Posts

Clearing space

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One of my biggest stumbling blocks is hoarding - especially the written stuff.  My partner in crime (husband of 30 years) has the same problem.  Since we don't see eye to eye with many things (politics, religion, way to bring up children) we argue often. But regarding this one vice,  we are equal. We have 7 bookcases (one quite large) filled to the brim with books of all genres, from philosophy to westerns.  From How to fix you 1967 Volkswagen to Vegetable Gardening in South Africa.  Poetry and children's books and self help books.     One of the things I signed up for at the beginning of 2018 was to clear a physical working space from where I could function more smoothly, think clearly, be innovative. I started with one of two store rooms in the backyard.  This one is stacked with boxes of documents and files from my past. The other one has odd tables and beds and mattresses and gholf sets and toys . . . . . I have worked for a research organisation for 19 years, when

Collaboration or Solitude

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This blog is in response to Week Three of Tracking Wonder Quest2018 where Jeffrey Davis explores how solitude and collaboration can contribute to reaching your goals.     He has a conversation with Pam Slim and Leo Babauta . Reflecting on my own style, I must confess that I love solitude.     Sometimes thouhg, I burst with an idea and just have to contact a specific friend or colleagues to communicate; to test an idea for soundness, practicality, even ethics. Also to elicit their passion, if I can get them on the same wavelength (O good test for an idea). While (as a person) I am at ease in both situations, the interview made we wonder whether I use these situations productively.   Solitude About 4 years ago I found myself in an uncomfortable emotional space. I wanted to run away from the right things and towards the wrong things.   I was presented the opportunity to buy a small (1 hectare) plot with a 30m river front in the Groot Marico (N

Mission accomplished

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The roundtable discussion around the theme #dreamdone for the  Tracking Wonder  Quest 2018 and the productivity to accomplish things was with Charlie Gilkey  with his Productive Flourishing concept, and Ishita Gupta  with Be Fearless. I associated very easily with Ishita's experience of trying to dream herself out of the "ordinary".  Also in regard to messing around with your time, trying to prioritise, trying to start something. She asks whether we would be ready if our dream is suddenly delivered on your doorstep.  Charlie Gilkey suspects that we end up in our heads too often, underestimating the power of feeling, since it is feeling that drives action.  The challenge that he presents questers with is to dream straight from the heart and not the head and also to use feeling to prioritise your dreams - just cut what you don't feel about strongly. I really hope that I never have to account for the hours, the deals the accolades that I have lost due to procrast