Number 3 is cool - "These are obsessions. You don’t look for them. You’re already doing them. " Let this sink in, my friends. The vision, mission, purpose, meaning to life, is already within us - it's about doing more of it, or chipping away at the non-essentials, like a sculptor and his block, to unveil and unravel it.
I agree -- you can't be afraid to sell. It needs to be a natural progression of your work. You should spend just as much time promoting and selling as you do writing and creating.
Selling doesn't have to be icky. It comes from first knowing your self worth and believing that it's of value. You need to absolutely, positively, believe that. Then, put yourself out there! Insert your POV into other conversations. Talk about your writing.
I like the idea of flow states. The closest that I ever got to a job that I lost myself in, was when I helped my dad farm. I could drive tractors for hours, listening to the radio, and I'd never notice the passage of time until I got hungry, thirsty, or tired. Then I'd stop and take a break, and then go back to doing what I was doing.
I guess that's why I'm drawn to corrections, first at the state, and now the county level. I enjoy creating order out of chaos and nothing fills my soul like having a neat orderly and quiet dayroom.
Dad sold the farm about twenty years ago. To be honest, I haven't even looked into whether any land is for sale around where I live. I've been working in corrections, both state and county, for 15 years, and I enjoy it as well. It's an easy job that lets me write and listen to music once the inmates are asleep.
Hey Tim, thanks for the great read. I have a question about your third idea: "Chase an obsession – not a piss-weak, lukewarm passion or interest."
At one point in my life, video games were my obsession. It was effortless to play them nonstop and waste the dark hours on them. But playing video games as much as I did meant I ended up wasting a lot of time, because I wasn't building towards anything. It was just dead-end entertainment.
I don't think that being obsessed with something is a good enough qualifier to choose to pursue something. Sure, some people obsessed with video games can go on to become pro gamers and make their living that way, but for some people like me, the obsession was a trap.
My question is: How do you assess an obsession to see if it is healthy to pursue or not?
Thanks for the reply, Tim. I have no doubt that gaming is now a career. I guess my issue with it was that gaming kept me inside all the time, and I didn't want to look back on my life on my deathbed and see only memories of me parked at a desk, without much of a positive impact and influence on others. Perhaps one could qualify an obsession as unhealthy when it sucks all the time that one could use to pursue greater long-term goals and ambitions.
#11. "Free Is Bullshit". I enjoyed it. Free. Free is not bullshit. Free is everything I read on the internet, every morning and I nearly always find value, even if it's only a smile. It's free. Cheers.
U r grt Tim. I like the 13. Use the fundamental algorithm of life Actually why does it seem difficult to follow what works, and does this mean also investments like stocks are still the A game of wealth,
Death to corporate employment!... haha.. My view is,... Work shouldn't feel like work.. as you say Tim,, it should be an obsession. For instance, if I am obsessed with music, I won't feel like I am working when I am making music - yet I would be working while indulging in my obsession. That is how life should be.. I think that's why everyone has dreams.. to sort of guide us into what we ought to be doing in this world. Sadly, the systems in place, capitalism and the like, more often than not push all of us to do work that isn't necessarily something we enjoy or are obsessed with. But as you say, learn to live with less and you'll stop serving money and let it serve you.
Thanks for all your writing. It inspired me to quit my top-of-the-ladder but miserable corporate day job, join a web3 gaming startup, start my own Substack, all the while spending more time with my kids. Beyond what I’ve been inspired to “do,” I think I’m on my way to curing myself of financial mental illness.
Dear Tim all your newsletters are great, but this one is in the top 3 🤗
Wow that means a lot. Thank you.
Been reading your articles for years.
Solid call to action at the end, Tim.
Went ahead and did epic stuff.
Now I have a newsletter.
Happy Monday,
Mete
Great to have you as a loyal reader Mete.
Number 3 is cool - "These are obsessions. You don’t look for them. You’re already doing them. " Let this sink in, my friends. The vision, mission, purpose, meaning to life, is already within us - it's about doing more of it, or chipping away at the non-essentials, like a sculptor and his block, to unveil and unravel it.
You got it perfect Aman.
I agree -- you can't be afraid to sell. It needs to be a natural progression of your work. You should spend just as much time promoting and selling as you do writing and creating.
