simply stephen

zero waste begins with you

simply stephen — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:40 +0000

Zero waste is possible, it begins with you.

There are many naysayers that spout all kinds of reasons why it’s not possible to eliminate pollution, reduce waste, change the government, drive alternatives, use sustainable fuel sources, eat organic and so on…but the truth is, anything can be achieved.

When humans first walked on the planet, nothing was wasted.

Sure times have change. We’ve industrialized. Mass marketing has us convinced the hurdles are too high. Truthfully, it’s a fallacy to think change can’t be achieved. It’s about our attitude and it’s a shame to think we have to wait for someone else to create the solution.

Recycling rates and targets for household waste, also known as municipal solid waste, are aggressive in some cities and abysmal in others.

According to New York State’s solid waste management plan they are achieving a result of 20% recycling rates on a target of 50%. San Francisco by contrast has a target of zero waste by the year 2020 and is already at 72%. ` paraphrased from the NY Times

Obviously, zero waste is not a dream. It’s doable.

So why the disparity?

Priorities.

Habits.

Desire.

Consumption.

It’s what you choose that creates waste. Clearly, if we create less waste it reduces the amount of waste that needs to be managed. By developing not just an infrastructure, but an attitude that defines the essences of our beliefs and goals makes a difference in how or if this is achieved.

How quickly and effectively that happens will depend on you.

Let’s make zero waste happen.

Sooner not later.

Over the next few weeks I’ve decided to explore waste management, keys to reducing household waste and neglected items that could easily be recycled or reused.

That’s just the beginning. I’m committed to zero waste in my life and am working on something big to get the ball rolling. I already have a pretty minimal footprint but want to do more…much more.

sources

Laura Haight, Start with Waste Reduction, NY Times – The Opinion Pages, http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/should-the-u-s-burn-or-bury-its-trashif you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

little by little does the trick – a lesson from aesop

simply stephen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:34 +0000

The Crow and the Pitcher

A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which had once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left in it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it.

He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair.

Then a thought came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher.

At last, at last, he saw the water mount up near him, and after casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.

Little by little does the trick.

Aesop’s Fable

Recently, I’ve been exploring and brushing up on some more esoteric works, including Aesop and many ancient philosophers. It’s interesting. There are many lessons for mankind to relearn. This fable touched a nerve and sparked a simple thought.

Every day, I get up with the hope that my words will make a difference to the world or someone’s life. I can’t make those changes all at once. I can only add to the knowledge bank bit by bit and keep trying every day, essentially adding one more pebble to the pitcher.

I realized that each pebble is so important. It takes patience and virtue, even if you are half dead, to quench your thirst. Fortitude and perseverance is important.

I’m in it for the long haul.

I’m committed to helping the world become more sustainable. I’m adding pebbles until the pitcher is full of water again. Are you?if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

rants, raves & rhetoric: the 3rs – jan 27, 2012

simply stephen — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:44:44 +0000

It’s been a long time since my last update. I figured it was time to get everybody up to speed on what’s been going on.

The last few months have been quite eventful. In the fall there was a problem with Internet access. That lasted for about 6 weeks with a month or so of bad connection before hand. Just as I was really getting into a groove.

Then Christmas happened.

I spend the time every year catching up with friends and family. Typically I visit a dozen locations to touch base with everyone, this year I limited it to about 6. It’s so nice to catch up with family and friends, we should all take the time.

I also took a big leap of faith and made a big purchase this fall. I’ll share that with you in a minute.

Although having limited connectivity makes it difficult to do what I do, it was a blessing in disguise. I have been trying to focus on the things that make me tick to gain some clarity on where I want my passions to take me. I love writing and was leaning in the direction of a unique service providing conscious content for green bloggers.

Taking the time to reflect is invaluable.

The time away helped me gain some new perspectives and a bit of clarity. It also gave me the opportunity to really organize computer systems and files, clearing the clutter to smooth out productivity.

While all of that is important and each of you would certainly benefit in doing the same, what’s really happening is that I’m narrowing my focus to the few areas that really matter to me - (a) helping introverts (and everyone) with depression and (b) encouraging people to lower their impact on planet earth (embracing the process along the way).

Those are not easy tasks!

It is important to tread lightly when talking about them so as not to be misunderstood. This is after all people’s lives and the planet we are talking about. Not marketing hype on buying something to make you rich but rather helping you enrich your life and the world we live in.

So here’s what’s going to change.

Last year I had about a dozen websites. Shortly, I will have 3. Originally, living on a dime was going to be my new take on green living and saving money, while simply stephen was a more personal green blog on simplicity.

So I’m shutting down living on a dime!

It makes more sense to focus on simply stephen and fold everything from simplicity to green lifestyles into the mix. Just like I was doing before. It’s a good source on green lifestyles, minimalism, simplicity and several related topics. There are over 200 articles. It has been more of a personal blog than a business and that will not change too much.

