Four months of inboxZero...

...and all I have to say is I love an empty inbox. Like my regular paper mail, it's either empty or filled with a manageable handful. After working this way for several months, I'm happy to report that this is a pleasant way to live.

A vintage style of spam (edit)

 

Post Script: Reader Zzamboni points out the "I love you" worm from 2000 which I completely forgot about. Does anyone remember those out of the blue emails flooding your inbox? Luckily I did not click in 2000.  The 2011 version was just a harmless attachment free scramble of nonsense. I think it was about debt consolidation.

I've edited this post title from A new style of spam to A vintage style of spam. By the way Zzamboni has a cool site too.

What I want to do vs What I do

Today woke up very early, went out to buy cat food, and found I had an extra an hour before a meeting. I consciously thought to myself this: I have an extra hour. What should I do? I'd love to relax in some way. Hmmm...

Here are some ideas I came up with:

• Meditate
• Stretch out 
• Sit outside and look at the birds

Here is what I did do:

• Look at Reddit

Real conversation, the touchpoint to end all touchpoints.

Do you ever talk to someone and immediately feel inspired to check out the books or web pages they championed? More than once, I've written said websites into my journal only later to think "what the hell is this?" If I do visit the site, my context is often completely gone and it doesn't resonate. 

I don't have time to check out every single book, web page, or idea people suggest. I would if I could. I love reading. When you're laser focused, it's not productive to add to your already tall stack of things to read unless you feel it's awesome.

A friend told a group of us about InboxZero. In less than five minutes, she described the method of reducing email stimuli and it's value. Simply having a conversation was enough for me to modify my behavior and experience the value of less information clutter.

I have not really checked out the web site, I probably won't buy the upcoming book, and I won't even hit "like" on InboxZero's facebook page, if there is one. Though my feelings won't be expressed through a purchase or digital interaction crafted by the author, Merlin Mann, I'm an ambient fan because of my friend's willingness to share the idea rather than circumvent the story by pointing me to the book.

Next time you find yourself rattling off site after site, book after book, consider simply sharing the high-level takeaway of one. 

You'll dig not being distracted : ) Oh, and "Inbox Zero guy" is also "43 Folders guy"

My goal

My goal is to design my life and work rather than just take what's given to me. 


My goal is to get S&*% done that matters to me. 

JobShift

 I can't believe I hadn't heard of JobShift by William Bridges before I'd read it. It changed my view--not of organizations but of how employees, and contractors should think of themselves. What follows are the core messages from JobShift as well my own opinions sprinkled in which align with Bridges' findings: 

We're all temporary. In the past, layoffs were considered an extreme, painstaking measure done out of necessity and with the intent to rehire once things got back on track. Now they're how a company trims expenses and veils talent churn.

High-level positions aren't going to come free If you've ticked the right boxes and are now a VP or director, good for you. Hopefully you didn't trade this career achievement for spiritual growth, introspection, or time with your family. For most of us, this will not happen unless you work at a small startup where everyone is a VP.

Organizations are looking out for themselves--You should too As a job or gig seeker, or employee  learn how to discuss your economic value. Companies don't always care how many awesome documents you can write. They want to know why you will earn for them. If the job market is decent, it is your job to set boundaries. If you don't want to work 80-hour weeks, don't. Get in the habit of taking care of your needs.

Progressive's adorable mobile site

Look at this darling little website made for a mobile device. Useful, well-branded, and easy. Way to go, Progressive! Thanks for thinking of your customers and your would-be customers!

Error prevention

How many very embarrassing situations has this design saved you from?
 

Advice to women, girls, and people around the world

Don't take any guff from these fucking swine

- Hunter S. Thompson via Raoul Duke Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

I can't believe I'm quoting this movie. The point I'm hoping to make is important. Never let anyone tell you:

• Who you are
• That you cannot do something, that you are bad at something, that you should instead, do what they think you should do

Some people are mean. Sometimes, you might even believe them. This is bad.  Don't. 

I was wrong**

A while back I posted about how I am drawn to easy. Later I then discussed how this Droid Commercial as a representation of us humans being more machine like was so undesirable. My Droid post was totally dead wrong.

I gave a talk at Mills College and asked students "which seems like better life?" showing them the slide below. I colored the question with some further discription: Would you rather have things taken care of for you at the press of a button or would you rather have some droid like features of your own?
 
I have no idea if the students learned anything from this slide, but I can say with certainty this was a humbling reminder that I am not everyone, I am not the users, and rudimentary research done early and often keeps me in check.


** During my presentation I did not admit to my off-base assumption. I just said "hm" and moved on to the next slide.