But I’ve also noticed that being ‘always on’ makes you ‘always available’ and that’s not always good for my stress level. It also makes it impossible to create any kind of work life balance.

Between the Christmas holiday and the new year I made some simple changes that have done wonders for the organization of my digital life, but also have had allowed me to take control of my devices, my time and interruptions. It’s helped to decrease stress and has made me more efficient in processing tasks.

Now I can’t take credit for many of these. Some were outlined in one of Tim Ferriss’ recent podcasts on techniques that he uses to overcome information overload. But integrating some of his tips as well as some of my own best practices may help you as you start the new year.

1 – Icon Badges are the Devil – turn them off
You know the little red dots that indicate how many unread email messages, Facebook notifications, Calendar invites you have? They litter your screen with anxiety and if you’re like me, you want to have your notifications cleared. So I just turned them off. On an iPhone, go to Settings then ‘Notifications.’ You’ll have to go through apps 1-by-1 and turn off the option that says ‘Badge App Icon.’

Want to take it one step further? Turn off ALL notifications for each app. I’ve done this for everything except for text messages and FB messenger and the results have been fantastic.

2 – Stop Checking Email
I’ve designated a few chunks of time per day where I’ll triage email. Other than that, I’m not dealing with it. I’ve set my devices to check email only when I decide to do so, rather than every 15 minutes as I originally had it set up. To change your settings (again, on iOS – sorry Android users, you’re on your own) Go to Settings —> Accounts and Passwords. Under ‘Fetch new Data’ select the interval that works for you.

3 – Take to the Cloud
Instead of relying on carrying USB drives and my laptop everywhere I’ve migrated all (and I mean ALL) of my files to cloud services like iCloud and Dropbox. Yes, this may mean that you have to PAY for these services but having all my files organized, backed up, and accessible from any device saves me time and aggravation in the long run. If a client needs a file when I’m on the go I typically don’t have to wait to upload it and share, it’s already in the cloud.

4 – Inbox Zero
Email (especially built up, unread messages that clutter my inbox) drives me nuts. The idea of Inbox Zero (having NO emails in your inbox) was an elusive goal for me, but I spent a couple of weeks chipping away at so many of the zombie emails that have been taking up valuable mental and digital real estate. Looking at each email in the pile I forced myself to make 1 of 3 choices immediately.
1- Reply to the message and delete it
2- File the message into a client folder and archive it to get it out of the inbox
3 – Just Delete it.

After several hours of this I’m email free.

So there it is. Take back your attention in 2018 and once again become the master of your mobile devices. It will leave you more time to focus more acutely on developing new clients and running your business. By the way, if you need a new website in 2018 or assistance with finding the right tools to manage your workflow, let’s talk.

Here’s what I had to say and I hope I was able to provide a message of hope and welcome to our new neighbors.

Good morning. Thank you so much for having me. It’s a great honor to be here with you all this morning to celebrate such an important moment in your lives. Today, you’re officially American citizens. This is a big deal.

I’d like to take a moment to pause and have you all look around the room. You’re looking at America – in a very pure form. People of different colors and languages and backgrounds and beliefs. THIS are such a large part of what makes this country so unique. We’re glad you’re here.

I’ve lived in the Utica area my entire life and have seen the impact and importance of welcoming our new neighbors from around the world. It’s changed our city for the better, giving those of us who have lived here our entire lives a look at cultures, customs and (my favorite) foods from around the world – all right here in Utica.

My great-grandmother came here on a boat from Poland about 100 years ago. She lived in Utica her whole life in a simple green house not far from here, in West Utica on Saratoga Street. She made the journey alone across an ocean (as the story goes with nothing but a rosary and a ham sandwich) because of the promise of a better future for herself and her family. That journey, like your journey was an act of great courage. And as I stand here today, I’m reminded that I’m a direct byproduct of that single act of courage. I have a better life because of her.

Over the past several years I’ve gotten to know several of our new neighbors from around the world who have shared their stories with me. Stories of how and why they came to Utica to start over. Many were escaping persecution, hardship and others came because of the promise of something better. Their stories and your stories are an inspiration to all of us and a reminder of what we’re capable of with hard work and determination.

My favorite part of today’s ceremony is when each of you are called up to receive your certificate. Your name will be called and we’ll say that you are ‘Formerly of’ —— Somalia or Yemen, etc. I think that’s a beautiful acknowledgement not only of your past and your heritage, but an acknowledgment of where you are now and what lies ahead – that you are are now an American citizen.

So I’d like to leave you with a couple of thoughts. At the services my family attends on Sundays they usually start the service with a note of welcome that I think is also very fitting for today (and I’m paraphrasing).

Whoever you are you are welcome here. Wherever you’re from you are welcome here. Whatever faiths you have known and whomever you love you are welcome here. I hope you all feel welcome in this community and this country.

