OK, that’s a weird title for a post, isn’t it? 

Well, I got to thinking about this because of my previous post, the one where I bemoaned how I got nothing done as I had planned.

I also got to thinking about this because I just finished the latest round of reviews at work, and as a senior technical manager juggling a number of different projects at any given time, discussions turned to my triumphs and mistakes and how I can become more efficient at work.

So if I am always looking to become more efficient at work, why not bring that same mindset to being a Dad?

I mean, we have to juggle our day job, our household duties and chores, playing with the kids and thinking and planning for their future, and if you have any dreams or interests of your own, somehow figuring out a way to work it all in to the same 24 hours and 7 days a week that you used to have before you had kids or got married.

To this end, I will start to bring up articles, other sites, and just tips and tricks that I am learning as I get deeper into this daddyhood business.

So to start off, let me start off by introducing a site that I’ve grown to really enjoy over the last few weeks.  It’s called the99percent.com, after Edison’s maxim that any genius is 99% perspiration.  It’s a site with articles on how to get things done, and make your ideas happen.  Anyway, I came across a cool article on their site on how doing is less is sometimes the best way to do more.  A paradoxical concept that’s also very cool and zen at the same time.  I’ll be coming back to this concept again, but it has a lot to do with the ability to focus and relax, and knowing how to regulate this with the proper rhythm so that when you are focused on doing this, you are truly on it, in the moment.  And when you’re relaxed, you are truly able to let go.  I am starting to realize that this kind of philosophy is important and applicable for work (where a lot of the articles focus on) but also child rearing.

A treat for us Dads in the Los Angeles area.  About a year after I moved to Southern California, I discovered a club in the city I lived in, Pasadena, for archery.  It was the Pasadena Roving Archers and I attended their practices for a few weeks before another hobby I was pursuing (my kung fu training) had a schedule conflict and I gave it up.  Now that I live in LA proper (and work in the Valley), and I have a little boy, I am looking to take archery up again.  Probably start myself, but then when Nathan is old enough, bring him out and play Robin Hood with him together.

I’ve discovered a club out in Culver City at the Rancho Park archery range.  Relatively close to where I live, so I’ll try them out and post a review.  I also found a club in the Valley close to where I work.  It’s the Woodley Park Archers and they are at Woodley Park off the 101.  They’re actually close enough to work that I could probably shoot off a few shots after office hours before going home.  I’ll try them out and post a review in the future as well.

So, you’re thinking, why archery?

I do martial arts, have been for almost twenty years, and I’ve learned to handle a lot of ancient weapons.  But I will admit that bow and arrow is the one weapon type that I never became proficient in so I’m interested from that perspective in rounding out my repertoire. 

But there is another reason.  One of the reasons that kyudo, the Japanese art of archery, is considered a gentleman’s martial art, is that it takes a great deal of discipline, control, and steadiness to get good at it.  Archery is one of the few martial arts where you can’t “muscle you way” and all the energy and ferocity in the world will do you no good.  In fact, being calm and steady, being zen in the face of a hurricane, that kind of demeanor is what makes a good archer.  And this kind of attribute is something that I want to impart on Nathan.  I think it’s a good attribute to impart on any child.

In any event, I’ll put up a follow-up post as soon as I try out the Rancho Park and Woodley Park clubs.  I’ll also try out Pasadena again – since it’s been more than 7 years since I was there.  Stay tuned.