Keeping Out of Ruts


 
Evan recently mentioned that the important thing is to keep out of ruts. For me that’s easy…I play with electronics and the technology keeps changing. Before when I went on a trip I packed my audio cassette and/or CD players and a lot of cassettes/CDs to listen to. This time we took the train and I didn’t have room. So I figured out how to convert my tapes and CDs to MP3 files. (I’ll spare you the details.) I learned a lot and got hooked on the MP3 format, especially since The Economist lets me download audio versions of each issue for no extra cost. Anyway, it took some new learning and a reasonable amount of time on my part, but the payoff was worth it.

I also had to make some changes the past couple of days because of my blog. My source of comics has moved and isn’t as convenient to use now, and my web hosting service has changed the way I do backups before upgrading to the latest version of WordPress. Both of those changes have been a nuisance with no obvious benefit for me, except for keeping me from becoming complacent and stuck in a rut.

What about you? Does life keep kicking you out of ruts or does it take more initiative on your part?

Thanks to Evan, Cathy, Mike, Ursula, Looney and Rummuser for commenting on last week’s post.
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10 Responses to Keeping Out of Ruts

  1. Looney says:

    In the old days working at a big company, we all used to stand around and bad mouth the IT department. Then I got to be a one man company for many years. Somehow bad mouthing the IT department no longer quite made sense. Now I am back at a big company again and seem to be the only one around in a forgiving mood towards the IT folk. The good news is that there is no longer so much pressure to stay up with the latest technology!

    For the moment, I am quite content to wallow in the rut.

  2. Evan says:

    At the moment a little more staleness/predictability wouldn’t go astray. Most of my life has been unconventional so life has normally provided me enough to keep up with without me needing to take much initiative.

  3. Cathy in NZ says:

    Well, guess what Jean and et al,

    I am about to have a steep learning curve with film making technology…to see what that is all about take a look at the latest entry on my blog – something about Saturdays x 6!

    http://cedar51.livejournal.com/

    and yes today was Saturday…am so chuffed about what they thought was sooooooo neat 🙂 🙂

  4. Rummuser says:

    I try to get out of the rut all the time, but the rut is very strong and keeps me crawling in it! And, you know what I mean by that too! I don’t mind. I have a resident cure for all tech needs.

  5. Jean says:

    Looney,
    It is nice when one is free of a former task. I still feel that way about things I stopped doing years ago!

    Evan,
    It’s ideal when we can choose our own balance between routine and challenges. Good luck!

    Cathy,
    Good for you! I enjoyed reading about what you’ve done so far and am interested in following your progress. Do we get to see the end result after you’ve finished?

    Rummuser,
    Yes, sometimes the best thing is to be patient and have a sense of humor. No problem there for you. 🙂 Life is always changing. I was relieved when you said you plan to keep in touch with us fellow bloggers even if/when your situation changes.

  6. Ursula says:

    I like routine. It gives you something to cling to in the midst of chaos. Not that I have any [routine]; which probably accounts for the chaos.

    U

  7. Jean says:

    Ursula,
    That could very well be. 😀

  8. I LOVE your stuff (here and on Flikr, where I first became aware of you) — and the comments from your blog readers are great too.

    Sorry to post this request in the “wrong” place, but your contact form is “down” and I didn’t see a “comment” button on the post I’m commenting on.

    I would love permission to repost your list of 10 traits of stress resilience on my blog, ADDandSoMuchMore – dot.com as a “guest post” in my top ten lists category – linking back to your blog, of course, with complete attribution.

    If you see anything over there you’d like to use, I’d be happy to share back.
    xx,
    mgh (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, SCAC, MCC – blogging at ADDandSoMuchMore and ADDerWorld – dot com!)

  9. cathy in NZ says:

    Madelyn, I’m not Jean – but when a comment appears in my inbox I go check it out even like this months ago…to remind; to remember what were discussing that week 🙂

    The film is still with the editing team and we don’t know when we will even see them to say “yes we love, no could you change this little bit” – there are 7 completely different films so it will take time…

    Once the films are put together they will be on uTube for everyone to see but also I will have a personal DVD of my one…

    A good other “thing” came out of the whole caboodle, I found out a lot of things about my digital camera and because I have difficulties with holding things – I was advised to get a tripod. Well that tripod came in for good this last week when I wanted to quickly take some pictures of graupel which was laying all over my back yard and it was much easier to just hold the tripod leg and then hit the button…I maybe should do a blog post on my new wordpress blog about what Graupel is :-))

  10. Jean says:

    Madelyn,
    As I wrote in an e-mail, “Yes. Thank you!” I briefly looked at your site today. We’re almost done filling out our insurance forms from the fire so I’ll read your blog more carefully then. I was taken by the idea of not being rushed. That’s important to me, too. I like plenty of time to immerse myself in a project without worrying about the clock. So I try to start early and allow myself plenty of time.

    Cathy,
    Thank you for the update!

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