I have been working on more valuable resources. There are some interviews coming. Infographics may be in the works and a free guide or course on what is really needed to take green change to the next level.

That’s great, but I want to do more. There’s a business coming. It involves you and your impact on the planet. It means putting your money where your mouth is. Instead of talking the talk it’s time to walk the walk. I need your support and commitment to help make these changes happen.

Okay, that was pretty vague but I can’t completely let the cat out of the bag.

Let’s just say, I’ve discovered the most important aspect of green living is consumption. It’s about how and what we consume. Changing that is the key. It’s not about waiting for governments and business to make the change. They will only act in their best interest, not yours.

Guess what?

Those changes will save you money and make it easier to live and create a sense of purpose or direction in your green lifestyle. For those that want to keep up with the Joneses, feel free to move along. Personally, I don’t want to live the status quo, I want to change it.

So, this spring a launch will happen.

My other passion, helping introverts with depression is going strong. So, cope with life will continue as a blog until next fall when some tools and changes will happen. There is a free course (LiL Helpers – Lessons in Life) coming as an email subscription, hopefully by the end of February. It is my hope to have a full blown program ready for the fall to help people cope with depression.

The cribbage site is static and it is remaining so. I won’t do much to it but may tweak a few things here or there. Recap = 3 sites with extra tools and interviews. One site static (cribbage) and two blogs active with more articles and content coming.

As for social media, I have been holding off on it. I am determining where I want to be with it. That involves having one Twitter account, not two so I will be merging them into the right account, something about LIFE and CHANGE. A LinkedIn account exists but I don’t do business networking, I’m a lone wolf not looking for a job, connections and opportunities are still possible though. Facebook changes the game too much and manipulates the consumer in ways I don’t agree with. I also see it as a time suck. I just use it to connect with friends. Still deciding on whether to do Google + or not.

There are a couple valuable places to socialize…blog comments and forums. I comment on blogs and encourage you to comment on mine. I like community when it’s personal. I will share the forums I frequent at a later date. Forums are great they provide strong connections, excellent dialogue, accurate resource and the pace is just right.

There you have it but I’ve been saving the best for last. Living my minimal life gives me freedom (when I have the cashflow and eliminate debt) to do what I want, when I want and where I want. For many years I’ve wanted to have more mobility and at times I have. While I was working on beating my depression a stable environment was important.

One of my goals in life is to spend every winter in a new or at least different place to learn the language and culture. I also want to explore different green lifestyles and projects. Things like house sitting, Wooffing, volunteer and sustainable building projects as well as interviewing, sharing, connecting and learning from unique individuals around the globe.

In the summer I like staying in my home province of Ontario but am not fond of the rental prices and rigidness. with the idea of paying rent. I call it the rental trap. Until I have my little piece of land to set up a cooperative eco-housing project, which I call Yurtopia, I need a solution. I have lived out of my car for 6 months (twice in fact, with a smaller bout of 2 months once) but I’m getting to old for that, it’s not fun anymore.

Instead, this fall I bought myself a small RV.

It’s a 23 foot 1978 Dodge Sportsmen that can sleep four. It’s a hybrid running on gas and propane. It has a shower (two sinks which confuses me), toilet, propane stove, microwave, tow bar and kitchen. It’s the budget model but a good starter for someone that lives on the edge like me.

I have possession of it and am getting it on the road in the spring.

I’m both anxious and excited.

It’s an old vehicle and things could go wrong but…that’s part of the thrill. The adventure. I’ll write more about it over the coming months and will include a “mobile living” update as I get going. I’m pretty well set up but have to trade a few items to gear up properly. I’m also getting rid of a few more items to have just the perfect amount of “stuff” to maintain continuity and make life comfortable and enjoyable. No point having a ton of Kitchen stuff or desktop computer…time to get the right laptop and tablet as a backup to get the job done.

There you have it. If you made it this far, good for you and thanks for reading.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments. I’m really trying to encourage people to share and comment. If the comments are not working send me an email broken (a) simplystephen (dot) ca to let me know. I’d also love to hear what you would like to talk about and learn.

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12 more green resolutions

simply stephen — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:18:33 +0000

Deja vu.

Last week I started the blog of with a dozen green resolution to make for the year.

There are so many simple changes you can make to create a big difference in the world. The accumulative power of each individual is huge. Imagine if you spread the word too.

Today I’m sharing a dozen more green resolutions that each of you can make:

air dry clothes – this one is simple. In the winter get a rack and hang clothes in the bathroom. For the summer use a clothes line. On rainy days use the rack. It takes just as long to put your clothes in a dryer and they will last longer without it. Start buying quick drying anti-bacterial towels and clothes. They are quick and easy to hand wash (t-shirts, socks, towels, cloth and underwear), perhaps right before you go to bed. I got some at Christmas and they are awesome.

