Home - The 365 Commitment

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.

Recent Blogs:

Day 358 – We Remember Legend

This article explores the concept of legend versus history, arguing that legends are what people choose to remember and retell over generations. Using the story of Noah’s Ark as an example, it discusses how historical events can become exaggerated and imbued with cultural meaning, posing the question of what makes a legend meaningful enough to endure. The author also reflects on personal and family legends, and contemplates what actions in their own life might become legendary for future generations.

Day 357 – Curiosity is Cheap

This article explores the challenges introverts face with draining conversations and offers a solution: embracing curiosity. By shifting from feeling the need to “perform” in conversations to simply being curious and asking questions, the perceived energy cost of interactions can be significantly reduced, fostering better relationships.

Day 356 – Anger Caused by Friction

The author explores the emotion of aggravation, defining it as a low form of anger caused by friction. They propose an escalation pattern for anger, starting from friction and leading to full-blown anger. The core idea is that aggravation arises when one repeatedly spends attention on something they believe doesn’t deserve it.

Day 355 – The Canary Principle

The canary principle, originating from coal mining, involves testing changes on a small scale before full implementation. This concept applies to software development and personal life, encouraging small, reversible experiments to reduce the cost of learning when uncertainty is unavoidable.

Day 354 – Evidence of Work is Not Evidence of Learning

This article argues that AI has exposed a fundamental flaw in modern education: the substitution of “evidence of work” for “evidence of learning.” It highlights how schools have increasingly focused on quantifiable outputs like completed worksheets and assignments, which AI can now easily generate without genuine understanding. The author contends that AI’s proliferation forces education to return to its core purpose—actual teaching and fostering cognitive development—rather than merely verifying compliance.

Day 353 – les Lumières

Immanuel Kant’s 1784 essay, “What is enlightenment?” marked the end of an era, much like we might be at the cusp of a new one today. The Enlightenment, characterized by reason and a departure from superstition, was known as *les Lumières* by the French and *Aufklärung* by the Germans. We are now entering an “Age of Knowledge” where access to information is ubiquitous, shifting the focus from acquiring knowledge to exercising judgment.

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More Blogs

Day 346 – Who Cancelled Tuesday Night?

This article reflects on the decline of community activities like bowling leagues, block parties, and church gatherings, and how these seemingly ordinary events fostered repeated human contact and built relationships. The author suggests that modern conveniences, while useful, have inadvertently dismantled the ‘machinery that manufactured relationships,’ leading to a sense of disconnect despite constant communication.

Relaxing is Changing State

Relaxing isn’t about passive consumption, but actively changing your brain’s state. This involves stopping information intake, engaging in physical activity outdoors, and shifting focus from narrow details to broad natural elements. The goal is to clear mental clutter and allow your mind to reset, often leading to renewed productivity.

Day 344 – Truth as Instrument

This article explores the concept of individuals who manipulate truth to serve their own interests, distinguishing it from relativism. It delves into the personal and social implications of encountering such people, drawing parallels with childhood development and a personal anecdote about teaching chess. The author reflects on the challenges of dealing with those who view truth as an instrument and offers advice on identifying such behavior early in relationships.

Day 343 – Selling Shovels in a Gold Rush

The article draws parallels between the California Gold Rush and the current AI boom, highlighting how individuals profited by selling tools and information rather than directly extracting gold. It discusses historical examples of Samuel Brannan, Henry Vizetelly, and Joseph Ware, who capitalized on the gold rush through various means, including hoaxes and guides. The piece concludes by advising caution when encountering AI gurus, suggesting one should investigate the source of their wealth.

Day 342 – Forming an Opinion

This article explores the process of forming opinions, drawing parallels from debate and legal fields to categorize the strength of an opinion’s foundation. It highlights the difference between strong opinions and strong epistemic foundations, moving from weak bases like intuition and hearsay to robust, evidence-based conclusions that are open to revision.

Day 341 – Schadenfreude

The article discusses the lack of empathy in social media, where people often humiliate others for attention. It introduces the German word “Schadenfreude” to describe the joy derived from another’s misfortune, suggesting that understanding this concept can help people pause before posting cruel content.

Day 340 – Beware the Expertise Discount

The ‘expertise discount’ causes experts to undervalue their easy-to-perform skills, believing them too simple for others to pay for. This often leads them to overcomplicate solutions, while competitors profit from simpler offerings. Recognizing this bias can help experts identify commercially underestimated skills.

Day 339 – Story Telling is Our Stewardship

The author reflects on the importance of storytelling after witnessing his daughter receive an award for her perseverance. He argues that stories are crucial for passing down wisdom and experience across generations, preventing the loss of valuable lessons learned through life’s challenges.

Day 338 – What Is Humility?

Humility is often misunderstood as self-abasement, but it’s actually the ability to accurately perceive oneself, including strengths, weaknesses, and dependence on others. This perspective allows for easier learning, improved judgment, and better interpersonal relationships. Humble leaders foster open communication, and embracing humility can be incredibly freeing.