chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in How I Do It

Re: How I Do It

Chris Webb — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:32:08 -0000

So... what programming language are you learning?

Re: How I Do It

Keith Burtis — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:43:20 -0000

Chris, Thank you for this. You know that as a woodturner I have a lot of time that needs to be spent offline. I do my best keeping up with blogs that I follow as well as blogging, podcasting, streaming and twittering myself. Yes it is true that we only have so much time in the day. As soon as am able to shed the 9-5 job I think it will open up many more opportunities. Thank you for the post and giving such a great explanation. However, if I could bring one more quick point to the table.

Every person on this earth has an amazing capacity for creativity, but if one does not maximize both sides of the coin the other side will eventually fail.

What I mean by this is "Exercise" your brain to feed your body, and e"Exercise" your body to support your brain. My thoughts are, those that do not take care of the brain and the body will just burn out!

Longevity, means to train like a marathon runner not a sprinter. This is the area I have the most trouble finding time for.

Again - Thank you for the post.
Keith Burtis

Re: How I Do It

Amy Lenzo — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:22:25 -0000

I love this metaphor of life on the edge as writing a new kind of code ...

Sometimes chaotic, always innovate, it seems to me that we're collectively writing useful, open source code for a structure of ever-evolving human connection and interaction.

Another great post, Chris!

Re: How I Do It

Sue Murphy — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:12 -0000

You're right - thinking about how HP acquired EDS is much more productive than getting frustrated by the guy that can't run the automatic checkout! Imagine how many more hours we'd all have in the day if we just accepted whatever situation we're in and then used the time we'd normally spend fussing about it actually accomplishing something.

As for not sleeping late, that's totally true and for those people, like myself, who don't have kids I recommend dogs. They work the same way.

Writing is all about practice, but it also takes passion. I HAVE to write every day. I don't have a choice. If I miss a day I feel awful. Kind of ironic for someone who flunked out of English in Grade 10. :-)

Re: How I Do It

PodChicks — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:23:00 -0000

You are such a leading-edge thought kind of person. I look forward to your posts and am thankful that you continue to share your knowledge. Namaste.

Re: How I Do It

Chris — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:41:39 -0000

Great post and very helpful. One thing I would like add is not to get to carried away with your thoughts and actually live in that exact moment. It is very amazing and it makes me appreciate the moment. I find "being" creates an alertness that us incomparable to anything else I have ever tried.

Step outside of your unconscious and into your conscious.

Ya it is a little deep, but worth a try :-)

Re: How I Do It

ChangeForge | Ken Stewart — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:25:21 -0000

Chris, as evident by the many comments, you touch many lives. I really found your outlook on "a new kind of code" most refreshing. I am finding these little gems quite interesting.

What is most amazing is that my little experiment to create and partake in the mindshare across this bold new world is working quite well. I am 'meeting' people and exchanging ideas anew - well, maybe not at your scale just yet ;-)

I look forward to reading the writing!

Re: How I Do It

Sonny Gill — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:03:38 -0000

Thanks for the post. Nice to see the insight of industry leaders and how they handle their busy schedule.

It's something I've been working on lately and have gotten better and better with time management. Still have a ways to go but great insight on your personal schedule.

Re: How I Do It

chrisbrogan — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:31:47 -0000

I should say that TV isn't evil. Our inability to selectively moderate our lives is truly at stake, but that's like telling a recovering alcoholic that it's okay to have a few beers in the fridge, just in case. I believe TV can be that addictive.

Oh, and let's not fool anyone. The web can be that addictive, too. If you're not on the web for business (or whatever your vocations are), where are you? Are you spending hours there, feeling smug about no TV? Same thing, in the end.

It's how we manage our schedules that I'm pointing out. But TV does seem to be top of the list of places where we lose a few hours.

Much love to you all for your sharing.

Re: How I Do It

Laurent Courtines — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:22:13 -0000

You know, I would love to not have a TV. I have some televison vices. My biggest one however has GOT to be live sports! Sports kicks my ass and you really can't TIVO it can you?

Re: How I Do It

Michelle Sullivan — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:54:30 -0000

RE: Don’t Watch TV

Totally agree with this one. Got rid of my tv about 8 years ago and it's the best thing I've ever done. Get weird looks from the door-to-door cable tv salespeople who come knocking and don't believe me, but otherwise I'm like you : I go online or rent dvds for stuff that really interests me. If I had one in the house, I'd be watching home renovation shows all day long, I swear.

