Sometimes, you just need to go scorched Earth
Posted by Michael | Filed under Site
On occasion, I’ll go scorched Earth on my apps, my blogs, email, social networks, my stuff at at home, even my computer (particularly when I was running Windows Vista).
Why?
Sometimes it’s just easier to wipe the slate and start over, rather than try to organize the amorphous pile of stuff. I play with a lot of apps, subscribe (temporarily, see the strategy here) to just about every blog I find interesting, and tend to collect things in piles at home (no matter how organized I think I am, these piles just appear. Really.). I’ve developed a set-point at which I am comfortable saying, “That’s it. Time to reformat.” My Partner doesn’t like this approach, but I get rather single-minded on this, so she just shrugs her shoulders and keeps her distance, especially when I decide that the furniture needs rearranged about every several months.
Seriously, you should try it, so long as you are able to keep calm and think through before you begin; “Measure twice, cut once,” as my Father would say. This includes backing up key files on your computer (trust me on this one…). Once you get underway, you’ll probably realize, like me, that suddenly you have control again, and can choose to systematically reintroduce the things that truly help your productivity, or simply make your life a bit more enjoyable.
By the way, if you aren’t familiar, the image below is from the game Scorched Earth. It’s a fantastic game. Tragic Hero’s Blog has a good write-up. Perhaps play a few rounds to get into the spirit. I recommend going heavy on the megaton nukes.