Make a commitment to air dry clothes this year.

carry a bag(s) – one or two cloth carry bags take up no space or weight. I keep a few in my car at all time but am always looking to find an even more minimal and versatile “perfect bag”.

Make a commitment to carry a bag this year.

conserve water – a quick fix on those leaky faucets is cheap but you can save in other ways. Stop running the water (for instance when you brush your teeth). If you have a dehumidifier running, use the extra water on your plants. Get a low flush toilet or add a brick/bottle to your existing one to displace water. In the summer, consider capturing rainwater from your troughs. The ideas are endless and the impact is huge, especially with the scarcity of clean, fresh water.

Make a commitment to conserve water this year.

upcycle – find alternative uses before you recycle. Everything has another use. I like visiting make it and mend it for great ideas.

Make a commitment to upcycle this year.

compost – everything (even if you are in an apartment). Some municipalities have a “complicated” program and accept some items. The rest goes into landfill which creates methane and a mix of other toxins. You can make or buy a variety of indoor and outdoor compost boxes. Most use worms but more expensive aerating systems exist. Worms don’t smell. Worms will eat just about anything. Learn how compost is great for your garden or houseplants or share it with your friends, family and community.

Make a commitment to compost this year.

speak with your wallet – only buy from socially and environmentally responsible organizations. It’s time to start supporting local small business and stop spending dollars with the big boys. There are many guides, including the greenwashing index to see which companies have a good track record.

Make a commitment to use shared resources this year.

work from home – If everyone worked from home just one day a week the carbon footprint decline would be massive. No traffic. No office lights. No fuel costs. And so much more time. Imagine just one day with no congestion.

Every year, urban commuters in the U.S. waste 2.9 billion gallons of fuel idling in traffic – the equivalent of 58 fully-loaded supertanker ships. ~ Harvard Business Review

Make a commitment to work from home this year.

lighting – changing to CFL lighting is a big step but there are still some environmental, health and cost concerns. Consider how you use your lighting and change your habits. The good news is that LED, that’s light emitting diodes, are becoming very affordable. This year is supposed to be a breakthrough year. The technology has improved the quality to near perfect light and they last for about 20 years using 10% of the energy.

Make a commitment to improve your lighting this year.

go electronic– try three things. 1, replace your printer with a tablet. 2, quit your subscriptions to magazines, newspapers, etc. 3, stop junk mail and all other forms of mail.

Make a commitment to reduce your paper and go electronic this year.

Volunteer – with time and money a precious commodity it’s hard to figure out how you can help. Charity and community support is not just about money. Find the time to support a cause, volunteer and contribute to a healthy, prosperous community in which you live. Speak out for a cause. Make someone’s life better. I try to do that with my blog voice, every week.

Make a commitment to volunteer this year.

home energy audit – while this can cost a little bit of money up front in the consultation and upgrades, there are usually tax credits and energy savings that have a break even in a couple years time. As a contribution to society you are helping even more by reducing the energy you require.

Make a commitment to change your energy consumption this year.

use less resources – don’t just use less energy, paper and water. Think about the full life cycle of a product. All the transportation and resources required to get it from door to door and then into a landfill. Try to use less and make smart choices on what you consume too. This is the real key to green living. Non Consumption.

Make a commitment to use less or no resources this year.

I could create one of these lists every week, although they are very time consuming. Please take the time to contribute. What green resolution would you like to see this year?if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

make your green resolutions this year

simply stephen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:44:06 +0000

Now that we are well into the New Year it’s time to check in from my much needed break. I hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday. I’m still tired. You?

I’m not one to believe in all this goal setting and resolution stuff. Instead, I’ve noticed if you are really interested or passionate about something, you will make things happen. You gravitate towards the things that bring out the best in you and spend time doing the things you enjoy doing.

So I’m making a proposal to every out there.

If you care about your children, grandchildren, yourself, all life on this planet, communities, etc. why not make a series of Green Resolutions this year?

Here’s a dozen resolutions that make a big green impact:

zero waste – going on a zero or low waste diet is not as hard as you think. At first maybe, but by creating no, low or zero waste your impact on the planet is almost nullified. You are a positive member of society instead of being a negative drain. Colin Beavan started the No Impact Project while the Green Family shares their journey to Zero Waste.

Make a commitment to reduce your waste dramatically this year.

plastic free – the no plastic diet is a big challenge. Plastic is everywhere. If you look at most quality made products (take for example stereos), the high end ones have very little plastic. Plastic is toxic. It causes health problems. It can harm your children. Do you want to ingest food that has been exposed to it? Probably not. My Plastic Free Life depicts this well.

