Heyo!
There are lots of new folks this week — about 4,500! — thanks to a mention on Inc. Welcome aboard!
Here's how this works.
I'm Jimmy. I'm a writer, marketing guy, runner and Chocolate Lab lover. I move around a lot (I'm spending the summer in Alaska!) and I post a lot of pictures on Instagram.
Once a week, I'll send a newsletter with five or so links. Some will relate to marketing, all will relate to life. It's my goal to share information that helps you get the most from this awkward time between college and retirement.
I am sometimes harsh and hope you grow to like a weekly kick in the ass. Enjoy!
1. Humans suck at moderation
The concept (and failure) of "everything in moderation" has been studied most closely by food and nutrition experts.
If you've ever tried dieting by eating desserts "in moderation," you know it doesn't work. That's because moderation is a flimsy word, according to the Whole9 nutrition blog:
Habit research shows that black-and-white goals—without any room for interpretation, justification, or negotiation—are far easier to meet than squishy goals.
The problem, of course, is that willpower alone isn't strong enough to keep us in balance. Our finite willpower is spread across a number of different tasks, all with varying degrees of importance.
Set rules for your life and stick to them. As Navy SEAL Jocko Willink says, "discipline is freedom."
2. The best marketing advice in history
One of many gems from ad man Bob Hoffman.
A smart marketer takes nothing for granted. He assumes that no one gives a flying shit about his brand. He assumes that he has to prove his value to his customers every day of the year.
3. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck"
This is perhaps the most useful (and entertaining) article I've ever read. Thank you Mark Manson.
4. That awkward time between college and retirement
Midlife doesn't have to be boring.
NPR reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty shares thoughts on thriving in that awkward period of life between college and retirement.
"At every stage of life, you should be a rookie at something."
This insight comes from Chris Dionigi, a Ph.D. in "weed science" and the deputy director of the National Invasive Species Council (that kind of weed). He believes trying new things and failing keeps you robust. He took comedy improv classes and now spends many nights and weekends riding his bicycle as an auxiliary police officer for Arlington County, Va.
Always have something new and challenging in your life, he says, "and if that something is of service to people and things you care about, you can lead an extraordinary life."
5. How to stop working at the end of the day
Finishing your day is just as important as starting it. On his blog, Eric Barker explains why an evening ritual can help you enjoy your time after work.
- Have a “shutdown ritual.” Write down worries and make a plan for tomorrow. Work is over.
- Turn weeknights into weekends. Weekends are happier because of time with friends. So see friends. Not hard.
- Mastery, not TV. Hobbies make you happier. Spend nights getting awesome at something.
- Wind down, don’t collapse. No screens. No coffee. No skydiving.
- Never go to bed angry with your partner. Kiss and make up. And kiss. And kiss some more.
- Write down the good stuff that happened. Force your brain to think about the good and life will be good.
- Schedule something to look forward to. Anticipation is like 401K matching for happiness. Double the happies.
Have a great week!
Jimmy