Mornings

I sometimes think of my life and routine and try to adopt a more disciplined way of living. By that I mean a more formal routine – a more orderly life.
Take for example the mornings. I think most people start every one of their workdays in virtually the same manner – for me, I get up at basically the same time each day, shower and dress, eat basically the same thing and head to the office.
Perhaps I have been too influenced by unreal images in my life but I sometimes think that it would be nice to have that classic “movie like” morning routine. You know the one where the well dressed guy, white shirt and tie, sitting at a small table reading the paper (likely the business section) drinking coffee from a white cup (with saucer) eating fresh fruit and perhaps a piece of toast. All this is seen taking place in front of an oversized window with sun glistening in.
The thought seems so civilized and interestingly – kind of old fashioned.
Many years ago I had a very successful client who was at the gym each morning at 5am, ran and worked out, was in the office by 7am, read several business papers and publications while drinking tea and by 9am was ready to begin his “work day”. I was amazed at his discipline and it was clear that his success was tied to it.
Over the years I have tried to make my mornings more “civilized” but with marginal success. True, the days of running downstairs with hellos and goodbyes compressed around a quick conversation about schedules are over, however my morning routine falls well short of the classic or the disciplined. Mostly it consists of listening to the news and sport headlines on the TV while I dress, having a quick bite to eat and, on my way to the office, driving through Tim Hortons for my daily caffeine fix. Interestingly, as part of my routine and before I reach the office, I have checked my schedule for the day, read my overnight emails (of which there are usually only a few as I have checked before going to bed), and responded to most. All this and, on most days, I’m sitting at my desk by 8am…ready to start my day.
As I think about the whole thing, it occurs to me that I really could change my mornings dramatically – with spring in full bloom, maybe it’s time to revisit the mornings.
Cheers and have a great day.
George

Sync

There are some ideas that seem so simple and obvious that it is difficult to believe they have not already been thought of. I don’t mean clever technological inventions like the iPod or the internal combustion engine. These types of inventions require a totally different level of thought and understanding and are truly amazing.

I am referring to the simple extensions of existing technology. For example, I still can’t understand why a company like Logitech has not made and marketed a docking station for a Blackberry or iPhone that has a keyboard and larger screen display. Am I the only one that thinks this would be useful?

I read an article recently in Fast Company titled Ford’s Big Reveal that speaks in detail about their new Sync technology and the soon to be released MyFord Touch. Among other things, this hardware and software integrate your smart phone to your car with a touch less and very user friendly interface. I love the fact that my car is blue tooth equipped but making a phone call using the voice activation is slow and painful. The new Ford technology allows for a simple command like “call Jennifer at home” to activate a call. It also allows you to change your displays, internal temperature etc all using simple voice commands.
Ford thinks that these advances, developed in conjunction with Microsoft, take them from being a simple car manufacturer to being a consumer electronics player. If share price is any indicator, they are clearly on the right track.

The thing is, this all seems so simple. The technologies exist so it’s only logical they should be integrated to be used in your car. After all, computing is not new, smart phones and cars are pretty commonplace. I don’t think it takes a great visionary to realize that consumers will want their vehicles equipped with this type of technology. Having said that, I don’t know anyone who would not like to have a GPS built into his or her car. You can buy a hand held unit with complete functionality, a battery and charger for $200 and yet, as an option when buying a car the price is around $3000. Hopefully, the car manufacturers will find a way to make this technology accessible financially.
Cheers and have a great day.
George

Personal Taste

I really have sworn off lists of “how to” or “the lessons of” anything to do with the internet, twitter or blogs…so I am really not sure why I read this but I did find it interesting.

Moving on to more important issues, we were having a conversation recently with some friends about TV and viewing habits. I was (and remain) shocked at how many of my friends watch reality shows - regularly! So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Survivor, Intervention, etc… I laughed and chirped that I had no interest - that was met with a comment about me being a snob. Honestly, I’m not really sure how my lack of interest in so called “reality shows” makes me a snob but…

In fairness, I have seen bits of some reality TV and, while not horrid, they simply did not appeal to me. This in the same way that overly gruesome horror films are of no interest.

The whole conversation has made me wonder if our entertainment choices are a reflection of our personality or of our mood.

The truth is that while I don’t watch a lot of television I can and do get involved in certain programs. Currently I look forward to watching Parenthood on Tuesday nights and Treme on Sundays. Most shows I lose interest in fairly quickly – since both of these are new, I am still involved and both seem to have some staying power. They may be my new Sopranos, or Entourage.

I have recently written about my current “go to” blogs. Some of my current “other” entertainment choices: I am reading Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey (which, 25% in I am liking), and the previously referred to 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace by Wayne Dwyer (which was recommended to me and I am struggling through). My current leisure magazine of choice is Vanity Fair (current issue not as good as the last) and in my car I have been listening to David Sedaris (reality listening at its funniest) as well as my iPod on shuffle (almost always the case)
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Maybe the choices are a reflection of both personality and mood.
Cheers and have a great day,
George

Spring Resolutions

Resolutions have become a New Years Eve tradition over the years. I am not sure when or where the practice started but I suppose it makes sense - a look back at the year past, a look forward to a new year, a new start, a fresh outlook on the future. Interesting to me is that spring seems to be an equally popular time for new beginnings without the same formal approach and without the retrospective analysis. I think people are generally more motivated – tossing off the winter coats and hats and embracing the outdoors. We are outside, getting gardens prepared for planting, cleaning out the clutter and reorganizing life. I think most people resolve to make change in the spring.

