Category: Thoughts

sunrise at Vidanta Riviera Maya

MattLeave a comment
a glowing orange and yellow sky with some purple colored clouds and the silhouette of a dock and a few people against the sky

As an early bird, it doesn’t get much better than seeing the sunrise in interesting places (like mountaintops along the Long Trail or The Terrasse Dufferin). Unlike sunset, which can be equally pretty, it’s often a performance for a just small group. It’s peaceful and intimate.

I also find an energizing optimism about the sunrise, an emphatic reminder that a new day has begun and we’re starting fresh.

Vidanta Riviera Maya sits on the Yucatán Peninsula, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, with a wonderful view east towards the rising sun. I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times in the last 4 years and have made a point of watching the sunrise often during my stays.

Mostly it’s me and the crew of guys raking the seaweed off the beach. Sometimes a few other guests join—usually more around changeover days. I hardly ever see anyone twice.

note-taking and the iPad

MattLeave a comment

I have a tendency to repeatedly reevaluate my note-taking systems, apps, and tools. There is always this nebulous idea in my mind that I’m one tweak away from organizational bliss, extreme productivity, and lower stress.

Over the years I’ve often thought that incorporating an iPad (or other digital handwriting machine like a reMarkable 2) into my system would be helpful. Yet, as nice a device as it is, it’s never really clicked for me.

Here are some facts:

Continue reading “note-taking and the iPad” →

old ruts

Matt1 Comment

Old ruts are often waiting to disrupt new habits, even when those new habits have been successful.

Don’t get disrupted.

  • Remind yourself what has been successful.
  • Double down on those things.
  • If you slide into an old rut, use your new skills to get back out.

It’s hard to smooth out the ruts entirely. So being aware that the ruts are still there is helpful, lest the ruts be mistaken for new good ideas (this happens surprisingly often).

…when they’re really just well worn bad ones.

the stubbornness to accept our gladness

MattLeave a comment

Keep smiling. No one said this is supposed to be easy.

We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure,
but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.

A Brief for the Defense, by Jack Gilbert

Embrace the messiness of life. Double down on what is working. Find reasons to be optimistic.

Keep love in your heart. Keep the dream alive.

what to optimize

MattLeave a comment

On the Tim Ferriss Show #668 he and Derek Sivers discuss the difference between “maximizers” and “satisfizers“, noting that satisfizers are happier. By satisfizers they mean someone who seeks good enough, or satisfactory, rather than optimal in all things.

By definition, you can’t optimize everything. If everything is a priority then nothing is.

Currently, I am aiming to optimize for energy.

Everyone has the same number of hours in the day; therefore, hours can’t be a significant differentiator. Energy is the currency and key differentiator for high achievers.

Focusing on energy is both simple and powerful. Distilling everything down to “does this energize me or drain me?” is easy to remember and act on, while at the same time affecting everything else automatically.

It’s the inverse of worrying about 1,000 different things, which is exhausting, hard to turn into action, and ultimately doesn’t really affect anything (because you’re too busy worrying, strategizing, theorizing to actually do anything).

Just optimize for energy and, outside of that focus, let the chips fall where they may.

functional imperfection

Matt1 Comment
The words "shine on" written in white chalk on a rusty fire tower wall, overlooking a green forest.

As a lifelong perfectionist I can tell you there is no joy to be found in that pursuit. Instead, seek functional imperfection and let peace and harmony ensue.

I’ve found that it’s not enough to simply accept imperfection as a reality of life. That still leaves a feeling of settling, as if perfection would be great if only it was achievable.

Harry, there is never a perfect answer in this messy, emotional world. Perfection is beyond the reach of humankind, beyond the reach of magic.

Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Far better is to embrace and seek out objects, solutions, goals, and results that represent functional imperfection.

Continue reading “functional imperfection” →

pulling vs. pushing

MattLeave a comment

One reason that I have an affinity for blogging, and the open web in general, is that it represents a “pulling” paradigm. People go to the web to intentionally pull information that they’re interested in.

Social media is a “pushing” paradigm. It’s distraction central where one is bombarded by what everyone else thinks is interesting or important.

New Orleans

MattLeave a comment

One time people built a beautiful city at the mouth of a mighty river. It had amazing architecture, unique music and food, and a great culture. It also happened to be below sea level and frequently in the path of major hurricanes. Whoops.

So what do we do about it?

We don’t tear it down or move out and abandon the place, trying again somewhere else. We build levees, store emergency supplies, and train residents in disaster response. We harden our defenses, prepare for the potential problems as best we can, and enjoy life in the meantime. When the storm comes we weather it, learn from mistakes, and get ready to try again.

Sometimes in life you might build New Orleans. Celebrate that—New Orleans is a treasure. Put on some jazz and enjoy a po’ boy while you figure out how to protect and improve your city. Don’t burn the place down.

A Decalogue of Canons for Observation in Practical Life

MattLeave a comment

As the sun set on his impactful life, Thomas Jefferson wrote down ten precepts.

  1. Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today.
  2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
  3. Never spend your money before you have it.
  4. Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
  5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
  6. We never repent of having eaten too little.
  7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
  8. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
  9. Take things always by their smooth handle.
  10. When angry, count ten, before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.
—Thomas Jefferson, writing late in his life; quoted in Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

A particular favorite of mine is the observation “How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.”

The observations and reflections of those near the end of their life seem to me among the truest sources of wisdom and guidance towards a life well lived.