Since I don't, I end up with a few more available hours in my day than most of my neighbours.

Re: How I Do It

Shama Hyder — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:20:01 -0000

Just sleeping on time and not watching live TV makes SUCH a big difference in how much time you have to do the stuff that needed getting done.

This blog- BIG (positive) distraction. = )

Re: How I Do It

BryanPerson — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:01:47 -0000

Chris, just commented on FriendFeed: http://friendfeed.com/e/dd7...

Re: How I Do It

Saravanan Sahadevan — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:42:27 -0000

Hey Sir,
It's my honor to get inspired by you. For your kind attitude from your nature of speech which inspires me.
I do like to point out that, I think I do not deserve a Sir at the end. Ha ha. I believe I do not have much experience in life as Im only
18 Sir. I believe, I am the one who should give you that respect. thank you for your modesty.

Re: How I Do It

Dave — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:14:06 -0000

With kids, having TV can work in reverse. We need those half hours of Max and Ruby to get other things done. If we cancelled cable...I don't know what we'd do. Judge if you will but with 3 kids under 4, the electronic babysitter is a necessity in our house.

Re: How I Do It

xyb — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:52:52 -0000

Okay, so I have this "condition," and docs are constantly telling me I need at least 9 hrs sleep a night. And I whine because I'm still tired, fatigued, a train-wreck. I read this and thought, "oh, nice. another person who doesn't sleep." And assumed you wouldn't get it.

BUT, it was *me* who wouldn't get it!! Read that paragraph again: I'm still tired after 9 hrs. So? Why not just come up with a sleep schedule, stick to it, and deal with the consequences? After all, I'm going to be tired with 9 hrs or 7 hrs of sleep (can't function on 6, so I have to concede somewhere).

Thanks for putting that out there... it was a challenge for me to look at this again!

Re: How I Do It

Jim Canterucci — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:52:27 -0000

Chris,

You're Brilliant! Your analysis shows a perfect blend of the four catalysts of Personal Brilliance - Awareness, Curiosity, Focus, and Initiative.

@Canterucci

Re: How I Do It

Rachael Hampton — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:32:46 -0000

T.v I agree on that throw that thing out the window or better recycle it...

Funny your laboratory stuff reminded me of HUAR – Humans United Against Robots..

Can wait to read more about this.

Re: How I Do It

Bill Streeter — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:04:49 -0000

Thats funny. When people ask me about finding time to do stuff I always tell them that I don't watch TV. Which isn't exactly true. I do watch TV but I watch it very selectively. There are, at any particular time, one or two regular shows that I watch. Which amounts to 2 hours a week max. I never never just turn it on to veg out and have something to do, there's always something else to do than that.

Re: How I Do It

Geoff Livingston — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:54:17 -0000

Thanks for the hat tip, you're a fav in my reader, too.

Cable TV is a big detriment, and not having it saves me hours upon hours. I totally agree with this, and recommend cutting it to most people.

Re: How I Do It

Mike Desjardins — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:39:52 -0000

Wow, great post again Chris. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my TV addiction. You're not the first one to recommend it, it's a HUGE time sink. I usually grab the laptop and noodle around with programming projects on the couch while something else is on providing background noise. Probably my ADHD needs a minor distraction. :)

Learning how to program? Do tell more. :)

Re: How I Do It

Halla — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:03:04 -0000

Human networks

In a way it's like reversing what TV has done to the western world. Commendable and a very interesting task.

I´ll be listening and commenting every now and again. More when I get a better handle on that pesky calendar ;)

Re: How I Do It

Trisha Jackson — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:45:39 -0000

Thanks Chris! I've been needing a great way to tell my boss and others around me how I actually do this too. He doesn't believe in the power of multi-tasking and thinks that the Internet is a distraction. I'm with you.

Re: How I Do It

Mary Anne Davis — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:37:09 -0000

Nice post, Chris- thx

Re: How I Do It

chrisbrogan — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:30:55 -0000

@Saran - Malaysia - wow. You DO have a great opportunity there. Keep it up, sir. : )