Category: A Matter of Time
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Parenthood and possibilities
A few days after we came home from the hospital, I sent a letter to a friend, including a photo of my son and some first impressions of fatherhood. He responded, simply, “Everything is possible again.” It was the perfect thing to write, because that was exactly how it felt. We could retell our stories…
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Foundation first
One philosophy or heuristic I have been drawn to recently is to prioritize foundational activities. Personal life: wash your face, work out, eat healthy and regularly, feed your cat, shower, do laundry, present yourself, journal, write, draw, etc. Do things that make you feel alive. This is actually the most important foundation. Professional life: keep…
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When happiness happens
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. Albert Camus HAPPINESS.—A butterfly, which when pursued, seems always just beyond your grasp, but if you sit down quietly may alight upon you. New Orleans Crescent
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Clear the calendar
On any given day, your brain could give you a burst of energy to do something you’ve been putting off; it might feel like a whim. Consider giving this more attention than you’d think. Clear an afternoon off for it if you can, and let the inspiration take you where it wants you to go.
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The 90% tax on your creative work
Mahershala Ali says: You really only actually act between action and cut. 10% of the time. The rest of it is prepping for [it]—the wardrobe, the costume elements of it, the building the psychology and getting ready for the piece itself. Actually getting to act is such a miniscule part of the experience that you…
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“I should have done this earlier”
Or, celebrate—because it’s great that you’re doing it now, and you’ve figured it out for the next time.
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Three things I learned about execution as an employee (that I didn’t as an entrepreneur)
1. There is always a surplus of work that needs to be done. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to “deprioritize” this stuff and drop the ball, and not feel the effects until later. As an employee, that’s not possible, because your team will hold you accountable. You need to manage all of these things well;…
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Three things on spontaneity
Scheduling something makes it more likely to happen, while simultaneously taking the fun out of it. Selin A. Malkoc makes the case that it feels too forced. One solution is to plan less, and to get comfortable with the stigma of unplanned meet ups—which is currently characterized as “lazy and non-committal.” They’re also less ambiguous;…
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Zen longcutting
A Zen student went to a temple and asked how long it would take him to gain enlightenment if he joined the temple. “10 years,” said the Zen master. “Well, how about if I really work hard and double my effort?” “In that case, 20 years.” See also “Why trying too hard can backfire.”
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Showing up vs. disappearing
Anna Gat writes: I’ve been telling people that your number one job is to not disappear. It’s maddeningly easy to disappear, the stage trapdoor remains open. I’ve been repeating it with wild gestures, whenever someone breaks up with their famous cofounder, I’ve been waxing ex cathedra, when friends leave buzzing cities, upscale jobs: Do not…