Make a commitment to eliminate the plastic in your life this year.

buy used – many people have an aversion to buying used products. They think it makes them appear poor or are so into a consumer lifestyle that they have to go to the big stores and buy, buy, buy. Not true. Quality products are built to last and when we are finished with them it makes sense to find a new buyer. Don’t just abandon items that other’s can use get it a new home.This keeps it out of the landfill and reduces all the extraneous impacts of packaging and transportation.

Make a commitment to buy nothing new and find quality used products this year.

think local – buying locally has a great impact on the planet and helps out your community. Here’s a series of posts on the impact of going local.

Make a commitment to support your local communities more this year.

tap water – bottled water is not as healthy as you think. It’s a corporate scam. It’s kind of like selling air to breath. It creates a lot of plastic packaging too. If you are worried about toxins in your tap water, there are various filtration systems that range in price from a few dollars to many thousands. It’s time to stop drinking bottled water.

Make a commitment to drink tap water this year.

good food – you know the adage “you are what you eat”. There’s a lot of truth in that but eating right helps the planet too. More sustainable processes, no pesticides, healthier stock of plants and animals. There are a plethora of ways you can eat better – buy organic, eat less meat, plant a vegetable garden. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Make a commitment to eat better food this year.

natural products – it’s not just food that has a lot of chemicals and harmful toxins. Everyday products do too. It’s a trend called LOHAS that is not just a phase. Things like cleaners, soaps and household “miracle products” and even clothing and fabrics are full of toxins. Slow Death by Rubber Duck is a great book that illustrates this well.

Make a commitment to use natural products this year.

fossil fuels – our society is very reliant on petroleum. We have become very sedentary. Resources are limited. There will come a time when they run out. More sustainable forms of energy are needed. They also damage the environment, including the imminent threat of climate change. If you don’t think we can make a difference, just look at the changes in repairing the ozone hole. Getting used to alternatives to fuel is a good way to buffer the change saving money and the planet in the process. Try walking or taking a bike locally. Look at some of the options for your type of vehicle. Use a hand lawn mower. Drive more efficiently. The options are endless.

Make a commitment to reduce your use of fossil fuels this year.

share – the amount of resources available are finite. The cost to own everything as an individual is impacting our planet and the lives we lead. Consumerism means more work, more stuff, less living. It’s harmful. There are so many alternatives to swap, barter and share which in essence cuts out the fat and provides you with what you need, when you need it instead of having the item all the time. Now that’s freedom.

Make a commitment to use shared resources this year.

sustainable packaging – It’s no secret that packaging of products is pretty excessive. Marketers want to use up shelf space and make a product appear more valuable than it really is. This packaging includes Styrofoam, plastic wrap and other not so recyclable materials. There are alternatives and here are 8 traits of eco friendly packaging to help you learn more. Tell your local retailer you don’t want all the packaging. Refuse to buy. Tell them why! It starts with a small step. While there are reduction plans in place and many companies have started creating more sustainable practices with packaging, more change is needed.

Make a commitment to buy products with more sustainable packaging this year.

go paperless – no printer, no notepads, no newspaper, no books, no packaging. It’s not as hard as you think. It takes a bit of adjusting to read and take notes electronically but paperless is possible. If you need something printed take it to an environmentally friendly print shop. The impact of disposable paper products is huge and there are options. We need the trees to sustain wildlife, eco-systems and provide us with oxygen.

Make a commitment to go paperless this year.

conserve energy – It’s easy to reduce your energy consumption. There are many homesteaders and people that live off grid. If you can’t afford a complete overhaul start small. Habits count. Just by turning off your lights, getting more energy efficient appliances and devices will take a bite out of your energy bill.

Make a commitment to conserve energy this year.

It’s a new year and a new day for all of us. This list was just a handful of green resolutions we all make. Your contribution helps us all. I’d love to hear your comments and talk with you about what you think will make the biggest green impact.if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

season greetings for 2011

simply stephen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:00:31 +0000

Oh my, 2011 has almost come and gone!

In the spirit of embracing simplicity, lowering stress, enjoying life and minimizing my impact I’m ready to take my Christmas break and spend it with family and friends. I encourage you to do the same. As early as possible and for as long as possible.

This will be the last post until early January. If you need inspiration while I’m away there are several hundred posts in the archives…it will probably hold you over.

In the meantime, it’s important for me to let my audience and the world know that I appreciate you. Gratitude – one of the pillars of life. This year has brought growth and focus to me and my websites. I’m a hold out. I’ve stuck by my principals and philosophies in life.

the short version

do no harm
follow your own rules
live simply with a minimal footprint
make a difference and change the world
strive for constant learning and improvement

That’s it in a nutshell.

I wanted to say something profound, something to reach each and every one of you and encourage you to live a healthy, prosperous, happy life. One that makes a difference to the people around you.

Instead, I find myself encouraging each of you to find your family, your friends, your home and your peace this holiday. Enjoy some quality and thanks for sharing with me. Find some simple things and enjoy them to the max.

