How To Enjoy The Process

Cultivate a Portfolio of Meaning: Some people work to live. Others live to work. I get meaning from both domains. That means I will be less enlightened than some and less impactful than others. I’ve come to peace with this tradeoff.

If you’re efficient, you’re doing it the wrong way. The right way is the hard way. The show was successful because I micromanaged it—every word, every line, every take, every edit, every casting. That’s my way of life.

For a long time, it was “you’re welcome.” This indicates that you put in some effort and you’re willing to do it again on request.

Recently “no problem” has become more common. This implies that the effort could have been a huge hassle, but this time, it was okay.

For people who are choosing to do the work of hospitality and connection, though, the... See more

How are you reading this email right now?

There’s likely a more pleasurable way to experience it. Perhaps it’s being less rushed, or noticing the sensations in your body and feeling how each word lands in your system.

Transformation from the gut is all about our capacity to enjoy pleasure.

When I say pleasure, I don’t mean getting a massage or doing

... See more

The best way to control your emotional capital is to fine tune your internal monologue and replace your hunger for approval with a desire to grow.

Now I just want to explore. That may mean blog posts, research papers, new investing strategies, letters, podcasts, long periods of nothing, or maybe another book. Who knows? Exploration is continuous, there is no end point. Focusing on exploration is very rewarding all the time. It may produce things that look like end points, like achievements,

... See more

When I go into a situation, I try to keep a mindset of baseline optimism.

• When starting the day: It’s going to be a good day.


• When meeting someone new: I’m going to like them.


• When trying something challenging: It’s going to work out.

Problems will inevitably arise and I’ll deal with them as the situation demands, but my preference is to assume I’m... See more