Value and Productivity: Less is More

As I woke up this morning was greeted with a fascinating report from Inc.com about Microsoft Japan doing a trial four day work week for its employees. The results were astounding. Productivity increased by almost 40%, electricity cost savings jumped, and over 90% of the participants reported that they were happier for the changes.

A second article from Inc.com quotes several related studies that show that time spent at work by no means translates to value or productivity. In fact, there is a suggestion that an eight-hour workday may include only around two hours of productivity.

Work is changing. As machines take over more manual labor tasks, I truly believe that creativity and innovation are necessary skills for the future. However, nobody can maintain focus for eight hours straight (or more)!

So less is more. Take a break, take a nap. Eat nutritious food regularly. If two hours of highly productive work is equivalent to or much better than eight hours of drudgery, you absolutely have time to workout or stroll down the road to your favorite coffee spot.

On a side note... I don't find screen time particularly renewing, especially when it's a large part of the work that I do. Whenever I find myself gaping out on the couch, I usually tell myself that a coffee nap is a better idea instead (it's amazing).

Now enjoy this video on the future of work and make some time today to show love to your innovative creative side!

Dragons in my Head: a Battle for Mental Health

Today is a down day, and that’s okay.

I struggle with depression and anxiety. According to the stats, one in four of you can relate.

It’s hard to manage a debilitating mental condition when trying to succeed as an entrepreneur (artist!).  Despite the fact that being self-employed demands focus and discipline, a fast-paced, ambitious schedule seems to be the antithesis to a sane and balanced lifestyle. The very second I try to push too hard, to do to much, my brain cracks and depression and anxiety step in, distorting my thoughts, my perception of reality, time, and the relationships around me. My physical symptoms include sleeping too much or not at all, irrational panic, extreme lethargy, and sessions of manic activity.

Right now, I experience a cycle of one week up, one week down. My ‘up’ weeks are hyper productive. The house is spotless, my writing goals are on point and I find myself eager to engage with the people around me.

But then, just when I think I have life figured out, I crash. I withdraw for a week and hate myself for doing it. I tell myself that I’ll never achieve anything meaningful in life, that I’m lazy, and that I deserve to be miserable. A voice whispers that I’m unattractive, and a distant, uncaring mother.

I fight back by journaling, sharing with trusted friends, maintaining a consistent routine with my medication, and fighting to correct the negative thought patterns running through my brain. I look at my goals and adjust for the coming week. What must be done? What would I like to achieve? When will I rest? What activities restore my soul? How can incorporate these into my life on a daily basis? I  also need to remind myself to schedule flexible free-time. I have found that time is like money, and I need an emergency back up reserve to draw on when things go to sh*t.

And I remind myself that tomorrow will be a better day,

I sketched out this picture on my iPad this week.

Because when those who struggle with mental health lay in bed, doing ‘nothing’, we are warriors, fighting dragons in our heads. To get out of bed, to write, to work, to love those around us, is a heroic act of triumph and courage.

We are mighty.

Feelings Friday

I call every Friday 'Feelings Friday', and I do something crazy. Every Friday.

I stop. For at least two hours. Sometimes more.

No house cleaning, errand running, coffee dates, writing, social networking, working out, yard work, grocery shopping, cooking, bill paying or even Netflix binging. :)

Instead, I stop. I breathe in the silence and ask myself: how am I feeling?

I reflect on the week that I've walked. What are the events that made me uncomfortable, angry or stressed? Why did I feel that way? What made me happy? I give thanks for the good. Understanding that my feelings are meant to give me information about the world around me and my interaction with it a reflect: what do I need to change? Have I overcommitted to something? Have I developed a poor habit that is harmful to my well-being? Do I need to apologize to someone?

I record these things down. I actually use a graph to show my mood swings week to week. This graph helps me to identify stress and triggers in my life. It also reminds me that life is full of 'ups' and 'downs'. When I'm down, I have the chart to show me: things will get better again. :)

I work through the upsets of my soul. Did I have a conflict with someone? Why did that person's actions make me feel that way? What assumptions did I make that are probably false (we are NOT mind readers!)?

