Another Year Over, a New One Just Begun

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As we reach the end of yet another year, it’s always illuminating to look back over the year just concluding to see what happened, what didn’t happen, what was accomplished, and what lessons can be learned for application to the year just beginning.

For me, 2023 was a year of transition, mostly marked by technological transition.  In a prior post I detailed about how, last summer, I replaced my aging 27″ iMac. At the risk of sounding repetitive, allow me to briefly retell that story, now in the light of an end-of-year review.

Last summer my trusty 27” iMac died a painful digital death when two of its four internal disc drives failed.  Although surprised by this occurrence, I gradually accepted the fact that after 33,000 plus hours of constant use over 9 years, disc drive failure was inevitable.  Unfortunately, and this is my major lesson learned for 2023, I neglected to run Time Machine backups on a regular basis and when the iMac died, I faced the grim prospect of data loss.  (Lesson #2 learned:  hardware is relatively cheap and can always be replaced. Data, on the other hand, can be priceless and in some cases irreplaceable.  So the wise person should act accordingly).

When I realized, after several trips to the Apple store Genius Bar, that my iMac’s hardware situation was hopeless, I took the plunge and bought a powerful new Mac Studio with 4 TB SSD and 64GB of RAM.  I matched that with the pricey but beautiful Apple Studio Display and, along with a few adaptors, I was back in business from a hardware standpoint.  Although it was this hardware failure that forced my hand, I was actually glad to make a long overdue technology upgrade to a new platform, this one based on the powerful Apple M2 chip.  Nine years is several generations when it comes to computer technology, and I see now just how much I was missing with my 2014 vintage iMac in terms of features and performance.

With the new system sitting comfortably on my desk, my priority shifted to recovering the data off my old computer. After a little research and several calls, I found a firm in nearby Burlingame that was able recover all my data and deliver it to me on a portable drive.  So now I was fully back in business, or at least I thought.

I say that because soon my system started acting up while editing videos.  After more calls to Apple and more head-scratching, it was determined that my trusty RAID was also in the depths of disc failure.  Again, this came as no surprise after 9 years of steady use.  With the help of the good tech support people at OWC, I replaced the RAID assembly and two of the four disc drives, and ever since then I’ve been up and running with zero problems.

My last piece of technology upgrade was to finally replace my aging iPhone 8 with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. A few months ago, I blogged about the remarkable HDR quality of footage I shot on an iPhone 14, so now I’m looking forward to making my new iPhone 15 ProMax the center of my photo and video acquisition world. Having come from the era of bulky and very expensive video and photo cameras, it’s such a revelation for me to see the quality imagery that originates from what is essentially a consumer platform.  As I get used to the iPhone 15 and start to build up a footage library, I’ll blog again with some of my observations.

Thinking back over the past year, and the realization of what every year now means to someone in my age group, I have a deepened understanding of what’s truly important in life, which I will now list in this order:  family, time, health, friends, helping others, work.  I’m grateful for all of these items and for the support and friendship extended to me from colleagues and clients. I wish everyone, and especially my blog post readers (and I know there are quite a few of you out there based on the feedback I receive) all the best in 2024. May it be a year of health, happiness, peace, fulfillment and achievement for us all.

Requiem for an iMac, and Welcome Mac Studio

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After 9 years of almost constant use, my trusty 27” iMac died a swift and painful death last June.  Problems began when the system starting running very slowly, showing me the infamous spinning beachball with almost every command. Then I was unable to launch apps or even open desktop folders. When numerous calls to Apple Support, several Genius Bar appointments, and a reload of the latest OS didn’t fix the problems, I tried in vain to salvage my data with a Time Machine backup, only to have that fail too, about 2/3rds of the way through a time consumptive process.  I finally realized that the end had come for the iMac and it was time to move on to newer and better technology.

But what to move on to?  I definitely wanted to stay in the Apple universe, so it was a question of finding the best fit within their product line.  I was leaning towards the Mac Mini, which had very positive reviews, but by the time I configured it the way I wanted, it was almost the same price as a Mac Studio, a product that offered a lot more in terms of power, connectivity, and storage options.

