Archive for the ‘Happiness’ Category

“If real life took place in 140 chars”: how Twitter has taught me to value your time


September 25, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

Close lippedWe could all learn from Twitter’s 140 character limit.  If we were more concise and respectful of people’s time elsewhere, the world would be a happier, more productive place.

Consider this the next time someone chews your ear off.  And don’t do the same.  Here’s the why and how.

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Bite off less than you can chew


September 22, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

girl with giant cookie Hunting through my garage I came across reminders of things that never came to fruition.  Sometimes it’s the tangible that offers insight into who we are and how we haven’t changed.

The lesson I picked up, that’s been a theme for me this year is to do a little less, buy a little less, and generally bite off less than you can chew.

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From Getting to Done to Getting to Happy (GTD applied to GTH)


September 8, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

The aim of productivity is to get things done.  A hope for day-to-day living is happiness.

Perhaps lessons-learned in productivity can be channeled into this day-to-day hope, helping us to “get to happy.”

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Should “productivity” play a role in your friendships and relationships?


August 25, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

Mapping out a line of people When it comes to friendships and relationships, is it fair to apply principles of productivity…or is it not only a waste of time but perhaps even harsh and potentially damaging?

I say if you’ve got a system that works for you, then by all means apply it to the people in your life, too.  It’ll not only help your sanity but your relationships.

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Applying the 80/20 rule to friendships: who’s on your A List?


August 18, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

Maybe these people are on your A-List Who do you want in your life?  I want to answer that question and discuss what to do about it.

I hoped to write a blog post explaining timezones and technology, but there are moments when computer tips just aren’t that important.

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Big questions in lifestyle design…and a couple links


August 4, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

The Blue Lagoon, from my recent visit I’m still on holiday abroad just now, but I’ve been building some perspective.  I wanted to reflect a little on what’s on my mind in the hope that it’ll be of value to you.

So here are a few questions about “the big stuff” both for and from me…

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How do you limit your time in front of a computer? Apparently, many ways


June 5, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

reclining_laptop_users

We all get glued to our computers. How do you limit your time there? Got any tricks?

I posed these questions on Ask MetaFilter and received a number of helpful and interesting responses. This post is a summary with highlights of techniques and tools for walking away from your computer when you need (or want) to.

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When to bite your tongue, say thank you, and reciprocate


June 2, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

little_boy_finger_lips I make a lot of mistakes; here are a couple of which many of us can be guilty–talking instead of saying thank you, and failing to reciprocate in conversation.

Sometimes biting our tongue or better involving the other person would’ve been the wiser choice. So by way of two stories from the TECH cocktail Conference last week, I offer up my follies for your benefit.

I’m wrestling with whether or not this is a technology/productivity topic, but I believe lessons in behavior are even more relevant online–where your activities can be seen by thousands of people, and accessed years later. Now, onto the stories… Continue reading…

Why don’t you just GO HOME?


May 23, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

Dog go home... I know your secret because it’s mine, too: even busy, hard-working people finish everything they need to.  We (well, if you’d call me hard working) get to a point where we could do more work, but no deadline or emergency has tied us to our desks.   The best thing in this circumstance is to leave work and do something else.

The fact that I have to spell this out and even write this post is the problem.  Face it: many of us are little worker bees who don’t feel right about taking a break during traditional business hours.

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Fresh air in, dirty smelly stuff out


May 21, 2008 by Jared Goralnick

giant green fan Though it’s the best time of the year to be outside here in DC,  fresh air comes in many other forms.  Surrounding yourself with that is what keeps me breathing easier–and generally sane.  So what the heck am I talking about–and how do you find it?
 

Fresh air for me has many names,

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