In a previous post, we talked about the key ingredients in being an untemplater. People mentioned things like being unhappy and having a breaking point, having courage and being introspective. If these are the things that make a person an untemplater, what are some tools the untemplater uses to carry out the lifestyle?
Here are some examples of important tools for me:
- Pen and paper. Wherever I go, I must always have at least one writing utensil and something to write on. Ideas can strike at any given moment and if I don’t write it down immediately, it may be lost from my memory forever. I’m also a huge fan of lists. I carry a Sharpie Fine/UltraFine Twin Tip and a Moleskine Plain Pocket Notebook.
- A calendar. Without one, I am a lost soul. For years (like since I was a 3rd grader in elementary school) I’ve been using a planner to keep tabs on events and assignments. This year however, I’ve switched to using Google calendar exclusively because my new smart phone just syncs so well with it.
- A pair of good shoes. I do a lot of walking and using public transportation. Having quality footwear is important for getting around and being comfortable.
- Sunglasses. Only because I live in sunny Southern California and I must look cool at all times.
As an untemplater (or someone on your way to becoming one), what are some things in your daily life that you can’t live without? Something that makes your life easier, more efficient or more productive? Do you use any specific systems or methods? What are some of the most valuable tools in your ‘Untemplater Tool Kit’? Could there be something you don’t have but will eventually need to fully live your life? Is it an object like a laptop or bookbag? Or is it a skill like a language or being able to network?
I have a moleskin notebook for journaling and a hardcover grid notebook for notes, schedules, and designs. My trusty MacBook Pro for just about everything. Software, I use Billings 3 just about every day. And TextEdit. I am a huge TextEdit junkie.
My netbook and my iPhone are huge for me, I carry them everywhere. I also rely heavily on a nice hardcover notebook and nice pen when I am on site, people seem to like when you are writing things when you meet with them rather than be stuck behind a keyboard.
Gotta have my business cards as well!
My hat, of course!
http://dailybooth.com/carlosmic/3547259
Ooo. Does your hat have super powers? If so, can I borrow it sometime?
It works wonders with Argentinian girls. If you’re into that, I’d be more than happy to let you use it.
The first thing that came to mind for me is my Mac, I would be absolutely lost without it!! Add internet to that, too, because I’d suffer horribly without an internet fix everyday. (Sad, but true on some level. I can unplug, I generally choose not to for extended periods.)
Right now I’m using a Palm Centro for my phone, but that will be getting replaced with an iPhone in a couple of months — that’ll be another huge tool for me, especially the calendar function. Then there’s my camera & accessories, I couldn’t imagine life without it anymore.
And, lastly, books! Books on just about any and every topic, for learning and for enjoyment. Just today I spent some time browsing the bookstore, and while nothing came home with me, I feel confident that I can find some books and possibly teach myself coding over the summer, or at least learn way more than I know now.
Here, here! I crave written material of all types: books, magazines, websites/blogs. There is simply so much information that I have not yet delved into, that I always seem to have something to read with me. If not, I find something where ever I am. Even when I run, I’ve recently taken to downloading podcasts or audio books instead of music.
Books! I’m typing this while sitting at a bookstore right now (on my Mac)! If I had the money, I think an ebook reader would be on my essentials list too. Instead, if I can’t fit a book in my purse or bag, I read ebooks on my phone.
ebook readers are great. Last year I picked up a used Sony PRS-500 on ebay for $100. The first generation Kindle is starting to come around to that price as well. For my last semester of college, I bought one my textbooks digitally for half of the cost of the print version. Now, I bring my reader with me when I donate plasma. Having something to read certainly helps to pass the hour.
Echoing the importance of pen and paper. After some time, I’ve settled on a fountain pen that I love, and am still looking for the “perfect” paper.
Though I love my laptop, my gmail and evernote accounts work on any computer, so I can simply say “internet access.”
The knowledge/skills I’ve picked up over the years. I can make my own camping gear from found objects, change tires, start a fire, create a website, carry on a semi-intelligent conversation with most anyone, and rescue damsels in distress. The random assortment of skills come in handy quite frequently.
It’s hard for me to settle on a pen because I lose them so easily.
Wait… you can start a fire AND rescue a damsel in distress? Matthew, you are made of WIN.
I’ve found two tricks that help me not lose my favorite pens.
1 – always keep it in the same place – mine stays in my pocket. When I’m done using it, it goes right back. After years of habit, it’s ingrained. While my pocket makes it always present and thus convenient, you can also keep it with your notebook or your calendar so that you can always find it.
2 – Don’t loan it out! Just today I lost a mechanical pencil, loaning it to a classmate. However, I still have my pen, because I wouldn’t dare loan it out.
I wish I’d read this earlier. Just a few hours ago, I lost my favorite Sharpie Twin Tip (that I mentioned in this post) after loaning it to someone. *sigh*
I find that 100 page A5 books of unlined acid-free paper work well for me. And they come in at less than $4. That’s a lot of thoughts for not very much money.
Pen and paper. Laptop (often). Business cards.
& a positive attitude.
…must get myself a moleskine or something like it.
Business cards! I must get myself some.
Probably a 12″ adjustable wrench (Don’t know what I did without it). Other than that, a 4th hand tool (for zip ties), a leatherman multitool (mainly for the screwdrivers and the scissors), a set of socket wrenches, a small metal saw, a hammer, a measuring tape, some pliers, a power drill, and WD40. Also dental floss, B&W thread, and needles. With that I can fix almost everything.
Then there’s my laptop and an internet connection. With that I can make money.
For cooking, I just need a pressure cooker, a big (wooden) spoon and a knife.
With this list of yours, I can’t help but picture you as MacGyver. Where’s duct tape on this list? :]
I agree with Extreme. A leatherman is absolutely essential, especially at my job at a greenhouse. There’s always a screw that needs to be tightened, a bag that needs to be cut open, etc. Having one tool to rule them all, err, do it all is much easier than carrying around a tool belt.
Hey Dariane,
Looking cool at all times is definitely important =P
My most important tools are definitely my iPhone and my Acer Netbook – but those both are sort of the swiss army knife of randomness, they enable me to blog, email, network, talk on the phone or skype and just handle everything
If I had to pick one small thing that people may not realize is as helpful as it is, definitely a pad and paper. I always keep one in my pocket, in my backpack, on my desk – I have like 10 different little notepads all over the place to write down ideas, phone numbers, and to hand stuff off to people. Until they make a mini printer for my iphone, manually handing off paper will have to do =)
Post-its are the best as portable notepads (and they’re sticky too!). Index cards do the job too. For a while, I was using index cards as business cards.
I’m not a big fan of Post-It’s because they are sticky. They constantly come off the pad and stick to my pocket. For a portable notebook, I generally keep one of those 3×5 spiral-bound notepads.