I have so many posts in me, but getting to the point where I will sit down and write has been difficult. In fact I’ve only been really reading blogs about once a week or so. In the past I would sit down every morning and really read, but I have shaved my time down to 15-20 min of Internet in the morning. Doesn’t leave much time to read, but I do love catching up on a Saturday or Sunday.
Shelly sent me this tumblr of Book Pickings. I fell in love with it. I love the book reviews and I was poking around when I ran into this blog post How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love. I was intrigued to say the least. I started looking through the 7 steps reading and watching some of the suggested material.
I loved Paul Graham’s article on How to Do What You Love. There’s so many golden nuggets in there, but mostly it made me feel so much better about being a seeker. I’ll be revisiting it.
I want to read The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work after watching Alain de Botton’s Ted Talk. I really enjoyed what he had to say about material goods and our own ambitions.
“We should focus in on our ideas and make sure that we own them, that we’re truly the authors of our own ambitions. Because it’s bad enough not getting what you want, but it’s even worse to have an idea of what it is you want and find out at the end of the journey that it isn’t, in fact, what you wanted all along.”
I don’t know about you, but when I was younger I wasted a lot of time and effort trying to figure out how to impress other people with my actions. It wasn’t completely conscious mind you, but it happened none the less.
I also enjoyed the Holstee Manifesto that I posted above. All of it is great food for thought. I really wanted to share it after my Big Questions post. I know a few people that commented felt the same way as I did. Maybe this might spark an interest or help you feel a bit better about where you are at. With the economy being where it is I think many people are have to adjust and reassess their positions. Or they made career choices that they would like to change.
Here’s to doing what we love for the sake of doing it.
image via: holstee manifesto
9 Comments
Shelly
August 24, 2012 at 1:40 PMDesi, I too love the Holstee Manifesto and my Amazon Wishlist has blown up since I too read through the Brainpicking's Bookshelf!
I think spending less time on the internet is actually fantastic. I find the internet can be a real distraction and time suck while all the time disguised as productive.
I am going to curl up and watch that Ted Talk today (it is already Saturday here ;))
blake
August 24, 2012 at 4:33 PMOooh, so much to dive into. Nice post.
I, too, have so many posts that I've written in my head but (obviously) never commit to keyboard… I've definitely hit a wall re: blogging, still trying to figure out if I care. I think it's more than Instagram cannibalism. Just maybe not feeling very "talkative" this year…
Reading, though, that I can do. Thanks for the good pointers.
Desi McKinnon
August 24, 2012 at 4:37 PMI've been listening to Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer. I love it. Our brains are amazing.
180|360
August 27, 2012 at 1:55 PMBlake kind of took the words right out of my mouth and like you, I've cut back on my reading as well. I've felt so much more effective and focused without it. What I'd really like is to sit down with you over drinks and dinner to catch up on life…
PS. I just realized we both started blogging in Jan 07! Funny. 5 years is a long time man.
Desi McKinnon
August 27, 2012 at 2:45 PMI know 5 years is a long time. I would love to have drinks and dinner. I wish you lived closer. Although I don't think you've been home that much this year. Next time you're in LA if you can give me a heads up and I'll see if I can make it work.
blake
August 28, 2012 at 9:15 AMAw, I want drinks and dinner too. Someday, somehow. Miss you two.
Better life
August 29, 2012 at 2:38 AMWow I´d really like digging into your post a bit better but like you I´m limiting my time here, still I find blogging is improving my life and reading other blogs gives me loads of new ideas, so really it has made me think how I spend my time. I´ve for example reduced my TV time dramatically since I started blogging. Well I will add you to my reading list so I can keep an eye on you, thanks for sharing.
Colleen
August 30, 2012 at 1:18 PMThanks for all of the links desi I can't wait to check them out! I now read blogs about once every two weeks…and write on mine about once a month. Actually, I wish that I had one morning a week to do both of those things. I'm desperately in need of some alone time.
But of course…dinner and drinks would be way better. I'll see you soon. love you!
180|360
October 10, 2012 at 10:09 AMI will let you know next LA trip. I think we should all convene in Palm Springs or Big Sur one day. 🙂 If I'd had my act together, I would've tried to plan something before your little girl arrives, Blake! Oh well. Someday…