refine refine refine

December 9, 2021 · All posts on Dec 9

There are lots of places—but two in particular are top of mind—where I’m storytelling these days. There’s this very difficult form of storytelling where you have to craft an experience of discovery for someone. You have a project, and it’s on the Internet. Someone comes to some part of it. From somewhere. Maybe someone told them something about some part of it; What they were told may be correct, incorrect, useful, or distractionary. (Is that even a word?) And every single one of those variable things would be different for each person.

And I have my ideas, my wants, (what I may want this new person to do,) and my way of seeing and understanding the world and this thing this other person is experiencing. I can use language, colors, design (esthetics, affordances, familiarity, etc.,) audio, video, gamification, revealed complexity, feedback, and more.

I create something, and release it into the world. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, it is the best thing I can possibly create. Later, I look at it—perhaps after seeing someone encounter it for their first time and their having a flawed experience, perhaps after asking someone to review the thing, whatever… Later, I look at it and omgbecky I suddenly see several serious, glaring flaws. Not spelling error type “flaws” — no, this whole story is told backwards, or this isn’t the right thing to tell at this point in their journey type flaws.

I used to get petulant when that happened. I’d worked so hard on it, and now it’s clear that my best wasn’t very good after all.

But today, my reaction is the opposite. I get really execited! “Wait— slow down— I’m scribbling notes as fast as I can,” excited. I used to think, “where were you when I worked so hard on this,” and now I’m thinking, “being able to see that this thing actually sucks, is awesome because now I can make it better.”

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Random please

December 8, 2021 · All posts on Dec 8

I’m a process process process person. The second time I have to do something, I’m trying to figure out how to either never have to do that again, or how to automate it. (And failing those two, it goes into my admin day.) But being process oriented also means I like to build tools to enable doing things that weren’t previously possible.

Recently, I installed a little bit of code on my site that will bounce one to a random post. This means I can now have a link, which takes me to a random quote. I collect all the quotes because I want to read them. A big portion of the enjoyment comes from their discovery. So any time I can mange to re-discover a quote, by stumbling over it some how, that’s a bonus. So now, each morning, I bounce myself to a re-discovery…

https://constantine.name/?redirect_to=random&tag=quotes

Which is great to bookmark— Except, if you click that, you land on a quote; and making a bookmark is then of that specific quote. Instead you have to manually create a new bookmark—so that’s your homework for today, go figure out how to do that in your fave web browser. In that new bookmark, you can copy-and-paste that URL as the address for the bookmark. Then, any time you go to that bookmark, my web site will bounce you to a random quote.

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Paralysis

December 7, 2021 · All posts on Dec 7

I’ve been up for more than two hours today. I’m completely paralyzed by too many things to do. At this point—this point right here where I’ve opened the text box to write a blog post—I’m simply flailing. Simply grasping at any action.

Where’s the actual problem though? The paralysis isn’t from external pressures; it isn’t that I cannot figure out how to get things done in time, or on budget, to meet other’s expectations. All the expectations come from myself. This is a theme which has come up previously here multiple times.

Luke 4:23 springs to mind. What would I suggest if someone came to me with these exact symptoms, and asked me for help? I’d suggest visualizing what would success look like.

“It would be not this feeling!”

Yes, okay. Can you describe the current feeling?

“It’s a frenetic, cacophony of ideas and options, making me feel like progress—progress is clearly possible upon each idea and option, but progress upon any idea or option feels pointless.”

I notice you said, ‘feels pointless’, … why use ‘feels’ rather than ‘is’?

“Because I know that I could easily finish, at an awesome level of execution, any one of these things. So just picking one of them, arbitrarily, for discussion, progress on that one would move it towards completion.”

Are you saying that working on any of one of them— when you focus on that line of action alone— that actually feels like a good idea?

“Well, yes.”

If considering one feels okay, but considering all of them makes working on them feel not okay…

“But how do I choose? How do I be sure that I can finish all of them— all of these projects?”

You are aware that you cannot be certain to finish anything. This last thing you’ve said is a fact of life, because of the dichotomy of control. If you’ve only chosen to work on virtuous things— let’s take that as a given— then all these things you’re struggling to pick among… they’re all nothing more than preferred indifferents. Pick one, since they are all equally awesome. Chop wood. Carry water.

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Motivation with Oliver Thorpe

December 6, 2021 · All posts on Dec 6

Motivation with Oliver Thorpe

What motivates and shapes the personal experiences and practices of someone who navigates both the parkour and climbing communities?

Exploring mindfulness in movement reveals deeper insights into personal and communal growth.

It’s interesting how it somehow reveals our own thought process. So the exact sequence of my feet in some stride up to something— or the exact way that I place my hands, reveals how I think about movement.

