Less Gear Equals More Productivity

When I had a roomful of music gear, I found it hard to make music. Managing the gear became a job unto itself; it took time and energy away from the creative process.

Too much camera gear can also have a negative effect on creativity. Either you carry around stuff that you don’t need, which weighs you down, literally and figuratively, or you waste time debating what to take with you.

I’ll carry four or five lenses when I have to, or when I want a workout, but I enjoy walking around with a body and two lenses. It doesn’t cover every focal length, but so what? I shoot with what’s in my hands and I don’t waste time mulling over choices. The light weight and small size are plusses when shooting in busy places.

I find that I’m gravitating toward a few lenses for most of my shooting. One is the wide-angle 14mm f/1.8. It’s lightweight and super sharp, and it’s great for shots like this where I want to fit a fairly large building in the frame. The f/1.8 aperture lets in a lot of light, so I can take handheld shots at night.

When I took this shot, I was crammed between a food truck and a bus lane; it would have been impossible to set up a tripod in that spot. Because of the ability to shoot handheld, I got a cool shot of this bus passing the nicely decorated Saks store.

Less is more. Lighter is better. Leave what you don’t need at home.

© 2024 Daniel R. South - All Rights Reserved

How Much Free Time Do We Really Have?

How Much Free Time Do We Really Have?

At my first job after college, a colleague approached me about a “business opportunity.” His proposal seemed sketchy, but he was a nice guy, and I didn’t want to decline without thinking it over.

One of my concerns was the time that would be required. My life seemed pretty busy, but in order to quantify how much free time I really had, I took a few minutes to add up how much time I spend each week on various tasks.

When I added time spent on work, commuting, meals, sleeping, exercise, errands and shopping, home chores, and time reserved for family, I realized how little discretionary time I actually have. I hadn’t even factored in things that I did for fun like seeing a movie or getting together with friends.

This quick analysis led me to two conclusions. First, I would have to disappoint my colleague. I didn’t have time to invest in his business venture.

Second, I needed to do a better job of using my free time productively. I didn’t have as much as I thought, and wasn’t managing it well.

© 2024 Daniel R. South - All Rights Reserved

That Darned Dog

The United States has real enemies, countries that actively seek to do us harm through unfair trade policies, currency devaluation, hacking, cyber attacks, military strategy, etc.

The US also has allies, stable trading partners who support our interests protect us by fostering good relations and sharing vital intelligence.

On the surface, it would seem that Donald Trump doesn’t understand this. He treats enemies like allies and vice versa.

When I saw the news about his intention to put 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, our peaceful allies and our two biggest trading partners, I realized something.

A bully feels insignificant in the absence of conflict. Bullies instigate and intimidate because they thrive on drama. If everything is calm and running smoothly, the bully feels ignored.

Over the next four years, expect a daily deluge of outrageous actions and statements. The bully wants to be seen. He wants to feel important. He feasts off of your attention, especially negative attention.

The best thing we can do is to ignore the outrageous behavior. Refuse to take the bait. Focus on what’s important, adapt to unavoidable changes, and get on with our lives. Drown out the noise with success and good feelings.

The worst thing that we can do is to internalize the stress. The bully wants us to feel shocked and threatened, just as a barking dog wants us to be fearful about getting too close to its territory. Refuse to play the game. Think, “That darned dog is barking again. Oh, well. What can we do to make the most of the day?”

Heart, Mind, and Soul

Don’t do things that make your soul cry, even if they make your heart race.

People like to say “Trust your heart,” but the heart has a long track record of bad decisions.

The heart encourages us buy things that we don’t need, agree to terms that don’t serve us, and do things that we don’t want to do because it’s what everyone seems to be doing.

The heart makes decisions for sentimental reasons. It pairs us with situations that don’t serve us and delays the eventual resolution.

One can argue that making decisions with the heart brings us joy, and that is often true in the short term. If we made decisions with the analytical mind, we might miss out on life’s most rewarding experiences.

Consider trusting the soul.

The soul listens to both the heart and the mind and tempers their perspectives with wisdom and a deep understanding of what is right and wrong for the individual.

The soul understands that fads fade, that impulse purchases are often a bad idea, and that thrills are not always worth the risk. The soul knows when to get out of a bad investment, a dull relationship, or a job that drains your enthusiasm. The soul knows what you should be doing with your time if you want to be deeply fulfilled.

Let the mind weigh alternatives. Let the heart dream big dreams. Trust the soul to make the ultimate decision.

