May
13
I was working on some background blog cleanup when I stumbled on a cool plug-in called Web2pdf that converts any and all blog posts to pdf (Acrobat) format.
I took the 30 seconds and installed it just for fun.
Give it a try on any post here by clicking on the Save page as pdf button
Might [...]
May
03
Beth Ziesenis a blogger at Avenue Z posted her 5 favorite things that make her life easier.
I happen to agree all the shortcuts she listed and have written my comments below her list:
As a sometimes stressed small business owner, I appreciate little things that save time and make my tasks less difficult. Here’s a little list:
1. Recent Documents Lists
2. Avery Write On Tabs
3. The Rules Wizard in MS Outlook
4. Two Screens
5. A Programmable Keyboard
Recent Documents - Although I’ve known about the recent documents list for ten years or more, I only recently started using it. I had written a Word doc and forgot what I named it. A friend said "Just look in recent documents." aha.. yep, that was simple.
Avery Write On Tabs - I don’t know if brand names make any difference, but I like the post-it flags. They make great bookmarks for important data I want to remember. The colors are nice, sometimes I color code sections of my journal.
There’s a great mailbox overload fighting feature in Outlook in the Rules wizard. I use it to flag my most important emails for follow-up. And emails such as newsletter subscriptions get filed automatically. Really handy for keeping a squeaky clean inbox. (P.S. If you are drowning in email, you might want to give Speedfiler a try)
You’ve seen my enthusiastic recommendation for 2 monitors. Dual mons allow you to switch between views without having to minimize windows. It’s a great way to boost your computer productivity. You have to get used to turning your head though.
A programmable keyboard is a great time saver when you’ve got a start menu (schwartz) as big as mine. Rather than search through the muddied start menu, I can click my quick button and launch Visual Studio, Mind Manager or Live Writer.
Good list Beth, here are 5 back at ya:
Dash Command
Dash Command is a light and quick launcher application that is great for quick launching every application on your computer.
But it goes beyond launching. It auto-pastes text snippets (like email signatures). And it has some perks built in such as searching the dictionary from any program and getting to the command prompt instantly.
Jott
Jott is one of the best productivity apps out there. Like a personal secretary, it takes notes, sets appointments and transcribes your blog posts.
I find that while driving, I get hit with many brainstorms. I think of great blog posts or Achieve-IT! software enhancements. These would often go to waste because I didn’t want to key it in while driving or I’d record them into my Pocket PC - which would sit for weeks until I transcribed the notes.
But now, I call Jott and insert reminders into my Google Calendar. My GCalendar syncs with my Outlook, so it all ends up in one place. Also, I often outline blog posts in it by calling Jott and getting it to transcribe my notes to Evernote. Check out my Lifehacker post on the subject if you haven’t already.
MobiPocket Reader
MobiPocket is a free eBook reader for the Pocket PC. Sure, there are a lot of different readers and I’ve tried most of them. I like MobiPocket because it supports both a large collection of bestsellers and you can also load in different formats such as text and html.
But most importantly, you can load it up with the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. It may not sound thrilling at first, but hear me out. When I’m reading a book and I come across a word I don’t know, I just highlight it and a menu pops up "look up in dictionary."
This turns almost any book, article or novel into a learning experience.
As someone who resisted reading novels (as being a waste of time) I can now read a novel with the feeling that at least I’ll pick up a few new words to increase my vocabulary. That’s my story anyway… 
Google Desktop
Where Beth points out the obvious benefit of the recent documents feature in Windows, what if the document you need isn’t so recent? That’s where Google Desktop comes to the rescue. I use it about every day to track down emails and find code components that are scattered about my hard drive.
The indexing system of GDS is remarkably fast and can pull up my results in less than a second.
free download: http://desktop.google.com/
NotePad
Yes, you read that right, I said Notepad. Notepad is the most basic word processor on your computer, yet it’s simplicity can be a great time saver.
