In this writer’s estimation, anyone who has ever attempted to make/do/create something (isn’t that all of us?) should be able to take away something from the movie Birdman.[Image by Fox Searchlight] Author’s note: There are minor Birdman spoilers in here. If you haven’t seen the film yet, reading this won’t necessarily ruin it for you, but some of this piece … Read More
Birdman, Self-Doubt, and the Fear of Criticism
5 (Uncommon) Reasons to Grow a Beard
Like the Macarena in the ’90s and MySpace profiles in the ’00s, beards are in. In fact, they’re probably in-ner far longer than I’ve been sporting a legitimate beard (4 months) and not just perma-stubble (since I was 10). They’re almost so in that I feel like I’m writing about this thing called the internet and how social media is … Read More
in Grooming
How to Step Up Your Shoe Game (and Why It Matters)
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” — Dr. Seuss I’ve been writing about some very serious things lately. So, I want to talk about something … Read More
in How to Dress
Want to Build Your Network? First, Build Yourself
Networking. Putting aside the fact that the word makes me cringe — there’s just something smarmy and disingenuous about “working” to build genuine rapport — we all know that building a network is absolutely essential to being successful. I get it. I’ve definitely found that the “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” principle holds true in most … Read More
in Entrepreneurship, Networking
2 Chipotle Bowls a Day: The (Delicious) Power of Routine
“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” Gustave Flaubert I’m sure you’ve heard about the power of routine — or even the importance of routine — by now. Perhaps you read about Kurt Vonnegut’s daily routine, which involved rising early and daily trips to the local swimming pool. Or … Read More
in Productivity, Self Mastery
8 Lessons on Learning: How to Develop a New Skill (Without Giving Up): Part 2
Acquiring new skills is often the most difficult part of starting a new project or pushing through an existing one. Here’s the second part of how to develop a new skill without giving up — part one is here. “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower In the … Read More
in Life Hacks, Productivity, Self Mastery
8 Lessons on Learning: How to Develop a New Skill (Without Giving Up): Part 1
Acquiring new skills is often the most difficult part of starting a new project or pushing through an existing one. Here’s the first part of how to develop a new skill without giving up — part two is here. About a year ago, I had the idea to start a website based around my drumming and writing, with a strong … Read More
in Life Hacks, Productivity, Self Mastery
Why Cutting Back on Watching Sports is the Real New Year’s Diet
There are two things I don’t do often: 1.) Cry. 2.) Wake up earlier than 7 AM on a weekend. On April 27th, 2014, punching my bed, throwing pillows across the room, and burying my head under the covers, I did both. Liverpool FC, defying the imagination of every pundit and fan, had been on an incredible title run in … Read More
in Productivity, Self Mastery
The War of Art: The One Book That Kicked My Ass Into Doing More (And Will Kick Yours Too)
Why is it that tomorrow always seems like the best time to start a project? It’s hard to stop making excuses sometimes. Maybe we feel like we’re not quite ready. Or maybe we believe our idea won’t turn out as solid as we first thought. More often than not, we’ll spend more time thinking about doing something than actually doing … Read More
in Entrepreneurship, Productivity