About Me?
“Evolution: A gradual process in which something changes into a different… more complex or better form”
~ Websters
I don’t have an “About Me” page.
It isn’t consistent with my format of evolving existence. To make sense I would have to update the “About Me” page constantly.*
That said, what follows is a catalog of important events or catalysts that occurred to bring about Catalyst 100 and my current trajectory.
I had no idea what I was doing
My first 100 days I had no idea what I was doing.
Let’s back up. Late 2010 – I had no idea what I was doing. My wife and I set some important goals and we decided to try and figure out how to reach them.
Exploring self improvement led me to the first catalyst:
Catalyst #1: A $40 iPad App and GTD
All I knew was that Apple’s App Store had a “to-do” app that cost $40. Most app’s average $.99 to $4.99. It’s name was OmniFocus and it claimed to be the premier GTD App.
**The hell is GTD? **
A few google searches and hours later I realized I had missed an entire internet/productivity phenomenon: Get Things Done. The term was inspired by a book of the same name.
Essentially people had woken up to the fact that in our age of information was becoming an age of inundation. Distractions were everywhere: internet, email, facebook, youtube, twitter, etc., all endless options for consumption. GTD became a popular solution to the inundation – giving good, practical advice.
I bought the app and the book and dove in. I studied everything GTD/productivity related.
I learned important concepts like:
> Break projects and habits into small actions – focusing on doing the actions (instead of projects) is how you actually “get things done”
> Recording actions in a place your brain trusts so that it can 1) stop worrying about it and 2) retrieve it when it needs it.
The self-improvement journey for many ends at GTD, but not for me. For all GTD promised much was required to sustain the system. Mostly time – to identify, catalog, recall, re-organize everything – and a lot more. Eventually I looked for GTD hacks and hybrids. Leading me to one of the most prolific effectiveness proponents alive…
Catalyst #2: Leo Babauta and The Power of Less.
It’s a little book. A powerful little book.
The power is in it’s simple premise if you focus on less you can do more. In Leo’s words: “identify the essential, eliminate the rest.” (I’ve since dubbed this “Babauta’s Law”.)
His focus is on habits and improving yourself by taking teeny, tiny steps toward a single goal at a time (usually over a 30 day period).
I decided to practice the habit of waking up early. I wrote about it each morning on facebook. I began maxing out the allowed word count on facebook. This is when I realized I was blogging.
Catalyst #3: Consistent Writing that Got Consistently Read
Thus, the launch of my moderately successful, mildly entertaining blog dePress. Working on dePress I realized I had much to share. Mostly about Humans, Habits and Humor.
I spent several thousand words and many an hour of thought in that crude space. I kept it simple, I talked about what I knew, and I enjoyed it.
I experimented with trying other habits and documented what I learned (mostly going a direction I never planned).
In the middle of all this I was paid a visit from my adventurous younger brother.
Catalyst #4: Brother Jo Visiting
**Preface:** My third younger Jo lived with me for a few months back in early 2010 just before he packed his bags; gave away most of his possessions, (gave WalMart – his then current employ – the middle finger); and flew to Alaska with no job, no family, and no idea what he was going to do.
The short version: Unlike the guy in “Into the Wild” he survived and ended up backpacking all over till he ended up in Washington a much wiser and even more insane human being.
Fast-forward to mid 2011: Jo decided to take a month off of his work (for a natural food grocer) and flew out to Utah and crashed at my place… for about a month.
Again, the short version: my wife and I started eating healthier; really prioritized what we wanted to do with our lives; got realistic about our money; we cleaned out closets of things and really focused on only owning things that improved our lives; I sold my CRV (along with a $500 a month payment); we gave up an expensive wedding/reception/honeymoon; we sold our TV, Xbox, surround sound, games, DVD’s.
Jo challenged us with his wild, quiet example.
I am forever indebted to your crazy self – brother Jo for catalyzing one of the most important shifts in my life. Your intuition and fearless approach to living continues to be an inspiration. (We can’t wait to join you in worthy pursuits of the insane.)
At this point evolution began to shift into high gear. I had some good techniques down: consistently getting up early, focusing on worthwhile creation instead of consumption, and a fair dose of wholesome, tasty mindfulness.
I was experimenting with several creativity tools but couldn’t settle on one that worked for me… then, on Friday July 8th I read about a promising tool ideated by a guy out of the UK called Steven Feeny…
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Thank you for observing my journey. Part II will be published soon.
Want to know the latest – you can read about my current cycle.
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