Looking to essentially future-proof my desktop computer needs, I decided to go for the Mac Studio, spending a little more than I anticipated, but such is the way it usually goes.  There were a number of options for the monitor, but  I eventually decided to go with the Apple Studio Display, which, although pricey, offered outstanding 5K image quality and perfect compatibility with the Mac Studio.  Everything arrived quicker than expected via UPS and I was up and  computing in no time, installation being about as simple as it gets.

Moving into a new computer is akin to moving into a new house.  You plan the move as best you can and proceed with care and caution, but there are always unforeseen problems and situations that can’t be anticipated. Such was the case for me.

First of all, I had neglected to back-up my iMac on a regular basis, so now I was facing a loss of data that included files I definitely wanted to keep. Apple recommended a data recovery service, but even with a special discount that was prohibitively expensive.  I finally found a local Apple repair service that would try to recover my data off the crippled iMac at a reasonable price, so I went with them (and it worked out fine, they recovered all my data). Microsoft and Apple both allowed me to recover the respective apps I had bought from them (including Office, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Affinity Photo) so I had my main productivity tools back at no cost.  All in all, the transition went about as smoothly as could be expected, although thousands of my emails files since 2013 are gone forever (and I’ve learned to accept that.)

I’ve taken this opportunity to learn a few things.   First, I’ve pledged myself to back-up my computer regularly and never again be put in the position of having to deal with a partial or total loss of valuable data.  Second, I’ve organized and streamlined my data and file system to minimize the number of folders and files on my desktop and to get rid of redundant junk and files that really don’t matter to me anymore. And third, I’ve learned to respect even more the role this technology plays in our lives and why everyone needs to have backup plans in place for when it doesn’t work (and that’s almost a given, according to a man named Murphy).

In closing, allow me to say a personal final farewell to my faithful cyber partner of 9 years: the 27-inch iMac. You were a great performer and very reliable right up until that fateful moment in June when your internal drives started to fail.  RIP in recycled computer heaven.

My contribution to the world of aphorisms

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I’m not exactly known for spouting words of wisdom, but every once-in-a-while I come up with an original thought that might be considered  “fortune cookie worthy.”    So here it is:

Wisdom is measured by the number of mistakes we learn from.

This thought came to me in the midst of making yet another mistake (although nothing terrible) and trying to determine what I could learn from the experience, so as to not repeat the same mistake.

Of course, we all go through life making mistakes and mis-steps. That’s just part of being human.  But if to err is human, so too, I think, is our capacity to learn from our mistakes and to take those lessons to heart.   I’ve tried my best to do this for the past decade or so and I think whatever “wisdom” I’ve accumulated has been the direct result of my so doing.

So here’s an exercise I’ve developed for myself.  Maybe it will be useful to you too.

Write down a list of memorable mistakes you’ve made.  It could be in business, when bargaining for something or making an investment, when selecting a color or model, or, dare I even think it, in your handling of a relationship with someone you care about.  Write down what you did wrong (be fair with yourself and not overly harsh) and then, most importantly, what you learned from the experience.

Your collection of learnings forms the basis of your personal bank of wisdom.  Look over your list of learnings.   What lessons did they teach you?  How will they guide you in not only avoiding a similar mistake a second or third time, but in your life in general looking forward?

Wisdom so gained is the salvation that comes from making mistakes. Learn from your mistakes, grow accordingly, and you will surely be wiser for making the effort.

And one more thing:  forgive yourself.   Only after you learn to pardon yourself can you open the doors to acceptance, realization, and growth.  In time, genuine wisdom will be yours.

Got Writer’s Block?  A few tips for fighting back.

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Got Writer’s Block?  It happens to all of us. 

You don’t have to be a writer to have writer’s block. In fact, any time you’re stuck with what to do or what to say –  “What’s for dinner tonight?   What movie should we watch? Where do we want to spend our next vacation?”  –  you’re experiencing in some way a form of this dreaded malady.

I’m hardly immune from writer’s block.  I’ll admit to experiencing it to some degree whenever I sit down to write these blog posts or even a letter or email to a close friend.  With so much going on in our world,  it’s downright frustrating when you can’t think of what to write about.   Fortunately, over the years, I’ve found a few effective ways for fighting back and getting the creative juices flowing again.  See if any of these tips are helpful to you too.

