Hello my friend,
It’s good to be back after a wonderful few weeks in South America.
I had some quality time to think and one particular question had me pondering.
What do you judge yourself on more - who you are or what you do?
Money and a full calendar are a measurable way to show progress.
Numbers and deals show we are achieving or on the road to it.
That we are getting ahead.
Want to know how well someone is doing? Ask to look at their salary or bank balance. Or ask them what their title is.
Want to show someone how well you’re doing? Ask them to look at your salary or bank balance. Or tell them what your title is.
Show them our filled up busy calendar.
This shows we’re doing well, right?
These are measurable metrics.
Our brain loves to measure in this way. It offers a clear definition of what it means to be ahead, level or behind. As Will Storr says like it or not we are all playing a status game. Measuring others up based on what we can measure.
But none of these equate to real, long lasting progress. And they go little towards joy, fulfillment or happiness.
The problem is we can’t measure these things.
How can you statically or factually tell how joyful, peaceful or happy someone is?
Only the person themselves knows that answer.
No data. No metrics.
No amount of money, salary or title reveal these things.
If we value ourselves more for what we do than who we are we will never have enough.
Things im learning
How (and why) to read.
Reading takes time. You have to make it a non-negotiable part of the day.
This precious time must be guarded! Some thinkers, as they rise in prominence as a result of their interesting ideas, gradually devote less time to reading and more time to lucrative opportunities. This is a mistake. They are neglecting one of the core habits that made them so interesting in the first place.
Similar to a gym routine, it must be built right into your schedule and must become an unthinking custom.
If you’re just starting out, focus on building habit first. In Atomic Habits, James Clear writes, “If you show up at the gym 5 days in a row - even for 2 minutes - you're casting votes for your new identity. You’re not worried about getting in shape. You’re focused on becoming the type of person who doesn’t miss workouts.”
The same goes for reading. In the beginning, don’t focus on volume. Don’t focus on trying to read a specific book in a specific amount of time. Focus instead on the concrete and the practical. For example, each day you could schedule a time to sit down and read at least ten pages. If that’s too much, try five. If that’s too much, then start with one page. Then go from there.
- Rob Henderson
Choose the thing.
“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” - Jocko Willink
Changing attitude.
"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." - Jack Sparrow
Question
Are you waiting for something to happen or could you go and make something happen?
That’s all for this week.
Thanks for reading as always - it’s nice to be back writing.
With love, Nick x
p.s. make more mistakes