I remind myself that my personal value has nothing to do with the work I do, regardless of quality or quantity.

That my value is inherent and unchanging no matter what people say or think of me.

I breathe.

I pray, and I meditate, I let these truths sink into me.

I make a change.

I go downstairs and tell my husband all about it. :)

He sighs and says "I tell you these things all the time! Why don't you just listen to me?"

We both agree that I never listen to him. 

And the week begins again. 😝

Be blessed. 💓

Why Create?

Why?

Whatever passion it is that you pursue, why do you do it? What is it that makes you come back to that thing day after day? What drives the longing?

And what will motivate you to see your passion grow?

Thank you to Jason Brick and the inspiring talk he gave at the Surrey International Writers' Conference this year. His talk "It's not a Book, it's a Business," challenged me to reframe the way I think about writing. I'm mean, I know why I write. I write because:

• of the dopamine hit I get placing one thoughtful word after another. :D
• I have core values of compassion, restoration, and self-care that I want to share with those around me.
• To encourage other creators
• To entertain
• To give hope for the future in a time of unrest

These things are the reasons why I will always write. As long as I have the breath to speak, I want to be a storyteller and to speak creative encouragement into people's lives. The place where I get stuck is that second question, 'what will motivate you to see your passion grow'?

Because the idea of writing for money doesn't get me up in the morning. It just isn't the thing that puts me in the chair in front of my computer.

• But it would be nice to keep flexible hours and be present for my family.
• I wouldn't mind bringing in a paycheck through writing so I can support my family doing something I love.
• It would be great if I could hire a housekeeper to help me out with household chores, so I can focus on turning this part-time hobby into a full-time job.

Ah ha. That's it. That's the one. :) All altruism aside, it would be a dream to make enough money to hire a housekeeper. So I can write even more because it's just so darn fun.

So I'm here this morning. To encourage you to grow and think creatively. To challenge you to discover what your motivation is behind the creative act. And because one day...

I'd like to wash fewer dishes. 😆

Community Recycling Initiative

Good afternoon Charity,

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come to Council on July 8 to provide a great presentation on the need for an increased/convenient recycling facility (one-stop recycling) in the Township of Langley. Later that evening Council referred this to staff for a report. 

Over the next few months we will be looking into the feasibility of a one-stop recycling facility and then reporting back to Council in the fall.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a great weekend.

Regards,

	Harb Chohan | Manager, Strategic Initiatives
	Engineering Division

It all started with a conversation. I'd shown up to a local recycling facility, bright-eyed and busy-tailed, this my carefully sorted plastic, styrofoam and batteries. At first, I couldn't get into the parking lot. After circling the block a few times, I squeezed my crossover into a door-knocking parking spot and lugged my recycling into the building, only to be told by an attendant that they had reached capacity and couldn't accept any more materials. It was 9:30 am. Sadly, this is the norm. Recycling in my municipality is a challenge.

Now the good news. 

A few weeks ago, I spoke to my town council about our community's need for a one-stop recycling facility. My eldest daughter sat in the front row in a bright blue mermaid wig and a big cardboard sign with the words "Charity is my Mom!" cheering me on.

The Council liked the idea! The project is referred to city staff for further research. I'll know how it's going by the end of the year. Hopefully, one day, we will have a facility like this Burnaby City Eco Center. I'll let you know when I do. 😁

My Civic Action Challenge

Last week, I wrote about an idea to improve my local recycling system, and as promised, I outlined my plan in a letter to a township council member. Happily, I received a positive and enthusiastic response. The member I contacted liked the idea and challenged me to present it to the council in person.

I have to admit, I’m much more comfortable being a ‘keyboard advocate,’ the idea of presenting before my city council feels daunting. On the other hand, it’s an exciting opportunity and a chance to work for a better future.

Below, I’ve included a copy of my correspondence so far, starting with my initial letter to Councillor Kim Richard. I’ll keep you updated as things progress!

...

Dear Councillor Richer,

Lately, Canadians have been hearing about just how terrible our recycling system really is. With garbage and contaminated recyclables rotting overseas, our once proud recycling reputation is in the trash. Provincial and federal governments can use policy to make some crucial changes, but in the meantime, what can we, as individuals and small municipalities do?

