In the spirit of eating my own dog food and walking my own talk, I’m starting this week by re-committing to the discipline of the WUP. If you’ve read The Radical Edge, you know that the WUP (Wake Up Pad) is a simple tool for staying awake and alert in the world. All you do is carry a notebook (or PDA or laptop or whatever works for you) and use it to observe the human experience, think about it, talk about it with others and try new things based on all of the above.
Easy, right?
Well…I literally have boxes of notebooks from over the years, and there’s no doubt that when I’m in the WUPin’ groove, I’m more alert, more energetic and, consequently, new ideas for my work virtually spout forth from my little brain.
Problem is, I’ve lately fallen off the WUP wagon. This, like any other discipline (like taking vitamins or spending time on the walk-like-a-dork cardio machine, for example), requires the occasional starting over. So that’s what I’m doing right now.
And, guess what?
I’m asking you to join me. So…go get yourself a notebook (I going to use a mini composition book, m’self) or fire up your blog (which can be a great on-line WUP, true?) and let’s see what happens over the course of the week.
I’m with ya! I’ll have my WUP in my back pocket (I write small) and ready for observation.
Great idea Steve! Let’s all WUP some butt this week! I’m in!
Planner poised and at the ready, Steve. WUP up!
Steve,
In such a busy world, it is easy to fall off the journal or WUP bandwagon. It has happened to me in the past. In 2006, I’ve made a real effort to with my several WUPs (Moleskin, Legal Pads, and digital version too).
I try to use mine at least once a day. Let’s do it!
I’ve been doing this again myself over the last month after not being in the practice of carrying notebooks with me everywhere for to long. I’m glad to see there are others doing so as well.
Steve, I admit it took me a few page clicks to finally find the meaning of “WUP” after reading about it in Mike Sansone’s recent blog entry (ConverStations. Ah, now I understand…!
I love your comment about “staying awake and alert”; it’s something I’ve written many times in my own journal over the past two years as I adjusted to life in the Middle East. My first month here felt like a year long because I was awake to everything. But as with all new experiences, I slowly started to fall asleep again as I became more comfortable.
Thanks for the valuable reminder about the power of observing and documenting every day life.
I’ve got mine with me – and here’s a link to a photo of it! http://flickr.com/photos/earlg/269547995/
Can I use a treo as a WUP? I need a judges ruling?
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