Wednesday Words
To Go Where Your VisionPoints, a few inspiration points for you and your business.
Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
— Pablo Picasso
Super- short-term-thinking. What’s truly essential today? Ditch everything else and DO THAT!
Repeat daily.
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
For Brett, who is a master of putting first things first.
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14 January 2009, 7:37 am
I have never seen that quote before – I really like that. I wonder if Picasso was related to Tyler Durden in some way, this sounds like a Durdenism.
It is true though. That’s why I kiss my kids every day when we drop them off on our way to work.
(PS – thanks for the link out. Coming over here to say “hi and thanks” was one thing I wasn’t willing to put off until tomorrow…)
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 8:27 am
You cut your hair!!! (Okay if you did that six months ago, please don’t call me out.) Oh man, you look fantastic, well done on that!
Right. Back to the matter at hand. I have a problem with these types of suggestions. They’re fantastic, and I agree wholeheartedly with you.
What bothers me is the ensuing lies that happen as people feel stirred to respond. They’ll say, “Oh, I swear I’ll do THIS! today,” and then they either don’t, do a half-ass job or choose the wrong thing to do.
For example. If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, I would tell the people I need to tell that I love them. But I absolutely refuse to sit here and say that I’ll do that today, because I won’t make false promises that I may not keep.
On the other hand, it’s a very nice reminder to me that I *should* go and tell people I love them.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 8:34 am
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone”>
Hmmph….that includes about half my life!
14 January 2009, 8:37 am
James,
Go. Click. On the photo at Alex’s.
It will all make sense to you. Plus you’ll see the t-shirt.
I can only give you so many hints, dear Man.
On-topic:
Go tell people that you love them! Doesn’t always have to be with words, you know. I’ve heard teenagers say it by cleaning house. There’s lots of ways without having to have a mushy, mopey day.
So here we’re talking about what’s essential to your business, mainly. Grab the job that has to be done, DO IT, and stop putting the ladder on the wrong wall, climbing up to find that you’ve arrived someplace you weren’t aiming.
That’s about what I had in mind when I picked this quote (with Brett’s help).
But yeah. Say I love you, too.
Regards,
Kelly
14 January 2009, 8:39 am
Friar,
As I said to my daughter a couple of days ago when we discussed this quote, I can skip all but about six things, every day, with this firmly in my mind.
I find it very freeing.
Until later,
Kelly
P.S. Leave the monkeys at home today, my dear.
14 January 2009, 8:46 am
Reminds me of a quote from a (fairly) obscure movie: Breaker Morant. “Live every day as if it were your last. Because one day, by God, you’ll be right.”
I wonder — did Picasso have kids? Did he make lunches in the morning, make sure they got off to school, pay the electric bill, do the laundry? All of these things I could leave until tomorrow, but after too many tomorrows you start to run into problems…
I would absolutely love to have a million dollars — just a million — and live off the interest. I’d still have kids to look after of course, but other than that, I could write and travel and watch Animal Planet whenever I wanted.
I don’t mean this to be coy — almost everyone would like not to work. I guess what I’m saying is that I’d love to have the time to create. Live a life not of leisure, but a life of creative freedom. No more dishes, no more vacuuming, no more shovelling the damn snow…!
I think that’s what Picasso had. But even so, after all that practice he still couldn’t get the eyes to line up right.
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post…Where Web Designers (and Designees) Can Go For Inspiration
14 January 2009, 8:59 am
@Graham
Good point. Often, you find that people who lecture about following your dreams and
“money isn’t everything” are often the ones who have the most money and can afford to self-actualize in the first place.
Did Picasso make that quote when he was a starving artist, or after he was a bajillionaire?
@Kelly
If I lived today like it was my last…
I’d walk in to work, and tell the Factory to @#% off.
Cash in my retirement savings, and go on a fantastic trip around the world, to helicopter ski in the Bugaboos, or scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.
Then I’d hold a massive party for all my friends and family. I’d go out in a big blaze of decadent, self-indulgent GLORY and do all the things I dreamed of doing, but kept putting off.
That’s all well and good, but what about the day AFTER?
That’s when I’d realize “Shit…I’m not dying after all. Now I have no job, no money, I’m homeless, and I’m screwed…OMG…what have I done?”.
Life each day like it’s your last, eh?
Theoretically, we SHOULD.
But realistically, it doesn’t always work that way.
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 9:05 am
Ack! I left a comment here over an hour ago and something ate it…
Oh well – no firsties for me today then. Thanks for the link and more importantly, that quote.
