Finding the "get up and go" to get up and go

If any of you out there are anything like me, it takes almost all of my willpower and a great deal of effort to get anything important done. Completing homework is such a grind, and leaving the house for errands seem like such a bother.

So you may now be asking "Bradley, if you're this lazy, how do you possibly get anything done, you slacker?". Wow, rude. Well, to that I present you this: The Slacker's Guide to Getting S*** Done:

1. If you're going to get work done, do it in the morning.
This is a bit of a strange one, but I find if you have a task to do, get up early and do it then. You'll find there are less distractions, mainly because nothing interesting happens before 10am. This is s trick that I can attest to, mainly because I find that I have more focus and energy in the morning.

2. Don't work where you play.
This is a huge one. The idea behind this one is to get away from distractions, especially if you work on the same computer you use for gaming or other entertainment. My favourite place to work at is the local coffee shop. I feel just comfortable enough to enjoy a coffee and soak in the environment, and  just uncomfortable enough to want to get my work done and leave, and

As a bonus tip: If you're working less than 4 hours, don't bring a power adapter for your laptop. It'll discourage you from wasting precious battery life on anything other than your work.

3.  Procrastination is your greatest enemy.
Being stuck in the vicious loop of procrastination is like being stuck in a burning building and refusing to leave because it's warm. This might seem obvious, but if you catch yourself putting off your work, you need to break free of that cycle. Say you're marathoning your favourite television show on Netflix, and you know you have an important project to work on, it's a good idea to try something that breaks up your time. Grab a drink, take a shower, go for a walk, do anything that will break you from the comfortable routine you're in.

Following these three steps just might help you on your way to a less lazy you. At the very least, you can pretend to be less lazy using these tips.

Whatever happened to...?

If you've read my first blog I have ever posted, you might have seen that I would keep you update on my progress in the, “New Media and Web Development” program and even show you my After Effects project.

Coding Crazy

 

Its been a crazy few weeks. Especially PHP.. I've learned how to use bits of the terminal which was cool and learned how to make a database. The rest of it is kind of a blur to be honest.

I haven't just been working away on coding, I've been working on my skills in Illustrator and Photoshop. Also helping out in group projects with project management and social networking.

With all these different varieties of work thrown at me and having to deal life outside of school, it has definitely been an experience. However, I am getting through it and will continue on. As long as I don't have to take my brother to the hospital again..don't worry, he's fine. Let's just say gamer rage and glasses do not mix.

After Effects Project?

I did finish the project I was mentioning and was going to share it, but I feel like the voice over work did ruin the overall project. In the future it could make its appearance on youtube, but has for now.. it will not.

Currently though, I am working on a new After Effects project and it will be a lyrical music video with different typography effects. I'm hoping this one will turn out better.

That's a mini update I had to share.

Planning is only a chore when it's treated as one

Recent projects for the New Media program at BCIT have provided me with some insight into the importance of organization and planning when working in a team environment.

Don't tell me what to do...oh wait, what do I need to do today?

In many of my previous jobs, bosses would tell you exactly what they wanted done. There were also some understood tasks that would need to be done every shift, such as chopping the mushrooms or peeling the prawns. Later, when I began taking on more responsibility, I still approached many tasks as though my boss would be telling me what to do, and thereby define my work schedule for me.

This need to be told what to do can be a real challenge to overcome, in particular when you're in a team environment, and inefficiency means the project may not get done on time and will cost more money. In our project management class in particular, we talked about (and had direct experience with) managing what is called the critical path: namely, those tasks that must be accomplished before other parts of the project can begin. Understanding the critical path and being able to plan stories and tasks appropriately becomes an essential part of maintaining productivity and efficiency within the team.

Photo credit: Steve Jurvetson (via Flickr)

Maybe you have to experience it done wrong?

In my previous experience, I can recall the at times irritation, at times distain, upon-which I viewed excessive planning. In hindsight, I see this as less a character flaw on my part, and rather a failure of leadership to make planning a regular activity. It was because planning and team management were so rarely done, and because employees were more or less responsible for their own workflow, that planning seemed to get in the way. Planning meetings would take days, mostly because it was so rarely done. Planning took far too long, and took away from time that could be better spent on getting work done.

Or that was my perception anyhow.

That wheel spin can be a killer

Looked at differently, however, it would be easy to make an effort to plan regularly as a team. A weekly (and in some cases, daily) meeting of a team is a key component of ensuring: 1) that every member of the team is aware of the importance of their job and tasks; 2) that the whole team is clear on what the goals are for the project, both short and long term; and 3) less 'wheel spin' as the team lurches out of work mode to take part in meetings and then tries to get focussed back on their main tasks.

Poor planning could be all in Greek...
Photo credit: Juhan Sonin (via Flickr)

What has become clear to me is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the need for clarity. When we work with others, and especially those who may rely upon us in order to do their jobs effectively, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the big picture and the minutia, without getting bogged down in the latter (no one likes a micro-manager). But equally important is the organization of the team's tasks and communication to the team of how important their roles are, and how critical they are to completing the project.

Planning is only a chore when it's treated as one

Ultimately, every member of a team will want to know what to do when they come in to work whether this is defined for them or by them. Making planning and organization a regular part of the work-day routine at the very least ensures that the whole team has defined and measurable goals. Seeing planning as a chore, and treating it that way, only leads to further disorganization and micromanagement of a project. Effective planning leads to team autonomy and ownership over their roles and tasks. And from experiencing both, I much prefer the latter route.

Second Post - yay!

This was my mail out flyer project that I created in my Illustrator class in term 2 that I will be including in my portfolio website.  I used all sorts of tools and different typography with different colour scheme that matches with my coffee logo.  There was a 3-d building poster that came with this but I am still revising it.

The stripe orange/white canopy, I used the pathfinder "minus" tool as I needed to make them even on the edge. I also included some vector images (on right) including the vintage background to give it a rustic style.

My First "Official" Blog

Writing my first BLOG

I’m Belinda.  I am a student taking the New Media Design and Web Development at the downtown campus BCIT.  In my Social Networking class, we were asked to create a Story Telling blog.  So I guess this is my first official blog.  I’m not totally sure yet what topic should I be blogging about but this is a start.  Just writing whatever I can think of right now.  Eventually, I may choose a photography or web/graphic design blog topic.  Currently, I am in the process of building my portfolio site so a “blog” page will be on the menu.  To talk about working on my portfolio, it is actually exciting but at the same time it requires a lot of work organizing and gathering all the contents, then eventually making the site live.  I will be putting six our my previous projects from previous terms. 

Here is a photo that I took last July.  Since school started, I haven’t been taking much photos.

Please like my facebook page.  I have not updated it since July but when I get a chance I will.  Will upload more photos soon!

https://www.facebook.com/belindabuphotography