1) Think first to avoid “Blank Page Syndrome.”    The dreaded blank page (or screen) is the calling card of writer’s block – a vast expanse of blankness challenging you to fill the void with something worth reading.  I avoid this syndrome by doing my mental work well before I sit down to start writing.  Essentially, it’s all about thinking in advance what it is you want to say.  Start by writing down fragments or short sentences, not worrying about format, grammar, organization, or even clarity.  Just free yourself to write whatever comes to mind.  Then, look over what you have and search for a structure.  Back in the day I did this by cutting and pasting typed pages, but word processing makes the process oh so much easier.  Do your homework and thought-work up front so when you sit down to write you’ll have your content and game plan for conquering the blank page.

2) Talk a walk (or engage in some other relaxing motion activity).  Often a change of scenery, fresh air, or just feeling your heart and muscles in action can bring clarity and inspiration to your mind.  Suddenly, in the midst of your walk, you may find the topic you want to write about. The words themselves might even start flowing into your thoughts.  I love to walk but you might like yoga, Tai Chi, shooting baskets, swimming, or lifting weights. Move your body to move your mind.

3) Start out by writing it badly.  Perfectionism can be the bane of our existence if we let it. Therefore, when you’re working to break through writer’s block, don’t let this tendency stand in the way.  Just start writing, pounding the keys or moving the pen, to get something going.  It needn’t be perfect or even close to perfect.   Save those aspirations for subsequent review drafts.   Just seeing words on paper or screen, any words, can be liberating and all you need to get going.

4) Start in the middle.  We’ve been subconsciously trained from early childhood to approach the world in a linear manner.   We’re told to perform a task by starting at the beginning and then proceeding to the middle and the end, in that order only.  Writer’s block feeds off this notion that you have to start at the beginning, even when you’re unsure what that beginning is.  So, Instead, start your story/script/blog/whatever where you’re surest about what it is you want to say. Maybe that’s in the middle, maybe it’s at the end.  Maybe it is the beginning.  Whatever. Just write what you have right now and take it from there.

5) Just relax. Writer’s block can be the source of considerable anxiety, especially when you’re facing a deadline or some other situation where you feel pressured to perform. Anxiety fuels desperation and a lack of confidence, hardly the recipe for creativity or success. Therefore, identify and practice the relaxation and mindfulness techniques (and there are plenty of them out there) that work for you. With calming thoughts your confidence will rise, and you’ll realize that you’re more than capable of writing something interesting and of value to readers.  You can do this. Breathe deeply and believe in yourself.

6) Keep an Idea Log. Great ideas often leap into your head when you least expect them. They can even come to you in dreams.  Whatever, the point is don’t commit these ideas to memory because they’re likely to evaporate and be lost to you forever.  Keep an informal log of your good ideas and you’ll have a deep well to drawn upon when you need to write.

7) Observe the world closely. This seems rather obvious but you’d be surprised just how often we overlook what’s happening around us on both the local and global scale. The world is endlessly teeming with stories, ideas, and stimulating events. Watch the news, read the papers, follow events online. You’ll find topics of interest for sure.

8) Do a mental exercise or puzzle. Crossword puzzles are the classic example, but there are plenty of other ways to exercise your brain. Sudokus, Jumbles (my favorite), and Word Cyphers can energize your thought machine, ultimately helping you to overcome writer’s block.

9) Talk to a friend. It’s amazing what someone else’s point of view can do to help you find your own. Mention to this person that you’re dealing with writer’s block. You might be surprised at how their reply can break through your logjam.

10) Listen to music, watch a movie, read a book. Experience the originality and creativity of others as a prelude to prompting your own muse to start speaking to you again. You can find inspiration within the inspiration of others.

 

So those are a few ideas I’ve found useful.  Perhaps you have a few of your own to add in.  If so, I’d be happy to hear about them, as always.

Now that I’m unblocked enough to write this blog, can another project be close at hand?

Some Decision-Making Tips for Those of Us Constantly Over the Barrel.

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Stuck on making a big decision?  These tips can help.

Like many people, from time to time I have trouble making decisions.  I’m not taking about tiny decisions like what clothes to wear today or what to eat for lunch, but big decisions that involve family members, friends, health, money, career,  . . . the list goes on.   Of course , the bigger the decision, the harder it gets.

