Good Heat Bad Heat

If I know a lot about a topic and am comfortable with it, I feel no pressure to but sometimes work is work.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Heat is On.” “Do you thrive under pressure or crumble at the thought of it? Does your best stuff surface as the deadline approaches or do you need to iterate, day after day to achieve something you’re proud of? Tell us how you work best.”

IMG_2823When it comes to projects at work or in my personal life, I follow the phrase “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Another one that applies is “When you have a why, you’ll make it happen with any how.” I’m a believer in good stress. When I am under the gun on a project, it often forces me to do some of my most creative and innovative work. We like in a stressful world and much of it can be toxic but we shouldn’t forget that stress compels us to find solutions sometimes we were never able to see in a relaxed state.

I watched a documentary the other day about movie making and the set manager was bragging about how the studio forced him to create a set in record time. He might just as well be thankful for that time constraint because the movie went on to be a huge success. I am also a firm opponent to toxic stress. For example, I discovered last year I have been grinding my teeth. My research into this malady called “bruxism” has told me it is most often due to stress. I’ve actually had to start wearing a mouth guard at night to save my teeth. All that stress and I’m only 46! This has been another wake-up call to not take everything so seriously and to practice relaxation techniques. I share that to show that stress can also be toxic as well and productive.

I heard a song recently that really summarizes what I’m saying here in this post. The words went something like, it was a new song to me so I can’t recall the name, “If you have to think about it, it isn’t for you.” What a refreshing thought. If you have to consider something, it isn’t worth doing. It isn’t for you. Wouldn’t life be awesome if we could live it this way? In conclusion, I’ seeing two concerts this weekend. Tonight it’s Willie Nelson and Saturday Imagine Dragons. The Dragons are in their twenties and making decisions on projects based on a long term goal. They have to think, it’s clear from reading their interviews. I think they got too famous too soon for their own good but I sure love their music. On the other hand, Willie is just doing his thing. Now in his 80’s, I assume, he just plays to play. There’s no need for a fancy show or sets etc. Less stress I think too. We should all hope to achieve a place one day where we can “just be” the good old Willie. Until then it’s about doing the stuff we know and going easy on ourselves as we prepare to create and innovate projects about stuff we’re still learning about. In between it all, pay attention to the stove of stress before it’s hot. In the end it’s a;; about balance and knowing ones own limits.

Good Heat Bad Heat

If I know a lot about a topic and am comfortable with it, I feel no pressure to but sometimes work is work.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Heat is On.” “Do you thrive under pressure or crumble at the thought of it? Does your best stuff surface as the deadline approaches or do you need to iterate, day after day to achieve something you’re proud of? Tell us how you work best.”

IMG_2823When it comes to projects at work or in my personal life, I follow the phrase “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Another one that applies is “When you have a why, you’ll make it happen with any how.” I’m a believer in good stress. When I am under the gun on a project, it often forces me to do some of my most creative and innovative work. We like in a stressful world and much of it can be toxic but we shouldn’t forget that stress compels us to find solutions sometimes we were never able to see in a relaxed state.

I watched a documentary the other day about movie making and the set manager was bragging about how the studio forced him to create a set in record time. He might just as well be thankful for that time constraint because the movie went on to be a huge success. I am also a firm opponent to toxic stress. For example, I discovered last year I have been grinding my teeth. My research into this malady called “bruxism” has told me it is most often due to stress. I’ve actually had to start wearing a mouth guard at night to save my teeth. All that stress and I’m only 46! This has been another wake-up call to not take everything so seriously and to practice relaxation techniques. I share that to show that stress can also be toxic as well and productive.

I heard a song recently that really summarizes what I’m saying here in this post. The words went something like, it was a new song to me so I can’t recall the name, “If you have to think about it, it isn’t for you.” What a refreshing thought. If you have to consider something, it isn’t worth doing. It isn’t for you. Wouldn’t life be awesome if we could live it this way? In conclusion, I’ seeing two concerts this weekend. Tonight it’s Willie Nelson and Saturday Imagine Dragons. The Dragons are in their twenties and making decisions on projects based on a long term goal. They have to think, it’s clear from reading their interviews. I think they got too famous too soon for their own good but I sure love their music. On the other hand, Willie is just doing his thing. Now in his 80’s, I assume, he just plays to play. There’s no need for a fancy show or sets etc. Less stress I think too. We should all hope to achieve a place one day where we can “just be” the good old Willie. Until then it’s about doing the stuff we know and going easy on ourselves as we prepare to create and innovate projects about stuff we’re still learning about. In between it all, pay attention to the stove of stress before it’s hot. In the end it’s a;; about balance and knowing ones own limits.

My Backyard as Explained to an Alien

An alien has asked me to describe what it out my backdoor. He has 57 legs and 3 spacecraft. Maybe he’s planning to touch down here. Cool.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.”

alienLeft to right, there’s a 45 foot long pool. I work hard to keep it clean and balanced with chemicals. Currently it needs chlorine which I purchase at Lowe’s hardware store. Abut midway through there is a jacuzzi. I have spent so many nights there finding relaxation. If you or your crew want to relax, it’s a great way to do so. I heat it to 100 degrees.After that we have a Pergola patio cover, a bar-be-cue, a fire pit, and the rest is dirt. We do have a retaining wall all along the back. My in-laws recently started helping s with this. Could your spacecraft land in the pool?

My Backyard as Explained to an Alien

An alien has asked me to describe what it out my backdoor. He has 57 legs and 3 spacecraft. Maybe he’s planning to touch down here. Cool.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.”

alienLeft to right, there’s a 45 foot long pool. I work hard to keep it clean and balanced with chemicals. Currently it needs chlorine which I purchase at Lowe’s hardware store. Abut midway through there is a jacuzzi. I have spent so many nights there finding relaxation. If you or your crew want to relax, it’s a great way to do so. I heat it to 100 degrees.After that we have a Pergola patio cover, a bar-be-cue, a fire pit, and the rest is dirt. We do have a retaining wall all along the back. My in-laws recently started helping s with this. Could your spacecraft land in the pool?

Pass me that Sax Over There

IMG_4198I always wanted to be able to play the sax. There’s a killer solo in Chris Deburgh’s Fatal Hesitation that I’d love to rip through alone in my room. Guitar has been my instrument of choice all my life.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Practice Makes Perfect?.”

I’ve messed with some wind instruments like flute and harmonica. They just come as naturally to me as the guitar, my chosen instrument. Baker Street by Dan Rafferty has that signature sound and melody. I’d also love to play that one. It’s such an emotional sound, the sax adds so much to a band. Another amazing sax tune in in The heat is On by Glen Frey. I’m quite sure it’s too late for me to start sax lessons, I barely practice my guitar anymore. Still, when you hear someone talented play, you feel like you’re playing it yourself.

Pass me that Sax Over There

IMG_4198I always wanted to be able to play the sax. There’s a killer solo in Chris Deburgh’s Fatal Hesitation that I’d love to rip through alone in my room. Guitar has been my instrument of choice all my life.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Practice Makes Perfect?.”

I’ve messed with some wind instruments like flute and harmonica. They just come as naturally to me as the guitar, my chosen instrument. Baker Street by Dan Rafferty has that signature sound and melody. I’d also love to play that one. It’s such an emotional sound, the sax adds so much to a band. Another amazing sax tune in in The heat is On by Glen Frey. I’m quite sure it’s too late for me to start sax lessons, I barely practice my guitar anymore. Still, when you hear someone talented play, you feel like you’re playing it yourself.