Hey! On Saturday’s I highlight a podcast about being a creative professional. Sometimes it’s direct, sometimes it’s indirect, but it’s always entertaining and educational. Check these out and send anything good you’ve heard lately my way! The best podcasts allow us to be a fly on the wall for a conversation we’re so lucky was … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Habits And Vulnerability (James Clear w/ Brene Brown)
It’s like you wake up and it’s a new year and you already forgot how to write dates on things. Today’s a day off. It feels kind of like a snow day with the holiday already having happened. But I’m happy to take it and make Tuesday the first working day of 2023. James Clear … Continue reading The Whole Of Life Is About Another Chance
James Clear wants to kick you out of your cozy nest and into the gravity-induced rush of learning to fly. A quote on courage to remove the obstacles in your life. You just need to have the courage to eliminate everything that doesn’t directly feed what you really want. He’s right. It’s scary as hell … Continue reading Removing Obstacles Takes Courage
I’m in a “I’ve got way too much going on right now” phase of life (on purpose, and for good reasons) that I’m looking forward to winding back a little next year so I have some peace. Debbie Millman, graphic design* and writing and podcasting legend has one of my favorite quotes about busyness. It’s … Continue reading I’m Too Busy
Here’s a James Clear-ism I can’t shake about how you pay for every action THREE times: Every transaction is paid for at least three times. First, with the money you pay. Second, with the time you spend. Third, with the reputation you create through your behavior. Being pleasant, reliable, and easy to work with might … Continue reading Life Transactions: You’ll Pay 3x
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (h/t James Clear) said, “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a person’s life is made up of nothing but the habits they accumulated during the first half.” This is only partly true. I know for me, and I’m sure for many of you reading this note, you figured out … Continue reading Dostoyevsky On The Habits We Accumulate
It’s good life advice and better business advice.* Via James Clear, Raise your ambitions. Lower your expectations. The higher your ambitions, the bolder your actions. The lower your expectations, the greater your satisfaction. Achieve more and be happy along the way. *on the business advice “why would I lower my expectations” question you’re inevitably asking: … Continue reading Raise Ambitions, Lower Expectations
James Clear’s take on “mental toughness” is simple. You are tough when your mood is not dependent on your conditions. Stressful day at work but you can chill after? Tough. Hard talk with a family member but feel at peace about speaking your mind? Tough. Massive challenge in front of you that you’re not sure … Continue reading Mental Toughness Is More Than Determination And Persistence
Don’t copy. Or, in 1986 speak, don’t be a biter.* Seymore Cray, the electrical engineer often credited with the investigation of the supercomputing industry had this to say about always (ALWAYS) doing things just a bit differently. It applies to whatever work you are doing. One of my guiding principles is don’t do anything that … Continue reading Always Be (At Least A Little) Different
In March of 2020 it became clear our customer service model was going to need an update. COVID-19 was here, and while our objectives weren’t out the window, the way we delivered them was directly being challenged. We talked a lot about James Clear’s quote, You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall … Continue reading Your Team Needs More Than Goals. Start With Your Sytems. Here’s How.
