Welcome to episode No. 8 of my curiosity diary! ✦
I’m spread a bit thin these days as I was away last week (Zurich 🇨🇭) and the house remodeling eliminates any and all plans I set. I don’t like to be in a hurry but days like these make me reflect on my priorities.
So here are 4 things that helped me do just that in the past 2 weeks.
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I’ve been a little too busy these past few weeks so I’ve been considering to reprioritize my commitments.
I don’t love being bored, but I need to get bored once in a while.
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Life is a series of tradeoffs, and greater results usually require greater tradeoffs.
The question is not, "Do you want to be great at this?"
The question is, "What are you willing to give up in order to be great at this?
I bumped into this James Clear thought just as I was considering a major change in my priorities. I’m simplifying my life around a few simple goals and the perspective of tradeoffs helps to put things into perspective.
What are you willing to give up?
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Further, what are you willing to give up that other people don’t even notice?
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1 Question For You
The generalist becomes more powerful when they develop a specialty where they can apply their broad insight.
The specialist becomes more powerful when they develop a broader surface area of knowledge to connect with their expertise.
Which side are you favoring right now? Would you benefit from a broader area to apply your already honed skills? Or do you need deeper skills to unlock your general knowledge?
I don't like a full inbox. In fact, I go inbox zero almost every week. James Clear’s newsletter is one of those I don't unsubscribe.
Great format and always seems like thinking about things I’m thinking about.
So: generalist drill down or specialist zoom out?
P.S.
I added WIP to the newsletter title because 1) I want to publish way more stuff, even while it’s unfinished and 2) the obvious homage to Edwin Faeh, the founder of Carhartt WIP - highly recommend the great storytelling on the beginnings of streetwear and the brand in this obscure Hypebeast podcast that ran only for a few episodes. ❊