Streamline Your Digital Life with the PARA System

If you're like most people, you probably have a lot of digital clutter in your life. Files scattered across your computer, documents saved in random folders, and emails you can't seem to organize - it can all add up to a lot of stress and wasted time. But what if there was a way to streamline all of this and make it easier to manage? That's where the PARA system comes in.

The PARA system is a simple but powerful way to organize your digital life. Developed by Tiago Forte, it stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. Each of these categories represents a different aspect of your digital life and can be used to help you manage everything from work projects to personal hobbies.

Let's break down each category and see how it works:

1. 
   Projects: This category refers to any task or project you're currently working on. It could be a work project, a personal project, or anything else that requires your attention. Each project should have a dedicated folder or tag that contains all relevant files and documents.
2. Areas: Areas represent different areas of your life, such as work, home, hobbies, or health. Each area should have a separate folder or tag that contains all relevant files and documents.
3. Resources: This category includes any reference material or information that you might need in the future. This could include articles, books, notes, or anything else that you might want to refer back to later. Resources should be organized in a way that makes them easy to find and access when needed.
4. Archives: Archives refer to any files or documents that are no longer needed but are still worth keeping for future reference. This could include old projects, emails, or anything else that you might want to keep for historical purposes. Archives should be organized in a way that makes them easy to access but doesn't clutter up your current projects and areas.

So how does this all work in practice? Here's an example:

Let's say you're working on a project for work. You would create a Projects folder and then create a subfolder for the specific project you're working on. Inside that subfolder, you would save all relevant files and documents related to that project. If you have any reference material that might be useful for that project, you would save it in the Resources folder with a tag or label that makes it easy to find later. Once the project is complete, you would move any relevant files to the Archives folder to keep for future reference.

I recently adopted the PARA system in my own life, and it's been revolutionary. No longer do I create random folders to store things only to forget where I have stored them. It takes out a lot of the thought and makes things so much simpler. An item immediately falls into a home, and I can easily find it later.

Adopting the PARA system does take some initial setup time, but it's well worth the investment. By organizing your digital life in this way, you'll save time, reduce stress, and be more productive overall.

In conclusion, the PARA system is a simple but powerful way to organize your digital life. By using the Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives categories, you can streamline your workflow, reduce clutter, and make it easier to find and access the files and information you need. Give it a try and see how it can revolutionize your digital organization! 

Finding Purpose as a Work-From-Home Software Engineer: My Journey

As a work-from-home software engineer, I've been struggling to find a sense of purpose lately. During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to develop online forms to assist people in need. Although the pandemic has ended, I'm still working from home as a software engineer. While I'm grateful for the work I do, I'm currently exploring ways to find a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in my work and personal life. My family is my main focus in life, and while I enjoy my hobbies, I've been wondering what my overall purpose is.

After some reflection, I've realized that finding purpose is a journey that requires patience, introspection, and a willingness to take action. Here are some tips that have helped me find meaning and fulfillment in my work and personal life.

1. Reflect on Your Values

For me, family is my top priority. I want to make sure that I'm spending quality time with my loved ones and supporting them in any way I can. What values are most important to you? Take some time to reflect on what matters most to you, and use those values as a compass to guide your decisions and actions.

2. Set Goals That Align With Your Values

Once you've identified your values, set goals that align with them. For me, this means finding ways to spend more time with my family and being present for the moments that matter. Maybe for you, it's about making a positive impact on the world or pursuing a creative passion. When your goals align with your values, you'll feel more purposeful and fulfilled.

3. Find Meaning in Your Work

Even if your job is not your primary focus in life, you can still find meaning and purpose in your work. For me, developing online forms that helped people during the pandemic was incredibly rewarding. Now, I try to focus on the positive impact my work is having, even if it's smaller. It's important to recognize the value of your contributions, no matter how big or small.

4. Pursue Your Hobbies

Hobbies are a great way to find fulfillment outside of work. For me, woodworking and working on cars are my go-to activities. Pursuing hobbies can also provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose, as you learn new skills and create something with your own hands.

5. Embrace Your Role as a Parent

Finally, as a parent, I know how important my role is in shaping the lives of my children. Being a loving and supportive parent is one of the most purposeful things I can do. Embrace the joys and challenges of parenthood, and let your love for your children inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

In conclusion, finding purpose as a work-from-home software engineer is possible. I hope these tips have been helpful for you. Remember, purpose is not something that can be achieved overnight; it is a journey that requires patience, introspection, and a willingness to take action. So take the first step today, and start exploring what gives your life meaning and purpose.