I am proud of the work that the Township of Langley has done, but there are still areas that can be improved. As a passionate recycler, I have found that our system remains incredibly limited when it comes to recyclables beyond the scope covered by RecycleBC. We are told to bring items like Styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, metal, clothing, and wood to our local recycler... but what does that actually mean?

For me, it means a headache; a proactive approach to understanding the minute differences between a plastic cereal bag and a plastic bread bag; and a lot of driving in my fossil-fuel burning SUV. Also, I have noted that the RecycleBC depots are functioning at over-capacity. This means dangerous driving conditions, over-worked employees, and recycling categories that reach maximum capacity in a few short hours (just try recycling granola bar wrappers or Styrofoam after 10:30am).

Finally, public education for recycling 'beyond the blue box' appears dismally low. RecycleBC is doing a great job at providing helpful resources, but I suspect most of the general public isn't aware of this. I doubt many newcomers to the area know how to navigate this resource.

I commend the ToL's helpful and informative tools. I especially like the 'what goes where' game on the ToL's website. I introduced this game to a Mandarin-speaking friend, who was delighted to find the tool in her own language.

But now, it's time for us to do better.

I suggest that many of these issues could be mediated with a one-stop recycling facility run by the Township for everything not collected curb-side. If this is done, our fractured recycling services can be brought together while still providing valuable materials to our recycling partners. A closer relationship with commercial recyclers also brings the added benefit of ethical municipal oversight, hopefully avoiding a disaster like the one we've witnessed in the Philippines.

I think the perfect spot for such a facility would be near the current waste transfer station. Having a central recycling location station would make things much less confusing, reduce illegal dumping, aid in public education, and might just reduce the amount of recyclable material ending up in the landfill.

What do you think of this idea? How can we work towards achieving it?

With warm thanks for your time and service,

Charity Gosling

...

Hi Charity:

Thanks for your thoughtful email and ideas about expanding our waste transfer facilities to include more recycling options. I think this is a great idea!

I am forwarding your email to the Township’s Administrator, Mr Mark Bakken, to see if something could be done about this.

I appreciated receiving your email and thank you very much for taking the time to send it.

Sincerely,

Kim Richter

...

Good morning Councillor Richter; (Mark Balkan, Chief Administrative Officer for my Township)

Thank you for your email.

This would be a welcomed initiative and likely be best triggered by a delegation followed with a notice of motion to direct staff to explore opportunities in collaboration with Metro Vancouver and report back to Council with potential benefits, costs and implications. 

Thank you.

...

And so you have it, a taste of my new bureaucratic adventure. Now it's up to me to put together a 5 minute presentation with some nifty handouts! Wish me luck!

-Charity

A better way to recycle

Lately, Canadians have been hearing about just how terrible our recycling system really is. With garbage and contaminated recyclables rotting overseas, our once proud recycling reputation is in the trash. Provincial and federal goverments can use policy to make some important changes, but in the meantime, what can we, as individuals and small municipalities do?

Well, we need to make sure what we're leaving on the curb is clean and properly sorted; making it a desirable product for recycling. This also means that cities with "single-stream" recycling programs need to switch to a "multi-stream" program. Basically, dumping all out recycling items together in one box is a terrible idea. Glass breaks, and greasy pizza boxes contaminate, turning all your newspapers and yogurt containers into trash.

But our recycling system needs so much more.

We must charge manufacturers a fee to cover the end cost of disposing and recycling their packaging materials (and ultimately their products). This money can be used to build a local recycling industry and infrastructure, with the end goal of eliminating the need to ship our plastic to developing countries at all!

Happily, if you live in BC, a program of this type has already been in place since 2013. You can read more about it here. https://recyclebc.ca/

But this system doesn't cover everything. We are told to bring items like Styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, metal, clothing, and wood to our local recycler... but what does that actually mean?

For me, it means a headache... and a lot of driving in my fossil-fuel burning SUV. Below is a list of what I do to recycle. Feel free to skip it, I just wanted to get this off my chest.