Selling doesn't have to be icky. It comes from first knowing your self worth and believing that it's of value. You need to absolutely, positively, believe that. Then, put yourself out there! Insert your POV into other conversations. Talk about your writing.
Just that mindset shift can change everything.
Great advice Bryce and I agree.
I like the idea of flow states. The closest that I ever got to a job that I lost myself in, was when I helped my dad farm. I could drive tractors for hours, listening to the radio, and I'd never notice the passage of time until I got hungry, thirsty, or tired. Then I'd stop and take a break, and then go back to doing what I was doing.
I guess that's why I'm drawn to corrections, first at the state, and now the county level. I enjoy creating order out of chaos and nothing fills my soul like having a neat orderly and quiet dayroom.
What's stopping you from farming again Joseph?
Dad sold the farm about twenty years ago. To be honest, I haven't even looked into whether any land is for sale around where I live. I've been working in corrections, both state and county, for 15 years, and I enjoy it as well. It's an easy job that lets me write and listen to music once the inmates are asleep.
The stories you'd have to tell Joseph. Can you link to your writing here?
Hey Tim, thanks for the great read. I have a question about your third idea: "Chase an obsession – not a piss-weak, lukewarm passion or interest."
At one point in my life, video games were my obsession. It was effortless to play them nonstop and waste the dark hours on them. But playing video games as much as I did meant I ended up wasting a lot of time, because I wasn't building towards anything. It was just dead-end entertainment.
I don't think that being obsessed with something is a good enough qualifier to choose to pursue something. Sure, some people obsessed with video games can go on to become pro gamers and make their living that way, but for some people like me, the obsession was a trap.
My question is: How do you assess an obsession to see if it is healthy to pursue or not?
I know plenty of successful people who are gamers. Gaming is now a career, so perhaps a missed opportunity there Lucas.
Thanks for the reply, Tim. I have no doubt that gaming is now a career. I guess my issue with it was that gaming kept me inside all the time, and I didn't want to look back on my life on my deathbed and see only memories of me parked at a desk, without much of a positive impact and influence on others. Perhaps one could qualify an obsession as unhealthy when it sucks all the time that one could use to pursue greater long-term goals and ambitions.
Makes sense Lucas. The best gamers spend plenty of time outside too.
outcome should be key, He still says in number 13 Do more of what works/outcome. It is called being a man,
A fraction harsh Wayne.
#11. "Free Is Bullshit". I enjoyed it. Free. Free is not bullshit. Free is everything I read on the internet, every morning and I nearly always find value, even if it's only a smile. It's free. Cheers.
I prefer books Philip. What are you reading? Any suggestions for me?
Clear, concise and much to live by...
That's my aim .. haha
"get sh*tty jobs so you know what you don’t want to do on life" I wish more people would embrace this.
Haha me too :)
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Cheers :)
Great post. Not usually into lists as lots can be the same this bends the curve, brilliant.
Thanks Jon. That's what I was going for.
I like Trump =)
I don't play politics on the internet. Vote for whoever you want.
Kudos 👏🎉
Much love as always Younes.
U r grt Tim. I like the 13. Use the fundamental algorithm of life Actually why does it seem difficult to follow what works, and does this mean also investments like stocks are still the A game of wealth,
Owning businesses will always be A-game Wayne. But not all stocks are equal obviously.
Death to corporate employment!... haha.. My view is,... Work shouldn't feel like work.. as you say Tim,, it should be an obsession. For instance, if I am obsessed with music, I won't feel like I am working when I am making music - yet I would be working while indulging in my obsession. That is how life should be.. I think that's why everyone has dreams.. to sort of guide us into what we ought to be doing in this world. Sadly, the systems in place, capitalism and the like, more often than not push all of us to do work that isn't necessarily something we enjoy or are obsessed with. But as you say, learn to live with less and you'll stop serving money and let it serve you.
PS: I talk more about living with less here: https://maniainc.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-living-with-less-and-why-less-is-sometimes-more
Best one from you yet!
Thanks for all your writing. It inspired me to quit my top-of-the-ladder but miserable corporate day job, join a web3 gaming startup, start my own Substack, all the while spending more time with my kids. Beyond what I’ve been inspired to “do,” I think I’m on my way to curing myself of financial mental illness.