To a safe and happy holiday season. Peace to all.
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keeping your holiday green and simple

simply stephen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:09 +0000

Holiday time is a big deal. This time of year we’ve go really crazy. People want to go bigger and better. They stress out. Many spend tons of money. That leads to debt and stress in the new year. All that consumption comes at another cost too…our relationships and the relationship with the planet.

Sound familiar. Sorry to preach but Christmas (or the season) should be about spirit and quality time. Those gifts and expensive activities should take on a secondary role. In fact, you could focus a bit of time and love making a gift or discovering something that is second hand but more useful to the person receiving it.

Instead of continuing on a rant, I would like to share some of the ways you can make your Christmas a little more green. You can make your own recipes. You can find a greener alternative and you can volunteer to get into the true spirit. It’s not about how much you spend. There are tons of activities you can do for almost nothing.

Take a walk through a neighbourhood and look at the lights and decorations. Look in the community papers and websites for all the free and low cost activities. Reduce your footprint and debt load. The impact at Christmas is huge. We can reduce it.

Here’s a few posts I’ve done over the last few years that demonstrate the essence of simplicity and contribute to a green holiday time.

simple green last minute christmas ideas

pay it forward christmas gifts

green your christmas with a tree

simple irish cream recipe

simple christmas pleasures

As usual, I’m not going to promote and sell. I’m going to encourage change. I’m going to embrace family. I’m going ask you all to slow down and enjoy. I’m just going to keep it simple. My gain is your pleasure.

I’d love to hear how you are making your holiday a little more green. What simple things are you putting in place?if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

simply show up and your efforts will count

simply stephen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:00:21 +0000

Remember those teachers that said “if you simply show up every day you will pass this course”. Some may view that as apathetic. Actually it demonstrates commitment and care.

If you care about something simply showing up demonstrates that. That attribute is a noble quality. In the real world the same rule applies. By showing up you are making a contribution.

Let’s go back to the school example for a second.

What the teacher is saying is by showing up they understand you are committed to the class. There is mutual respect and courtesy. You will be exposed to the curriculum. You are available to ask questions and learn. You will receive and probably hand in all the assignments.

Ultimately, by showing up, you will contribute. That effort and work is a key to success.

The world is run by people that show up. ~ unknown

If you want to run the world or your life and stop being run over your entry point is to show up. That’s Pareto’s principle right there – 80% of your work is over. Your authentic self will contribute the rest of the results.

You can’t win a marathon if you don’t enter the race and show up. All your practice, thoughts and intentions are lost. You need to show up to compete or your efforts have been to no avail.

Some important areas to consider;

friends & relationships – showing up for friends & family means you care. If you always bail out your contribution is limited. An absent friend or family member is not adding value and offering support and companionship. Eventually all may be lost. Showing up builds relationships, reliance and trust. Do you want to have a friend you can count on? Make sure you can be counted on too.

life – it is not by luck that people are healthy and happy. The ones that show up for activities, exercise and interests have demonstrated a commitment to something. They are there to achieve and get results. They learn and grow from their participation. That is why they look better, communicate better, have more stories to tell an wreak of success. They’ve experienced it by showing up and are making the effort to improve.

community – you add value by volunteering and participating in community events. Every little bit really does help. Just one little 10 minute activity helps. It’s 10 minutes that wasn’t available before. Your resources and efforts raise awareness and demonstrate care to the people that may need it the most.

work & business – if you aren’t there to participate in shaping the organizations that create our futures, develop our products and govern our lands how can anything change. The decisions are made by people that are present. If you are not involved in that process how will your views and ideas be implemented. To make a difference you have to be there.

You really can change the world.

Prosperity beats scarcity any day. Next time you think your actions don’t count, think again and simply show up.

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do you take time to enjoy life and your blog

simply stephen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:00:19 +0000

With Christmas coming I like to help people focus on change and happiness. This post is going to be short and sweet. It’s a simple question.

Do you take time to enjoy life and your blog?

Yes or No.

It shows.

If you aren’t enjoying blogging it shows up in your life and vice versa. Your voice, attitude, anger…everything you do reflects who you are. It is transparent on your audience and the people you spend time with.

So many people are in it for short term gain, they lose site of the bigger picture. Take the time to review what you are doing. Reflect. How do you want to do things and make a difference in the world? It’s all connected.

It’s important to love what you do. Passion adds purpose.

Your audience needs to feel valued – to know you care. Friends and family need it too. If you aren’t happy with where you are going, it’s time to review, rethink and retool.

Told you this was going to be short. Get to it. Go out and enjoy yourself. It’s worth it in the long run.if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

tackle your workload with just 3 hours a day: 3 simple steps to get things done

simply stephen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:00:41 +0000

Does your work pile up?

Can’t seem to make a dent in it?

