Digital Wanderer - Latest Comments

Re: Foundations: Small and Simple (and sometimes Slow) Things

Elizabeth Van Horn — Sun, 08 May 2011 23:05:46 -0000

I happen to be in progress of trying to achieve several goals right now, and reading this helped confirm that I'm on the right track.

Also, Kudos to your Mother for passing on to you, an obviously stellar X chromosome. (which carries IQ).

Re: ‘Trimming’ : An Oft-Overlooked Life Essential

Kenneth Ahlstrom — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:27:35 -0000

Your reply reminded me of a personal preference I have to maintain a somewhat minimalist set of home decor ... keeping only that which is of actual value to me and not bothering with other stuff that maybe some others might find useful but I, myself, don't mind going without. I know you were talking about a great many things at once -- but for some reason your response led me to focus on furniture :-) Thanks for replying!

Re: ‘Trimming’ : An Oft-Overlooked Life Essential

Kenneth Ahlstrom — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:24:56 -0000

I can completely identify with your feeling the pull of Facebook/blogging/etc while being at home full time. When I was working out of the home, I had to actively manage the time I allowed myself to spend socializing or "doing research". It's really interesting how difficult self-management can be, even when we know that we have so much other - and more useful - stuff to do.

Re: ‘Trimming’ : An Oft-Overlooked Life Essential

Elizabeth — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:45:19 -0000

Yes, I trim my own life. Although you have mostly focused on the time-sucking technology that eats away our days...there are other temporal black-holes in our lives. I learned how to say "no" to time-sucking activities and obligations years ago. Have "trimmed" people, objects, and physical clutter...all at different times. It can be a brutal process. This concept is one that needs to be constantly monitored, as we can add activities, technology, and routines that seem small...but build up incrementally so that half our days disappear with non-productivity.

But, at the same time it's important is weigh those activities, people, and technology that we add to our lives. Sometimes the value gained is worth more than the time spent. Then we have a net gain to our lives. The key is to realize that not all things are equal. I place a higher value on activities that help me achieve my goals, and that further my interests.

Re: ‘Trimming’ : An Oft-Overlooked Life Essential

Sarah — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:15:06 -0000

I really enjoyed this article, Ken. I am not a techie, so I don't jump on every new item or platform (I count on Ryan to let me know when there is something of interest). But I really like your analogy to trimming your bonsai tree. There are definitely things that should be trimmed to allow others to grow and reach their full potential. While I like Facebook, blogging, and e-mail, I find that now that I'm at home full-time, it is much harder to resist the pull of checking them too often. And that activity is something that definitely needs trimming as it interferes with my personal mission of being a parent who is present with my children and not overly distracted. Anyhow, great post!