Personal Development Archives

August 12, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

A Calculated Path to Mastery: The Tim Ferriss Playbook

Thanks to Tim, I've learned to question the path, embrace the change, and above all, take the damn reins.

20 Years of Experiments with Tim Ferris

Bill Gurly's interview with Tim Ferriss offers a captivating deep dive into the journey of one of the most influential digital creators of the last fifteen years. With an array of achievements that range from selling 10 million books to nearing a billion podcast downloads, Ferriss's trajectory is, for me at least, inspiring and motivating.

In the modern age of digital entrepreneurship, Tim Ferriss stands out as an emblematic figure. But dissecting his journey reveals more than just success – it showcases a methodical approach to dominating a niche that was synergistic with his unique strengths and cognizant of his limitations.

The Princeton Pivot

After his graduation from Princeton in 2000, In the early dawn of his journey, Tim rode on the edge of business, riding highs and grappling with the lows. However, it was his ability to pivot, learn, and innovate that set the stage for his iconic career. While his initial endeavors in Northern California and sports nutrition imparted invaluable lessons, it was the accidental genesis of his book, "The 4-Hour Workweek", that catapulted him to prominence. This is when I first heard of Tim, and it started to change my thinking.

Leveraging Strengths, Addressing Weaknesses

Tim's modus operandi was always about leveraging his strengths while circumnavigating his weaknesses. The decision to start a blog in 2006, prior to the release of his book in 2007, was no accident. Recognizing the power of blogs as a promotional tool at a time when their potential was largely underestimated, Tim used them to propel "The Four-Hour Work Week" into the limelight.

His foray into podcasting was also clever. While the original intent was to sharpen his interviewing skills through a short, six-episode stint, he enjoyed the process so much and the recognition of the medium's potential led him to continue. This pivot to podcasting came at a time when he experienced burnout from his intensive writing process, showcasing his ability to recalibrate and redirect his energies.

Moreover, Tim's approach to mastering new skills offers a blueprint for success. Instead of diving headfirst, he studied the landscape meticulously. His admiration for Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" was less about the content and more about the format, the niche, and the engagement. This analytical mindset allowed him to understand the nuances of the domain and then tailor his approach, focusing on creating timeless content and refining his skill set.

“Don’t believe everything that you think”
Bj Miller

Investing with Intention

Tim's investment strategy differed from many. While he did make smaller investments, his focus was less on immediate returns and more on long-term impact. Some of his most notable investments, such as Uber, Shopify, Duolingo, Facebook, and Twitter, were driven by personal interests. Investing wasn't just about money for Ferriss; it was a "real-world MBA," with knowledge, skills, and relationships as the real dividends. One of the most poignant takeaways from his investment journey is the importance of relationships. The connection with Garrett from StumbleUpon, for instance, eventually culminated in the investment in Uber.

The Creative Expedition

Tim's emphasis on staying where serendipity was most likely to strike - San Francisco - echoes the essence of his approach to content creation. Beginning with a blog in 2006, Tim viewed content not as ephemeral, but as timeless. Even his foray into podcasting in 2012, initially envisioned as a short-term project, became a testament to his commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Taking a leaf from Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History," Ferriss’s primary podcasting mantra became one of challenging conventions, consistent experimentation, and skill refinement. The very process of podcasting, as Ferriss describes it, is akin to refining one’s thought process, offering invaluable insights into one’s clarity and coherence of thought.

The Art of the Interview

Tim’s approach to interviews is both meticulous and empathetic. From extensive research to ensuring a pre-interview chat, every step is designed to foster genuine connection and rich conversation. His quest for originality often involves delving into overlooked details or previously unmentioned topics.

The Platform Perspective

Tim’s insights into platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn reveal a discerning digital strategist. Using Twitter as a tool to bypass the usual gatekeepers and LinkedIn's potential as a broadcasting medium exemplifies his knack for optimizing digital tools.