I’ve never seen that one before – that Picasso, he was a smart guy. I wonder if he was related to Tyler Durden, as this seems like a Durdenism.
But it is true, what he said. That’s why I kiss my kids every day when we drop them off before work. Because you just never know.
It can be a mindset too. If you say to yourself, “I’m not going to try to do this today because I believe in ‘do or do not, there is no try’” – well, that’s not for me. I stack my day with the 3 most important tasks that I will do, no matter what, and then a bunch of other stuff that I know I might not get to, but more often than not, I get to a few of them.
Of course, as Kelly says, we’re talking about business here, but there is more to life than business. It will be a frosty Friday in hell before I put work before telling my family I love them.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 9:08 am
*chuckles* Poor Kelly. Great post, great convo… poor Kelly.
They do say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, no?
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 9:14 am
There’s nothing in my life that I’d regret not having done if today were to be my last day. I’ve loved, I’ve followed my dreams, I’ve experimented with a million and one things and I’ve traveled.
Of course there are a million and two other things that I want to do, but none of them is essential.
What an awesome feeling! The phrase “I can die happy” truly applies. Woo hoo!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post…The number one spot is for losers
14 January 2009, 9:17 am
Often times people think that “live each day like it is your last” means taking it to extremes, as Friar says.
I think that isn’t the point, because if you think of it in extremes, you’ll do nothing. I think that’s why people look in the mirror after Christmas (if say, they want to improve their physical shape) and get discouraged.
People think it has to happen overnight. That never seems to happen. Nope, slow and steady wins the race.
Anyone can find 20 minutes – so give it a shot. Pick up those kettlebells.
Or with time to create. Say, a book, or whatever.
Same thing. We don’t need a 4 hour block of time every day to do this. I know first hand I could never find that time (without my family killing me).
I also know I never seem to lack for time to read other blogs, comment, go on Twitter. So why can’t I spend 20 minutes writing my book?
Perhaps the question really is, “why won’t I?”
Hmm. If I can’t make the time to do these things, than something is wrong.
Going to link out to something now that I read the other day that I loved.
Cory Doctorow, published sci-fi author. He writes great stuff, I think.
http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2009/01/cory-doctorow-writing-in-age-of.html
Note that he says 20 minutes of writing a day – one or two pages – gets him more than a novel a year.
Living each day like it is your last doesn’t mean you have to quit your job and buy a surfboard, but you have to start somewhere.
It can be as simple as turning off the TV and the internet (unless your business depends on that, in which case, carry on).
Then get on with it. As you progress, you’ll figure out which of the things you are doing are important, and which are useless crap. If you stick to this, I think you’ll win.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 9:54 am
Hmm,
If today were my last? Spend my time with my family and friends. And that’s what I do every day. They are my priority. I am glad- and lucky- as Friar points out- that I can do that.
And I get to tell them how much I love them. What a great life!
Now back to that to-do list. I think that many people- sometimes me too- create a long, impossible to finish to do list and then just use it to beat ourselves up and feel guilty at the end of the day. One of my strategies for this new year is to try and be more realistic about what I can get done and then celebrate, not mentally abuse myself.
Wendi Kelly- Life’s Little Inspirations’s last blog post…Inspired Movies
14 January 2009, 10:04 am
Hey, my comments are back! I wonder how close my first one was to my second one
I know what you mean Wendi. I have a long list myself.
Someone way smarter than me suggested somewhere to have a “must-do” list and a “might-do” list. I guess that’s kind of what I was saying above.
Amazing how many of the “might-do” things get done. But I do my best not to feel guilty if they don’t get done.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 10:08 am
I love the Cory Doctorow advice. Now to get off my butt and implement it…
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post…Dazed and Dissatisifed in Corporate America
14 January 2009, 10:14 am
Alex,
I’m glad I shared it then – I showed it to Friar the other day too. I mean, it’s not rocket science, but it is yet another example of progress through small but steady effort.
So often we overlook the simplest solutions (I am very guilty of that myself sometimes).
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 10:41 am
@Brett
Did you see the Simpson’s episode, where Homer bought a self-help book? THe first thing he read was “Live today as if it’s your last”.
So, he went into the car and started crying!
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 10:44 am
@Friar,
I think they should make The Simpsons required viewing here at The Factory. Especially the episode “You Only Move Twice”, with Mr. Scorpio and Cyprus Creek… heh heh
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 10:49 am
@Brett
Heh heh. Cyprus Creek. Versus Splat Creek. Huge bloated corporations…pyschotic bosses.
The similarities are amazing, when you think about it.