Because no matter what you may hear on the news, or from people in positions of great power, always remember that it is our differences, not our similarities that make this country great. There are people in this room, in this city and all across this country who are so happy that you are here, that will help you, and that want to see you succeed in building a better life.

You are Americans – and your hopes aspirations, beliefs, and dreams are as as valuable to this country as anyone else’s. Never let anyone ever make you think otherwise. Ever.

So let me be the first to say congratulations to you all, and to welcome you home.

The talk itself isn’t online anywhere that I’ve seen and so I’m including the text of my remarks below. I hope you find something there that you can take with you on your own journey whether you’re graduating this year or not.

Ryan Miller Commencement Remarks for MVCC 2017

Good afternoon, it’s quite an honor to be here with you all today. And congratulations the class of 2017. You did it! You’re here! You made it….some of you maybe just barely (who here just barely made it?). It doesn’t matter. You did it. Today is your day.
Seeing you all from this vantage point puts things squarely in perspective. While it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments as students and now graduates today, we should celebrate your accomplishments in the contexts of the other roles you have – Roles and titles that sometimes go unacknowledged but nonetheless have meaning and expectations. I don’t just see students – I see mothers, fathers, caregivers, breadwinners, role models, sons, daughters, immigrants, refugees, artists, entrepreneurs and activists.

I know that the opportunities and education you’ve received here at MVCC are keys that will unlock options – whether that’s leveraging the skills you’ve learned to head into the workforce, enable a career change, or to build the foundation to continue your education. But beyond the fancy paper and recognition you’ll be receiving today I hope you’ve also learned things that don’’t come with a certificate or diploma……

I hope you’ve learned that there are people in your life who want to see you succeed and who care about your success. I hope you’ve learned to celebrate the things that make us all so similar and to celebrate and learn from those who are very different from ourselves. I hope you’ve learned a bit more about yourselves and what drives you to get out of bed in the morning. And I hope you come to learn that education goes well beyond the classroom. As Henry Rollins said (and I’m paraphrasing without the 4-letter words..) Knowledge, without Mileage , is meaningless. I’m going to say that again because that statement has had a profound impact on my life. Knowledge, without Mileage , is meaningless.

The challenge that all commencement speakers face is how to impart some words of wisdom, humor, tweet able quotes and inspiration to those of you who are celebrating your accomplishments and starting this new chapter – and as I’ve been told by multiple in attendance today……to keep it short.

And so I thought back to my own college graduation experience way back in 2003. And our commencement speakers were none other than Ben and Jerry – yes THE ben and Jerry from the Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream and fro-yo empire. They seemed (and seem) like nice enough folks but when I racked by brain to try to remember what they told US as graduates, I came up with nothing. I couldn’t remember a damn thing EXCEPT that we all got a free pint of Cherry Garcia after the ceremony. So the challenge I have before me is what can I offer you, what piece of memorable advice can I give that you can carry with you into the world – and how can I do it without an ice cream budget? I haven’t built an ice cream empire, I hold no PhD, and don’t feel as though I’m an expert on anything.
But I hope that maybe some of what I’ve picked up along the way may be useful to you today, tomorrow, or at some point along your journey. So here we go:

I have a confession to make – I got lucky. I have a partner and a family that has a potent combination of hustle and heart. My father and his family have an innate drive to build things, to work with their hands, and to solve problems. My dad taught me about the importance of doing good work. How to Hustle. How to make yourself useful no matter if you’re sweeping the floor or leading a team.

And my mom has instilled a ridiculous genetic dose of empathy. She taught special education for over 30 years and it’s through her that I’ve learned to look a situations from multiple points of view and with an empathetic heart and to stay humble along the way. Today as you take a first step towards your next bold move, look for opportunities that will challenge, humble you and fulfill you. That is where you’ll find your place and your purpose. That’s lesson number 1 – Stay Humble, and Hustle Hard.

Lesson 2: Smart People should build things (especially if you don’t know how). I get to work with people every day who are working to build their dreams. Who are working ridiculously hard at solving big problems and turning their passions into businesses. In some cases they’ve burned the boats – there is no plan B. There is no turning back. And every single one of them will experience failure along the way as they’re building their dream.

I’ll let you in on a little secret – none of us really knows what we’re doing all the time. But even the first step of putting an idea or a dream out into the universe or the marketplace can have profound impact on your life. The act of trying and failing and trying again is your real-world MBA. You’ll learn resilience, access talents you never knew you had and meet incredible and interesting people along the way regardless of the outcome – because doing the work, grinding it out – THAT is an equalizing force that creates opportunities. I hope that each of you starts building something new. Start right now, especially if you don’t know how.

