Philosophy Podcast

Stress reduction while achieving high productivity

Single-system:

  1. Life’s multiple domains that each have priorities
    • Work/home/hobby
    • What is the desired level of system compartmentalization (security, workflow, shared)
  2. Using multiple systems feels like two lives
    • Layered calendars facilitate a unified view
    • Two task-lists and deliverables present daily friction 
  3. Double-listing of tasks at weekly review (extra work vs friction)

Practical system:

  • Weekly planning, and daily stock-taking
  • Weekly calendar planning and clean borders
  • Collaborating with others
    • Set clear rules and stick to them to provide a reliable and trusted structure
    • Take care of the basic role to qualify to say “no”
    • Make exceptions only after making it clear how it is disrupting the system

Intended Results:

  • Mind like water  status of just in time action
  • Stress reduction while achieving high productivity
  • Live in the “important + non-urgent” quadrant
  • Exercise assertiveness and get rid of the self-expending and compromised helpful nice-guy syndrome
  • Be intentional about new projects and how they fit in the grand plan

Philosophy Podcast

An algorithm for happiness

  • Life is a mix of successes and problems – hopefully linked
  • Happiness with no root is delirium and has no purpose
  • Windfall money that is not worked for is not as sweet as that which comes from toil
  • Happiness is not a result, but a journey and the linking of the two can define mundane or otherwise (objectively/conventionally unhappy) situations as happy (example: enjoying and old car)
  • Contentment is a starting point pr a state of being that can be context or precede the more ephemeral result of happiness (causal)

What Next?

  • Document and triage my problems so that I can isolate and live with context (things I cannot change)
  • Create a clear path from what is (problems) and the desired (solutions) so that there is constant movement from problems I can solve, so linked solutions
  • Internal feeling of “can do”, – let us examine how that can breed contentment and inner peace

Kaizen Productivity Systems Technology

Schedules: Too little or too much

This is an examination of conscience (of sorts). I have rejected the idea that people can be busy (much as it is a badge of honor to claim as much), but more of stressed/surprised/over-scheduled/etc. I question if there is a linear limit to an individual’s output and if there are ways that this can be increased. I touch on strategies that can virtually make this limitless and even reduce the human toll.

Americas Travel

¡Llegué en La Habana!

One crazy day in August/September 2019, I got home and searched Google for flights to Cuba. I had heard many a peer talk about a past trip to Cuba and how it was a unique experience. I decided to book a trip…, say 1 month away. If I ‘came to my senses’ and thought differently, I could very well forgo the cost (initially about $250) and stay in the safety of my routine; maybe just go to a salsa-dancing in my choice of local venue with a Spanish name.

… fast track and I was at the balcony of La casa blanca in a conversation using my then only 30 words of Spanish!

El Malecón de la Habana – from the balcony

Kaizen Productivity Systems Technology

Revisiting my website hosting architecture

In this recording is a review of my current web hosting architecture as I see it after several months of active use. Specifically, I cover the shortcomings of the current setup, ways around each one and advantages of each alternative. This post mainly sets the stage for future updates or posts…

  • What are the core needs?
  • Review of my current setup and available alternatives
  • Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each option
  • Next steps
Kaizen

Contrasting social Internet from social media

Membership in any one of the social media platforms has its benefits; that are seldom longterm. By definition, these platforms come and go. In the next 17 minutes of audio, I will cover the following points as I set context for my decision to leave social media (not that I was that invested). I am instead focusing on establishing and maintaining a robust internet presence.

NB: The audio-levels are much higher/better in this post.

  • Briefly explain the Internet of past and the built-in autonomy of publishing
  • Contrast with the walled-garden idea that characterizes: BBS, AOL, FB, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc using the controlled model
  • Tying your fate to that of the walled-garden that you live in VS
  • Leaving an alias that enables others to find you regardless of what garden or personal island you move to
  • Walled safety AND house-rules that stifle unique authenticity (sandboxes have rules/censorship)
Productivity Systems Technology

Workflow: Audio & location [bonus]

This is a followup review of process improvements. In a quest to break away from my desk as the sole recording location, I am testing the audio quality when recording from a phone, tablet, in comparison with the MacBook (keeping the application standard). I initially thought that the output was of comparable quality, but I am realizing that the tone variation (especially for tablets) is too great. I also notice that the audio levels are inconsistent as the iPhone version of ‘memos’ does not provide a way to adjust them.

I will do additional testing using Garage Bank on the phone; to determine of that provides better control of the levels and tone.

Kaizen Lifestyle Productivity Systems

Dependable dishwashing

I like having machines (and any system) that has a predictable input and output. Dishwashers are the machines that have thus far not given me dependable results. I know that a laundry machine will not scrub collars; and it lives to that performance standard every time. I am working researching how to get consistent value from my dishwasher – this is a review of the process.

Please note that the audio level is lower – I am working on a way to standardize it going forward.

  1. Effectiveness as defined by the ISO-9000 (extent to which planed activities/results are achieved to the planned level)
  2. Baseline of a dishwasher as an energy inefficient rinsing machine
  3. Inconsistent washing of dishes based on positioning and level of soaking
  4. Inability to keep dishes stacked for the whole day

Target
– Consistent quality and results that presents MVP value to justify the wait and cost
– Disruption caused by fluctuations and unplanned cost of corrections to meet minimum expectations
– Establishment/standardization of pre-work that can get the inputs to a level that can assure the desired outputs and justify the costs (delay, value-add, time savings)