For me, the change of seasons also brings renewed business vigor of sorts. I’ve found in the last few years that the winter season is broken up more then it used to be. Business seems to wind down in early December and really does not start to reawaken until mid or even late January. Only then to be followed by a lapse caused by spring school break. I suppose the long cold winter and lack of sunshine leads to this winter “snooze” – perhaps it’s a lack of vitamin D.

Speaking of spring and new starts, one of my favourite links is the Springwise monthly newsletter. If you haven’t checked it out, I strongly recommend it to anyone with an entrepreneurial or creative streak. The publication focuses on business ideas being launched around the world and many of them are, in a word, great. I saw an article a few weeks ago that fits nicely with the topic of social media and linking people though an on-line resource to real capital and real opportunities. It happens that the “crowdsourcing” referred to in the article is one of those great ideas born out of the social media revolution and there are lots.

Unfortunately, as I grow bored with Twitter and Facebook I need reassurance that there are people out there doing more with the offering then writing about how to do social media better. This just seems more interesting and to me, motivating.
Embrace the season and make a sober spring resolution.
Cheers and have a great day.
George

Overwhelmed

I had written an entire post about technology and how an initial idea and application often gets morphed into something entirely different. I used the GPS as an example. When I reread and edited the post, it just seemed boring and without any real purpose. I was speaking to the question of whether a particular technological advancement was seeking to solve a problem or address a need. Or conversely, was it simply another piece of fluff?

As technology evolves, so does the way it is used. Twitter for example was designed to be a social networking tool. For me, I see it used mostly as a networking tool for business. I did a quick summary of activity and have found that 90% of the tweets I get are links to articles on business, media and social networking. I know it has much to do with the people I chose to follow but I haven’t found a lot more opportunities. As for the business links, I do want to keep up but am frankly overwhelmed. I was in meetings for most of the afternoon yesterday and returned to over 100 Tweets. And I only follow 43 people! Most of those messages are from people who in some way earn a living related to social media. Add that to a slew of telephone messages (yes I still get a few) and emails and the challenge is on.

For me, I may have reached a point where trying to keep up is an impossible task. How many articles can be written about the same basic things? I thought that I had an “aha” moment with Twitter a couple of months ago but now I am not so sure. Maybe, it’s a novelty that is little more then fluff!

I am turning off Twitter and Facebook and heading home to read a book and maybe a good magazine article. There was a time when I could have totally zoned out but my Blackberry keeps me constantly connected – clearly technology can be great but…

Cheers and have a great day!
George

Milestones and Inner Peace

For me, 2010 is quickly becoming the year of the milestone birthday. I cannot keep count of the number of people I know who are turning either 40 or 50 this year and in the last 2 weeks I spoken to 3 acquaintances who just had 30th birthday bashes. I am not entirely sure why but decades are often marked with introspection. I guess it is simply that we are given cause to evaluate our lives at momentous times and I suppose, adding a decade counts as such.
In my parents generation, the angst of life in your 40’s and 50’s was called a mid life crisis and was something that was fed with a sports car or largely ignored as a passing feeling. Something not to be concerned with or fussed about. Our generation seems determined to evaluate and look at potential ways to change.
Of course, our parents also grew up in a world where loyalty to a company was admired and rewarded, where you were defined not by who you were as a person but what you did for a job. It was a time of security with good health care benefits and pension plans, available jobs and all sorts of potential for anyone interested in working hard.
I was speaking with a friend of mine last week about this issue and he told me about a book that helped him called “10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace” by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Like many people I know, he is concerned about his life going forward, about job security and long-term finances, about happiness. I laughed and commented on how times had changed, wondering what our fathers would think about us having a beer and discussing happiness and “inner peace” – they would never have done it… or would they?
As an addendum to my last post and as part of this post, I want to add a blog/ site called Escaping Mediocrity to the list of sites that I follow regularly. I suppose I am attracted to it as part of my self-evaluation – my own attempt to find inner peace. It’s kind of a life-coaching site and interesting enough that I keep going back.
Cheers and have a great day.
George
PS – I saw this today (tweeted by Allan Ward) and thought it an appropriate quote to end this post…
"It is never too late to be what you might have been" - George Eliot

Other Blogs

Well, as promised, no more talk of that “i” thing! And, I’m not going to link an article today – mainly because I really don’t know if anyone reads the links. Ok, truth is I really don’t know if anyone actually reads the blog at all. Oh well, I actually find it an oddly therapeutic process – even if I am only sending thoughts into thin air. I was told recently by an acquaintance that they had read one of my posts and wanted to leave a comment but could not – some technical issue. I am still trying to find out what that might be.
Of all my experiences since I started this, the best is some of the blogs that I have found and now follow. I read some business related ones (I have renewed my insane love of the Harvard Business Review), and I follow a bunch of tweeters on a regular basis as well as following their threads and some of the comment links to some interesting places. But the truth is, the blogs I really love are the ones that have little to do with business or “social media” and a lot to do with “life”.
In no particular order here are three of my current favourites:
Jessica Watson Official Blog
I have referred to Jessica in the past. She is an Australian teenager who is attempting to sail solo and unassisted around the world and she is close to completing that goal. I have been following her journey since the beginning and will miss reading her observations when here trip is finished.
My Life in Key West
I stumbled across this site quite accidentally and have read it almost every day since. Lou is a retired lawyer living in Key West, Florida. I happen to love that island and town so I find it fun to read about his life and social interactions. I suppose it helps that I know most of the places he writes about and reading him makes me want to get back to my favourite get away.
Our Little Apartment
I found this site recently and love it. It kind of reminds me of Julie in the movie Julie and Julia with out the cooking. It’s the honest story of a young couples life from the wife’s perspective. It is somehow endearing although I suspect it would be of interest mainly to women, I find it refreshing.
Cheers and have a great day,
George