Born this day in 1817, died 6 May 1862, Thoreau was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, and historian. He is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings.
7 Questions for a Better Life
Living life efficiently means having more time to do the things you enjoy most. Ask yourself the following questions when you’re stuck spinning your wheels.
The $1,000 Idea
On a recent episode of Jeffrey Zeldman’s The Big Web Show, designers Tash Wong and Tom Harman explain their motivation behind Coastermatic. While attending SVA, they were tasked with an assignment to create a product that would generate $1,000 a month. Out of this arose Coastermatic, a no frills service that allows you to make coasters out of your Instagram photos. Novel, but far from revolutionary. The assignment however, is nothing short of brilliant.
Often we’re caught up in trying to find the next million or billion dollar idea (think Apple, Google, Facebook, etc…) when what we should be looking for are the $1,000 ideas. While $1,000 might hardly cover your rent, it’s a great number because it’s obtainable (the same reason I create to-do lists with a maximum of three items) and well within grasps. Additionally, with $1,000 of recurring income a month, you have more freedom to take on, as well as turn down, work. Best of all, it’s low pressure. If your $1,000 idea fails, so what… simply move onto the next one.
Besides, who knows? With a little luck, that $1,000 idea might turn out to be bigger than you thought.
Read more on building a smarter business.
Labyrinth Canyon, Green River
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck, I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up.
– Charlie Poole
There’s no better way to get your head right than to float down a river for an extended period of time. The above photo is from the Labyrinth Canyon section of the Green River here in Utah. For more photos, visit me on Flickr.
Put Yourself in Your Work
Our stories and experiences make us more relatable and that makes us better designers. Staying up all night, every night, pushing shapes around on a computer will just make you an inaccessible weirdo after a while.
Via One Question Please with Dan Cassaro
Couldn’t have said it any better myself. Below is a vid by Dan practicing what he’s preaching. Just try and watch without smiling… I dare you.
Spring Shreddin’
Bike Season in Park City is in full bloom. If you’re not already as stoked to ride as I am, these videos are sure to put you in the mood.
RIP George Jones
Pour a little out for the Possum this weekend.
Magnificent Seven
Magnificent Seven Trails – Moab, Utah.
For more photos follow me on Tumblr at Let’s Go Native, as well as on Instagram.
Go Outside
The inspiring beauty of the landscape of the American West seems like it could very easily be an agent for rehabilitation against the modern world.
Via A Continuous Lean, from Yellowstone and the Adventures of the American West.
So true. Can’t help but think how much better off we’d all be if everyone just spent a little more time in the wild. Read the full post as well as view archival photographs from the U.S. Geological Survey on A Continuous Lean.
With that said, I’m headed to the desert. See ya Monday.
Spring Powder Skiing
17″ Spring Powder Day – Canyons Resort, Utah
Powder skiing offers a rare moment for man to commune with mountain. It requires the forces of nature to align just right, and when they do, the result is a bliss so pure it turns grown men as giddy as a school boy on prom night.