Lessons from Failures

Tim’s transparency about the setbacks, such as the partial boycott faced by his book "The 4-Hour Chef" and his initial career choices, underscores the non-linear nature of success. These so-called failures weren’t mere stumbling blocks but stepping stones to new beginnings.

Own Your Weakness - Play to Your Strengths

Watching Tim Ferriss' trajectory provides more than just a roadmap to success. It serves as a testament to the power of introspection, adaptability, and strategic planning. By understanding his strengths, acknowledging his weaknesses, and positioning himself advantageously, Tim crafted a niche where he didn't just survive – he thrived. For any budding entrepreneur or creator, his journey offers a masterclass in intentional and strategic growth.

Tim mentions this book at the end of the interview.

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: brainfood

August 6, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

Give Yourself Permission to Be Creative

Ethan Hawke - Give Yourself Permission to be Creative.

Ethan Hawke, the screen actor, gets candid about creativity and how people often doubt their own ability to be creative. He reflects on a story about the poet Allen Ginsberg, who was ridiculed for singing a song on a TV show. However, Ginsberg wasn't bothered because he believed his role as a poet was to stir emotions and trigger thoughts.

Ethan emphasizes that we aren't the ones to judge if our creations are good or not - that the world is an unreliable critic. He talks about how in moments of deep emotional pain or overwhelming love, poetry and art become essential ways of making sense of these feelings.

Ethan also discusses his belief that our purpose is to help one another, and a big part of that involves expressing ourselves. He suggests that as we lean into our passions, our authentic selves get revealed and expanded. This reminds me of what this blog is intended to be for me, leaning into my passions. He shares his own love for acting and how the roles he played helped him realize the similarities of the human struggle.

He shares an interesting story about his great-grandmother who dedicated many pages of her biography to the time she made costumes for a play, displaying how creativity was her mode of self-expression. He also nostalgically recalls how he and his stepbrother were inspired by the movie "Top Gun" - Ethan was motivated to become an actor, while his brother was inspired to join the army. Fascinating to me, how we can be impacted by art so differently.

Ethan's main point is the brevity of life and the importance of dedicating it to what truly matters to us. It's about pursuing what we love and being open to appearing foolish in the process. It's about initiating conversations and acknowledging our shared human experience. As he says, don't just read the book you think you should, read the one you want to read. Explore new music, engage with new people, even if it makes you feel a little silly - because that's the point.

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: brainfood, creativity

August 2, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

The Past Unplugged: A Journey Through My Data Points

I've been thinking a lot lately about the past, about memories, and how they shape us. You know, we all have our own versions of our past, colored by emotions, perceptions, and the foggy lens of time. Like a popular song, in a way the meaning can hit us differently at different times in our life.

I've been pondering this idea, that we remember things the way they felt, not necessarily as they were. It's a beautiful, yet terrifying thought. It's like we're all walking around with these distorted mirrors in our heads, reflecting back not the reality, but our own interpretation of it.

I want to live in reality. I want to face as many hard truths as I can stand. What if we could ground ourselves in the reality of the past? What if we could hold onto the tangible, the verifiable, the real? I've been thinking about this, and I've come up with an idea. It's not perfect, but it's a start.

I stumbled on this idea after finding this web site: https://www.concertarchives.org and looking up concerts I remember going to, but maybe they didn't happen exactly when I remembered, or in the venue I thought they did.

I've started documenting all the data points of my life. I'm talking about facts you can look up and verify; all the former addresses, the times I lived there, the rent I paid. I'm talking about all the jobs I've worked, with dates, wages and addresses. I'm talking about the dates and locations of significant events, like concerts or trips.

It's like creating a map of my life, a timeline grounded in reality. It's a way to answer questions like, "Was I as poor as I remember, or did I just feel poor?" or "How long was that relationship really? Did is last as long as I remember it?" It's a way to look back and see the reality, not just the emotion. Not so much a journal. A journal is still a real time recollection of emotional events. I am talking about locations and dates that can be verified online, which I hope will create a framework of reality that the emotion does not conform to.