~ Oliver Thorpe (15:07)

The conversation touches on the intersection of culture, movement, and personal growth. Reflections on moving between Denmark and Australia explore themes of adaptation and community, with emphasis on how cultural differences shape human connections. Denmark, with its initially reserved people, becomes a home through its parkour community, providing both camaraderie and a sense of belonging.

The discussion also delves into the relationship between mindfulness, training, and motivation. Experiences in parkour and climbing illustrate how challenges provide motivation and how iterative attempts help in overcoming fear. There is also a reflection on how personal habits, like coffee preparation, tie into broader practices of mindfulness and intentionality.

Takeaways

The role of community in creating a sense of belonging — The parkour community in Denmark plays a key role in fostering personal connections.

The contrast between Danish and Australian cultures — These cultural differences highlight variations in social behavior and interpersonal connections.

The interplay of mindfulness and movement — Training in parkour and climbing reveals how mindfulness shapes approach and execution.

The motivational power of challenges — Facing and overcoming physical and psychological barriers provides a sense of growth.

The iterative nature of overcoming fear — Experiences in climbing show how repeated exposure transforms fear into confidence.

Resources

Gerlev International Gathering — A notable parkour and movement event in Denmark.

Gravity Sucks Jam — A parkour jam mentioned in the context of challenging physical endurance.

Gall Folk High School — A Danish institution with programs, including a focus on parkour.

Oliver Thorpe @oliver_thorpe

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Vision with Pej Onile-Ere

December 6, 2021 · All posts on Dec 6

What inspires and shapes the creation and evolution of a vision board project and podcast that focus on personal growth and self-discovery?

The vision board workshop reveals hidden desires and life goals by tapping into creative instincts rather than logical reasoning.

Having the courage to become who you’re created to be is what badass really stands for.

~ Pej Onile-Ere (8:42)

The conversation discusses the transformation of a vision board project into a workshop that helps participants uncover and act on their hidden desires and life goals. It explores the use of creative rather than analytical thinking, and the integration of deep meditation to guide individuals in aligning their priorities with their life’s current phase. The workshop focuses on crafting actionable maps from abstract aspirations, providing clarity and focus.

Another major topic is the intersection of the workshop and the creation of a podcast that emphasizes personal growth and overcoming fear. Pej shares her journey of acquiring domain names inspired by vision boards, leveraging podcasting as a platform for exploring the stories and routines of successful individuals. She reflects on how her podcast and workshop themes of courage and self-discovery align.

Takeaways

Transforming aspirations into action — Vision boards evolve into actionable life maps.

The power of meditative reflection — Creative workshops help unearth hidden goals.

Exploring self-improvement — Courage and overcoming fear are key to personal growth.

The importance of structured learning — Podcasting courses provide clarity and community.

Common struggles in growth journeys — Participants often face self-doubt and distraction.

Integrating multiple mediums — Workshops and podcasts offer complementary pathways to self-discovery.

The role of intuition — Vision boards highlight deeper life desires that may be overlooked.

Finding personal focus — Projects aim to narrow participants’ priorities to one to three key areas.

Resources

Badass Fabulous — Pej’s podcast explores courage and self-discovery through personal stories.

Vision board workshops — Pej’s workshops, named “Discover Your Life Map,” focusing on personal and professional goals.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Clarity

December 6, 2021 · All posts on Dec 6

Problem identification is always a sound investment of time, money, and energy. It feels uncomfortable to spend time and resources trying to figure out exactly what the problem is—we want to jump to fixing way too fast. Most of use are plagued with action bias and really struggle to stay in problem identification. I’ve found that getting clear about what’s wrong and why it’s a problem is the best investment you can make at home or work.

~ Brené Brown

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Accountability

December 6, 2021 · All posts on Dec 6

Starting on January 3rd, 2022, I’m hosting an accountability session.

https://forum.moversmindset.com/pub/accountability

It’s free. There are no tricks, no gimmicks, and there’s no “upsell” at the end. It’s simply an opportunity to synchronize with others who want to make progress toward some goal of their own choosing.

This session is for kind and generous people who want to get something, (something of their own choosing,) done. But, who feel they need some others to kindly and gently hold them accountable to doing the work. In the session, you’ll be part of a group of people working together.

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I’m still playing Myst

December 5, 2021 · All posts on Dec 5

I always liked those weird exploration games from the 1980s and 90s, like Zork and Myst, where you wake up in a strange environment, with no idea where you are or even who you are. You have to gather the context from the inside out, by wandering around, pushing buttons, peering behind wall paintings, and reading notes left by strangers who were here before you.

~ David Cain from, Nothing Really Has a Name

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I don’t think I can really explain it. You either know what Myst is, (and it ate months of your waking hours,) and so know what he means; Or you don’t. “I like those games because that’s exactly what it’s to be a human being, if you think about it.” I hadn’t until I read it. But, zoinks, he’s right. The feeling I have in the middle of a great conversation is the same feeling I had exploring Myst, and while exploring all those other things Cain mentions learning about.

