> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # πŸ‘“ Stuff #149 - a river not a bucket - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-149/ - Published: 2023-08-07T04:14:44.000Z - Updated: 2023-08-07T04:14:43.000Z - Description: I'm looking at filtering out the noise, for focus - as well as Atomic Accountability. Later on, we'll see how pencils are made and play a game that changes every second! - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter It's a public holiday here in Ireland today, and I'm sending this week's mail from (the Republic of) Cork in the South of Ireland. [Last week](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-148/) saw a record number of clicks on my growing collection of [Journal Prompts](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/journal-prompts/), I hope people are finding them useful. This week, I'm looking at how we filter out noise to get real focus, and I have a lovely musical recommendation as well as all the usual stuff. **I haven't asked for a while, so it would be great if you could forward Stuff on to one friend and get them to sign up - it'll keep our little community growing.** *Thank you all for being here on our joint journey of curiosity.* Till next Monday, enjoy... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2023/05/mattsig_personal-Background-Removed-1.png) --- ## πŸ‘“ The Big Stuff - how big is yours? I have a massive [Tsundoku.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundoku?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk#:~:text=Tsundoku%20%28%E7%A9%8D%E3%82%93%E8%AA%AD%29%20refers%20to,they%20are%20on%20a%20bookshelf.) I've mentioned it [before](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-131/). I'm not boasting, [but I'm not ashamed.](https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/do-i-own-too-many-books/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I love reading, and I love books and I buy many of them on impulse. (One-Click shopping is useful and dangerous!) This week, I was deciding which books to read on vacation and I [stumbled across this ](https://www.oliverburkeman.com/river?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)article from Oliver Burkeman, which suggests that reframing your 'to read' pile to make it seem like a place to look for something new, not a 'list' to be completed. > Treat your Tsundoku like a river not a bucket. Burkeman then goes on to explain that many of the 'lists' we deal with feel overwhelming because [we don't filter what goes into them.](https://www.cnet.com/culture/shirky-problem-is-filter-failure-not-info-overload/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) > In a world of effectively infinite information, the better you get at sifting the wheat from the chaff, the more you end up crushed beneath a never-ending avalanche of wheat. This is especially true of our old favourite, [the to-do list](https://zapier.com/blog/best-todo-list-apps/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) \- *just look at all those apps!* With multiple (endless) inputs, we can end up crushed under the avalanche of wheat - even if we filter well. Fortunately, we have [great tools for deciding what to work on next](https://nesslabs.com/decide-what-to-work-on-next?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), but nothing works better than having a [clear view of your goals to stay focused on.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/five-proven-tips-for-achieving-personal-and-career-success/) *Oh - and for my holiday, I'm taking only fiction. The rest can wait.* 🦾 **Monday Motivation:** Let this week be the one where you tackle your boredom. [If you're bored, try one of these practical tips. ](https://fortheinterested.com/bored-with-life/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ## 🧠 The Other Stuff - **Procrastination:** [What to do about that thing you've been putting off.](https://chrisguillebeau.com/what-to-do-about-that-thing-youve-been-putting-off?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Some great advice in here.* - **Accountability:** Maybe what we really need is some [Atomic Accountability.](https://www.raptitude.com/2023/08/atomic-accountability/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - **Digital Detox:** [A useful reminder of ways to eliminate your inbox addiction.](https://thesweetsetup.com/seven-tips-for-eliminating-inbox-addiction/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Two of these #1 and #4 have been game changers for me.* - **Stress:** [Five practical ways to reduce your stress levels.](https://zenhabits.net/stressful/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bookmark this for when you need it.* ✍🏼 **Journal Prompt of the week:** Write about a time when you chose happiness despite difficult circumstances. [(Want more? Try here)](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/journal-prompts/) ## 🌞 The Little Stuff - **Bags:** [How the tote bag became a humble brag.](https://thewalrus.ca/tote-bag/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - **Insta-hits:** [Self Care tips](https://www.instagram.com/p/CvHq8ujAI-a/?img%5Findex=1&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) | [Printmakers](https://www.instagram.com/peopleofprint/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) | [Miami Colour](https://www.instagram.com/miamicolortheory/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) | [Pure Joy](https://www.instagram.com/larry%5Fconniebeers/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - **Mesmerising:** [How pencils are made](https://youtu.be/Lk%5F57TP6RFk?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) in this little Japanese factory. - **Recommended:** [The Full Monty](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19637538/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ([Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/en-ie?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)) - not the film, super uplifting. - **Finally:** Forget daily games, [Big Ben is a different game](https://vole.wtf/big-ben/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) EVERY SECOND. [🌿 Digital Detox: 9 ways to spring-clean your online world!Discover 9 game-changing tips to declutter your digital life this spring! Unleash your productivity, boost your security, and take control of your online world with our ultimate spring-cleaning guide. It’s time to refresh, revitalize, and reclaim your digital space!![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/03/favicon.png)Stuff that MattR'sMatt Rutherford![](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1527515637462-cff94eecc1ac?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=MnwxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDR8fGNsZWFufGVufDB8fHx8MTY4MTY0NDk3Mg&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/digital-detox-your-online-world/) ## 🎧 Aural Stuff ### On the Stuff Speakers this week... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2023/08/image.png) 🎧 My audio treat this week is from [Belbury Poly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belbury%5FPoly?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), a studio band, formed by Ghost Box records owner Jim Jupp. The Path is something of a concept album, and difficult to describe, somewhere between electronica and prog rock and even jazz - with snippets of spoken word. As with all the Belbury Poly stuff, there is something that makes it feel very British - even with some more jazzy influences this time as the project expands to be a full band. It's the [second album in two weeks](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-148/) featuring a slightly disembodied voice (Headache), although this one is less AI influences - and it tells a story of 'The Path' which I won't spoil in any way but calls to mind landscapes. [Listen to The Path by Belbury Poly here](https://open.spotify.com/album/4M9jgmeKLEpX615dHJ72Ey?si=%5FWXpiB-XQde%5FRBivZ0RGxg&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) 🎢 A reminder that every day I add to my [mammoth 2023 highs playlist.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nKbhvL8ZbH346FrxFkQwW?si=ed416af1341e4842&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I'm at well over 200 tracks now, everyone a banger! [Journal Prompts - HappinessFinding time for introspection and reflection is a vital tool for growth, here are fifty journal prompts to help you find and cultivate happiness![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/03/favicon.png)Stuff that MattR'sMatt Rutherford![](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1517971071642-34a2d3ecc9cd?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDh8fGpvdXJuYWx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNjg3MTgwNDkyfDA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journal-prompts-happiness/) ## πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Stuff Someone Said > If 'no' is not an option.... then neither is 'yes'. [Seth Godin](https://seths.blog/2023/08/if-no-is-not-an-option/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)