Intro / Preface / Extra Words
This week's newsletter has a theme, kind of. It's about thinking. Who is telling you what to think? What do you drink when you're ready to stop thinking? How do you capture ideas? Are you overthinking simple things? What do you do when someone challenges your thinking? Do your thoughts motivate you or overwhelm you?
Enjoy.
Current Things
How Congress dismantled federal Internet privacy rules
I seem to remember a certain someone claim that his mission was to give power back to the people during his Bane-like inauguration speech. Seems as though part of the power he's giving back to us is the power to be marketed to more effectively by sharing data about how we use the Internet without requiring marketers to ask permission first.
The rules, they said, would cause consumers to miss out on customized promotions.
I didn't realize my interest in maintaining my privacy was causing me to miss out on bigger discounts on underwear! How exciting for me. Thanks Mr. Trump!
Food
Rules for an Honorable Nightcap
I read this article a few years ago and was recently reminded of it when I was discussing nightcaps with a few guys. Quickly summarized:
- A nightcap should be a one-off, not “one more” of whatever you’re drinking.
- Cocktails are for the beginning of the night, not the end.
- A nightcap should be brown.
- Drink it neat, pansy.
There's also a playlist at the bottom.
Business Time
How to Build Your Startup with No Technical Background or Budget
Draw on napkins. Better yet, take me out for beers and we'll both draw on napkins.
Work / Productivity
Stop Overthinking Small Decisions
"Make a call and move on." That's a very freeing statement. I should probably re-read this article weekly to remind myself that it's better to try something, test/evaluate, and then try again quickly than burning hours trying to line up the dominos just so. This article also introduced me to the term "bikeshedding" which I'm going to try to work into every meeting I have from now on. What decisions are you overthinking?
I love technology (and science)
You're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you
Think it sounds like a click-bait title? It's not, it's a statement. Side note: I don't read a ton of webcomics but I love The Oatmeal so much. If you have a fav webcomic, send me some links.
Further Reading
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
This week's further reading submission is from Richey. The description on Amazon made me feel like it fit with the theme of today's newsletter. It seems to be all about changing the way you motivate yourself, which in turn requires a little rewiring of your brain to defeat your "internal enemy" – your doubts and fears. It's only 256 pages, so it should only take me about a year to read.