Guy Kawasaki asks: If you could eliminate one activity from your day, what would it be?
Guy Kawasaki gets things done.
Clearly. He’s the author of books like, The Art of The Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, and the soon-to-be-released, Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition. His blog is one of the most read on the web, and with all his spare time, he launched the very cool site, ALLTOP, that is essentially, an “online magazine rack” of popular topics. And…he’s leading today’s Daily Q&A. How’s that for impressive?
Today’s inspired interview: Mr. Guy Kawasaki.
Find out what a mountain climber can teach you about leadership and looking good.
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September 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am
As much as I love the fact that I can bus it and not worry about driving, I would eliminate my hour-long commute to work. I would so rather work at home.
September 25th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Cleaning, including all dishes, vacuuming and laundering.
Fab new site, ladies! Nice design and layout. (Launched on my birthday, so thanks for the pressie!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Less time on the computer, especially playing computer games.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Negative thinking.
All of it haha If I could just STOP negative self-talk or what ifs – I'd get so much more done!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:16 am
any time frivolous spent on the computer that is not during working hours. hey, im all for frivolous, but why waste it on the computer, i can do so much more with my time, my mind, my spirt… and for those around me, OFF THE COMPUTER.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:20 am
i read the above “haha” as hatha. which makes sense since i credit my desire to look upon myself with the same generosity i offer my dearest friends. so thank you for taking ME back to my true daily practice, showering myself with love and appreciation.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:37 am
I would eliminate the getting-ready routine–shower, makeup, hair, jewelry, etc. I don't want to eliminate the benefits of those things (being clean, smelling nice, looking my best)… I just want those benefits to magically imbue themselves upon me without having to spend any time on them. That's realistic, right?
September 25th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Traci, I've been able to leave my job after two months doing something part-time that speaks to the entire “baby boomer” market. I now work from home and LOVE it. I'd be happy to share with you how you can do that, replace your job income quickly, and have lots of fun doing it. My email address is lookincredible@gmail.com. Check out http://www.ns-spa.com for a 3 minute news clip about what I do.
Alison
September 25th, 2008 at 5:11 am
I agree Jess….imagine life without negative thinking!!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:22 am
I'm with you Jess. The negative script from my past continues to haunt me. I'd like to be rid of it or at least not believe it.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Happy Birthday Kristen.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:24 am
You beat me to the punch, Marissa. This was what I would eliminate, too, without smelling and feeling wonderful that all of the things you mentioned bring!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:24 am
me too, I want to snap my fingers and be ready to go!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Driving – to work, to errands, my daughter around – when are we going to get teletransporting perfected!
I love that the majority of the comments so far reference less time on the computer – as we all sit at our computers and send our comments!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:37 am
YES! Me too. Showering and doing my hair. Don't mind playing with makeup so much, but the whole shower, wash, dry thing is annoying!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Remember how George would get ready in the intro to The Jetsons? Wouldn't that be nice!?
September 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
If I could eliminate one thing….great question it would be rushing around and learning to focus on one or two things not twenty!
Lilly Page
Flair Image Consulting
Burnaby, B.C.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Driving. Driving. Driving. Driving. Could do without e-mail… but driving is the winner.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:24 am
I'd cut 1/4 of my time spent in the office and spend it at home 60-80 hour weeks of self imposed labor is just getting to be too much.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Yes! This is the bane of my existence. I'm such a clutterbug! I'm trying to change, but it's hard. Cleaning seems so overwhelming!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:27 am
I agree with all 3 of you and especially Danielle. I've been planning, shopping, prepping and cooking for over 40 years and I'm done!! Not really but I wish and wish…
Guy is an e-mail 'buddy' of my husbands. I bought him one of Guy's books which was one of those synchronistic things – I was walking by a book kiosk and did a double take and there it was. I rarely buy business books and was not intending to. When I gave it to him he lit up because Guy is one of those people he admires. He was in the process of developing some software and decided to get in touch with Guy. They've been corresponding ever since, and hope to hook up one day. I must make a point of getting Guy's new book for my husband (Terry)… just in case Guy reads this.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Dead-end, unproductive, repetitive paperwork.
