How is it possible that after almost 6 years and 280 articles, I don’t have a bigger audience than 100 people? I asked myself if I had to teach a class, on “How to have only 100 email subscribers after 6 years”, what would I teach? Make everyone have to actually look you up, and not be in any common places of modern internet (like social media) Bury the sign up form deep in the website, making...
I’m incredibly proud of my blog and collection of articles. So much of the best I have to share is sitting there for anyone and everyone. And best of all, it’s also there for me. Often I can search my blog for a thought and come across an eloquent article I’ve written in the past, revealing to me how much clarity I already have around that thought and how much I have to share about it. I was...
“Enough” is an interesting word. A quick dictionary definition is: “As much or as many as required.” I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about how much is enough for me. I’m probably the first human in my family line to ever consider this question. For all but the most recent human history, our ancestors never had enough. Not enough food, not enough comfort, not enough resources, not enough...
Many years ago, a friend once remarked to me “You’re successfully underemployed”. He was remarking on my light work schedule, during my DJ career. We’re so overwhelmed with overwork messaging. There’s that old joke that entrepreneurs “quit their 40 hour a week job so they can work 80”. Guys like Elon Musk brag about 100 hour work weeks. It’s simply never been my experience. I can perform when...
I’ve been getting better lately at recognizing some of the dark voices in my head. Recently, Robin and I were having a deep conversation, but Robin didn’t want to continue it. I felt Robin “pulling away from me” simply because Robin didn’t want to have a conversation with me at that very moment. I experienced this as a threat of withdrawal of love. And I realized in that moment, this...
I’ve spoken a lot about a liberating metaphor I use, that helps stop me from comparing myself to other people. I call it “running my own race”. The best part of running my own race is I always win. The one trap I can still find myself in is “moving the goal posts”. The easiest example of that is around money. Some years ago, I had created a goal for myself called “Freedom 35”. It was a monthly...
I was sharing with someone this week some advice. If I had to share only one thing, it would be these 3 words: “What scares me?” That prompt is responsible for so many of the big stories in my life. I did the scary thing, and something incredible happened. And here’s the actual scary truth of it: Once done, that thing ended up being no big deal. It’s amazing how big a...
After writing for my blog for over 3 years and 170 articles, I have come to some truths about myself. I value peace and freedom in my life above everything.I’m in a privileged place where I don’t have to do anything (I recently started thinking of myself as “retired”).I live a decelerated life.I like using technology, but try to avoid being used by it. That means I don’t use any social media...
I was inspired to create this tool by how I’ve been choosing to see 2020 as one of the best years in my life, and how I might be able to share that with others. I know a lot of people can’t wait to get out of 2020, but what if it were possible to transform how you see it? I also realized how creating lists has been such a powerful tool for me. To be staring at the overwhelming evidence in front...
I live a decelerated life where I don’t use social media and don’t chase followers. This blog only gets a few visitors a day. I had decided early on I was going to not use traditional metrics and break every rule there is. It gives me pleasure every time I do something like that. The people that need to find me find me. I love knowing I’m your secret weapon (or that I can be)...
Someone asked me about how I communicate if I don’t participate in Facebook and other major social media sites. They’re having major stress about not having it because it is a major part of their life. For those people, I get it, it feels like cutting a life line. I can’t even tell you this is the solution. All I know is I can only talk about what works for me and has been...
At the start of last year I came up with an experiment – every day I would take a moment in the morning to add to a list of gratitude. You can read my previous blog entries about this here and here. To recap; Every morning I would open a Word document where I had a numbered list. I’d then take a moment and add to it. At least 1 thing, but as many as I felt in that moment. I usually...
When I have need of a contractor or subcontractor, I have learned the ultimate Litmus Test that cuts a good 90% from contention: Do they return phone calls in a timely, professional way? Simple as that. And if they fail that test, by not calling me back, they are cut from my list. Immediately. I will not chase someone to do business with them. If they can’t get back to me quickly now, how...
I’m always on the hunt for new experiences. Some people like to travel, I like to create and experience new things closer to home. My latest experience was a float tank. The isolation tanks that are filled with a high ratio of salt water that is warm and you float inside it, like laying in the void. Robin has brought it up for over 10 years now. There is definitely more float centres...
I lived without a cell phone for a long time. I refused to get one. People used to ask me how I lived. Well, I lived just fine actually. I’d even go on cross country tours, driving, with just a $5 pre-paid phone card that I could use from a gas station or a motel room. This is how people managed for many decades. I valued my free time. Allowing myself to think and ponder. Many of my...
I don’t think there’s anyone out there who wouldn’t agree we are in an information overload. Not only are we bombarded, but we’re manipulated by different services to be addicted to getting it. It didn’t use to be this way and we all lived happy informed lives before. I already greatly cut down on my information intake because I don’t use social media, so...
This topic is a little different than I normally blog about, but I thought I’d write about it. File this under “parental life hacks”. I have 2 kids, aged 11 and 14. Like everyone their age, they love their electronics. As a parent this can be a hard place to find balance because the electronics are so good at what they do (occupy the young person, relieve the burden from a...
At the start of this year I wrote about a year-long project I was doing, called My Year of Gratitude. Every day I take a moment and add to a list things I’m grateful for. 5 months later, I just crossed item number 300 on my list. This is the 130th day of the year, so that is an average of 2.3 items per day. The list right now, as I scroll through its many pages is already awesome...
It’s generally accepted that we need to eat healthy foods to keep our bodies in good working order. Are we putting the same effort into what we consume with our minds? It seems we are in an information overload, and I have to ask, to what end? I’m not speaking of educating yourself with specific knowledge you are seeking, but the overwhelming bombardment of breaking news, and the...
Lately, I’ve been taking advantage of creative new thinking I get when first waking up. Upon waking, instead of grabbing my phone to start checking on things, I lie in bed. Usually just staring at the ceiling, and usually thinking about things I’m working on lately. Then it happens… a new idea. From out of the ether, my mind offers up something, a solution to a problem, a new...
I had come across a life and productivity hack multiple times that suggested to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. The thinking behind it is you’ve just gone through several hours without drinking anything, so your body could use it. I decided to try it, having a cold glass of tap water, instead of the thing I did usually in the morning – a cup of coffee. I found the...
I use email as my primary contact point. It’s how people can best reach me, and its how I’ll contact people back. I think email is important and worth saving as a primary tool because no one owns it. It’s part of the original internet. As people hopefully break free from some of the large social media sites, it’s the one thing that still connects all of us. That’s...
A lot of people who read this blog work as as “Solopreneurs”. Outside of a regimented work space, and perhaps starting a whole new life as an entrepreneur, it is easy to let things slip. Especially in this modern world of never ending information blasts and notifications. I’ve been learning more to use time as a tool, instead of being an enemy. Instead of seeing it as a deadline to stress...
I like setting goals. Measurable and achievable ones. I also like having fun with them. If I can turn them into a game, even better. A tool I’ve used multiple times is the “money thermometer”. The same kind that you see charities use to show their fundraising. They are used a lot because they are clear and it is fun to watch rise. I’ve done these types of thermometers for...