Anything goes Thursday - F. Scott Fitzgerald

From Ryan Holiday's chapter titled 'Think Differently' (p. 49) in The Obstacle is the Way, I offer up this from F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Genius is the ability to put into effect what is in your mind. There's no other definition of it.

The chapter outlines examples of how Steve Jobs would refuse to accept 'it can't be done' when he was pushing design ideas into reality. While Jobs had his personality flaws, you can't deny his genius. As Holiday points out, Steve Jobs refused to accept people who did not believe in their own abilities to succeed. "Even if his demands were unfair, uncomfortable, or ambitious."

In my work as a 'salesperson', I have always tried to project positivity, self-confidence, and belief in others. I feel strongly that is a key part of my job and of my success.

Woman Power Wednesday - loved this night

Among the many fun events over the holiday season was a dinner hosted by Kyle and Emily, where we had a chance to get to know Kyle's Aunt Anne and Aunt Joanne. Aunt Joanne is the Rafferty and is a comedian and storyteller. Aunt Anne is a retired physician. 

The above photo pictures the ladies playing a game of BANANAGRAMS on the table my Dad made for Cathy and me when we were first married.

Here's a link to one of Joanne's stories:

Joanne Rafferty Wins our Guilty Pleasures Story Slam!

On a different note, If you are listening to the Tony Fadell podcast (yesterday's Nugget), be sure to check out this part on gaining self-awareness through professional counseling:

What were Tony’s most valuable takeaways from talking through his leadership questions with a psychologist? [36:48]

Tony Fadell — On Building the iPod, iPhone, Nest, and a Life of Curiosity

Hey, hoot hooters. This Tim Ferris podcast is probably great from start to finish, but for those of you on the New Year's fast, take ten minutes to listen to the beginning as Tony Fadell (inventor of iPod and iPad) talks about how he gave up alcohol and caffeine.

You can find the podcast and the show notes here. Be sure to check out the links at the bottom of the notes.

This is another cool part that I heard in the car this morning, on how persistence always wins out when you have a burning desire to get something or somewhere.

"With so much competition vying to get a job at General Magic, what elements of Tony’s approach got him in the door and eventually hired? [19:27]"

Stay whole and stay on task with the fasting and the detox!

Day 6 - State your flat-ass rules and stick to them

Today, from the New Year, New You 21-Day Challenge: Write your personal ten commandments.

"In the book of Exodus, after Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt, God gives Moses the spiritual and moral laws that he intends the Israelites follow, laws that became known as the Ten Commandments. The story is fascinating because it’s one of the few times in the Bible where God makes explicit his instructions to humanity, rather than using prophecy or interpretation. It shows the importance that God placed upon making a singular statement of principles, one so simple and clear that the Israelites would rely upon it forevermore."

General Jim Mattis, former Secretary of Defense calls this: "State your flat-ass rules and stick to them."

I'm working on mine. Beth shared her's this morning and I think they are excellent:

1. Be kind 2. Forgive, including yourself 3. Don’t waste time 4. Give every task 100% 5. Think/pause before you speak 6. Listen, Seek first to understand, put people at ease 7. Get up early/Exercise/Eat consciously 8. Show up/hold space for friends/family 9. Take action but let go of the outcome 10. Remember God is in everything

Make it a Great Monday!

Why I am into Peter Attia and how dots connect sometimes

Hey daughters,

This email/blog post is why I have become such a big Peter Attia fan, who seems (himself) to have become a Ryan Holiday fan. You may recall that ‘Doc’ at T4TG (Dr. Dumitrescu) turned me towards Attia a couple of months ago when I was sharing how much I like my Whoop! Fitness band and the Whoop! Podcasts. 

His response was simply, "If you want to listen to some really meaningful podcasts on wellness and longevity, check out Peter Attia." So a great example of how sometimes the dots in your life can connect. My Whoop! Fitness band leads me to Doc, Doc leads me to Attia, Attia is also into (Austin-based) Holiday, whom Beth had turned me towards several years ago. As an added bonus, Mom, Lucy and I have all scheduled tune-ups and evaluations with Doc's practice in order to strive towards better overall health. (More on this in a future Nugget.)

Those starting their New Year's fasting and detox today would want to read this share from Attia about his 2020 goals. He hits on some topics I think about often when he talks of his love of racing (go-carts) and archery (previously cycling and swimming) and whether those pursuits count as pure recreation?

He shares how 'kinetic' his life has become and questions whether he spends enough time doing absolutely nothing?

So I asked myself that same question this morning as it relates to my passion for golf and my pursuit of better scores? Does walking the golf course with people I love count as true stillness? For the most part, I am not one to worry about 'scores,' and I just enjoy being outside in nature. Golf relaxes me, golf steadies me, golf rejuvenates me. And for that, I am very grateful. I see table tennis the same way and thank you,, kids,, for gifting me the new table this Christmas. How fun to have two sports at age 60 that I can play reasonably well, improve at, and enjoy!

Attia also hits the nail on the head (at least for me) when he talks about sleep at the end of the post and the early morning 'golden' hours.

Please take time to read his post today or soon. Happy Sunday!

Daily Stoic: New Year New You Challenge

Today is Day 4 of the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge I am undertaking with Beth and Patton. I've shared the daily emails with Mom as well and she is along for the ride. We have watched the sunrise and sunset on Day One, taken a cold plunge (shower) on Day Two, and counted to 1000 in a quiet, isolated place on Day Three. 

Today's challenge is to pick a new skill and add it to your game. Beth is learning to bake bread from scratch starting with sourdough. I'm going with learning to make great drip coffee, and learn about the different types of coffee beans.

Here's how Ryan Holiday ends today's email:

Today, we exhort you to hone in on your desire, whether that’s learning to code, learning a new language, learning to cook a new type of cuisine, or something else equally mind-expanding, and add it to your game. Because the 2020s promise to be a decade of incredible, vibrant change. Millions of people across the world are doing their part to change the world for the better. The least you can do is change yourself for the better along with it. Make the choice to become more capable, to be a person who can make the most of the opportunities the next ten years have in store, and you will reap the rewards.

It's a Thursday that feels like a Make it a Great Monday (MIAGM)

One of Ricky May's best photos ever - Mandalay, Myanmar sunset

Today officially kicks off the first 'workday' of the new decade and the New Year.  I have accepted Beth and Patton's challenge to try Ryan Holiday's 21-day Daily Stoic New Year, New You Challenge. Can you tell I have become a big Ryan Holiday fan?

Today's challenge was to watch the sunrise and the sunset. I took Mom down to Lake Austin (takes one minute from our house) at 7:28AM, but the overcast conditions did not inspire as much as the photo above from Uncle Ricky.

I'll be Westward facing on our back deck for the sunset tonight at 5:42PM. Join me if you can. I just set the alarm for 5:30PM.

Between now and then, I'm 'chunking' (versus sprinkling) some work for Autodesk. What does that mean? Stay tuned . . .