Advice

The History Of Geeks

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One thing I find strengthens my efforts, as an unrepentant geek, is to look back at history of all the geeks, nerds, fanboys, fangirls, etc. that came before me.  A quick review of history reveals just how much was done by people like, well, us.

History is filled with examples of people making great achievements in their own area of interest or outright obsession.  Our world is pretty much build on their efforts, knowledge, wisdom, and odd habits turned into virtues and creations.

How many of us were inspired by language-and-lit-geek JRR Tolken?  A man who loved language so much he ended up making his own.

Chinese history is filled with tales of philosophers, musicians, and sages who were joyfully odballs and geeks – many remembered to this day.

The computer you're using to read this is a product of huge amount of nerd-hours – from hardware to software.  You can only read this because of people that are likely FAR geekeir than you or I doing what they love to make technology.

Just take a LOOK at Einstein, Bill Gates, and . . . well most artists.

Guess what?  History is filled with people just like you.

Look back over history and look for fellow nerds, geeks, and fans.  You'll be surprised what you find.

You'll also be inspired.  If they succeeded, you can too.

– Steven Savage

Time Conversion Technique

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Let's talk Time Conversion.

No, this isn't referencing an unbroadcast episode of Doctor Who, but a technique I use to help me with planning and organizing.  It involves metaphor, math, and imagination so it's a perfect technique for geeks who want to improve time management.

Some time ago, I believe on this blog (it's hard to recall with over two years of posts) I mentioned a trick of mine to help plan finance better.  This trick involves figuring out, when one spends money on something, what else that money could have bought:

  • Two fancy meals out is one new Console game.
  • In Silicon Valley, three months of rent would buy you two new Mac Laptops (ouch).
  • A new hardcover book would pay for five make-at-home meals.

You get the idea.

You can also do this with time.  When you spend a half-hour doing one thing, what else could you have done in that time?  Is that hour you spend on the train a waste, or could you take your DS or a book on the trip?  In that time you spend driving to a lecture on art would you be better off drawing?

Time may be money, so why not play around with figuring out how you can "spend" time – and when you spend time, what other things you could have done.

This is revealing (and at times depressing), but very useful.  We feel like we never have enough time, yet we often take it for granted as well.  Figuring out how time converts from one thing to another can wake you up to many possibilities.

Give it a try – or in short, take the time.

– Steven Savage