With all the CSS, XHTML and sophisticated document formatting, you can’t just copy and paste text anymore. It picks up all that formatting and inserts it into the target document. That formatting can sometimes wreck havoc on the document you want to save.
Notepad will instantly strip out any and all of that formatting. Just paste in that text and away goes that hidden formatting.
Well, those are mine. What are 5 simple things that make your life easier?
May
01
An article in Wired indicates hacking or DIYing might be good for American Innovation. We aren’t talking about illegal hacking, but hacking in terms of modifying personal gadgets and other possessions so they work better.
Clive Thompson says that where companies are persuading consumers to buy, use and throw away, the legions of DIYers out there aren’t buying into it. In fact, they are using, reusing, rebuilding and modifying devices so they work more efficiently, have better features and last longer.
As an example, he points to people hacking their hybrid cars to get up to 100 Miles per gallon. He questions why Detroit hasn’t been able to do this and says “One reason might be that the engineers there spend all their time tinkering with CAD software,”
I’ve posted some of my own DIYs, here and on other sites so I certainly believe that hacking is good for you. But I didn’t do it for the higher good of improving American Innovation. I do it to save money and to improve my experience with my various gadgets. If I can hack my Pocket PC so it will connect through a Bluetooth tethered cell phone connection so I can check e-mail while riding down the highway at 65 Miles per hour, then I’ve both improved my experience AND saved money on cables and added service charges.
So if we agree that DIYing is a good idea, how do we get started? It’s simple. Continue reading 12 ways to become a master DIYer:
1. Don’t fear trying something new - When you are new to modding, you might be afraid to use a soldering iron, you might be unsure of where to start at first. That’s ok, start with general areas instead. What interests you most? Do you like electronics, computers, woodworking or knitting? (yes there are mods for woodworking and knitting.) But start in your preferred general area and get to reading.
Start with Google and search for “yourinterest hacks”. You’ll be surprised at what you find and how motivated you’ll be to get started right away.
2. Start with something small - Rome wasn’t hacked in a day. So if you are just starting out don’t start with a build your own personal helicopter project. Start with something manageable like one of the many LED projects you can find at Instructables or Make.
Then as you learn, try more challenging projects.
2. Find the area you love - Some people like LEDs, others like robots, I’m a connection guy myself. I like connecting different gadgets and making them work together. As you begin your quest as a master modder, then you’ll start to discover what focus you like best. Stick with that area so you can increase your odds of inventing something new.
As a master DIYer, you’ll increase your odds of inventing the next big thing.
3. Build before you buy - Isn’t it sad the day you pick up your iPod or remote control and suddenly it isn’t working? Not necessarily if you are a DIYer. Broken stuff presents a great opportunity to get under the hood and see if you can fix it.
Once my son’s iPod wouldn’t start. I tried charging it, soft and hard resetting it. Still, all I saw was the sad mac face. 
So I did some surfing and found a trick that just might work. I pulled out my Leatherman, opened up the iPod and placed a business card folded up underneath the hard drive. Low and behold, once I put it back together, the iPod booted and played music! In fact, I tried it again just this morning and it works fine.
4. Conserve your cash - I think most passionate DIYers don’t like buying new stuff if there is a chance they can fix or make better what they already have. If you can just go out and buy a new Tivo any time you want it, there’s no real benefit to building your own PVR.
The master at DIY knows electronics and gadgets decrease in value faster than a new car in a blasting zone. So if we can save money by repairing what’s broken, we have more money to spend on new gadgets and hacks.
5. Teach as you go - One of the best ways to embed knowledge in your brain is to teach others. This enhances your creativity and once you’ve got others who know what you know, then there is great problem solving power in bouncing ideas off of each other.
6. Write procedures - Unlike an elephant, humans can forget. You might remember a time when a great family recipe was lost because your aunt passed away or developed Alzheimer’s . I know there are countless great recipes lost forever due to the lack of a written recipe. My Grandmother’s gooseberry pie? Lost for eternity. My grandfather’s fried chicken? Nevermore…
How better would it have been if they handed down written recipes. I could have archived it in a family recipe booklet for this and future generations.
