The Propeller - August 13, 2023 - Unlocking Wisdom: Because Googling For Answers Can Only Get You So FarThe Propeller - August 13, 2023

Stop Spinning Plates

There’s a nifty little book that I turn to often. Honestly, it’s short book and was written in 1908. It upturned the idiom “time is money” for me by forcing me to consider the intrinsic value of time. How to live on 24 hours a day by Arnold Bennett.

The supply of time is truly a daily miracle. You wake up in the morning, and lo! your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of the unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life! It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions. A highly singular commodity showered upon you in a manner as singular as the commodity itself!

I am, slowly, learning to live on 24 hours a day.

This means two things to me: (1) not trying to do two days’ work in one afternoon, and (2) not wasting two days doing an afternoon’s work.

I’d generally consider myself a recovering workaholic. I like shiny objects and I’d like them all now.

If there’s anything that’s possible to achieve, I’d like to achieve it, and in as short a time as possible.

But often “having it all” feels like spinning a plate on your nose while pushing an egg up a hill.

You rise each morning like Sisyphus, bright with hope, dragging your boulder of work up the day’s mountain despite being doomed to failure because by 6 pm birds are plucking at your eyes, and your body won’t carry the load you’re trying to lift.

Step one to recovery is realizing that you can’t lift everything. Step two is stepping back and asking exactly what you’re trying to lift, and why.

Even if you fancy yourself as a productivity ninja, how good are you with managing the minutiae?

Take a step back this week and reflect on the number of plates you’re trying to spin. The loads you’re trying to lift. What are you assuming needs to be done that may not need to be? What are the chunkiest things taking up your time? What things leave you drained and affect your productivity? Where are you unintentionally losing time to idle absent-mindedness?

How will you spend the miracle of the next 24 hours? Think about it.

If you take me up on the challenge, send me an E-Mail and let me know how it went.

Does Your Credit Score Matter?

Over and over, I keep stumbling upon this gem: “Unless you’re about to buy a yacht, your credit score is as irrelevant as a pet rock.” Now, whenever this golden nugget of wisdom reaches my ears, I mark it as a prime example of when not to seek financial guidance from someone. Seriously, it’s like getting diet tips from a cookie monster!

Your credit score is a huge factor in much more than just big purchases. You might be surprised how often it’s used.

Here are 6 ways your credit score impacts your life:

Loans: One of the primary reasons your credit score matters is that it significantly impacts your ability to get approved for loans, such as mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. The higher your credit score, the lower the risk of you default on the loan. You’re much more likely to get loan approval with a high credit score. And…

Interest rates: Your credit score also plays a crucial role in determining the interest rates you’ll receive on loans and credit cards. Those with good credit scores are offered lower interest rates, which can lead to substantial savings over the life of a loan or when carrying a credit card balance.

Rental applications: Renting a home or apartment often involves a credit check as part of the application process. Landlords assess credit scores to evaluate the likelihood of timely rent payments and responsible financial behavior. A low credit score may result in a rejected rental application or require you to pay a higher security deposit.

Utilities: When setting up utility services (ie: water, electric, sewer, etc), utility companies may require a larger security deposit for those with lower credit scores. Low credit means a higher risk of not paying bills.

Insurance premiums: Many insurance companies consider credit scores when determining insurance premiums for auto, home, or renters’ insurance. Those with lower credit scores may be deemed higher risk and consequently face higher insurance premiums.

Employment: Some employers include credit checks as part of their hiring process, particularly for roles that involve financial responsibilities or access to sensitive information.

Your credit score has a big impact whether you’re planning a big purchase or not.

Not sure what your number means? According to Equifax:

800+: Excellent
740 to 799: Very good
670 to 739: Good
580 to 669: Fair
Make it your goal to have “Very good” credit…or a score of at least 740.

Below 740? Don’t worry, in a future issue of The Propeller, I will review ways to improve your credit score.

Tech: An AI Prompt for Bing

Utilizing the integrated ChatGPT AI within Bing searches is an excellent method for scouring the internet for various items and streamlining daily tasks. Crafting effective prompts to extract comprehensive information is the pivotal aspect in achieving optimal outcomes.

Here is a great Prompt to build an itinerary for your next adventure:

Go to Bing.com and then select “chat” at the top of the page.

Use this prompt – replacing the X,Y,Z and location of your adventure and let it build you an amazing trip!

“Hey Bing, I’m traveling to Japan next month, and I need you to create a 2-week itinerary. I’m interested in X,Y,Z and want to include a trip to Mount Fuji whilst I’m there. Find me flights from my location X, and mid-range accommodation for each place we visit, as well as the cheapest travel methods”

What I’m Reading/Listening To This Week

My goal of reading one book a week in 2023 is still underway. I am on book number 32 this week!

What I read Last week:

(Warning – Lots of Computer Puns in this review!)

Alright, hold onto your floppy disks, because “Microserfs” is a wild rollercoaster ride through the quirky world of techies that left me laughing so hard, my CPU was in danger of overheating!

Picture this: a bunch of brainy Microsoft geeks decide to escape the cubicle clutches of their virtual kingdom and venture into the real world, armed with their floppy haircuts and socially awkward charm. As they navigate the wild waters of Silicon Valley, you’ll meet characters so endearing you’ll want to invite them to your next LAN party.

Douglas Coupland serves up more tech lingo than a Windows error message, but fear not, even if you’re more comfortable with a flip phone than a smartphone, you’ll be chuckling along. The dialogue is snappier than a chatroom debate, and the humor is as on-point as well-debugged code.

The book explores the highs and lows of geek culture, from late-night coding binges fueled by Mountain Dew to existential crises that make you wonder if your modem’s been unplugged. And don’t even get me started on the workplace drama – think “The Office,” but with more binary and fewer staplers in Jello.

“Microserfs” is like a tech time capsule that reminds us how far we’ve come since the days of dial-up internet and Windows 95. So, if you’ve ever wondered what happens when programmers try to navigate the real world, grab a copy, cozy up in your favorite computer chair, and prepare to LOL your way through this digital adventure.

You can pick up your copy of the Print, Ebook, or audiobook here: https://amzn.to/3Kq4Dk3

What I am reading this week:

From the Amazon description: “What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson’s answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.

Humorous, surprising, and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.”

Pick up your copy here: https://amzn.to/3seOAz5

May the force be with you,

This is re-published from the weekly email sent by Leonard Mack entitled The Propeller. To subscribe, visit https://www.LeonardMack.com/subscribe and read it every Sunday evening.

This intellectual nourishment is intended for informational purposes only. One should not construe anything herein as being legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

My rule is this – I have no advice to give, only experience to share. I have no interest in being a guru or telling people what they should do. Rather, I share my own experience because there is no right or wrong. Your mileage may vary.

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