And…since tomorrow is my last day at this job before flying on my own, I can eliminate it quite handily!!
September 25th, 2008 at 7:05 am
email…hands down. The tool that is supposed to make you more productive makes me less. Mis-use…for sure. As I sit back and really think of the time I spend hunched over my computer creating and responding to email my heart sinks a little.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:07 am
I'd have to agree email is a huge time suck! A phone call or heaven forbid! face to face is just so much more productive.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:13 am
getting ready in the morning. wake up, fresh and ready to go!
September 25th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I would eliminate my job with all of its rules, restrictions, e-mail, etc…. and write fulltime.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:15 am
The daily commute to the office – not that I want to work from home – I'd just like to do an “I dream of Genie” nod and be there without a fuss or traffic or squishy subway.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
First Let me congratulate you on your Cool new website!
I would eliminate COOKING dinner. I do love to cook but with two young kids – dinner time becomes frantic time. I only get 3 hours in the evenning to spend with the kids. I would much rather be playing and teaching the kids then cooking for 35 minutes – which eats in to my precious 3 hours of kid time.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I'm with Danielle! The planning, prep, and cleanup can go…
September 25th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Trying to figure out what to wear! I love fashion, but my recent weight gain has made the process of getting dressed a struggle.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Yep – same here. Getting ready in the morning and cooking/any kind of food prep. I think Star Trek had the right idea with teleportation and that 'food replicator' thing-a-ma-jig. I can't wait for the day I can just walk up to a place in my kitchen and say “Tea, Earl Grey, hot…” like Captain Picard! Then again, I guess that ties into one of my ongoing themes – about enjoying the journey/process and not just the destination….
September 25th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Exactly! And hey, while I'm at it, I'd love to have Rosie from The Jetsons to help me take care of the whole making-food thing
September 25th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Thanks Rushmi1
September 25th, 2008 at 8:44 am
DISHES! A family of 4 (3 boys and me), NO dishwasher, and a kitchen the size of a hole! Uggggg!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:19 am
hmmm, good point Jennifer…
September 25th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Woo Woo! You spread those wings girl!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I'm seriously considering replacing watching television with an hour of Rosetta Stone a night.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:26 am
super idea, what language?
September 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
OK, now that is a fantastic idea. Mindless TV watching is exactly what I need to give up, and I've been procrastinating for years about getting my French up to decent conversational standards.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I'm with Kristen on this one – it's definately cleaning that I would love to eliminate. Especially the bathrooms!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I'll start with Spanish – it'd be nice to do more than smile and nod at my Venezuelan in-laws!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:44 am
making dinner. its daunting sometimes to 'have to' decide what my family will eat pretty much 7 nights a week. sometimes i stand in front of the cupboard overwhelmed and dumbfounded, the words “i have to feed these people. every night. for the rest of my life.” play in my head. i do sometimes have the sense to know that it is a gift to have a family to feed, and a blessing to have the food to do so. but i wish someone else were planning the menu and making it happen.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Dishes and laundry! I have no dishwasher and it seems I am never caught up on washing dishes and getting the laundry put away. Like Carrie I would also love to have a staffed (just pour moi) computer genious around to make all my ideas realities.
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
September 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Driving — that back-and-forth, to and from school, doctor's appointments, errands kind of driving. It takes up so much of my day.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I finally hired a cleaning person after years of thinking “I can do it and save money” changed my life! Less stress in my marriage, more time to do what I love and I love going home!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Ditto to Kristin, I would eliminate cleaning, full stop.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Too funny…before even reading Guy's comment I immediately thought eliminating email. Although I'm clearly addicted and am really thinking therapy soon. haha But it's a blessing and a curse as I end up so unproductive. I launch onto unchartered territory and an innocent surt one click away from my topic of interest can mean 5 sites and hours later …..suddenly reading that Regis Philbin had a strong bond to his family cat Ashley…really!!!! WHAT? So there you have it…no email (at least limit to 2-3 times daily)
September 25th, 2008 at 11:16 am
hey Lisa- I know what ya mean…I've been doing it for over 30 years now. Love the fam. but my goodness-then they don't want it! oh well…
September 25th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Great new site, btw. I am excited to be part of this community!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Happy Birthday! Make some wishes. Get clear on how you want to FEEL this year. ANd whatever you do…do NOT do the dishes or laundry or vacuuming today!
xo
D
September 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Me too! I put it off for so long, but just recently enlisted some help on the domestic front. Friends had told me it would make a big difference in so many ways – and it has – I have a whole weekend to spend with my husband and daughter now (whereas I used to spend Saturday resenting the fact that I had to spend Sunday cleaning and doing laundry!)