The more data points I fill in, the more enlightening it is. It's like looking at your reflection in a clear, still pond, instead of a distorted mirror. It's a way to see yourself as you really were, not just as you remember. Significant events that were closer or farther apart than you remember them to be can shape the way you see them.

I have in mind to take all this data, all these facts and figures, and I've assembled them into a personal database. It's like a reference book of my life, a constant reminder of where I've been and what I've done.

Now, when I ask myself, "How much money did I earn in 2010?" or "When was that Pearl Jam concert I went to?" I don't have to rely on my memory. I can look it up. I can see the reality, not just the memory.

It's a strange feeling, to be sure. It's like listening to a song you wrote years ago, and realizing the lyrics aren't what you remember. But it's also liberating. It's a way to free yourself from the distortions of memory, and see yourself as you really were.

I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it's been a journey for me, a journey through my data points, a journey through my past. And I think I'm starting to see myself a little more clearly.

So here's to the past, to the reality, to the data points. Here's to seeing ourselves as we really are, not just as we remember. Here's to the journey, and to the song that's still being written.

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: Mod Your Life, personal database, personal development

February 27, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

What I’m learning about faith.

Over the years, I have attended various nondenominational churches, and I have seen many of these churches stray from their original mission. I've observed two primary reasons for this: scandals and corruption within the leadership of the church, or a slow drift away from the church's original mission and adapting to the culture so much that it become just another social club. In both cases, the result is a weakened sense of community and a diminished focus on the core principles of the faith.

If you're alone you drift, you drift, you know, and you'll drift in the direction of your biggest weakness.
Jordan Peterson

After stepping away from churches altogether, I began to realized that I too was drifting toward my weakness. I also began to realize the importance of a faith community and the role it plays in helping us stay accountable to our faith. This prompted me to explore the history of the church and to reexamine my own theological beliefs. I want to understand the ways in which our culture has influenced Christian beliefs and as a result it has drifted away from the Christianity Christ himself taught. I no longer believe that a pastor who opened his church to hippies to accommodate them is the source of historical truth.

Don't get me wrong, I am all about opening church to any and all, but not at the expense of adapting our beliefs to a broken culture.

As I've delved deeper into the history of Christianity, I have come to appreciate so much of the aesthetic beauty of the Catholic church and the Christian Orthodox church and have come to see those things as beautiful tools that have the potential of helping someone keep their faith healthy. This has caused me to question whether the modern nondenominational church is truly sustainable in the long run. Without accountability above the leadership of the church, it's easy for these communities to drift away from their original mission and become vulnerable to the weaknesses of their pastors.

The thousands of denominations that have emerged within Protestantism also raise questions about whether the split from the Catholic Church was a success. It's important to consider whether the Catholic Church has truly reformed on the issues that Martin Luther protested, and whether the nondenominational church is truly closer to the truth. I have also come to realize that much of what I was told about what Catholic's believe is simply not true.

Orthodox Christians would say that protestants seeking to rediscover early Christianity that has not been tainted by a modern society and look to the Catholic church, didn't go back in history far enough.

I am not a Catholic, but beyond aesthetics, I can appreciate their acknowledgment of the need for authority. I have really appreciated some of the creators on YouTube out there diving into these topics and hashing them out.

I don't have all the answers, and I have so many questions about Catholicism, Orthodoxy and many protestant denominations, but I believe that asking these questions and exploring the history of the church is an important part of strengthening our faith and finding the right community to support us on our spiritual journey. What I know for now, is that I no longer believe a church can live as an island with no authority or accountability. Just like there was wisdom in the American founders to account for human weakness, and so they endeavored to set up checks and balances for those weaknesses, Churches need that as well.

