tylerbird.com

The book Getting Things Done by David Allen has really changed my life.

Since then I’ve changed the way that I gather together tasks and organize projects. But it’s not all smiles and cherry pie.

Part of my problem has been moving from one system to another.

First I tried Backpack, then I’d try using a Wiki. Then I’d think about writing my own software or be distracted by other methods of “thing” management like Simpleology.

But when I started working for Engine Yard last August, I knew I needed to step up my game and really commit to a system that would help me feel like I was keeping on top of things.

The other part of my problem in “Trusting a System” is that I’d gather all my things on paper. Or in software. And then *I’d never look at it again*.

I’d take the short calm of feeling like it was out of my head… but then I’d go back to work and the projects and tasks would start to creep back into my mental RAM and bam-o! Back to anxietyville, mayor Tyler Bird.

So last night I was able to spend a bunch of time waiting around for scheduled maintenance at work. And I used the time to come up with a grand unified theory of how to manage my things.

More on that tomorrow.

daily GTD Things Organization

Here’s the second post.

I had thought of something more important to write about earlier today, but then I forgot to snatch it into my inbox and so I lost it.

I use Things for Mac to keep track of my things I want to do in life.

I love it. It has a simple interface and it synchronizes with my iPhone.

And today I cleaned my office and organized many of my files. Now I’m going to make sure all the loose “things” on paper get eventually put into my system.

I feel more in control of the things I want to do in my life already!

See you tomorrow.

Uncategorized

But you guys aren’t all watching me do stuff all day… so I kinda have to write about it.

I’m going to start writing a daily blog entry on my two websites. Here on tylerbird.com and over at my filmprog.com blog as well.

My goal for this site it to document new weight loss goals and achievements. But I may write other things since everyday is a new day.

See you in your RSS reader!

Loves and Kisses,

Tyler

Uncategorized

Spelunker

Not only a great hobby, but an amazing word because of the noises it takes to make it.

Speee

Lunk

er

It’s fun to do and it’s fun to say.  That’s why it’s the word of the day.

Word of the Day

One of the most amazing things I’ve ever been fortunate to witness, I saw on Thursday February 7, 2008. 

Adventures in Living

One of the areas in my life that I am very focused on improving is the skill of follow through.

It has been very frustrating to me over the last year and a half that I’ve been slowly gaining weight; that the elements that I had created around me to help me succeed in the first place seemed to disappear.

After reading the book Following Through: a Revolutionary New Model For Finishing Whatever You Start I now understand that there is a difference between the way we thing our intentions should work and the way that they do work.

You have to discard the “Follow Through Fairy Tale”. That just because your intention may seem important, cool, interesting, or easy does not mean that the intention will lead to the desired result automatically. Willpower is not enough.

A person after a heart attack may have the intention to “eat right and exercise”, which seems quite obvious. Follow through should be easy, right? Then why do many of them start out good and then slowly begin to fail? Even when their lives are at stake?

That’s because there is something more powerful than willpower, motivation, self-discipline or strength of character. The duality of the Primitive Guidance System and the Intelligence Guidance System.

The Primitive Guidance System is described as the part of your mind that is based on instinct or emotion. It is highly reactive and I would add that it is the part of your brain that wants to gain pleasure and avoid pain.

The Intelligence Guidance System is the part of your mind that can deliberate or evaluate the “correct” path for you. Most of the time it is the system that guides you to make the myriad of intentions that you make.

Imagine a car with two working steering wheels and two drivers. In the first driver’s seat is the Intelligence Guidance System. And in the second driver’s seat is the Primative Guidance System.

It doesn’t matter how badly the IGS wants to go to the grocery store for healthier food, the PGS will see the McDonalds and pull into the parking lot before the IGS even knows what is happening.

In my next article in this series I will outline the ways to change your alignment. So that both guidance systems want to go to the same place. You’ll be amazed at how effective your follow through can be.

Follow Through

I weighted myself this morning. 364. Only 3 pounds short of where I started July 2005.

Last night I spent about 20 minutes tearing the house apart looking for my body fat percentage calcualtor machine. Couldn’t find it. So I’ll find it this week and have my other stats back then as well.

You have to start somewhere. So this is where I start.

Weight Loss

I wish I would have kept my blog files.  I miss them now… now that I’ve gained back all the weight that I lost in 2005 and 2006.

The thing I miss the most was the ability to look at all that I built over the year I lost the weight.  To see the regular progress I made and to get the feedback from my family and friends.

So I’ve reloaded the blog on to the old web page and I’m here to tell you.  I lose 100 pounds by December 31st, 2008.

I can’t do it alone.  I need to know that I can count on you to keep me accountable.  It begins tomorrow with a weigh in and measurements.  I’m going to go find the stuff to do it right now.

Weight Loss