Brevity

Hello again :)

More people subscribed last issue than ever before. Welcome! I'm glad you're here, because I put a lot of effort into getting your attention. On the marketing side, I submitted HTB to several search engines and e-zine lists. Carmine, last issue's subject, apparently emailed a copy to everyone he knew. The review last issue was also posted on Stever Robbin's NLP and DHE general information server. On the writing side, I put a lot more effort in. I planned what I wanted to say, and said it as briefly as possible.

I want HTB to continue to evolve and gain popularity, and most importantly, I want to enjoy myself when I sit down to write it. Last issue was also the most fun to write. I got to filter through my experience of another person, and create a representation that entertained, interested, and surprised other people. That's what "Hacking the Buddha" means.

I've learned a lot of facts, come up with a lot of ideas, and I know how to do a lot of neat things. I want to share all that with the world. But not here. Presenting that stuff in a newsletter form is next to useless compared to the interactive power of the web itself. Whether I'm interested in teaching cryptography, business, NLP, or race car driving, there's a way to present that information in an interactive, learning-rich environment.. Like the web. Now that I have a new computer, expect to see manifestation.com develop into a full-scale interactive virtual museum where you can literally try on, step through, and manipulate many of the ideas that HTB previously conveyed.

HTB will change, too. This is the last issue that will focus primarily on ideas. Instead, HTB will deal with people. Maybe even you. That's why, at the end of this issue, you'll find some questions. As you take the time to consider them, you may find that you have something you truly want to share with the world. Send in your answers! Let's see what we can come up with.

Brevity

Been at machine six hours, off and on. Accomplishments: none. Problem is Win95, new Pentium easily distracting. No. Problem is own brain. Lack of clarity, plan. Result: frustration.

Computer, internet, books, paper, organizers, outlines, mind maps, image streaming - all useful tools, extend mind. Allow you to do ten, twenty things at once. Interrupted? Write a note, come back later. Don't have time for something now? Schedule it in planner. No experience in new interest? Read a book. Etc.

All present new options. Also new ways of getting confused. Nothing wrong with confusion. Precedes learning, allows us to regroup. But not best way to get things done.

Have found self writing HTB, working on project, etc., when suddenly have new idea. Without hesitation, I load up Internet Explorer and search the web for relevant info. Learn a lot. Don't get much done.

Found interesting solution: planner program on computer. When new idea hits, type it up, then go back to present task. Advantage over paper: no more scraps, easy to search for old ideas, plan time to follow up, etc.

Getting things done requires brevity. Plan, do, test.

Example: writing well is think, write, clean up. Not write, go get a drink, eat lunch, write, watch movie, talk to friends, write, sleep, look up stuff on internet, write, revise, write, etc.

Learning, too. Don't have to have all the pieces to understand. Example - no complete sentences here, yet makes sense. Take what you need. Forget extras for a moment. What has to be there?

Applied question to this article. What's point? Why write this? Realized very little to say. Most of what said better illustrated via interactive software than linear text. Thus change in HTB attitude. Thus last issue in this vein.

Long ago, division of labor created for efficiency. Can't make a car in a day, but can insert thousand spark plugs, turn thousand bolts. Thousand people working independently get nothing done, thousand people dividing labor build empire for auto tycoon.

Today, labor consolidated. Technology advances, corporations downsize. People expected toe do more with less. On other hand, with better tools. Computer consolidates accounting, marketing, secretarial, research, etc. Not just for companies. People, too. Allows us access to unlimited information, with which can do anything.

Only question: What next?

What's worth knowing?

Hey, my first survey:

What's worth knowing?
What was the last new thing you tried that really turned out well?
What is the most important thing you have learned in the past month?
Which memories stand out the most as having shaped your life?
If you could teach the world one thing, what would it be?
Of all the people you know, who's the most valuable to you? Why?
Is there something special about you that you'd like to have covered in HTB?

As you consider for a moment these questions, remember a time when you felt really connected to another person. Perhaps it was someone you were interested in romantically, perhaps a good friend. Perhaps a teacher of some kind, or the author of a book. Perhaps even an imaginary person from a novel or movie. You may find as you bring back that feeling, that you have answers that you really want to share. When you do, share them here! Send responses to any or all of these questions to: htb@manifestation.com

Pass it On!

If you liked HTB, tell a friend! Better yet, send 'em a copy. Thanks!