Zeitgeist 2010

I saw this video a few days ago and decided to share it still.



We're a month into the year and I think it's a great time to reflect on the hopefulness and ambition we had 30 days ago.

It's going to be an awesome year. It's totally in our hands still. Keep on going. Don't stall. Do it now.

Incidentally, I started a FB page that should keep you inspired through the year. It's called GV Quotes (also, follow it on Twitter). It's actually a project I started a few weeks ago. The purpose is really just to share positivity. Like it. Be a fan. Contribute.

11 months to go. Let's do this people!

Armchair Creative

Stumbled upon this article about being an armchair creative from the99percent:

But the thing is, the time I spend in the armchair is usually some of the most creative and productive time in my whole week. I go there when I need to stop and look at the big picture, or think through a complex problem that has me stumped. (Are you an armchair creative? by Marc McGuinness)

Basically, it suggests that you should have a place at work where you can take a step back and change the view. This for me is usually lunch time (which is why I never have lunch in our building) but it can also mean any place that will allow you to take a breather. Hopefully, that little break will allow you to see what you are working on from a different perspective and thus allow you to take a more creative approach.

I often also encounter this when I conduct field checks or attend conferences or workshops. A day away from work actually allows me to see the bigger picture, making me see other ways of doing or approaching things. In many cases, it actually makes me realize WHY I do what I do. I focus less on the specifics and more on the reasons or end goals and that makes a big difference.

Another angle I got from this short article is that where you work and how you "dress up" your workspace actually affects how you perform. Personally, I like changing things up to avoid the monotony. This appeals to me now because I have a lot of projects pending (outside my day job) and working in my room may not always be the best alternative. I'm probably going to set days where I work in cafe shops or other public places to keep the juices flowing.

I'm looking forward to a very productive & creative year. I hope it is for you as well.

Scott Pilgrim DVD Extras

If you liked Scott Pilgrim vs The World, check this out: alternative scenes for the movie from the DVD extras.

Enjoy!

Getting fit through Google

Stumbled across this video from Google:

If I only had an Android phone, I'm pretty sure that I would get that wifi weighing scale and pedometer. Actually, there should already be a pedometer app by that time.

I think autosync is a good thing. I used to (because I haven't been running in a while) really appreciate Nike+ tracking my workouts. A visual representation (especially using graphs) of your workouts can actually encourage you to push yourself more. Seing how much (or how little) you run at x pace through y distances and z times plotted in tables, graphs, or even through a "wall" can help you plan and set goals better.

If you think about it, it puts the work of a personal trainer into your hands. It's a great idea.

Of course, this is another example of how Google runs our lives. But again, I'm not complaining. I really am just waiting for Android to match up to the flawless UI that my iphone provides. I digress.

For now, I am stuck with Nike+ (which by the way is connected to my Apple devices) and I have no way of monitoring my weight. That still works, but I'm sure I'll get more progress if more of my activities were tracked.

What gets measured, gets done.