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 1:16 pm
Hm, it could also be SAVOUR each day like it’s your last. So that means while we are chopping wood and carrying water, we notice how the ice and snow crystalizes just so and how warm our child’s mitten feels, or oops that was dog poop I just stepped in….
Doesn’t have to be extreme… just knowing what matters is good enough.
(Graham- Picasso had kids, and lovers and cats, lots of cats, and hangers on…but I think they all doted on him…maybe some doting on Graham would work.;-) )
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
14 January 2009, 1:42 pm
Brett,
Sorry about the spam filter.
Backing up to read & comment now…
14 January 2009, 1:48 pm
Kelly,
That’s okay – it was taking revenge for the naked gorilla banana jokes yesterday…
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 2:02 pm
Brett,
He does phrase it in a rather dire way, doesn’t he?
(Oh, and turning off the t.v. is the best tip I never give here. Blog time came straight out of what used to be t.v. time.)
Graham,
Being rich would be fun, but…
I wouldn’t like not to work. I’d like not to “sell” (and goodness knows I try all the tricks in my MCE basket to get us closer to that!).
If all our clients came in and said “Go for it, exactly as you see it,” I’d be a happy camper. Then I’d feel like Picasso.
& send some snow my way. I miss it terribly.
Friar,
But here’s the difference.
Instead of living as if today were the last (which is a bit silly), what about simply putting off what you could die happily without doing? Then only the essentials would be left. And since today isn’t your last, keeping your job, I’m afraid, would be one of the essentials.
James,
I live for this. Monkeys, if strictly necessary, and all. This is what it’s all about.
Alex,
Living with no regrets rocks.
Sure, I’d like to do more; sure, I have secret aches that I haven’t finished trying to assuage; but as far as what I can actively do about it? I have done, I am doing, and I have great plans to keep on doing. Business and personal.
Wendi,
I like that strategy. I’ve been slowly working toward no beat-me-up lists for a while. It is an enormous help. When I plan the essential, and do the essential, I feel like a million bucks. To-do list, done.
Janice,
“SAVOUR each day like it’s your last.” Love that way of looking at it. Listen, look, love with a wide-open heart and mind. Every minute counts twice if you really absorb all that it offers. I try to live that way.
Thanks, y’all! Great to come back to so many ways of looking at this!
Regards,
Kelly
14 January 2009, 2:09 pm
Kelly,
That he does. I don’t think he was one for pulling punches.
TV isn’t evil, necessarily. I always just figured (for me) there’s no “must watch” show, especially as we have a PVR. “Watch it later” is always an option at our house.
The point Alex makes is good – and it can be extended. It is possible to have lived your life up to this point with no regrets, and still want to live more. I think that is normal actually.
I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done so far, but by no means am I ready to go, not quite yet!!! There’s just so much great stuff to do, great people to meet, and so forth.
I like what Janice said too – “savour”. That’s good stuff.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 2:23 pm
Thanks Brett. ( BTW, Love your self help gizmo and the zaniness that ensued.)
Those kisses you give the wee Vikings fits the bill. Wait’ll they get to, “Aw dad…not in front of my friends” . Of course they’ll be surfing kiwis by then.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
14 January 2009, 2:42 pm
@Janice,
The 7-year old is already saying that sometimes (only when there’s girls around, he’s a ladies man already).
I tell you, I see that in my mind’s eye all the time. I can picture the blond heads running up and down the beach
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 2:44 pm
Thanks, everyone, for the inspiration today. I’m back on the right track, and feel ready to tackle Life’s challenges again!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my inflatable 20-foot gorillas…(I’ve been neglecting them.)
If I died tomorrow, and they deflated overnight, I’d NEVER forgive myself!
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 2:46 pm
You’re right Friar. If they deflated overnight, no one would know that they are happy to see you.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 2:54 pm
@Brett
Maybe I’m setting my sights too high. Perhaps I should scale down a notch.
Perhaps I should set more realistic goals…ones that I can achieve that still allow me to be true to my core values and beliefs.
Hmmm…Inflatable CHIMPS, maybe?
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 2:55 pm
From now on when I see the word “gorilla” in a comment I’m going to start sweating and RUN right over.
14 January 2009, 2:58 pm
Friar and I specialize in gorilla warfare, you see.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 3:16 pm
Oooh, that’s terrible.
In the end, somehow yesterday’s comments turned out just perfect.
Trust the gorilla guerillas. But don’t trust them for too many hours in a row.
14 January 2009, 3:19 pm
Kelly,
That’s true. After a few hours the gorillas get a bit deflated.
(Beer usually fixes them though.)
