Last week, Mike and David were kind enough to have me as a guest on their Focused podcast to talk about living a life with margin.
Linked
Link Posts
Living in Surplus →
Seth Godin:
When you live in surplus, you can choose to produce because of generosity and wonder, not because you’re drowning.
And the wonderful thing about choosing to live in surplus is that it’s up to you. Your definition of surplus — and the actions you take in order to live that way — are your own.
Find Perspective Outside of Routine →
Om Malik:
Sometimes you need a different perspective to actually love and respect you already have. Whether it is the place we live, relationships we have and the things we do — routine blurs our ability to be passionate about our daily lives.
A Mindful Approach to Technology →
Mike Schmitz, writing over on The Sweet Setup:
We’ve noticed that the way people use their technology has changed over time.
In short, we’re consuming instead of creating. By default, we’re constantly chasing “more.”
The Sweet Setup will be six years old later this fall. And we have been thinking and talking a lot about how we can better serve our readers. We will continue to find and surface the best apps. But we are also wanting to find more ways to help you use your apps and gadgets with efficiency and intentionality.
Last Call for The Margin Course →
If you want to get access to The Margin Course, you must sign up now.
We are closing the doors tonight at midnight EST.
This course is so timely and important. I have seen first hand the positive impact of Margin in my own life and in the lives of my loved ones. And I have also seen the challenges that a life without margin brings.
If you’re on the fence about the course, then take 3 minutes to watch this video:
And then, use this link to register before it’s too late:
Margin Mastermind →
I’m hosting a small, Margin Mastermind group and we still have a few spots left.
If you’re interested in getting direct feedback, coaching, and accountability then sign up here before we close down registration tomorrow.
Our first kickoff call is in a few days.
Creating The Margin Course →
You may have heard… yesterday we released a brand new product: The Margin Course.
What you may not have known is that my Production Manager, Isaac Smith, had a TON to do with the development and creation of this course over the past several months.
Isaac wrote up his story of how he was able to create and lead his first flagship training course, while also remodeling a new home, while also giving focused time for his pregnant wife and their two young boys!
I love what Isaac shares at the end of the article related to how and why he set goals, and how he structured his time to accomplish them.
The Margin Course →
Big day here at Blanc Media HQ. We just opened up registration for our brand-new course.
What you will discover in The Margin Course are the same tactics, ideas, and mindsets that have allowed me to keep breathing room in my work life and personal life.
These are the things that have helped me recognize when I am lacking margin as well as the tactics I employ in order to regain it and — most importantly — keep it.
And, if you haven’t yet seen the video we made, that’s a great place to start.
Marius Masalar Reviews the Moment Camera Lenses for iPhone →
Over on The Sweet Setup, Marius Masalar reviewed the wide-angle, macro, and telephoto iPhone lenses by Moment.
Here are a couple of awesome photos Marius took using the wide-angle, 18mm lens:
I used to have an Olloclip and I loved it. But that was back on my iPhone 4.
Since then, my photography usage has gone the opposite of the rest of the planet. As fancy, dedicated cameras are dropping in popularity as the iPhone takes over, I’ve gone the opposite direction.
Aside from snaps and videos, I rarely ever shoot with my iPhone. Instead I take my Leica Q with me just about everywhere, and use it for pretty much all my the photos I make.
Application for Focus Course LIVE: Atlanta →
Our next Focus Course LIVE event will be in Atlanta this fall.
For at least the first round of early-bird tickets, we’re doing an application process.
In part, the application is an experiment to see if it helps with the overall event process and expeirnece. Also, the applications are super helpful to give us an idea of who is wanting to attend and what specific topics we may want to highlight at this next event.
If you’re interested in attending the next live workshop, then here’s the link to apply. It’s just a few brief questions.
Then, after you’ve applied, we’ll be in touch with registration info for you. Hope to see you there!
One Month Without a Smartphone →
Isaac Smith:
Earlier this year, I decided to experiment with trading in my smartphone for a “dumb” Nokia feature phone. The long and short of it? Switching to a dumb-phone was easier than I thought it would be.
What surprised me was the lingering residue of mental clutter that carrying a smartphone for six plus years had left.
Isaac also shares some of the challenges he was afraid of encountering at first and how they compare to real life. Such as driving without Maps or podcasts.
Using Custom GoodNotes Templates for Productivity and to Plan My Life →
Long-time readers will know that for years and years I’ve used a hybrid approach to managing my tasks and time. I use both Things on my iPad and also a Baron Fig notebook.
But a few weeks ago I wondered how it would be if I went fully digital.
And then, of course, I wrote about it.
Over on The Sweet Setup you can get a look at how I’ve been experimenting with the GoodNotes app on my iPad and using some custom templates to plan out my weeks and days.
iPadOS: My Initial Thoughts →
For me, the most important and exciting announcement at WWDC was iPadOS.
I spent most of this week writing notes, jotting down half-formed ideas, and trying to distill why iPadOS is such a big deal.
Then, on my flight back home, I finalized my thoughts and published them in an article on the future of working on an iPad.
Hope you enjoy. (And might I suggest brewing a fresh cup of coffee and sitting down to read it.)
The Studio Neat Totebook →
A few days ago my friends at Studio Neat released a brand new notebook: The Totebook. And it’s fantastic.
The Totebook is about the size of an iPad mini. It has a soft cover (more on that in a second). And it’s dot grid (the only possible option).
As far as soft cover, iPad mini-sized notebooks go, the Totebook is the nicest one I have ever used. The whole thing just oozes quality unlike any softcover notebook I’ve seen.
And the cover. I don’t know what they did or how they made it. But the cover is awesome. It feels like leather. But it’s not leather. But what is it?
Now, I have to say that for me, personally, I’m not sure the Totebook will find a way into my daily carry. I’m a one notebook kind of guy, and that notebook for me is the jumbo-sized Baron Fig. But there are some very cool tricks in the Totebook that I sure wish the Baron Fig folks would borrow — such as internal page guides.
Despite it’s awesomeness, the Totebook is cheap! Just 2 for $20. And for further reading, you can, naturally, check out Brad Dowdy’s more in-depth review.