Published by Ken in Culture & Society, Personal Development

Tags: faith, religion

January 1, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

25 Things That Made my Year

Starting this blog is one of my proudest accomplishments this year. It may not seem like much, but getting over the fear of judgement about creating and putting your thoughts into the world is a powerful thing. I highly recommend it. I was inspired by the book "Show your work", which I wrote about. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
Falling in love again with riding my bike and doing a community ride called Riding the Rogue. Also, getting a flat on this ride and appreciating the gracious generosity of others to get me back on the road again.
Moving is never fun, but getting into such a great space that is capable of entertaining and is just so cozy made it worth it.
Having friends over for a game night made my year and living the dream of entertaining at home.
ooking a complete Thanksgiving dinner for my family was also a highlight of the year.
Years ago, I was privileged enough to create a skateboard program for kids. One of those kids is an adult now, and told me he is now inspired to do the same. Getting to consult on that project and the idea of it continuing to a new generation helped make my year.
Learning to cook new dishes like lamb shepherd's pie was also a highlight.
Learning to make new cocktails and making them for friends was a fun experience.
Having that one friend who religiously books time on the calendar to ensure we don't lose touch is something I am grateful for.
I am also grateful for that one friend with whom I can talk about the intricacies of music, including the musicianship, the originality, and how it has the capacity to move one's soul.
I am grateful for that one friend who makes me believe I am truly capable of a lot more and convinces me of the same.
The ability of Jordon Peterson to make me think iin a constructive and optimistic way, and to take action on making things better, even if only a little, has been impactful for me.
My Trip to New York City and attending the Tedeschi Trucks Band Concert as well as visiting the 911 Memorial, that place
Taking the time to be intentional about sitting down and listening to a vinyl record has been a small but meaningful experience for me.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band. A number of times I have been consciously aware that my life is made better by their ability to make beautiful music.
Discovering Jazz has also been a highlight, as I have been intimidated to listen to it before. It is such a vast landscape, and sometimes with vast landscapes it helps to have a guide but you can find guides in unlikely places like Instagram.
The Band Snarky Puppy blew my mind and made me realize that art, music, and movies are more than just entertainment or forms of escape. They can be used as tools to celebrate the beauty of life and remind us that life is as much about heart as it is about accomplishments. Donald Miller talked about this in his book Hero on a mission, which I wrote about. In the book he said:
- "we will appreciate nature and art, we are reminding ourselves, over and over, that life is not about us. It’s about sharing our human experience with other people."
Having friends who are connectors and introduce you to people you might connect with has been a very beautiful thing this year. I appreciate you.
Saying goodbye is always difficult, but hearing about a life well lived and lived well is an inspiration and motivating. I was moved this year by the life of a man who lived a very full life, creating jobs, companies, and friends and being a constant connector and encourager. He will be missed.
I am also grateful for the career opportunities I've had. Jobs can be tough, but I think they can be harder when you care about what you do and want to do it well. I have learned so much this year about work, and there is still so much more to learn.
There are so many great creators having deep conversations about important things. I am so grateful for these conversations. Like Jonathan Pageau, Brian Holdsworth and Dr Taylor Marshal for all that is wrong with our modern world, there is something really right about going deep on important topics.
I have always loved movies and especially old classic movies. Rediscovering old Hitchcock Movies has been highlight.
Artificial Intelligence is here I am intrigued and afraid, but being able to experiment is gratifying and I am learning how these tools may be able to help us.
Family makes life better, my daughter is such a thoughtful gift giver and got me an Air Fryer, we have been trying out all sorts of things, including things I am sure that have no business in an air fryer. 😉
It has been a tumultuous for all of us, more than anything I am grateful for friends, family and the ability to keep growing and learning and although I am not big on resolutions, I plan to do more of that.

Jazz

Snarky Puppy - Lingus

If this does not make your jaw drop.. we probably aren't close.

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Derek, ripping

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A post shared by Eric (@audioloveyyc)

My Jazz Music Guide, though he is unaware.

I love this clip, sometimes I say this to myself and it helps me not take things so serious.

