I like mindmaps and mind mapping tools [Mindmeister is a good one]. It's a natural fit for those like me with a lifehacker bent. This mindmap is of particular note, though, as it's a real user tool (perhaps as a desktop background) for managing your time effectively.
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Staying on task
Our family trip back east was a great one. We were fortunate to make some great memories. A common thread was the importance of focus and concentration.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Michael J. Bowers, former Attorney General of Georgia, and a twenty year mentor and friend to my brother, David. Mr. Bowers will tell you that the three most important factors for success are focus, focus and focus. It's one of his favorite mantras to new associates at their firm, Balch and Bingham LLP.
Another great example came from my nephew, Alec. He gave me a great tour of The Lovett School. Aside from getting choked up from Alec's beaming pride in his campus, I found the emphasis on maintaining focus by "Staying on task," remarkable. How fortunate to be learning this kind of focus in elementary school as a primary ideal.
My presentation, "Tips on Being an Effective Human" has a popular slide
entitled, Harness the Sun – like burning Ants with a magnifying glass.
The idea is concentrating your efforts like the rays of a sun through a
magnifying glass. Not so pleasant I guess, if you're an ant fan, but
you get the idea, right?
Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus
Sonny Rollins turned 75 not long before his performance this week at the UC Davis Mondavi Center. As is typically the case, my wife Liz purchased tickets to see Sonny and his band some six months prior to the concert. Funny how when the day rolls around, even after looking forward to it for months, we were distracted by parenting, chores, and the absence of energy for a cultural outing. We got angry with each other in the car not long after leaving our home. Our argument lasted and nearly ruined the evening.
Our lack of harmony met the odd confrontation of walking into the hallowed church of the arts where we were about to see one of the finest, most talented musicians to grace our good planet. The inspiration unfolded as a mirror to my foolishness. What focus and power this man represents after more than fifty years of honing and practicing his craft. I share this description from John Ellis (also a wonderful saxophone player that Sonny Rollins influenced):
“The term “organic” is used a lot in music. I think Sonny best
defines
what that means–he’s an organic improviser. Listening to him is like
watching the sun rise or the trees grow. It never sounds forced, and
each idea develops from the next one. On top of that he has so much
humor and spirit–you can feel his eyes twinkle–or maybe it’s behind
his eyes, a sparkle, as if he’s amused by each phrase he discovers. And
it certainly sounds like every phrase is a discovery. He also has the
funkiest feel for time, but it’s really flexible. And his articulation,
like a drum. And his sound is beautiful, incredibly warm and direct–it
reaches out and envelops you.”
Seeing Sonny play the saxophone would cause most fans to be
introspective, but you have to be in harmony with yourself and your environment to allow the influence to wash
over you. The experience “sharpened my saw” in emotional and spiritual ways. It also to reminded me to focus on what is truly important.
