Re: Here's the problem with that Joe...

> Wouldn't we all! But an interesting thought
> from Jim Rohn I've been trying to put into
> practice recently - "wherever you are
> be there". When you are at work --
> work. When wandering the square -- wander
> the square. And don't let work creep into
> your thinking.

Reminds me of my favorite Zen quote - "If you're going to stand, stand. If you're going to sit, sit. Above all, don't wobble!"

> I'll have to contemplate this and see if it
> fits. One thing that wasn't clear in my
> earlier message was the way "Getting
> Things Done" defines projects. The
> definition there of project is any action
> with more than 1 step that you'll complete
> in 30-90 days. So it isn't really project in
> the grand sense that we tend to think of
> them.

I tend to define projects the same way, breaking down "grand" projects into weekly, monthly and quarterly chunks to make them manageable.

I'll have to check out the Allen book - thanks for the resource.

> I've not made the leap to electronic data.
> Something about the way my handwriting
> "feels" when I look at it. Makes
> it more personal. Plus I'm on the computer
> so much as it is.

I like paper better too, and continually bounce back and forth. I find the PDA allows me to resked and recopy appointments and tasks quicker and neater than rewriting, and is a great portable rolodex. But,you're right, there's something subconsciously pleasing about writing on paper.

Bob

Bob --

> Reminds me of my favorite Zen quote -
> "If you're going to stand, stand. If
> you're going to sit, sit. Above all, don't
> wobble!"

Weebles wobble but the don't fall down! I like this quote you've shared. I chuckled tonight as I watched my youngest struggle at times between the sitting - standing - and wobbling. Depending on how involved she was in what she was doing.

> I'll have to check out the Allen book -
> thanks for the resource.

Let me know what you think about it. I had gone through it about two months before my job ended. After doing the "download" as described in the book I discovered I had *far* too many things going and just dropped several of them until the job was over. It was like an instant lifting of stress during an already stressful time. Then took a few weeks slow then picked up that other stuff again. Of course I explained this to the others involved.

> I like paper better too, and continually
> bounce back and forth. I find the PDA allows

I don't use anything electronic to track appointments. But then I don't really have that many. Need to set more with myself but that is another subject!

> right, there's something subconsciously
> pleasing about writing on paper.

Bob the example I always use is this. On my desk I can have many scraps of paper. Some are written in red, some blue, some black, some pencil. Some are printed documents that I've scribbled a note on. A few are documents someone else has handwritten to me and I may have jotted a note on. With all those varied documents I can still distinguish one from the other and find exactly the one I'm after. With computer printed documents they are all the same.

My address book has scratch throughs and updates. I see the old addresses for people and it brings back memories - of when I visited them at the old address and other things. It's a time line of my life.

Think of the love letters some save and revisit year after year. There is a look, a smell, a touch - unique to each. They take the owner back in the same way a high school year book does. What would this experience be if each of those documents was printed from a computer? [As an aside - for those that wonder if the phenomenon of age regression is real consider this paragraph in that light...]

Even a typewritten letter was signed with a certain pen, on a certain stationary, chosen by the sender. A special stamp they liked. All that is lost today.

What is the value of a personally written, carefully worded note today? What will it be in 10 years? 20 years?

These are things I ponder. And thoughts I endeaver to pass to my children.

Thank you for a stimulating conversation. I think I'll run touch this up and run it in my newsletter in December - it seems an appropriate time.

-- Dan Butler


Never be in the dark again...

> Even a typewritten letter was signed with a
> certain pen, on a certain stationary, chosen
> by the sender. A special stamp they liked.
> All that is lost today.

> What is the value of a personally written,
> carefully worded note today? What will it be
> in 10 years? 20 years?

> These are things I ponder. And thoughts I
> endeaver to pass to my children.

A year or two ago, an article appeared, written by, if my memory serves me correctly, a well known writer whose name escapes me for the moment.

In it, he told how he bought an old typewriter (antique), typed a note on it to his grandson - leaving the paper and note still in it - and gave it to his grandson as a gift.

I'll try and find it... in the meantime, someone else might remember it and find it first...

Michael Ross.

That sounds like a very cool gift. Thanks for mentioning it.

-- Dan Butler

> In it, he told how he bought an old
> typewriter (antique), typed a note on it to
> his grandson - leaving the paper and note
> still in it - and gave it to his grandson as
> a gift.

Dan - I got the Allen book today and it looks interesting - perhaps some foundational reorganization work in my office to clear the decks for a few 10 day projects. And I'll have an overwhelming multitude of initial inbox stuff as well - like a whole room:-)

Your point about the value of a well-written, thoughtful letter/document is interesting. In this day and age of automated template business letters, sales letters, resumes, etc., as well as the internet speak informal shorthand so prevalent in emails (I use it myself, so no guilt implied) coupled with the trend toward sound bite, flash visuals and power point bullets, who knows what a "well written, thoughtful" piece will be in ten years.

Probably a mixed media of messages, from olde English to flash speak. And the success of Levenger Corp., with it's opulent paper, inks and other expensive stuff bodes well for those who like the feel of the non-cyberic:-D

If you write this up in your NL, please post and/ or forward a copy to me. I'd enjoy reading it.

Bob

Bob

Bob

Bob --

Let me know your thoughts on the Allen book after you been through some of it.

I'm still sifting throught the initial inbox/download cycle. Sure a lot of stuff built up over the years - and I'm not that old. Just a lot of varied interests.

"The automated secrets of modern communication" - now that could be a title. And I automate as much as anyone. Templates the whole bit. But I still write those notes from time to time. And I'd like to automate and write more.

At my former job I was known for being the computer short cut guy. In reality I'm just a creatively lazy guy. If I do the same thing more than say twice on the computer I'll write a little program to do it for me the next time. Little things add up.

So one day a fellow pops his head in my office and asks if I know someones phone number. I say sure and open up the little printed copy of the office directory I kept next to my phone. He is dumbfounded as he thought I had some high tech way to access the info. Turns out he had the same printed copy on his desk but thought I could find it faster as he walked past. Ha!

The printed copy was always faster for me. All references off line are. They have a "locational" memory in that I can remember where things are and turn right to them. On a computer I have no equivalent.

You mention Levenger - my wallet felt lighter at the mere mention of the name.

I did write it up for the newsletter which goes out in at 9:00 am PST Thursday. I'll forward you a copy.

And Gordon and others interested in Product Development - if you are still seeing this. Be sure to check our Featured FAQ this issue. I didn't pick it but after considering it a moment think it will trigger many helpful thoughts. That's all I'll say.

I wonder how many are still reading this long meandering thread way down here?

-- Dan Butler

Dan -

I'll continue to meander down here:) Thanks in advance for your NL copy, and I'll read more of the Allen book today. I already read the part where he says to allow two or more days for the initial gathering and sorting - I'll probably need more!

You must be a visual thinker (in terms of NLP) in that visuals supposedly can handle stacks of stuff and remember exactly where things are with less problems than others.

I have the same ability to locate stuff on my desk amid supposed clutter - it drives my wife nuts:-) And I agree, most of the time, printed lists are more quickly accessed than on the electronic version, except for portability. Then the PDA may be handier for things like phone numbers, addresses, etc.

However,as I wrote the above, my mind flashed to the ease of reading a piece of paper while driving compared to starting and operating a PDA! So, I guess Levenger wins:-)

Bob

Hi Dan,

> I wonder how many are still reading this
> long meandering thread way down here?

I'm still reading this meandering thread down here.... This is interesting stuff. :)

- Dien