To fight fire with fire, I decided to do a little online research on ways for better practicing the art of decision making.  From that research I distilled this list of tips, which I found useful and I hope you will too.  So, if you’re tired of the stomach churning and floor pacing that occasionally accompanies making those “big” decisions, here are a few proven tips to help you climb out of the valley of indecision and scale the peaks of confidence.

1. Trust your gut instinct.

First impressions, sometimes referred to as “gut instinct,” are your initial, visceral reactions or feelings about someone or something, based on your past experiences and personal values. While looks can be deceiving, your gut instinct is often your most valid and satisfying choice when it comes to a decision.  Listen to and trust this inner voice of wisdom.

2. Collect all the information you can.

 It’s really very simple: the more you know, the easier it is to decide. Therefore, research and dig deep to get the facts and figures. Read reviews and other sources you trust.  Study the numbers and the metrics. Knowledge breeds confidence, and confidence leads to sound decision making.

3. Ask for help from people you trust. 

Never feel like you have to go it alone.  Everyone needs help from other people from time to time.  Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask for decision-making assistance from someone whose judgment you respect.

4. Consider the consequences of putting off the decision, or not making the decision all.

Sometimes there’s much to gain by taking a cautious wait-and-see approach. If things aren’t crystal clear right now, it might be best to delay taking action until you feel they are. This isn’t a cop-out, it’s a prudent approach based on caution and careful consideration of what happens if you act in haste.

5. Find someone to play Devil’s Advocate.

If you’re leaning in one direction about a decision, but you’re still not fully decided, it can be very helpful, before you decide, to hear the other side of the story argued by a trusted Devil’s Advocate.  Let that person try to persuade you into their line of thinking, then step back to evaluate how that argument stacks up against your favored position. The pros and cons can suddenly become evident and your decision becomes clearer.

6. Use the “Scoreboard” approach.

List all the  decision parameters in rows.  Then place the decision choices into columns, maybe “Decision A, Decision B’ and so forth.   Assign an arbitrary point value for each parameter, say 10 points for essential to 1 point for minor or trivial.  Fill in the columns with point values based on how you feel about each parameter for each decision choice and add up the totals at the bottom.  The “winning decision” can be quickly determined.

7. Forget perfection. 

A wise sage once said that the only places to find perfection in this world are in a blooming rose or a fully arched rainbow. Accept that your decisions will likely never be perfect.  Whatever you decide, something will not be quite right. So forget being perfect and instead embrace the Japanese concept that imperfection is in fact a part of perfection. You’ll be a lot happier and a lot more at ease with your decision making.

8. Set a short deadline for decision making, and stick to it.

Few things are more wrenching than tossing around a decision for an indeterminable amount of time. Life is too short and your time is too valuable. Set a firm deadline for making the decision and don’t deviate from it.

9. Don’t second-guess yourself.

After you’ve carefully and thoughtfully made your decision, put your mind at ease that you made what you sincerely believe is the right choice and don’t look back. Remember, buyer’s remorse never got anyone anywhere.

So, those are 9 short but useful tips for honing your decision-making skills and approaching your next big decision with knowledge and confidence. If you have any ideas to add to the list, please let me know.  I’m sure I’ll decide to use them.

Let’s meet, and get back to work!

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I’ve been in enough business meetings over the years to reinforce my deeply held belief that no such meeting should last more than 30 minutes.

I speak from the experience of having sat through endless drone-a-thons where someone – obviously in love with the sound of their own voice – went on and on about some point or another that could just as easily been introduced and explained in three to five pithy sentences.

And then there are those agendas that get quickly trashed as meetings digress in any number of directions, often wandering far afield from the germane points.

Arghh!  I say enough of all that!  Let’s have short, focused, and productive meetings that resolve the most important issues at hand and then let everyone get back to work.  And that should transpire in 30 minutes or less.   Here are a few of my suggestions to make that happen:

More shorties and less longies. Instead of planning a single, long, all-encompassing meeting, schedule a series of short meetings, say 10-15 minutes, focused on  just one or two points.  These short on-going meetings get to the heart of the matter with the relevant attendees without carving out large blocks of time in everyone’s business schedules.