Lesson Number 3: Get At Bats
I hate baseball but this is a great metaphor. I When I turned 30 I started one of those photo-a- day projects. You’ve seen these before I’m sure, where the goal is to capture and post a photo every day for a year that tells a story of that day. Besides upping my still nascent skills as a photographer the biggest thing that experience taught me was how to look for a story or a moment. When I had that goal each day it forced me to look at the world just a little differently.

The same thing is true when you’re hunting for opportunities. You have to do it every day. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity. Every day, you’re throw metaphorical pitches that you can either watch as they go by, or take a swing at them. The more you start to recognize opportunity in your daily life, the more swings you can take and eventually you will connect. Stop waiting to be picked. Pick yourself. Start watching. Start swinging.

Lesson Number 4: We all wear Pants and put them on one leg at a time (except Beyonce)
I’ve been fortunate enough to have gotten to meet many of my heroes over the years. Men and women that I’ve looked up to for years who are top performers in their space or who just genuinely look like they’ve got things all figured out. And we all project – we all create these ideas about those we follow and in many cases put them up on a pedestal without ever really knowing them. And the truth in most cases is that they’re just people like you and me. They still put their pants on one leg at a time in the morning (again, except probably Beyonce). And sometimes that realization can be disappointing. But it’s also reassuring. Because once you realize that your heroes are just people, the distance between their accomplishments and where you want to go gets much shorter. When you realize we’re all just people wearing pants it becomes easier to see and draw a map from where you are to where you need to go.

Lesson 5: Respect Gravity –
Think back the moments, conversations and experiences that have had a major impact on your life. Whether those things are good or bad wonderful or painful, you are here today because each of those has shaped your path in one way or another. I’m also going to guess that most of the people on the other end those conversations or experiences don’t fully understand the weight that those moments have had on your life or how they have affected your path. How you choose to spend your time and choose to spend it with, those things push and pull you….they are forces of gravity that move and change your path over time.

One of the most important things I’ve come to realize is that each of us is a force of gravity, and that we may never understand fully the impact that we have on others. Every decision we make can carry a profound weight, pushing and pulling those around us and affecting their paths.

Many of you have big dreams of changing the world….of making a dent in the universe. But I’m not going to challenge you to go out and change the world. Because you are already doing it each and every day.  My challenge to you is to be aware of how you’re doing it and how it is impacting others.

Be good to yourselves, be good to each other. Congratulations and thanks so much.

Usually Facebook Live is used for just that-live broadcasts from your smartphone that can be anything from broadcasting commentary to sharing of every day events to issues and events that have the national spotlight.

Tonight’s DailyVee was promoted as just that-a live event. However, when the broadcast started (there were upwards of 6000 live viewers shortly after it began) what we were actually viewing was not a live piece of content, but a pre-recorded, edited and highly polished long-form video. In doing this, they basically used the Facebook Live platform as a method to deliver appointment television. Gary, D-Rock and his team created a shared viewing experience that people around the world engaged with, actively adding their thoughts and comments in real time. They moved the water-cooler discussion from the following morning to in-the-moment.

It was more of a premier than the usual live broadcast from a mobile device, but leveraged the Live platform in a way that i hadn’t seen done effectively before.

Watch this space. For people, content creators and event planners there are some big opportunities to generate real-time conversation around your stories and content that didn’t exist even a year ago. Is appointment television back? Maybe – just without the TV.

So true. It’s really another way of saying ‘you pay for what you get.’ If you are not willing to pay someone a decent rate for their knowledge or time, you cannot expect that you’ll have 100% of that person’s energy, brainpower or enthusiasm. But in SOME cases, like pizza (which is usually pretty good, rarely great) – good, is good enough. It might get you through a first prototype or the first version of an idea. The disconnect happens when an entrepreneur only wants to pay with pizza but expects Fillet Mignon in return.

I was in a meeting with Matt working with him on the next steps of his product development and we’re trying to figure out how to get the right team in place to move the project forward quickly and efficiently. Building the right team is absolutely essential for success.

One of the ways you mitigate always getting pizza is finding people who not only have the expertise you’re looking for, but who you have vision alignment with, and making them part of the team. That means being able to clearly and succinctly articulate the problem your product solves, and WHY it’s important that you solve it. When both parties have the same vision, you’ll be able to move faster, make better decisions and attract talent that want to be part of making that vision a reality. That alignment also can help avoid problems down the road such as an exist strategy (what happens if one partner’s vision includes selling the company after 5 years, and the other expects to make it a life-long career?). That means potentially sharing equity, the vision and the spotlight, so choose any partner carefully.

Know what you stand for, know what you need, and learn how to inspire others to want to be part of the journey with you.

