Becoming a Person of Value
Becoming a Person of Value
Hello everyone,
Some quick updates on the blog - My blog has been going through a transformation. I’ve been less and less concerned about writing content that people want to read, and more concerned with content that feels right to me. The funny thing is, more people are reading. My favorite from this week is entitled When You’re Feeling Down.
Onward.
More from the blog…
Enjoy this week’s newsletter. :)
The Power of Habits
Recently, I’ve been enjoying the work of James Clear.
James is a writer and a photographer. James writes with clarity and a voice of his own. His latest book, The Power of Habits, is now 40% off.
In his book, Clear writes about automation. If we automate most of our lives, then we have the full attention span to focus on the things that really matter. What really matters will change from person to person, but generally speaking, this includes family time, growth in our careers, or specific work that moves the needle.
Clear also hints towards the downsides of automation. For instance, automation can lead to Netflix binges because it is easier to let the next episode play than it is to get up and stop it.
Building good habits has been proven over and over again to be a major contributing factor to a successful life. We can be proactive in building new habits and there are even guides and templates to teach us how to do so.
It’s safe to say there’s a happy middle ground. I highly recommend you read this article (and excerpt from his new book) from James Clear.
How to Automate a Habit and Never Think About it Again
Could Less Options Lead to More Success, Contentedness and Happiness?
In high school, I vividly remember my psychology teacher telling me about an interesting mental health study he read. He told me that in tribal societies, there really is no such thing as depression or attention deficit disorder or even depression.
***Note - I have looked far and wide of evidence of this claim, I haven’t found anything but I know Mr. Weidman wouldn’t lie about it. Regardless, if you find any information on this topic, please forward it to tim@stodzy.com.
He told me that the reason he believed this to be was because people in tribal societies don’t have as many choices.
We have more choices then ever. Just walk down any isle in a grocery store. In researching this week, I have found countless articles and examples in how our obsession with choices is crippling our ability to make decisions.
It’s why we have more clothes then ever and always feel like we have nothing to wear.
It’s a potential factor in the increasing ADHD rate in children.
It’s a huge determining factor in whether a business will be successful in selling their products or services.
To finish up this subject, I highly recommend taking 20 minutes to watch Barry Schwartz’s Ted Talk on The Paradox of Choice. It’s fascinating and can apply in all of our lives.
The Power of Personal Branding
There is no question that building a brand around your own ideas, messages and content can be extremely powerful.
My own personal brand has played a big roll in my success, both as a marketing tool but also as a means of self reflection and discipline.
Some problems I see with personal branding is that people lose focus on what the objective behind a brand really is. Since all of us are essentially members of the collective digital society, understanding how to build a personal brand is something we should at least be aware of.
I have many of my own ideas around personal branding, social media, and “doing it for the likes.” Let’s dive into this.
First, I would like to introduce you to what I feel is the best podcast around personal branding. YouPreneur.FM - building the business of you.
Next, I want you to spend some time to read this excellent guide. The Definitive Guide to Personal Branding.
Finally, here’s a well written article by Shelcy Joseph on what it really means to build a personal brand.
But wait, there’s a downside?
Yes there is. One of the unfortunate side effects of our “personal branding culture” is that more and more people are lying about their perfect lives in order to create a facade of positivety and happiness.
Everyone knows your not as happy as you look on social media, but the lie is powerful.
If you are going to commit to building a personal brand, it is my strong suggestion to be honest, transparent and to fight against the pull of wanting to project an image of perfection.
It’s dangerous, phony, and rarely has the long lasting results that we look for in designing our successful lives. For example, I found an insane article about people rending out this penthouse suite in Manhattan simply for the purpose to taking Instagram pictures.
This is a topic I will definitely revisit in the future.
Video of the Week
I enjoyed Ryan Holiday’s approach on monetizing your art. So many artists struggle to monetize what it is that they love to do. This is a great starting point to build a business around your art and your passion.
Quote of the Week
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein
Photo of the Week
2,018 people perform Tai Chi in terraced fields to welcome China's National Day on September 29, 2018, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China.
Final Thought
There was a lot going through my mind this week.
In my life, when things get difficult, I have always reverted back to my family. I am so blessed in that I was raised within a family that was tight knit. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. As I’ve gotten older, I realize that the bond I’ve had with my family is worth more than anything.
If you are lucky enough to have your family in your life, you need to hold onto them. The moments we share together are limited. Enjoy them.