Entry 1/1/21 - a new year
The introduction to this entry is an acknowledgement of the incidence of a new year. As we expand our area of interest off of the planet earth, we may need to rethink universal standards of time. All the same, happy new year.
Book Review: Pivot by Jenny Blake
This book has been instrumental in constructing the mindset which acknowledges change as the only constant. Blake describes the process and priorities which she and others have used to make wise pivots in their career. This method of pivoting builds situationally necessary skills onto the overall “skill tree”.
New Approach to Typing
I’m practicing typing on the ergonomic keyboard. Using this keyboard, the bluetooth one, and both laptops, I can train my hands to recognize and reliably use any model of keyboard. Using pronounced hand movements and watching finger placement during initial usage of a new piece of equipment helps stimulate parts of the brain associated with learning and muscle memory development. I’m sure that field is interesting and its study would reveal lots of “study tips” and ways to accelerate learning.
Already I find this keyboard easy to use and reliable. I wager that the sound of keys clacking is quite loud, but I also have a 3D printer running and earbuds in with music playing.
Training in data entry dexterity can only bring benefits as a human living in the Digital Age. The fact that I started playing the piano again recently is another channel to train this dexterity.
A Trip
Recent events have shown me two things: that spontaneity should no longer be so hotly pursued, and that I need to start working with bigger gears.
Although “circumstantial agility” is a core personal value, skipping out on the second half of a useful, productive day is far from what I now find ideal. This trip preyed upon my desire to do things without giving full thought to what needs to be done. Spontaneity in the future ought to be strategic, and opt in favor of rescheduling in the event of ill-prepared equipment.
This could be avoided by taking more time to construct and prepare a to-do list for the day. This should be made over coffee/tea in the morning after consulting the muse.
Also during this trip I experienced a physical event representative of a feeling which I’ve had for a month or two now: I’ve definitely outgrown my current challenges, environment, tools, and equipment. Some jobs hardly challenge me but rather provide redundant work. To say that my environment has been optimized perfectly would be to fall into the trap of perfection; this is an ongoing process which grows as I do. Tools (hardware and some accompanying software) are jury-rigged to apply to new, growing projects outside of their intended use, and equipment (Ender 3, HP laptop, Honda) is being pushed to fulfill demands which they cannot well handle.
This can be avoided by just investing in new equipment. It’s not practical to just fix what I’ve got because my energy flow and production needs exceed what it has to practically offer. I want to buy big and grow my process into it.
Change, almost constantly
One of my favorite ways to change is by reading. I’ve found the introduction of new material into thought processes is the best stimulator for critical thinking. Directing my own attention to select resources of information is an important strategy which I find is best spent when considered ahead of time. Time has become quite valuable.
There’s 1440 minutes in a day, and each minute is valuable itself while becoming exponentially valuable during accumulation. I found that a significant element of my workday is searching for resources across various libraries for use in current projects. The time spent reorganizing (which is also constant) keeps information structured in my mind. I encourage all people to 1) write things down always and 2) know your method of storage innately and allow it to evolve.