When you create a new hack, be sure to write up procedures. Procedures let you go back in case you forget a resistor, measurement or solder joint. Plus, procedures are an easy way for you to teach others. You can even post your procedures to your blog to teach thousands of people your hack.
7. Take photos - Photos of the steps in your procedures are perhaps the most powerful descriptors. You save time, by not having to write every last nuance of detail. Also, pictures cross all language barriers. You don’t have to know French to understand the Eiffel tower. The picture says it all. Photos will allow you to also communicate your craft effectively with people from different countries and backgrounds. Additionally, there are a few of us who can’t read our own handwriting, a picture can rescue that DIY from being lost forever.
8. Study the Art of DIYing - When you’ve found the area of hacking you love, study it. Collect books, articles and You Tubes of projects that interest you. You never know when you might have a rainy day and a box of LEDs just begging to be put together into a new Infrared headset.
9. Collect Parts - Let’s face it, gadgets break. They age, and they become outdated. That doesn’t mean you have to throw it all away. An old (out of warranty) MP3 player is a good excuse to do some hacking. Take it apart and collect some of the more valuable parts inside. LEDs can be reused. USB ports can be reused. Some memory cards are good too. But don’t go too crazy with saving every last part and broken gadget. A desk drawer full of spare parts is good - a shoe box full of parts is better. A garage cluttered with parts is a sign you don’t know how to separate the wheat from the chaff, so you are collecting everything. If that’s the case, it’s time to go back to studying.
Professionally, I’ve cleaned up server rooms where the admin(s) saved every last piece of broken equipment. Stuff piled 5 foot high where you couldn’t even walk. This is a sign that they don’t understand the equipment, what’s valuable and what’s not. When I get done, all that’s left is a filing cabinet of hot spare storage, Software licensing and a drawer full of emergency parts and cables. If an entire network DIY setup can consume just 1 filing cabinet, your home parts should fit into a desk drawer.
Note: Use caution when taking apart something that plugs into a wall - especially monitors. I don’t recommend taking apart old tube monitors because the tubes carry a charge and you can electrocute yourself. Just use common sense and read up before delving into an area you aren’t experienced.
11. Finish your projects - Don’t be like the guy who has a car up on blocks in his front yard for 2 years. Finish your project or throw it out. Master DIYers always complete their experiments - even if they fail. If you fail, no biggie, throw it out and start something new. But what’s important is finishing. You can’t reach anuber -level of hacking expertise if you don’t finish your projects - plus, having a bunch of half finished projects lying around is an eyesore.
12. Have fun - Most of all, this should be a fun adventure. It’s exciting to create something new and make it work. Once you learn a new mod, you’ve got a newMcGiver- like skill you can whip out in a moments notice to fix a gadget, hack a buggy program so it works or create something you can sell at a profit. DIYing presents endless opportunities for fun and entertainment on those rainy days when you’re bored with nothing better to do.
Apr
16
A year or so ago I read about Sinus Buster
Allergies were getting the best of me recently, so I thought about ordering some. I get impatient waiting on deliveries, so I started experimenting with creating my own recipe so you don’t have to go through the agony yourselves.
I am happy to report, I think I’ve stumbled on just the right mix that gives the benefit of the hot pepper without blasting my "dang fool head off."
Disclaimer: Although my research shows no ill effects from using this method, if you try it, do so at your own risk. I think it’s about as dangerous as eating hot salsa and getting some up your nose. But still, since I’m not a doctor, if you use or misuse this and wind up losing an arm or something, don’t call me - I am not recommending you do this. I’ve heard of asthmatics having attacks or dying from being sprayed with pepper spray - this purportedly could be homemade pepper spray if you add too much pepper.
First, those of you who have read my article about nuking your sinuses with a neti pot, I am using the exact same method but with a twist of cayenne.
