<![CDATA[Tim Courtney]]>http://www.timcourtney.net/Ghost 0.11Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:40:57 GMT60<![CDATA[We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.]]>Sledgehammer

We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us. -Marshall McLuhan

I've been ruminating about this quote a lot at work. It's become my mantra, an admonition to myself and anyone within earshot that we must shape the tools that will make success automatic.

]]>http://www.timcourtney.net/we-shape-our-tools-and-then-our-tools-shape-us/d968eae5-8d5e-44a1-ae9e-9548f64c8dbcSat, 20 Dec 2014 23:01:19 GMTSledgehammer

We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us. -Marshall McLuhan

I've been ruminating about this quote a lot at work. It's become my mantra, an admonition to myself and anyone within earshot that we must shape the tools that will make success automatic. Think about the above statement a while, and let it sink in. What does it mean to you?

  • At some point, you consciously chose the things you will keep in your home, car, and office, and you are ever so subtly shaped by those things.
  • At some point, you consciously chose your current thoughts and attitudes. Then they become patterns, and they become automatic.
  • At some point, you chose your relationships, your friends, your close associates, and they in turn shape you.

Consciously think about the tools you use, your mental environment, and your physical environment (in as much as you have influence over them). Choose to keep the things, thoughts, and people that will help you shape yourself into the person you want to become. Make the tough choices to remove those things, thoughts, and people who work against you.

]]><![CDATA[Hi there, I'm Tim.]]>Like you, I've found myself re-tweeting, favoriting, and sharing links that make me think, open my perspective, or teach me some practical skill. The links I always want to remember end up in my Delicious account.

If you're brave, you can enter that messy, disorganized study with piles of paper

]]>http://www.timcourtney.net/hi-there-im-tim/c4e9afe8-5081-4f17-927a-5b34e4065c6cSat, 20 Dec 2014 23:01:01 GMTLike you, I've found myself re-tweeting, favoriting, and sharing links that make me think, open my perspective, or teach me some practical skill. The links I always want to remember end up in my Delicious account.

If you're brave, you can enter that messy, disorganized study with piles of paper and books everywhere ... or you can come here, and see what I hope becomes a collection of my best thoughts and reflections. I'll stick to a few themes:

  • Curiosity about the world
  • Practical thoughts and tools
  • Life as a journey of both self-discovery and giving

The topics themselves will span my interests of technology and culture, design, minimalism, architecture, LEGO® bricks, travel, airplanes, space, psychology, neuroscience, positive thoughts and habits, and how to live.

Over time, I hope this blog will embody the "higher version of myself." I hope to open up and share a side that I can't professionally, or when limited to 140 characters. Whether you know [of] me professionally, or know me personally, I hope you find here thoughts and ideas that sparks something inside you to go forth and be awesome—not because my collection of thoughts is in any way inspired, rather because we're all on the same journey of self-discovery and the magic happens when ideas, minds, and hearts connect.

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