Not a Camouflaged Soul

Category: Productivity

  • New Old Chevys and Banged Up Guitars

    My family and I were driving the other day, and we saw a really cool ’57 Chevy.

    Now, I am by no means a car guy. As a kid, I liked cars. I drew cars. I collected Matchbox cars. But today… not so much. Nevertheless, this car was cool.

    I noticed that this particular car had the classic silhouette of the ’57, but was painted and appointed in modern ways. And, instead of the classic car license plate that only allows a car owner to drive a limited number of miles per year (for show cars and such), this car was licensed to drive. And the couple inside looked like they were enjoying the ride.

    Use your tools

    In Seven Tools I Use to Blog In Bursts, I outlined some of the tools I use to maintain #NoCamo. It occurs to me that the only useful tool is the one that is USED.

    Another example of this would be my guitars.

    I know that there are guitar owners out there that buy vintage guitars, hang them on the wall, and only take them down to clean them. This is agin my upbringin’. I bang the fire out of my instruments.

    They have nicks and scratches and dings and battle scars. They get used.

    Having a ton of apps on your phone is cool if you use them. It isn’t cool if they live in a folder, never opened.

    Clear it out

    I find myself in a season where I am looking to simplify my existence, paring down the number of tools I possess to the few that I actually use. Cleaning out my computers, my phone, my closet… whatever might hold tools that are just of no use anymore. As a tried and convicted pack rat, this will be no small feat. But I am motivated.

    Anybody else feel overwhelmed with useless tools?

  • Seven Tools I Use to Blog in Bursts

    I tweeted an article a while back that wrote about Seth Godin concerning blogging. Seth Godin is a marketing guru, author, entrepreneur, and blogger.

    The article talked about the fact that Seth writes every day. Whether it is drafting, tweaking, posting, or reviewing potential posts, he does SOMETHING every day.

    If you’re like me, time is at a premium. It is sometimes difficult to write post after post and still be a present, in-the-moment husband, father, and employee.

    With my current schedule, I find it easier to write in bursts of creativity as often as possible, and then to set my blog to post things automatically. Here are some of the tools I use to keep #NoCamo rolling along… (more…)

  • How Do You Commute?

    In my new job, I have a 30-minute commute. Not terribly difficult, but a little longer than I’m used to.

    I could shoot down the road with my radio blaring, but I choose as best I can to redeem my time. Here’s how I start my mornings…

    1. Get informed. I do put on my radio when I first get in the car, but that is mainly to get the latest traffic and weather. This helps me know if the are accidents or construction on my route, in case I need to make alternate plans.
    2. Down with the windows. This is more of a warm weather, no rain thing. My office is indoors without a lot of natural light or circulation. So, I take advantage of 35 mile-per-hour speeds to get a bunch of fresh air first thing in the morning. If it’s chilly, I’ll even run the heater.
    3. Podcasts. As I have mentioned before, I am an avid podcast consumer. I use my time in the car to listen to some of my favorite pastors and communicators. It’s a great way to begin the day on an uplifting note.
    4. Sometimes, silence. There are times when I’m not in the mood for a podcast or music. On those days, I shut off the noise and talk to God. I ask His blessings on the day ahead and for the Holy Spirit’s help as I try to be salt and light in the world.

    What is your commute like?