I first started experimenting with mixing ground red pepper into the water. I heard about others trying this. But I didn’t have a measurement. I ended up trying 1/4 a teaspoon and it was way too much. Don’t do this. It burned alot and I was coughing and sniffling through most of the morning. I think it didn’t work because the little pepper bits were stuck in my nose. ouch!
But once I got the right recipe, I found it to be the opposite of agony. It was actually quite soothing. I’d describe the feeling as a hot-pad applied directly to my headache as well as the swelling in my eyes. It felt as though the heat attacked the pain at the source.
There was not nearly the amount of drainage and sniffling as occurred with the ground pepper. In 15 or 20 minutes, my headache was gone and I did not feel the pressure behind my eyes.
Added benefit - Surprisingly, the day after this good pepper experience, my breathing was perfectly clear!
But what I found works much better is to make a pepper tea with some handy household items. I swiped my wife’s tea infuser
What you need:
Take your 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and put it in the dry tea infuser. Then shake the infuser over a sink or garbage can. You want to get any flakes that might go through the infuser to go out into the sink, not into your sinus mix.
Then, prepare your neti mix as normal. I microwave 2 cups of water in a Pyrex container for 1 minute to get it warm (not hot). Then I add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt. After that, I cover the container and shake vigorously.
To add some cayenne to the mix, just take the tea infuser and dip it into the neti mix for 15 seconds. Note: I have a high pain threshold so you might want to start with 5 seconds or 10 if you want to work up.
Then I shake the container vigorously again. I know it’s right when the water has a slight pink tint to it.
Once you’ve got your mix, just neti as normal. I found there wasn’t much sting to it as compared to getting too much salt. Instead it was that "hot-pad" feeling. And overall, compared to my headache, very welcome relief.
I’d say this isn’t for every day use, but instead to use now and again for bad allergy flare ups.
For more at home health remedies that work, subscribe to my RSS feed .
Apr
14
Last week, I was suffering from a ragin’ headache. Not only was it painful. It was like the Energizer bunny…it kept going and going and going.
I asked you - my marvelous readers if you had any advice to cure the 3 day headache and you really came through! With so many tips, I went past having a headache to feeling energetic and breathing clear. Considering it is springtime, breathing clear is a tough one. But you did it and I thank you.
1. C.G. writes: You might want to have your eyes checked (if you haven’t done so already). I had a new pair of prescription contact lenses made for me about 4 years ago. But they always gave me problems. I stopped wearing them and I noticed that when I was working (and staring at a computer screen) I got headaches. But the headaches would last and last. I thought there was something else wrong with me. Long story short (too late), I had PRK laser correction surgery done and I’ve been headache free since. I’m fortunate not to have allergies so I don’t have to deal with that possibility.
2. Royal8 writes: Peppermint oil applied under your nose. (Be careful with application and wash hands!!) Rice packs heated in the microwave for four minutes applied over eyes / back of neck. Also take a hot shower w/ Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile Soap (the liquid version) Oh it makes you tingle - see http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/PEP.htm **Have your blood pressure checked.**
3. Sylvia writes: … during allergy season I would suggest you use a sinus rinse like Neilmed. Once I started using it regularly, it cut down on my headaches.
4 - 11. Ria Kennedy sends in 8! tips 
:
1. Tiger balm on your temples, rub tendons in back of neck to release tension,
2. Snort this twice a day:
- Sinus Rinse
- 16 oz. H2O
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Mix.
Pour some into palm of hand and snort.
3. Brush teeth with flossing and mouthwash. Something about swishing, gargling, changing teeth positions, spitting, etc., makes it so you can clear your head a little.
4. Gargle with salt water periodically to clear head/get rid of drip.
5. Take a bath in fairly warm water. Submerge your head so your ears are covered. Even allow them to fill with water to put pressure on the inside of your head and help it drain. Then — KEY — sit up in the tub so that your wet hair gets cold. This is supposed to help shrink the nasal/sinus membranes and gives some relief. I imagine using a cold wet towel on the head might also help, but I think the bath steam helps and that’s why this is good.