This is a great idea for 2023

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A post shared by Jay Shetty (@jayshetty)

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: New Years Day

July 22, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Bullet Journaling Helped

The Bullet Journal method, also known as "Bujo," is a customizable productivity system that was created by Ryder Carroll. It is a paper-based system that combines to-do lists, note-taking, and journaling in one place, using a system of bullet points and symbols to organize tasks and ideas.

Like a lot of people I have tried a lot of productivity systems note takings frameworks. All of them promised the world. The one common denominator of course was always me. Bullet journaling has been the only system that has helped me become more organized and improved my ability to stay focused on what is important. The other thing that has set this method apart for me is that it is the only system I have been able to stick with for over three years. With all other productivity systems lasting never lasting one year.

To start a Bullet Journal, you will need a blank notebook and a pen. You can also use stencils, stickers, and other decorative items to personalize your journal.

The core structure of a Bullet Journal consists of four main components:

The Index: This is a list of all the pages in your journal, organized by topic or project. The Index helps you quickly find what you're looking for in your journal.
The Future Log: This is a calendar where you can keep track of long-term goals and events. You can use it to plan out your month, quarter, or year.
The Monthly Log: This is a calendar that covers one month at a time. You can use it to plan out your monthly tasks and appointments.
The Daily Log: This is a page for each day, where you can record your daily tasks, appointments, and notes.

I think part of the reason I have been able to stay consistent with #BUJO is that the system is so forgiving. Even if I fail to crack open my Bullet Journal on a particular day, I can pick it up the next day and rather that have to back fill to make up for the missed day, I simply carry on as if it didn't happen. For me this has proven to be a game changer.

In addition to these core components, you can also include other pages and sections in your Bullet Journal, such as a habit tracker, a gratitude log, a brainstorming page, or a project planning page.

To use the Bullet Journal method, you start by listing out all the tasks and ideas you want to track in your journal. You then organize these tasks and ideas using bullet points and symbols. For example, a bullet point with a dot (•) indicates a task, while a bullet point with an "X" (✔) indicates a completed task. You can also use other symbols, such as a dash (-) for notes, an exclamation point (!) for important items, or a right arrow (>) for tasks that you want to migrate to a future date.

The Bullet Journal method is flexible and adaptable, and you can customize it to fit your specific needs and goals. It can help you stay organized, stay on top of your tasks and appointments, and capture your thoughts and ideas in one place.

Bullet Journal Future Log and Monthly Log

If you do a web or social media search for Bullet Journaling or #BUJO you may become very confused very fast. There are lots of flowery artistic tutorials for decorating your pages. This is not the system of bullet journaling and so can give you a misunderstanding of what the system is. This is great of course and fun, but it is not the system which has helped me organize my life.

Most often this is folks who are adding creativity to their #bulletjournal collections or habit trackers, a element within Bullet Journaling which is not at the core of its functionality. Therefore whenever I am recommending Bullet Journaling to a friend I always send them the video link above. It is all you need to get started. You do not need fancy pens, washi tape or even an official bullet journal notebook. Any notebook or even a stack of paper would work. Once you have understood the system, if you still want to washi tape your book, well... you do you.

Finally there are Collections. Collections allow for topical sections such as a larger project or goal.

Bullet Journal Site

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: #bujo, bullet journal, DIY, frameworks, Life Hacks, Productivity, self-improvement

May 29, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Show Your Work!

Show Your Work! is a book written by Austin Kleon, a best-selling author and artist. In the book, Kleon discusses the importance of sharing your work and ideas with others, and how doing so can help you connect with a wider audience, build a personal brand, and find success in your field.

This book helped me see the value of documenting the process of learning. I started this blog partially as a result of reading it. I have had this domain for several years, it has long been a place of experiments and doodles of sorts. But I think it's time to turn it into something more. It's time.

Kleon provides 10 practical tips for sharing your work and ideas, including:

Share something small every day.
Share something personal.
Share something that shows your process.
Share something that shows your influences.
Share something that shows your personality.
Share something that shows your values.
Share something that's finished.
Share something that's unfinished.
Share something that's not your best work.
Share something that you're learning.