With all the productivity tools and self help methods it is hard not to feel overwhelmed. Those tools and systems probably distract you from getting things done.

Recently I’ve been very busy getting organized. I’m streamlining work files and processes. It’s time to focus on what really matters – growth and change. With so many choices I wanted a simple approach to reach beyond the myriad of techniques.

Today, I want to share one method I’ve formulated that is helping to eliminate that list. I’ve got a system that helps get things done. It cuts out all the fat in the process. I’ve taken bits and pieces from the various concepts out there and refined them into something special.

Let me qualify that this isn’t about getting emails, answering phone calls, doing the laundry or shopping, etc. I’m talking about the tasks that will help you achieve a goal. For example writing a novel or getting that business launched.

The bigger the better. I think most people can do anything they set their minds to and you are no exception. Changing the world is in each of us, but I digress, let’s get back to our productivity.

simple process

It’s so simple, the explanation will be short. In fact, it’s as easy as one-two-three.

Before you finish your work day choose the three tasks that are the most important (they can stretch out over several days if they involve a large project or you can break them down into proponents). Estimate which one will take the most time.

To maximize the results, start when you first get up. Do not deviate from the plan. Instead of focusing on urgent tasks, think about the important ones. You know what really needs to get done. Do not check your email or social media networks. Forget about the score of the game. Turn off the phone if possible.

Set a timer (or look at the clock):

step 1 – 90 minutes on the first task

step 2 – 60 minutes on the next task

step 3 – 30 minutes on the final task

There.

Done.

Three hours.

Take a short break in the first 90 minutes when you notice your mind straying. Take one in between each session too. If you are feeling exceptionally productive add bonus tasks in 15 minute intervals.

Productivity has soared. Quality has increased. Way less stress. More real focus.

why does this work

Concerted effort.

All distractions are eliminated.

You have not allowed anything to overwhelm or divert you.

But it’s more. 15 hours of work doesn’t seem like much, but in reality, we waste 20 or more hours a week with trivial things. We fill our minds with so much information it’s hard to get creative and use our time effectively. I’ll go out on a limb and guess the average person is not disciplined to get more than 20 hours of “real work” done in a week.

If you truly are disciplined try doing the method twice in a day.

In school we perceive those that finish early as smart. While that may be true, more often than not they have simply applied themselves to get the work done in the time allotment. But even more, this method promotes achievement and once it hits, it’s viral.

It motivates.

You strive to get more done.

In a sense you are honing your ability to focus. You gain discipline without too much pressure.

apply it to life outside of work

You can apply this method if you are moonlighting too.

Try a shorter version to build your business, dream or passion. Spend 60 minutes, 30 minutes and 15 minutes. That’s just one hour and 45 minutes every evening or perhaps 2 or 3 times a week if you have other commitments or a family to consider. Try using the morning when you are fresh. This buys you more time.

For now, I think that’s it. Try your own variation. Tweak it to meet your needs and then share it with me. I’m sure you will be pleased with the results.

I’ve been working on quite a few simple productivity systems that cut out the fat. An Organized computer file system is one. Still in the works though.

Until then, I’d love to hear what processes you need help with so you can get things done more efficiently. And please, share some of the simple systems you already use.if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

how to create change

simply stephen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:00:13 +0000

The best way to make changes is to lead by example. Gandhi’s widely overused adage “be the change” really does illustrate how to make a difference in the world.

But what stimulates positive growth and change?

Instead of lengthy discussion, I’ve decided to create a waterfall today (I tried to pair them up too).

Self Awareness
World Awareness
Equality
Fair Treatment of everyone
No More Apathy
Be compassionate
Apologize often
Be understanding
Find solutions, not problems
Seek insights and truth
Nothing is Absolute
Be Good to Yourself
Be Aware of Other’s
Lose All Negative Attitudes
Eliminate Anger
Be proactive, not reactive
Enjoy each moment of life
Offer gratitude
Create quality
Don’t blame
Be Patient
Develop tolerance
Accept, fix and learn from your mistakes
Think Big
Think Small…little things matter
Be expressive
Practice what you preach
Keep all your doors open
Lend a helping hand
Be consistent
Be noble
Be humble
Be relevant
Make it easy
Make it fun
Offer guidance
Share success
Promote other people’s ideas
Conquer your fears
Be content with life…but make changes anyway
Consider all points of view
Respect everyone and everything

That’s just a tiny little list there are hundreds more.

To simplify the teachings of Buddha taught – if we can help others then we should, if we can’t make sure we do no harm. With each virtue added to your list, your power to change the world increases exponentially. We all have it within ourselves to make a difference.

What qualities do you think invoke change?if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

take your time and do it right

simply stephen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to get somewhere. Life is not a race – take your time and get it done right.

I often talk about quantity and quality. Today is no different.

As long as you take action and move forward you will get there. Wherever there is!