6. Eat hot stuff like chili peppers, salsa. Again, this helps drainage. Even a little bit of heat helps break things up.
7. Cold compress over eyes to help the eyes stop swelling and bring some comfort.
8. PS — Lie down and let head drain. Try with and without a pillow, side to side, head nose pointed up toward wall, and head pointed down toward feet, and rolling from one side to another.
12. Terra Andersen writes: Sleep, lots of fluids, and perhaps a walk. (I know this sounds lame,) but it helps the lack of blood flow, which is the initial cause of most headaches.
13. Ruth writes My daughter has used something called “Mygrastick.” It’s peppermint and lavender essential oils in a rollerball applicator. You apply a small amount to your temples and she said that she felt relief almost immediately. She recommended it to a friend of mine who gets migraines quite often, and she said that, although her headache didn’t go away immediately, it only lasted about 1/10 as long as usual. We bought it at a small, local health food store, but I saw that Amazon has it, too.
14. Kate Davis writes: I suffered from a headache for several days earlier in the year. I went to a regular chiropractor appointment for my back and she adjusted my jaw and the headache went instantly. Apparently my jaw was slightly misaligned (apparently due to stress causing me to tense my teeth) and this was leading in uneven pressure in my head when I moved my jaw. If the other suggestions don’t work I would recommend going to have a check up a chiropractor.
15. Dianne (Moondreamer) writes: I usually find headaches are due to dehydration, stress or tiredness. So upping my fluid intake, getting plenty of sleep or having some time-out (maybe a walk in the fresh air) will usually sort it out. But if my sinuses are at all involved, steam inhalation helps (put your head over a basin filled with hot water and cover your head with a towel for 10-15 minutes. You can add aromatherapy oil or some herbs or a spoonful of vicks if you like. A little lavender oil on your temples, the bridge and sides of your nose and across your forehead will help to relieve sinusitis and stress headaches.
16. Andrew Seltz writes: If your headaches are allergy related, I have started using a neti pot on a regular basis and found it to be very helpful for relieving sinus congestion. The result is similar to the nasal rinse suggested above, but I’ve done both and much prefer the neti pot. I mix a little sea salt with warm water in the pot and rinse out my sinuses during my morning shower.
17. Bill Ferrante writes: My worst headaches from barometric pressure. When I feel one coming on, I’ll typically check the weather to see if a front is moving in. If it appears the weather is causing it, I’ll take an Excedrin migraine early on. I hate taking pills, so acting early really does the trick in my case. I’ve wanted to purchase a barometer for some time now so that I can get used to seeing the measurement every day. This way I’d intuitively know what my “feel good” vs. “feel bad” ranges are. Was there some poor weather in your area while you were in pain? If so, a barometer may be a wise investment so you can start using your peppermint oil early on. =)
18. Liz Layne writes: (1) Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg tablet (Walgreens Wal-finate Allergy 4 Hour Tablets) (2) Ibuprofen 200mg each and an ice pack. Usually he find that it starts to go away in 20 minutes, but he gets a little sleepy. Try it next time. I also use this for tension headaches.
19. Leigh writes: I found that when I reduced my wheat and milk intake my headaches disappeared.
20. Paul writes: Make sure you are hydrated. You can get migraines triggered from dehydration.
Apr
13
Basically, cut an empty water bottle in half, turn the nozzle part upside down and insert it into the bottom half. Throw in some yummy goodies like old moldy beef and let the fun begin! Flies check in, but they don’t check out.
Not that I’m terribly bothered with flies all the time, but this looks like a fun little project when I start spending more time outside. Grilling out has a way of attracting flies and so does just relaxing on the deck. However, when I’m out on the boat, horseflies will descend like vultures. So hanging one of these off the starboard bow might be just what the doctor ordered.
Make an inexpensive and efficient fly trap by recycling plastic drink bottles. This is great for domestic flys, blow flys and fruit flys.
1.5 to 2 litre (3-4 pint) plastic bottles are ideal. It can vary up or down in size. If any black bases that are often on the larger plastic bottles, remove these.
