let's colour!

You don't have to be a rocket scientist or a rock star to change the world. This is truly evident in a worldwide project: Let's Colour Project.

What is their goal? Simple: It is a worldwide initiative to transform grey spaces with colorful paint. They are working with local communities to paint streets, houses, schools, and squares. How amazing is that?!

Their philosophy is that color can infuse joy, rejuvenation, enthusiasm, and inspiration. What I love about this project is that the concept is so simple, anyone can participate! They encourage everyone to share their color -- whether it be on a wall, a home, or a school.

One photo on their blog I found particularly amazing was this hotel in Amsterdam:

It looks like a fairy tale!

How will YOU infuse some color into your life?

Read more...

is your brain on overload?

How many things are you doing right now?

If you're anything like me, you're on your computer, you're texting your friend about happy hour plans tomorrow, the television is set to HGTV in the background, you're waiting for those cupcakes to finish baking, you're thinking about how you should probably return you mom's call from (two? three? eight?) days ago...

Um...how can one do so many things at once? Simple: We can't.

It's a fact that the human brain cannot conduct two cognitive tasks at once. Sure, you can run AND listen to music; however, you cannot read a novel AND watch Liz Lemon do something awkward and truly focus on both.

Our culture has become obsessed with multitasking. If you've been on a job interview lately, you likely boasted your skills as a "great multitasker." My family can't get through a game of Scrabble without someone getting out their phone. Heck -- AT&T even assures people that they can talk on the phone WHILE searching online!

I imagine that this obsession with multitasking is a result of the convenience of technology: There are so many ways to entertain oneself these days! But, is it helping us advance as a society? According to one study, the excessive multitasking is actually hurting our ability to focus! Too...many...bursts...of info...

This is probably not groundbreaking information to anyone. The bigger question might be, "How can I focus?" Here are a few tips to stay on top of the multitasking trap:

1) Become aware of what you are doing. Step one is making the concious effort to notice how often you talk on the phone, glance at GoogleNews, and paint your nails all at the same time. You can't stop doing something unless you realize you are doing it!

2) Set yourself up to focus. Place your phone in one designated place while you're at home instead of in your pocket or in your left hand. Keep your computer in it's own room (or area if you have a small space like me!). Go into a technology-free area when talking on the phone and listen to the other person speak!

3) Strive to prioritize. Instead of taking design notes watching David Bromstad while you research volunteer opportunities and listen to stories from you sister about her "amazing boyfriend," stop. Evaluate everything you want to accomplish in your evening or your day at work. Make a list of different things you'd like or need to do. Once you see your tasks, it will be much easier to work on things one at a time, and you won't feel the need to rush around and work on too many things at once.

Sounds simple, no? The benefits are endless. Your boss will appreciate your organization and attention to detail (you won't miss that important sentence as you scan an email because you were on the phone anymore!). Your friends will appreciate your listening skills (you will hear the mumble about the dog chewing her fav headband and shock her with a new one!).

You will be amazed at your newfound productivity! Efficiency rules.

Read more...

plan z

Have you ever thought about your ideal life? If you went to high school, you probably got some sort of speech from a guidance counselor or similar person about "discovering your destiny." Or, as my mother would say, "Find what you love to do and then find a way to get paid for it."

But, how often does one fantasize about the worst-case scenario life? Unless you are eternally pessimistic, probably not very often!

Per the inspiration of the amazing Unicorns for Socialism, I offer my Plan Z. As she defines it, "The end of the road. The point of no return. The bottomest bottom. The lowest low. The pit of despair. EPIC. FAILURE."

My Z begins with my living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and not being able to afford a winter coat. Seeing as car insurance would be too expensive, I would live on my bike. I would be forced to sleep in dumpsters, with the trash keeping me warm. I would have only two outfits: cutoffs and a t-shirt for summer, a floor-length wool dress for winter (heinous!). Having lost my resume and portfolio in the snow, I would have to take a midnight shift at Walmart in the stock room (bonus: a warm place to be at night!). When I wasn't working, I would entertain myself talking to the little animals that live in my dumpster and convince them that if they have enough ambition, they might be able to be as successful as that rat from Disney's Ratatouille. The only alcohol I'd be able to afford would be the communion wine at the local church. Church would also be my place to bathe: I'd find the ones that do full-body submersion for baptisms and request a conversion. Luckily, I'd be able to use my Walmart employee discount to maximize my welfare check to buy saltines and store-brand peanut butter for dinner.

So, do I plan to pursue this? Not exactly. But, knowing that I'd still find a way to eat, work, and keep warm, failure doesn't seem quite so horrible...

Besides, I hear that store-brand peanut butter isn't too bad.

Read more...