5060 Readers
May
19
Today Google launched Google health - a service designed to help people manage their medical records. Once info is uploaded, you can search for medicines, simple cures and more information about your particular ailments.
It sounds like a great idea, but my first thought was about the potential privacy issues. Do I really want [...]
May
19
Take A Cue From ‘Iron Man’
The power of owning your own product and building your own business.
(tags: business marketing)
The Hyperconnected vs. 84% of Everyone Else on Earth
Are we the minority? From the post “The first piece of research from Parks Associates (via Dwight Silverman and CNET) reveals that one-fifth of all U.S. heads-of-household have [...]
May
17
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. — Erich Fromm
What is certain in your life?
Is your job going to be there Monday? Will your friend be there tomorrow? Or you - what guarantee is there that you will be here tomorrow?
I don’t mean to sound bleak. I’d bet everything will be here tomorrow as expected. But sometimes it just isn’t. Sometimes a job doesn’t work out. Sometimes people leave or pass on.
Put another way, there is no real certainty in life. We expect things to be a certain way tomorrow, but then the unexpected happens. An Enron fiasco puts 22 thousand people out of work. A car accident takes a life. Or your spouse wins the lottery - sometimes good unexpected things happen too. :)
But the uncertain is why I value personal goal setting so much.
We all have to take risks every day of our lives. Even crossing the street is a risk some don’t survive.
Since we are taking risks anyway, shouldn’t we take the risks where we have the most control? To risk crossing the street is to trust that everyone else does what they are supposed to do. Otherwise we get run over.
To set a goal and work the steps towards it’s accomplishment is to trust that one person does what he or she is supposed to do. And that one person is you!
Do the math. The odds favor the person with goals astronomically.
Yes, there will be uncertainties. But all of life is uncertain. Therefore, shouldn’t we face the uncertainty of our own dreams?
There’s a saying that pioneers get the arrows. But we all know it isn’t only the pioneers who get them. Someone completely devoid of goals could get mugged or have their house hit by a tornado.
Since all life is uncertain, turn your attention toward your goals and dreams. It might just turn out to be the most certain route.
I’d recommend to those who haven’t yet done so, to take some time now and big list your goals. Make a plan for your life. Face that there will be uncertainties
. But you’re dealing with the unexpected anyway, so what’s the difference?
May
15
“If you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus.” - American Proverb 
Barbara Bartlein from the People Pro posted an article about the harmful effect of multitasking on your productivity. She points out how researchers warn of several problems with multitasking aside from decreased productivity including increased stress, stomach aches, and headaches
University of Illinois study of Microsoft workers reports that each time a person gets distracted, it takes a full 15 minutes to get back on track. Put another way, for each time your email dings with a new message, whether it’s a dire emergency or a picture of a cat with a melon skin on it’s head, it costs you dearly in lost time.
With the productivity losses incurred from multitasking, Barbara listed out 4 main ways to combat it:
- Accurately estimate the time to complete tasks. For one day, write down all the tasks you have to accomplish and estimate the time needed. Then truthfully time yourself. You will be able to find the percentage that you routinely underestimate and can adjust your work schedule.
- Use external memory as much as possible. Albert Einstein once said that he keeps nothing in his mind that can be easily retrieved from paper. A cluttered brain makes it much more difficult to be creative and productive. External memory can be as simple as a pad of paper or using technology more effectively. Use the calendar on your computer to remind you of important dates or appointments and quick lists to organize your tasks.
- Batch your work. Rather than checking e-mail multiple times per day, set times for reading and responding. Let your phone go to voice mail, if possible, and return phone calls during a specific time. Put similar tasks together, like paying bills and balancing your checking account, to increase efficiency.
- Remove distractions. Control interruptions and noise. If the workplace is loud, discuss with co-workers ways to control the volume. Set times for consultation or questions rather than allowing unlimited access to your time. And make sure you don’t “interrupt yourself” by running to get more coffee or making a quick phone call. Use “butt glue” until the task is completed.
They are all very good suggestions, however, I am torn on using the external memory as much as possible. I think it’s important to use both your brain’s memory as well as your computer’s memory. We are becoming so used to looking into the Google oracle that we might be losing some of our natural memory ability or at least sending it into hibernation. To combat this, I still use flashcards to test my memory on an almost daily basis.
Here are 6 of my own tips from my goody bag of staying focused and productive:
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May
14
Think about your most pressing problem or challenge for a second. Unless it is health related there is most definitely a solution out there.
Read everything you can on the subject. Take a class or two if you can find one. Join a local “enthusiast” club dedicated to solving your problem.
The fringe benefit of self education [...]
May
14
If you’ve been following along thus far, you know I went out seeking a pair of shoes that would alleviate the pain I’ve been experiencing from my current pairs of shoes.
What I stumbled on was a shoe brand called Finn Comfort where they claim the most "luxurious, healthy and comfortable" shoe on EARTH. There was talk around the store of Finns fixing knee and back pain and an exercise benefit to wearing them.
Curious as ever, I had to pick up a pair of their Finn Comfort Dijon
This is day 3 of my journey. As such, since these shoes are rather particular as far as break in and adjustment, you should take a look at the first two days of the review:
Part 1: Review of Finn Comfort Dijon
Part 2:Review of Finn Comfort Dijon Day 2
Unlike yesterday, there was no aching in my feet or lower legs. I took this as a good sign that the break in period is just about done. Since I am trying to be thorough for you, my dear readers, I am paying far more attention to the feelings and outcomes of wearing these shoes. I’d never pay so much attention otherwise.
But I still find it interesting some of the early effects of these shoes.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve walked with emphasis on the outside edges of my feet. This is a family trait according to my mother. The Finns seem to be adjusting that as I notice that I’m stepping more squarely with the ground as I walk.
And speaking of walking, these shoes almost feel better walking than they do just sitting at a desk typing. There is a spring-like effect feeling almost ‘bouncy’ as I step. I remember this same bounce feeling from my first pair of Doc Marteens years ago. And I like it. Maybe my dreams of slamming a basketball aren’t dead after all. ;)
I still feel a slight ache in my right foot around where the various supports are pressing into the muscle. I am right handed and I am sure I favor that side as I walk. Coincidence? It’s not a big deal for me, but for some of lower pain tolerance may feel like switching their shoes for a day.
One concern I do have is heel pain. If I am doing an abundance of walking during the day, then my right heel can get in trouble. There have been evenings where I don’t want to exercise because it feels like my heel is crushing a bone.
So far, I see no lessening of the heel strike effect with these shoes. However, time would probably be the best judge of whether they help or not.
Oh, and this small observation… I noticed my toes on both feet are spread further apart when I have my shoes off while standing. Perhaps this is a benefit to my overall balance? Dunno. I certainly wasn’t tripping and falling beforehand, so this may be a mystery that is never unraveled. Like Stonehenge, scientists may be puzzled for centuries over whether these shoes improve my balance.
Well, that’s all for today’s shoe observations. If anything interesting happens between today & tomorrow I’ll post the next follow up. I think however, that I should return to this review in a couple of weeks to give a final opinion. These are expensive shoes and regardless of style, you’ll want to make sure the technology you are purchasing is worthwhile. Otherwise you can just grab something you like the looks of…
May
13
Yesterday I wrote about my new shoe experiment with Finn Comforts. I wanted to see if the claims of comfort and improved bone alignment were true. Though, I have no way of telling if my bone alignment is bad or not. So no nagging. :lol:
Today I’ll note that after getting out [...]
