Great show on hour 2 of Radio Times today about cognitive dissonance and justifying one's actions. Feedback systems are critical. Whether it be the idea that we must continually extract ourselves from our interior psychic space by immersing ourselves in the world, that we are best off if we can absorb stimuli from as diverse a set of sources as possible, or that we are better off in the long run if we find people who can give us constructive feedback about ourselves. As painful as it can be, honest feedback--both from within and without--is essential. Without it, you manage your soul like the Soviet Union, attempting to exert absolute control and authority over everything, living a delusion of grandeur while your reality is grim and horrible. The reference to Lao Tzu in the program was also sweet.
Unfiltered copy of notes:
Sat after Eva leaves for work:
Finish French
4 Hours Kaplan
Clean Bathroom
Exercise
½ Hour reading
Sun:
Grocery planning and shopping for next week
Look up healthcare details about start date again
Find dentist
Make 2nd Car Share Reservation for Mom
Purchase Argentina Plane Ticket
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Items Added to Active Task List: 1--"Remind..."
Items Removed From Task List: 3--"Rat Traps", "SJC Alumni Contribution", "Budget"
Items Remaining: 35
Summary: I met the rodent exterminator, went to the DMV with Eva, checked out the lobby of the PSFS Building, had cappuccinos, filled out paperwork for MIT loans, did calisthenics and went for a run on the Schuylkill Banks Trail, made dinner and soup stock for later, read a bit, finished making the budget covering the time between now and the Massachusetts move, and filled out my SJC alum contribution form.
Planning the budget was probably the biggest development in the last few days. The outlook is good. There are a few trips on the horizon--I'm meeting Eva in Argentina at the end of June, going to Pittsburgh, going to New York, going to Annapolis, and a few other things. I made sure to apportion liberal amounts for moving expenses because I want to do this in a comfortable and reasonably ordered fashion, unlike any other time we've ever moved.
Here's a passage from a book I'm reading now that I think contains a lot of wisdom: "Complete control of the mind over the body is undesirable; it suggests a lack of openness to the spontaneous delights of the senses". I would extend this idea beyond sensation. There is a tricky balance between structure and spontaneity. Rules, strategies, and plans are always going to be better than some alternatives and worse than other alternatives. To be completely unstructured and lacking in willpower would be worse than having a decent plan and executing it, but the further entrenched you get in your plan, the less likely it is that you'll discover whatever better alternatives might be out there. I reflected on my 3 part model that I described a while ago--step 1, report honestly what happens, step 2, analyze the events, judge them, and bring them to bare on developing a strategy and agenda for the future, step 3, execute the plan, being open to on-the-fly adjustments without being weak-willed--and I still think the model is a good one. It allows for changes in approach, both when planning for the long-term and in individual moments. It requires us to be honest with ourselves. And it allows us to have structure and foundation.
Plan for Tomorrow: Other than working on Kaplan and visiting the night class, I want to check out that program Dan sent, get some audio books from the library, and plan the Orchestra/dinner excursion for my mom.
Items Removed From Task List: 3--"Rat Traps", "SJC Alumni Contribution", "Budget"
Items Remaining: 35
Summary: I met the rodent exterminator, went to the DMV with Eva, checked out the lobby of the PSFS Building, had cappuccinos, filled out paperwork for MIT loans, did calisthenics and went for a run on the Schuylkill Banks Trail, made dinner and soup stock for later, read a bit, finished making the budget covering the time between now and the Massachusetts move, and filled out my SJC alum contribution form.
Planning the budget was probably the biggest development in the last few days. The outlook is good. There are a few trips on the horizon--I'm meeting Eva in Argentina at the end of June, going to Pittsburgh, going to New York, going to Annapolis, and a few other things. I made sure to apportion liberal amounts for moving expenses because I want to do this in a comfortable and reasonably ordered fashion, unlike any other time we've ever moved.
Here's a passage from a book I'm reading now that I think contains a lot of wisdom: "Complete control of the mind over the body is undesirable; it suggests a lack of openness to the spontaneous delights of the senses". I would extend this idea beyond sensation. There is a tricky balance between structure and spontaneity. Rules, strategies, and plans are always going to be better than some alternatives and worse than other alternatives. To be completely unstructured and lacking in willpower would be worse than having a decent plan and executing it, but the further entrenched you get in your plan, the less likely it is that you'll discover whatever better alternatives might be out there. I reflected on my 3 part model that I described a while ago--step 1, report honestly what happens, step 2, analyze the events, judge them, and bring them to bare on developing a strategy and agenda for the future, step 3, execute the plan, being open to on-the-fly adjustments without being weak-willed--and I still think the model is a good one. It allows for changes in approach, both when planning for the long-term and in individual moments. It requires us to be honest with ourselves. And it allows us to have structure and foundation.
Plan for Tomorrow: Other than working on Kaplan and visiting the night class, I want to check out that program Dan sent, get some audio books from the library, and plan the Orchestra/dinner excursion for my mom.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Active Items Added to Task List: 1--"Photograph bureau and go to antique appraiser"
Items Removed From Task List: 3--"Dental floss for shop", "Call Dad to remind him...", "Call Mom-Mom about Bureau"
Active Items Remaining: 36
Summary: Had a lovely albeit rushed breakfast and then went in to teach my class. The session went well. It's a small class, which is nice in a way. Later I ran some errands, did laundry, started an e-mail to Nutter and the Streets Department about my volunteering idea, planned meals, made a shopping list for next week, went out to dinner at Tiffin for Mother's Day (which was lovely), went shopping, finished my e-mail, and later I'll watch the Wire with Eva and spend 30 minutes reading.
Plan for tomorrow: Tomorrow I want to make a budget, work on Kaplan, call the landlords about logistics, figure out my contribution to the SJC alumni fund and general fund drive, audit the Kaplan class, and otherwise live a normal healthy routine.
Items Removed From Task List: 3--"Dental floss for shop", "Call Dad to remind him...", "Call Mom-Mom about Bureau"
Active Items Remaining: 36
Summary: Had a lovely albeit rushed breakfast and then went in to teach my class. The session went well. It's a small class, which is nice in a way. Later I ran some errands, did laundry, started an e-mail to Nutter and the Streets Department about my volunteering idea, planned meals, made a shopping list for next week, went out to dinner at Tiffin for Mother's Day (which was lovely), went shopping, finished my e-mail, and later I'll watch the Wire with Eva and spend 30 minutes reading.
Plan for tomorrow: Tomorrow I want to make a budget, work on Kaplan, call the landlords about logistics, figure out my contribution to the SJC alumni fund and general fund drive, audit the Kaplan class, and otherwise live a normal healthy routine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
