Removing obstacles

One of the most important aspects of being able to do the things that you want is being able to remove obstacles from your path. If you are able to do this well, you will be able to get a lot more done.

There are three main ways of removing obstacles from your path.

Turn Back!

Turn Back!

1. Change the path you are walking.

In simple terms this means letting the fact there is an obstacle determine that you are no longer going to walk that route. The effort needed to overcome the obstacle is more than you are willing to expend in order to reach the final result.

Note that this is a perfectly legitimate response where the outcome is not that important to you, or the effort required is too great for you to be able to cope with at this point in your life.

2. Walk around the obstacle.

Walking Around

This is a technique that can be used where the end result is more important than the means of getting there. For instance, if there is a road accident up ahead, it would be most sensible to find a different route to get to your destination instead of turning back, or trying to drive straight through the accident point. You arrive at the same destination, but have taken a slightly different route to get there from the one you desired.

3. Move the obstacle.

Moving Rocks

This may be potentially the most effort, but also likely the most rewarding, simply because the outcome is worth the effort of moving the obstacle. If you imagine being in a car with a few friends driving down a country lane, when suddenly you encounter a tree that has fallen in the middle of the road. You pull to a stop, jump out of the car and go to work hauling the tree out of the way so you can continue your journey. That tree will (probably) not bother you the next time you drive down that road.

All of the above assumes that you are using the achievement-as-journey metaphor, which of course you may not be doing. I would be interested to see how other people frame problems, how they look at obstacles, and what metaphors they use.

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Stream of Consciousness Writing

BuildingI want to tell you about a technique that I have been using in order to replace journalling, which I have found does not work very well with me. This technique is similar to journalling, but has a few important differences. Both “stream of consciousness writing” and journalling have the emotional and “From the Heart” aspect to it, where the feeling is important, perhaps even more than the content. Both allow you to sort out, and put down on paper [or computer] what you are thinking and feeling at the time.

I have never been a fan of the Steve Pavlina school of journalling, whereby it is used as a problem solving tool. I believe that it is better not to think of it as a tool for problem solving, but rather as a means of expression. That is not to say that it cannot or should not be used in that manner, but that I have found that it is better (in spite of what Steve says on this subject) to actually go back and read what you have written. Sometimes I find something in there that I never noticed whilst I was writing. However, there are no “Journal Police”, to paraphrase a popular expression, so I wouldn’t recommend that you take what I have said here as an absolute. There is a lot of scope for manoeuvre on this.

I should probably tell you what is different from the standard sort of journal keeping that is normally(?) done, at least from what I’ve read about it. Firstly, I should point out that I am using Tomboy as the note taking application, which probably makes it a little bit different from conventional journals already, in that hyperlinking is supported, as well as various means of categorising the notes thus created. The major difference between journalling and the “stream of consciousness” that flows from my typing is that revision of the notes is perfectly legitimate thing to do. However, there are some caveats to the way that I handle this, which can probably be surmised from the title of this post.

There are two steps in the process, both of which are vital for the process to work successfully. They are detailed below. Read more »

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How to save money

bag of money

Saving Money

Below are five tips that should put you on the right path to saving money.

Set up standing order to savings
By automatically shifting the money into your savings account, you will reduce the tendency to spend it, knowing that you will have to transfer the money back into your current account in order to do so.

Measure where your money is going
This post [lifehacker] shows you how to measure your finances in a way that is useful, and quite revealing. If you can see what your perception of your spending, and compare it with the actual spending you will be able to see where any discrepancies lie, and be able to act on it. The next point addresses just that. Read more »

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Short tips on how to annoy junk mail marketers

This is a short tip on how to annoy junk mail marketers.

  1. Complain on the company’s website, if they have one
  2. Send the freepost envelope back with nothing in
  3. Return mail addressed to “The Occupier” with the phrase “Not Known At This Address”

I would be interested in hearing your comments on how to deal with junk mail.

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Avoiding the Reciprocity Norm

Sometimes in this world its hard to avoid things. One of the hardest things to avoid appears to be the reciprocity norm. First I will explain briefly what this term means, then I will give an example from real life, and thirdly I will expose the implications that this has on our thinking and actions.

However, this is not an essay, so don’t expect too much.

Basically the reciprocity norm is the expectation, or obligation that is placed on you when someone does you a favour, or gives you a gift. You are obligated to return in kind. I will give an example of what might happen.

A “charity mugger” comes up to you in the street and gives you a small token gift, then proceeds to immediately ask you for money. The premise is that because you have been given something, you feel obligated to return the favour, however small, with a monetary donation to the charity. Note that this obligation is felt no matter what your personal views considering charitable giving, or the specific charity in question.

The obvious way to avoid this is to avoid receiving the gift in the first place.

However, there are some ways in which this is either not possible, or the tactic comes in different forms. For instance, a salesman might spend a long time with you, telling you about the product. You are reluctant to waste his time, so you reciprocate by buying something from him. The answer to this is that you don’t actually need to give him anything. The company that he works for pays him to do this to you.

When someone gives you a gift, of time, a flower, whatever – the fact it is a gift obligates you to return something. I am not suggesting that you break the reciprocity norm, in fact the opposite. By avoiding it you run the risk of cognitive dissonance, and feeling guilty. No! I am merely suggesting that if someone gives you a gift with the intention of getting something out of you, they are acting unethically. Despite this, I would suggest that the best remedy you can give is a heartfelt thanks.

If you feel that you are being manipulated, thank them for what they have done, and get out of there as soon as reasonable. For a gift, if it is truly a gift, deserves a thank you. Some gifts may merit more than that, but that is not the spirit of a true gift.

A true gift will never demand restitution.

By all means, if you feel that the deal is a good one, I am not saying reject it, but if you feel like the walls are closing in and restricting your actions, it may be time to say thank you and goodnight.

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Release New Energy into your Life

I am writing about this, in the hope that I’ll actually do something about it.

Do you suffer from a lack of energy? Is your work and commitments making you feel tired all the time. Well here are some ideas that could potentially revitalise your energy levels, and make you feel like facing the world again.
Read more »

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