Getting Organized: Getting Started (part 1/4)

Last summer I transitioned from a full-time 9-5 worker to being my own boss.  I was super excited, but also overwhelmed at how many things I needed to accomplish in a short period of time.  I also needed to make space for a home office, which meant purging or consolidating what I had to fit more stuff in a smaller space.

Even though I am naturally organized, and in fact make a living helping others declutter and organize their information, I’m always eager to learn about new methods and styles.  Many people had recommended David Allen’s book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity and I was curious to learn more about this system that has helped so many people. I decided to be the guinea pig, read the book and try the Getting Things Done (GTD) method.

From my work experience I know that finding a starting point is difficult.  When it comes to decluttering and organizing, I think many of us procrastinate because it feels overwhelming.  Sometimes each task seems like it’s actually part of a larger chain of never-ending projects that must be accomplished in a specific sequence.  This often gives us an excuse to avoid doing something that perpetuates a cycle.

Visual representation of procrastination cycle.

Visual representation of procrastination cycle.

In order to break the cycle it’s imperative to JUST START somewhere, anywhere.  I started, as the book suggested, by writing anything cluttering up my brain on its own sheet of paper and placing it in an “in-box”.  Basically I wanted to capture anything that would be on a “to-do” list such as tasks, errands, projects or communications that I needed to accomplish.  I allowed myself to be free with this exercise and wrote things as they occurred to me regardless of how large or small the task seemed, or even if I thought I had already put it in the box.

TIP #1: Preparation is Key, this includes your time.  I assembled an empty box, pens, pads and post-its so that I could record something the instant I thought of it.  Sometimes I would place physical items in the box that needed action, like filing.  I used a note app on my smartphone to record thoughts on the go.

The starting point- writing everything down and assembling it in one place.

The starting point- writing everything down and assembling it in one place.

About a week later I had a formidable pile of stuff to be processed.

A more accurate picture of the "to-do" pile.  As you can see my pile of stuff expanded well beyond the borders of my in-box.

A more accurate picture of the “to-do” pile. As you can see my pile of stuff expanded well beyond the borders of my in-box.

Stay tuned for next week’s installment Getting Organized: Dealing with Curveballs.

Patagonia: Tierra del Fuego – Glaciers

The second day of the cruise was reserved for glacial sightseeing.  In the morning we hiked around Pia Glacier, which our guides referred to as “The Prom Queen” because it’s so good looking.  Once again we boarded the zodiacs and zipped over to the shore for hiking and viewing.  Here’s a shot from the lookout point.

A view of Pia Glacier from the lookout point.

A view of Pia Glacier from the lookout point.

If you look closely on the right of the glacier you might notice the snow looks cleaner and fresher. The glacier calved before we hiked up to the lookout. Calving is a term used to describe the large chunks of ice that break off of glaciers.

At the lookout point I was once again reminded that it was summer and snapped this pic of some primrose heath berries and a dog orchid.

A few bright berries and a hidden dog orchid stood out in contrast to the greens and grays surrounding them.

A few bright berries and a hidden dog orchid stood out in contrast to the greens and grays surrounding them.

In the afternoon the boat cruised through the legendary Beagle Channel in what is called “Glacier Alley” because it offers so many close-up views of the glaciers. The boat glided under this rainbow as we approached.

The entryway to Glacier Alley in the famed Beagle Channel.

The entryway to Glacier Alley in the famed Beagle Channel.

In Glacier Alley, each glacier is named after a different European country. Just to make it fun, the boat crew played music while serving snacks and drinks themed to each country as we passed by. Sadly, most of the glaciers no longer reach the channel, but this one still does. I don’t remember the names of all the glaciers we saw in the alley, but I’m pretty sure this one is the Italia Glacier.

The only glacier in the alley to still reach the water.

The only glacier in the alley to still reach the water.

Next stop Cape Horn at the bottom of the world!

The Basics of Reading a Book

I was initially resistant to using e-readers but once I made the switch in 2012 I was hooked.  The decision to purchase an e-reader instead of another device that would allow me e-reading capabilities was determined based on the following reasons:

  1. I prefer the e-ink technology used for the screen. It’s easier on my eyes than backlit screens.
  2. I’m a bit old-fashioned and I like it that my e-reader is just a book.  It doesn’t do anything else so I’m not distracted by notifications and beeping, nor am I tempted to leave my ebook to surf the web or check messages.
  3. The battery lasts for about 3 weeks on a single charge.

My first e-reader was from Sony and I loved it.  It was easy to use and had buttons or screen swiping for navigating.  Best of all I only needed one library account to borrow ebooks.  After moving about a dozen times I started borrowing books from the library instead of buying them.  I refused to change my reading habits and still borrowed ebooks even though I knew that “moving” ebooks wouldn’t involve packing and backbreaking labor.

I recently switched to a KoboGlo and was dismayed to learn that borrowing library ebooks was not nearly as easy.  I had to to create an account with Kobo just to use the e-reader.  Then I discovered the e-reader couldn’t link directly to my local library as the Sony e-reader had.

To borrow ebooks from my library I performed the following:

  1. Create login/password account to use Adobe Digital Editions (required)
  2. Download Adobe Digital Editions to access the ebook format
  3. Install Adobe Digital Editions on my computer
  4. Access my library overdrive account to borrow ebooks
  5. Download ebook into Adobe Digital Editions
  6. Connect KoboGlo to computer
  7. Add ebooks from Adobe Digital Editions to KoboGlo

I now have 2 additional accounts to manage, plus all the steps involved to get ebooks onto the e-reader (steps 4-7).  However, if I had purchased books, I could have been reading on the KoboGlo within minutes of setting up the account.

