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SubscriptionsSites I Read
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Recently, I achieved Inbox Zero, the productivity geek's nerdvana of having a completely empty inbox. Through some techniques I can describe later, I managed to clear out those stubborn last 8-10 emails from the 'ole hotmail. I want to describe to you how it feels for that brief millisecond before the floodgates open again.
Flood is an apt analogy, because it did feel like standing in a dry river bed. Or maybe an empty street, or on the train tracks. What was supposed to be a liberating feeling was actually one of silence and loneliness. It felt like that empty riverbed, that "something" was missing. The only thoughts going through my mind "where are all my emails?" "Did I miss something?" "What if I archived something that I should be remembering?"
In a state best described as shock, I sat there, manically clicking "refresh". I was like an addicted lab rat hoping that my pushes on the bar would drop a food pellet. I couldn't stand the noise of the silence.
It very much like standing on the railroad track. Even though I could see for miles if a train is coming... the fear of getting crushed under the wheels of a locomotive still makes me uneasy about standing on the empty length of track.
I finally had to tear away, and say: Okay, inbox is empty, it's time to get on with life. Step away from the laptop.
And that's how it feels. Uncomfortable. Liberating? maybe, but not for the addicts. For us, it's like going through withdrawl. Cold turkey.
So every morning, I clear out all the easy stuff, and I'm left with 8-10 hard emails. But having those around is like a warm, fuzzy, information security blanket. And inbox zero... the cold, desolate plain. | | |
| It's that time again! Time to reflect on the year-- close out the chapter with a summary, and figure out how to start the next... (if I can find time between get-togethers and parties)
2008 Year in Review
1. Three Lessons Learned
2. Three Most Memorable Moments
3. Five Regrettable Purchases
4. Best Money Spent
5. 2008 Firsts
6. 2009 Goals and Projects
7. Ideas Executed
8. Accomplishments
9. Travels / Conferences
10. Celebrations
11. Disappointments / Weaknesses
12. Opportunities
13. Movies Watched
14. Books Read
15. Last Year's Goals and a letter grade for each
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| Radio Shack catalogs.. so many memories. so many dreams.
For budding geeks and future millionaire nerds alike, the radio shack catalog was the toy catalog of the year. Containing everything from the unaffordable unattainable (Tandy 100!!!) to the penny-pinching part (10 pack assorted LEDs), this catalog occupied me for many a lazy summer afternoon.
I have kept a small collection of these catalogs, and ultimately painstakingly scanned each of them, creating PDFs thinking someday I'd share them with the internet world.
But, alas, my hard efforts were duplicative, for now the world has:
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/
From a fan greater than I.
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| With the velocity of information comes the velocity of opportunities that come with that information... think about it.. things to buy, books to read, articles to ponder, offers, rebates, sweepstakes, events to attend, stocks to short, comments need making, emails needing attention, things on facebook that we need to visit ...
and it all adds up..
and we become overcommitted
too busy
and with too much junk in our homes.
and glued to our computers.
What was it like when the information and opportunity velocity was slower? How can we create a thoughtful, meaningful life while maintaining rapid information and opportunity flows?
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| Just finished this extensive look at the lives and times of migrant factory girls in China. Stories of personal history, family, courage, hope and dreams in the place where most of our stuff is made.
Reminded me much of the PBS documentary China Blue:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/chinablue/film.html
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