• Styrofoam: Accepted at a local recycling facility in limited quantities until 12 pm or until full capacity is reached (often full by 10am).
• Plastic bags: Clean, properly sorted shopping bags easily accepted. But you need to be trained to do this properly. Do not include any sort of plastic bag that is bonded with another material (paper and aluminum) or of variable thickness (think stand-up bags and ziplock closures, these take longer to melt down completely and the thicker plastic that doesn't get melted can snarl the machine-- or so I've heard).
• Plastic packaging of variable textures and thickness: After becoming an expert at separating plastics, I collect my crinkly cereal bags, chip bags, granola wrappers, and mesh onion bags and deposit them by 9am at a local recycler. The company than sends these plastics to the Burnaby Wastse to Energy incinerator.
• Metal: There are several metal recyclers, but I have to make a special trip.
• Large electronics: One of our local Salvation Armies does brisk business recycling electronics, just make sure you've wiped all personal info!
• Wood: I can have wood mulched and turned into other products but there's a min $25 fee... and the wood has to be clean, not full of old nails and some kinds of paint.
• Unusable clothing: Value Village does business with overseas resellers and ragmakers. I drop off my old clothes and my rags together and hope for the best. However, I am skeptical just how well this "rag" buisness model works. I have heard that unusable clothing often ends up in a poluting burning pile somewhere overseas.

And so on...

Also, most normal (not crazy recycling) people would have NO IDEA how and where to recycle the items listed, as this information is not advertised and can only be discovered through word of mouth or actually talking to employees working in these spaces. 

I suspect this may be due to a capacity problem as most places are operating at full capacity without saying a word.

So what am I doing to advocate for a better recycling system?

My suggestion is an expanded one-stop recycling facility for everything not collected curbside, run by the city. If this is done, our extended recycling services can be brought together and be operated with municipal oversight. I think the perfect spot for such a facility would be near the current waste transfer station (town dump). Having a central station would make things much less confusing and could aid in public education, helping our recycables become a high-quality and in-demand product.

Today, I'm going to send a letter to a member of my town council. A little birdy told me that this idea is something that has been advocated by staff in cityhall but it needs a public push to get off the ground. So this is my first step. I'll let you know when I get a response.

Wish me luck!

Trixie Trouble all grown up!

I’m finished.

It’s official, it’s real. After 7 years, I’m content that my latest book, Trixie Trouble, is complete. Multiple drafts, multiple edits, and lots of character work... which is why I haven’t blogged lately. I just soooo needed to be done.

I also gave birth to two beautiful baby girls, worked through a succession of severe health issues, and left my hometown to support my husband as he undertook a major career change.

Now, things are settled. Now, I am ready to once again claim the title of working writer. And my book is done!!!

I can’t WAIT to share it with you, but in the meantime, here is a taste:

The year is 1870. Gold from California drives the expansion of the railroad, and new wealth rolls into Texas with the explosion of the cattle trade. The law is a shifting thing, and justice lies in the rough hands of those who dare to settle the last frontier. 

In a sleepy Methodist town, tucked away in the Texas hill country, a spirited young girl watches as the people of Providence convict and hang her horse-thieving father. Trixie’s fierce loyalty to her father’s memory and her unfortunate knack for trouble brand her as an outcast in a town already suspicious of her intent. 

A violent attack drives Trixie from Providence and to the wild cattle town of Shaughnessy, where she encounters her beautiful and devious mother, Georgina Clay. Desperate for belonging and acceptance, Trixie joins her mother’s outlaw gang, but her heart is torn by her love for young Donovan Priest, the young son of a local reverend.  

When Donovan witnesses the outlaw gang pull a bank heist, Trixie is forced to betray her mother to save him. To keep Donovan alive, Trixie must outwit her mother and forge a new identity for herself: one that will take her beyond the conventions of society, law, and religion. 

Trixie Trouble is being sent out into the ether seeking for a home with an agent. And already my mind has leapt ahead to my next project. (More on that next time).

And yes, it is a Western. No aliens, no time travel: just a romping adventure along the wild Texas frontier; a classic genre reinvented for a new generation. Because I wanted to.

:D