Write out an agenda and stick to it.  Assign time lengths for each agenda item as a reference on how to spend the time. Ask someone to act as a “time referee” to make sure that the meeting stays on schedule.  (And I don’t mean to say that a meeting should be timed like a football game.  There just needs to be someone keeping an eye on the time so the meeting doesn’t shift into an unnecessary overtime.)

Come into the meeting prepared state your case.  The more you plan ahead, and rehearse, if necessary, the smoother, and faster, things will go in the meeting.

Have a clear purpose and objective for meeting.  This gets back to agenda planning and agenda following.  Meetings with no firm purpose or objectives will often embark on time-consuming safaris to find an agenda. Don’t let it happen.

Limit the number of attendees in the meeting. Really, there’s no need to invite more people than necessary. If some people can be informed after the meeting, send them the meeting notes and update them that way. By limiting the attendees to just the essential personnel, you streamline the meeting for faster functioning and faster adjournment.

Save Q and A’s for “off-line.” Q&As are great for opening up and having productive discussions of issues that need explanation or clarification.  They can also be huge time grabs when conducted as part of a meeting.   Better to set up another way to conduct Q&A sessions, such as one-on-one, over email, or through a dedicated Q&A portal, that doesn’t tie up everyone in a meeting.

I’ve always believed that meetings should be about work rather than work being about meetings.   Let’s stick to the tight, concise 30 minutes max rule and get back to what we really should be doing.  Farewell to wandering, overly long meetings!

Video Production with the iPhone 14 was iOpening

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Recently I completed a shoot using both a conventional video camera and an iPhone 14 ProMax.  It was my first time using the iPhone for professional video production and I must admit I was impressed with the results.

Shooting in 4K resolution, the iPhone video footage was crisp and beautifully detailed. The camera’s  auto iris and auto white balance functions worked perfectly, with the footage maintaining correct exposure and color balance despite our rapid switching from indoor to outdoor locations.   Mounted on a hand-held stabilizer, walking shots and other camera moves were accomplished with remarkable smoothness and stability.

The unit’s tiny size and inconspicuous profile make “guerrilla-style” undercover shooting (as we did in a busy supermarket) practical and essentially undetectable (we shot with the supermarket manager’s permission, just to be clear.)   All in all, the iPhone proved itself to be a valuable piece of production gear and an excellent adjunct to the larger camera we used for interviews and primary shots.

I say “adjunct” because there are simply a few things the iPhone lacks when compared to a conventional pro video camcorder.   One is a live zoom feature.  The iPhone is best when shooting  a full wide angle shot. Zooming in to tighter framing while shooting is awkward without a physical zoom in-zoom out control.  So ,you’re basically stuck with one framing.  Of course, in 4K, the editor is able to re-frame or animate zoom shots in post-productions, so one is not necessarily limited to the wide angle only.  Still, it’s nice to dynamically select the framing  while recording to preserve the very best quality.

A second issue has to do with audio.  I’m sure there are ways to interface a professional microphone via an XLR balanced cable to an iPhone but I haven’t found it yet.  Likewise, it would be nice to interface several such mics or a mixer to the iPhone 14 using balanced connectors. Audio interface remains the weak link, in my opinion anyway, with smart phone production platforms.

My last complaint is simply one related to size.  A conventional video camera has a certain heft to it that imparts stability and ease of handling.  It’s larger so it feels more solid and moves more “smoothly.”   It’s easier to grab and hang onto.  Furthermore, It has buttons instead of touch screen menus so it’s less likely that the shooter will inadvertently switch to an unintended mode or parameter.  (Indeed, the shooter I was working with accidently switched from 4K to 1080 modes for some shots.  Not a disaster, but it would have been a lot better to have all the footage in 4K).

In addition, a conventional camcorder mounts better to a tripod and can accommodate a teleprompter.  Recording to SD cards means a lot more recording time and ease of file management.  These are other important factors to consider.

Now that I’m considering an upgrade to my venerable Panasonic AG-AC160A camcorder, I’m in  a quandary as to whether to go with a new “regular” camcorder or commit to footage  acquisition using the iPhone 14 or its iPhone 15 successor expected later this year (and there’s also DSLR in the consideration mix too).

