Technology is simply the skills, methods, and processes used to achieve goals. We think of technology as machines or computers, but any intentional process you create and apply to a problem is a technology, whether it is written, memorized or forged in steel. A to-do list, or a mnemonic device, or an affirmation is a technology you make and apply to achieve a goal. Our creative minds are well designed to build technology, and you would do yourself and those you care about a lot of good if you work with technology to achieve a better outcome.

A lot on this site talks about computer technology, but that is just a piece of the solution.  The most important thing we want to stress here is that you can take action to empower yourself.  You make things, you build and create and work with technology, either simple things or hi-tech solutions, to make life better.  The biggest and most important step is not in buying or learning a new piece of equipment or software, but to decide you are worth the effort to work with that technology.    Say “Yes” to yourself, and use that great brain of yours to make things happen.  Be patient, be persistent, and be willing to give yourself a better chance at a better life.  The time and energy and confidence you invest in yourself will be a blessing to everyone who knows you, too.

Make your new skill, your new technology clear and defined.  Make it appealing to you, so you feel good about what you are working on.  You will want to make it fun to do, and of course make it as easy as you can, so its accessible and handy.

Figure out what your goal is, what you want to be able to do.  Then make a clear picture of what the end product looks like.  You will help yourself a great deal if you start the process with a sure idea of when you have succeeded.    The thing you are learning or building needs to be something you find admirable and appealing.  You need to feel good about it and be proud to be using it.  You need to want it to be part of your life.  It also helps if you can make it fun, so it is a joy to work with and when it is working, adds ease and pleasure to your life.  And you need to try to make it as easy as possible.  Only make it as big and complicated as it has to be.  Technology that adds new, pointless demands to your life is not a good thing.  This gets back to the need to be clear in what you want, then build or learn toward that.  This way, technology is working with you, not against you.

Any technology you embrace, whether its a to-do list on a scratchpad, or a daily prayer, or a new tablet or computer, needs to be making your life better.  To get that started, you have to believe you are worth it.  And if you have made it this far, and have decided to make an effort to learn about your options, then you have already told yourself you are worth it.