Over the last month, I’ve rebuilt my note-taking system into a digital garden. I love notes because, with each new entry, the whole system gets more valuable. They’re connected to each other, making a web of thought that I can rely on for my work. But my system has always lacked a particular feature, theContinue reading Make Notes in a Digital Garden
I love personality tests. I’m always curious to know which type of “human” I am. That’s why, when I came across The Four Types of Readers by Samuel Coleridge, my curiosity spiked. Coleridge was an 19th century English poet, critic, and philosopher which helped the Romantic Movement, and was a member of the Lake Poets,Continue reading The Four Types of Readers
Let’s do a thought experiment. Assume I give you ten thousand dollars and a book that teaches the exact method for converting your money into one million dollars by the end of the month. The only requirement is that you must follow its instructions perfectly. How would you go about learning from that book? WouldContinue reading A Useful Framework for Learning New Things (D-I-R-T)
I was a terrible student until I entered college, and even then, the first two semesters were a disaster. I believed I wasn’t smart because I couldn’t keep up, especially in math class. I loved learning, but what I didn’t understand was that learning is a skill. It’s not about having a high IQ orContinue reading The Deliberate Practice of Learning
Yesterday was rough for me. It was one of those days where every little thing stacks up in the wrong direction so that, by the evening, you’re completely disheveled. I sat through several hours of administrative meetings at work (not my favorite), my son forgot about his dentist appointment, the gym was packed full ofContinue reading I Tranquilized Myself to Avoid Work
It’s cold outside. The walk from my car to the office was enough to make me never want to go outdoors again. As I clutched a hot coffee and fiddled with the keys to my door, I had a thought: if you stop too long in this world, you’ll freeze to death. The only wayContinue reading I Opened a Vietnam Time Capsule Today
It’s 1991 and I’m in my backyard laughing at my dog. His name is Maverick. He’s a springer spaniel with big brown ears and the need to chase his tail. I’m laughing because every time Maverick spins in a circle, I count – and I’m currently at 76. This dog has ambition. I’ve had aContinue reading Circular Reasoning in a Book
A fridge magnet changed my life. It said, “Show me your five closest friends and I’ll show you your future.” It’s the kind of saying that means little when you’re a kid, but I wasn’t a kid. I was sitting in the principal’s office with my son who had gotten himself in trouble on theContinue reading Your 5 Favorite Authors
Reading a book is like borrowing a brain from a genius – assuming the author is brilliant. Many aren’t, and that’s why it’s important to pick the best books, but I digress. Want to become a writing genius? Borrow William Zinsser’s brain and read “On Writing Well.” Want to become a decision-making genius? Borrow DanielContinue reading How to Borrow the Brain of a Genius