New Year Purge

January 18, 2019
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Quality, Consequences and the Construction Industrial Complex (part 178).

Each year I have a “purge” in an attempt to optimize. I ask myself:

How can I have more fun?
How can I simplify?
How can I delegate more?

This is my way to mentally and physically “lighten the load” so I go into the new year fresh.

I also focus on reducing digital security risks and the amount of software I use. My Jan 2019 “purge” looks like this.

Credit Cards – Manage Security

As I travel a lot I change credit card each year to prevent fraud which also ensures I review all subscriptions and reduce to the essentials.

Certifications – Reduce to Must Haves

I let my PMP certification lapse because frankly, no-one cares. $119 USD per year saved.
I let my LEED AP certification lapse, also because, no-one cares. $85 USD per year saved.

Communications – Reduce to Improve Quality

My goal is to reduce e-mail to a means of information transfer only i.e. zero conversations by e-mail.
Use video or voice calls in first instance or WhatsApp for conversations.
Never using or checking voice mail.
Remove Facebook from all devices.
Delete all contacts who are inactive, negative or soul sucking.
Getting comfortable with the word no. Only saying yes to things I really want to do.

E-mail – It must die!

Closed all personal e-mail accounts – immediate benefit, massive reduction in e-mail flow.
Review and reduce who gets my e-mail address going forwards.
Never giving a sales person my e-mail address again.
Review all e-mail subscriptions and only opt into the ones I actually read.
Open new personal e-mail account which has the benefit of never seeing sales e-mails from my old account…. : )
Checking e-mail twice per day maximum.
Only responding to e-mails sent directly to me. Any e-mail I am CC’d on will be filed but not read.

Software – Remove and Rationalize

Closed Evernote account and moved to Apple Notes. $95.88 USD per year saved.
Stoped using Visio and moved to Concept Draw suite because it works on Mac and PC.
Closed private mail account and moved to Apple iCloud. $75 USD per year saved.

Devices – Rationalize

No more desk top computers.
Changing personal mobile phone number and account. This is cleansing as you can start again and chose who gets your number and reduces sales calls to zero for a while.
Move to 1 mobile phone with duel sim which is now possible with iPhone.
Using only one screen (see below) on my iPhone to reduce number of apps I use.

Delegation – As Much As Possible

I am using www.fiverr.com more than ever and it is great. More of this in 2019.

Fun – As Much As Possible

I love what I do and the podcast (https://edificecomplexpodcast.com ) is a delight, Robert and I are talking to some amazing people.
Actively avoid shitty people and situations.

My main takeaway is that canceling and renewing, credit cards, personal e-mail and phone number every 1 or 2 years enhances personal security makes you audit your communications.

I now feel lighter, focused and ready for 2019. Get some!

Twitter: @BLDWhisperer

Edifice Complex Podcast

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