NateBW: Thoughts on life, the internet, and everything

WHY. NO. PLAY. My Words for 2012.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:25:00 -0800

The usual end-of-the-holiday thinking about how to get things going for the upcoming year is here. In some ways, it has been a great year and some ways it has been lousy.While I don't really make resolutions, I do try to set some goals to work toward. I am definitely working in the direction of Moritz Tolxdorff's Google+ tagline that I consider to be pretty good advice:When you get sad, stop being sad, and be awesome instead!

So in lieue of resolutions, here are three words and why I want to use them more in 2012.

Why

Despite being involved in lots of awesome stuff in 2011, I've been feeling stodgy lately. Not enough energy. Too focused on "doing things". Not enough time spent questioning what I'm getting out of and being genuinely curious about things. Like my 4 year old (and now 2 year old) says. "Why, Daddy?"

As in:
"Why am I spending time commenting on this?" "Why do I listen to this on my way home from work?" "Why do they make these like this?"

No

Pretty much my whole life I've been an over-achiever. I've kept my plate full in part because everything is interesting and I hate to be missing out on anything. And, being a nice guy, I don't want to disappoint anyone. Saying "No, thank you" to opportunities is hard. Saying no to myself when someone have an idea that would take more time than be worth is even harder. But it is worth it.

As in:
"That sounds like an interesting project, but I just do not have the time to do it justice." "No, I am not going to start listening to a new audiobook series right now, even if it is free."

Play

I think that it is possible to turn everything in life into work - filling every possible moment with productive or assumed productive activities. And any downtime is spent on mindless but not fun stuff. I want to make sure that my free time is both relaxing and energizing - fun. I want to do music again. I want to be with my kids more.

As in:
"Hey, kids, we're going to the playground!" "Who wants to play some songs?" "Let's play Legos."

This will require some effort on my part, for sure. I'm cutting back on lecturing and writing to only really interesting offers. I'm trying to be more efficient at work I'm stepping down as the head-cheerleader for 4sqDay, which has been really awesome. I've virtually stopped using Facebook and Twitter, which used to be an important way for me to connect.

But there is so much exciting stuff going on 2012. We are moving and improving my optometry office, Bright Eyes Family Vision Care. I'm stoked for that! I'm very much enjoying the community on Google+ a lot. The kids are getting older, and I no longer work on Saturdays, which means a whole lot of family time!

I had a blast starting 2012 by taking part in Daria Musk's New Years Eve Hangout Around the World! With Why, No, and Play, I want to help keep the whole year like that!

NateBW: Thoughts on life, the internet, and everything

WHY. NO. PLAY. My Words for 2012.

Domo glasses tee

Silent night

Javier's first haircut!

Being interviewed for TV news segment

Trick or Treat!

Rainbow over Vegas. ;)

Blog file

4sqDay 2.0

Nice. Speaking in #Vegas at #VMclick in 36 hours and my son gives me a black eye!

I've learned that Norfolk, VA is the Weeki Wachee of the north

Looking to pick up a few more meetmeme cards at the upcoming meetings. ;)

A little "spring" cleaning - getting rid of 20 years of free tshirts. #packrat

Nora performing ophthalmoscopy on a small dog

Haha! I've been gunning for the Burger 21 mayorship for a while!

Teaching Nora how to play Slapjack.

Javier dancing

Family time at the beach

My Yelping...

Our new designer 3D sunglasses!