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
14 January 2009, 3:21 pm
@Kelly
Well, you gotta admit..we WERE behaved, for at least the first part of this comment thread.
(Sorta).
@Brett
Poor monkeys!
This is just a prime example of pure Ape-ism!
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 3:46 pm
Gotta pack, cause I’m leaving town at 2:30 pm! And I’m still chatting away on Kelly’s post from yesterday. You are addictive, my dear! (did someone say coffee?) Gotta go do the one thing I have to do today…
Todd Smith’s last blog post…What do you think of Engagement Calendars or Daytimers?
14 January 2009, 3:49 pm
Todd,
*with a flourish of the hat* I do my best.
Have a nice trip!
14 January 2009, 5:14 pm
@Janice — doting would be nice, but it might feel a bit weird after a while. Besides, the instinct to provide is strong in me, so I don’t think just being doted upon would suffice!
BTW, I too like the “savour the day”. I think that translates to “Carpe Season” in Latin…?
@Kelly — there’s enough snow here for everyone. And how about some -40 while you’re at it? I don’t like cold…
@Brett — yes, but 20 minutes here and there takes you in and out of stream of consciousness. I don’t want to be lazy, just… unhindered, able to create when it strikes me and just replenish the well the rest of the time.
@Friar — sounds like rich Picasso to me, lol.
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post…Where Web Designers (and Designees) Can Go For Inspiration
14 January 2009, 5:17 pm
What does it say about me that I read “savior of the day”, came to comment (of course) and realized that I misread?
Now. I’m going to Alex’s blog. Immediately.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 5:19 pm
Graham- Oh, Picasso provided. I think that’s part of why they “doted”.. that and his genius of course.
When he got really famous , he would pay by check knowing that at times they would never be cashed because his signature was so valuable.
Carpe season… LOL.. I like that.
Brett and Friar-Okay now on Thursdays I’ll see you two inflating the gorilla.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
14 January 2009, 5:19 pm
I don’t get enough doting. I could go for that.
Cold—that’s what a yummy thick sweater, a nice glass of red wine (two if I could get some doting), and fireplaces are for, right?
14 January 2009, 5:20 pm
Okay. I really do need glasses. Thank god for captions
Seriously? That’s a really, really good haircut, hon. You done good.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 5:21 pm
Yes, my dear. You’re not the only one who’s always too busy.
Got the cut the day before my bday. Everybody deserves to start a new year off fresh, busybusy or not.
14 January 2009, 5:21 pm
James- That you live in Catholic Quebec, it’s a lot like N’awlins. Or you were probably intending to BE “savior of the day”. What with that cape and flying and all that you do.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
14 January 2009, 5:29 pm
Kelly- I could go for some doting, too. Hm, I think I have some doting scheduled for the first week in February. And it is almost time for wine doncha know.
(And yes, excellent haircut. Happy Bday in case I did not say.)
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
14 January 2009, 5:32 pm
Thanks, Janice!
Good timing for doting. And boxes of chocolates, prob’ly.
14 January 2009, 7:04 pm
@Janice
Did I just hear right? Was it Kelly’s birthday?
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 7:22 pm
@ Janice – You recognized my picture. Aw, I’m really flattered. I thought it came out well myself!
@ Kelly – Happy Birthday onthisdayormaybesometimesoonbecauseIforgetbutithastodowithRodStewart!
Ma chère Kelly,
C’est à ton tour,
de te laisser parler d’amour!
Ma chère Kelly,
C’est à ton tour,
de te laisser parler d’amouuuuuuuurrrr…
Et glou et glou et glou…!
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 7:55 pm
@James
Seems I remember this song (and Glou).
Didn’t we wish her Happy Birthday not too long ago?
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 8:15 pm
Come to think of it… Hm. I recall the same. Is she just profiting from our Francophone Happy Birthdays to get drunk?
(Why didn’t I think of that?)
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!
14 January 2009, 8:46 pm
@James
Awww…you know women. They turn 39….again. And again. And again….
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 9:18 pm
No one but Janice wished me Happy Birthday. Because I didn’t mention it was my birthday when it was. Not my style to make a scene. Though about a month ago, there was some mention of slappage occurring on my bday, which yes, I share with Rod Stewart.
Silly Pen Man, can’t remember the date but remembers who I share it with.
And I didn’t turn 39. Not this time. *sigh*
14 January 2009, 9:31 pm
@Kelly
Well…HAPPY BIRTHDAY anyway!
Friar’s last blog post…Recent Update on Basil the Special Dog
14 January 2009, 9:36 pm
Merci.