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Sometimes the problem is you

December 4, 2021 · All posts on Dec 4

The approach is to learn to find peace with chaos.

~ Leo Babauta from, When Things Feel Scattered

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As with everything I’ve ever seen Babauta post, I agree. If you’re feeling scattered, you could do a lot worse than to read that article. It provides perspective, and some small, actionable things to start on.

Sometimes whatever-it-is is not actually a problem; The problem is our attitude about the problem. (Try Jack Sparrow’s admonishment which echos Aurelius’s reminder to himself.)

But, my Dear Reader, sometimes the problem is ourselves. We said ‘yes’ to one, or two, or twenty, things too many. And the yes’s are insidious. We are all so eager to help, that we rush in. (“The rescuer,” is one of the corners in the Karpman drama triangle. For which I refer you to M B Stanier’s, The Coaching Habit, p138.) So, if you’re feeling scattered: Check for drama.

The hard part is when you learn to start to set boundaries. Dealing with how setting boundaries feels when you’re comfortable being the rescuer is hard. Dealing with how it feels when everyone knows you as that person is hard. It takes cahones to relax and sink, to save yourself from the drowning swimmer you were trying to save. It takes chutzpah, when a friend asks you for what they think is a small favor, to pause for several seconds, to do the mental calculus, to set your boundaries for just how much effort you’re going to put into the thing… and only then answer them, ‘Yes.’ It takes brass to be kind enough to yourself to ensure you have boundaries that work for you.

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Relationships John Parsell

December 3, 2021 · All posts on Dec 3

What are the insights and challenges involved in creating and sustaining a podcast about learning and development?

A conversation about transforming technical challenges into meaningful dialogues unfolds with clarity and humor.

What we noticed was that the conversation started to go in all these different directions, and we weren’t achieving the goal of trying to get specific questions answered.

~ John Parsell (12:53)

The conversation explores the development and challenges of creating a podcast focused on learning and development. One central theme is the evolution from an initial idea of streaming live discussions to eventually crafting a podcast, which required navigating technical, logistical, and content challenges. The podcast aims to address practical issues, like engaging stakeholders and uncovering the root causes of organizational training requests, rather than focusing solely on technical skills.

Another significant topic is how the hosts approach guest engagement and content structuring. John emphasizes the importance of clear goals, preparation, and providing value to listeners. The discussion touches on their method of using templates and curated questions to guide interviews while maintaining conversational authenticity. Building strong relationships and fostering collaboration, both with podcast guests and within the learning and development community, emerges as a recurring theme.

Takeaways

Collaboration as a foundation — Relationships are key to effective problem-solving and project success.

Podcast evolution — Original plans often shift as new insights emerge during the creative process.

Community engagement — Interacting with diverse professionals enriches podcast content and purpose.

Preparation for flexibility — Balancing structured questions with open dialogue enhances guest interaction.

Practical challenges — Addressing real-world learning and development issues requires nuanced approaches.

Tools and templates — Organized frameworks streamline podcast production and maintain focus.

Resources

Rory Sachs — Co-host and partner in the podcast “Is Training the Answer,” focusing on learning and development challenges.

Is Training the Answer? — The official site, “Is Training the Answer,” offering insights and episodes.

Twitch — Early inspiration for streaming discussions, though not pursued as the final format.

John Parsell

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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There’s your problem

December 3, 2021 · All posts on Dec 3

Read the headline, tap, scroll, tap, tap, scroll.

~ Shane Parrish from, How Filter Bubbles Distort Reality

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Well, there’s your problem. Right there in that first line of that article.

But it’s not your fault. There’s a huge asymmetry in the modern struggle.

The solution isn’t to flee, but rather to grab all the technology doo-dads by the, err… doo-dads and make them do your bidding. Notice when something annoys you, and then take the time—it might be seconds, minutes, hours or days—to solve that problem. Triple-word score if you can eliminate something entirely; delete your account from one social network that you’re ok with being without… that fixes annoying notifications. Delete an app. Find some web sites, (hey thanks for following mine,) that work the way you want them to. Subscribe to email if you like, use RSS if you like, etc.

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Kindness

December 2, 2021 · All posts on Dec 2

Storms make us stronger. If I had one message for young people embarking on life, it would be this. Don’t shy away from the hard times. Tackle them head-on, move toward the path less trodden, riddled with obstacles, because most other people run at the first sign of battle. The storms give us a chance to define ourselves, to distinguish ourselves, and we always emerge from them stronger. The other key is to be kind along the way. Kindness matters so much on that journey of endeavor. It is what separates the good from great.

~ Bear Grylls

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