You will require either scissors, a hacksaw or sharp knife and some electric tape or plastic glue.
Apr
03
There’s an old joke that goes "What does a redneck say before he dies?"
Answer: "Hey, watch this!"
Of course the Darwin Awards are a tribute to some of the most lame-brain ways of dying or suffering major injury on record. Before you think I’m being mean, check out this robbery attempt and the story of the drunk, naked man who tried to attack bears.
We all make mistakes, but usually, they aren’t permanent. By permanent, I mean death, loss of an arm or being sent to the pokey for the rest of your life
8 Ways to Avoid Winning The Darwin Awards
Many of the Darwin Award winners never bothered to think through what they were doing. They saw an outcome they wanted and went for it. Thinking is what separates us from animals. We can think ahead and plan what we are going to do. Impulsive actions can be deadly given the wrong circumstance.
Even rudimentary planning has it’s benefits. You see a what you want, maybe it’s attention. Do you stand on top of a painter’s scaffolding? Or do you seek the attention by getting up and performing for an open mic night. Both have the same outcomes (attention) but have far less risk to human life.
Many of the award winners are criminals who just couldn’t wait to get their grubby hands on some cash… that just so happened to be stored at the police station or in the back of a squad car. Crooks have no patience. What they want is what they try to get with no delays — often for our amusement.
There are certain laws to the universe. One is gravity pulls us downward, no matter whether we are standing on the ground or sitting on a lawn chair suspended by weather balloons. Explosives explode. Gasoline burns. Elephants weigh a lot. Trying to violate these laws will result in some embarrassing injuries if not death.
It should go without saying that drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs can impair your judgement. But alcohol plays a role in many of the Award winner’s situations. Drinking one or two, might be ok, but getting drunk in public, with an unmanned jackhammer nearby is a recipe for disaster.
Have you ever seen a warning label that seemed so ridiculous it was funny? Like a warning on a blanket that says "Will not protect you from tornados". Or like Jess points out a curling iron that says "Caution, this product can burn eyes." or the hilarious Danger: Avoid Death sign.
Why warn you of the obvious? Because some poor schlep did what they are warning against!
If it looks too dangerous it probably is
Now this might be tricky for some, but there’s a big difference between a Labrador puppy and a Bengal Tiger. I know, I know, the differences are subtle. But one, will rip your arms off and then get mad at you for not dying fast enough. The other will lick you with a smelly, but otherwise harmless tongue.
However, it appears some people confuse the two animals. If this sounds like you, take a class or something.
I’ve tuned in to the Darwin Awards for years now and each year there is someone who tried setting off professional fireworks while suspended above them. hmm.. Who thinks up this stuff?
There’s a reason for professional fireworks, they are dangerous. The same could be said about tightrope walking and building your own flamethrower. Unless you’ve worked years to develop an extraordinary skill in these areas, leave the real work to the pros.
Some up and comer Darwin Candidates
Man Dies wearing fake seatbelt
See document: man-dies-in-accident-while-wearing-fake-seatbelt
Man Wins Bet to Swim to Crocodile Trap
See document: a_lesson_for_us_all_if_a_crocodile_is_about_to_eat_your_wife_jump_on_its_ba
Mar
23
I’ve long time been an advocate of growing your own herbs and vegetables.
Part of living the good life is eating good, healthy foods that taste better. What better way to enjoy these foods than to grow them on your own property? Having them close at hand makes it convenient to pick and eat them more [...]
Mar
03
I was watching my Roomba making its rounds around my living room today. I picked up mine last month during the last Woot off. So I got it at a great deal and it’s still an interesting contraption to watch.
People always ask if Roombas work or not. Well, they do - but for reasons you probably wouldn’t expect.
You would think all the great reviews on Amazon are a result of the Roomba’s sheer sucking power. Can it suspend a bowling ball like an Oreck vacuum? Does it exert centrifugal forces greater than 100,000 times those of gravity - like a Dyson?
The answer to both questions is a resounding no.