It was the cost that held me back for so long, but now I just budget it in like any other bill every month and to be honest, I'm willing to give up a dinner out or another purchase to keep it – the rewards of time and less stress are a much bigger ROI!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:24 am
[...] – Guy Kawasaki of The Art of the Start fame. Kawasaki’s version of C&D’s Daily Q&A asks If you could eliminate one activity from your day, what would it be? Check out Kawasaki’s answer – not a big surprise considering the number of people that try to pitch [...]
September 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Keiko! I'm ready!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
carpool lines!!!!!!!!!! i would like to drive right up to the door every morning and drop my son off without having to wait in line.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Laundry!
September 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
i would like less driving!
September 25th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Today right now it would be my unfortunate tendency when I percieve threat to over react. The saying “Do unto others before they do unto you” could have been written for Bolds. It is not needed in my life this way of behaving.
I did it to my boss and she did not deserve it. Fortunately for her (and me) the second half of my style statement will be my guide forward: Grace
Thank God my employer pays for high quality pratice supervisors and I can set about building a bridge instead of blowing one up and retreating into my heavily fortified castle.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I have to vote with Guy and eliminate email. Since I wouldn't want to stop all communication with people who love email I would transmit my answers telepathically to a genie of some sort who would type them off an send them. Is that still considered eliminating? Not sure, but it sounds great.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
ROI right on MoJo!
September 25th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
All things domestic, really, but cooking would be at the top of the list, because it messes up the kitchen I spend half an hour cleaning every day. I feel like Sisyphus, condemned for all eternity to roll a huge rock up a hill, only to have it roll back down on me… (”stainless” steel – as if!)
September 25th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
So go shopping! No excuses about how you want to wait until you diet your way back down to the size you were a few weeks or months ago – you deserve to look and feel great NOW!
September 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Those little moments when the icky stressful thoughts creep in about money, UGH!
September 25th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Carrie and MoJo – you two have inspired me to do the same. I keep thinking about getting a cleaning person but then I feel guilty that I should just do it myself. But MoJo you are exactly right – my husband and I eat out several times a month and giving up one or two would be so worth it. And I would actually enjoy cooking dinner too! Thanks for the responses!!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Housework in any form.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I am totally on board with Danielle. Cooking could leave my day and I not be sad. I think I should be looking for a husband #2 that likes to cook!!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I would eliminate using the computer.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Worrying.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Cleaning the porridge pot #1.
Spending time at the computer #2.
Both are connected to goodness and sometimes even greatness but ……..I could live happily without them.
I LOVE your new site. When I clicked thru today I felt like I'd just cracked open a big juicey novel. But this is even better because it won't end!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
If it were me, I wouldn't eliminate any activities: Just the time I spent aimlessly. I know that there over 12 waking hours in the day, but I honestly don't know what I spend them on! I think wasted time can go. I can't believe how an hour can go by without my doing anything at all, not even relaxing!
September 26th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I also finally hired a cleaning service and absolutely cherish the time it's freed for me to do things I enjoy. I no longer feel guilty when I wake up on a weekend morning (I used to feel like I should clean before having fun, practicing yoga, etc). As a single woman I thought this was too much of an indulgence— boy am I glad I changed my perspective!
September 27th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I would eliminate having to get out of bed. Ours is the most comfortable place in the world.
September 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I'm with you. I'd love to be rid of mine, too.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
CLEANING, in all forms. A stay-at-home mom I am, yes, but a housekeeper I am not.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Without a doubt commuting to work. In this day and age of advanced Technology driving 20 miles each qway eats into my daily time… I would love to work from home.