Las night, my ancient Powerbook G4 bit the dust, and I was thrown into a frenzy (I know right?). I lost my connectivity and ability to read e-mail, write, and tweet. How exactly could I go about my usual work (read: youtube) without it?!? I quietly sat on my bed and silently lept into leagues of anxiety… An hour later I realized my super-simplified bedroom contained a few relics of pleasure, namely a notebook and hacked Sony PSP. Before the sun rose to greet my tired face, I had setup an amiable mini office all thanks to my inclination for 0wning my electronics and solid love for archaic information distribution. My video game habit yielded a machine capable of browsing the internet as well as (with a few modifications) the capability of community software. I went to sleep happy, able to use Twitter, blog, read RSS feeds, listen/watch podcasts, and even work on my finances. My notebook gave me the ability to recreate todo lists, write out ideas, and organize my thoughts.

When a piece of your support structure breaks down, do you have other aspects of your life you can fall back on? You probably have more than you even know.

This moment of panic taught me volumes about my situation in life. I had come to completely rely emotionally on a single piece of equipment without realizing I had brought about methods of recovery completely by accident. On top of this, I had diversified my passions to a high degree without realizing my entire life weaved gorgeous interconnections.

When life fails, maybe the problem’s solution lies in the retreat and recovery.

I am going out on a limb here, but one hundred percent security in life is almost impossible. Markets crash and relationships end. When the unthinkable happens, it’s difficult to perceive any alternatives besides the avenue that’s been taken away from you. With this, you can get stuck in a downward spiral Havisham style.

Instead of freaking out and going ballistic on your psyche; circle the wagons. Stop for a moment and consider your other talents and possibilities. What are your hobbies? What do you delight in? What passions do you have ouside of your career?

Once you’ve answered these questions then ask yourself about those passions. Do they have any connections to your current situation? Do the lessons you’ve learned from them help you in ways you haven’t yet thought of? Maybe that love for making pasta from scratch has taught you the patience you need when dealing with stubborn children or castled business cronies.

Maybe you’re life is better without that faulty support system. Any thoughts?

We’ve all had those moments, admit it. You’re sitting at a desk staring at a laptop. In front of you a todo list accumulates. You’ve collected everything into a single listing (with roman numerals!). You’ve even gone so far as to create sub-todo lists for each todo bulletpoint. Now, you’ve gone through and highlighted everything; color coding each piece according to its relative importance to your daily schedule. Naturally you’ve put a time estimate next to each item, marked the time intensive tasks with a dot and circled those requiring the assistance of others. And of course these are listed on notecards as well for ease… Okay, I think you get my point. The problem is I do this. It sounds okay until you realize you’ve put too much emphasis on the system and not on the content.

Where do you draw the line between creating a system of productivity and going over the edge into a producti-crack obsession?

I wish I could answer that, my days would be so much easier. Here’s my attempt: Maybe creating a system that works for itself in the same way financial advisors recommend bringing your money to the point of self-sufficiency… So, maybe a todo list that automates itself in the simplest manner possible. I’ll work on this idea and get back to you. Until then, I pose the question to the masses: How do you deal with a Producti-Crack Obsession?

I am a writer at heart and my moleskine notebook goes with me everywhere. I write everything from personal thoughts to thematic inquiries into philosophy. I’ve had people ask me to read it and it’s difficult to say yes. My best writing can be found in that little black notebook, but it’s personal.

Where do you draw the line between your professional and personal life? Take a moment and think about it. What part of you do you keep a secret? As a blogger this line blurs and doesn’t have exact distinction however we all have secrets. Revealing segments of this eccentricity is the road less traveled… but just think of how original you’d be.

I mean it when I suggest a moment to sit and think. I have many hours to do so personally being without a job, sitting in coffee shops, surrounded by corporate chaos. The line is a very delicate one, and I’m not one to advocate destroying it completely. I do believe you need a distinct personal life outside of your profession. However, ponder with me: What if you were to scoot the line over just a little? Just enough to show just a little more.

Leave a comment with a little taste for the world…

I’ll start: I secretly wait for people to spill drinks so I can exercise saving the day.

It’s been a while since I last won. Employment evades my every move. Having moved to a New York City a month ago, my job search just saw its 40th day. Interviews end with smiles and closed doors. I cannot afford social occassions; instead spending my evenings writing in coffee shops. You know the feeling. You feel unwanted, lost, alone, exhausted, and emotionally extinquished. You feel defeated.

Sometimes you just need a victory. Find a dream to grasp towards. Create a milestone. Put faith in your ability. Focus. Achieve the impossible, and never give up.

It sounds way too simple to me. In these situations I generally freak. Full of anxiety, I write endless todo lists and lie listlessly awake at night. The suggestion forays against this hardcore.

Simply Focus

That’s all. My only suggestion. It is important to recognize what went wrong, learn from mistakes, and evaluate your position. The importance of budgeting can’t be ignored nor can any other reconcillatory step should be accounted for. However worrying about all of these things destroys my ability to even remember what I was trying to achieve. So! The goal now is to simply focus.

Focus on a Dream No Matter How Crazy

I will extend my earlier point. A goal at the end of the tunnel makes the craving for it easier to grasp and amplifies the intensity. Decide on your dream and focus on it. And don’t just pick any dream, pick your dream.

Personally, I’ve been looking for a job because I want to pay off my debts and live comfortably. That’s not a dream. My dream is to sustain a life of learning alongside providing support and love to everyone around me.

Now, take that dream and create a milestone, something that’ll show progress. Make it small at first. Once you’ve achieved this make it bigger until it matches your dream. My first milestone is simple: Apply for five more jobs and make a stranger smile. I know it’s not big, but it’s a step and a simple one at that.

Victory

With time, you’ll reach that Dream. It doesn’t even matter if you reach your dream. By reaching for it you’ll achieve wonders. Every milestone you reach, you’ve made a victory. Everything will fall into place. Try it for thirty days and if it fails on you, e-mail me and I’ll formally apologize.