Open Loops 3/3/2009: Articles I Think Worth Passing Along
Posted on March 3, 2009 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Open Loops
Tuesdays are open loop at SimpleProductivity blog.
Over at Stepcase Lifehack, the article “How to Procrastinate Productively” talks about how occasional procrastination on a really nasty task can actually be a boon to productivity. Use the procrastination to knock a bunch of other stuff off your lists, and it really turns out to be a plus. Just make sure, as the last line in the article says, “Just make sure you do eat that toad eventually.”
Unclutterer brought up something I had never considered: Return on Organization. (See “ROO: Return on Organization“). Return on Investment (ROI) is often used to determine if a business should invest in a new [insert technology/methodology name here]. But Return on Organization…it’s something to keep in mind the next time I am tempted to work on my system, rather than working on my work.
One of the pitfalls of leading a frugal and simple life is that those on the outside often think that we’re cheap. (See “The Simple Dollar » Accused of Being a Cheapskate“). The Simple Dollar addresses this point. In fact, being frugal means that I use things up. I’m going to get a new pair of running shoes tomorrow – because the old ones are used up. Three years ago I would have gotten a new pair when the old ones started to look dingy. Buy new rather than clean ‘em, I would say.
Even in frugality, I still buy things, and often times I will pay more for quality. I recently bought a high-quality cast iron frying pan to replace a worn out cheap pan. Someone made a comment that it wasn’t frugal. Yet I will have this pan well beyond the time when ten of her three dollar cheap frying pans are done. It’s about choices, and being smart with my money, rather than throwing it away. It’s not about being cheap.
Simple, Green Frugal Co-op was addressing an issue that came to my attention recently: “Children and the pressure to buy…“. My daughter hardly ever watches television, but a recent sickness gave her hours of viewing pleasure. She came to me wanting to buy the latest Billy Mays product. We sat down and deconstructed the marketing message, and she realized what was happening.
The article lists some specific strategies about helping children to get beyond marketing and peer pressure. I like the one about making decisions appear as choices, because that is exactly what they are.
I feel it necessary to start teaching my daughter how to see through the b.s. thrown at her, but I wonder what will happen in future years…
Photo by spacepleb
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Comments (1)
LOL, love your intro. I have a chapter I have to do for a compilation my publisher is doing. No surprise I’m getting a TON of other work done. That toad is going to be a poor meal come Friday when I also have my four-year-old, but until then, my todo list is loving it.