The value of physical reminders

[#1]

It's the beginning of the winter holiday season here in the US, meaning that everyone is sending fun little cards like this one I got from a friend:

The card was a nice gesture and I really appreciated it. I was about to save the card in my filing cabinet along with all the others, when I realized that I was throwing away the moment that my friend had taken the time to share with me instead of preserving it.

If I put this card into my filing cabinet, I'd never see it again! Maybe once or twice a year when I'm cleaning, but that's about it. Instead, I decided to mount it on a pinboard and start a collection of things I am grateful for, reminders of what I want to achieve, people who inspire me, and so forth.

Our workplaces become more and more digitized by the year, and that's a good thing! But personally, I lost sight of the potential downsides that can come with interactions that are largely or purely online.

Now, I've grown to value the meaning behind physical gifts and gestures all the more. They usually take more time and effort, but I've been reawakened to their meaning and importance.

What are some goals you'd like to achieve (even non-CUG related ones)? Who are your inspirations? What physical cues or reminders help you to keep those goals in focus throughout the week, month or year?

[Dave Liao]

I keep a few physical reminders present in my home to ground me.

In a virtual way, I also use physical objects - I scribble a few important project notes onto a sticky note, then photograph that note in an inspiring environment (a local cafe, or next to a cat), then set that as my phone's wallpaper. 🙃

[Apex Digital Agency]

Hi,

I usually keep this kind of cool gesture saved, like you were about to do, but what makes me laugh at the end is, how many cards and how long, one can save these kinds of gifts? I have to throw a signed and a good review of my teacher after 8 years of preserving it, thinking what to do now with it? then I threw another card after 3 years of preserving it, my student gave me as a best teacher her, as I did not have any reason to collect plenty of them, so I thought to keep them alive only in my memories. 

btw nice seeing this thread.

kind REGARDS,

Apex Digital Agency