Write the book you want to read

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Sup y’all!

Last week, I published that I was writing again.

This week, I did not want to write. (Lol)

Last week, I said “And, just like working out, the task is never done. You have to continuously work out to stay in shape.”

This week, I have to remind myself of my own words, because I am, still, out of (writing) shape.

But, progress, I will.

Let’s get into it.

I’ve been digging back into my favorite book of all time, Steal Like An Artist.

It’s the book that first showed me I should move to San Francisco. That I should explore. That I should build something. That I could, should, and would (choose to) create. 

Steal Like An Artist is not a book about stealing. Or art, really.

It’s a book about life (I believe).

And I think it should be required reading in school.

I’ve found it particularly helpful when I’m at a crossroads in life, or when I’m just in a “dry spell.” 

I can’t recommend it enough (clearly). And the best part is - it’s basically a picture book, so you can read it in an hour sitting. Or leave it on the back of your toilet… er, couch… to pick up for a couple of minutes a day to learn a new lesson or grab a bit of inspiration to help you go create. 

Anyway, one of the messages in the book is the concept of, well - here’s the page in the book: 

This phrase kept popping up in my mind this week.

And, actually, until I went to add this screenshot to this post, I remembered the phrase as: “Write the book only you can write” which is a funny Freudian slip.

In any case, here’s the question it sparked for me:

What is a topic you’re really interested in, that you have a unique point of view on?

In other words, “find the lesson only you can teach.”

Sounds easy, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized… I don’t know!

But I love this question.

And asking the right questions is a superpower. So I’m grateful that I found this new question to wrestle with.

I’ve read Steal Like An Artist hundreds of times. And this time, in my current season, it’s this “lesson” that hit me the hardest. “Lesson” is the wrong word. Prompt, perhaps, is the better way to put it. 

I hope it’s a helpful prompt for you to wrestle with, too…

Write the book you want to read. 

What is my story to tell? 

I don’t know—yet.

And that’s ok. 

Speak soon, 

B.

• I’m still bullish on crypto long-term (eg: BTC, ETH, and NFTs). This 20-minute keynote speech by Erik Voorhees is worth watching if you’re still crypto-curious in this bear market. It’s eloquent, powerful, compelling, and inspiring.
  [Trigger warning: he’s a libertarian so don’t @ me if you disagree with some of his political opinions - many people are pro-crypto because they want to separate money and state.]

• All-in Podcast had its summit last month. Here are my favorite talks (these are my titles, not the official titles aha) - Bill Gurley outlines the hidden underbelly of Regulatory Capture, Brian Armstrong talks about the current state of crypto, Mr Beast is a focused maniac, and Ray Dalio on the changing world order.

• How to Feel Energized & Sleep Better With One Morning Activity | Dr. Andrew Huberman. TLDR: get sunlight for 5-10 minutes immediately when you wake up. We’re more similar to plants than we probably like to admit heh.

• Zeke Faux on His Crypto Adventures and His Relationship With SBF - Ep. 545 - Very entertaining stories about the rise and fall of SBF (he is so bad for the crypto industry — such a bummer he entered the space).

• *Conspiracy Theory? The 3 Companies That Own The World. *Probably not.

• I think AI is actually underrated. Marc Andreessen: How Risk Taking, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Transform Human Experience (Huberman Lab).