Why, you ask?

Along the road you will get detoured. There are important things to take care of in life. Work or family may take priority. It’s always important to take care of these things but it’s important to enjoy the journey too.

Don’t rush down the path and not see your surroundings. In the same way it’s not good to rush your product out the door without checking the quality. Life is about quality, not how fast you get to the end of it.

Take your time. Delay your task. Enjoy the moment.

What are your priorities?

Are you taking care of them or have you been neglecting them?

You can always get back in the race when you take care of them. You will get there eventually.

This is just a quick reminder. I often talk about taking the time to smell the roses. Today is no different, but I’d like you to share this with as many people as possible. Especially the ones you love and care for.if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

spotlight: interview with john macKenzie at ethical host

simply stephen — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:33 +0000

I’ve been working on an exciting new web launch, the eco cartel for the last few months, but today is an equally big day for the simply stephen network. I’ve wanted more depth and dimension with interviews, reviews, guest posts and a range of valuable content. For many reasons, I’ve hesitated but today it’s time to break the mold.

I have many green connections.

I talk about the environment.

But I also do my best to act the part. I try to minimize my business impact by implementing green choices and choosing green suppliers. Many of us look at our options but never quite take the plunge.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my key suppliers, John MacKenzie at Ethical Host, with the first interview on the simply stephen network.

I’ve been a client of John for several years now and his service is second to none – in any industry. How you treat your customers is high on the list of key virtues to run a successful business. I chose ethical host as my web host and domain registrar because it was green and local.

The value I receive is unmeasurable.

There have been a few times when I’ve made big faux pas and John has come to the rescue. For example I’ve deleted my WordPress site in the midst of a re-install and forgot to back it up. John to the rescue. Early Sunday morning email and presto – pull the server backup and restore me to the last daily backup. All within an hour or so.

Phew.

It’s not just the level of service though, John is courteous and cares about you, your business, the community and the environment. It’s worth supporting a business were you are not just a name and number – you are a part of it. Without further adieu let’s move on to the interview.

simply stephen: It would be great if you could first of all provide a background on your business and services with a focus on the green.

john: Ethical Host is the first socially responsible web host in North America and is striving to be a high quality, reliable hosting company that is not only sustainable but also socially responsible. We didn’t just buy some offsets and call ourselves green we actually focus on reducing our footprint in many ways.

simply stephen: Tell me more. Rain Forests have been depleted from 15% of the earth to 2%, CO2 is through the roof and fresh water shortages are no surprise. How do you reduce your footprint at home and the office?

john:

1) Well there is no commuting since I work from Home so this is a big one (and therefore answers are pretty much for both). When i do travel (to the bank) or other places I use Public transit or bicycle wherever possible.
2) We use energy star rated equipment and appliances, CFL lighting and we use a high efficiency furnace and on-demand hot water system.
3) we have ceiling fans in use for summer to avoid having to run the Air conditioner.
4) We recycle everything, and any paper used if new is 100% post consumer recycled. All paper is reused and we print on the opposite side of any scrap paper we can get our hands on.
5) having gone paperless with accounting, no invoices are printed, they are only stored digitally.
6) we also use a staple free stapler whenever possible
7) We avoid Styrofoam and all other disposable products found in most workplaces
The office computer was build with green in mind with energy efficient hard drives, green RHOS parts and energy efficient power supply and motherboard.
9) We are vegetarian and so have a tremendously lower footprint in terms of our food consumption than a regular diet does.
10) We use bullfrog power for our home/office electricity usage and for the server related carbon footprint, we purchase gold standard carbon offsets through planetair which directly relates to new renewable energy projects being built.

simply stephen: I’m glad to see you live what you are passionate about. The green movement is no passing fad, what direction do you want to take with your business?

john: I agree. While there is always something more than can be done, I think Ethical Host has already implemented a lot of green solutions and will continue to look for ways to improve.

simply stephen: I know a portion of your proceeds go to great charities. With all the great causes, how to you determine who is going to benefit?

john: This is a good question. Yes 10% of our pre-tax profit is donated to charity. Sure it’s hard to narrow it down so what I do is review all suggestions made by my customers, and research each one of them. I try to strive for a balance of local vs Canadian vs international organizations. Next I try to find ones that don’t spend a large amount on “administration” costs since that takes directly away from the money that goes to help people or animals or the environment. Also, to help narrow the focus we create 3 categories, Environment & Biodiversity, Economic/Social justice in Canada, and World Poverty & Human Rights. Lastly, since I feel like some of the slightly lesser known organizations often do better work than the really large organizations, I like to try and profile these instead. At the end each year I will have 3 charities in each category and my customers will then Vote on 1 choice from each category to receive our donation for the year.

simply stephen: Often, in conversation I get the “deer in the headlight look” or lack of concern when I start talking about the environment. Have you encountered this and if so, how do you discuss green living with them?