Text-Based Fun: Remembering 'The Count' on the VIC-20

Do you remember playing games as a child, when everything felt larger than life and your imagination had no bounds? For me, one such game was "The Count" for the VIC-20, a text-based adventure game written by none other than Douglas Adams himself.

As an 11-year-old, I was immediately captivated by the game's premise of exploring a haunted castle, collecting treasures, and avoiding the notorious vampire Count Dracula. Even though the game had no graphics or sound, the story, and puzzles were engaging enough to keep me hooked for hours on end.

Now, years later, I still look back on "The Count" with fond memories of my childhood and the joy that video games brought me. 

As a child playing "The Count" on the VIC-20, I remember being immediately drawn in by the game's text-based adventure format. The game took place in a haunted castle.

To this day I still have a mental map of the different rooms and the different artifacts you could collect.  I would sit with pen and paper making my own map and walk around the castle with commands "GO NORTH", "GO WEST" etc.  You could only enter two-word commands.  I remember in the kitchen there was Dumb-Waiter.  At the time I had no idea what a Dumb-waiter was.  There was no internet to google this at the time.  I assumed it was a waiter that could not speak.  By chance, after exhausting all options I said  "ENTER DUMB-WAITER" and all of a sudden the game had a whole new set of options.  You could "GO DOWN" and "GO UP".  down would take you to a workroom and down again would take you to the dungeon.

I have refreshed my memory on this as I found a VIC-20 emulator that runs on my Mac. After a hunt and a Google, I found and downloaded the software for "The Count". It took a while to figure out how to run the game.  But when I figured it out 1981 came flooding back.   I have been reliving my childhood again with this game.  I had forgotten that you have to complete the game within a number of commands.  If you use too many commands the sun goes down, you get tired and Dracula gets you and you wind up back in bed.

I've not got far enough but you find garlic to keep Dracula away, pills to stay awake, and matches to light a torch.  Oh and the Solar oven you can get into when the sun goes down.  Again I had no idea what a solar oven was.

It reminds me of the adventure game that Josh Baskin plays in the movie Big, as both games take the player on a journey of exploration and discovery. Josh defeats the wizard in the adventure game in Big with an ice crystal. During the final confrontation, Josh finds the ice crystal in a cave and uses it to freeze the wizard's fireballs, rendering him vulnerable to attack. Josh then throws a scepter at the wizard, which shatters and causes him to disappear, thus winning the game

Despite never completing the game, "The Count" has remained a nostalgic favorite of mine for years. As a child, it sparked my imagination and provided hours of entertainment, and as an adult, it's a reminder of simpler times when games were about exploration and discovery.

I will keep playing the game and try to complete it. I did see the solution come up in my Google searches when I was looking for the game to download.  I'll avoid these for now and hopefully, with a bit more knowledge I may be able to complete it.  Who knows an 11-year-old
may have got further.

Working from Home

My desk at home

As a software engineer living in rural Aberdeenshire, I've been working from home since the pandemic started, and I must say it's been a game-changer. Here are some ways that working from home has improved my life:

1. More time with my family: I used to spend a lot of time commuting to work, but now I can enjoy breakfast with my family and help my kids with their homework after school. I also attend more of their extracurricular activities, like sports games and dance recitals.


2. Saving money: I used to spend a lot of money on diesel for my truck, but since I don't have to commute anymore, I haven't filled up since October! I also save money by making my lunch at home instead of buying it out, and I don't have to worry about paying for parking or other work-related expenses.


3. Better work-life balance: Working from home allows me to achieve a better work-life balance. I have more control over my schedule, which means I can take breaks when I need them and adjust my work hours to fit my personal needs. This has helped me feel less stressed and more productive during the day.


4. Reduced stress: I used to dread the daily commute to and from work, but now I no longer have to deal with rush hour traffic or other stressors associated with the traditional office environment. I can work in a quiet, comfortable environment that I've tailored to my needs, which has significantly reduced my stress levels.


5. Increased productivity: Working from home has allowed me to be more productive. I can focus on my work without distractions from coworkers or the office environment. I've also found that I'm more motivated to get things done since I have more control over my workday.

My desk in the Megaden

In conclusion, working from home has been a fantastic change for me as a software engineer living in rural Aberdeenshire. I enjoy more time with my family, save money on expenses, achieve a better work-life balance, reduce stress, and be more productive. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work from home and hope to continue doing so in the future.