Writer exploring culture, technology, life design, and the human experience. Writing at BarryFralick.com
Sunday Notes 11/10/24
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Greetings friends. Here are this week's notes. From me: A shit show I had a normal schedule planned this week, but nothing went right. A couple of examples: Thursday, some clown dropped a huge bottle of Frank's Red Hot in the middle of Walmart, shattering it and leaving my shoes and pants covered in bright orange hot sauce minutes before I needed to be at an appointment. It was me. I was the clown. Friday, I woke up to an urgent text message from a friend who had a small fire at his business, begging me to come and help get things operational. Of course, I obliged without hesitation, spending all day Friday and Saturday helping to get things up and running, thus leaving me in a time crunch. Now, normally, I would sit down this morning and figure out what to write you guys, but frankly, I am tapped. So, instead, I am going to drink some coffee and chill and wish you all a relaxing Sunday. I will be back with regular programming next week. The below is from Sunday Notes, 4/16/23, where I was in a similar situation. I'm in a hurry this week. Family commitments and other unforeseen circumstances have left me in a time crunch. Which makes me start thinking of things I could skip. A workout. Some household chores. Or perhaps this newsletter.
But here is the thing, I've never missed an edition of Sunday Notes. I've been hurt, sick, depressed, and feeling blah. I've still never missed a week. 135 editions counting today.
Jerry Seinfeld is noted for his writing streak. He put a giant calendar on his wall and marked an X for every day that he wrote. His only job: Don't break the chain.
I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober for over twenty years. In conversation, he once told me the idea behind quitting alcohol wasn't telling himself he could never drink again. It was simply telling himself he wasn't going to drink today, and repeating that to himself each morning.
Use streaks as a last line of defense when motivation becomes scarce. The longer the streak, the stronger it becomes and the harder it is to break.
-- Life Design: against brute forcing You can make a lot of things happen if you’re smart and persistent. But should you? -- Interesting: Who died and left the US $7 billion? -- Personal finance: Wealth = Have ÷ Want Have 10 but want 100? You are poor.
Have 10 but only want 5? You are wealthy.
Have 10 but are happy with 1? You are very wealthy.
-- People: Your Definitive 8-Step Guide for Dealing with Assholes -- A quote: Life is a competition, but it is not a race against anyone else. The real journey is against yourself and the true victory is being able to maintain your humanity.
― P.T. Barnum
-- Lastly, a question: What could you have done 5 years ago that would be beneficial today? Should you still do it? That is it for this week's edition. See you next week. Barry |
Barry Fralick
Writer exploring culture, technology, life design, and the human experience. Writing at BarryFralick.com
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