Good morning
22/02/12 09:01 Filed in: Productivity
Water
I’ve written all kinds of methods for personal productivity that I’ve come up with, first, out of necessity, and second, with an actual motivation to really get better at my own craft, which is computer programming.
This morning, I took a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. The water was cold. As I dived in, I felt how the cold water affected the circulation of the entire body. Breathing changes and heart rate goes down.
My hands are slightly arthritic (from too much typing) and I feel how the cool water massages the joints and the nerves of my hands. Another part in me which gets stuck often from too much sitting is the pelvis, which in turn affects overall circulation. In the water the body stretches in a way that opens up, not only your pelvis, but also your belly. The entire body stretches in a way that’s natural, opening up the arteries. The neck and shoulder muscles relax, letting new blood flow and flush through your brain.
The mental effects of swimming are profound. The moment you dip your head in the water everything changes. The mind goes blank. Nobody worries about anything while swimming, it’s just not possible. Therefore, it’s a terrific way to start the day not only for computer programmers, but for writers and designers as well.
Speak...
21/02/12 17:55 Filed in: Productivity
…and you’ll learn to listen.
About ten years ago, I started studying Spanish. I was a very stubborn student and never brilliant in anything at school. However, for some reason I became a sponge for Spanish grammar and vocabulary. With a fair amount of effort, I managed to get the best grades and eventually became the guy who everyone turned to for asking for help. Explaining grammar and words to other students increased my own understanding of the language and the whole thing became a sort of positive feedback loop.
While I was good in writing, I didn’t manage to grasp the speaking and listening part. I did a lot of internet text chat and listened to the radio, and visited Spain every year, but for some reason I still didn’t manage to understand radio and television shows and really talk and interact with people.
One day, a Spanish friend wanted me to teach him to play the piano. I accepted, but only on one condition: it had to be all in Spanish.
I have no idea how foolish I sounded in the beginning, however, gradually all that reading and grammar finally started to flow off my tongue.
After a few days, I returned to work and turned on Spanish radio like always. To my surprise, I suddenly understood what they were saying. It was a traffic report of Madrid explaining which roads were jammed, where there had been accidents, and which roads were closed for construction. Amazing!
In order to learn how to listen, I first had to learn how to speak.
About ten years ago, I started studying Spanish. I was a very stubborn student and never brilliant in anything at school. However, for some reason I became a sponge for Spanish grammar and vocabulary. With a fair amount of effort, I managed to get the best grades and eventually became the guy who everyone turned to for asking for help. Explaining grammar and words to other students increased my own understanding of the language and the whole thing became a sort of positive feedback loop.
While I was good in writing, I didn’t manage to grasp the speaking and listening part. I did a lot of internet text chat and listened to the radio, and visited Spain every year, but for some reason I still didn’t manage to understand radio and television shows and really talk and interact with people.
One day, a Spanish friend wanted me to teach him to play the piano. I accepted, but only on one condition: it had to be all in Spanish.
I have no idea how foolish I sounded in the beginning, however, gradually all that reading and grammar finally started to flow off my tongue.
After a few days, I returned to work and turned on Spanish radio like always. To my surprise, I suddenly understood what they were saying. It was a traffic report of Madrid explaining which roads were jammed, where there had been accidents, and which roads were closed for construction. Amazing!
In order to learn how to listen, I first had to learn how to speak.
Mediocrity Checklist
21/02/12 08:27 Filed in: Design
Mediocre A:
Don’t try to get better at what you are.
Don’t try to change the world.
Don’t disturb us.
Don’t disrupt our daydream.
Don’t try to be different.
Don’t try to think different.
Don’t even think of making the world a better place.
Just don’t.
Mediocre B:
I agree with you Mediocre A, as so many do.
Mediocre A & B (in chorus):
Let us silence all voices that do not conform to our view of the world. Let us laugh and make fun of anything we do not understand. Let us get hurt when we are challenged. Let us suppress our thoughts and feelings.
We want to stay safe in our castles, which we have built around us, not only by ourselves but also with the help of others like us.
Mediocre C:
Well said, brothers. Let us criticize loudly, whenever we see anything that might challenge our worldview.
...
Don’t try to get better at what you are.
Don’t try to change the world.
Don’t disturb us.
Don’t disrupt our daydream.
Don’t try to be different.
Don’t try to think different.
Don’t even think of making the world a better place.
Just don’t.
Mediocre B:
I agree with you Mediocre A, as so many do.
Mediocre A & B (in chorus):
Let us silence all voices that do not conform to our view of the world. Let us laugh and make fun of anything we do not understand. Let us get hurt when we are challenged. Let us suppress our thoughts and feelings.
We want to stay safe in our castles, which we have built around us, not only by ourselves but also with the help of others like us.
Mediocre C:
Well said, brothers. Let us criticize loudly, whenever we see anything that might challenge our worldview.
...
Less words...
19/02/12 17:49 Filed in: Productivity
…more actions.
Often, we come up with a great idea and want to share it immediately with someone.
I think most of us can be forgiven, because we honestly like the idea and would really like it to happen. However, at the same time we’re afraid that the idea might be forgotten (in the sea of all those other ideas) and perhaps if I send this person a message about it, something will happen and it won’t be forgotten.
How much control do we actually have? Computers, notebooks, mail archives and palm leaves are good for storing information, but it tends to stockpile*.
Luckily, good ideas have a tendency to come back to you.
Don’t wear it out!
*not to mention walls and timelines on social networks.
Often, we come up with a great idea and want to share it immediately with someone.
I think most of us can be forgiven, because we honestly like the idea and would really like it to happen. However, at the same time we’re afraid that the idea might be forgotten (in the sea of all those other ideas) and perhaps if I send this person a message about it, something will happen and it won’t be forgotten.
How much control do we actually have? Computers, notebooks, mail archives and palm leaves are good for storing information, but it tends to stockpile*.
Luckily, good ideas have a tendency to come back to you.
Don’t wear it out!
*not to mention walls and timelines on social networks.
It has to be ______ .
19/02/12 07:37 Filed in: Productivity
Humans are incredibly sensitive beings.
It occurred to me earlier at the gym, when people are on the exercise machines, that you can determine just about how long they have been working out.
You watch for a certain tone or fluidity in the movement, and find out instantly if someone is a regular or just starting out, or restarting again.
It’s not only the exercise but also the way people walk in. Does the person know already, for example, that this is the ski machine? How are you supposed to exercise on this particular thing? You see it by the way people move and look around.
If someone has been working out elsewhere you see it too. They adapt quickly to the new environment, ask around and do their own thing. The trainer doesn’t even have to exercise.
I don’t think the phenomenon is cultural at all -- and not limited to the gym. Our insight can adapt and see these patterns elsewhere.
If someone is trying too hard you see it too, but not necessarily if you’re the one.
It occurred to me earlier at the gym, when people are on the exercise machines, that you can determine just about how long they have been working out.
You watch for a certain tone or fluidity in the movement, and find out instantly if someone is a regular or just starting out, or restarting again.
It’s not only the exercise but also the way people walk in. Does the person know already, for example, that this is the ski machine? How are you supposed to exercise on this particular thing? You see it by the way people move and look around.
If someone has been working out elsewhere you see it too. They adapt quickly to the new environment, ask around and do their own thing. The trainer doesn’t even have to exercise.
I don’t think the phenomenon is cultural at all -- and not limited to the gym. Our insight can adapt and see these patterns elsewhere.
If someone is trying too hard you see it too, but not necessarily if you’re the one.
