Hey there —

September is right around the corner. And if you’re like most people, you probably cannot believe 2022 is 4 months away because you’re still trying to process 2020.

The passing of time can sometimes be so sudden it's disorienting. But is there a reason why our perception of time accelerates, and more importantly, can we slow it down?

Yes and yes. It turns out repetition is the main culprit that makes life feel like it’s moving too fast. When we establish a routine, we strengthen specific neural synapses by repeating the same action consistently. After a while our brain tends to go on autopilot, guided by muscle memory and the entropy of time.

While routines are necessary for building good habits, they don’t engage the brain too much. Without new experiences, challenges, or encounters our brain doesn’t reinforce new neural pathways or get busy storing fresh memories. And *poof* - time vanishes.

The key to slowing things down? Experimentation.

It’s not about chucking your routines out the window. Rather, it’s about thinking outside the box and trying new things around the lifestyle you have. To accomplish this, begin implementing experimentation as a new habit by looking to add a unique experience for each routine.

Experimenting sounds like a lot of work, but it isn’t as dramatic as you might think. It can be as simple as buying a new flavor of La Croix, trying a new running path, or eating an apple in the shower. Whatever floats your boat.

The main point is to run daily experiments that’ll allow you to question the status quo, discover new things you might like, and of course, slow down time. Ask yourself, “What can I experiment with today?” and watch the days grow longer.

As Michael Altshuler would say, “The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you’re the pilot.”

How to Maximize Serendipity

Article | by David Perell

What do LSD, X-Rays, gravity, and the smallpox vaccination have in common?

Serendipity. They were all discovered by complete accident, where a random unfolding of events lead to a beneficial outcome. We can only imagine poor Dr. Albert Hoffman, who just wanted to synthesize chemical compounds and suddenly found himself catapulted to another stratosphere of consciousness.

But serendipity can do more than lead to scientific discoveries. It can also be implemented into your life to attract unexpected opportunities and chance encounters.

In David Perell’s article How to Maximize Serendipity, he informs us serendipity is a skill which can be learned. He offers several key tactics to broaden our surface area of good fortune, including posting content online, avoiding boring people, and the Hotel Bathroom Principle (definitely not what you think it is).

The way David puts it, serendipity is basically controllable luck. If you put yourself in a position to receive it good fortune will come knockin’ on your door.

TL;DR
Learn how to maximize serendipity to accelerate your progress and increase good fortune.

Read this post →

The Advantage of Being a Little Under-Employed

Article | by Morgan Housel

There is a 99.92% chance you’re not an American railroad worker.

But there’s a 71% chance you work a 9-to-5 of some kind.

You might be wondering WTF we’re getting at here. But check this out: The five-day, 40-hour a week model was originally designed in 1916 for the endurance constraints of railroad workers.

Today, 105 years later, the 9-to-5 work schedule is standard for every industry. This is bonkers, considering the biggest employment change is we now work with computers instead of performing physical labor.

It’s...outdated, to put it nicely.

So, what does the ideal workweek look like for people who are prone to be mentally exhausted rather than physically exhausted? Morgan Housel’s article suggests a drastic alternative from the 9-to-5, where instead we take long breaks to kind of sit around and do nothing. Which also sounds kind of crazy.

Yet, Morgan provides a compelling case as to why our best creative work is often done when we’re not working at all.

“Tell your boss you found a trick that will make you more creative and productive, and they ask what you’re waiting for. Tell them that your trick is taking a 90-minute walk in the middle of the day, and they say no, you need to work. Another way to put this is that a lot of workers have thought jobs without much time to think.”

TL;DR
Our best creative work is done intermittently, rather than sitting in front of a screen for eight hours.

Read this post →

Obstacles are Opportunities in Disguise

Video | by The Futur

What does it mean to live up to your potential?

In Chris Do’s YouTube video Reinvent Yourself, it’s about seeing obstacles as a call to action to transform yourself. In this 25-minute video, Do tells his own journey of how he was able to go from graphic design, to motion design, to teaching millions and building his own media empire. Casual.

Through his story, we learn that how you respond to an obstacle influences the outcome of your life. Do lays out a clear three-part action plan for us to tackle obstacles, including learning to let go, redefining your identity, and trendspotting.

In short: This is a mini-masterclass on reinventing yourself. Isn't it crazy what you can find on YouTube these days?

Take the time to identify the obstacles standing in between what you want from life, then watch this video and get motivated to take them head on.

TL;DR
Obstacles are opportunities for growth in disguise.

Watch the video →

Niko Montague

This week we’re featuring Niko, a recent post-grad and Youtube newbie. While he might be new to the tube, this guy’s video quality doesn't reflect it. It’s high-quality. Neeks makes videos on productivity, storytelling, and finding your life’s purpose.

Why do you create? Who is your content for?

Part of me creates for myself. I just find it therapeutic to take a thought and make it a reality. Another part of me creates so that maybe I can change people's lives. Just as others have created things that have changed mine. As for who I create for? Is it lame to say I’m still figuring that out?

The biggest lesson you’ve learned since you began creating content?

Hmm, I guess the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that failure is your friend. I don’t think there’s really any great human success story where failure isn’t the foundation.

One thing you wish you knew before you got started?

Probably that every project isn’t going to make or break your career. They’re all just building blocks and learning experiences, but at first, I put so much pressure on myself to make the best thing I’ve ever made.

One piece of advice you’d give to aspiring creators and self-development nerds?

I think it’s a simple piece of advice, but often an overlooked one. If you really want something, make a vow to yourself that you’ll never give up no matter what. With that one thing, you can almost guarantee you’ll go wherever your imagination takes you.

On an average day, how many pigeons do you think you could reasonably carry?

If they’re flappin around, probably 1. But if they’re docile? I could stack 6 of them 🤣

Check out Neeks on YouTube →

Written by Alice Lemée

Edited by Matt D'Avella & Stephen Wise