Writings on productivity, creativity, and a meaningful life.
On my very long and twisty journey toward fitness and physical well-being, I had chanced to read an article long ago called “Why the ‘pause-button mentality’ is ruining your health and fitness.” It was written by Dr. John Berardi over at Precision Nutrition, one of the few fitness coaches I have some respect for. I [ ]
If you’re like me, a knowledge worker, you sit at a desk most of the day. And as we all know, sitting in one position for hours on end just isn’t good for us. Our bodies crave movement, and when they don’t get it, they gradually lose the ability to move in basic patterns, like [ ]
Feeling overwhelmed? What if the answer isn’t becoming more productive? What if trying to do it all is what’s burning you out in the first place? Let’s try a different tack. What’s truly essential? What items on your todo list seem important, but don’t actually take you where you want to be? Reversing the question, [ ]
Are you searching, friend? For that next brilliant idea? The breakthrough, the tidbit that will unlock some invisible door inside your head, that will really fix your trouble, truly and always? I often am. I find myself with a little problem, say, a few extra pounds I’d like to lose. And then I start the [ ]
Many moons ago, staring out a window, dreaming of becoming an artist, I imagined it would be easy. I thought that artists went into their studios or author huts or studies, and hours later, emerged victorious, having communed with the muse in an effortless flow. Real art, like real life, is nothing like that. At [ ]
In the winter of 2016, with my best friend Philip, I set off to China for a 10-day tour that would hit Suzhou, Beijing, Wuxi, Shanghai, and Hangzhou—eastern cities near the sea. Having never been to Asia, I was in for a treat. And a shock. I was unprepared for the huge apartment buildings, towering [ ]
Last week I celebrated my 34th birthday. Oddly, I feel older, as if I should be on the back side of my 30s instead of the front. My friend Jeff always said that you don’t really figure life out until your 30s. Your 20s just suck. You’re confused; you’re stupid; you face round after round [ ]
Hi friends, It’s amazing how the last two weeks have taken us from concern to dread to acceptance of a new and dramatically altered reality. The things that seemed important earlier this year—for me, a trip to Utah, looking for a new car, spending time with friends—have been canceled or postponed indefinitely. The emotional weight [ ]
When we moved into our new house back in July, I knew I wanted to build a home gym. I spent months researching equipment, scouring Craigslist, and saving money in order to get the basics. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been consistently working out with what is essentially a fully outfitted gym at [ ]
It’s clear to me in retrospect, but it wasn’t clear at the time, that I have been bored at work. I haven’t been challenged enough. I was engaged in the sense that I cared and wanted my team to succeed, but I wasn’t galvanized—forced to bring all my wit to bear on solving the problems [ ]