I keep a document in my Notes app called "smart things I have learned." This week I picked 16 of my favorites and wrote about why they've stuck with me. Some are practical, some are personal, one involves a hotel lobby.
Keep a Good Words log. Anytime a friend or loved one sends a message that makes you smile and feel good about yourself, take a screenshot and put it in a dedicated album. Mine is called “My friends are so nice,” and I look through it when I need a pick-me-up/confidence boost. Bonus points if you then share the moment back with that person when you’re reminiscing! Always tell people how much their words mean to you.
My friend taught me the great magic of 'scary hour': if there's a big pile of stuff you've been putting off, and you're dreading for whatever reason, plan one hour where you try to tackle as many of those tasks as possible. You start with the smallest or the biggest effort and then work the other way, whatever works best for you. When the timer goes off that's it, you're dismissed for that day.
Remember to look behind you - we are often so focussed on 'going places' we forget to appreciate where we've come from. Works for photography, projects, creativity and life in general! also makes us pause and appreciate the journey.
I received this piece of advice from a rather plastered Irishman in a bar in Berlin many years ago:
"If you get into an argument with someone you love, all you have to do is say, 'I'm sorry.' BUT YOU HAVE TO MEAN IT."
Makes me laugh every time I think of it, but it's good advice.
My own personal hack is to stop eating several hours before going to sleep. It gives the body time to properly clean your brain while you're sleeping. (Using the glymph system. Info here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/glymphatic-system)
This can be hard when first starting to practicing it, but it becomes easier with time. If I do it, I wake up feeling much clearer-headed and focused than if I don't.
Besides being an analog photographer, I'm also a graphic designer and I learned the importance of always carrying a pen and a notebook, for keeping ideas close and never lose an insight or notes during the day.
It is something I have learned over and over again. I'm often waiting for this mystical surge of motivation that would make starting a hard task easier. But motivation often comes after.
What is needed are those small 10 minute sessions. Making a start makes it easier to keep going and having done one thing often translates into motivation to do other things.
A great list of things that are both reminders for me of things to get back in the habit with as well as new ideas to try. I’m a fan of this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Finish each day and be done with it” as a reminder to learn from each day but keep the focus forward.
Also, COIRIN looks fantastic and I just backed it. Thanks for sharing, Wesley!
My simple thing is writing things down on paper. If I write something down as a "to-do" in my notebook then it gets done. This also reduces my stress, as I know I won't forget it. I also write down big ideas and goals. There is something about physically writing things down that makes me more intentional and committed to an action or a larger plan. An obvious thing perhaps, but it definitely helps!
There's a book called 'Water the flowers, not the weeds'. I haven't read it but I try to keep this quote in mind when I have a bad day, trying to remind myself to nourish the good things in my life and let go of the bad ones, to not let them affect my mood. I find it to be quite a nice goal as it is sometimes challenging to put aside upsetting events.
I live a very open-ended, nomadic lifestyle, and I get anxious by having too many things on my calendar (I also probably have some ADD/ADHD), but saving lists in Google Keep on my phone and even using project management software like Asana for professional and personal life keep me afloat while I jump from place to place. Every completed task gets a follow-up task in Asana, unless that specific project or task is 100% complete.
But the #1 thing that allows me to focus in the moment and not stress about the future is having the next big flight(s) purchased and on the calendar (ideally refundable), as it gives me something to look forward to, but also reframes the time I currently have and what the highest priorities are until then. I immediately shift from spiralling worrier to zen-like observer once I reach the checkout page and can enjoy the present more effectively.
Take notes. I almost always have pen and paper on hand to note down things overheard, new information, sketches, people. Stuff that strikes me. Even when watching a movie, sometimes I'll hear a line that pops a blister on my soul, you know the kinda thing you've been working on or through and you've hit a stall wall? Stuff like that.
I'm not surprised! It's kinda cool and something mind-blowing to pay attention to what we're paying attention to! I'm sure there's some doozies in my notes! Yours ,too, otherwise how do you come up with the stuff you do like that shorts series? With the disappearing woman!
Keep a Good Words log. Anytime a friend or loved one sends a message that makes you smile and feel good about yourself, take a screenshot and put it in a dedicated album. Mine is called “My friends are so nice,” and I look through it when I need a pick-me-up/confidence boost. Bonus points if you then share the moment back with that person when you’re reminiscing! Always tell people how much their words mean to you.
That is such a good idea!