Throughout the book, Kleon provides examples and stories from his own experiences and those of other creatives who have successfully used these strategies to share their work and build a following. He also covers topics such as how to find your voice and authenticity as an artist, how to collaborate with others, and how to use social media and other online tools to share your work.

The idea is to create a living document of what I believe to be true. To make a case for it even. To allow it to be confronted and shot down or dismissed. I have no dreams of becoming a professional writer, the world seems to have enough of those. I am convinced that there is value in learning to write well. That doing so, will allow you to be a better thinker, which in turn will help you be a better do-er.

I have also been reading about the difference between writing an Essay as opposed to other forms of writing. (more to come on that topic in a future post). A good Essay has to be able to organize your thoughts around a single idea and make a convincing argument that can stand up to scrutiny. That is something I am very interested in learning to do well. In our modern age, it seems mandatory. It's that or be the victim of lazy thinking.

I have decided to create content here. This is not social media, but rather, my little corner of the internet. I assume no one will read it, and that's ok, maybe for now, I even prefer it that way. This is more a challenge to my self to try to document the all of the things I love and the things I am learning and make a case for the things I am learning.

I've also decided that I am going to do it even if I do it badly. I am going to try to kill the perfectionist in me and publish it warts and all. This is a space to "document the journey" rather than pubish some amazing work.

Overall, Show Your Work! is a practical and inspiring guide that provides valuable insights and strategies for anyone looking to share their work and ideas with others and build a personal brand, and I highly recommend this book.

Now Playing:

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: know your why, personal development, show your work, writing

May 23, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Doing It Yourself is the Way

Early in my life, I spent a lot of my time building things. I worked construction, built buildings, I set tile for a bit, I worked at for a small company that built elaborate stores for musician retail chain. I also built skateboard ramps, a lot of skateboard ramps.

At some point along the way I made a change and began building digital things. While I don't regret making that change I often miss the days of building things that last and don't have a beta version. There is still a sense of pride driving by buildings in town that I helped build. You don't get that experience building digital things, they don't exist in the physical world, and they are often deleted within a few short years for a version 2.0.

I am often inspired by Youtubers who DIY. They build, modify and create their own universe.

See how easy it can be to learn to stitch your own leather

The Make Everything channel is a new discovery for me. Their ability to make DIY'ing approachable is their gift to us. Sure, I could just go buy these products, and I won't have had to buy the tools to do so. But there is something special about creating a thing yourself. Often you are able to create something that you couldn't buy, it just doesn't exist.

Van Neistat is great, his ability to be such a creative and bring that creativity to making is the best. His DIY projects always solve a real-world problem.

The Essential Craftsman I love this channel so much. They bring so much knowledge and wisdom from a lifetime of building making and DIY'ng. I also kinda love that they are fellow Pacific North westerners, and Oregonians. I have been using a worm drive skill saw for my whole life, and yet, I still learned things from this video.

After moving into a new home, I wondered what to do with this awkward cubby space inside one of the bathrooms. It seemed to be this odd leftover space, almost like an afterthought during the build. After measuring and a few internet searches it was obvious that the space was not going to work will with standard shelf sizes and that I would have to build my own.

Bathroom with empty cubby — Bathroom with weird empty cubby

After fixing the cubby it was time to address the chair mat in my office. Instead of one of those plastic chair mats I decided to make my own. Using some 5/8" plywood and some linoleum flooring did the trick.

Angled the edge in hopes of fewer stubbed toes.

I am already thinking about what I would have done different and if there should be a version two. Namely I would have used a whole 48"X96" sheet to extend the rolling space to the cabinets just out of frame.. maybe next time.

Every project needs a soundtrack, that's rule one:

Published by Ken in Personal Development

Tags: building things, DIY, Life Hacks, Mod Your Life, Productivity, self-improvement