Matthew Lang

There are too many easy choices.

I've noticed that retail stores and their vast volume of products seem to be on the rise. Every shopping trip turns into a "who buys all this?" while looking at the mountains of stock available. This isn't just about the products we can easily buy though. It seems now that we're even spoiled for choice in the experiences that we can have in life.

On Sunday I read a story about a silent fireworks display that was intended for babies and toddlers. After the show was finished parents complained that the fireworks were too loud. Hardly surprising given that fireworks by nature are loud.

The bugbear for me isn't the flawed logic of silent fireworks show, it's the availability of choice. We tend to do these things simply because we have the choice too. I'm sure most of us would consider taking our youngest children to a fireworks display but is there any benefit other than the fact that you can?

We're spoiled for choice and the element of resistance in that choice is being eroded away. Just because the decision to do something is easy, it doesn't mean that we should.

A little present from Nicholas Bate in the post last week. Just getting round to looking at them now.

Thanks Nicholas!

I wanted to make a product and sell it directly to people who’d care about its quality. There’s an incredible connection possible when you align your financial motivations with the service of your users. It’s an entirely different category of work than if you’re simply trying to capture eyeballs and sell their attention, privacy, and dignity in bulk to the highest bidder.

I’m going to pull out another trite saying here: It feels like honest work. Simple, honest work. I make a good product, you pay me good money for it. We don’t even need big words like monetization strategy to describe that transaction because it is so plain and simple even my three year-old son can understand it.

— RECONSIDER by David Heinemeier Hansson

A nice reminder that honest work and a good product can be a way to succeed.

Finding Nemo was one of Ethan's favourites, perhaps this one will be one of Drew's favourites. Looking forward to it.

... the full story by NB.

Again, love the wide bars on the bike. Definitely a growing trend now.

via FGGT

Another great post by Curtis McHale. This time on what your ideal life would be.

Here's a hint. It's not lounging on a beach every day.

There is a problem with that question of how you’d spend your time, even though it’s a good starting point. Money isn’t really a predictor of happiness and an awesome life.

— What is the "ideal life" anyway? by Curtis McHale.

Nicholas Bate sums it up another way which I rather like.

Chase quality of life, not standard of living. The former is what most of us actually want.

— 7x7 Money Management by Nicholas Bate

The latest update to Twitter has seen the replacement of the favourite action with a star to a like action with a heart. Do I care? Not really.

The majority of drivel that is pumped through Twitter these days has me wondering if it's worth spending my time on it. Don't get me wrong there are a few great people who tweet there, they just don't tweet all that often. It's probably not a bad thing to be honest, I could do with stepping back a bit from Twitter.

of Kara Benz.

I'm still intrigued by the Bullet Journal and it's place in my toolset. Especially when you see examples of it being used the way Kara Benz uses it.

Nicholas Bate does and so should you.

... with Nicholas Bate.

Tools & Toys has another fantastic guide. This time it's the tools needed for writers that travel.

Two words that fill me with dread. About me.

I don't mind writing about a lot of things, but one topic I find difficult to write about is myself. In the past I've written about decisions, tools and experiences but the one topic I rarely write about is writing about myself in order to sell myself. Yes, the dreaded about me page.

I've managed so far to do well with my self-employed freelance career but things stagnated a bit over the summer. In order to keep the business ticking over, I've started treating my freelance business as a separate entity to my own personal website. I've relaunched my DigitalBothy blog and I'm in the process of writing a number of technical posts to showcase my expertise. A platform for people to see what I can do. I'm also writing a new about me page for the blog to sell myself as a freelance developer.

Technical writing isn't a problem. I've found my voice (or tone) for that style of writing. An idea, an outline, a draft, a number of edits, a final proof and I'm usually fairly happen with what I have written. When it comes to writing my about me page though, that's where it becomes tricky. Writing my about me page or even a resume is not something that comes as a naturally as the technical writing.

As a person I'm quiet. I've always been that way. And it comes through when I'm writing my about me page. I tend to overlook and downplay the achievements in my career. I can't afford to be that person. I'm hoping that these few paragraphs can prompt me to be a bit more vocal when it comes to selling myself.

I'm off to grab a coffee and have another stab at the about me page. Thanks for reading.