Family guy and web developer
One of the best mentors I had in business - and one whom I regrettably spent the least amount of time with - gave me three lessons about business life:
- Make some money
- Have some fun
- Leave some tracks
— Leaving Tracks by Lazarus Dodge
I've heard the quote from Steve Jobs mentioned lots of times about putting a dent in the universe, but there's something about the last bullet point in this list, that seems not as grand a task as Steve Jobs advice and therefore more achievable.
Some drafts flow while others need to be circled so all the weak spots can be tested. A few need to be neglected. Others deserve banishment.
— Draft by Execupundit
I'm just coming to the end of NaNoWriMo, and it's fair to say that I can't write to a level that I would consider worthy of publishing, but I have persevered and I'm at the stage where I have only about 3000 words left to write with two days to go. I'll consider the novel a draft, but it definitely won't be banished.
It's my second bit of freelance work of the year and my second bit of work in providing a website for a client. The experience has taught me a number of things regarding design, but perhaps the most important thing is that there are still hundreds of small companies out there still looking to make their mark on the web.
I'll never make it as a web designer, but there's plenty of business out there for developers and designers looking to earn extra experience and money.
The Kindle Fire is on trial for a number of different patent violations including one for having icons lead to an action on the screen, for instance opening an application. Others include patents from Palm for the ability to run more than one calendar at a time.
via venturebeat.com
Seriously, having an icon lead to an action on the screen has been around for decades. Patent trolls in the true sense of the word.
And Nicholas Bate has just the thing if it's your first time taking part in NaNoWriMo and you need a head start.
Me? I'm trying to clear some outstanding work so that I have more time for writing in November. Also I'm going to be using Buster Benson's terrific 750words.com each day.
Over the last few weeks, I've been fleshing out an idea for a product. To test the idea though, I emailed a trusted colleague who has recently launched their own product and has much valued experience in launching a product. I explained the idea behind the product.
The email I got back from my colleague was very detailed and also made me aware of things that I hadn't considered. in a nutshell, they were:
Armed with this new information I'm putting my text editor down and putting on my marketing hat. It's time to determine who I'm selling to and what they really want from such a product.
The great thing about shipping is that if you can do it often enough, these problems of slipping features or making sacrifices in quality can fade away.
— Relentless Shipping by Adam Keys
I wish more products and services on the web adopted this thinking, but it would also be beneficial to make the development process transparent. Rather than waiting for a big feature announcement on the company blog, it would be nice to track features as their shipped.
This left me with a decision: have a rewarding job that pays about half of my cushy government contracting salary or continue on as I was. I chose the former, took the paycut, and I have not regretted it even for a moment.
Given the choice between more money and lots of possessions and less money and less possessions, I would always go for less. I would definitely find it hard at first, given that I have 2 bikes with a third bike planned to be built up next year.Could I survive on one bike? Probably yes, but I would so miss having the option of having a different bikes to ride.
What is apparent is that Pirsig, focussed as he is on the peak, is overwhelmed by the climb, and continues to lose his desire and strength with every step. The monks, on the other hand, used the peak only as a guide to mark the direction of their climb; they were more focused on the journey and its enjoyment, and made it to the top with ease.
— You Are Not Running Out of Time by Rahul Bijlani
A fantastic essay by Rahul Bijlani on enjoying the journey towards your achievements. I tend to fix my focus too much on the end goal and never see what's happening around as the journey trundles on.For me I need to stop moving the goalposts, enjoy the journey and realise that it's never too late to start something new.Also thanks to Buster Benson for highlighting this on his blog.
Patrick Rhone's book, Keeping It Straight, is an essay based book that contains all the necessary little insights into life that you need to keep yourself heading in the right direction. Split up into three sections entitled, "You", "Me", and "Everything Else", this book contains small essays that tell real life stories and the ideas and observations that Patrick has learned from them.Rather than getting bogged down in using the right tool or application for the job, Patrick focuses on the actual processes that have worked for him over the years and how you can also use them.
I know Patrick from his writing on his own website and his curated blogs such as Minimal Mac and The Random Post. I have followed his writing for a few years now and everytime I read one of articles, you learn something else that you can apply to your own life and make it better.I don't want to call this a self-help book. Instead you should think of Patrick's book as a guide to getting yourself back on track and working on the things that matter to you and making time to enjoy your life and family. Some might see it as a bit "touchy feely", but the best insights and lessons in life are learned from the real world life experiences of others. It's great that Patrick has compiled this collection of experiences together for the rest of the world to enjoy.