Browsing Twitter a couple of days ago, I happened upon a reference to a little ebook written by Everett Bogue from farbeyondthestars.com. Better than that, for this penny conscious writer at least 
, this ebook was free. It’s easy to read and has some great content but to be totally frank, I didn’t read it carefully because I had more important things to do. That’s no reflection on the content, more an indication of where my priorities had to be at that time.
Spend more than ten minutes on the Internet and you’ll find an enormous amount of free information, some pre-packed in electronic book form, some just plain and simple web content. Whatever you’re trying to do it, somebody somewhere will have what you need to know.
And here in lies today’s motivator because if you were to read all that is available out there on your subject, you could spend so much time reading, you’d never have any time left to implement what you’d just learned!
The time you spend reading about how to build the best Wordpress blog the world has ever seen could be better spent getting your hands dirty (so to speak, I don’t know about you but my keyboard is fairly clean )
I’m a great one for books, I can’t get enough of them but instead of reading every parenting how-to, spend the time playing with your children, talking to your teen and listening to your offspring.
Want to be a paramedic? Go grab the nearest ailing grandma and …. OK, I’m kidding. There are some things that are best learned from a book before putting into practice But you take my point?
Tim Ferris from Four Hour Work Week
The first project Give A Brick is supporting is the building work at 
What should Give A Brick support next? If you have an exciting community project that, 
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Yep-totally agree. Seth Godin in his book and blog (well ok- I read it) says you have to ’ship’. Its no good reading everything but not completing anything. There are so many opportunities these days its sometimes hard to focus on what you should concentrate on. As you know, Eleanor, with me its painting. So although I have various online stuff, it is all related to that. Find your passion and interest, read around that and don’t be tempted to go ‘off piste’ too often. My latest project is ‘paint my photo’ a ning site to share your photos with Artists, so it could be said to be a photography site, but my personal interest has given it a slightly different angle. Less than 2 weeks in and over 40 users and 500+photos.
Roy´s last blog ..john ian gilmore is now a member of Paint My Photo
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 10, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Roy,
) I meant to ask you if it was the Seth Godin who quoted you. Very cool 
Good to see you (albeit a monster you. You need to visit gravatar.com
I’ve only recently read some of his stuff but the idea virus was great. Would love GAB to go viral
Love the idea behind what you’re doing. Sounds like fun. And clearly a popular idea too
Yeah it was THE Seth Godin! BTW what do you mean monster? The surgeons told me I looked fine now!
Roy´s last blog ..john ian gilmore is now a member of Paint My Photo
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 10, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Hahaha! Sorry, I meant pentagon
Getting a gravatar is very easy. Even Dad managed it 
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 10, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Just twigged that your site is a Ning network. Sorry, bit slow on the uptake there! I started creating one for GAB but didn’t get far. Just one more thing on the to-do list
Thanks for reading my e-book and linking to my blog. It’s much appreciated. Let me know if there’s any way I can help you out in the future.
Definitely give it thorough read! There is some good stuff in there, I hope.
Best,
Everett
Everett Bogue´s last blog ..The Power of Unautomating Your Finances: Interview with Adam Baker
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 10, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Hi Everett,
I agree, it is a great ebook. I hope I made the point clearly enough that my scanning read was a reflection of the other stuff I had to get done as a greater priority right that second and in no way indicative of the quality of your work
Given what we’re trying to do here at Give A Brick I know that your book has some great advice in there for us and thank you for the offer of help. I’ll keep it in mind. In the meantime, if you ever feel inspired to write something outside of your niche, we’re encouraging folks to write for the Give A Brick community. You’d be a welcome part of that
Eleanor
Eleanor´s last blog ..Are you a lone ranger?
Twitter: ryanhanzel
March 10, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Like many others out there I can work insane hours. This usually does not go over to well while balancing other things in your life and finding the time to sit down and read. I do love to read though but I found a safe alternative at least for this point in my life.
I will find magazines that contains the subjects I love to read like health magazines, internet, gadgets, etc. These magazines contain brief tips, tutorials, reviews, and comparisons for many of the subjects I like reading about but would rather spend more time in the blogosphere (also a great place for some good content) and time with my wife/son.
Just thought I would add in some alternatives for any other readers out there.
Ryan Hanzel´s last blog ..Balancing your life between virtual reality
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 10, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hi Ryan,
That’s a great point. There’s a lot of material out there to help learn and move things forward during your down time. It’s all about gettting priorities straight isn’t it?
Twitter: cadilacjax
March 10, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Get my hands dirty, and I thought I got away from all that! — I get you fully though. I have def. toned down some of the search this, search that, look some more etc.. and instead started to get my hands a little dirty. It’s a balance I’m learning in this self-fulfilling adventure that takes self discipline. Thanks for the motivator! Now I’m going to go find GMa…
Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 11, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Hi Lee,
Your comment made me laugh. I had this image of you mucking about in the dirty and then writing about it
It is a fine line to navigate because we should never stop learning but action is important too.
Twitter: ralphcarlson
March 11, 2010 at 1:37 am
But Eleanor,
To get the most important thing done by 11:00, it means I have to get up by 10:00 or so. What’s the point of being your own boss if you can’t sleep in?
Twitter: GiveABrick
March 11, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Lol. If everyone reading this really was their own boss then you’re right, they could get up whenever they liked. The point about getting important stuff done first still stands though, regardless of breakfast time
Twitter: bigredtomato
March 11, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Perhaps it’s the equivalent of 11am? So in Ralph’s case it will be by 3pm?
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Do you want to retire rich or do you want to retire dead?
Twitter: paulworswick
March 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Eleanor,
We can read, read and read some more, however at some stage we’re going to have to take some action. There’s no place for information overloaded junkies, there’s a big need to action people.
Regards
Paul
Paul´s last blog ..It’s only skin deep
Twitter: cadilacjax
March 11, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Hey don’t give me any ideas, I might just use them. You know it’s about spring time here and flower and potato planting season….hmmm
Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..A Lesson Worth Learning A Lesson Well Learned
Twitter: bigredtomato
March 11, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Interesting post. I agree. You can spend far too much time reading about stuff, when in reality you need to do stuff. I think Tim’s advice is excellent, learn and get inspiration, then spend the day doing it.
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Do you want to retire rich or do you want to retire dead?