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Useful Articles. Interesting Photographs.

Archive for April, 2011

Nike’s Just Do It slogan is beyond cliché but I really like that notion. Just doing something implies that it’s simpler than you think. You can stop thinking about it and just do the thing!

I know plenty of people who get stuck and can’t start. I’ve been known to get bogged down myself. It’s an awful place and I’ve been there. Here is a little technique to quell any fear and just begin.

There is something splendid about the process of just starting. No matter how awful it feels or how bad your project is, the process of starting sets things in motion. The act of starting forces your brain into a new state. Your brain transitions into the how can “I make this better” mode instead of the counterproductive anxiety based thinking that can prevent anything from even happening.

When did we become conditioned into being passive consumers? When did we accept that all we can do is buy things and be passive? Stop that and just start.

Been thinking about a new hobby, a new business, a new project? Just freaking start.

Keep this in mind when starting: NOBODY CARES. Nobody cares about your widget or your new project as much as you do. Nobody gives a rats ass about anything. Or rather, that’s a tool to keep in mind to quell the those negative thoughts in your mind that will prevent you from creating or doing.

We tend to overestimate other people’s interest in our stuff. Consider vacation photos. Nobody cares about your vacation photos as much as you do and yet we put on elaborate slideshows thinking people will actually care. To a certain extent they do care, just not as much as you think they do.

Nobody is going to judge you or think badly of you or your creation. If they do let them! They can judge you all they want it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve created something. Also if they’ve never created anything why should you care what they think anyway? If they have created anything they’ll know what that’s all about and probably be super supportive of you.

The point is, don’t get caught up in the minutia of over-thinking and just begin. Begin now.

In Other News:

You can now get updates from this site via email.

Also, our van is for sale. If you’re looking for an awesome van in Australia or know someone who is check this out.

Hows this for serendipity?!

Here is a video that illustrates exactly what I was just talking about. It comes from the Matador network. They often use my creative commons photos in their posts. (1, 2, and 3)

These examples might not be what you want to do with your life at all. That’s not the point though. The point is these people are free and supremely happy doing their own unique thing.

Hat tip to Jon (my brother) for sending this in.

It may seem obvious but you’ll be happier if you create your own life and live the way YOU want. Don’t start living the life other people have told you to lead. Live your own life.

Travel allows you to meet people that have chosen to lead unique and interesting lifestyles. For instance last night we went out for Indian food with a great kiwi couple. They’re going to work as caretakers of a hotel in Nantucket for the next year or so. They’ve already travelled extensively and they’re choosing to do interesting work in the hospitality industry because that’s what they enjoy doing. They’re totally excited about their next adventure.

We’re now staying with some friends we met in Western Australia. They have such a wonderful lifestyle here in Balina / Astonville. They can’t go anywhere in town without running into friends. They’re constantly joking around and laughing with them. They have an incredible home and are very very happy. What’s interesting is that they’re doing pretty much the exact opposite of what we’re doing now. They have deep roots in the community and they are so settled in that they’ll probably never move away. And why should they? They’re some of the friendliest and happiest people I’ve ever met. They are the consummate locals. They know everyone and everything about this slice of the earth. They laugh and smile more in one day than I do in a week!

Beyond those two groups of people we’ve met a guy who is literally walking around the entire planet. He’s been doing it since 1998 and won’t finish since 2016 or so. We’ve also met a great guy who rode a horse all the way across Australia.

All of these people have setup their lives in a way that I didn’t even know was on the menu of lifestyle choices until I met them. You can choose to make your life whatever you want.

Don’t buy into anyone else’s version of a life. Do your own thing. Ignore everyone. Especially me!

In other news. I have posted lots of new photos on my new photography site.

I have posted many more images over at Duncan Rawlinson Photography

UPDATE: Check out this video. It relates to this post.