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies.  When I switched to digital I wanted the process of borrowing and reading to be just as easy as it was in print. Although I do love the e-reader for many reasons, I sometimes find myself getting frustrated with all the setup and accounts required to something as basic as reading a book.

Delight & Summer Toes

Summer toes are not like winter toes.  Summer toes are slightly browned from sun exposure.  Who ever remembers to put sunscreen on their toes every day?

Summer toes have weird tan lines from different sandals.  They are happy and relaxed, free from the constraints of a hard-worn shoe encasing them every day in sweaty, sock-filled dungeons.

Winter toes are pale and shriveled looking.  Etiolated stumps deprived of vitamin D, devoid of color.  They are hidden away, nestled in layers of thick socks and boxy shoes.  There they remain with uncut toenails and patches of dry, calloused skin.  Waiting, biding their time to emerge in the nice weather.

That’s why in the summer I love having my toenails painted.  It’s like walking around with tiny jewels on my feet.  Something colorful and sparkly to put a smile on my face.  A shiny row of glittering gems.  It makes my toes happy to feel pretty and pampered with their glistening row of freshly painted nails.  And the joy they feel to be in the sun, naked and free of shoes with a gentle breeze flowing on them.

It is truly one of life’s small delights.

Jewel-toned toes and weird suntan lines.  Summer delight!

Jewel-toned toes and weird tan lines. Summer delight!

*Originally written at a writing retreat on Bowen Island sponsored by Callanish on June 26, 2009.

Yo – too loquacious or just right?

Last month a new app called “Yo” hit the market.  I haven’t tried it yet so my knowledge is only from reading about it.  Apparently the app is popular because of its ease and simplicity.  With only two taps on your device a simple “Yo” can be sent to someone which can then be interpreted in a variety of ways such as thinking about someone, to get someone’s attention, to notify someone of something, etc.

In a recent article, “This App Lets You Say ‘Yo’ to Your Contacts. That’s It. (Wait, Is It?)“, the CEO of the company who created it was quoted saying “… We like to call it context-based messaging.”  I think he was referring to potential future uses of the application where it could be linked to specific events or services such as a sports game that sends a “Yo” to a subscriber everytime a point is earned or a news publication sending a “Yo” to a subscriber when a new article is published.  And if that wasn’t his reference then I’m not sure where the “context” is being derived from.

While it is true these intended uses of the application may be developed, I’m still baffled how a one-word message will prove itself to be contextually useful.  I already have enough problems deciphering meaning from other forms of digital communications that lack tone, gestures, facial expression and even proper grammar to guide me in interpreting the message.  I can see a lot of confusion arising out of something like “Yo”.  For example, if I received a “Yo” from one of my friends that could mean s/he was thinking about me, wanted to get my attention or perhaps wanted to remind me of something.  How would I ever be able to understand the meaning when the only contextual clue I have is the name of the sender?

Stay tuned.  Only time and continued usage will determine the lifespan of “Yo” as a new enhanced form of communication or a complete disintegration of it.  In its short existence, it’s already raised over $1 million from investors, been hacked and given rise to new questions regarding proper “Yotocol.”*

 

*Term used from Mashable’s infographic Yotocol Flowchart, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Patagonia: Tierra del Fuego – Los Pinguinos!

After our exciting morning at Ainsworth Bay, we prepped ourselves for the Megellanic Penguins.  It wasn’t a guarantee we would see them so we were all hoping for the best.  As we approached Tucker Islet I spotted a small penguin hanging out on the surface, kind of like a duck.  Phew!  As an added bonus dolphins appeared and stayed with us the whole afternoon.

The first thing we observed on the island was Rock Cormorants, one of two cormorant species on the island. After leaving the cormorants we started to see tiny black-and-white shapes dotting the green areas of the island.  Pinguinos!  They were magical.  Everybody spontaneously erupted into huge smiles and giggles.

A bunch of Megellanic Penguins hanging around.

A bunch of Megellanic Penguins hanging around.

Penguins are hilarious to watch and incredibly animated.  When you observe a group of them each penguin is doing something different.  Equally amazing is the transformation they make from land to water.  As they approach the water they teeter awkwardly and hunch over so that the beak is almost touching their feet.  Then they slip into the water and instantaneously transform into a magical, sleek animal perfectly suited for swimming and diving.  My brother snapped this close up of a chick. Chicks have grayish feathers and haven’t yet developed the characteristic black and white markings.

A chick hanging out on the shore.

A chick hanging out on the shore.

In addition to cormorants and penguins, skuas are also island residents.  Skuas eat penguin eggs and the freshly hatched chicks, but don’t pose any threat to full grown penguins or the larger chicks.  It was kind of funny to see the two birds, known enemies, hanging around together.  My brother’s boat was in between the skuas and the penguins so he took this picture.

Skuas hanging out adjacent to the penguin colony.

Skuas

After the penguins we circled to the other side of the island to see the Imperial Cormorants, the other species.  They were loud and stinky.  Beautiful to watch, but not as enchanting as the penguins in my opinion.

A gulp of Imperial Cormorants, also adjacent to the penguin colony.

A gulp of Imperial Cormorants, also adjacent to the penguin colony.

*Bonus picture* As we headed back dolphins zipped around the zodiacs playing with us.  My brother got a video of one jumping and captured it as a single image.

Dolphins frolicked around the zodiacs as we zipped back from Tucker Islet to the boat.

Dolphins frolicked around the zodiacs as we headed back to the boat.