Ask The Question

It’s better to embarrass yourself by asking a question than crashing the plane or sinking a submarine.

Lessons I’ve Learned Over Time

Lessons I’ve Learned Over Time

People expect you to know what they mean when they don’t explain it and how they feel when they don’t express it.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Humans hide their talents as effectively as they conceal their flaws.

Your opinions say more about you than the things that you criticize.

You’re not good at something until you can demonstrate it convincingly.

If you want to fix something, address the root cause. If you want to improve, work on your weaknesses.

The more someone claims to be good at something, they more likely they aren’t.

Nothing sells itself. Marketing requires time and effort.

Deliver the bad news first. Resolve the problem before it gets worse.

Challenges become more manageable when you face them.

If the phone isn’t ringing, either they’re not interested, or they don’t believe that you are.

Learn how to talk yourself into doing important things and out of doing wasteful things. Humans are hard wired to do the opposite.

Some of your neighbors are authoritarians. Some of your colleagues are schemers. Some of your friends aren’t friends. Factor that in to minimize disappointment.

Some people love to complain. Some love to exaggerate.

There’s no substitute for dedication, enthusiasm, authenticity, and hard work.

You are what you finish.

What you can do in a day is enough if you do it.

Trade Show

A trade show is a spectacle of sights and sounds, endless booths of exciting new products from established manufacturers and eager startups, all vying for attention. Product specialists give presentations, well-known endorsers give demos, models and celebrities generate enthusiasm. There are raffles and classes and performances and dinners and cocktail hours.

And of course there are people, lots and lots of people. Many will be strangers, but you’ll recognize colleagues, contacts, and people you’ve met at other industry events.

Spend a day in an environment like this, and the sights and sounds will replay in your mind for weeks. Spend multiple days and the effect is intensified.

If you attend trade shows frequently, you may reach a saturation level where it’s a challenge to stop thinking about what happens at the shows. You might find yourself craving quiet time where you can be alone with your own thoughts.

Places where people gather online remind me of a nonstop trade show. We see exciting things and participate in interesting conversations to the people where we think about the experience even when we are disconnected. That’s not necessarily bad, but if it becomes overwhelming and dominates our thoughts, it’s worth stepping away until those the thoughts we have come from within rather than from external sources of stimulation.

Solve One Problem At A Time

Solve one problem at a time and keep solving them.

Year End Reflections 2023

I’m reflecting on changes that I made through the year.

1. Manage stress and get more rest.

This has always been a challenge for me, because I have a long to do list, but mindful of the stress that builds through the day, I have been taking more frequent breaks, and I avoid working late unless it’s absolutely necessary.

2. Get more exercise.

I did better this year than last. The Apple Watch has been a helpful resource.

3. Do things in the simplest way possible.

Increase productivity with a streamlined approach.

4. Accept when results are good enough.

When I finish a project, I often feel that I could have done it better. Occasionally, that’s true, but more often I waste time trying to redo it, and the results aren’t any better than the first version (and sometimes they’re worse). I could have invested that time into other projects. I’m going to try to avoid this mental trap in the future.

5.  Travel more efficiently.

I was able to visit more places for less money by focusing on weekends and by flying when driving would have required more time off.

6. Mind your posture.

It’s particularly bad when I look at my phone. I’m trying to maintain better posture and spend less time on the phone.

Better

Every person you meet is better than you are at something. They might be better at bowling or scrabble. They might be better at fixing cars or solving crossword puzzles. They might be better at cooking a soufflé or making emergency repairs to a ripped garment. They might be better at tennis or golf. They might be better at finding deals and managing money. They might be better at dancing or remembering song lyrics.

It’s a near statistical certainty that they are better than you at something, even if that thing is not apparent.

Why is this important? Because humility is important, and because the lack of humility is unpleasant and unhealthy.

Be humble. You’re not great at everything. Even if you do several things well, there are billions of people who do lots of other things well. There are people who could read this paragraph and instantly translate it into Basque or Navajo or Swahili. Can you do that?

.

Be humble. No matter how good you are at something, remember that you are an absolute novice at most things.

Why should you embrace humility? Because humility opens your mind to new possibilities. Humility lets you learn and grow, because in order to grow, you first need to realize that you have room for improvement.

Lack of humility isn’t just insufferable. It’s toxic. The person who believes that they know everything learns nothing. Avoid falling into that trap.

