Information, Goals, and Lists, Oh My!
Oh, the challenges of the information age. I do read news from a much wider variety of sources than I used to when I read an actual newspaper. And, thanks to my “strengths” as defined by Clifton, of Learner, Input, I can find myself following a trail of information through Twitter/X or Threads or any number of links in an online article providing access to an ever-growing set of sources. Unfortunately, the result of this is that I often don’t know where or when I learned, read, heard something. It irritates the scholar in me. It annoys me as a reader who still values a “real” book in part because I often remember tidbits by location, “seeing” where they are in a book or on a page so my way of locating sources is muddled, at best.
I was frustrated yet again, by this experience as I sat to write this newsletter. The plan was, still is, to share something by an author whose newsletter I enjoy. I found my way to his blog and newsletter by way of Twitter when I tweeted something about one of his books and he took the time to respond. I thought. The only problem is that as I look at his list of books, I have no recollection of reading any but the latest of his books. As I read through the descriptions of each of his books, they sound intriguing and they all need to be added to my “To Be Read” list, but they don’t answer the critical question – how did I find this person and his writing. Maybe the answer will appear later, but for now, it’s a mystery. One of those serendipitous finds from the internet, I guess.
The author’s name is Matthew Dicks and I think he may fit the definition of a polymath since his newsletter heading lists his description as “Writer, Speaker, Teacher, Storyteller, Other Things”. Dictionary.com defines the term this way, “a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning.” The website, CareerKarma uses this description, “Polymaths are highly accomplished individuals who are motivated to take action towards their goals. Polymaths are fearless and completely comfortable juggling multiple projects and commitments at the same time.” By the way, he posts something on his blog every single day!
In his newsletter on the first day of the month, he posts an accountability update listing his goals for the year and his progress, or not, at this point in the year. I always look at it and think it’s an interesting way to chart one’s progress. He has fifty goals for the year and while I’m not going to post everything, here’s a bit to give you a feel for it. He has groupings and specific goals in each sometimes one, other times several.
“Personal fitness – 1. Don’t die. As always, I plan on living forever or die trying.”
There are weight goals and activity goals here.
There are thirteen goals under the heading “Writing Career” which includes things like completing an eighth novel and reading set numbers of books and writing 100 letters. So far he’s written to students, former students, authors, his kids’ teachers, and their principal.
Other categories: “Storytelling/Speaking Career”, “Home”, “Family/Friends”, and “Music”. The last includes practicing the piano and memorizing the lyrics to favorite songs. The final category is Miscellaneous and includes learning the names of every employee who works at his elementary school and memorizing five new poems.
What intrigues me about his list, beyond his posting his progress every month, is its specificity. It’s the complete opposite of the One-Word New Year’s goal idea. And it is very specific. 100 pushups every day. It’s easy to know if the goal is achieved each day. Here at the first of December, it’s likely he won’t complete every single goal, but a large number are already done. I also like the variety of the goals. Both very large with a lot of steps to get there and very small, but often these smaller goals are to be accomplished each day.
I’ve been interested in this method of keeping track for some time now and even though my draft list is only fifteen, not fifty(!), I’m thinking about trying this for the coming year. For one thing, it feels manageable, but it also fits my other Strengths of Intellection – big ideas to spend time considering, Strategic – a plan for my time as I move away from the structured days and rhythms of the academic year that have been part of my life for most of my life, and Responsibility – the need to still accomplish something useful. We’ll see. I need to think about the list more, certainly before I’m willing to share. Accountability, especially public accountability, even of one’s own choosing, is a bit intimidating, but I can see the possibilities.
The challenges of the information age – so much information that it’s difficult to manage. But the positives are also present and one benefit is learning new ways of seeing the world around us, new ways of growing, new challenges to set for ourselves. What are your information challenges and what are the matching positives? How have they changed the way you do your work, set your goals, or find books to read? Have you found a new hobby or a new interest to explore? Whatever you’ve found, enjoy the quest!
Take care,
Gage