How to Be a Day 1 Person
Jeff Bezos likes to call Amazon a "Day 1 company."
We are all familiar with the feeling of Day 1.
It's that feeling of the incredible first date, starting a new job, the first day of school, the beginning of the playoffs, or launching a new idea or product.
Day 1 is all about movement, momentum, hard work, and . . .
Status Quo Bias
One of my favorite economists/philosophers, Tyler Cowen, has a great interview on the Ezra Klein Show, which I highly recommend.
At multiple points in the interview, they discuss status quo bias.
Status quo bias is exactly what it sounds like - an emotional bias in favor of the way things are.
The thing about status quo bias which is so . . .
Posted in: attitudecareergrowtheconomicspsychology
The Adjacent Possible
and the exploration of unmapped territory
This is the fourth and final part of a series on learning. I encourage you to also read the intro, part 1, part 2, and part 3.
Isaac was daydreaming beneath the apple tree when one of the ripe, plump red apples dislodged itself from its branch and fell, smacking him right on the head.
As if struck by divine intervention, . . .
Posted in: weekly topicideationstrategygrowthlearning
Clarity
Next time someone asks you to hang out, instead of giving them a coded answer like "Yeah, crazy week, let's get together soon!" just be clear and honest:
"You know what, making more social plans just isn't one of my top priorities right now, but thank you."
"We've hung out a number of times now, and honestly I just don't feel like . . .
Default Yes
Recently an opportunity came across my desk.
I asked the other person what their deadline was for the next step. Wednesday after next.
Two days before the deadline, I still hadn't done the work to figure out whether it was a worthwhile opportunity.
Oh well, I'll just tell them that we're busy right now, and it's not a good time. Thanks . . .
It's Time To Fight Back
Against the Modern Workplace
The modern workplace can be an existential minefield.
Urgent trumps important.
Productivity trumps true value.
Multi-tasking trumps single-minded focus.
Interruption trumps silence.
Notifications trump airplane mode.
Meetings trump flow.
Their agenda trumps your agenda.
Before you know it, your days are sliced up into a million pieces.
It . . .
The Aluminum Rule
We've all heard the golden rule:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
What if we treated ourselves with the same respect?
I propose the aluminum rule:
"Treat yourself the way you would like to treat others."
Before we can reliably share our best selves with the world, we must first learn to treat our . . .