A text message I received recently eloquently stated the need to get out of "The Black Hole of Other Shit." Referring to a seemingly endless "to-do list" of projects, creative output (videos/lectures), administrative tasks and emails.. As a creative person and a chapter coordinator, I can empathize with this sentiment...
I have yet to meet anyone with the time-management and productivity skills that exceeds the founder of this movement. Something I've learned as chapter's grow is that efficiency is as important as being relevant to the information. Things like consistent web-platform. Automated updates on information (ie RSS feeds), finding a core team, fielding volunteers for other tasks (ie meeting notes, or video postings, etc..) This all allows for an increase in efficiency as far a things getting done, which allows for more creative time.
The pending chapter sites issue will be a time suck. The loss of the groupsite platform as a free platform is a technical setback, but like others, will be solved. Designing a platform that will be similar in function will have the result of being efficient. Since you don't "build" efficiency, it's an outcome.
Chapters, as organized, are part of increased efficiency. No one person is "at the top" holding the keys to the educational imperatives. They're out in world, everywhere you go. The network of sites & groups advocating the same imperatives: ecological sustainability, dynamic equilibrium, systems approach, natural law, reason, environmental influence on behavior, etc. This creates the "hologram", if you will, of information without people depending on, say, just Peter or just a coordinator for instructions and information.
When I get caught in the Black Hole of Other Shit, it shows up as a bunch of incomplete tasks facing me and tasks not getting done well. This is when I stop and re-evaluate what I "want to do" versus "what I am doing". And then either postpone or drop tasks, re-prioritize commitments and start again..
This is always something I give thought to. How to make things more automated with the website, or easy-to-grasp presentations, or productive meetings, etc.. As I come up with workable applications to these questions things become more efficient for me, and hence, I enjoy more creative output.
