Attention Deficit or Attention Surplus?

As a knowledge worker, I am always on the alert for how to maximize my productivity.  As anyone can attest, your mental energy ebbs and flows throughout the day.  I've been reading about how to take advantage of those rhythms and how to recognize the optimal structuring of your time and attention.  This article caught my eye, "One of the first keys, ... is to recognize that you have a finite attentional window--and structure your workflow to be congruent with that capacity. This speaks to ... how work is a series of sprints--and to be our most productive and most creative, we need to unplug throughout our workdays." The rest of the article can be found here.

So that morning cup of tea and reading an article on creativity and productivity are actually going to boost my productivity.  The down time where we focus on something other than the task at hand often produces new ideas or new approaches that actually move the project along.  Getting up and taking a brisk walk or talking to a colleague are other ways that I take a mental energy break.  So often I find that a bit of fresh air gets those neurons firing again.  I always take Siri along on my walks so I can dictate any brainstorms that come to me. I find that these habits boost my attention.

Technology Old School

I had an interesting experience this morning.  For a presentation to some of my colleagues, we needed to borrow a projector and screen from the Tech center on campus.  My colleague went over to collect the equipment.  The screen would not fit in her car.  So she called another colleague with an SUV.  The students working in the Center watched her make two trips to carry the rolling suitcase and then the unwieldy screen down from the third floor to her car.

When we got the screen to our second floor location (no elevator) in another building, and mind you this is quite heavy and about 7 feet long, it was difficult to figure out how to open the tripod legs.  Then the screen itself, which retracts into the housing, was stuck.  It was evident from the dirt in the end of it, that it had been dropped out of doors and damaged.  We asked a co-worker in a neighboring department if we could borrow his brute strength and significant height (read leverage) advantage to help us open the screen.  Through that strength and improvising with a scissor blade since we had no screwdriver, he was able to open the screen after a bit of prying. 

Then we had to find an extension cord for the projector since it is three prong and not all the outlets in this building are three prong.  We actually had to unplug a computer and printer to do this (luckily this office is not currently in use).  The projector quality was dubious - it significantly changed the colors of the images we were projecting from our computer. 

I asked the Tech center to please come pick up the equipment (they wanted us to bring it back to them).  Apparently this was too much to ask - they don't have access to a van or a van driver or something!  Clearly we need to look into getting our own equipment!

Husbands

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I read a good article recently from a woman named Kitti Murray, a self described voracious reader, slow runner, decent writer, and killer cappucino maker. In it she talks about how spouses grow, change and mature over time.  The article resonates with many, and the author encourages us to celebrate what is good, what God is doing, in the lives of our spouses.

"The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, 'Behold I am making all things new,' (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle."

 

Thankful to be married to a wonderful man all these years.  Encouraged to stand back and see what God is doing in and through him.  

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. - See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. - See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. - See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. - See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. - See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

Habits

I follow a blog that recently had these suggestions about creating new habits successfully:

"In practice, doing habits one month at a time is fast. In one year you could:

• Wake up earlier
• Exercise regularly
• Eat properly
• Set up a productivity system
• Establish deliberate practice time for your craft
• Become more organized
• Read a book per month
• Cut out wasteful Internet surfing
• Keep your e-mail inbox empty
• Cut down on television
• Learn a new skill
• Maintain a journal or diary"

I've highlighted the ones in blue that resonated with me.  Early to Rise inspired me to get going in the mornings and use my time to do what is important to me.  So far I've succeeded at 2 of these (running and rising early) and made progress in 3 more (journaling, reading, watercolor/drawing).  Where will I be this time next year?  I feel fully alive now and am excited about living intentionally.

You can read the whole blog about developing habits here.

What resonates with you?

The Thanksgiving List

• friendships old and new - especially Sarah W and Lisa N
• a weekend getaway to beautiful Gig Harbor
• eagles and seals
• the beauty of nature
• photography
• the ocean
• my extended family
• my hubby
• my girls
• my home
• my job
• J'town
• my Kindle
• challenges
• health
• the purple pen that I wrote this list with

Outdoor Art

This outdoor artwork turned our front entryway from drab and dull to absolutely stunning. We love it. The 'water' just shimmers. The piece has movement and light and gorgeous color. It was everything we hoped and more. As the artist recommended, we are planning to put up a light for nighttime viewing.   I've been considering outdoor art for quite some time and finally took the plunge after lots of looking around. So glad I did!

What I'm Reading