john: Yep well i am not that pushy of a person in terms of my beliefs so if people are actually interested in them, I wait for them to ask questions instead of putting my stuff out there I find its more effective that way since if they are not interested its going to fall on deaf ears anyways.

simply stephen: A nice perspective, sometimes I often voice my opinions strongly and it certainly can be more effective to refrain until asked. Have you ever wanted to pack it all in? If so, what would you be doing instead?

john: hmmm, well sometimes it feels like I need a clone to get it all done, but I really like what i do and what my business can bring forward in terms of social responsibility. I have been doing hosting for over 13 years now so its really all I know at this point!

simply stephen: I know what you mean about the clone, so much to do and so little time. What issues do you think are in need of the most immediate solutions?

john: I think the promotion of renewable energy sources needs to be put into a higher gear. There are a lot of exciting power generation techniques such as tidal, wave, the new solar research coming out of California (that proposes efficiency of 40-60% vs the current 2-3% you currently get from solar panels) which is huge and needs to be funded much more heavily. Imagine getting 20X more power out of your solar array! This is one reason why i feel like investing in current solar technology is actually a bit of a waste until this new one becomes commercially viable.

simply stephen: What green activities and groups do you participate in locally?

john: When I had time I volunteered with the TVA (Toronto Vegetarian Association) but not so much any more and am also a member of Karma Co-op a food co-operative in Toronto.

simply stephen: John, thanks so much for taking the time to share your business and thoughts. The work you do and the way you do it is important. Many people benefit from your commitment to customers, community and the environment.

If you are looking for a green web host, need to register a domain, John is competitive. You may find what appears to be a better deal but the value from Ethical Host is priceless. If you run a green or ethical business and want to speak with actions by supporting a local, green or ethical web host, I highly recommend Ethical Host (links are an affiliate link that I will make a commission on but I promote Ethical Host regardless and am happy for you to by-pass it)if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

the multiplying effect of the supply chain

simply stephen — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:00:06 +0000

Smart consumption involves much more than the purchase of a product with a green label. There is a much bigger picture in the process. I know you’ve heard ad nauseum talk about waste reduction, going local, carbon footprints, excess package material, recycled products and energy reduction but consider the end-result from a more holistic viewpoint.

Each supplier makes an footprint on the environment. That’s damage! Every bit of transportation and resources used are a part of the equation. Less use = Less impact. It’s that simple.

reduce the impact of the supply chain

Links in the chain of supply involve a large amount of use, not just the end use limited to your home or office. They involve the transportation, packaging, production, materials and more. Therefore, the true impact of each product you purchase is multiplied by all the other actions.

Think of your environmental impact like a garbage bag. If you reduce the amount of stuff that goes in, it takes longer to fill the bag.

What if you eliminated filling it completely?

And…what if every link in the supply chain eliminated it too?

Then we would be sustainable.

But…that involves action from everyone. We all have to participate. There has to be a first person – someone has to start. So, as each person eliminates a link, we get closer to that ideal.

Just like turning of one light. It won’t make a difference by itself, but a million people turning off one light will make a big difference.

Imagine 100 million. 1 billion.

You have to care. We have to start somewhere. It starts with you. Ready. Let’s count. I’m number one. Will you be number two?if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones

take the red-eye – who said environmental progress was express

simply stephen — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:00:06 +0000

With innovative and sustainable companies cropping up everywhere and municipal programs and regulations added to the mix it is safe to say that progress and change has been happening with our environment and social issues.

the slow road to china

Sure, we want things to move along faster but the reality is that change takes time. Change is like the red-eye. Usually it doesn’t get on the expressway.

There is resistance.

The waters have to be tested. Often for good reasons too. Sometimes it takes a little too long for things that shouldn’t be controlled quite so much but any progress is positive.

I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy. ~Marie Curie

I bet you never thought that the following would become mainstream topics.

reduce, reuse, recycle - This isn’t just the municipalities. Business and consumers are cashing in, buying used products, swapping, trading, crafting. New uses for raw materials are being discovered daily. Madness, complete madness – but oh how I love a mad world.

toxins free products – It’s amazing that we allowed ourselves to be kept in the dark for so long about so many products. With the Internet, stricter regulations, watchdogs, higher education levels, greater technology, research and a push for healthier living we are removing those toxins and harmful products one by one.

natural and organic products – Pretty soon organic and natural is going to be the standard for agriculture. The demand is high and the price gap is narrowing between organic and regular food for many products. You are what you eat and I want to know what food is going into my body.

education and awareness - Communities promote, citizens take it on, schools educate and business consults on all sorts of green topics from construction to energy savings the topics are on all aspects of life.

Green living is becoming the mainstream…how long before it really is? Your guess is as good as mine but pretty soon it’s going to be the norm.if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones