The 365 Commitment is a simple formula that I use to keep my life on track. This has ended up being a daily writing that I produce each day during my latest personal transformation.
You can read the daily blog or sign up for the daily update. This blog is about motivation, inspiration and encouragement to make and keep life changing commitments.
A recent GitHub outage highlighted the pervasive issue of bottlenecks in software development and everyday life. This article explores how bottlenecks are dynamic, shifting targets, and that addressing one often reveals another, using examples from software and even ant colonies.
This article explores the phenomenon of leaders being the last to know about problems or impending failures within their organizations. It highlights how subordinates often filter information due to fear, leading to a distorted reality for those in charge. The author uses historical examples and personal anecdotes to illustrate this point.
This article explores the effectiveness of traditional motivational methods like the “carrot and stick” approach and argues for a more nuanced strategy. It emphasizes understanding individual motivations, setting clear goals, fostering autonomy, and leading by example to genuinely inspire harder work.
The author recounts their first encounter with Led Zeppelin, a pivotal moment in high school when a friend handed them a cassette tape. Despite initial confusion about the band’s albums, the song “D’yer Mak’er” from *Houses of the Holy* captivated them, marking their entry into the world of rock and roll.
The author discusses experiencing cyclical periods of melancholy, which he distinguishes from depression, viewing them as transitional phases. He shares insights from a prison psychiatrist who emphasized managing reactions to these mood changes rather than viewing them as inherently problematic. The author’s strategy involves recognizing these feelings without judgment, continuing commitments despite them, and refraining from making major decisions during these low periods, which has led to shorter and less intense cycles over time.
This article explores the idea that human physiology and mood patterns are deeply influenced by ancient evolutionary cycles, similar to a bear’s hibernation and feasting. It suggests that modern life creates a mismatch with these ingrained rhythms, leading to struggles like seasonal mood changes. The author proposes acknowledging and understanding these natural ebbs and flows for a more harmonious life.
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This article explores a unique learning technique: pretending to present difficult concepts to an audience. This method forces clarity and specificity, helping to distill complex ideas and identify gaps in understanding. It transforms passive study into an active process of preparing to explain, leading to a deeper grasp of the material.
This article explores the difference between humility forced by suffering and chosen humility. Drawing parallels to the American Civil War, the author argues that while forced humility can teach valuable lessons, choosing humility before adversity strikes is a rarer and more profound strength.
When facing a mental block, staying in the same environment can be counterproductive. This article suggests that a simple change of location, especially stepping outdoors, can provide a fresh perspective and help overcome creative or problem-solving hurdles.
Not Giving Up on Someone I have been thinking about how easy it is to shut a relationship down. Someone disappoints you, hurts you, or
A wilderness trip highlights the profound importance of water, contrasting the struggle for it in nature with its abundance at home. This experience connects to the ancient legend of the Fountain of Youth, suggesting that clean, accessible water is a daily miracle often taken for granted.
This article explores the concept of “going the opposite” when the majority is moving in one direction. It argues that while the crowd isn’t always wrong, opportunities often emerge when everyone adopts the same strategies, making alternative approaches more valuable and noticeable. The author uses the example of a personalized real estate solicitation to illustrate how standing out through genuine effort and personal attention can be highly effective in a world saturated with automated and generic communication.
This article explores the concept of the hedonic treadmill, our tendency to return to a baseline level of happiness despite positive life changes. It discusses the interplay between ambition and contentment, suggesting that a fulfilling life requires both the drive to achieve and the ability to appreciate what we have in the present moment.
This article uses the unique example of Bishop Castle to illustrate the critical difference between persistence and purposeful planning. While admirable, persistence alone doesn’t guarantee a useful or sustainable outcome; effort needs direction to build something intentional and lasting.
This article explores the resilience of the Acadian and Cajun people, who, despite immense loss and displacement, refused to lose their identity. It highlights their ability to rebuild without bitterness, adapt to new influences, and maintain their culture, offering a powerful lesson for anyone facing personal loss.