Unlearn, Hum, and Put Down That Phone
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Let's be Fwends is a journal about agility, organisations, technology, and the larger media landscape. And most importantly the role of all of us in all of that.
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Let's be Fwends #144:
Unlearn, Hum, and Put Down That Phone
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it"
~Oscar Wilde
Welcome to number 144 of Let's be Fwends, which is also the number of the ambulance here in Austria, but that's a tangent we'll not go into today. Instead, we look at how you can use value stream mappings for unlearning, how a punk rock band that made punk rock mainstream with just one record deals with their heritage, what humming along can do you for your brain (a lot), and what excessing screen time can do to your brain (also a lot). Also, some insightful ideas on micromanagement.
Value Stream Mapping as Unlearning Experience
I like to refer to Value Stream Mapping as the crowbar of organisational work. It's very versatile. You can use it to pry open tightly shut boxes and reveal what's inside them. You can also loosen the ground with it to prepare it for fertilisation. And you can use it to whack someone on the head, but that's not really recommended.
A Piece of Musical History Made Even More Historical
"Dookie", the seminal work of the band "Green Day" was released 30 years ago. So, instead of creating a celebratory "remastered" edition, the band decided to release "demastered" versions of all the tracks on the album in obscure, ridiculous and very funny formats. Always wanted to hear a plastic fish singing "Basket Case"? Here's your chance.
Just Hum Along
Are you one of those people who like to hum along? For example, when cooking, or when doing the dishes? That's really smart of you. Many people don't pay too much attention to it, but humming is really good for you. It stimulates your vagus nerve, and lowers your heart rate while raising your heart rate variability.
Are You a Micromanager or Know One?
Johanna Rothman wrote a great summary of the consequences of micromanagement. It creates a reinforcing feedback loop: If people are micromanaged, they are being told what to do. And if they are told what to do, they do not exhibit any problem solving capabilities on their own. If they don't show any problem solving capabilities, managers will tell them what to do.
How to break out of it? Notice your actions, and then focus on doing manager work to create a positive feedback loop of problem solving capabilities.
Screen Time and the Human Brain
I just checked my "Screen Time" report on my phone. I consistently spend more than 2 hours per day on my phone, looking at the screen (who uses their phone for calling people anyway?). This amount of usage is defined as being "excessive", and it's not good for my brain.
I wonder why screen time that is bad for you just counts when it's outside of work, but anyway, it's a stern reminder that I'm staring at screens too much.
That's it for this edition of Let's be Fwends. I need to find some strategies to reduce my 📱 usage so my 🧠 doesn't go 🍄🟫. Ideas welcome.
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