RSS Feeds

While I appreciate not having to visit every site I like one by one, I find the long list of RSS feeds makes me feel more stressed than assisted lately.  Always working to make things better, I decided that it was essential to try a new system.  I would edit down my subscriptions to the few I never missed; that I searched for in the list of hundreds.  But before I did that, I looked at what I needed/was looking to gain from the feeds I read. Those three things are:  to be better at my job (and more efficient), to be savvy about world events (I do not watch the news on television), and to be amused and have my brain expanded (really, my two favorite things).

This doesn't mean that I'll give up the rest forever, or that it won't evolve.  All good systems should.  I'll still be reading the Twitter feed, and there I'll see posts when people have a new blog entry or when there's a new relevant article.  If one sparks my brain or is timely, I'll read it.

What are you looking to gain from your feed?

I will list the ones I settle on in a future post.

Follow Friday

A well-known blogger had the idea to post Follow Friday recommendations to your blog to help clear out the Twitter feed a little bit and drive traffic to your site instead.  I've participated in #ff a couple of times, always listing people individually with specific reasons listed why I love their feed and think you'd like it too.  Since there are few things I dislike on Twitter more than a list of @s with no reasons why (I've literally NEVER followed someone from one of these lists),  I like this suggestion very much. So, first #ff list will be the people whose posts I never miss.  Sure there are people with billions of followers that I try not to miss but why would I list them here?  You're likely already following.  Next week, business related.  Then, maybe art/food/music/bikes/hilarity.....in no particular order.

@lotaleesparkman - She has a dreamy, other-worldly language all her own.  Most courageous person I know, bestie, and business partner of sorts.  Owner of paperlily design + photography.  Extraordinarily talented.  (Disclosure: most of the photos I will use are hers.  The thumbnail for this post is hers.  She loves toast.  Sometimes, we'll have chats 100 lines long about toast and toasters.  Overshare?  Maybe.  But it's toast.)

@brokenhalo - His brain is represented.  And it's a really good brain.  Tells great stories.  Consistently makes me laugh and I'm tough on funny.  He's a freelance writer, which means you can read more than 140 almost anytime.  Don't miss his wife's hilarity either - @misskittypryde.  The banter between them is snort-worthy.

@winnerbowzer - For her swears, both imaginary and real.  I am a swearer and her feed is cathartic.  New friend & cutie pie.

@dena33 - My share-a-brain.  Matching enthusiasm & passion. Publisher of @metromag, amongst others.  Between local hip-hop, food porn, paper pimping, and books, she's got me covered (and I, her).

@billybillybilly - My friends call him the only one of our parents cool enough to be allowed on Twitter.  My Dad.  And while he doesn't post too often, when he does, it's hilarious or very profound and educational.  Perfect balance.

Now you have my quick list.  Who are some of the people you never miss?

Pulse

I try to be right here, in the moment, aware of things that interest me, that I love, that I want to be involved in.  People often ask me how I keep my finger on the pulse of so many things at once.  It's pretty simple.  It's also how I manage requests (for anything). I pay close attention to my initial physical and mental reaction to things.  Am I automatically energized by it?  Does is make my mind sparkle?  If the answer is yes, then without hesitation I commit to it (after checking my calendar, of course).   If no, then I let it rest until another time.  I'm not serving anyone well by saying yes to something that doesn't.  Right?