Left tail beware, right tail aware. I’d say it’s a financial planning concept, but it’s really a general life concept. Most of life is average. You get up, make coffee, walk the dog, etc. etc. etc. Anything average can get colored with good or bad luck. Or REALLY good or REALLY bad luck. Luck has … Continue reading (Life) Skew
Tag: critical thinking
When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True
A quote from Harry Dry (before you write your next headline/email subject line/etc.) “Good copy is falsifiable.” A clear message tells the reader “this is provable, if you want to prove it for yourself.” A marketing example (which Dry uses) - let’s say you’re selling an energy drink. Ask yourself which of these feels true: … Continue reading When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True
Sunday Music: Pharrell (Expertly) Referencing Michael Jackson
I have the coolest friends on earth. h/t to Ryan M. who got me to listen closely to “Down In Atlanta” by Pharrell Williams by explaining how it sounded like “Another Part of Me” by Michael Jackson. Check these tracks out back-to-back. You'll hear it too. I'm delighted. Bonus, for my music nerds: the songs … Continue reading Sunday Music: Pharrell (Expertly) Referencing Michael Jackson
Podcast Of The Week: Find The Magic Trick w/ Aaron Sorkin
Brian Koppelman asked Aaron Sorkin about becoming a great writer. Sorkin says you’ve got to find the magic trick. So you didn’t like something. Your friends agree it’s just crap. But it’s up to you to figure out WHY. The same with the great stuff. Why’d you hate it? Why’d you love it? Demystify it. … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Find The Magic Trick w/ Aaron Sorkin
It’s Hard To Be Really Good At Anything You Don’t Think About In The Shower
A Paul Graham-ism that brings me comfort as I get water all over my bathroom floor while trying to record voice notes mid-shower, risking life and limb (and confusing my dog, who is patiently waiting for me to stay in the shower long enough to steal my socks). It’s hard to do a really good … Continue reading It’s Hard To Be Really Good At Anything You Don’t Think About In The Shower
People Say Guru Because Charlatan Is Hard To Spell
A friendly reminder, via Stanley Drucker, for proclaimed guru’s who make something complex look a little too simple, clean, or easy: People use the word guru because the word charlatan is so hard to spell. I’m not saying there aren’t amazing people out there. I am saying, if they are selling something that makes normally … Continue reading People Say Guru Because Charlatan Is Hard To Spell
Mike Tyson, Little Mac, And Planning Around Getting Punched In The Face
Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” And who can disagree. I like to think of this as the Mike Tyson Rule. You know what you want to happen, but you also know reality is coming for you, it’s gonna punch you in the face, and your … Continue reading Mike Tyson, Little Mac, And Planning Around Getting Punched In The Face
The 3 C’s Of Planning
I use these 3 C’s of planning doing financial planning all of the time, but they really apply to ANYTHING you (or your business, or your family, or…) is planning for. If you want to put context around any question you have with a dollar sign attached to, start by jotting down the 3 C’s: … Continue reading The 3 C’s Of Planning
Podcast Of The Week: What The NBA Can Learn From Formula 1
Ben Thompson of Stratechery takes a look at “What the NBA Can Learn From Formula 1” (and what we ALL can learn from his breakdown). Seeing as we’ve already established my fandom of Thompson and Drive to Survive - I couldn’t resist him applying systems-logic to the business strategy of these two fan-culture driven entities. … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: What The NBA Can Learn From Formula 1
Three Levels Of Teaming Up (VWW)
I've been doing a lot of team-building lately (hi Ben!), talking to my friends about team-building (David R., Dan M., Laurie H. - I see you), and reading/re-reading stuff with a particular eye on this (shoutout to the Digging The Greats "Soulquarians" episode especially). Here's my riff to the various levels of teaming up: There … Continue reading Three Levels Of Teaming Up (VWW)