Leslie Forman
February 28, 2014 — By Leslie Forman

Dispatch from the Rollercoaster Career (a look back inside my brain)

This morning I opened a notebook filled with scribbles from 2012 — ideas that overflowed from my brain while I had way too many things going on at once. As I read through these notes, I snapped pictures of a few of them to share with you.

I'm always connecting poeple and big ideas beyond established boundaries

This morning I opened a notebook filled with scribbles from 2012 — ideas that overflowed from my brain while I had way too many things going on at once. As I read through these notes, I snapped pictures of a few of them to share with you.

I wrote down these quotes while reading the book Thinkertoys, by Michael Michalko.
"The brain that doesn't feed itself eats itself" — Gore Vidal via Michael Michalko. Look sharply after your thoughts. They come unlooked for, like a new bird seen in your trees, and, if you turn to your usual task, they disappear." —Ralph Waldo Emerson via Michael Michalko
This is me, feeding thoughts into my brain and the collective brain of the internet, looking after them and not letting them disappear, despite the usual tasks to do. I wrote those words during this trip to Valparaiso, while fighting a stress-induced, not-yet-diagnosed, nasty case of bronchitis.

I attempted to define a broader theme around all these random thoughts.

I'm always connecting poeple and big ideas beyond established boundaries

One of the books I found most helpful and validating: Mash Up! How to Use Your Multiple Skills to Give You an Edge, Make Money and Be Happier, by Ian Sanders and David Sloly (which I reviewed here on Amazon). My notes:

notes from MASH UP!

Along with notes from books and events and my students’ assignments, this is a common theme: stress.

Overwhelmed

And I’m continually reassuring myself that I do have the answer, I don’t need anyone else to magically fix me. It’s all in my power.

BUT I don't have to live like this

A part of me feels like this is way too personal to post on the internet — and I probably wouldn’t be posting unpolished scribbles from this month, about unresolved doubts and questions that are currently keeping me up at night. But I do love the intimacy of handwriting, and I do like to share books and ideas that have influenced me.

What about you?

  • Do you write down quotes from books?
  • Do you scribble through frustration?
  • Do you prefer handwriting?
  • Would you post something like this on the internet?

Linked to the My Global Life Link-Up at SmallPlanetStudio.com