Technology gives us many choices, but also poses many questions and things to think about.  So, I can easily see myself getting both systems and covering all the bases.

Perhaps you’re struggling with the same kinds of questions.  If so, let’s share information and suggestions.      RB

RIP VHS and Audio Cassette Tapes

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For years a pile of VHS videocassettes sat on top of my office bookshelf in a stack that nearly  reached to the ceiling.  They were dubs of my old Ampex shows, episodes of Nova that I actually bought, things I taped off the air, and other odds and ends given to me. The thinking was that I’d hang on to these relics forever as cherished links to my past.

It was a bit of a shock when I discovered that none of these tapes would actually play in my home VCR.  Either the tapes had degraded over the past 20 years or the VCR had developed some sort of technical malady that caused it to spit out tapes after a few seconds of agonizing sounds.  What I realized, finally, was that none of these tapes mattered much to me anymore.  With YouTube and all the other on-line sources,  I still had access to much of their content, so I wasn’t really losing anything. I also discovered that I had a set of Beta-SP dubs of my Ampex shows that were much better for digitizing than VHS, so that material could be archived and eventually posted to my YouTube channel.

So, the time had come to ditch the tapes, but conscientious me discovered this was no simple matter.  Goodwill and similar charities won’t take VHS cassettes, as is the case with the semi-annual e-waste roundups sponsored by Recology, our local trash and recycling company. Simply throwing the tapes away in the trash was not a solution I could live with. The cassette shells would take over 1000 years to decay in a landfill while the toxic metal ingredients in the tape itself would quickly leech into the soil and pollute. There’s no way I could do that with a clear conscience.

Therefore, what to do with about 100 VHS tapes and an equal number of audio cassettes that I also decided I could live without?  A little online investigation work led me to greencitizen.com where I learned of their clean, environmentally sound disposal methods for VHS cassettes, audio cassettes, and other forms of obsolete magnetic media. (They burn them up in a very high temperature incinerator that generates usable electricity.) The only catch is that one must pay for the service at a rate of $1 per pound of waste.

I thought it over for a few moments and decided that that was the only solution I could live with.  So, I loaded up the car and drove over to the nearest Green Citizen recycling and disposal center, which was luckily close to my San Mateo home.  It turns out I had 70 pounds of tapes that translated to $70 in disposal fees.  Not exactly cheap for throwing things away but I felt much better that I went ahead and spent the money to do the environmentally right thing.

I’m no “green warrior” but I am deeply concerned with climate change and proper disposal of products after their useful life is over.  When it comes to video and audio media, it’s now all about online and streaming, and having a closet full of tapes (or discs for that matter) doesn’t feel so necessary anymore.  It’s time we retired our unwatched/unlistened to libraries of VHS and audio cassettes in ways that won’t harm the environment.  They served us well for many years. RIP.                 RB

Searching for the Leonardo in Each of Us

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I’m currently in the midst of Walter Isaacson’s fascinating new biography of Leonardo da Vinci and I’m truly enjoying learning about this genius of the ages, a man of innumerable talents and interests. Isaacson points out several of Leonardo’s characteristics that I think may be applicable, in varying degrees, to us mere mortals.

 

  • An unquenchable curiosity about the world. Leonardo was fascinated by everything, from human anatomy to the waves on the sea, and this curiosity led him to investigate every aspect of his world, both natural phenomena and things of human origin. He was an artist but also a scientist, and he felt it incredibly natural that these two disciplines should comprise and complement each other. We too should foster and expand our levels of curiosity, because that’s what ultimately drives learning, and creativity too. Just take a look at where Leonardo’s curiosity led him.

 

  • A supreme observer. Leonardo would observe seemingly simple activities with incredible attention to detail, and make extensive notes for further thought and analysis. Isaacson cites the example of Leonardo’s notes about a bird in flight, and how Leonardo recorded in his notebooks detailed accounts of a bird’s flight, from the flapping of the wings to gain forward thrust to the delicate maneuvers made at landing. Such observations skills would suit us well today when we tend to take so much for granted.

 

  • An infusion of creativity and fantasy with reality. Isaacson points out how fantasy is evident in many of Leonardo’s painting, especially in his paintings with outdoors backgrounds that depict gardens and scenery of almost unworldly beauty. I find it interesting how this same sort of reality/imagination blending is happening today in virtual and augmented reality applications. Leonardo was obviously ahead of his time; almost 500 years ahead it would seem.

 

The other thing I’m gaining from the book is a sense of Leonardo’s humanness and accompanying shortcomings.   He was perfectionist to the point of counter-productivity,  (Did you ever meet someone like that? I have.) constantly reworking his paintings and ideas for years at a time, never satisfied that they were done. He spent years working out the design and casting of a monumental equestrian bronze for one of his clients and the project never proceeded past the clay model stage (that model was unfortunately used for target practice by some rowdy soldiers and was destroyed). Several of his other paintings were left unfinished, and the number of paintings definitely attributed to him is a meager 20 or so, (which nonetheless earned him his place as one of the greatest painters of all time).   Leonardo also tended to procrastinate (at least I have one attribute in common with him) and he had a tendency not to finish what he started. I reckon that when someone has so many interests it’s impossible to maintain focus on any one thing for long before moving on to something else.

 

We all can’t be a Leonardo da Vinci, in fact none of us can. But we can certainly take some of Leonardo’s admirable qualities of unbounded curiosity, keen observation, and a creative approach to reality to make our world a better and more satisfying place. I’d be interested in your thoughts along these lines, especially if you’re reading Isaacson’s book right now like I am.

 

RB

Please Don’t Lance the Freelancer!

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Someone once told me that freelancers are so-called because they usually wind up working for free and they’re often “lanced” by clients for reasons beyond their control. From my experience as a freelancer that might be an exaggeration, but there are some elements of truth in there.   Perhaps if people hiring freelancers better understood what it’s like to be a part of the “gig economy” they might treat us freelancers with a bit more respect, empathy, and consideration. Here are a few of my suggestions in that vein.

  1. Yes, we do tend to charge more than your staff person for similar work. But remember you don’t have to pay our benefits or salary when we’re not needed. When you hire a freelancer you’re not only paying for their expertise and experience, but also for the cost-saving flexibility that comes with hiring someone on an as-needed basis. When the job’s done, the clock stops. So please don’t criticize or resent our higher rates. It’s necessary if we’re to make a living.
  1. RSVP. I’m often presented with tight deadlines on writing projects that I work hard to meet. Then, after sending off the draft, weeks can go by without any client feedback. I know that everyone is overloaded these days, but please respond to work in a timely manner so the freelancer knows how he or she is doing and when to expect the project to wrap.
  1. Timely payment is always appreciated, and necessary. When you’re freelancing you don’t have a weekly or bi-weekly paycheck. Cash flow is always a challenge so please pay in a reasonable and timely manner (say net 15 days for established clients).
  1. Communication is key. Tell us what you like, what you expect, what you need, and we’ll work to satisfy those objectives. The more you can tell a freelancer and the better you communicate with that person, the better the outcome. Honesty is always appreciated too. Phrases like “I think this is a good start,” or “I can see you put a lot of work into this” usually mean that things aren’t going well. Just tell it like it is.
  1. Consider the value of cultivating and training your freelancer team. The more we know about your company, products, and culture, the more effective we’ll be on current or future projects. Consider investing in your freelance pool and you’ll reap significant returns in the long run.
  1. Help us market our services via referrals, bon mots on Linkedin, Yelp, and similar sites, and website testimonials. Referrals and networking are essential to growing a freelance business, and if you’re happy with a freelancer’s work, please help that person with a complimentary review or testimonial statement. As a freelancer I deeply appreciate all positive referrals, and it’s good business for you too because I’m inclined to say positive things about you and recommend your firm.
  1. Don’t micro-manage. If your underlying feeling is that it can’t possibly be any good unless you do it yourself, then it makes little sense to hire a freelancer, or even assign a task to a staff person. Just do the work yourself and everyone will be happier.

Over 40 million workers in this country are part of the “gig economy,” and that number will only grow as the economy hims and haws through boom and recession. I’m happy to be a freelancer and the only thing that makes me happier is plunging headfirst, full-steam-ahead, into your next project.

RB