I’ve tried building a meditation habit many times. It never works out in the long-term and although it’s good for clearing and controlling my mind in the moment, there’s something I’ve found that’s better… Just doing the things that matter. When I write, I get lost in the words. When I play sport or train, I get lost in the movement. When I talk, I get lost in the conversation. ...
When you have an idea, there might be some kind of temptation to save it for a more suitable time to share. I’ve certainly felt this, coming up with something that I don’t think is ready to share, thinking something along the lines of ‘Oh I’ll touch up this idea later and then maybe share it’ But that’s not how things work in real life. There are many ideas that I’ve kept in my content bank, complete with actual outlines and ready to create that I’ve just gotten rid of because I’ve fallen out of love with or moved on from the idea. ...
Originally, this note was going to be completely private. I started writing these commandments with no intention of sharing but the further in I got, the more I realised the piece looked like Twenty observations from 20 years on Earth, a piece I published almost exactly a year ago (I’m turning 21 on Thursday). So I thought I’d tidy this list up a bit. There’s no harm in making it easier to consume for the reader and in turn easier for me to refer to. ...
For the most part, we can keep control of our emotions. Sometimes emotions get stronger though, not only for ourselves but for others too. There is a simple method to improve the experience of someone feeling strong emotions, and it’s merely to use empathy. Share in their emotions. Listen to what they have to say and be supportive. This works with both positive and negative emotions. Think of something bad happening and it’s just like the quote - ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. By bearing some of the negative emotional burden of another, you can lighten their emotional load. You’re someone they can confide in, share themselves with and generally lean on for support because they feel understood. ...
Everyone sets goals, especially number-based ones, and there are clear reasons why. Improved motivation, along with the satisfaction of achievement are two such examples. But there’s one side to these types of goals that are more valuable than both of these benefits put together. This benefit is the building of skills whilst working towards the goal. What’s more valuable, reaching an arbitrary number goal, for example posting 10 times per week on X, or building the skills required to post 10 times per week on X? ...
The other day I was having a conversation with friends… We all have online followings of varying sizes so the conversation drifted to receiving hate in content creation. You know the type of hate I mean - perhaps someone leaves a comment as an attempt to knock you down rather than build you up. Perhaps they poke fun at you. It can get worse than this but this should be very infrequently if you bear what I’m going to cover in this piece in mind. ...
A common perspective is that social media hijacks your attention, ruining your focus and ability to work. The truth is that everything else in the world does the same too. However, only a few things should actually do so… What they are varies between people but one thing is universal - fulfilment comes from giving attention to these priorities. So, how to prioritise in a healthy way? You need at least a short period of disconnect. ...
I turned 20 yesterday, which is crazy. I still remember my 10th birthday. That’s half a lifetime ago now. 20 is still young, I know, but there are a few observations that I’ve made throughout this time that I want to share with you today. They’re not recommendations, not advice. Simply observations. Enjoy… You are your own worst enemy, but you have to be, because… Very few people actually care about what you do. You don’t get lucky unless you’re actively working and looking for opportunities. Growing up without a mobile phone until the age of 16 was a blessing (and not a curse as I used to believe). As well as this… I became happier when I deleted Instagram and Snapchat. Decisions weigh on your mind. Make them early because… It’s better to act and fail than to suffer from analysis paralysis and do nothing. You can definitely work harder than you do at the moment. A better frame to act with is through love for others rather than love for yourself. You only have a certain amount of fs to give, hence… What you give a f about is very important. You can tell a lot about a person from the way they react to constructive criticism. People respect you and the time you give more if you have your own things going on. Your habits surrounding technology are critical. Keeping in mind advice and wisdom from others but acting out your purpose beats projecting the desires of others because of insecurity. Don’t rely on external factors for happiness. It’s what’s inside that makes you fulfilled. Starting to lift weights might be the best decision I’ve ever made. What you say is important, but how you say it is even more so. Time spent worrying about the past and the future has a direct and negative correlation with fulfilment. It’s always the ‘good old days’. I’m not a life coach. Feel free to buy into these as much or as little as you want (see observation 15). However, understanding these observations has improved my life to a very great effect. ...
“Money rules the world.” No. Value exchange rules the world. Money is only one facet of what I refer to as ‘value’ here. It’s a concrete and simple way of quantifying value, but not the entirety in itself. People value wisdom, experience, and anything that helps them reach their goals or survive. Physical energy, as provided by calories is a form of value. So who are we to even begin to assume what defines value? It can flow from store to store in the same way as energy, and it takes energy to do so. Yet, because of perspective, context and differing situations, you can create relative value. You can destroy it too. ...
“I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter.” From Blaise Pascal, this quote sums up half of what I call the short-form content paradox… There’s no need to explain how quickly the world of short-form content moves. You’re pushed daily to craft 280 characters into ever more ‘personal’ and polarising pieces of content. However, as Pascal knew, this process requires more time than most dedicate to it. ...