: Editted as WordPress converted my manually typed numbers into a <ol> list.
Today’s Motivational Quote: Dale Carnegie
If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
Dale Carnegie
It’s easy to let fear paralyze us. But the path thru is clear: motion. Each step taken in spite of fear strengthens us, empowers us. Thus the importance of simply taking the first step.
New To Zoom? Check Out This Great Intro Video
With coronavirus forcing us to transform education and interpersonal communication, the folks at Zoom now find their tool becoming the defacto standard, education and beyond. Plenty of organizations (churches, businesses, non-profits) are utilizing Zoom (why Zoom and not Google Hangouts? Skype? I’m not entirely sure at this point, but think it was because the reached out first…I should explore this at some point).
I’ve been a fan of Steve Dotto for years, and highly recommend his videos for guidance about things tech. Steve created this video (below) as a tutorial for many of the basic features. So, if you haven’t used Zoom, or haven’t used it extensively, I highly recommend Steve’s video. My wife (a teacher), who’s used Zoom quite a bit the past few weeks picked up some great tips. It’s highly worth your time.