It’s been just over two weeks since I’ve become a Google Glass Explorer (or “Glasshole” depending on your view of the technology) – one of the first waves of people to own/test Google Glass, the company’s wearable heads up display. While the technology is still very much in its infancy, I did want to share some thoughts about the device itself as well as what’s its been like to wear a computer on your face. If you’re not familiar with Glass, check out Google’s official page and watch the of videos of what it’s like to wear it. You’ll get a pretty good idea of how it looks in your field of vision, as well as some of the things you can do with it.

The Awesome

Overall, I LOVE this device. I had an inclination that I was going to enjoy it, but in short, the more I use it, the more I use it. Once I’ve gotten used to the interface and set up notifications the way I want them, the utility that it provides me, even at this early stage of the software has been pretty awesome.

While most of the fanfare around the device has been about the camera and it’s privacy implications (we’ll get to that later) – for me the killer features have been the notifications and voice recognition, especially when dealing with text messages and emails. Glass will ping you when an email comes in (using Gmail, it knows which ones are from people you communicate with, and it does its best not to interrupt you with any spam messages) or when a text comes through. Glass will read it to me through the bone-conducting speaker and allow me to speak a reply, which it translates into text and sends. I’ve been amazed at how accurate the speech to text is, and how easy it is to fire off short messages.

GPS

Turn by turn directions in Glass are also outstanding. Speak where you want to go, and glass will give you a GPS map right in your field of view, speaking directions to you as you need them. Make a turn and the display turns off until you need it again.

There are several other features and new tasks you can accomplish with Glass that I’m not going to get into at this point, but I feel that it’s very much like where the iPhone was when it was first released. There were only a few apps and the user experience would come a long way over the following years.

The Rough Edges

I don’t think that Glass is ready for prime time yet. There are still some bugs to be worked out and quite frankly some education that needs to happen with the general public especially regarding privacy concerns.

Battery Life

It’s short. No getting around it. I’d guess that you’d get about 90 min to two hours of continuous use. But Glass is a product that at its core is designed to turn on, get you the information you need and then get out of the way. With normal use I’ve been able to make it a full day on a charge, but people who use it much more than I do will have to charge up. I think some efficiencies can be gained in the way the software and radios work so while it won’t be night and day, it will improve.

Camera

The feature that’s been getting the most press, is actually one that’s not very good. The wide angle is nice, but the resolution and the way it handles light doesn’t result in great photos. Again, maybe some of this will be fixed with software but the camera on Glass (and video from Glass) won’t replace your DSLR or your cell phone camera at this point. It IS great for quick shots that you’d never catch waiting to get out your phone. Here are a few photos I’ve taken Through Glass

Social Stigma

Maybe the biggest challenge Glass is going to have is the social stigma of wearing a computer on your face. I haven’t been wearing it out to bars or in public all that much, because it’s not exactly inconspicuous. But I think that the Explorer program is a very smart move by Google in getting Glass out there in the wild before releasing them to the general public. We’re essential ambassadors by default. I have been surprised at how many people are just genuinely curious and want to try them out rather than simply dismissing them. It really is a device that you have to wear to understand, and I’ve had quite a few folks who thought they were incredibly stupid try them on, and change their opinion.

Privacy

If you’ve been paying attention you’ve probably seen blog posts about restaurants banning Glass or people voicing privacy concerns about there being a camera mounted on the device that can take pictures hands free. After two weeks with Glass I feel VERY strongly that these concerns are unfounded. If I’m taking a photo or video of you, you’ll probably hear “OK, Glass – Take a Photo” – then see the eyepiece light up as I stare at you. Or I’d have to raise my hand up to the eyepiece and push the camera button manually. In either case, it is VERY apparent when someone with Glass is shooting a video or photo, and in my opinion, it’s easier to sneak photos from a mobile phone.

If people have privacy concerns they should worry more about their credit card data or what they’re sharing on Facebook and Twitter, not what people are able to capture on Glass.

In Conclusion

I want to end by saying that I think Glass is a product that is in its infancy, much like the first iPhone or the Apple II. It’s the first in a category of wearable products that for me is already providing a great amount of utility and usefulness, by actually REDUCING the number of times I check my phone or tablet and let’s me manage my notifications in a pretty intuitive way. And I believe it’s only going to get better. I also think that this type of hands free connected device will open up possibilities for people who may have a physical disability, for the sharing of experiences in real time, and for decoupling location from access to experts (think auto repair, medical diagnosis, etc).

The biggest challenge in my opinion is not the tech itself but rather how people will adopt and accept them. There is still a social cost to wearing Glass in public but I think as more wearables are adopted this will fade. Wearable computing is something that is going to be big in 2014, and as the devices get smarter I believe we’ll actually be distracted less as the technology learns our habits, jumps in when it’s needed, then gets out of the way.

If you see me out and about and want to try on Glass, don’t be a stranger, I’m happy to share.