The Community Bookshelf outside the Kansas City Public Library. A good idea.
Some people have all the good ideas.
I don’t think these people have more good ideas than the rest of us.
When you’re bogged down in the details of a task, how do you get out?
I recently listened to an especially compelling episode of Tim Ferriss’s podcast: his interview with photographer Chase Jarvis. I gleaned many useful tips, but one idea rose to the top.
In order to avoid burnout in high-stress activities (like producing a podcast), Tim regularly asks himself:
“What would this look like if it were easy?”
What a great question! Let’s take a closer look.
When are you the most productive? Does it tend to be:
For me, work is slow right now. My students are gone for the summer, and next fall’s freshmen won’t be here for college orientation until June. There’s preparatory work to be done, but very little of it has to be done right now. Most things can wait until after lunch. There are few meetings and no classes to teach.
Yours truly remembering Rule Number 6.
Has it been a rough week?
Are you frustrated?
Wrapped up in your problems?
I am.
At times like this, I try to remember Rule Number 6.
The following story is from Ben and Rosamund Zander’s excellent book The Art of Possibility (I added some formatting).
Two prime ministers are sitting in a room, discussing affairs of state.
Do you want to read more?
Do you have a smartphone?
Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, habitually checking Twitter, or scanning Google News with no recollection of how you got there?
Yeah, me too.
I think I’ve found a solution.
You and me, see, we’ve got this bad habit: When we’re bored, our brains send our thumbs in search of a little dopamine snack.