My friend taught me the great magic of 'scary hour': if there's a big pile of stuff you've been putting off, and you're dreading for whatever reason, plan one hour where you try to tackle as many of those tasks as possible. You start with the smallest or the biggest effort and then work the other way, whatever works best for you. When the timer goes off that's it, you're dismissed for that day.
Roos! Excellent news! You were randomly drawn as this week's winner for the giveaway. Email me your mailing address ASAP please!
Great! Email sent :)
That’s excellent and actually sort of what I am doing tonight haha
Remember to look behind you - we are often so focussed on 'going places' we forget to appreciate where we've come from. Works for photography, projects, creativity and life in general! also makes us pause and appreciate the journey.
such an excellent point! thanks for that.
I received this piece of advice from a rather plastered Irishman in a bar in Berlin many years ago:
"If you get into an argument with someone you love, all you have to do is say, 'I'm sorry.' BUT YOU HAVE TO MEAN IT."
Makes me laugh every time I think of it, but it's good advice.
My own personal hack is to stop eating several hours before going to sleep. It gives the body time to properly clean your brain while you're sleeping. (Using the glymph system. Info here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/glymphatic-system)
This can be hard when first starting to practicing it, but it becomes easier with time. If I do it, I wake up feeling much clearer-headed and focused than if I don't.
honestly all amazing tips! I need to get back to that no eating late night business
Besides being an analog photographer, I'm also a graphic designer and I learned the importance of always carrying a pen and a notebook, for keeping ideas close and never lose an insight or notes during the day.
yes yes yes me too!
Doing keeps you going.
It is something I have learned over and over again. I'm often waiting for this mystical surge of motivation that would make starting a hard task easier. But motivation often comes after.
What is needed are those small 10 minute sessions. Making a start makes it easier to keep going and having done one thing often translates into motivation to do other things.
I believe in this so much!
A great list of things that are both reminders for me of things to get back in the habit with as well as new ideas to try. I’m a fan of this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Finish each day and be done with it” as a reminder to learn from each day but keep the focus forward.
Also, COIRIN looks fantastic and I just backed it. Thanks for sharing, Wesley!
love that! on both counts!
Thank you for your super helpful post!
My simple thing is writing things down on paper. If I write something down as a "to-do" in my notebook then it gets done. This also reduces my stress, as I know I won't forget it. I also write down big ideas and goals. There is something about physically writing things down that makes me more intentional and committed to an action or a larger plan. An obvious thing perhaps, but it definitely helps!
Big fan of pen to paper!
Empty the compost bucket and turn on the dishwasher every night before you go to bed!
I wish I could have either! haha
I'm spoiled!
There's a book called 'Water the flowers, not the weeds'. I haven't read it but I try to keep this quote in mind when I have a bad day, trying to remind myself to nourish the good things in my life and let go of the bad ones, to not let them affect my mood. I find it to be quite a nice goal as it is sometimes challenging to put aside upsetting events.
I’ve always loved that notion! also known as floss the teeth you want to keep
I live a very open-ended, nomadic lifestyle, and I get anxious by having too many things on my calendar (I also probably have some ADD/ADHD), but saving lists in Google Keep on my phone and even using project management software like Asana for professional and personal life keep me afloat while I jump from place to place. Every completed task gets a follow-up task in Asana, unless that specific project or task is 100% complete.
But the #1 thing that allows me to focus in the moment and not stress about the future is having the next big flight(s) purchased and on the calendar (ideally refundable), as it gives me something to look forward to, but also reframes the time I currently have and what the highest priorities are until then. I immediately shift from spiralling worrier to zen-like observer once I reach the checkout page and can enjoy the present more effectively.
I used to have this too with flights! Totally get it! Thanks for sharing Austin :)
Sensational, and you don't have to be a photog to benefit from these workflows. My New Year's resolution! (In this case procrastination was a benefit)
Absolutely agreed!
Take notes. I almost always have pen and paper on hand to note down things overheard, new information, sketches, people. Stuff that strikes me. Even when watching a movie, sometimes I'll hear a line that pops a blister on my soul, you know the kinda thing you've been working on or through and you've hit a stall wall? Stuff like that.
I do that too! Especially with movies!
I'm not surprised! It's kinda cool and something mind-blowing to pay attention to what we're paying attention to! I'm sure there's some doozies in my notes! Yours ,too, otherwise how do you come up with the stuff you do like that shorts series? With the disappearing woman!
Taking a moment of pause at my morning coffee shop, I write a haiku to encapsulate a thought, a feeling, a wish, a prayer.
love that, Shelley!
Great list of things to incorporate into one’s life!
Thank you :)