part 2/3

Next, putting this design into practice is simple (re: checklists & reminders). Our written checklist for the mouse would simply be a doc file with whatever information we need:

• The name & purpose of the resource (mouse for computer from Amazon)
• Replacement plan information (bought a spare mouse in case it breaks, as I can't use the computer without it)
• Maintenance requirements (swap out batteries when they die & wipe the mouse down once a month to keep it fully, smoothly operational)

With most calendar programs, such as Google Calendar, we can create multiple calendars, so we can add a second calendar called "Maintenance". So we may want to have recurring 2 entries for our mouse:

• AA batteries last like 10 years in storage, so a pack of them to use ad-hoc (i.e. when the mouse batteries die) could be purchased & kept in a storage drawer in the computer desk area, with a recurring entry to check the battery & battery supply level every 6 months. So a reminder to check the mouse & then take a peek at the battery supply level & order more if needed, so a recurring 6-month calendar entry for that.
• A big pack of individual alcohol lens wipes lasts a couple of years & could be kept in a storage drawer in the desk area, with a recurring calendar entry to check the wipe inventory level & to turn off the mouse & wipe down the surface, wheel, and feet every 6 months for that.

So now we get to enjoy:

• A mouse that has a home location
• Which gets cleaned on a monthly basis
• Which has a supply of spare batteries so we don't get in a pinch because our batteries died in the middle of a Zoom meeting
• A spare mouse in case we knock it onto the floor & it shatters!

So for a few minute's worth of thinking through a checklist, we now have a great, fully-supported system!

• Properties > Divisions > Battlestations > Artifacts
• House > Family Room > Computer Desk > Computer (mouse, battery, wipes, calendar entries, spare mouse in drawer with batteries & wipes)

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Because with our battlestations, we can setup our "grip path" for how we interface with it (nice clean & tidy desk, big monitor, LED keyboard, jumbo mousepad, etc.) & make things as fun & as nice as we desire!

Crafting this level of convenience enables us to bypass the bureaucracy of physical access by making it so convenient that we can simply connect to the "real work" that we want to do! Most of us already have a battlestation like this setup for entertainment...our TV, remote control, and couch!

That enables us to come home & flop & enjoy some well-deserved downtime after a long day. The couch is ready to go, the remote control is ready to go, the TV is mounted & turns on instantly, and our Netflix account is already signed into, so now we can connect to the "real work" we desire, rather than fiddling with the bureaucracy of having to clean off the couch, find the remote, find batteries for the remote, plug in the TV to electricity, hook it up to the wireless network, and sign into our Netflix account every single time.

Sharing a workspace with your wife prohibits this type of smooth operational behavior because your "grip path" no longer exists because things move, the workflow changes, we have to think through the red tape of our physical interface, rather than focusing on our real work at hand!

Two additional notes:

1. Initial setup workflow
2. System optimization

First, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! This system sounds huge & horrendously complex, but it's the easiest thing you'll ever do, in practice! The trick is not to do it all at once lol. First, identify all of your properties, just on a simple doc file.

Then, identify all of the divisions. Like in a car, your divisions are the inside & the outside. Then the battlestations are the engine bay, glove box, center console, front seats, back seats, trunk, and exterior. From there you can break things down into assets & artifacts.

Like, in the glovebox, do you have your insurance & registration? Maybe a couple of 20's in an envelope for emergency gas money? In the center console, do you have some hand wipes in case gas spills on you while filling up? Do you have an emergency seatbelt cutter & glass-breaker tool in case you get in an accident?

That's why I say it takes most people a couple of months, because it's a BIG job! But individually, all we're doing is fleshing out our battlestations so that we have individual assets available & ready to use! This gets into a discussion of system optimization. First, we need to figure out exactly what we want each battlestation to do:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/IWantToLearn/comments/fhlmzl/i_want_to_learn_how_to_explain_things_to_others/fkc759k/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

Then we need to set a quality level in order to FIRST meet the bare minimum required on-time, rather than getting stuck in a loop of needing things to be "perfect":

• https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/comments/mr0f97/image_how_to_finish/guqfb60/?context=3

For system design, I use the OSO Method:

1. Odds
2. Simplify
3. Optimize

First, tilt the odds in your favor for success. Go out & grab a cheap wired mouse from Staples so that you can get back to work today! Next, simplify the system. Maybe get a nicer wireless mouse & a mousepad from Amazon. Finally, optimize the system. Maybe you want a giant LED mousepad for both your keyboard & your mouse:

• https://www.amazon.com/RGB-Gaming-Mouse-Mat-31-5%C3%9711-8%C3%970-16/dp/B08KXZ4T8Z

Plus a programmable mouse:

• https://www.amazon.com/UtechSmart-transmission-technology-Ergonomic-programmable/dp/B07XP4K152/

Plus per-application programming software:

• https://www.macros.com/featurespro6.htm

The OSO Method is simply dependent on what YOU want! What's your budget? What are your needs? What are your desires? How fast do you want all of this done? Again, we want to start out every system with the "bare minimum required for on-time delivery" so that we can DO the work, and then, over time, simplify & optimize the system to allow us to be more efficiency & enjoy doing the work more!

part 2/3

Yep: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XP4K152?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I bought my first MMO mouse like five years ago, and I'll never go back. I don't even play MMOs. Having that many buttons within thumb's reach is massive in any application.

I bought this one most recently, and it was one of the best purchases I've ever made. Wireless, and I got it on sale for like $35 bucks. It's not top tier quality like the big brands, but for less than half the price, it gets you 98% of the way there. The only issues I have with it is the side buttons aren't as clicky as my old corsair, and the scroll wheel slides back and forth a little on its bar. Other than that, it's every bit as good. I probably won't be going back to the name brands after this. Unless they step their game way up, or bring their prices waaaay down. Lol.