How to Not Suck at Texting

How to not suck at text messaging.

Have you ever wanted to talk to someone, just have a friendly conversation? Without calling? Many of us have and thanks to the amazing invention of text messaging we can… Sometimes. Just like in a real conversation there needs to be two active parties to actually have a conversation, otherwise it’s just a monologue with one word interjections by the peanut gallery every so often. This system is broken. If you are one of the broken links in the chain, you may be in for a lesson. Many lessons actually.

Lesson 1

One word text messages suck! They give the appearance that the sender doesn’t want to talk to the person on the other end. Which may be the case. If so it would be more polite and less aggravating to say something along the lines of, “Can’t talk now,” “I’m busy,” or even, “Don’t wanna talk.”

Sometimes it may appear harsh but it cuts down significantly on how much of a jerk you look like when someone asks, “How are you?” and you reply, “ok.” When this happens the conversation is essentially over and you look like an inconsiderate jerk.

Lesson 2

Don’t jump to conclusions. If someone sends you a text that can be interpreted in many different ways make sure that everything is clarified before you assume the worst.

Lesson 3

If something is really important, don’t text! Call them. Texting about important things in a relationship with a significant other is one of the biggest mistakes ever. Even a simple argument can be made exponentially worse if handled through text messaging.

(I’ll throw this one in here too. Do NOT break up with someone over a text, it is too impersonal. All the same, don’t ask someone out over a text for the same reason).

Lesson 4

Learn to be a conversationalist. It’s really not that hard to have an intelligent conversation, via texting or otherwise. If you find that you have trouble with it you may need to rethink having a phone. It’s main use is to communicate. So, logically if you suck at communicating to begin with is a phone going to help any?

I’ll simplify this a little bit even. Ask questions! Questions make conversations. Give some input, we can’t read your mind, let alone your facial expression when we tell you something. Respond with some content.

Be a conversationalist and learn to actually talk on the phone. It solves a lot of communication errors and relationships.

Any other thoughts?

Learn to List, Write, and Schedule

Using lists can greatly simplify a multitude of tasks. From shopping to cleaning to traveling. Making lists is a ridiculously easy thing to do, but the amount of help they provide is immaculate.

Here are a few of the items I use to de-stress my life:

1. To Do Lists

The most common type of list in our everyday lives. I have two different types of to do lists. One is a daily to do list, and one is a weekly to do list. These contain things like; take out trash, wash car, clean room, finish chapter 27, learn to play Good Riddance on guitar, etc.

2. Wish List

Not the same wish list you use for Christmas, but one you use to monitor spending. It helps reduce impulse buying. If you want to buy an expensive item write it down and put the date next to it. In thirty days if it still seems like something you need, go ahead and buy it. (http://zenhabits.net/2007/02/monitor-your-impulse-spending-urges/)

3. Workout Log

This may not simplify anything, unless you are trying to remember what you did earlier... But it can definitely help keep track of progress and serve as inspiration when you notice that you have accomplished a strength goal.

4. Journaling

Also not a list, but very helpful. I use my moleskin notebook (that fits conveniently in my back pocket) to record any seemingly important ideas I have. Maybe ideas for a new blog post, a new song, or perhaps just some general contemplation on life.

5. Planner

Something similar to a calendar. When all of your important dates are in one place along with meeting times and places it is much more difficult to forget.


Image by koalazymonkey

How To Do Pull-Ups

Just a little video I made on pull-ups.

For anyone who's interested, I was out of shape and couldn't do a single pull-up back in august. Within two months I was doing sets of 5.

5 Ways to Get School Work Done

Procrastination is one of the easiest skills to master. I myself am a black belt in the art of procrastination. I can watch videos on YouTube, read posts on Lifehacker, and play guitar for hours on end, especially when I'm supposed to be studying for my Biology exam. However, recently I have found and applied a few simple strategies to getting my school work done.


1. Focus
Figure out what you need to do. Then figure out how you are going to do it. It makes sense to plan a little bit, this way it's not so overwhelming.

2. Disconnect
This is one of the most preached about methods to getting things done. This means not only turning off the computer, but the phone as well. If my computer is turned off and in another room I have less distractions and therefore am more likely to get it all done in a timely manner.

3. Take [scheduled] Breaks
If I have a lot of work to do I look ahead and decide when I am going to take a break. Maybe it's a 5 minute break after every three sections. Only take breaks that you have planned though and keep them short. The longer they are the more likely you are to go do something else and forget about your work. But, this gives you a chance to get up, stretch, and get a glass of water.

4. Give Yourself a Deadline
Even if a project isn't due for a few more weeks, if you can get it done early it is a big relief. You don't have to stress about it anymore.

5. Reward Yourself
Treat yourself to something after you have finished that big assignment. Take a long break, watch TV, relax.

Things You Should and Shouldn't Keep Near Your Bed

There are some items that you need to keep near even when you are asleep. You never know when you'll wake up and need them.

1. Pen and Paper

I get my best ideas at night, but when I wake up at 2:05AM I don't really feel like getting out of bed to find a notebook and a writing utensil. But, if I don't write them down, I'm likely to forget by morning.

2. Light

This one is self explanatory, I prefer to also include a flashlight so I don't have to wake others when I need to get up.

3. Bottle of Water

For when you get thirsty at night

4. A good book

Reading doesn't tax the brain as hard as watching TV or listening to music. You can learn a little and get to sleep faster.

There are also a few things that you should keep AWAY from your bed. Don't worry, it won't be a giant useless list of things like... Toasters.

1. Cell Phone

I KNOW that if I take my cell phone to bed with me I will be text messaging until the crack of dawn. At which time my friends fall asleep. Keep that on the otherside of the room.

2. Alarm Clock

If your alarm clock is across the room you actually have to get UP. That is the hardest part. Once you have stood up and walked across the room and tripped over ever obstacle in your way you have a better chance of waking up on time.

3. Laptop

This is similar to the cell phone. With things like YouTube to distract us until the wee hours of the morning it is best if this beloved friend be left near the alarm clock, on the other side of the room.

Believe it or not, this post was thought up at about 3AM this morning. Kept the idea in my moleskin notebook. =]

Thoughts On Love

"Love" is a term and a condition that has bothered me time and time again over the years.

In The Bible there are three types of Love described.

• Philos - Friendly Love (Similar to a brotherly love, the way you should feel toward close friends and family)
• Eros - Erotic Love (Love of Lovers)
• Egape - Unconditional Love (Essentially a combination of the two above)

In my opinion Eros love is not necessarily "Erotic Love" but rather a surface love. Anything that makes ME feel good. It could be a man loving a woman for her body or simply a kid infatuaded with his new iPod.

Sometimes I forget about the other types of love. If you only have Eros love in your life, you are truly missing out. No possetion or physical love can replace or fill the void that is left when you have no Philos or Egape Love.

All the same, you can't just have a girlfriend/boyfriend. Chances are likely that you will breakup with your crush than stay with them forever. Friends are essential because even if you are taken at any point in time, your significant other will not always be around.

Live a life full of Love.