Hey everyone,
Hope you're having a great week. Here are a few things I've been reading and pondering lately. Enjoy!
1. The Iceberg Theory of User Feedback
It's really hard to get good feedback from your customers because most of their complaints are so minor that they'll never bother telling you. Those problems, however, chafe at them. Here's one idea I really like:
When a customer emails to tell you something nice, ask if you can do a case study on them. Use that time to find out all the challenges they overcame to be successful. Those are the same problems where unsuccessful customers are getting stuck. You most successful customers are probably just the most determined.
2. Using Subproblems to Get Unstuck
This is a great (and very short) article on how to break down problems into small parts in order to solve them. Don't be scared off by the math—the concept here is very interesting.
There are two big advantages to this approach. The first is that if a solution exists, it's sure to be found (if the subproblems are carefully chosen). The second is that, if there are multiple solutions, all of them will be found eventually.
3. Writing Your Way to Happiness
Writing is awesome.
The concept is based on the idea that we all have a personal narrative that shapes our view of the world and ourselves. But sometimes our inner voice doesn’t get it completely right. Some researchers believe that by writing and then editing our own stories, we can change our perceptions of ourselves and identify obstacles that stand in the way of better health.
It may sound like self-help nonsense, but research suggests the effects are real.
4. And in politics...
Yea, right. We're all sick of Trump news, so here's a dog getting in shape for summer.
Getting that beach body ready
5. Random Links
- I just finished Into Thin Air (for the second time) and loved it.
- If you think Mt. Everest is cool, follow EverestNoFilter on Snapchat.
- Reid Hoffman's Masters of Scale podcast is pretty good.
- I don't often read personal finance advice, but when I do, I prefer Ramit Sethi's uncensored anger.
- The best workflow is the one you build yourself.
- Jocelyn K. Glei on Why You Need “White Space” in Your Daily Routine
- QuickBooks presents 15 Essential Hiring Resources
Jimmy