Question: Is it time you start living outside the box?

Framework: The Steel Man Technique

If you're a regular reader of my work, you know that I have a special affinity for drawing upon wisdom from the past and applying my own lens to create something more usable for our own present and future.

Today's wisdom comes from a letter (full transcript here) written by a 20-year-old Hunter S. Thompson to a dear friend who had sought out Thompson's advice on finding his life purpose.

5 brilliant lessons on finding purpose (that we can all apply on our journey): (1) Accept the perils of advice, (2) Seek perspective-altering experiences, (3) Goals should conform to you (not vice versa), (4) Define your way of life, and (5) Live by design, not default.

Question: What am I not achieving simply because I haven't asked?

Idea: Hemingway's Lost Suitcase

Your time here is finite, so choosing the pursuits—personal and professional—that deliver the greatest returns on that time is essential.

I use an exercise I call Pursuit Mapping to identify the pursuits that are most likely to bring joy and outsized rewards into my life.

Three steps: (1) Create Your Pursuit Map, (2) Identify Your Zones, and (3) Align Your Time.

Question: Do you need to empty your cup before you can grow?

Framework: Persian Messenger Syndrome

My weekly emphasis on action is intended to serve as a reminder of the power you always hold, no matter how powerless you may feel.

I recently came across a beautiful true story, written by a woman named Pam Kearney, on the impact of even the most tiny, inconsequential actions.

Lesson: Action doesn't have to be perfect for it to be right.

Question: Would the idea of living your current life on repeat be horrifying or affirming?

Idea: The Museum of Failure 

Harsh truth: Networking is dead...at least in the traditional sense of the word.\

I'm not a natural relationship builder. In fact, I am a bit introverted and socially-anxious, particularly in large group settings like conferences, cocktail parties, and events. And yet, I've built a depth and breadth of connections that has brought me great joy and value over the years.

This piece shares my four core "anti-networking" principles that anyone can use: (1) Find Value-Aligned Rooms, (2) Ask Engaging Questions, (3) Become a Level 2-3 Listener, and (4) Use Creative Follow-Ups.

Question: Are you trying to clean up your city before sweeping your doorstep?

Framework: Boiling Frog Syndrome

Last weekend, I attended Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. It is my favorite event for one simple reason: Idea density.

This piece shares 9 powerful ideas from a weekend spent in the presence of legends.