Reading Time: 3 minutesAs part of David Spark’s Productivity System, as described in his Productivity Field Guide, I do quarterly reviews. In these reviews, I examine my life roles, look at what I did the past quarter, and plan my work for the next quarter. Using a template, I ask a series of questions about each of my …
Reading Time: 2 minutesFall’s Beauty in Rapid City: A Temporary Masterpiece Fall has come to Rapid City, South Dakota, where my wife and I live. The trees are turning bright shades of yellow and red. We’ve been amazed by the beauty of nature on our two-mile walks at Canyon Lake Park, one of Rapid City’s most beautiful parks. …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhy Proactivity Matters: Shaping Your Day Instead of Reacting to It I’ve had a morning routine for several years. I read from several sources, think about what I’ve read, and journal. A recent quote completely reframed how I think about my morning routine. Tsh Oxenreider, in her book One Bite at a Time, wrote: “Instead …
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Fallacy of Power Equals Best In forums like Mac Power Users, I frequently see people recommend an app by calling it ‘the most powerful,’ as though that alone makes it the best choice for everyone. However, I question why the most powerful app is equated with the best app. Whether an app is the …
Reading Time: 4 minutesRecently, I wrote a blog post, How to Read with a Critical Eye: Using Books as Tools for Thinking about the importance of reading critically. By that, I meant that instead of just reading and accepting everything an author says, read it thoughtfully and critically. Accept what you find convincing, and reject what you disagree …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhy I Chose the Peak Design Case Over Apple’s Silicon Case Several friends have highly recommended the iPhone cases produced by Peak Designs in the past. They said they had solid construction and an excellent magnet grip. They also liked the attachment, which fits many different accessories designed to attach the case to objects such …
Reading Time: 4 minutesMy Journey into Volunteering As a younger man, I never thought of myself as someone who would volunteer. I always thought, “Why work for free when you can be paid?” However, after I retired, I found myself doing some volunteer work. Recently, I read a quote from Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim that made me think …
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Illusion of Future Fulfillment: Defining Someday Syndrome Someday syndrome is the trap of constantly pushing our personal fulfillment or contentment into the future. It’s based on the illusion we tell ourselves that we’ll feel like a different person once we’ve achieved a particular milestone. But the truth is, this mindset leaves us perpetually waiting …