The War of Art: Beat Resistance and be a Pro

As a creative professional and liver of life, absorbing The War of Art was a transformative experience for me. I highly recommend you check it out.

The book is focused on creative pursuits, with particular focus on writing (since the author is a writer, that makes sense :-), but taken abstractly the concepts can apply to anyone. After all, I sincerely hope you view your life as a creative endeavor, no matter how you choose to spend your time! Chances are along the way you’ve met Resistance, and that’s exactly what the book challenges head-on.

It’s full of insightful and practical tidbits (even if it can be a little heavy on the sports/golf analogies and the third section gets a bit metaphysical). The definitions of what a Professional is and does have helped affirm and shape my choices in business and life.

On top of all that, it’s a short book with lots and lots of white space — a quick read that could make a long-lasting impression.

Author’s website: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

OMG I Have a Theme Song!

Thanks to my talented, hard-working, amiable, and fun brother (and his cohorts) I now have my own theme song. Or at least my business does.

If you have a spare minute (literally, it’s only a minute long) please turn on your audio and take a listen.

The Kirk Roberts Theme Song

Email tips and tricks

Here are some email tips I’ve picked up that you may find helpful.

Use a domain-based email address (eg you@yourwebsite.com) for your business messages. If you don’t have a domain, get one. If you love your free webmail (eg Gmail) there are probably ways to integrate it with your domain name so mail comes from yourwebsite.com. You will appear more professional to those who don’t already know you.

Use an email signature with your contact information (eg phone number, website, social media). If you also put your name and usual sign-off at the top of your signature you’ll save some typing with every message.

When reading others’ messages, take time to consider different ways of reading between the lines. Ask for clarity instead of assuming the worst.

Questions to ask yourself before you start a message

Would it be better to call? Potential examples: delivering questionable news or asking for clarification.

Am I angry or annoyed right now? Wait until you’ve had time to cool down and reflect before composing your message.

Would it be better to get more information first?

Things to do before you send

• Re-read for tone, spelling, and other errors.
• Make sure you actually attached any attachments you mention.
• If including links, test them in a web browser.
• Consider saving the message as a draft to re-read and send later.
• Re-read for tone, spelling, and other errors. (Obviously I think this is important.)

Overall, remember to slow down and take your time!
Just because email moves at internet speed doesn’t mean YOU have to.

Happy emailing!

How To Use Your Site (Video Edition)

More and more the sites I create are integrated with a content management system (CMS). I have a few favorite CMSs, and I believe they are all easy for the average site owner to use.

But with any system there is at least some learning curve, especially when the content management capabilities become more complex. To help clients handle their CMS like a pro I create custom video tutorials (screencasts) showing how to accomplish common and specialized tasks. Did you catch that these videos are CUSTOM?

Benefits of custom video tutorials

• Site owners and editors can see “how to” on their own site.
• The tutorials can be watched whenever they want, however many times they want.
• To hand-off site-editing responsibilities, they can simply point the new person to the tutorials which are hosted in a secret location on their own website.

Very handy!

Clients love these tutorials, and they have become a standard part of my development/training process for sites I build with a CMS. Because the videos are not branded they are equally suitable when I’m developing the site in a sub-contracting arrangement.

Note: you are welcome to bring in your own snacks (mmmm... Twizzlers... my brain says they’re just strawberry-flavored plastic, but my mouth says “soooo goooooooood”).

Die, Procrastination, Die!

I was going to put off creating this newsletter about procrastination... but then I didn’t. Here’s how.

#1 Short blocks of focus, followed by a break

I set a timer for 27 minutes and pick what I want to focus on during that time. After the timer goes off I set a timer for 2 minutes and get away from the computer.

Actual break activities:

• look out the window (change my visual range)
• do some sun salutations or stretch
• lie on the floor with eyes closed
• deep breaths
• push-ups (I think I’ve only done this twice :-)

The point is to reset your brain and body, get the blood moving in a different way, give your eyes a break, and generally re-align your intentions. By having a focus when you sit down you’re more likely to get that thing done (or make significant progress). Using a timer can remind you to break off that unintended sidetracking you were doing.

Do I do this all the time? Ahhh... no. But when I have the discipline to do it I’m crazy productive.

I’ve been informed this technique has a name: the Pomodoro.

#2 Even shorter blocks of focus

Merlin Mann at 43folders.com talked about the Procrastination Dash/Hack. Find five things you’re having trouble getting started on. Write them down. For 10 minutes focus on the first, then two minutes of break. Go down the list and repeat for each item. You can definitely focus on one thing for 10 minutes! In an hour you will have unstuck yourself on five things. Try it and experience the magic for yourself.

How to time?

I use a little Mac add-on called Meridian Alinof TimerPro so I can easily start timers. A little handheld kitchen timer would also do it. The bottom line is you need something that’s going to alert you so you don’t need to check a clock to see if time is up. Looking at a clock totally defeats the goal of focus.

#3 Put it on the calendar

Use a day planner or calendar software to plan your day. When in doubt or feeling adrift, refer back to the calendar. There’s something powerful about an external source telling you it’s time to do X. For example: it’s 2:08 and the calendar says I’m supposed to write my newsletter from 2–2:30 so that’s what I’m doing. If using software you can also set up reminders to pop up on your screen.

Now go forth and produce!