The reason Roombas work is more like the saying A broken clock is right twice a day…
First, in this context, let’s break down some of the disadvantages of throwing power at a problem versus the Roomba strategy…
1. Power costs massive energy up front - anyone remember “Shock and Awe?” The money, manpower, technology and explosive expenditure on that first night was enormous. Still, it didn’t do as expected. Only through the persistent advancement did Saddam’s regime fall. Even today, years later, massive power is not what is leading to success in the region…
2. Power can overshoot the target - Think about the last time you were angry at someone or they were angry at you. If you or she yelled then that would be overshooting the target. The desired outcome might be “put the cap back on the toothpaste.” But if screamed, you hurt the other person, risk them resenting you and you still might not get your wish. Whereas a Post-it with a gentle reminder “Please cap me!” attached to the toothpaste on a consistent basis will be a gentle reminder.
3. Power can undershoot the target - Have you ever used the massive power of your brain to “cram” for an exam? We’ve all run out of time before a test and tried to make up for lost time through cramming. And we’ve all likely done poorly on the exams as a result.
4. Unfocused power is messy - In trying to do something quickly through power, it can sometimes be messy. It can accomplish the objective so quickly you can’t keep up. A Corvette in the hands of a new driver can lead to a fishtail into a phone pole. The potential energy of matches in the hands of a young child can cause a house to burn down. That new computer you want that lets you double your productivity can make a mess of your checkbook.
So if the Roomba isn’t relying on power to do the dirty work, then what is it?
Persistence. When I watch the Roomba work, it can get a little irritating to see it pass over a small spec of leaf without picking it up. The Oreck would likely have no trouble grabbing that spec on the first go, but the Roomba misses it. Yet, what happens is eventually, the Roomba does pick it up. It works on that spot then returns to it again from a different angle. Then it comes back again. From the North, South East and West, it attacks. Not with force or huge expenditures of power, but with a persistent leisurely scrubbing.
1. Less heavy lifting - When you only apply power as a solution to a problem, be prepared to do some heavy lifting. Power costs money, it takes more initial energy and it usually sputters out quicker… If persistence is applied instead, you can take your time and still reach the same destination refreshed instead of sweaty and on the verge of a heart attack.
2. Positive habit formation - When you take a project like studying for an exam and spend 1 hour per day for 2 weeks studying, you are giving yourself a message - that consistent study is important. You are also building that as a habit. If instead, you try to put forth that 14 hours of study in 2 days, you are giving yourself a different message - that “study isn’t important” - “I can just wing it.” You are also more likely to do it again because it is a building block toward a habit.
3. Less roller coaster productivity - Have you ever known someone who only shoots for the stars? This type of person rests until they have their energy, then explodes with boundless energy untill they are exhausted. They might have some great successes that are short lived, but the time in between those triumphs is depressing. That’s what I mean by a roller coaster ride. If the same person put forth 1/2 of the energy on a daily basis their energy would be better managed, their positive habits would grow and they’d be more likely to achieve because they show up every day.
4. Consistent patterns of success - When I get a new project, I break it up into mini projects. From there, I take one of the mini projects and work on it until it’s done. My main goal is to complete that mini project 100%. Once I do that, I’m done for that day. Sure I could stay and get 2 mini projects knocked out, but then what’s left for tomorrow? Little successes every day are what build more happiness and satisfaction.
5. You don’t get bored - When you power-lift a project, then what? Do you rest and then power-lift another? That means dealing with days or weeks with nothing to do. Persistence is a consistent stream of actions that keep boredom away.
The idea behind this is that whatever mountains you want to move, you have a choice. You can put up the expense and energy of doing it quickly through a huge power expenditure and hope it’s done before the power expires… Or you can use persistence and move it stone by stone.
For more articles about developing your the habit of persistence subscribe to my RSS Feed.
Feb
28
How would you like to be able to memorize virtually anything fast and with very little effort?
I covered a great way a few years back in my post The No-Fail Flashcard technique. Basically, the trick to this method is to put only one question and one answer on each card and to review the [...]
