The Friday Thing #711
Curiosity last week, vacation thinking this week….
The Friday Thing #711 almost didn’t happen as I am out on vacation for the next two weeks, so I considered taking a break from The Friday Thing. I may still do that for the next two Friday’s but as I wrapped things up a bit today, I turned my mind to what this edition would be about. Earlier in the week, someone asked me what my process is for The Friday Thing, and I explained that sometimes I have an idea earlier in the week that I finesse throughout the week, other times I just sit down on a Friday and begin to write and see what comes out. Occasionally, I do what all great artists do – I steal borrow from others.?
This week, my Picasso is my pal, Ian Sanders. He wrote a great post on Medium last week about his “offsite for one” – a concept I love – and inspired me to buy some new books for my vacation including Deyan Sudjic’s ‘The Language of Cities.’ I’m eager to read it next week as the passages Ian pulled out spoke to my own love of cities as places for creative inspiration.
My biggest steal from Ian though is the ‘YearCompass’ – a brilliant tool at the perfect time for me as I embark upon a new role at Microsoft. What Is YearCompass? Well, here is how it’s described on their website:
YearCompass is a free booklet that helps you reflect on the year and plan the next one. With a set of carefully selected questions and exercises, YearCompass helps you uncover your own patterns and design the ideal year for yourself.
Learn from your mistakes, celebrate your victories, and set out a path you want to walk on. All you need is a quiet few hours and our booklet.
Well, I foresee a few quiet hours ahead over the next few weeks so I am all in for this journey. It doesn’t require the turn of a year to begin – just the turn of a page. Which apparently more than a million people around have done since the launch in 2012. Oh, and it’s free. And, there is a Covid version and non-Covid version. And, it’s available in 52 different languages. If you are able to, please consider donating to this
amazing project via Patreon
These are a few of the pages I am looking forward to filling out:
If that doesn’t inspire you to consider YearCompass, I don’t know what will. Big thanks to Ian for the inspiration and for saving me from some perspiration this Friday.
?That’s all for this week. I hope to be back next Friday….we shall see ??
?Take care, have a great weekend and have fun!
?-Steve
Business Coordinator
3 年Always sharing enlightening messages. Thank you. Congrats on your new role Steve. ??
Partner og r?dgiver i Zynk AS
3 年Thank you, loved this. Congratulations on your new role!
Microsoft Office-ionado | Noun. A person who is very interested in and knowledgeable about Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
3 年Thanks for the link, Steve. Big shout-out to the YearCompass Movement volunteers. They even created a pandemic supplement, helping to take stock of all the changes. Very helpful! I didn't know about them.
Have a good break Steve, I hope you enjoy the process of reflection and renewal that comes from completing The Year Compass. Such a great tool. I think you’ll love Deyan’s book - good choice!
I absolutely love doing this and part of my January process every year.