You are wonderful just as you are, but each of us has potential for growth. Growth begins with an honest assessment of our weaknesses.

Don’t Wait

If a goal is important to you, don't wait to get started. Don't wait for the right time. The right time is as soon as possible. When people take on a project that they love, they always wish that they had started sooner.

Don't wait until you have the right resources. Start with what's available to you today, even if it seems inadequate. Working with limited resources will inspire you to be skillful and creative.

Don't wait until you have more training. The best training is what happens when you work passionately and diligently toward an objective.

Don't wait until you're finished with school. Don't wait until you move to the city. Don't wait until the kids grow up. Don't wait until you retire. All of those things will happen, and when they do, you'll get busy with other things. At some point, you need to resolve to move forward, or you'll always be dreaming of the future.

Most importantly, don't wait until you "have more time." That's a convenient illusion. You'll never have more time than you do right now. 24-hour days are not going to get any longer, and as you age and take on greater responsibility, your ability to use those hours will become more limited.

Act now, today, this week, this year. If you want something to happen, find a way to work it into your schedule, and get yourself moving. No excuses.

When To Change

Don’t change for others. Change for yourself. Change when change will lead to greater fulfillment and better results.

Cost and Rewards of Mistakes

A mistake is an action that yields a reward but incurs a cost. If we learn from the cost, the reward is multiplied.

Fight To Win

If you want to be a Winner

Gotta fight for every inch

Might as well be a Sinner

And a Brawler in the Clinch

You’ll need to push past

The mighty limits of Hell

‘Cause the hardest fight to Win

Is the one against Yourself

Being Productive On Your Off Days

The late, great jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson said, "You learn to perform by performing on your bad days."

You might need to alter your approach at times when you can't rely on your normal energy level. Start slowly. Take on smaller tasks. Limit your expectations. Write things down to keep yourself organized. Ask for help, and take breaks when you need to.

Success won't climb into bed with you. You have to go out and chase it.

I've done some of my best work on days when I felt exhausted. The amazing thing is that I didn't feel exhausted when the work was done. I felt exhilarated, energized, alive. Action is powerful medicine. Accomplishment is a healing force.

You can never live a day over again. Once it's passed, it's gone forever. Find a way to make the most of today.

Find A Way To Be Happy Today

The best way to be happy tomorrow is to find a way to be happy today.

Will you be happy when you have a better position and more money? Maybe, but consider that wealthy people aren’t always happy. Find a way to be happy as you build your career and your fortune. You’ll be even happier when your ship comes in.

Will you be happy when you are discovered and recognized for your contribution? Maybe, but consider that fame is fleeting. How will you feel when it fades? Find a way to be happy as you work toward success. You’ll be even happier when it’s acknowledged.

Will you be happy when you’re in the relationship that you’ve dreamt of? Maybe, but consider that married people aren’t always happy. Find a way to be happy in your life as it is today. A joyful spirit is attractive; misery is not. You’ll be even happier when you have a chance to spend time with someone special.

Find a way to be happy today.

Your Style

Everything you do has a style. The way you read a book has a style. The way you butter your toast has a style. The way you shop for groceries has a style. The way you eat french fries has a style. The way you walk, breathe, speak, laugh, and make love has a style.

Your style is the product of countless judgments, evaluations, movements, and sensations that make sense to your mind, body, and heart, decisions that are so deeply ingrained in your being that you rarely notice them.

It’s better to embrace and refine your own style than to copy the style of others. When your are being yourself, you flow with the mighty tide of your talents, skills, preferences, and intuition. Emulate someone else, and some of those components may align with them, but others will conflict resulting in confusion, frustration, and chaos.

Be yourself. Be your BEST self. Develop your unique qualities, and offer to the world what is uniquely yours to give.

Resolution Solution

If you’re making New Year’s resolutions, avoid resolving to do something every day, like “exercise every morning before work.” Sooner or later you’re going to have an unusually hectic or challenging day, and you won’t be able to keep that resolution. When that happens, you might be tempted to give up on a positive trend simply because you missed one day of activity due to circumstances beyond your control.

Instead, build flexibility into your plan. Set weekly or monthly goals, and give yourself grace days, as in “I’m taking a grace day on my ab workout, because my dog needed an emergency trip to the vet.”

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by setting impractical goals. Set flexible guidelines that keep you going in a positive direction through the ups and downs of life.

To Improve

To improve, fix what’s broken.

Making Progress

We make progress when we refuse to make excuses.