In the Dungeon Master’s Guide I’m reading, it offers suggestions on how to keep players interested through the sense that their world is being impacted by their choices. Also, that the world is not a static environment and events occur that are entirely unrelated to the players, but that they must deal with. These changes create a need and desire to strive and to engage … Continue reading World-shaking events

…be ready just to listen. You can’t always solve their problems; they might not even want you to. Listening, actively, is a real help in and of itself. Continue reading If you love someone…

It’s a good book in the sense of breaking down how government, media, the economy and other sectors overlook the benefit of a scientific approach in general and evidence in particular. I don’t feel it’s a good read in terms of how to change this though. Scientific rationality doesn’t capture the hearts and minds of most of our population. Media and government discern this clearly, … Continue reading The Geek Manifesto

…and you’ll need far less effort. Hours will pass gladly and barely be noticed. The energy you have will go further; the next level up will be worth the stretch. I think a lot of effort should go into finding your passion if it’s not clear, then getting to a position where you can pursue it. So much easier then, to make the best contribution … Continue reading Work with passion…

I play DnD. There’s also so much joy to be had in escaping to a different world where, through adventure, one strives to create a better world – more just and more fair. Where people are free to live without fear and oppression. These are common goals for those choosing role-play, but feel quite uncommon in real life. I hope to bring more magic into … Continue reading Otherworldly

…everything looks like a nail. The Law of the Instrument isn’t how I’d known this principle but is one I’ve been aware of for a long time. I was pleased, and a little surprised, to recognise I’ve been approaching a joint enterprise with some friends, as if it were a nail because I’ve got a (laser-cutting) hammer. Ironically, the three of us are software developers … Continue reading When all you have is a hammer…

At first, doing something different or even just more than you did before, is an effort. If you keep doing it with good reason and with intent, it will eventually become a habit. 21 days to form a habit is a myth, that’s peddled especially well by apps that want your attention. A scientific study found variation of between 18 and 254 days, depending on … Continue reading It’s an effort, till it’s a habit

Being resolute doesn’t mean being in a hurry. Your journey has obstacles that you need resources to get over, through or around and you might not have all the resources to hand or available. Some time to gather them may be unavoidable. Your ability to act will face constraints. Some that you’ve chosen – needing to support a partner, perhaps – and some that you … Continue reading Patience

Yesterday, my brain seemed fixed on how stuck I felt. I resisted its message, acknowledging that they’re thoughts and nothing more. Recognising that while there was accuracy in their message, I knew it wasn’t the whole picture. Of course, I didn’t just snap out of it and I didn’t feel on top of world for thinking that my thinking was just thinking… Today, I feel … Continue reading What a difference a day makes

Related to taking different perspectives, is remembering to view the whole picture. Helpful even if you still only manage to look at things from a single, narrow perspective. The car broke down again. A frustrating sign that nothing goes right for you? The whole picture shows simply that you prioritised. You invested in developing skills instead of servicing the car. You could live without the … Continue reading The whole picture